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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6.8 aftershock follows Monday's 7.6 quake in Mexico

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deal that prevented rail strike still needs worker support

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2 US veterans captured in Ukraine are coming home

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kansas woman dies after 2-vehicle crash

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

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

On Dec. 21, 2021, Thompson pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. Thompson admitted that he was transporting approximately 28 pounds of methamphetamine in the vehicle he was driving when he was pulled over by a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper on Sept. 12, 2019.

The trooper stopped Thompson, who was driving a loaned vehicle from a dealership in Ontario, Calif., on Interstate 70 in Cooper County. The trooper searched the vehicle and found 11 packages of methamphetamine, which weighed approximately 20 pounds in the trunk. Another approximately eight pounds&nbsp; of methamphetamine was later found hidden under the carpet of the passenger floorboard.

According to court documents, Thompson has spent most of the past 20 years in prison on offenses ranging from vehicle theft to armed bank robbery to, most recently, attempted murder (after he was hired to kill someone). He was discharged from parole in the attempted murder case in California in December 2018 and committed this federal offense less than a year later.

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

Man sentenced for ‘extraordinary quantity’ of meth

EL DORADO– El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) resident Cody James Torbol died Tuesday, September 20. He was found unresponsive in his cell Tuesday evening, according to a statement from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived. Torbol was pronounced deceased by medical staff. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy. A preliminary assessment indicates the death was not related to COVID-19.

Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is currently ongoing.

Torbol, 29, was serving a 221-month sentence, based on convictions in Riley County of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy of a child.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663783886661.png" alt="Cody Torbol-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Cody Torbol-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>EL DORADO– El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF) resident Cody James Torbol died Tuesday, September 20. He was found unresponsive in his cell Tuesday evening, according to a statement from the Kansas Department of Corrections.Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived. Torbol was pronounced deceased by medical staff. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy. A preliminary assessment indicates the death was not related to COVID-19.Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is currently ongoing.Torbol, 29, was serving a 221-month sentence, based on convictions in Riley County of Aggravated Criminal Sodomy of a child.

Man serving time for child sex crimes dies in Kansas prison

School accused of physical, sexual abuse by a litany of former students

By CLARA BATES <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>

A
 Cedar County judge on Wednesday again delayed ruling on the state’s 
efforts to close Agape Boarding School, the Stockton-based reform school
 facing mounting abuse allegations — allowing the school to stay open 
until at least the next hearing, which is scheduled for Monday.

In the meantime, two state Children’s Division staff will continue to have 24/7 access to the school to monitor the children.&nbsp;

Judge David Munton <a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/08/court-order-would-close-agape-boarding-school-after-years-of-abuse-allegations/">initially</a>
 ordered earlier this month that the school be shut down, in a response 
to the state’s petition for injunction. But soon after, he put the 
decision on hold because the staff member accused of abuse in the 
state’s petition was no longer employed at the school.&nbsp;

The state submitted an amended <a target="_blank" href="https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2022-09-09-amended-petition---agape.pdf?sfvrsn=4f68ab70_2">petition</a>
 Sept. 9 alleging a broader range of abuse, forming “the dark pattern of
 behavior at Agapé,” including allegations of child abuse and neglect 
which the state argued pose an “immediate health or safety concern” to 
students.&nbsp;

Because of various procedural 
objections by Agape’s attorney, the judge has yet to hear arguments on 
the state’s amended petition. <a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/12/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Last week</a>,
 Munton sided with Agape’s attorneys when they argued they had not had 
enough time to respond to this amended complaint. This week, the judge 
granted Agape a few days to appeal one of his decisions.

However, Munton did deny Agape’s 
motion to dismiss the complaint, allowing the process to move forward. 
He also denied Agape’s request for a jury trial.&nbsp;

Agape’s attorney, John Schultz, said 
he expects to learn by Friday whether the appellate courts will hear 
arguments to overturn Munton’s decision to deny a jury trial.&nbsp;

Jury trials are not standard in 
injunction cases, but Schultz argues this one — which seeks to close 
down the school and put a “30 year business out of operation” — is an 
exceptional case worthy of the right to trial by a “jury of our peers.”

Former Agape student Robert Bucklin said Tuesday he felt Agape’s lawyers were simply trying to “drag out” the case.&nbsp;

“He’s trying to delay the inevitable,” Bucklin said of Schultz. “They’re playing games with the safety of children.”

