LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that critically injured a man and asking the public for help to locate a suspect considered armed and dangerous.

Just after 7:30p.m. Monday, police responded to&nbsp;Newman Regional Health in Emporia after a man sought treatment for a gunshot wound, according to Sheriff Jeff Cope.

&nbsp;Justin Smith, 38, of Fredonia reported that a man he knew identified as 37-year-old Logan Casteel had shot him at a rural residence at 625 Road 160 .

Smith was later transferred to a larger hospital due to the serious nature of his injuries.

Casteel is described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is considered armed and dangerous.

If anyone knows Casteel’s whereabouts or information about the crime, they should report it to the Lyon Co. Sheriff’s Office at 620-341-3205 or Lyon Co. Crime Stoppers at 620-342-2273.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666347549374.png" alt="Casteel-photo Lyon Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Casteel-photo Lyon Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that critically injured a man and asking the public for help to locate a suspect considered armed and dangerous.Just after 7:30p.m. Monday, police responded to&nbsp;Newman Regional Health in Emporia after a man sought treatment for a gunshot wound, according to Sheriff Jeff Cope.&nbsp;Justin Smith, 38, of Fredonia reported that a man he knew identified as 37-year-old Logan Casteel had shot him at a rural residence at 625 Road 160 .Smith was later transferred to a larger hospital due to the serious nature of his injuries.Casteel is described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is considered armed and dangerous.If anyone knows Casteel’s whereabouts or information about the crime, they should report it to the Lyon Co. Sheriff’s Office at 620-341-3205 or Lyon Co. Crime Stoppers at 620-342-2273.

Sheriff asks for help to locate Kansas shooting suspect 

WICHITA— Former Vice President Mike Pence is in Wichita Friday to campaign for Republican candidate for governor, Derek Schmidt.

"I'm coming to Kansas for one reason, and one reason only," Pence said. "Kansas needs Derek Schmidt to be its next governor. Derek is a proven, common sense conservative leader. He's been one of the most preeminent and effective conservative attorney generals around the country."

Pence isn't ready to say what his political future might be, but he is still looking to serve the country wherever he can.

"I love this country," Pence said. "My grandfather emigrated to this country in 1923. My family has lived the American Dream. My dad was a combat veteran in Korea and I was just raised to believe that you give back. I never imagined I'd have the privilege to serve my hometown in Congress, serve alongside great people like Jerry Moran and Mike Pompeo. Never imagined I'd be able to be Governor, let alone Vice President of the United States. For me, it's all been about just trying to make sure that we do whatever we can do to support men and women running for election and re-election. It's such a challenging time in the life of the country."

Pence noted that the economy is what everyone all over the country and here in Kansas is talking about.

"It really comes down, right now, to the failed policies of the Biden administration, which Laura Kelly has supported every step of the way," Pence said. "Policies that have created inflation at a 40-year high, gasoline prices, through the roof, a crime wave in our major cities and of course, a crisis at our southern border, the likes of which we've never seen."

Pence will join Schmidt at Wichita's B&amp;C Barbeque doors open at 2:15 Friday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666358024202.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostWICHITA— Former Vice President Mike Pence is in Wichita Friday to campaign for Republican candidate for governor, Derek Schmidt."I'm coming to Kansas for one reason, and one reason only," Pence said. "Kansas needs Derek Schmidt to be its next governor. Derek is a proven, common sense conservative leader. He's been one of the most preeminent and effective conservative attorney generals around the country."Pence isn't ready to say what his political future might be, but he is still looking to serve the country wherever he can."I love this country," Pence said. "My grandfather emigrated to this country in 1923. My family has lived the American Dream. My dad was a combat veteran in Korea and I was just raised to believe that you give back. I never imagined I'd have the privilege to serve my hometown in Congress, serve alongside great people like Jerry Moran and Mike Pompeo. Never imagined I'd be able to be Governor, let alone Vice President of the United States. For me, it's all been about just trying to make sure that we do whatever we can do to support men and women running for election and re-election. It's such a challenging time in the life of the country."Pence noted that the economy is what everyone all over the country and here in Kansas is talking about."It really comes down, right now, to the failed policies of the Biden administration, which Laura Kelly has supported every step of the way," Pence said. "Policies that have created inflation at a 40-year high, gasoline prices, through the roof, a crime wave in our major cities and of course, a crisis at our southern border, the likes of which we've never seen."Pence will join Schmidt at Wichita's B&amp;C Barbeque doors open at 2:15 Friday afternoon.

Kansas campaign rally for Schmidt features former vice president

MANHATTAN–&nbsp;Following a month-long investigation, police arrested Michael Steere, 26, of Manhattan on Thursday for past sex crimes involving a juvenile female victim known to him, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.

Steere is&nbsp; being held on requested charges that include three counts each of rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child connected to incidents occurring between August 2017 and September 2022.

MANHATTAN–&nbsp;Following a month-long investigation, police arrested Michael Steere, 26, of Manhattan on Thursday for past sex crimes involving a juvenile female victim known to him, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.Steere is&nbsp; being held on requested charges that include three counts each of rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child connected to incidents occurring between August 2017 and September 2022.Police released no additional details.

Police: Kansas man accused of child sex crimes from 2017

WASHINGTON (AP) — Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, was sentenced Friday to serve four months behind bars after defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

The judge allowed Bannon to stay free pending appeal and also imposed a fine of $6,500 as part of the sentence.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-steve-bannon-donald-trump-congress-government-and-politics-26c539434d968d642563b38c34a62916">Bannon was convicted in July</a>&nbsp;of two counts of contempt of Congress: one for refusing to sit for a deposition and the other for refusing to provide documents.

U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols handed down the sentence after saying the law was clear that contempt of Congress is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of at least one month behind bars. Bannon’s lawyers had argued the judge could’ve sentenced him to probation instead. Prosecutors had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-steve-bannon-donald-trump-subpoenas-congress-5fc152386853002290ac4e6cb35ce566">asked for Bannon to be sent to jail for six months</a>.

The House panel had sought Bannon’s testimony over his involvement in Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Bannon has yet to testify or provide any documents to the committee, prosecutors wrote.

Prosecutors argued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/steve-bannon">Bannon</a>, 68, deserved the longer sentence because he had pursued a “bad faith strategy” and his public statements disparaging the committee itself made it clear he wanted to undermine their effort to get to the bottom of the violent attack and keep anything like it from happening again.

“He chose to hide behind fabricated claims of executive privilege and advice of counsel to thumb his nose at Congress,” said prosecutor J.P. Cooney.

“Your honor, the defendant is not above the law and that is exactly what makes this case important,” Cooney said. “It must be made clear to the public, to the citizens, that no one is above the law.”

The defense, meanwhile, said he wasn’t acting in bad faith, but trying to avoid running afoul of executive privilege objections Trump had raised when Bannon was first served with a committee subpoena last year. The onetime presidential adviser said he wanted to a Trump lawyer in the room, but the committee wouldn’t allow it.

Many other former White House aides have testified with only their own counsel. Bannon had been fired from the White House in 2017 and was a private citizen when he was consulting with the then-president before the riot.

Before the judge handed down the sentence, Bannon’s lawyer, David Schoen, gave an impassioned argument railing against the committee and saying Bannon had simply done was his lawyer told him to do under Trump’s executive privilege objections.

“Quite frankly, Mr. Bannon should make no apology. No American should make any apology for the manner in which Mr. Bannon proceeded in this case,” he said.

Schoen also defended Bannon’s public remarks about the committee: “Telling the truth about this committee or speaking one’s mind about this committee, it’s not only acceptable in this country, it's an obligation if one believes it to be true,” Schoen said.

As he walked into court on Friday, Bannon told reporters, “This illegitimate regime, their judgment day is on 8 November when the Biden administration ends.” Bannon did not speak during the hearing, saying only, “My lawyers have spoken for me, your honor.”

Bannon has also argued that he had offered to testify after Trump waived executive privilege. But that was after the contempt charges were filed, and prosecutors say he would only agree to give the deposition if the case was dropped.

Prosecutors had pushed for the maximum fine, saying Bannon refused to answer routine questions about his income and insisted he could pay whatever the judge imposed.

