FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Southwest Kansas conducted active shooter training this month in Garden City, according to a social media report from Garden City Police.

All Garden City officers,&nbsp; personnel from the Finney County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol participated.

 The training was held at Horace Good Middle School, 1412 North Main Street in Garden City, and was designed to prepare the first responder to isolate, distract, and neutralize an active shooter.

In addition to instruction and evaluation, officers were faced with a variety of realistic, force-on-force scenarios they must work through. 

The training is held annually in a school setting. "The safety of our children and community is of paramount importance, and while we hope this never happens, we will do everything possible to prepare officers to appropriately respond to an active shooter situation."

In 2022, there have been over 370 mass shootings in the United States, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/reports/mass-shooting">Gun Violence Archive.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660079609751.png" alt="Photos Garden City Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos Garden City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities in Southwest Kansas conducted active shooter training this month in Garden City, according to a social media report from Garden City Police.All Garden City officers,&nbsp; personnel from the Finney County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol participated. The training was held at Horace Good Middle School, 1412 North Main Street in Garden City, and was designed to prepare the first responder to isolate, distract, and neutralize an active shooter.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660079460249.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In addition to instruction and evaluation, officers were faced with a variety of realistic, force-on-force scenarios they must work through. The training is held annually in a school setting. "The safety of our children and community is of paramount importance, and while we hope this never happens, we will do everything possible to prepare officers to appropriately respond to an active shooter situation."In 2022, there have been over 370 mass shootings in the United States, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/reports/mass-shooting">Gun Violence Archive.</a>

Law enforcement in SW Kan. conduct active shooter training

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal officer involved shooting in Kansas City on Sunday have identified the man who died as 31-year-old Zachary James Garrard.

The shooting occurred just before 10p.m. at a gas station located near Prospect and 55th Street, according to the MSHP.

Garrard then accelerated forward striking an officer and patrol vehicle.  Officers fired their service weapon striking the Garrard. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City police shot and killed a man who he sped toward an officer in a stolen sport utility vehicle and struck a police van, authorities said.

The shooting happened around 9:45 p.m. Sunday after officers spotted the unoccupied SUV in a gas station parking lot, said Sgt. Bill Lowe, a spokesman for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which is investigating the shooting.

Lowe said police approached the man after he exited the store. He accelerated backward and then drove forward toward one of the officers, Lowe said.

Lowe said the officer dived out of the way and that the SUV struck the police van before officers opened fire.

Lowe said the driver was declared dead at a hospital. His name wasn't immediately released. The patrol is reviewing video from the gas station and police body camera footage, as well as interviewing witnesses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1659977091793.png" alt="The patrol is reviewing video from the gas station and police body camera footage, as well as interviewing witnesses.-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>The patrol is reviewing video from the gas station and police body camera footage, as well as interviewing witnesses.-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal officer involved shooting in Kansas City on Sunday have identified the man who died as 31-year-old Zachary James Garrard.The shooting occurred just before 10p.m. at a gas station located near Prospect and 55th Street, according to the MSHP.Garrard then accelerated forward striking an officer and patrol vehicle. Officers fired their service weapon striking the Garrard. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.-------------KANSAS CITY (AP) — Kansas City police shot and killed a man who he sped toward an officer in a stolen sport utility vehicle and struck a police van, authorities said.The shooting happened around 9:45 p.m. Sunday after officers spotted the unoccupied SUV in a gas station parking lot, said Sgt. Bill Lowe, a spokesman for the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which is investigating the shooting.Lowe said police approached the man after he exited the store. He accelerated backward and then drove forward toward one of the officers, Lowe said.Lowe said the officer dived out of the way and that the SUV struck the police van before officers opened fire.Lowe said the driver was declared dead at a hospital. His name wasn't immediately released. The patrol is reviewing video from the gas station and police body camera footage, as well as interviewing witnesses.

Patrol IDs man fatally shot by Kansas City police 

Owning a pet can bring your family much joy, but taking care of a 
dog, cat, or other animal comes with significant costs too. 
Unfortunately, this year, many pet owners have found themselves in a 
heartbreaking situation, <a href="https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/inflation-forcing-some-pet-owners-to-give-up-their-pets/" target="_blank">forced to give up their pets</a> for financial reasons.