The push to shut down Agape is being led by the state Department of Social Services and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.&nbsp;

In a statement Wednesday, Schmitt’s 
spokesman said his office “yet again had witnesses, including victims of
 alleged abuse at Agape, ready to testify and the office was prepared to
 present evidence, but unfortunately the office was unable to do so.”

Unless a higher court agrees to hear Agape’s appeal, Munton will hold a hearing on Agape’s fate on Monday.&nbsp;

The state submitted another <a target="_blank" href="https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2022-09-19-second-amended-petition.pdf?sfvrsn=fdb0d573_2">amended petition</a>
 Monday, which the judge decided he will not allow to be heard, due to 
fairness and due process concerns related to the timing. That petition 
points to new allegations from “numerous current Agape students” 
regarding “physical abuse” by current Agape employees. (Agape denies the
 allegations.)

Two Children’s Division workers have 
had 24-hour access to the facility since Sept. 8. While there, students 
have approached them, “often surreptitiously” out of fear of 
retaliation, to report physical abuse they experienced, according to the
 filing, the petition states. One student “hid his notes in his shoe” 
prior to his meeting with the state worker, in case he were searched 
beforehand.&nbsp;

The current students’ reports ranged 
from experiencing “severe bruising” after being restrained, being 
slammed into the ground, pushed into walls, forced to do hundreds of 
pushups as punishment, and being kept in handcuffs for days at a time, 
including while sleeping. One student was punished by having food 
withheld, which was “documented as malnourishment,” the amended petition
 states.&nbsp;

Although those allegations will not 
be considered in the next hearing, the attorney general’s office said 
with the witnesses and evidence they have in regard to the first amended
 complaint, “We look forward to 
presenting that evidence on Monday morning and obtaining justice in this
 case” and said the Children’s Division staff will continue 24/7 on-site
 monitoring.

<h2>School accused of physical, sexual abuse by a litany of former students</h2>By CLARA BATES <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-decision-on-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Missouri Independent</a>A
 Cedar County judge on Wednesday again delayed ruling on the state’s 
efforts to close Agape Boarding School, the Stockton-based reform school
 facing mounting abuse allegations — allowing the school to stay open 
until at least the next hearing, which is scheduled for Monday.In the meantime, two state Children’s Division staff will continue to have 24/7 access to the school to monitor the children.&nbsp;Judge David Munton <a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/08/court-order-would-close-agape-boarding-school-after-years-of-abuse-allegations/">initially</a>
 ordered earlier this month that the school be shut down, in a response 
to the state’s petition for injunction. But soon after, he put the 
decision on hold because the staff member accused of abuse in the 
state’s petition was no longer employed at the school.&nbsp;The state submitted an amended <a target="_blank" href="https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2022-09-09-amended-petition---agape.pdf?sfvrsn=4f68ab70_2">petition</a>
 Sept. 9 alleging a broader range of abuse, forming “the dark pattern of
 behavior at Agapé,” including allegations of child abuse and neglect 
which the state argued pose an “immediate health or safety concern” to 
students.&nbsp;Because of various procedural 
objections by Agape’s attorney, the judge has yet to hear arguments on 
the state’s amended petition. <a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/12/missouri-judge-once-again-delays-closing-agape-boarding-school/">Last week</a>,
 Munton sided with Agape’s attorneys when they argued they had not had 
enough time to respond to this amended complaint. This week, the judge 
granted Agape a few days to appeal one of his decisions.However, Munton did deny Agape’s 
motion to dismiss the complaint, allowing the process to move forward. 
He also denied Agape’s request for a jury trial.&nbsp;Agape’s attorney, John Schultz, said 
he expects to learn by Friday whether the appellate courts will hear 
arguments to overturn Munton’s decision to deny a jury trial.&nbsp;Jury trials are not standard in 
injunction cases, but Schultz argues this one — which seeks to close 
down the school and put a “30 year business out of operation” — is an 
exceptional case worthy of the right to trial by a “jury of our peers.”Former Agape student Robert Bucklin said Tuesday he felt Agape’s lawyers were simply trying to “drag out” the case.&nbsp;“He’s trying to delay the inevitable,” Bucklin said of Schultz. “They’re playing games with the safety of children.”The push to shut down Agape is being led by the state Department of Social Services and Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt.&nbsp;In a statement Wednesday, Schmitt’s 
spokesman said his office “yet again had witnesses, including victims of
 alleged abuse at Agape, ready to testify and the office was prepared to
 present evidence, but unfortunately the office was unable to do so.”Unless a higher court agrees to hear Agape’s appeal, Munton will hold a hearing on Agape’s fate on Monday.&nbsp;The state submitted another <a target="_blank" href="https://ago.mo.gov/docs/default-source/press-releases/2022-09-19-second-amended-petition.pdf?sfvrsn=fdb0d573_2">amended petition</a>
 Monday, which the judge decided he will not allow to be heard, due to 
fairness and due process concerns related to the timing. That petition 
points to new allegations from “numerous current Agape students” 
regarding “physical abuse” by current Agape employees. (Agape denies the
 allegations.)Two Children’s Division workers have 
had 24-hour access to the facility since Sept. 8. While there, students 
have approached them, “often surreptitiously” out of fear of 
retaliation, to report physical abuse they experienced, according to the
 filing, the petition states. One student “hid his notes in his shoe” 
prior to his meeting with the state worker, in case he were searched 
beforehand.&nbsp;The current students’ reports ranged 
from experiencing “severe bruising” after being restrained, being 
slammed into the ground, pushed into walls, forced to do hundreds of 
pushups as punishment, and being kept in handcuffs for days at a time, 
including while sleeping. One student was punished by having food 
withheld, which was “documented as malnourishment,” the amended petition
 states.&nbsp;Although those allegations will not 
be considered in the next hearing, the attorney general’s office said 
with the witnesses and evidence they have in regard to the first amended
 complaint, “We look forward to 
presenting that evidence on Monday morning and obtaining justice in this
 case” and said the Children’s Division staff will continue 24/7 on-site
 monitoring.