Bannon is also facing separate money laundering, fraud and conspiracy charges in New York related to the “We Build the Wall” campaign. Bannon has pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors say Bannon falsely promised donors that all money would go to constructing a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, but instead was involved with transferring hundreds of thousands of dollars to third-party entities and using them to funnel payments to two other people involved in the scheme.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658518117885.jpeg" alt="Former White House strategist Steve Bannon arrives at the federal court in Washington last month (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)" />
 <figcaption>Former White House strategist Steve Bannon arrives at the federal court in Washington last month (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, was sentenced Friday to serve four months behind bars after defying a subpoena from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.The judge allowed Bannon to stay free pending appeal and also imposed a fine of $6,500 as part of the sentence.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-steve-bannon-donald-trump-congress-government-and-politics-26c539434d968d642563b38c34a62916">Bannon was convicted in July</a>&nbsp;of two counts of contempt of Congress: one for refusing to sit for a deposition and the other for refusing to provide documents.U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols handed down the sentence after saying the law was clear that contempt of Congress is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of at least one month behind bars. Bannon’s lawyers had argued the judge could’ve sentenced him to probation instead. Prosecutors had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-steve-bannon-donald-trump-subpoenas-congress-5fc152386853002290ac4e6cb35ce566">asked for Bannon to be sent to jail for six months</a>.The House panel had sought Bannon’s testimony over his involvement in Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Bannon has yet to testify or provide any documents to the committee, prosecutors wrote.Prosecutors argued&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/steve-bannon">Bannon</a>, 68, deserved the longer sentence because he had pursued a “bad faith strategy” and his public statements disparaging the committee itself made it clear he wanted to undermine their effort to get to the bottom of the violent attack and keep anything like it from happening again.“He chose to hide behind fabricated claims of executive privilege and advice of counsel to thumb his nose at Congress,” said prosecutor J.P. Cooney.“Your honor, the defendant is not above the law and that is exactly what makes this case important,” Cooney said. “It must be made clear to the public, to the citizens, that no one is above the law.”The defense, meanwhile, said he wasn’t acting in bad faith, but trying to avoid running afoul of executive privilege objections Trump had raised when Bannon was first served with a committee subpoena last year. The onetime presidential adviser said he wanted to a Trump lawyer in the room, but the committee wouldn’t allow it.Many other former White House aides have testified with only their own counsel. Bannon had been fired from the White House in 2017 and was a private citizen when he was consulting with the then-president before the riot.Before the judge handed down the sentence, Bannon’s lawyer, David Schoen, gave an impassioned argument railing against the committee and saying Bannon had simply done was his lawyer told him to do under Trump’s executive privilege objections.“Quite frankly, Mr. Bannon should make no apology. No American should make any apology for the manner in which Mr. Bannon proceeded in this case,” he said.Schoen also defended Bannon’s public remarks about the committee: “Telling the truth about this committee or speaking one’s mind about this committee, it’s not only acceptable in this country, it's an obligation if one believes it to be true,” Schoen said.As he walked into court on Friday, Bannon told reporters, “This illegitimate regime, their judgment day is on 8 November when the Biden administration ends.” Bannon did not speak during the hearing, saying only, “My lawyers have spoken for me, your honor.”Bannon has also argued that he had offered to testify after Trump waived executive privilege. But that was after the contempt charges were filed, and prosecutors say he would only agree to give the deposition if the case was dropped.Prosecutors had pushed for the maximum fine, saying Bannon refused to answer routine questions about his income and insisted he could pay whatever the judge imposed.Bannon is also facing separate money laundering, fraud and conspiracy charges in New York related to the “We Build the Wall” campaign. Bannon has pleaded not guilty.Prosecutors say Bannon falsely promised donors that all money would go to constructing a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, but instead was involved with transferring hundreds of thousands of dollars to third-party entities and using them to funnel payments to two other people involved in the scheme.

Former Trump chief strategist sentenced for defying 1/6 subpoena

RENO COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities and USD 308 officials are investigating after a student brought a gun to school on Friday.

&nbsp;Hutchinson Middle School-7 Principal and Hutchinson Police Department seized a gun from a student entering school Friday, according to a statement from&nbsp;USD 308 Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson.

"Through proper reporting and people speaking up, Nate Henry, Principal, was able to have police presence at the school when the student entered. The gun has been confiscated by police, and the student is in police custody."

"Classes at HMS-7 were in a lockdown for a short period of time Friday morning, and all students and staff are safe."

"We thank the individuals who spoke up to report the concern and bring it to the attention of the principal, and we appreciate Mr. Henry being proactive and working with Hutch PD to keep our students and community safe."

RENO COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities and USD 308 officials are investigating after a student brought a gun to school on Friday.&nbsp;Hutchinson Middle School-7 Principal and Hutchinson Police Department seized a gun from a student entering school Friday, according to a statement from&nbsp;USD 308 Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson."Through proper reporting and people speaking up, Nate Henry, Principal, was able to have police presence at the school when the student entered. The gun has been confiscated by police, and the student is in police custody.""Classes at HMS-7 were in a lockdown for a short period of time Friday morning, and all students and staff are safe.""We thank the individuals who spoke up to report the concern and bring it to the attention of the principal, and we appreciate Mr. Henry being proactive and working with Hutch PD to keep our students and community safe."

Student in custody after bringing gun to Kansas middle school

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon will provide travel funds and support for troops and their dependents who seek&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortions</a>&nbsp;but are based in states where they are now illegal, according to a new department policy released Thursday. The military will also increase privacy protections for those seeking care.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://media.defense.gov/2022/Oct/20/2003099747/-1/-1/1/MEMORANDUM-ENSURING-ACCESS-TO-REPRODUCTIVE-HEALTH-CARE.PDF">order</a>&nbsp;issued by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin outlines the rights and protections service members and their dependents will have regardless of where they are based, which was a key concern of troops after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.</a>

Access to abortion has become a central issue in the midterm elections. President Joe Biden promised this week that the first bill he sends to Capitol Hill next year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-2022-midterm-elections-biden-health-congress-f3ffadd1d55625a4af7b87f6b691fbbc">will be one that writes abortion protections into law,</a>&nbsp;if Democrats control enough seats in Congress to pass it.

And he said, in a forum with NowThis News, that he would support a federal fund to reimburse some costs for those who have to travel for the procedure.

“I do support that, and I’ve publicly urged companies to do that," he said. "I’ve urged them publicly as president of the United States saying, ‘This is what you should be doing.’’’

The high court ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson case stripped away women’s constitutional protections for abortion and left it to states to determine whether the procedure is legal within their borders. In the months since, abortion has been banned or sharply restricted in more than a dozen states.

The new military policy sets guidelines so that local commanders aren't allowed to influence whether service members get access to care or face a culture where they or their dependents do not come forward out of fear of repercussions. It builds on an initial reaction by the Pentagon in June, when, days after the Supreme Court decision, the Pentagon said it would continue to allow medical leave for service members who needed to travel out of state to get abortions but noted it needed to review the court ruling and subsequent state laws to see if further guidance would be necessary.

Austin directed the services to implement the new policy by the end of this calendar year.

The Pentagon has also been concerned that the Dobbs decision could affect recruitment and retention as service members or potential recruits weighed the risk that they would be assigned to states where abortions are illegal. Many of the Pentagon’s major military bases are located in states including Texas and Florida where anti-abortion laws are now in place.

The new guidelines also direct each military base to publicly display what reproductive heath care support is available for service members and their dependents, extend the time in which a service member must report a pregnancy to commanders to 20 weeks and provide additional protections for defense health care providers who furnish abortion services.

Under federal law, the Pentagon’s health care system can provide abortions only in cases of rape or incest or when a mother’s life is in danger. That doesn't change under the new policy. The funds the military would provide service members would cover transportation only; they would not pay for abortion services that are not covered by federal law.

Attorney Natalie Khawam, who represented the family of slain U.S. soldier Vanessa Guillén, whose body was found last year outside the boundary of Fort Hood, Texas, said the policy is part of a continued effort by the Pentagon to address a military culture that has not been supportive of female service members. Guillén’s death led to sweeping changes as to how sexual harassment and assault are addressed in the military.