If you are thinking about taking home an adorable furry friend, it’s wise to check your budget first. According to the <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/how-much-spend-on-dog-in-lifetime/" target="_blank">American Kennel Club</a>,
 dog owners can expect to spend about $15,000 over the lifetime of their
 pet. Here are the costs you should consider before getting a new dog, 
cat, bird, or other pet. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660163707647.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>BBBOwning a pet can bring your family much joy, but taking care of a 
dog, cat, or other animal comes with significant costs too. 
Unfortunately, this year, many pet owners have found themselves in a 
heartbreaking situation, <a href="https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/inflation-forcing-some-pet-owners-to-give-up-their-pets/" target="_blank">forced to give up their pets</a> for financial reasons.If you are thinking about taking home an adorable furry friend, it’s wise to check your budget first. According to the <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/how-much-spend-on-dog-in-lifetime/" target="_blank">American Kennel Club</a>,
 dog owners can expect to spend about $15,000 over the lifetime of their
 pet. Here are the costs you should consider before getting a new dog, 
cat, bird, or other pet. &nbsp;<h2>How to calculate the cost of a pet&nbsp;</h2><ul>
 <li>Consider the initial investment. Any new pet comes 
with substantial expenses. For example, if you purchase a puppy from a 
breeder, you can expect to spend anywhere from <a href="https://www.thesprucepets.com/the-cost-of-dog-ownership-1117321" target="_blank">$500 to $2000 or more</a>.
 Purebred cats can be costly too. If you don’t have your heart set on a 
specific breed, you can cut costs by adopting a mixed breed pet from a 
shelter, but there will still be a modest expense, usually in the $50 to
 $200 range. After the purchase cost, factor in your pet’s first vet 
visits, which may include vaccines and boosters, deworming, and spaying 
or neutering. The cost for these items and treatments can quickly go 
over $1,000. You can save money by adopting an older pet that is up to 
date on vaccines and has already been spayed or neutered. Finally, don’t
 forget about supplies. You’ll need your pet's food, food and water 
bowls, collars and leashes, toys, beds, crates, etc. The average 
consumer <a href="https://www.petbudget.com/dog-cost/" target="_blank">spends about $425</a>
 on initial expenses when it comes to supplies. Include these items in 
your budget as part of the initial cost of buying or adopting a pet. </li><li>Factor in food. Standard food for dogs or cats will
 cost you a few hundred dollars a year. However, if your pet develops a 
food allergy, expect to pay more for a prescription diet. </li><li>Budget for veterinary visits. All pets need an 
annual exam and vaccinations. Some pets will need annual checks for 
parasites and deworming too. These visits average about <a href="https://www.moneyunder30.com/the-true-cost-of-pet-ownership" target="_blank">$160 for cats and $225 for dogs</a>.
 Of course, the price for a yearly vet visit will vary depending on 
where you live, so be sure to check with your local veterinarians. Also,
 <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/26860-bbb-tip-choosing-a-veterinarian-for-your-pet" target="_blank">choose a veterinarian you trust</a> before you get a pet. Keep in mind that your pet may also need routine care along the way, such as dental cleanings. </li><li>Know the cost of preventative medical care. Most 
dogs and cats need flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Budget for the 
cost of preventive medical care when planning for a pet. Purchasing 
preventative medications can save you a big bill on medical care down 
the road. </li><li>Think about grooming. If your pet needs regular 
grooming, such as nail trims, baths, and haircuts, find out how much you
 can expect to spend by calling local groomers and asking about pricing.
 Ask them how often you should plan to have your specific breed of 
animal groomed. </li><li>Plan for kennel boarding. If you are a frequent 
traveler and don’t plan on taking your pet with you, another expense you
 should factor in is boarding costs. According to a <a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/06/peteconomics.asp" target="_blank">national pet owners survey</a>,
 dog owners spent an average of $228 on kennel boarding and cat owners 
spent an average of $78. If you don’t like the idea of boarding your pet
 in a kennel, you’ll need to find out how much it costs to hire a pet 
sitter. If you plan on traveling with your pet, factor in additional 
travel expenses like pet fees at your hotel or the cost to fly with your
 pet. </li><li>Don’t forget the extras. Plan for miscellaneous 
expenses, such as licenses, toys, treats, obedience classes, replacing 
damaged furniture, and more. Check out <a href="https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/the-12-hidden-expenses-of-pet-ownership-53010" target="_blank">this list for more unexpected expenses</a> of owning a pet. </li><li>Have an emergency fund. Even if you have a healthy 
pet, know that emergencies can arise. It’s wise to keep an extra $1,000 
to $2,000 in an emergency fund specifically for surprise vet bills, 
which can be costly if emergency treatments or surgery are needed. </li><li>Consider pet insurance. <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/26698-bbb-tip-what-to-know-before-you-buy-pet-insurance" target="_blank">Pet insurance</a>
 can cover unexpected vet bills and sometimes wellness visits, but plans
 and coverage vary greatly. Do your research to find out if there is a 
pet insurance plan that could work well for you and your pet.</li>
 </ul>

How much does it really cost to own a pet? Here's the breakdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court sided Tuesday with a House committee seeking access to former President Donald Trump’s tax returns, rejecting Trump’s contention that Congress was overstepping.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit agreed with a lower court judge’s decision in favor of Congress. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden — a former Justice Department official and Trump appointee —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-donald-trump-personal-taxes-congress-2054364e3e09baf9fb2cd886294badf1">ruled in December</a>&nbsp;that the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee has broad authority to request the records, and the Treasury Department should provide the tax returns to the committee.

“The Trump Parties contend that the Chairman’s Request exceeds Congress’s investigative powers. It does not,” the judges wrote. Two of the judges, David Sentelle and Karen Henderson, were appointed by President Ronald Reagan and one, Robert Wilkins, was appointed by President Barack Obama.

In their ruling, the judges also rejected Trump’s argument that the request was problematic in part because it did not include a promise to keep the records confidential.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Trump would appeal or whether there’d be a resolution of the case before a new Congress takes office in January. If Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-florida-jacksonville-newt-gingrich-78124f373e852c89101fda9572f976ba">recapture control of the House</a>&nbsp;in the fall election, they could drop the request for records next year.

The judges’ decision came as the former president continues to be embroiled in legal fights. On Monday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-fbi-search-99097089194e736315c366a0e8fbafee">FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida</a>&nbsp;as part of an investigation into whether he took classified records from the White House.

The House Ways and Means panel and its chairman, Democrat Richard Neal of Massachusetts, first requested Trump’s tax returns in 2019 as part of an investigation into the Internal Revenue Service’s audit program and tax law compliance by the former president. A federal law says the Internal Revenue Service “shall furnish” the returns of any taxpayer to a handful of top lawmakers.

“With great patience, we followed the judicial process, and yet again, our position has been affirmed by the Courts,” Neal said in a statement. “I’m pleased that this long-anticipated opinion makes clear the law is on our side. When we receive the returns, we will begin our oversight of the IRS’s mandatory presidential audit program.” The committee said on Twitter that it expected to receive the requested documents ”immediately.”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called the decision “an important victory for the rule of law.”

An email to Trump’s attorneys was not immediately returned.