Judge again delays decision on closing Christian boarding school

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — President Joe Biden declared at the United Nations on Wednesday that Russia has “shamelessly violated the core tenets” of the international body with its war in Ukraine as he summoned nations around the globe to stand firm in backing the Ukrainian resistance.

(Click below to watch President's address)

Delivering a forceful condemnation of Russia's seven-month invasion, Biden said reports of Russian abuses against civilians and its efforts to erase Ukraine and its culture “should make your blood run cold." He referenced President Vladimir Putin's announcement Wednesday that he had ordered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_1">a partial mobilization of reservists,</a>&nbsp;a deeply unpopular step that sparked protests in Russia. And Biden said Putin’s new nuclear threats against Europe showed “reckless disregard” for Russia's responsibilities as a signer of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

He criticized Russia for scheduling “sham referenda” this week in territory it has forcibly seized in Ukraine.

“A permanent member of the U..N Security Council invaded its neighbor, attempted to erase a sovereign state from the map. Russia has shamelessly violated the core tenets of the U.N. charter," he told his U.N. audience.

Biden called on all nations, whether democracies or autocracies, to speak out against Russia's “brutal, needless war” and to bolster's Ukraine effort to defend itself.

“We will stand in solidarity against Russia’s aggression, period," Biden said.

Biden also highlighted consequences of the invasion for the world's food supply, pledging $2.9 billion in global food security aid to address shortages caused by the war and the effects of climate change. He praised a U.N.-brokered effort to create a corridor for Ukrainian grain to be exported by sea, and called on the agreement to be continued despite the ongoing conflict.

Biden, during his time at the U.N. General Assembly, met with Secretary General António Guterres, before his first meeting with new British&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/liz-truss">Prime Minister Liz Truss</a>&nbsp;and a separate huddle with French President Emmanuel Macron.

He was also expected to press nations to meet an $18 billion target to replenish the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, reiterating the U.S. commitment of $6 billion to that goal.

But the heart of the president's visit to the U.N. this year was his full-throated censure of Russia as its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war nears the seven-month mark.</a>&nbsp;One of Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassadors, Gennady Kuzmin, was sitting in Russia’s seat during Biden’s speech.

The address came as Russian-controlled regions of eastern and southern Ukraine have announced plans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-kharkiv-3351d15af41ddde4176cb7cf72e74ac4">to hold Kremllin-backed referendums</a>&nbsp;in days ahead on becoming part of Russia and as Moscow is losing ground in the invasion. Russian President Putin on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_1">announced a partial mobilization</a>&nbsp;to call up 300,000 reservists and accused the West of engaging in “nuclear blackmail.”

The White House said the global food security funding includes $2 billion in direct humanitarian assistance through the United States Agency for International Development. The balance of the money will go to global development projects meant to boost the efficiency and resilience of the global food supply.