“When you are protecting a woman, you are protecting a family, you are protecting everyone that's in her nexus. It could be her children, it could be her parents, it could be her spouse or siblings, and you are definitely protecting the country as she's serving the country," Khawam said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666293855614.png" alt="Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder during a Wednesday press conference" />
 <figcaption>Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder during a Wednesday press conference</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon will provide travel funds and support for troops and their dependents who seek&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/abortion">abortions</a>&nbsp;but are based in states where they are now illegal, according to a new department policy released Thursday. The military will also increase privacy protections for those seeking care.The&nbsp;<a href="https://media.defense.gov/2022/Oct/20/2003099747/-1/-1/1/MEMORANDUM-ENSURING-ACCESS-TO-REPRODUCTIVE-HEALTH-CARE.PDF">order</a>&nbsp;issued by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin outlines the rights and protections service members and their dependents will have regardless of where they are based, which was a key concern of troops after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.</a>Access to abortion has become a central issue in the midterm elections. President Joe Biden promised this week that the first bill he sends to Capitol Hill next year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-2022-midterm-elections-biden-health-congress-f3ffadd1d55625a4af7b87f6b691fbbc">will be one that writes abortion protections into law,</a>&nbsp;if Democrats control enough seats in Congress to pass it.And he said, in a forum with NowThis News, that he would support a federal fund to reimburse some costs for those who have to travel for the procedure.“I do support that, and I’ve publicly urged companies to do that," he said. "I’ve urged them publicly as president of the United States saying, ‘This is what you should be doing.’’’The high court ruling in the Dobbs v. Jackson case stripped away women’s constitutional protections for abortion and left it to states to determine whether the procedure is legal within their borders. In the months since, abortion has been banned or sharply restricted in more than a dozen states.The new military policy sets guidelines so that local commanders aren't allowed to influence whether service members get access to care or face a culture where they or their dependents do not come forward out of fear of repercussions. It builds on an initial reaction by the Pentagon in June, when, days after the Supreme Court decision, the Pentagon said it would continue to allow medical leave for service members who needed to travel out of state to get abortions but noted it needed to review the court ruling and subsequent state laws to see if further guidance would be necessary.Austin directed the services to implement the new policy by the end of this calendar year.The Pentagon has also been concerned that the Dobbs decision could affect recruitment and retention as service members or potential recruits weighed the risk that they would be assigned to states where abortions are illegal. Many of the Pentagon’s major military bases are located in states including Texas and Florida where anti-abortion laws are now in place.The new guidelines also direct each military base to publicly display what reproductive heath care support is available for service members and their dependents, extend the time in which a service member must report a pregnancy to commanders to 20 weeks and provide additional protections for defense health care providers who furnish abortion services.Under federal law, the Pentagon’s health care system can provide abortions only in cases of rape or incest or when a mother’s life is in danger. That doesn't change under the new policy. The funds the military would provide service members would cover transportation only; they would not pay for abortion services that are not covered by federal law.Attorney Natalie Khawam, who represented the family of slain U.S. soldier Vanessa Guillén, whose body was found last year outside the boundary of Fort Hood, Texas, said the policy is part of a continued effort by the Pentagon to address a military culture that has not been supportive of female service members. Guillén’s death led to sweeping changes as to how sexual harassment and assault are addressed in the military.“When you are protecting a woman, you are protecting a family, you are protecting everyone that's in her nexus. It could be her children, it could be her parents, it could be her spouse or siblings, and you are definitely protecting the country as she's serving the country," Khawam said.

Pentagon to provide funds, help for troops seeking abortions

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities including the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network Enforcement Team in Wichita&nbsp;have seized ten crime guns and a massive number of suspected fentanyl pills in the past few days, according to Officer Trevor Macy.

Police estimated - based on weight - the  number of pills to be somewhere in the area of half a million to a million, which would make this the largest seizure of fentanyl for Wichita Police to date and a record seizure nationwide.

Due to the investigation's ongoing and sensitive nature, police released no further details.

Wichita Police and federal partners continue working to remove dangerous weapons and drugs from the streets.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qtB0lq7A85E" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities including the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network Enforcement Team in Wichita&nbsp;have seized ten crime guns and a massive number of suspected fentanyl pills in the past few days, according to Officer Trevor Macy.Police estimated - based on weight - the number of pills to be somewhere in the area of half a million to a million, which would make this the largest seizure of fentanyl for Wichita Police to date and a record seizure nationwide.Due to the investigation's ongoing and sensitive nature, police released no further details.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645113218229.png" alt="Fake oxycodone pills often contain fentanyl. -photo U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration" />
 <figcaption>Fake oxycodone pills often contain fentanyl. -photo U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration</figcaption>
 </figure>Wichita Police and federal partners continue working to remove dangerous weapons and drugs from the streets.

Police seize record amount of fentanyl pills in Kansas

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A federal judge in St. Louis on Thursday dismissed an effort by six Republican-led states to block the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">Biden administration's plan to forgive student loan debt</a>&nbsp;for tens of millions of Americans.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-lawsuits-st-louis-missouri-a54a892e45f80c5329d45b8fe587f267">U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey</a>&nbsp;wrote that because the six states — Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas and South Carolina — failed to establish they had standing, “the Court lacks jurisdiction to hear this case.”

Suzanne Gage, spokeswoman for Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, said the states will appeal. She said in a statement that the states "continue to believe that they do in fact have standing to raise their important legal challenges.”

Democratic President Joe Biden announced in August that his administration would cancel up to $20,000 in education debt for huge numbers of borrowers. The announcement immediately became a major political issue ahead of the November midterm elections.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-lawsuits-covid-missouri-862d783188de45b698c54b00820d3616">states' lawsuit</a>&nbsp;is among a few that have been filed. Earlier Thursday, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/justice-barrett-rejects-appeal-over-biden-student-debt-plan/">rejected an appeal from a Wisconsin taxpayers group</a>&nbsp;seeking to stop the debt cancellation program.

Barrett, who oversees emergency appeals from Wisconsin and neighboring states, did not comment in turning away the appeal from the Brown County Taxpayers Association. The group wrote in its Supreme Court filing that it needed an emergency order because the administration could begin canceling outstanding student debt as soon as Sunday.

In the lawsuit brought by the states, lawyers for the administration said the Department of Education has “broad authority to manage the federal student financial aid programs.” A court filing stated that the 2003 Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act, or HEROES Act, allows the secretary of education to waive or modify terms of federal student loans in times of war or national emergency.

“COVID-19 is such an emergency,” the filing stated.

The Congressional Budget Office has said the program will cost about $400 billion over the next three decades. James Campbell, an attorney for the Nebraska attorney general’s office, told Autrey at an Oct. 12 hearing that the administration is acting outside its authorities in a way that will cost states millions of dollars.

The plan would cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income. Pell Grant recipients, who typically demonstrate more financial need, will get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.

Conservative attorneys, Republican lawmakers and business-oriented groups have asserted that Biden overstepped his authority in taking such sweeping action without the assent of Congress. They called it an unfair government giveaway for relatively affluent people at the expense of taxpayers who didn’t pursue higher education.

Chris Nuelle, spokesman for Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, said the plan "will unfairly burden working class families with even more economic woes.”

Many Democratic lawmakers facing tough reelection contests have distanced themselves from the plan.

The HEROES Act was enacted after 9/11 to help members of the military. The Justice Department says the law allows Biden to reduce or erase student loan debt during a national emergency. Republicans argue the administration is misinterpreting the law, in part because the pandemic no longer qualifies as a national emergency.

Justice Department attorney Brian Netter told Autrey that fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is still rippling. He said student loan defaults have skyrocketed over the past 2 1/2 years.

The cancellation applies to federal student loans used to attend undergraduate and graduate school, along with Parent Plus loans. Current college students qualify if their loans were disbursed before July 1.

The plan makes 43 million borrowers eligible for some debt forgiveness, with 20 million who could get their debt erased entirely, according to the administration.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666046738612.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>ST. LOUIS (AP) — A federal judge in St. Louis on Thursday dismissed an effort by six Republican-led states to block the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">Biden administration's plan to forgive student loan debt</a>&nbsp;for tens of millions of Americans.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-education-lawsuits-st-louis-missouri-a54a892e45f80c5329d45b8fe587f267">U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey</a>&nbsp;wrote that because the six states — Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas and South Carolina — failed to establish they had standing, “the Court lacks jurisdiction to hear this case.”Suzanne Gage, spokeswoman for Nebraska Attorney General Doug Peterson, said the states will appeal. She said in a statement that the states "continue to believe that they do in fact have standing to raise their important legal challenges.”Democratic President Joe Biden announced in August that his administration would cancel up to $20,000 in education debt for huge numbers of borrowers. The announcement immediately became a major political issue ahead of the November midterm elections.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-lawsuits-covid-missouri-862d783188de45b698c54b00820d3616">states' lawsuit</a>&nbsp;is among a few that have been filed. Earlier Thursday, Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett&nbsp;<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation-politics/justice-barrett-rejects-appeal-over-biden-student-debt-plan/">rejected an appeal from a Wisconsin taxpayers group</a>&nbsp;seeking to stop the debt cancellation program.Barrett, who oversees emergency appeals from Wisconsin and neighboring states, did not comment in turning away the appeal from the Brown County Taxpayers Association. The group wrote in its Supreme Court filing that it needed an emergency order because the administration could begin canceling outstanding student debt as soon as Sunday.In the lawsuit brought by the states, lawyers for the administration said the Department of Education has “broad authority to manage the federal student financial aid programs.” A court filing stated that the 2003 Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act, or HEROES Act, allows the secretary of education to waive or modify terms of federal student loans in times of war or national emergency.“COVID-19 is such an emergency,” the filing stated.The Congressional Budget Office has said the program will cost about $400 billion over the next three decades. James Campbell, an attorney for the Nebraska attorney general’s office, told Autrey at an Oct. 12 hearing that the administration is acting outside its authorities in a way that will cost states millions of dollars.The plan would cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income. Pell Grant recipients, who typically demonstrate more financial need, will get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.Conservative attorneys, Republican lawmakers and business-oriented groups have asserted that Biden overstepped his authority in taking such sweeping action without the assent of Congress. They called it an unfair government giveaway for relatively affluent people at the expense of taxpayers who didn’t pursue higher education.Chris Nuelle, spokesman for Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, said the plan "will unfairly burden working class families with even more economic woes.”Many Democratic lawmakers facing tough reelection contests have distanced themselves from the plan.The HEROES Act was enacted after 9/11 to help members of the military. The Justice Department says the law allows Biden to reduce or erase student loan debt during a national emergency. Republicans argue the administration is misinterpreting the law, in part because the pandemic no longer qualifies as a national emergency.Justice Department attorney Brian Netter told Autrey that fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is still rippling. He said student loan defaults have skyrocketed over the past 2 1/2 years.The cancellation applies to federal student loans used to attend undergraduate and graduate school, along with Parent Plus loans. Current college students qualify if their loans were disbursed before July 1.The plan makes 43 million borrowers eligible for some debt forgiveness, with 20 million who could get their debt erased entirely, according to the administration.