The Justice Department, under the Trump administration, had defended a decision by then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to withhold the tax returns from Congress. Mnuchin argued that he could withhold the documents because he concluded they were being sought by Democrats for partisan reasons. A lawsuit ensued.

After President Joe Biden took office, the committee renewed the request, seeking Trump’s tax returns and additional information from 2015-2020. The White House took the position that the request was a valid one and that the Treasury Department had no choice but to comply. Trump then attempted to halt the handover in court.

Then-Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manhattan-prosecutor-trump-tax-records-87f675d7ae8e24fbf2e8f33c480869d6">obtained copies</a>&nbsp;of Trump’s personal and business tax records as part of a criminal investigation. Trump tried to prevent his accountants from handing over the documents, taking the issue to the Supreme Court. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-donald-trump-tax-rercords-3aee14146906351ee9dd34aa7b6f4386">justices rejected Trump’s argument</a>&nbsp;that he had broad immunity as president. The District Attorney job has since been taken over by Alvin Bragg and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-manhattan-donald-trump-cyrus-vance-jr-criminal-investigations-18bb6847aeda9536663a6abd73abbf80">prosecutors in charge of the criminal probe have resigned</a>, but Bragg has said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-donald-trump-new-york-subpoenas-249ef309da3dbf739b3005d9ba2ceef4">investigation is continuing</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660098153905.png" alt="On Saturday, former President Trump delivered keynote remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>On Saturday, former President Trump delivered keynote remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Dallas-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal appeals court sided Tuesday with a House committee seeking access to former President Donald Trump’s tax returns, rejecting Trump’s contention that Congress was overstepping.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today’s decision ordering the release of Donald Trump’s tax returns to the House Ways and Means Committee is an important victory for the rule of law. Access to the former president’s tax returns is crucial to upholding the public interest, our national security &amp; our Democracy.&mdash; Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi/status/1557074026048241664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit agreed with a lower court judge’s decision in favor of Congress. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden — a former Justice Department official and Trump appointee —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-donald-trump-personal-taxes-congress-2054364e3e09baf9fb2cd886294badf1">ruled in December</a>&nbsp;that the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee has broad authority to request the records, and the Treasury Department should provide the tax returns to the committee.The three appeals court judges agreed.“The Trump Parties contend that the Chairman’s Request exceeds Congress’s investigative powers. It does not,” the judges wrote. Two of the judges, David Sentelle and Karen Henderson, were appointed by President Ronald Reagan and one, Robert Wilkins, was appointed by President Barack Obama.In their ruling, the judges also rejected Trump’s argument that the request was problematic in part because it did not include a promise to keep the records confidential.It wasn’t immediately clear whether Trump would appeal or whether there’d be a resolution of the case before a new Congress takes office in January. If Republicans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-florida-jacksonville-newt-gingrich-78124f373e852c89101fda9572f976ba">recapture control of the House</a>&nbsp;in the fall election, they could drop the request for records next year.The judges’ decision came as the former president continues to be embroiled in legal fights. On Monday, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-fbi-search-99097089194e736315c366a0e8fbafee">FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida</a>&nbsp;as part of an investigation into whether he took classified records from the White House.The House Ways and Means panel and its chairman, Democrat Richard Neal of Massachusetts, first requested Trump’s tax returns in 2019 as part of an investigation into the Internal Revenue Service’s audit program and tax law compliance by the former president. A federal law says the Internal Revenue Service “shall furnish” the returns of any taxpayer to a handful of top lawmakers.“With great patience, we followed the judicial process, and yet again, our position has been affirmed by the Courts,” Neal said in a statement. “I’m pleased that this long-anticipated opinion makes clear the law is on our side. When we receive the returns, we will begin our oversight of the IRS’s mandatory presidential audit program.” The committee said on Twitter that it expected to receive the requested documents ”immediately.”House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called the decision “an important victory for the rule of law.”An email to Trump’s attorneys was not immediately returned.The Justice Department, under the Trump administration, had defended a decision by then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to withhold the tax returns from Congress. Mnuchin argued that he could withhold the documents because he concluded they were being sought by Democrats for partisan reasons. A lawsuit ensued.After President Joe Biden took office, the committee renewed the request, seeking Trump’s tax returns and additional information from 2015-2020. The White House took the position that the request was a valid one and that the Treasury Department had no choice but to comply. Trump then attempted to halt the handover in court.Then-Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manhattan-prosecutor-trump-tax-records-87f675d7ae8e24fbf2e8f33c480869d6">obtained copies</a>&nbsp;of Trump’s personal and business tax records as part of a criminal investigation. Trump tried to prevent his accountants from handing over the documents, taking the issue to the Supreme Court. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-donald-trump-tax-rercords-3aee14146906351ee9dd34aa7b6f4386">justices rejected Trump’s argument</a>&nbsp;that he had broad immunity as president. The District Attorney job has since been taken over by Alvin Bragg and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-manhattan-donald-trump-cyrus-vance-jr-criminal-investigations-18bb6847aeda9536663a6abd73abbf80">prosecutors in charge of the criminal probe have resigned</a>, but Bragg has said the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-donald-trump-new-york-subpoenas-249ef309da3dbf739b3005d9ba2ceef4">investigation is continuing</a>.

U.S. Appeals Court: Congress will get to see Trump tax returns

OMAHA (AP) — A Nebraska woman has been charged with helping her teenage daughter end her pregnancy at about 24 weeks after investigators uncovered Facebook messages in which the two discussed using medication to induce an abortion and plans to burn the fetus afterward.

The prosecutor handling the case said it's the first time he has prosecuted anyone for illegally performing an abortion after 20 weeks, a restriction that was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-nebraska-omaha-state-legislature-cfe67dcc35cb4b5ba86989cd796261a3">passed in 2010</a>. Before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, states weren’t allowed to enforce abortion bans until the point at which a fetus is considered viable outside the womb, at roughly 24 weeks.