“This new announcement of $2.9 billion will save lives through emergency interventions and invest in medium- to long-term food security assistance in order to protect the world’s most vulnerable populations from the escalating global food security crisis,” the White House said.

Biden was confronting no shortage of difficult issues as leaders gather this year.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">In addition to the Russian war in Ukraine,</a>&nbsp;European&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-russia-ukraine-covid-health-923304026448bda234d6890592f55463">fears that a recession</a>&nbsp;could be just around the corner are heightened. Administration concerns grow by the day that time is running short to revive the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran-nuclear">Iran nuclear deal</a>&nbsp;and over China's saber-rattling on Taiwan.

His Wednesday address comes on the heels of Ukrainian forces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-kharkiv-a691ab16016aab01cedb68ea5e247b37">retaking control of large stretches of territory</a>&nbsp;near Kharkiv. But even as Ukrainian forces have racked up battlefield wins, much of Europe is feeling painful blowback from economic sanctions levied against Russia. A vast reduction in Russian oil and gas has led to a sharp jump in energy prices, skyrocketing inflation and growing risk of Europe slipping into a recession.

Biden's visit to the U.N. also comes as his administration's efforts to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal appears stalled.

The deal brokered by the Obama administration — and scrapped by Trump in 2018 — provided billions of dollars in sanctions relief in exchange for Iran’s agreement to dismantle much of its nuclear program and open its facilities to extensive international inspection.

“While the United States is prepared for a mutual return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, if Iran steps up to its obligations, the United States is clear: We will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons,” Biden said.

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said no breakthrough with Iran was expected during the General Assembly and that administration officials would be consulting with fellow signers of the 2015 agreement on the sidelines of this week's meetings.

This year's U.N. gathering is back to being a full-scale, in-person event after two years of curtailed activity due to the pandemic. In 2020, the in-person gathering was canceled and leaders instead delivered prerecorded speeches; last year was a mix of in-person and prerecorded speeches. Biden and first lady Jill Biden were set to host a leaders' reception on Wednesday evening.

China's President Xi Jinping opted not to attend this year's U.N. gathering, but his country's conduct and intentions will loom large.

Weeks after tensions flared across the Taiwan Strait as China objected to the high-profile visit to Taiwan of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Biden called for “peace and stability” and said the U.S. would “oppose unilateral changes in the status quo by either side.” That came days after Biden repeated that the U.S. would militarily assist Taiwan if China sought to invade.

China’s government on Monday said Biden’s statement in a CBS “60 Minutes” interview that American forces would defend the self-ruled island was a violation of U.S. commitments on the matter, but it gave no indication of possible retaliation.

Biden on Wednesday also declared that “fundamental freedoms are at risk in every part of our world," citing last month's U.N. human rights office report raising concerns about possible&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-beijing-united-nations-michelle-bachelet-government-and-politics-6fa4626b3b60a722eb355c56ef1a67ec">“crimes against humanity”</a>&nbsp;in China's western region against Uyghurs and other largely Muslim ethnic groups.

He also singled out for criticism the military junta in Myanmar, the Taliban controlling Afghanistan, and Iran, where he said the U.S. supports protests in Iran that sprang up in recent days after a 22-year-old woman died while being held by the morality police for violating the country’s Islamic dress code.

“Today we stand with the brave citizens and the brave women of Iran, who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights,” Biden said. “The United States will always promote human rights and the values enshrined in the U.N. Charter in our own country and around the world.”

Biden also highlighted his administration's new investments in addressing climate change, primarily through last month's passage of Democrats' massive “Inflation Reduction Act" which marks the largest single U.S. investment in addressing climate change.