Judge dismisses effort to halt student loan forgiveness plan

TOPEKA —The Kansas Department of Agriculture has identified a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard flock in Shawnee County, according to a statement from the agency.

This is the third confirmed case of HPAI in Kansas this fall; there were six cases in March and April for a total of nine counties across the state affected so far in 2022.

“The widespread nature of the positive premises in Kansas is proof that all counties are susceptible to HPAI because the risk is from the wild birds traveling across the state,” said Dr. Justin Smith, Kansas Animal Health Commissioner. “If you have not yet taken steps to protect your backyard flocks, now is the time to take this threat seriously.”

This confirmed case is in a non-commercial mixed species flock, and KDA is working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture–Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on a joint incident response. KDA officials quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the property have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease.

KDA asks anyone who owns poultry in the following area on the north side of Topeka to contact the KDA phone bank at 833-765-2006 or email them at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:KDA.HPAI@ks.gov">KDA.HPAI@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;to work with state and local officials to prevent further spread of the disease. You can also self-report your birds at&nbsp;<a href="https://fs22.formsite.com/KansasDeptAg/zlb9fcr9oc/index.html">https://fs22.formsite.com/KansasDeptAg/zlb9fcr9oc/index.html</a>.

Reporting area:&nbsp;Please contact KDA or report online if your home/farm sits in this area: from S. 21st&nbsp;Street (to the south) to 94th&nbsp;Street (to the north) between Highway 4 (to the east) and Humphrey Road (to the west). The area&nbsp;does&nbsp;include the north half of Topeka as well as the towns of Elmont and Menoken. It&nbsp;does not&nbsp;include Silver Lake, Meriden or Hoyt.

KDA advises owners of backyard poultry flocks to be particularly vigilant in protecting their birds. Analysis of this outbreak of HPAI has shown that the spread has been primarily from wild migratory waterfowl, which makes free-range backyard flocks at high risk because of the potential of exposure to the wild birds.

Anyone involved with poultry production from the small backyard chicken owner to the large commercial producer should review their biosecurity activities to assure the health of their birds. Find guidance on biosecurity on the KDA Division of Animal Health webpage at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza">agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza</a>.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that can infect chickens, turkeys and other birds and can cause severe illness and/or sudden death in infected birds. This outbreak has seen illness and mortality in a wider scope of bird species than past outbreaks, including wild and domestic waterfowl. Attentively monitor your birds for symptoms of HPAI which include: coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and other signs of respiratory distress; lack of energy and appetite; decreased water consumption; decreased egg production and/or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs; incoordination; and diarrhea. Avian influenza can also cause sudden death in birds even if they aren’t showing other symptoms.

If these symptoms are observed in your birds, immediately contact your veterinarian. If you don’t have a regular veterinarian, contact KDA’s Division of Animal Health office toll-free at 833-765-2006.&nbsp;

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm">the public health risk associated with these avian influenza detections in birds remains low</a>. Birds and eggs from the infected flock will not enter the food system. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution.

As part of existing avian influenza response plans, federal and state partners are working jointly on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flocks. The United States has the strongest avian influenza surveillance program in the world, and USDA is working with its partners to actively look for the disease in commercial poultry operations and live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations.

For more information about HPAI, including current status of the confirmed cases in other states as well as more information about biosecurity for your flock, go to KDA’s avian influenza webpage at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza">agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza</a>&nbsp;or call KDA at 833-765-2006.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666346539753.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —The Kansas Department of Agriculture has identified a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a backyard flock in Shawnee County, according to a statement from the agency.This is the third confirmed case of HPAI in Kansas this fall; there were six cases in March and April for a total of nine counties across the state affected so far in 2022. “The widespread nature of the positive premises in Kansas is proof that all counties are susceptible to HPAI because the risk is from the wild birds traveling across the state,” said Dr. Justin Smith, Kansas Animal Health Commissioner. “If you have not yet taken steps to protect your backyard flocks, now is the time to take this threat seriously.” This confirmed case is in a non-commercial mixed species flock, and KDA is working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture–Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on a joint incident response. KDA officials quarantined the affected premises, and birds on the property have been depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease.KDA asks anyone who owns poultry in the following area on the north side of Topeka to contact the KDA phone bank at 833-765-2006 or email them at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:KDA.HPAI@ks.gov">KDA.HPAI@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;to work with state and local officials to prevent further spread of the disease. You can also self-report your birds at&nbsp;<a href="https://fs22.formsite.com/KansasDeptAg/zlb9fcr9oc/index.html">https://fs22.formsite.com/KansasDeptAg/zlb9fcr9oc/index.html</a>.Reporting area:&nbsp;Please contact KDA or report online if your home/farm sits in this area: from S. 21st&nbsp;Street (to the south) to 94th&nbsp;Street (to the north) between Highway 4 (to the east) and Humphrey Road (to the west). The area&nbsp;does&nbsp;include the north half of Topeka as well as the towns of Elmont and Menoken. It&nbsp;does not&nbsp;include Silver Lake, Meriden or Hoyt.KDA advises owners of backyard poultry flocks to be particularly vigilant in protecting their birds. Analysis of this outbreak of HPAI has shown that the spread has been primarily from wild migratory waterfowl, which makes free-range backyard flocks at high risk because of the potential of exposure to the wild birds.Anyone involved with poultry production from the small backyard chicken owner to the large commercial producer should review their biosecurity activities to assure the health of their birds. Find guidance on biosecurity on the KDA Division of Animal Health webpage at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza">agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza</a>. Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that can infect chickens, turkeys and other birds and can cause severe illness and/or sudden death in infected birds. This outbreak has seen illness and mortality in a wider scope of bird species than past outbreaks, including wild and domestic waterfowl. Attentively monitor your birds for symptoms of HPAI which include: coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, and other signs of respiratory distress; lack of energy and appetite; decreased water consumption; decreased egg production and/or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs; incoordination; and diarrhea. Avian influenza can also cause sudden death in birds even if they aren’t showing other symptoms. If these symptoms are observed in your birds, immediately contact your veterinarian. If you don’t have a regular veterinarian, contact KDA’s Division of Animal Health office toll-free at 833-765-2006.&nbsp; According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/avian-flu-summary.htm">the public health risk associated with these avian influenza detections in birds remains low</a>. Birds and eggs from the infected flock will not enter the food system. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of all poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F is recommended as a general food safety precaution. As part of existing avian influenza response plans, federal and state partners are working jointly on additional surveillance and testing in areas around the affected flocks. The United States has the strongest avian influenza surveillance program in the world, and USDA is working with its partners to actively look for the disease in commercial poultry operations and live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations. For more information about HPAI, including current status of the confirmed cases in other states as well as more information about biosecurity for your flock, go to KDA’s avian influenza webpage at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza">agriculture.ks.gov/AvianInfluenza</a>&nbsp;or call KDA at 833-765-2006.

More highly pathogenic bird flu confirmed in Kansas

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on drug charges.&nbsp;

On Oct. 18, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 3700 Block SW 10th Avenue related to an ongoing investigation, according to Lt. Ronnie Connell.

While conducting the search warrant, officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, firearms and drug paraphernalia.

As a result police arrested 27-year-old Amanda Sibert, 31-year-old Casey Thomas, 34-year-old Matthew Smith and 40-year-old and Karwin Johnson all of Topeka. They were transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Amanda Sibert is being held on requested charges of Distribution of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent of distribution, Aggravated Endangering a Child,&nbsp; Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, Violate offender registration, Possession of marijuana and&nbsp;Unlawful to acquire proceeds from Drug transaction. She was convicted of selling heroin, according to the Kansas Offender Registry.

Casey Thomas is jailed on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Aggravated Endangering a Child.