In one of the Facebook messages, Jessica Burgess, 41, tells her then 17-year-old daughter that she has obtained abortion pills for her and gives her instructions on how to take them to end the pregnancy.

The daughter, meanwhile, “talks about how she can’t wait to get the ‘thing’ out of her body," a detective wrote in court documents. “I will finally be able to wear jeans,” she says in one of the messages. Law enforcement authorities obtained the messages with a search warrant, and detailed some of them in court documents.

In early June, the mother and daughter were only charged with a single felony for removing, concealing or abandoning a body, and two misdemeanors: concealing the death of another person and false reporting. It wasn't until about a month later, after investigators reviewed the private Facebook messages, that they added the felony abortion-related charges against the mother. The daughter, who is now 18, is being charged as an adult at prosecutors' request.

Burgess' attorney didn’t immediately respond to a message Tuesday, and the public defender representing the daughter declined to comment.

When first interviewed, the two told investigators that the teen had unexpectedly given birth to a stillborn baby in the shower in the early morning hours of April 22. They said they put the fetus in a bag, placed it in a box in the back of their van, and later drove several miles north of town, where they buried the body with the help of a 22-year-old man.

The man, whom The Associated Press is not identifying because he has only been charged with a misdemeanor, has pleaded no contest to helping bury the fetus on rural land his parents own north of Norfolk in northeast Nebraska. He's set to be sentenced later this month.

In court documents, the detective said the fetus showed signs of “thermal wounds” and that the man told investigators the mother and daughter did burn it. He also wrote that the daughter confirmed in the Facebook exchange with her mother that the two would “burn the evidence afterward." Based on medical records, the fetus was more than 23 weeks old, the detective wrote.

Burgess later admitted to investigators to buying the abortion pills “for the purpose of instigating a miscarriage.”

At first, both mother and daughter said they didn’t remember the date when the stillbirth happened, but according to the detective, the daughter later confirmed the date by consulting her Facebook messages. After that he sought the warrant, he said.

Madison County Attorney Joseph Smith&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/norfolk-mother-and-daughter-accused-of-illegal-abortion-burning-and-burying-body/article_ff99fd49-a710-5ec3-8d51-5aced3001c71.html">told the Lincoln Journal Star</a>&nbsp;that he’s never filed charges like this related to performing an abortion illegally in his 32 years as the county prosecutor. He didn't immediately respond to a message from the AP on Tuesday.

The group National Advocates for Pregnant Women, which supports abortion rights,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-government-and-politics-constitutions-93c27f3132ecc78e913120fe4d6c0977">found 1,331 arrests or detentions</a>&nbsp;of women for crimes related to their pregnancy from 2006 to 2020.

In addition to its current 20-week abortion ban, Nebraska tried —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-us-supreme-court-health-nebraska-legislature-0b8e1e93be48c9e3fd7264c94da7b786">but failed</a>&nbsp;— earlier this year to pass a so-called trigger law that would have banned all abortions when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

A Facebook spokesman declined to talk about the details of this case, but the company has said that officials at the social media giant “always scrutinize every government request we receive to make sure it is legally valid.”

Facebook says it will fight back against requests that it thinks are invalid or too broad, but the company said it gave investigators information in about 88% of the 59,996 times when the government requested data in the second half of last year.

OMAHA (AP) — A Nebraska woman has been charged with helping her teenage daughter end her pregnancy at about 24 weeks after investigators uncovered Facebook messages in which the two discussed using medication to induce an abortion and plans to burn the fetus afterward.The prosecutor handling the case said it's the first time he has prosecuted anyone for illegally performing an abortion after 20 weeks, a restriction that was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-nebraska-omaha-state-legislature-cfe67dcc35cb4b5ba86989cd796261a3">passed in 2010</a>. Before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, states weren’t allowed to enforce abortion bans until the point at which a fetus is considered viable outside the womb, at roughly 24 weeks.In one of the Facebook messages, Jessica Burgess, 41, tells her then 17-year-old daughter that she has obtained abortion pills for her and gives her instructions on how to take them to end the pregnancy.The daughter, meanwhile, “talks about how she can’t wait to get the ‘thing’ out of her body," a detective wrote in court documents. “I will finally be able to wear jeans,” she says in one of the messages. Law enforcement authorities obtained the messages with a search warrant, and detailed some of them in court documents.In early June, the mother and daughter were only charged with a single felony for removing, concealing or abandoning a body, and two misdemeanors: concealing the death of another person and false reporting. It wasn't until about a month later, after investigators reviewed the private Facebook messages, that they added the felony abortion-related charges against the mother. The daughter, who is now 18, is being charged as an adult at prosecutors' request.Burgess' attorney didn’t immediately respond to a message Tuesday, and the public defender representing the daughter declined to comment.When first interviewed, the two told investigators that the teen had unexpectedly given birth to a stillborn baby in the shower in the early morning hours of April 22. They said they put the fetus in a bag, placed it in a box in the back of their van, and later drove several miles north of town, where they buried the body with the help of a 22-year-old man.The man, whom The Associated Press is not identifying because he has only been charged with a misdemeanor, has pleaded no contest to helping bury the fetus on rural land his parents own north of Norfolk in northeast Nebraska. He's set to be sentenced later this month.In court documents, the detective said the fetus showed signs of “thermal wounds” and that the man told investigators the mother and daughter did burn it. He also wrote that the daughter confirmed in the Facebook exchange with her mother that the two would “burn the evidence afterward." Based on medical records, the fetus was more than 23 weeks old, the detective wrote.Burgess later admitted to investigators to buying the abortion pills “for the purpose of instigating a miscarriage.”At first, both mother and daughter said they didn’t remember the date when the stillbirth happened, but according to the detective, the daughter later confirmed the date by consulting her Facebook messages. After that he sought the warrant, he said.Madison County Attorney Joseph Smith&nbsp;<a href="https://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/norfolk-mother-and-daughter-accused-of-illegal-abortion-burning-and-burying-body/article_ff99fd49-a710-5ec3-8d51-5aced3001c71.html">told the Lincoln Journal Star</a>&nbsp;that he’s never filed charges like this related to performing an abortion illegally in his 32 years as the county prosecutor. He didn't immediately respond to a message from the AP on Tuesday.The group National Advocates for Pregnant Women, which supports abortion rights,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-government-and-politics-constitutions-93c27f3132ecc78e913120fe4d6c0977">found 1,331 arrests or detentions</a>&nbsp;of women for crimes related to their pregnancy from 2006 to 2020.In addition to its current 20-week abortion ban, Nebraska tried —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/voting-rights-us-supreme-court-health-nebraska-legislature-0b8e1e93be48c9e3fd7264c94da7b786">but failed</a>&nbsp;— earlier this year to pass a so-called trigger law that would have banned all abortions when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.A Facebook spokesman declined to talk about the details of this case, but the company has said that officials at the social media giant “always scrutinize every government request we receive to make sure it is legally valid.”Facebook says it will fight back against requests that it thinks are invalid or too broad, but the company said it gave investigators information in about 88% of the 59,996 times when the government requested data in the second half of last year.