He encouraged other nations to meet their own environmental commitments. “And none too soon — we don’t have much time.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663773354718.png" alt="President Biden criticized Russia for scheduling “sham referenda” this week in territory it has forcibly seized in Ukraine.-White House image" />
 <figcaption>President Biden criticized Russia for scheduling “sham referenda” this week in territory it has forcibly seized in Ukraine.-White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>UNITED NATIONS (AP) — President Joe Biden declared at the United Nations on Wednesday that Russia has “shamelessly violated the core tenets” of the international body with its war in Ukraine as he summoned nations around the globe to stand firm in backing the Ukrainian resistance.(Click below to watch President's address)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cpj5AyQb8OE?start=3" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Delivering a forceful condemnation of Russia's seven-month invasion, Biden said reports of Russian abuses against civilians and its efforts to erase Ukraine and its culture “should make your blood run cold." He referenced President Vladimir Putin's announcement Wednesday that he had ordered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_1">a partial mobilization of reservists,</a>&nbsp;a deeply unpopular step that sparked protests in Russia. And Biden said Putin’s new nuclear threats against Europe showed “reckless disregard” for Russia's responsibilities as a signer of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.He criticized Russia for scheduling “sham referenda” this week in territory it has forcibly seized in Ukraine.“A permanent member of the U..N Security Council invaded its neighbor, attempted to erase a sovereign state from the map. Russia has shamelessly violated the core tenets of the U.N. charter," he told his U.N. audience.Biden called on all nations, whether democracies or autocracies, to speak out against Russia's “brutal, needless war” and to bolster's Ukraine effort to defend itself.“We will stand in solidarity against Russia’s aggression, period," Biden said.Biden also highlighted consequences of the invasion for the world's food supply, pledging $2.9 billion in global food security aid to address shortages caused by the war and the effects of climate change. He praised a U.N.-brokered effort to create a corridor for Ukrainian grain to be exported by sea, and called on the agreement to be continued despite the ongoing conflict.Biden, during his time at the U.N. General Assembly, met with Secretary General António Guterres, before his first meeting with new British&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/liz-truss">Prime Minister Liz Truss</a>&nbsp;and a separate huddle with French President Emmanuel Macron.He was also expected to press nations to meet an $18 billion target to replenish the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, reiterating the U.S. commitment of $6 billion to that goal.But the heart of the president's visit to the U.N. this year was his full-throated censure of Russia as its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war nears the seven-month mark.</a>&nbsp;One of Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassadors, Gennady Kuzmin, was sitting in Russia’s seat during Biden’s speech.The address came as Russian-controlled regions of eastern and southern Ukraine have announced plans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-kharkiv-3351d15af41ddde4176cb7cf72e74ac4">to hold Kremllin-backed referendums</a>&nbsp;in days ahead on becoming part of Russia and as Moscow is losing ground in the invasion. Russian President Putin on Wednesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-donetsk-f64f9c91f24fc81bc8cc65e8bc7748f4?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_1">announced a partial mobilization</a>&nbsp;to call up 300,000 reservists and accused the West of engaging in “nuclear blackmail.”The White House said the global food security funding includes $2 billion in direct humanitarian assistance through the United States Agency for International Development. The balance of the money will go to global development projects meant to boost the efficiency and resilience of the global food supply.“This new announcement of $2.9 billion will save lives through emergency interventions and invest in medium- to long-term food security assistance in order to protect the world’s most vulnerable populations from the escalating global food security crisis,” the White House said.Biden was confronting no shortage of difficult issues as leaders gather this year.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">In addition to the Russian war in Ukraine,</a>&nbsp;European&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-russia-ukraine-covid-health-923304026448bda234d6890592f55463">fears that a recession</a>&nbsp;could be just around the corner are heightened. Administration concerns grow by the day that time is running short to revive the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/iran-nuclear">Iran nuclear deal</a>&nbsp;and over China's saber-rattling on Taiwan.His Wednesday address comes on the heels of Ukrainian forces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-kyiv-kharkiv-a691ab16016aab01cedb68ea5e247b37">retaking control of large stretches of territory</a>&nbsp;near Kharkiv. But even as Ukrainian forces have racked up battlefield wins, much of Europe is feeling painful blowback from economic sanctions levied against Russia. A vast reduction in Russian oil and gas has led to a sharp jump in energy prices, skyrocketing inflation and growing risk of Europe slipping into a recession.Biden's visit to the U.N. also comes as his administration's efforts to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal appears stalled.The deal brokered by the Obama administration — and scrapped by Trump in 2018 — provided billions of dollars in sanctions relief in exchange for Iran’s agreement to dismantle much of its nuclear program and open its facilities to extensive international inspection.“While the United States is prepared for a mutual return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, if Iran steps up to its obligations, the United States is clear: We will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons,” Biden said.U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said no breakthrough with Iran was expected during the General Assembly and that administration officials would be consulting with fellow signers of the 2015 agreement on the sidelines of this week's meetings.This year's U.N. gathering is back to being a full-scale, in-person event after two years of curtailed activity due to the pandemic. In 2020, the in-person gathering was canceled and leaders instead delivered prerecorded speeches; last year was a mix of in-person and prerecorded speeches. Biden and first lady Jill Biden were set to host a leaders' reception on Wednesday evening.China's President Xi Jinping opted not to attend this year's U.N. gathering, but his country's conduct and intentions will loom large.Weeks after tensions flared across the Taiwan Strait as China objected to the high-profile visit to Taiwan of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Biden called for “peace and stability” and said the U.S. would “oppose unilateral changes in the status quo by either side.” That came days after Biden repeated that the U.S. would militarily assist Taiwan if China sought to invade.China’s government on Monday said Biden’s statement in a CBS “60 Minutes” interview that American forces would defend the self-ruled island was a violation of U.S. commitments on the matter, but it gave no indication of possible retaliation.Biden on Wednesday also declared that “fundamental freedoms are at risk in every part of our world," citing last month's U.N. human rights office report raising concerns about possible&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-beijing-united-nations-michelle-bachelet-government-and-politics-6fa4626b3b60a722eb355c56ef1a67ec">“crimes against humanity”</a>&nbsp;in China's western region against Uyghurs and other largely Muslim ethnic groups.He also singled out for criticism the military junta in Myanmar, the Taliban controlling Afghanistan, and Iran, where he said the U.S. supports protests in Iran that sprang up in recent days after a 22-year-old woman died while being held by the morality police for violating the country’s Islamic dress code.“Today we stand with the brave citizens and the brave women of Iran, who right now are demonstrating to secure their basic rights,” Biden said. “The United States will always promote human rights and the values enshrined in the U.N. Charter in our own country and around the world.”Biden also highlighted his administration's new investments in addressing climate change, primarily through last month's passage of Democrats' massive “Inflation Reduction Act" which marks the largest single U.S. investment in addressing climate change.He encouraged other nations to meet their own environmental commitments. “And none too soon — we don’t have much time.”___