Matthew Smith is in custody on a requested charges of Aggravated Endangering a Child

Karwin Johnson is in custody on requested charges of Aggravated Endangering a Child.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666296949960.png" alt="Sibert -photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Sibert -photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects on drug charges.&nbsp;On Oct. 18, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrant in the 3700 Block SW 10th Avenue related to an ongoing investigation, according to Lt. Ronnie Connell.While conducting the search warrant, officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, firearms and drug paraphernalia.As a result police arrested 27-year-old Amanda Sibert, 31-year-old Casey Thomas, 34-year-old Matthew Smith and 40-year-old and Karwin Johnson all of Topeka. They were transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.Amanda Sibert is being held on requested charges of Distribution of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent of distribution, Aggravated Endangering a Child,&nbsp; Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, Violate offender registration, Possession of marijuana and&nbsp;Unlawful to acquire proceeds from Drug transaction. She was convicted of selling heroin, according to the Kansas Offender Registry.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666214935361.png" alt="Thomas-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Thomas-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Casey Thomas is jailed on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Aggravated Endangering a Child.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666215011743.png" alt="Smith-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Smith-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Matthew Smith is in custody on a requested charges of Aggravated Endangering a Child<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666215058127.png" alt="Johnson-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Karwin Johnson is in custody on requested charges of Aggravated Endangering a Child.

Police: Kan. registered offender accused again of selling drugs

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman arrested in connection with an alleged hit-and-run death of a man in Wichita made her first court appearance in the case Tuesday.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20079206">Ashley Corley, 36, Hutchinson, </a>is charged with first-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident and a misdemeanor count of driving while license suspended or canceled, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Police arrested Corley on Saturday in connection with a traffic fatality that occurred Friday in the 3000 block of West 9th Street in Wichita.

Just before 8a.m.,&nbsp; police responded to 9th Street North and St. Paul in Wichita where they found 41-year-old Rigoberto Rivas in the street. He had head injuries and died at a local hospital, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;

Investigators learned that Rivas and Corley were seen running toward a gray car parked on the curb at 9th Street. Corley allegedly entered the vehicle and drove away at a high rate of speed with Rivas on the hood. The car swerved and Rivas fell from the car.

A follow-up investigation led officers to believe the car was stolen.

Police investigators arrested Corley in Hutchison, transported her back to Wichita and booked her into the Sedgwick County Jail

&nbsp;On October 31, attorneys in the case are scheduled to discuss future dates with Judge Jeffrey Syrios, according to the district attorney's office. She remains jailed on a $500,000.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666176519210.png" alt="Corley-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Corley-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A woman arrested in connection with an alleged hit-and-run death of a man in Wichita made her first court appearance in the case Tuesday.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20079206">Ashley Corley, 36, Hutchinson, </a>is charged with first-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident and a misdemeanor count of driving while license suspended or canceled, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Police arrested Corley on Saturday in connection with a traffic fatality that occurred Friday in the 3000 block of West 9th Street in Wichita.Just before 8a.m.,&nbsp; police responded to 9th Street North and St. Paul in Wichita where they found 41-year-old Rigoberto Rivas in the street. He had head injuries and died at a local hospital, according to Officer Chad Ditch.&nbsp;Investigators learned that Rivas and Corley were seen running toward a gray car parked on the curb at 9th Street. Corley allegedly entered the vehicle and drove away at a high rate of speed with Rivas on the hood. The car swerved and Rivas fell from the car.A follow-up investigation led officers to believe the car was stolen.Police investigators arrested Corley in Hutchison, transported her back to Wichita and booked her into the Sedgwick County Jail&nbsp;On October 31, attorneys in the case are scheduled to discuss future dates with Judge Jeffrey Syrios, according to the district attorney's office. She remains jailed on a $500,000.&nbsp;----------

Kan. woman charged in death of man who fell from hood of a car

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Thursday Kansas has received federal approval for the enhancement of the Health Care Access Improvement Program (HCAIP), which will bring $341 million to Kansas each year at a time when hospitals in Kansas are financially vulnerable, according to a media release from her office.

 This additional funding will boost Medicaid payments to hospitals, benefiting all Kansans by helping maintain the state’s hospital network.

Thursday’s announcement comes after over three years of bipartisan advocacy and efforts at the state and federal level.

"This is a huge win for our rural hospitals, for our health care workers, and for more affordable health care in Kansas,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;"I want to thank Senator Moran, Representative Davids, and the rest of the federal delegation for working with my administration to secure this critical funding. Next, we must expand Medicaid here in Kansas to further strengthen our health care workforce and increase access to care for all Kansans.”

HCAIP historically imposed an assessment on inpatient revenues for most Kansas hospitals. In 2020, the Kansas Legislature increased the provider assessment and expanded the scope of the assessment to include outpatient services. Funds drawn down through a federal matching program are critical to increasing and improving access to medical care and to help reduce health disparities among rural and minority populations.

“Kansas hospitals appreciate the efforts of our state and federal leaders to obtain approval for a program that will help support hospitals’ ability to provide care to all Kansans,”&nbsp;Chad Austin, President and CEO, Kansas Hospital Association said.

“We are thankful for the diligent work from our Medicaid leadership team, congressional delegation and appreciate our strong and collaborative relationship with the hospital leaders in Kansas,"&nbsp;&nbsp;Secretary Janet Stanek, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said.&nbsp;"We also want to thank our federal Medicaid partners and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This important program would not be possible without their support.”

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Thursday Kansas has received federal approval for the enhancement of the Health Care Access Improvement Program (HCAIP), which will bring $341 million to Kansas each year at a time when hospitals in Kansas are financially vulnerable, according to a media release from her office. This additional funding will boost Medicaid payments to hospitals, benefiting all Kansans by helping maintain the state’s hospital network.Thursday’s announcement comes after over three years of bipartisan advocacy and efforts at the state and federal level."This is a huge win for our rural hospitals, for our health care workers, and for more affordable health care in Kansas,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;"I want to thank Senator Moran, Representative Davids, and the rest of the federal delegation for working with my administration to secure this critical funding. Next, we must expand Medicaid here in Kansas to further strengthen our health care workforce and increase access to care for all Kansans.”HCAIP historically imposed an assessment on inpatient revenues for most Kansas hospitals. In 2020, the Kansas Legislature increased the provider assessment and expanded the scope of the assessment to include outpatient services. Funds drawn down through a federal matching program are critical to increasing and improving access to medical care and to help reduce health disparities among rural and minority populations.“Kansas hospitals appreciate the efforts of our state and federal leaders to obtain approval for a program that will help support hospitals’ ability to provide care to all Kansans,”&nbsp;Chad Austin, President and CEO, Kansas Hospital Association said.“We are thankful for the diligent work from our Medicaid leadership team, congressional delegation and appreciate our strong and collaborative relationship with the hospital leaders in Kansas,"&nbsp;&nbsp;Secretary Janet Stanek, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said.&nbsp;"We also want to thank our federal Medicaid partners and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This important program would not be possible without their support.”

Gov., bipartisan leaders secure $340M annually for Kansas hospitals

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The major freight railroads appear unwilling to give track maintenance workers much more than they received in the initial contract they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-0744cffe919f0d48fcc02d16c8a298b3">rejected</a>&nbsp;last week, increasing the chances of a strike.

The railroads took the unusual step of issuing a statement late Wednesday rejecting the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division union’s latest request to add paid sick time on top of the 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses they received in the first five-year deal.

Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz said Thursday that he thinks the main reason the BMWED rejected its initial contract last week was that the details of improved expense reimbursement in the deal were still being negotiated at UP while workers were voting. So it wasn’t clear exactly what those workers would receive for their travel expenses when they go on the road to repair tracks.

Six of the 12 railroad unions that represent 115,000 workers nationwide have approved their tentative agreements with the railroads so far, but all of them have to ratify their contracts to avoid a strike. The unions have agreed to put any strike on hold until at least mid-November while the BMWED negotiates a new deal and the other unions vote on their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-government-and-politics-6172442e20ccf3295b39c2f3184e03cf">proposed contracts</a>, so there’s no immediate threat the the trains most businesses rely on to deliver their raw materials and finished products will stop moving. A railroad strike could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">devastate the economy.</a>

“Ultimately, I remain confident that we’re going to get our temporary agreements ratified and be able to avoid a strike. That’s still a possibility but I don’t think it’s a probability,” Fritz told investors after his railroad released its earnings report.

The group that negotiations on behalf of the major railroads, including UP, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, CSX and Kansas City Southern, said the new contracts should closely follow the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;of the special board of arbitrators that President Joe Biden appointed this summer. The railroads said that board rejected union demands for paid sick time.

“Now is not the time to introduce new demands that rekindle the prospect of a railroad strike,” the railroads said.

Officials at the BMWED union didn’t immediately respond to the railroads Thursday. Concerns about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-207229bcd558b6a6c1d58f3f85e2d804">quality of life</a>&nbsp;and the ability for workers — particularly the engineers and conductors who drive the trains — to take time off without being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">penalized</a>&nbsp;have weighed heavily on the negotiations.

But the railroads say workers do have significant short-term disability benefits that kick in after four or seven days and last up to 52 weeks that the unions have negotiated for over the years. The railroads said the unions have repeatedly agreed that short-term absences would be unpaid in favor of higher wages and more generous benefits for long-term illnesses.