Nebraska woman charged with helping daughter have abortion

After a positive second-quarter earnings report, Invitae was a stock market darling on Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2022/08/10/why-invitae-stock-is-skyrocketing-today/">Read why at The Motley Fool.</a>

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660163945129.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>After a positive second-quarter earnings report, Invitae was a stock market darling on Wednesday.<a href="https://www.fool.com/investing/2022/08/10/why-invitae-stock-is-skyrocketing-today/">Read why at The Motley Fool.</a>

Here's why Invitae stock soared today 

TOPEKA&nbsp; – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt on Monday asked a federal appeals court to affirm a lower-court ruling from earlier this year that blocked the Biden administration from requiring masks on public transit, including commercial airlines.

In a brief filed Monday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th&nbsp;Circuit, Schmidt, along with 21 other state attorneys general and the solicitor general of Iowa, argued that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lacked authority to impose the mask mandate. In addition, the states argue the mandate is invalid because it failed to go through notice and comment procedures, is arbitrary and capricious and violated the agency’s own regulations.

“Throughout the pandemic, this administration has turned to novel, expansive, and dubious readings of its authorities,” the brief states. “CDC has been among the worst offenders, making ‘unprecedented assertion[s] of power.’ It has not fared well. The Supreme Court summarily rejected CDC’s position that 42 U.S.C. § 264 authorized a nationwide eviction moratorium. CDC’s order grounding cruise ships also was soundly rejected. It is now déjà vu all over again, as CDC advances still another novel interpretation of section 264 in support of an unprecedented masking mandate regulating every breath of millions of Americans. The Court should reject CDC’s latest overreach and affirm [the District Court’s ruling].”

The amicus brief was filed in support of the plaintiffs in&nbsp;Health Freedom Defense Fund Inc. v. Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States. A copy is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/3BTRKuZ">https://bit.ly/3BTRKuZ</a>.

Schmidt had previously filed a separate lawsuit against the Biden administration seeking to end the public transit mask mandate. That case is stayed pending the decision in the&nbsp;Health Freedom Defense Fund v. Biden&nbsp;case in the 11th&nbsp;Circuit. Schmidt has challenged numerous federal mandates since last fall when the Biden administration announced several vaccine and mask mandates as part of its one-size-fits-all approach to combating COVID-19. He has obtained federal court injunctions blocking the OSHA vaccine mandate for private employers, the federal contractor vaccine mandate and the Head Start vaccine and mask mandate.&nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp; – Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt on Monday asked a federal appeals court to affirm a lower-court ruling from earlier this year that blocked the Biden administration from requiring masks on public transit, including commercial airlines.In a brief filed Monday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th&nbsp;Circuit, Schmidt, along with 21 other state attorneys general and the solicitor general of Iowa, argued that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lacked authority to impose the mask mandate. In addition, the states argue the mandate is invalid because it failed to go through notice and comment procedures, is arbitrary and capricious and violated the agency’s own regulations.“Throughout the pandemic, this administration has turned to novel, expansive, and dubious readings of its authorities,” the brief states. “CDC has been among the worst offenders, making ‘unprecedented assertion[s] of power.’ It has not fared well. The Supreme Court summarily rejected CDC’s position that 42 U.S.C. § 264 authorized a nationwide eviction moratorium. CDC’s order grounding cruise ships also was soundly rejected. It is now déjà vu all over again, as CDC advances still another novel interpretation of section 264 in support of an unprecedented masking mandate regulating every breath of millions of Americans. The Court should reject CDC’s latest overreach and affirm [the District Court’s ruling].”The amicus brief was filed in support of the plaintiffs in&nbsp;Health Freedom Defense Fund Inc. v. Joseph R. Biden, Jr., President of the United States. A copy is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/3BTRKuZ">https://bit.ly/3BTRKuZ</a>.Schmidt had previously filed a separate lawsuit against the Biden administration seeking to end the public transit mask mandate. That case is stayed pending the decision in the&nbsp;Health Freedom Defense Fund v. Biden&nbsp;case in the 11th&nbsp;Circuit. Schmidt has challenged numerous federal mandates since last fall when the Biden administration announced several vaccine and mask mandates as part of its one-size-fits-all approach to combating COVID-19. He has obtained federal court injunctions blocking the OSHA vaccine mandate for private employers, the federal contractor vaccine mandate and the Head Start vaccine and mask mandate.&nbsp;

Kan. AG asks court to continue blocking federal airline mask mandate 

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission today announced it is committing nearly $68 million in two new funding rounds through the Emergency Connectivity Program, which provides digital services for students in communities across the country.  Today’s funding commitments support applications from all three application windows, benefiting over 100,000 students across the country, including California, Florida, North Carolina, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.  