🎥 Biden addresses United Nations amid Putin's nuclear threat

By ALLISON WINTER <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/clash-over-climate-change-funding-emerging-in-farm-bill-debate/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — &nbsp; As lawmakers begin
 envisioning the next farm bill, some U.S. House Republicans are wary of
 making climate change a priority for farmers and ranchers.

The pushback from Republicans at a Tuesday hearing came as the Biden 
administration has tried to make significant new investments in climate 
change mitigation on farmland, last week announcing 70 pilot projects to
 support climate-friendly food production.

Lawmakers must rewrite the sweeping farm bill every five years to set
 policy and funding for agriculture, conservation and nutrition 
programs. The next farm bill is due in 2023, and some environmental 
groups are eyeing it as a potential boon for fighting climate change.

It’s also unclear which party will control the U.S. House and Senate following November’s midterm elections.

The farm bill includes massive funding for conservation programs—the 
previous legislation budgeted nearly $30 billion over five years.

More than 140 million acres of farmland in the U.S. are currently 
receiving conservation-related financial and technical assistance from 
the federal government, according to an analysis from the Farm Bureau. 
By comparison, the national park system has more than 85 million acres, 
according to the National Park Service.

The farmland conservation programs have received bipartisan support 
in the past, but some Republicans on Tuesday expressed concern about a 
growing interest in climate mitigation on farmland.

“Congress must be mindful of this massive amount of funding before 
amending programs or making policy changes that reorient programs toward
 climate. No one natural resource concern should be prioritized over 
others,” California Republican Rep. Douglas LaMalfa said at a hearing in
 a panel of the House Agriculture Committee.

LaMalfa is currently the top ranking Republican on the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.

At issue is both how to shape the conservation programs in the next 
farm bill and how to manage an extra funding infusion from the recently 
approved&nbsp; Inflation Reduction Act.

That bill, which the House and Senate passed in August, has a slate 
of programs to address climate change, including more than $20 billion 
for climate investments on farmland. Those include support for no-till 
agriculture, cover crops or other programs that affect the soil’s 
ability to hold carbon.

It will provide about a 47 percent increase over previous farm bill 
levels, according to an analysis from the National Sustainable 
Agriculture Coalition.

But for his part, the top Republican on the full committee indicated he would prefer to go his own way in directing the funding.

“I don’t feel bound by the amount of funding or the specific program 
allocation passed in the partisan IRA bill. I am especially worried 
about earmarking of all the new money just for climate, rather than 
letting the locally led process work,” Rep. Glenn Thompson, a 
Pennsylvania Republican, told colleagues at the hearing.

Republicans were critical of the new USDA initiative.