If both sides can’t agree on contracts, Congress could step in to block a strike and impose terms on the workers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663077336048.png" alt="Six of the 12 railroad unions that represent 115,000 workers nationwide have approved their tentative agreements with the railroads so far, but all of them have to ratify their contracts to avoid a strike." />
 <figcaption>Six of the 12 railroad unions that represent 115,000 workers nationwide have approved their tentative agreements with the railroads so far, but all of them have to ratify their contracts to avoid a strike.</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The major freight railroads appear unwilling to give track maintenance workers much more than they received in the initial contract they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-0744cffe919f0d48fcc02d16c8a298b3">rejected</a>&nbsp;last week, increasing the chances of a strike.The railroads took the unusual step of issuing a statement late Wednesday rejecting the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division union’s latest request to add paid sick time on top of the 24% raises and $5,000 in bonuses they received in the first five-year deal.Union Pacific CEO Lance Fritz said Thursday that he thinks the main reason the BMWED rejected its initial contract last week was that the details of improved expense reimbursement in the deal were still being negotiated at UP while workers were voting. So it wasn’t clear exactly what those workers would receive for their travel expenses when they go on the road to repair tracks.Six of the 12 railroad unions that represent 115,000 workers nationwide have approved their tentative agreements with the railroads so far, but all of them have to ratify their contracts to avoid a strike. The unions have agreed to put any strike on hold until at least mid-November while the BMWED negotiates a new deal and the other unions vote on their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-government-and-politics-6172442e20ccf3295b39c2f3184e03cf">proposed contracts</a>, so there’s no immediate threat the the trains most businesses rely on to deliver their raw materials and finished products will stop moving. A railroad strike could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-strike-impact-5eb6747b3e4b4e39d764644d6377121d">devastate the economy.</a>“Ultimately, I remain confident that we’re going to get our temporary agreements ratified and be able to avoid a strike. That’s still a possibility but I don’t think it’s a probability,” Fritz told investors after his railroad released its earnings report.The group that negotiations on behalf of the major railroads, including UP, BNSF, Norfolk Southern, CSX and Kansas City Southern, said the new contracts should closely follow the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strikes-a83dffef79d38e36dc25588b19bf54b4">recommendations</a>&nbsp;of the special board of arbitrators that President Joe Biden appointed this summer. The railroads said that board rejected union demands for paid sick time.“Now is not the time to introduce new demands that rekindle the prospect of a railroad strike,” the railroads said.Officials at the BMWED union didn’t immediately respond to the railroads Thursday. Concerns about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-economy-government-and-politics-207229bcd558b6a6c1d58f3f85e2d804">quality of life</a>&nbsp;and the ability for workers — particularly the engineers and conductors who drive the trains — to take time off without being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-5123fda3d039543700b23d939e0bdda2">penalized</a>&nbsp;have weighed heavily on the negotiations.But the railroads say workers do have significant short-term disability benefits that kick in after four or seven days and last up to 52 weeks that the unions have negotiated for over the years. The railroads said the unions have repeatedly agreed that short-term absences would be unpaid in favor of higher wages and more generous benefits for long-term illnesses.If both sides can’t agree on contracts, Congress could step in to block a strike and impose terms on the workers.

Railroads reject sick time demands raising chance of strike

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kris Kobach, the Kansas Republican who helped lead Donald Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/67f6a7741a534b629184e4e8f939bbb3">short-lived presidential voter fraud commission,</a>&nbsp;wants to rid his state of ballot drop boxes and says as he runs for attorney general that discounting talk of fraud is “ignoring reality.”

The expanded use of drop boxes for mailed ballots in 2020&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-2022-midterm-elections-covid-health-wisconsin-c61fa93a12a1a51d6d9f4e0a21fa3b75">didn’t lead to any widespread problems,</a>&nbsp;according to an Associated Press survey of state election officials across the U.S. that revealed no cases of fraud, vandalism or theft that could have affected the results. And Kobach's position puts him at odds not only with Democrats and voting-right advocates, but Kansas' Republican secretary of state, Scott Schwab, who says the state's elections are secure and drop boxes are safe.

Kobach, who was secretary of state for eight years before Schwab, said Wednesday that allowing drop boxes prevents Kansas from enforcing a 2021 law against what Republicans call ballot “harvesting,” making it illegal for individuals to deliver ballots for more than 10 other people. Voting-rights advocates see the law as unnecessary for securing elections and contend it only hinders assistance to poor, minority and elderly voters.

Kobach argued that with drop boxes, people can get a voter’s permission to deliver ballots and identify themselves on the ballot envelope with a false name and drop the signed enveloped in the drop box and officials can’t see that someone has delivered too many ballots. Election officials say the ballot would still be legal if the voter is properly registered and wanted to vote.

“There are still other layers of protection, but it makes our anti-harvesting statute pretty, pretty weak when drop boxes can be used to circumvent it," Kobach said.

Kobach declared Tuesday night in a debate with Democratic opponent Chris Mann that the state “needs to get rid of drop boxes." He said Wednesday that as attorney general he would urge the GOP-controlled Legislature to enact a law barring counties from using them.

“Those on the left who say there is no election fraud are simply ignoring reality,” Kobach said during the debate.

Mann said in a statement after the debate that eligible voters should have “equal access to the ballot box.”

"Ballot drop boxes make that possible,” he said.

As attorney general, Kobach could prosecute cases of alleged voter fraud, but he would have no power to tell counties how to run elections. He acknowledged that all he could do about ballot drop boxes is urge the Legislature to ban them.

Schwab has pushed back hard against attacks on drop boxes and said in a statement Wednesday that counties have used them for decades. Kansas counties deployed 191 of them in 2020, averaging one box for about every 10,000 registered voters.

“It’s an efficient way for Kansans to return their advance-by-mail ballot without allowing the federal government to be involved,” he added. “Drop boxes are more secure than the post office.”

Kobach's race this year is an attempt at a political comeback after he gave up the secretary of state's office to run unsuccessfully for governor in 2018 and lost a U.S. Senate primary in 2020. He championed stricter voting and voter ID laws years before Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2137a1867b044927a3ed448eb7a424d9">named him vice chair of his election fraud commission</a>&nbsp;in 2017.

With the wide circulation among Republicans of Trump’s false statements that the 2020 election was stolen from him, Kobach has stopped short of publicly doubting Democrat Joe Biden’s victory.

But in his interview Wednesday, Kobach said “there’s no question” fraud occurred in 2020 at least the battleground states of Michigan and Pennsylvania. He added that Americans will never know “how many fraudulent ballots were cast.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voter-fraud-election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-7fcb6f134e528fee8237c7601db3328f">An Associated Press review last year</a>&nbsp;of every voter fraud case from 2020 in the six presidential battleground states disputed by Trump found fewer than 475, not enough to make any difference.

Kobach still touts more than a dozen voter fraud prosecutions he launched as secretary of state, most over people voting in different places in the same election. Kobach also still takes credit for a 2013 Kansas law that required new voters to provide papers proving their U.S. citizenship to register.