“As we inch closer to the start of another school year, the Homework Gap remains a real concern for far too many students who lack internet access after the school day ends,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel.  “We’re working hard to fix this and support students as they prepare to return to the classroom in the coming weeks and this latest round of funding will help us do just that.”

To date, the Commission has committed over $5.7 billion to schools and libraries across the country as part of the Emergency Connectivity Program, which launched last year.  The program has provided schools and libraries three different “application windows,” for schools and libraries to apply for support.  Today’s announcement includes over $24 million from the first and second application windows providing support in the upcoming school year for one school, three libraries, and one consortium.  For the third application window, the Commission is committing nearly $44 million that will support over 200 schools, seven libraries, and one consortium.  

The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework, to ensure

students across the country have the necessary support to keep up with their education.  To date, the program has provided support to approximately 10,000 schools, 900 libraries, and 100 consortia, and providing nearly 12 million connected devices and over 7 million broadband connections.  Of the over $5.7 billion in funding commitments approved to date, approximately $4.1 billion is supporting applications from Window 1; $830 million from Window 2; and $774 million from Window 3.  

More details about which schools and libraries have received funding commitments can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FCCWASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission today announced it is committing nearly $68 million in two new funding rounds through the Emergency Connectivity Program, which provides digital services for students in communities across the country. Today’s funding commitments support applications from all three application windows, benefiting over 100,000 students across the country, including California, Florida, North Carolina, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. “As we inch closer to the start of another school year, the Homework Gap remains a real concern for far too many students who lack internet access after the school day ends,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “We’re working hard to fix this and support students as they prepare to return to the classroom in the coming weeks and this latest round of funding will help us do just that.”To date, the Commission has committed over $5.7 billion to schools and libraries across the country as part of the Emergency Connectivity Program, which launched last year. The program has provided schools and libraries three different “application windows,” for schools and libraries to apply for support. Today’s announcement includes over $24 million from the first and second application windows providing support in the upcoming school year for one school, three libraries, and one consortium. For the third application window, the Commission is committing nearly $44 million that will support over 200 schools, seven libraries, and one consortium. The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework, to ensurestudents across the country have the necessary support to keep up with their education. To date, the program has provided support to approximately 10,000 schools, 900 libraries, and 100 consortia, and providing nearly 12 million connected devices and over 7 million broadband connections. Of the over $5.7 billion in funding commitments approved to date, approximately $4.1 billion is supporting applications from Window 1; $830 million from Window 2; and $774 million from Window 3. More details about which schools and libraries have received funding commitments can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund.

FCC: New $68M available to fund emergency broadband connectivity

Doña Ana County, New Mexico—Law enforcement authorities investigating remains found almost four decades ago have identified the victim as a missing Kansas teen.

The Doña Ana County New Mexico Sheriff’s office on Tuesday said they have identified remains found 37 years ago as those of 16-year-old Dorothy Harrison of Wichita who had been reported missing in 1984.

(Click below to watch the news conference)

&nbsp;Harrison was last seen about 5 p.m. July 25, 1984 when she left her home in Wichita, according to to Detective Melissa Agullo. Harrison got into a car with two unknown girls. Her family reported her missing soon after.

Dorothy would frequently leave and be gone weeks on end during the summer. Law enforcement would always find her and bring her home, but she would inevitably leave again, always staying in Kansas, according to Agullo.

Approximately a week and a half after Dorothy ran away her family received a phone call from her saying she was in Los Angeles. During this time, the 1984 Summer Olympic Games were underway (July 28 – August 12, 1984.) 

A few weeks later her family received another phone call from Dorothy saying that she was in El Paso, Texas and that she was on her way home. That was the last time the family heard from her.&nbsp; Dorothy was likely killed between September 10, 1984, and January 10, 1985, according to Agullo.

After nearly forty years, a breakthrough came in March 2021 when the case of “Jane Doe” was assigned to Detective Agullo with the hope that new technology and investigative tools could lead to the answers that had long eluded this case.

In collaboration with the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, DNA was extracted from the left femur bone of the remains of “Jane Doe.”

DNA results were then submitted to Innovative Forensics Investigations to build out a genealogical family tree. The collaborative work led to answers and after more than three decades Jane Doe was identified as 16-year-old Harrison.&nbsp;

On March 10, 1985, hunters in Doña Ana County, about 50-miles north of El Paso, reported finding the human remains.

Dorothy was approximately 5-foot-1 and weighed 95 pounds. She had light brown hair, green eyes and a medium complexion. Her nostrils aren’t even and were considered lopsided. She had a small scar on the bow of her mouth. She often wore heavy eye makeup, according to Agullo. When she was last seen she was getting into a vehicle that was described as a big, tan, long car. Dorothy was picked up by two unknown females, described as white female and a black female, both older.

Anyone with information about Harrison or anyone who believes they encountered her between July 25, 1984, and the time of her death, ruled a homicide, should call the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office at 575-525-1911.

The sheriff’s office also released the following statement on behalf of Harrison’s family “Dorothy was a typical teenager; she was only 16 years old when this horrific crime happened to her. Like most teens she was sometimes unhappy at home and easily influenced. She left home with some people she thought were her friends and we never saw her again."