“We got the White House combined with my colleagues who are a real 
threat to the family farm today, in the name of this climate god, this 
new world religion,” said Rep. Rick Allen, a Georgia Republican.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/09/14/usda-more-than-triples-funding-for-climate-smart-agriculture/">announced last week</a>&nbsp;that the administration would invest $2.8 billion in pilot projects.

The program,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.usda.gov/climate-solutions/climate-smart-commodities">Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities</a>,
 will fund programs for greenhouse gas reductions on dairy farms, and 
projects to build markets for climate-smart beef, grains and fruits and 
vegetables.

“There is strong and growing interest in the private sector and among
 consumers for food that is grown in a climate-friendly way,” Vilsack 
said in a statement announcing the new programs.

The Agriculture Department plans a second round of funding for more pilot projects later this year.

Applicants submitted more than 450 project proposals for this first funding pool, according to USDA. The money comes from the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.usda.gov/ccc">&nbsp;Commodity Credit Corporation</a>,
 a government corporation created in 1933 that has traditionally funded 
foreign market development projects, price support, domestic farm income
 and conservation programs.

Vilsack and other Democrats see farmers as key stakeholders in 
addressing climate change. Agriculture was responsible for just over 11 
percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, according to the EPA.

Virginia Democrat Abigail Spanberger, the chairwoman of the 
conservation subcommittee, said that she hopes to partner with farmers 
on climate programs.

“We are looking to find on-farm efficiencies and boost the bottom 
line for producers and make sure we are combating the climate crisis 
with the first conservationists, who are our nation’s farmers and 
producers,” Spanberger said at the conclusion of the hearing.

The hearing is one in a series to prepare for the 2023 farm bill.

The farm bill’s conservation programs pay farmers to make 
environmental improvements on working land or to replace crops on highly
 erodible and environmentally sensitive land.

Despite the funding increases in recent farm bills, demand from 
producers for the programs still outpaces the availability from the 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, the agency within the 
Agriculture Department that oversees most of the conservation programs.

“NRCS continues to be oversubscribed,” said Nicole Berg, president of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

Since the 2018 farm bill, wheat farmers have entered 7,500 contracts 
in conservation programs, but another 5,000 valid applications from 
wheat growers did not receive funding, according to Berg.

“Noticing that a significant number of producers on the ground want 
to participate and can’t is a good call to action for us in the future,”
 Spanberger said.

Other producers complained that the application process is lengthy, 
and it can take months to get a response—which can be particularly 
problematic if producers want to address a pressing issue on their land.

“We were in a drought, and we needed some new water infrastructure, 
it was our biggest dilemma. I applied to NRCS, and we waited and waited 
but finally had to bite the bullet and do the project ourselves,” Shayne
 Wiese, a rancher from Manning, Iowa, told the committee—noting that new
 farmers and ranchers might not be able to finance a project on their 
own.

Lawmakers agreed they would like to support staffing for NRCS and a simpler application process for producers.