The federal courts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-kansas-voting-rights-elections-us-supreme-court-f12295c7870a94eb7749d94fa5e7019b">struck that law down.</a>&nbsp;A judge found it only nominally prevented non-citizens from registering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4bc02a1dd9c74487aaa9dbdba5e686ac">but violated Kansas residents right to vote.</a>&nbsp;During its first three years on the books, 35,000 Kansas residents couldn't register, amounting to one in seven applicants.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604694699244.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kris Kobach, the Kansas Republican who helped lead Donald Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/67f6a7741a534b629184e4e8f939bbb3">short-lived presidential voter fraud commission,</a>&nbsp;wants to rid his state of ballot drop boxes and says as he runs for attorney general that discounting talk of fraud is “ignoring reality.”The expanded use of drop boxes for mailed ballots in 2020&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-2022-midterm-elections-covid-health-wisconsin-c61fa93a12a1a51d6d9f4e0a21fa3b75">didn’t lead to any widespread problems,</a>&nbsp;according to an Associated Press survey of state election officials across the U.S. that revealed no cases of fraud, vandalism or theft that could have affected the results. And Kobach's position puts him at odds not only with Democrats and voting-right advocates, but Kansas' Republican secretary of state, Scott Schwab, who says the state's elections are secure and drop boxes are safe.Kobach, who was secretary of state for eight years before Schwab, said Wednesday that allowing drop boxes prevents Kansas from enforcing a 2021 law against what Republicans call ballot “harvesting,” making it illegal for individuals to deliver ballots for more than 10 other people. Voting-rights advocates see the law as unnecessary for securing elections and contend it only hinders assistance to poor, minority and elderly voters.Kobach argued that with drop boxes, people can get a voter’s permission to deliver ballots and identify themselves on the ballot envelope with a false name and drop the signed enveloped in the drop box and officials can’t see that someone has delivered too many ballots. Election officials say the ballot would still be legal if the voter is properly registered and wanted to vote.“There are still other layers of protection, but it makes our anti-harvesting statute pretty, pretty weak when drop boxes can be used to circumvent it," Kobach said.Kobach declared Tuesday night in a debate with Democratic opponent Chris Mann that the state “needs to get rid of drop boxes." He said Wednesday that as attorney general he would urge the GOP-controlled Legislature to enact a law barring counties from using them.“Those on the left who say there is no election fraud are simply ignoring reality,” Kobach said during the debate.Mann said in a statement after the debate that eligible voters should have “equal access to the ballot box.”"Ballot drop boxes make that possible,” he said.As attorney general, Kobach could prosecute cases of alleged voter fraud, but he would have no power to tell counties how to run elections. He acknowledged that all he could do about ballot drop boxes is urge the Legislature to ban them.Schwab has pushed back hard against attacks on drop boxes and said in a statement Wednesday that counties have used them for decades. Kansas counties deployed 191 of them in 2020, averaging one box for about every 10,000 registered voters.“It’s an efficient way for Kansans to return their advance-by-mail ballot without allowing the federal government to be involved,” he added. “Drop boxes are more secure than the post office.”Kobach's race this year is an attempt at a political comeback after he gave up the secretary of state's office to run unsuccessfully for governor in 2018 and lost a U.S. Senate primary in 2020. He championed stricter voting and voter ID laws years before Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2137a1867b044927a3ed448eb7a424d9">named him vice chair of his election fraud commission</a>&nbsp;in 2017.With the wide circulation among Republicans of Trump’s false statements that the 2020 election was stolen from him, Kobach has stopped short of publicly doubting Democrat Joe Biden’s victory.But in his interview Wednesday, Kobach said “there’s no question” fraud occurred in 2020 at least the battleground states of Michigan and Pennsylvania. He added that Americans will never know “how many fraudulent ballots were cast.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voter-fraud-election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-7fcb6f134e528fee8237c7601db3328f">An Associated Press review last year</a>&nbsp;of every voter fraud case from 2020 in the six presidential battleground states disputed by Trump found fewer than 475, not enough to make any difference.Kobach still touts more than a dozen voter fraud prosecutions he launched as secretary of state, most over people voting in different places in the same election. Kobach also still takes credit for a 2013 Kansas law that required new voters to provide papers proving their U.S. citizenship to register.The federal courts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-kansas-voting-rights-elections-us-supreme-court-f12295c7870a94eb7749d94fa5e7019b">struck that law down.</a>&nbsp;A judge found it only nominally prevented non-citizens from registering&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4bc02a1dd9c74487aaa9dbdba5e686ac">but violated Kansas residents right to vote.</a>&nbsp;During its first three years on the books, 35,000 Kansas residents couldn't register, amounting to one in seven applicants.

In AG bid, Kobach wants to rid Kansas of ballot drop boxes

SHAWNEE COUNTY —The Topeka Zoo is mourning the loss of black bear Indie who passed away Wednesday, according to a media release from the zoo.

 On Sunday, Indie did not eat all of her food, which isn’t unusual this time of year. On Monday, she showed no signs of improvement by the end of the day. 

While preparing to anesthetize her Tuesday morning, she had a seizure. She was then anesthetized and evaluated by veterinary staff. Because her condition continued to worsen, the difficult decision was made to euthanize her. 

Indie (short for Independence) came to the Topeka Zoo in June of 2014 after she was orphaned by the loss of her mother. A young boy found Indie while playing in his Oregon backyard and carried the baby bear back to his mother who called local police. 

Indie spent the night in “people jail” until she could be picked up by a wildlife rescue. The Topeka Zoo volunteered to take in the orphaned bear. 

When Indie arrived at the Topeka Zoo, she was in poor health. She weighed just 7 pounds and had a skin infection on her face that required daily treatment. 

Though her past made her a cautious, shy bear, she developed a trusting relationship with her keepers. She was always looking for them and preferred to be near them in her indoor habitat.“The odds seemed to be stacked against Indie at the beginning of her life,” said Simpson. “However, here at the Topeka Zoo, she thrived and made a difference. 

She connected with thousands of people, capturing their hearts and helping people learn about the plight black bears face in the wild. She challenged our staff in so many ways and we adored her."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666286994040.png" alt="Indie-photo courtesy Topeka Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Indie-photo courtesy Topeka Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —The Topeka Zoo is mourning the loss of black bear Indie who passed away Wednesday, according to a media release from the zoo. On Sunday, Indie did not eat all of her food, which isn’t unusual this time of year. On Monday, she showed no signs of improvement by the end of the day. While preparing to anesthetize her Tuesday morning, she had a seizure. She was then anesthetized and evaluated by veterinary staff. Because her condition continued to worsen, the difficult decision was made to euthanize her. Indie (short for Independence) came to the Topeka Zoo in June of 2014 after she was orphaned by the loss of her mother. A young boy found Indie while playing in his Oregon backyard and carried the baby bear back to his mother who called local police. Indie spent the night in “people jail” until she could be picked up by a wildlife rescue. The Topeka Zoo volunteered to take in the orphaned bear. When Indie arrived at the Topeka Zoo, she was in poor health. She weighed just 7 pounds and had a skin infection on her face that required daily treatment. Though her past made her a cautious, shy bear, she developed a trusting relationship with her keepers. She was always looking for them and preferred to be near them in her indoor habitat.“The odds seemed to be stacked against Indie at the beginning of her life,” said Simpson. “However, here at the Topeka Zoo, she thrived and made a difference. She connected with thousands of people, capturing their hearts and helping people learn about the plight black bears face in the wild. She challenged our staff in so many ways and we adored her."

Kan. zoo mourns the death of bear who was orphaned as a cub

MACON, Georgia —Kansas Senator Roger Marshall made a campaign appearance Thursday in support of controversial&nbsp;Georgia Republican U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker.

Allegations that Walker, a football icon, paid for a woman's abortion have rocked one of the nation's most important Senate matchups, according to the Associated Press.

 Walker is in a tight contest with Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, with the outcome potentially determining which party controls the Senate for the final two years of President Joe Biden's term.

&nbsp;Walker pitches himself as a politician who can bridge America’s racial and cultural divides because he loves everyone and overlooks differences.

“I don’t care what color you are,” Georgia’s Republican Senate nominee, who is Black, told an overwhelmingly white crowd recently in Bartow County, north of Atlanta. The United States, he said, “is a good place,” adding that ”a way we make it better is by coming together.”

Yet the former football star who calls all Georgians “my family” has staked out familiar conservative ground on America’s most glaring societal fissures, seemingly contradicting his promises of unity.

Walker says those who do not share his vision of the country can leave. He says his opponent, Sen. Raphael Warnock, and the Democratic Party are the real purveyors of division. He insists that their “wokeness” on race, transgender rights and other issues threatens U.S. power and identity.

“Sen. Warnock believes America is a bad country full of racist people,” Walker says in one ad, making a claim based on the fact that Warnock, who is also Black, has acknowledged institutional racism during his sermons as a Baptist minister. “I believe we’re a great country full of generous people,” Walker concludes.

That approach is not surprising in a state controlled for most of its history by white cultural conservatives, and it aligns Walker with many high-profile Republicans, including former President Donald Trump. But Walker’s arguments make for a striking contrast in a Senate contest featuring two Black men born in the Deep South during or immediately following the civil rights movement.

The strategy will face its fiercest test in the closing weeks of the campaign as Walker vehemently denies reports from The Daily Beast that he encouraged and paid for a woman’s 2009 abortion and later fathered a child with her. The New York Times reported Friday that he urged her to have a second abortion, a request that she refused. The Daily Beast also published new details provided by the woman about Walker’s lack of involvement with their child.

Such developments would typically sink a Republican candidate. Walker, however, is betting that the conservative ground he has staked out will win over voters singularly focused on retaking the Senate majority.

His advisers believe Walker’s rhetoric reflects the views of many Georgians, at least most who will vote this fall. Most specifically, it is an appeal to whites, including moderates who may be wary of the first-time candidate yet believe Democrats push too much social change.

The outcome could turn on how Walker’s pitch lands in an electorate younger, more urban, less white, and less native to Georgia than when Walker, 60, and Warnock, 53, grew up in the state.

Warnock, as minister of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. preached, has long linked the civil rights icon’s vision of a “beloved community” to 21st century discussions of diversity and justice, including religious pluralism, LGBTQ rights, ballot access, racial equity, law enforcement and other issues. But in his paid advertising, the pastor-politician casts himself mostly as a hardworking senator who has delivered results and federal money for Georgia.

Walker saves his hottest rhetoric for campaign events, where crowds are measured in the dozens or hundreds, rather than the thousands and millions watching carefully cultivated ads.

In one such ad, a smiling Walker talks of unity after a string of Democrats — Warnock, Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Georgia’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams — are heard discussing racism.

Addressing fellow Republicans, Walker maintains the smile but goes harder at the left, especially on transgender rights.

“They’re bringing wokeness in our military,” Walker said in Cumming. It was an apparent reference to the Pentagon allowing transgender persons to serve and have access to medical care.

“The greatest fighting force ever assembled before God (and) they’re talking about pronouns,” Walker said. “Are you serious? How do you identify? I can promise you right now China ain’t talking about how you can identify. They’re talking about war.”