"The news of her death is devastating and even though this crime happened over 30 years ago, to our family, it is new and incredibly difficult information to process."

"We have so many unanswered questions and are hopeful that the continued investigation will be able to provide some of those answers. We ask that you give us this time to grieve and request any questions or information about Dorothy’s murder be sent to Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660081676638.png" alt="Dorothy Harrison-photo courtesy Doña Ana County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Dorothy Harrison-photo courtesy Doña Ana County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Doña Ana County, New Mexico—Law enforcement authorities investigating remains found almost four decades ago have identified the victim as a missing Kansas teen.The Doña Ana County New Mexico Sheriff’s office on Tuesday said they have identified remains found 37 years ago as those of 16-year-old Dorothy Harrison of Wichita who had been reported missing in 1984.(Click below to watch the news conference)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FDonaAnaCounty%2Fvideos%2F435723965155816%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=33" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>&nbsp;Harrison was last seen about 5 p.m. July 25, 1984 when she left her home in Wichita, according to to Detective Melissa Agullo. Harrison got into a car with two unknown girls. Her family reported her missing soon after.Dorothy would frequently leave and be gone weeks on end during the summer. Law enforcement would always find her and bring her home, but she would inevitably leave again, always staying in Kansas, according to Agullo.Approximately a week and a half after Dorothy ran away her family received a phone call from her saying she was in Los Angeles. During this time, the 1984 Summer Olympic Games were underway (July 28 – August 12, 1984.) A few weeks later her family received another phone call from Dorothy saying that she was in El Paso, Texas and that she was on her way home. That was the last time the family heard from her.&nbsp; Dorothy was likely killed between September 10, 1984, and January 10, 1985, according to Agullo.After nearly forty years, a breakthrough came in March 2021 when the case of “Jane Doe” was assigned to Detective Agullo with the hope that new technology and investigative tools could lead to the answers that had long eluded this case.In collaboration with the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator, DNA was extracted from the left femur bone of the remains of “Jane Doe.”DNA results were then submitted to Innovative Forensics Investigations to build out a genealogical family tree. The collaborative work led to answers and after more than three decades Jane Doe was identified as 16-year-old Harrison.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660082043153.png" alt="Harrison-photo&nbsp; Doña Ana County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Harrison-photo&nbsp; Doña Ana County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>On March 10, 1985, hunters in Doña Ana County, about 50-miles north of El Paso, reported finding the human remains.Dorothy was approximately 5-foot-1 and weighed 95 pounds. She had light brown hair, green eyes and a medium complexion. Her nostrils aren’t even and were considered lopsided. She had a small scar on the bow of her mouth. She often wore heavy eye makeup, according to Agullo. When she was last seen she was getting into a vehicle that was described as a big, tan, long car. Dorothy was picked up by two unknown females, described as white female and a black female, both older.Anyone with information about Harrison or anyone who believes they encountered her between July 25, 1984, and the time of her death, ruled a homicide, should call the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office at 575-525-1911.The sheriff’s office also released the following statement on behalf of Harrison’s family “Dorothy was a typical teenager; she was only 16 years old when this horrific crime happened to her. Like most teens she was sometimes unhappy at home and easily influenced. She left home with some people she thought were her friends and we never saw her again.""The news of her death is devastating and even though this crime happened over 30 years ago, to our family, it is new and incredibly difficult information to process.""We have so many unanswered questions and are hopeful that the continued investigation will be able to provide some of those answers. We ask that you give us this time to grieve and request any questions or information about Dorothy’s murder be sent to Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart."

🎥 Sheriff IDs remains found 37-years ago as Kansas teen

KANSAS CITY —A&nbsp; Kansas City man has been charged in the fatal shooting on Sunday of Warner Alexander Trotter inside a residence in the 3500 block of Garfield Avenue in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Samuel Avery, 42, faces Murder 2nd Degree and &nbsp;Armed Criminal Action charges.

According to court records filed Monday, the defendant called KC police dispatch and told them he had shot his neighbor and he reported placing the gun in a chair. 

Police officers found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound on the front porch of a residence. He was pronounced deceased later at Truman Medical Center. 

Police discovered two other calls for service to the address related to disputes between the victim and the suspect. 

A witness confirmed that the two men had been in a verbal altercation over the suspect mowing his yard. The defendant told police he had been arguing with the victim for years. 

Security video recovered by police showed the victim arriving at his residence, next door to the defendant. The victim is shown saying something to the suspect, but the defendant produced a firearm and shot the victim multiple times. The victim had no weapon in his hands nor did he reach for a weapon.&nbsp; Avery is being held on a bond of $200,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660048274219.png" alt="Avery-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Avery-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A&nbsp; Kansas City man has been charged in the fatal shooting on Sunday of Warner Alexander Trotter inside a residence in the 3500 block of Garfield Avenue in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Samuel Avery, 42, faces Murder 2nd Degree and &nbsp;Armed Criminal Action charges.According to court records filed Monday, the defendant called KC police dispatch and told them he had shot his neighbor and he reported placing the gun in a chair. Police officers found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound on the front porch of a residence. He was pronounced deceased later at Truman Medical Center. Police discovered two other calls for service to the address related to disputes between the victim and the suspect. A witness confirmed that the two men had been in a verbal altercation over the suspect mowing his yard. The defendant told police he had been arguing with the victim for years. Security video recovered by police showed the victim arriving at his residence, next door to the defendant. The victim is shown saying something to the suspect, but the defendant produced a firearm and shot the victim multiple times. The victim had no weapon in his hands nor did he reach for a weapon.&nbsp; Avery is being held on a bond of $200,000.

KC man accused of killing neighbor after years of fighting

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man after an incident that began in downtown Salina late Monday night.