“I don’t think we need to reinvent the wheel here. What we need are 
common sense adjustments to ensure that programs are serving their 
producers and their land well,” said Rep. Kim Schrier, a Washington 
Democrat.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663772933681.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALLISON WINTER <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/09/21/clash-over-climate-change-funding-emerging-in-farm-bill-debate/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — &nbsp; As lawmakers begin
 envisioning the next farm bill, some U.S. House Republicans are wary of
 making climate change a priority for farmers and ranchers.The pushback from Republicans at a Tuesday hearing came as the Biden 
administration has tried to make significant new investments in climate 
change mitigation on farmland, last week announcing 70 pilot projects to
 support climate-friendly food production.Lawmakers must rewrite the sweeping farm bill every five years to set
 policy and funding for agriculture, conservation and nutrition 
programs. The next farm bill is due in 2023, and some environmental 
groups are eyeing it as a potential boon for fighting climate change.It’s also unclear which party will control the U.S. House and Senate following November’s midterm elections.The farm bill includes massive funding for conservation programs—the 
previous legislation budgeted nearly $30 billion over five years.More than 140 million acres of farmland in the U.S. are currently 
receiving conservation-related financial and technical assistance from 
the federal government, according to an analysis from the Farm Bureau. 
By comparison, the national park system has more than 85 million acres, 
according to the National Park Service.The farmland conservation programs have received bipartisan support 
in the past, but some Republicans on Tuesday expressed concern about a 
growing interest in climate mitigation on farmland.“Congress must be mindful of this massive amount of funding before 
amending programs or making policy changes that reorient programs toward
 climate. No one natural resource concern should be prioritized over 
others,” California Republican Rep. Douglas LaMalfa said at a hearing in
 a panel of the House Agriculture Committee.LaMalfa is currently the top ranking Republican on the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.<h2>New money at hand</h2>At issue is both how to shape the conservation programs in the next 
farm bill and how to manage an extra funding infusion from the recently 
approved&nbsp; Inflation Reduction Act.That bill, which the House and Senate passed in August, has a slate 
of programs to address climate change, including more than $20 billion 
for climate investments on farmland. Those include support for no-till 
agriculture, cover crops or other programs that affect the soil’s 
ability to hold carbon.It will provide about a 47 percent increase over previous farm bill 
levels, according to an analysis from the National Sustainable 
Agriculture Coalition.But for his part, the top Republican on the full committee indicated he would prefer to go his own way in directing the funding.“I don’t feel bound by the amount of funding or the specific program 
allocation passed in the partisan IRA bill. I am especially worried 
about earmarking of all the new money just for climate, rather than 
letting the locally led process work,” Rep. Glenn Thompson, a 
Pennsylvania Republican, told colleagues at the hearing.Republicans were critical of the new USDA initiative.“We got the White House combined with my colleagues who are a real 
threat to the family farm today, in the name of this climate god, this 
new world religion,” said Rep. Rick Allen, a Georgia Republican.<h2>Climate-smart commodities&nbsp;</h2>Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/09/14/usda-more-than-triples-funding-for-climate-smart-agriculture/">announced last week</a>&nbsp;that the administration would invest $2.8 billion in pilot projects.The program,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.usda.gov/climate-solutions/climate-smart-commodities">Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities</a>,
 will fund programs for greenhouse gas reductions on dairy farms, and 
projects to build markets for climate-smart beef, grains and fruits and 
vegetables.“There is strong and growing interest in the private sector and among
 consumers for food that is grown in a climate-friendly way,” Vilsack 
said in a statement announcing the new programs.The Agriculture Department plans a second round of funding for more pilot projects later this year.Applicants submitted more than 450 project proposals for this first funding pool, according to USDA. The money comes from the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.usda.gov/ccc">&nbsp;Commodity Credit Corporation</a>,
 a government corporation created in 1933 that has traditionally funded 
foreign market development projects, price support, domestic farm income
 and conservation programs.Vilsack and other Democrats see farmers as key stakeholders in 
addressing climate change. Agriculture was responsible for just over 11 
percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2020, according to the EPA.Virginia Democrat Abigail Spanberger, the chairwoman of the 
conservation subcommittee, said that she hopes to partner with farmers 
on climate programs.“We are looking to find on-farm efficiencies and boost the bottom 
line for producers and make sure we are combating the climate crisis 
with the first conservationists, who are our nation’s farmers and 
producers,” Spanberger said at the conclusion of the hearing.The hearing is one in a series to prepare for the 2023 farm bill.<h2>&nbsp;High demand</h2>The farm bill’s conservation programs pay farmers to make 
environmental improvements on working land or to replace crops on highly
 erodible and environmentally sensitive land.Despite the funding increases in recent farm bills, demand from 
producers for the programs still outpaces the availability from the 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, the agency within the 
Agriculture Department that oversees most of the conservation programs.“NRCS continues to be oversubscribed,” said Nicole Berg, president of the National Association of Wheat Growers.Since the 2018 farm bill, wheat farmers have entered 7,500 contracts 
in conservation programs, but another 5,000 valid applications from 
wheat growers did not receive funding, according to Berg.“Noticing that a significant number of producers on the ground want 
to participate and can’t is a good call to action for us in the future,”
 Spanberger said.Other producers complained that the application process is lengthy, 
and it can take months to get a response—which can be particularly 
problematic if producers want to address a pressing issue on their land.“We were in a drought, and we needed some new water infrastructure, 
it was our biggest dilemma. I applied to NRCS, and we waited and waited 
but finally had to bite the bullet and do the project ourselves,” Shayne
 Wiese, a rancher from Manning, Iowa, told the committee—noting that new
 farmers and ranchers might not be able to finance a project on their 
own.Lawmakers agreed they would like to support staffing for NRCS and a simpler application process for producers.“I don’t think we need to reinvent the wheel here. What we need are 
common sense adjustments to ensure that programs are serving their 
producers and their land well,” said Rep. Kim Schrier, a Washington 
Democrat.