Walker sometimes presents his mores as humor. “Y’all see it. They telling you what is a woman. Think about it,” he said in Bartow County, drawing laughter from voters. “That’s right,” he continued with a broad smile. “They’re telling you a man can get pregnant. Hey, I’m gone tell you right now, a man can’t get pregnant.”

Warnock, Walker says, “wants men in women’s sports.” His campaign aides point separately to a Senate vote on a Republican amendment that would have limited federal money for any educational institutions “that permit any student whose biological sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity designated for women or girls.” The amendment failed on a party-line vote.

“That’s sort of like saying you want Herschel Walker to compete against your daughters,” Walker said in Norcross, eliciting more laughs.

Walker rarely identifies the policies he opposes or explains counter proposals. He sticks with broader cultural branding, and in perhaps the most direct contradiction of his unity messaging, recommends that those with a different vision for America consider moving. “If you don’t like the rules under our roof, you can go somewhere else,” he said in Bartow County, after recalling a similar message his father once delivered to him.

Warnock seems reluctant to answer Walker’s broadsides directly. “My job is to represent all the people of Georgia across racial and ethnic and religious line, and all corner of this state,” he told reporters last week.

Asked specifically about Walker’s emphasis on transgender politics, Warnock said, “People love their children and they want to make sure that their children are safe from hatred and bigotry. So, you know, I will remain focused on all our young people and, at the same time, creating opportunities for young people.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666276991768.png" alt="Photo courtesy Senator Roger Marshall" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Senator Roger Marshall</figcaption>
 </figure>MACON, Georgia —Kansas Senator Roger Marshall made a campaign appearance Thursday in support of controversial&nbsp;Georgia Republican U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker.Allegations that Walker, a football icon, paid for a woman's abortion have rocked one of the nation's most important Senate matchups, according to the Associated Press. Walker is in a tight contest with Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, with the outcome potentially determining which party controls the Senate for the final two years of President Joe Biden's term.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">FIRED UP crowd for <a href="https://twitter.com/HerschelWalker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HerschelWalker</a> in Macon this morning! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gapol?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#gapol</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/gasen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#gasen</a> <a href="https://t.co/oeYKeQBKUS">pic.twitter.com/oeYKeQBKUS</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1583099061304844288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;Walker pitches himself as a politician who can bridge America’s racial and cultural divides because he loves everyone and overlooks differences.“I don’t care what color you are,” Georgia’s Republican Senate nominee, who is Black, told an overwhelmingly white crowd recently in Bartow County, north of Atlanta. The United States, he said, “is a good place,” adding that ”a way we make it better is by coming together.”Yet the former football star who calls all Georgians “my family” has staked out familiar conservative ground on America’s most glaring societal fissures, seemingly contradicting his promises of unity.Walker says those who do not share his vision of the country can leave. He says his opponent, Sen. Raphael Warnock, and the Democratic Party are the real purveyors of division. He insists that their “wokeness” on race, transgender rights and other issues threatens U.S. power and identity.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">What a morning in Macon with <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottforFlorida?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ScottforFlorida</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/GOPChairwoman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GOPChairwoman</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveDaines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SteveDaines</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RogerMarshallMD</a> and a couple hundred voters! Sheriffs from across Georgia joined to show their support. While my opponent calls the police thugs and fights to defund them, I’ll always have their backs. <a href="https://t.co/OuTqSyotAa">pic.twitter.com/OuTqSyotAa</a>&mdash; Herschel Walker (@HerschelWalker) <a href="https://twitter.com/HerschelWalker/status/1583116801516654593?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Sen. Warnock believes America is a bad country full of racist people,” Walker says in one ad, making a claim based on the fact that Warnock, who is also Black, has acknowledged institutional racism during his sermons as a Baptist minister. “I believe we’re a great country full of generous people,” Walker concludes.That approach is not surprising in a state controlled for most of its history by white cultural conservatives, and it aligns Walker with many high-profile Republicans, including former President Donald Trump. But Walker’s arguments make for a striking contrast in a Senate contest featuring two Black men born in the Deep South during or immediately following the civil rights movement.The strategy will face its fiercest test in the closing weeks of the campaign as Walker vehemently denies reports from The Daily Beast that he encouraged and paid for a woman’s 2009 abortion and later fathered a child with her. The New York Times reported Friday that he urged her to have a second abortion, a request that she refused. The Daily Beast also published new details provided by the woman about Walker’s lack of involvement with their child.Such developments would typically sink a Republican candidate. Walker, however, is betting that the conservative ground he has staked out will win over voters singularly focused on retaking the Senate majority.His advisers believe Walker’s rhetoric reflects the views of many Georgians, at least most who will vote this fall. Most specifically, it is an appeal to whites, including moderates who may be wary of the first-time candidate yet believe Democrats push too much social change.The outcome could turn on how Walker’s pitch lands in an electorate younger, more urban, less white, and less native to Georgia than when Walker, 60, and Warnock, 53, grew up in the state.Warnock, as minister of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King Jr. preached, has long linked the civil rights icon’s vision of a “beloved community” to 21st century discussions of diversity and justice, including religious pluralism, LGBTQ rights, ballot access, racial equity, law enforcement and other issues. But in his paid advertising, the pastor-politician casts himself mostly as a hardworking senator who has delivered results and federal money for Georgia.Walker saves his hottest rhetoric for campaign events, where crowds are measured in the dozens or hundreds, rather than the thousands and millions watching carefully cultivated ads.In one such ad, a smiling Walker talks of unity after a string of Democrats — Warnock, Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Georgia’s Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams — are heard discussing racism.Addressing fellow Republicans, Walker maintains the smile but goes harder at the left, especially on transgender rights.“They’re bringing wokeness in our military,” Walker said in Cumming. It was an apparent reference to the Pentagon allowing transgender persons to serve and have access to medical care.“The greatest fighting force ever assembled before God (and) they’re talking about pronouns,” Walker said. “Are you serious? How do you identify? I can promise you right now China ain’t talking about how you can identify. They’re talking about war.”Walker sometimes presents his mores as humor. “Y’all see it. They telling you what is a woman. Think about it,” he said in Bartow County, drawing laughter from voters. “That’s right,” he continued with a broad smile. “They’re telling you a man can get pregnant. Hey, I’m gone tell you right now, a man can’t get pregnant.”Warnock, Walker says, “wants men in women’s sports.” His campaign aides point separately to a Senate vote on a Republican amendment that would have limited federal money for any educational institutions “that permit any student whose biological sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity designated for women or girls.” The amendment failed on a party-line vote.“That’s sort of like saying you want Herschel Walker to compete against your daughters,” Walker said in Norcross, eliciting more laughs.Walker rarely identifies the policies he opposes or explains counter proposals. He sticks with broader cultural branding, and in perhaps the most direct contradiction of his unity messaging, recommends that those with a different vision for America consider moving. “If you don’t like the rules under our roof, you can go somewhere else,” he said in Bartow County, after recalling a similar message his father once delivered to him.Warnock seems reluctant to answer Walker’s broadsides directly. “My job is to represent all the people of Georgia across racial and ethnic and religious line, and all corner of this state,” he told reporters last week.Asked specifically about Walker’s emphasis on transgender politics, Warnock said, “People love their children and they want to make sure that their children are safe from hatred and bigotry. So, you know, I will remain focused on all our young people and, at the same time, creating opportunities for young people.”

Kan. Senator makes campaign appearance for Herschel Walker

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City-area school district faced a massive disruption after four freshmen students posted a “petition” that suggested restarting slavery, district officials said in a response to a federal lawsuit filed by the students' parents.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632359737253.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City-area school district faced a massive disruption after four freshmen students posted a “petition” that suggested restarting slavery, district officials said in a response to a federal lawsuit filed by the students' parents.One student at Park Hill South High School was expelled and three others were suspended for 180 days after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-missouri-slavery-suburbs-4b17e517b411b8ddc4a417aecc769473">the petition was posted on social media</a>&nbsp;in September 2021.In their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-kansas-city-lawsuits-race-and-ethnicity-media-04e4862b1cf870e5929a5b6610afb665">federal lawsuit against the district</a>, the students' parents contend the petition began as “bantering” between freshmen football players — some of whom are biracial or Black — on a team bus. They contend the district overreacted to the incident and violated the students' free speech and due process rights by removing them from school, The Kansas City Star reported&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article267122711.html">Wednesday</a>.In its response to the lawsuit, the district said it spent hundreds of hours counseling upset students and parents after the incident attracted national attention. The controversy delayed the district's efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, took time away from teachers' professional development and caused substitute teachers to refuse assignments at Park Hill South, according to the court records.Then-Superintendent Jeanette Cowherd said the petition “resulted in the most disruption she has experienced in her nearly 40 years in public education,” according to the court filing.The district asked the judge to deny the parents' request for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction that would allow the four students to return to school.