Just before 11p.m., police were sent to Homewood Suites by Hilton, 115 E. Mulberry Street, for the report of a man allegedly following and harassing a 28-year-old woman who had a protection order against him, according to Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus. Another woman in her 20s was with the 28-year-old.

The incident began at the hotel and then continued while the women were in a vehicle. They returned to the hotel to report the incident to police. Officers determined that the man, identified as Donald Craig Walker, 59, of McPherson, was driving a black Ford Escort, and began looking for him.

At approximately 1 a.m. Tuesday, an officer located and stopped the car, which looked to be driving erratically, in the 200 block of S. Broadway Boulevard, Hanus said. During the stop, a deployed K-9 indicated to the odor of an illegal drug. A search of the vehicle revealed an illegal drug.

Walker was arrested on requested charges of Violation of a protection order, Possession of a stimulant, No tax stamp and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660055374144.jpeg" alt="Walker-photo&nbsp;Saline County&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Walker-photo&nbsp;Saline County&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostLaw enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man after an incident that began in downtown Salina late Monday night.Just before 11p.m., police were sent to Homewood Suites by Hilton, 115 E. Mulberry Street, for the report of a man allegedly following and harassing a 28-year-old woman who had a protection order against him, according to Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus. Another woman in her 20s was with the 28-year-old.The incident began at the hotel and then continued while the women were in a vehicle. They returned to the hotel to report the incident to police. Officers determined that the man, identified as Donald Craig Walker, 59, of McPherson, was driving a black Ford Escort, and began looking for him.At approximately 1 a.m. Tuesday, an officer located and stopped the car, which looked to be driving erratically, in the 200 block of S. Broadway Boulevard, Hanus said. During the stop, a deployed K-9 indicated to the odor of an illegal drug. A search of the vehicle revealed an illegal drug.Walker was arrested on requested charges of Violation of a protection order, Possession of a stimulant, No tax stamp and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kansas man jailed after alleged incident with woman at motel

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials on Tuesday authorized a plan to stretch the nation’s limited supply of monkeypox vaccine by giving people just one-fifth the usual dose, citing research suggesting that the reduced amount is about as effective.

The so-called dose-sparing approach also calls for administering the Jynneos vaccine with an injection just under the skin rather than into deeper tissue — a practice that may rev up the immune system better. Recipients would still get two shots spaced four weeks apart.

The highly unusual step is a stark acknowledgment that the U.S. currently lacks the supplies needed to vaccinate everyone seeking protection from the rapidly spreading virus.

That includes 1.6 million to 1.7 million Americans considered by federal officials to be at highest risk from the disease, primarily men with HIV or men who have a higher risk of contracting it. Vaccinating that group would require about three times more full doses than the roughly 1.1 million that officials have made available.

The Kansas Department of Health (KDHE) reported Monday they are investigating a case of the virus in the Topeka area. The individual was exposed after contact with a confirmed positive case that had traveled to Shawnee County from out-of-state. On July 9, KDHE reported the first case of monkeypox in Kansas.&nbsp;The adult patient is a resident in Johnson County, Kansas, who recently traveled out of state.

On June 18, health officials reported the first case of monkeypox in Missouri. It was found in a Kansas City resident who had recently traveled out of state.

The White House’s monkeypox response coordinator, Robert Fenton, said the vaccine plan would help the U.S. “stay ahead of the virus.”

“It’s safe, it’s effective, and it will significantly scale the volume of vaccine doses available for communities across the country,” Fenton told reporters.

The Biden administration declared monkeypox a public health emergency last week in an effort to slow the growing outbreak that has infected more than 8,900 Americans. Officials announced a separate determination Tuesday that allows the Food and Drug Administration to expedite its review of medical products or new uses for them, such as the dose-sparing technique for Jynneos.

The FDA authorized the new approach for adults 18 and older who are at high risk of monkeypox infection. Younger people can also get the vaccine if they are deemed high risk, though they should receive the traditional injection, the agency said.

The announcement represents an about-face from last month, when the FDA and other agencies repeatedly stressed that two full vaccine doses were necessary for adequate protection.

But regulators now point to a 2015 study showing that vaccination with one fifth of the traditional dose generated a robust immune-system response comparable to that of the full dose. About 94% of people receiving the smaller dose had adequate levels of virus-fighting antibodies, compared with 98% of those receiving the full dose, according to the study funded by the National Institutes of Health.

The NIH is planning an additional trial of the technique in coming months, according to the agency.

Vaccine makers often formulate their shots to provide more than enough protection, so it's not unusual that a smaller dose could still prove effective.

But some experts and advocates warned there is little data to support the policy and worried it could backfire if it reduces the vaccine's effectiveness.

“We have grave concerns about the limited amount of research that has been done on this dose and administration method, and we fear it will give people a false sense of confidence that they are protected,” said David Harvey of the National Coalition of STD Directors, in a statement.

The smaller doses also require a different type of injection that penetrates only the top layer of skin, rather than the lower layer between the skin and muscle. That's a less common technique that may require training for some health practitioners. It's also associated with more side effects such as redness, itchiness and swelling.

The shallower injection is thought to help stimulate the immune system because the skin contains numerous immunity cells that target outside invaders.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it will provide educational materials on the technique along with a broader awareness campaign for U.S. health departments.

Rationing vaccine doses is common in Africa and other parts of the world with limited health resources. In recent years the World Health Organization has endorsed the approach to address outbreaks of yellow fever, polio and other diseases.

“This is not an uncommon situation” said Dr. William Moss of Johns Hopkins’ Vaccine Access Center. “It comes down to the public health decision-making: In the midst of an outbreak where you have insufficient supply, do you make this tradeoff?”

When the first COVID-19 vaccines became available in late 2020, the U.K. government prioritized giving a first dose to as many people as possible before providing second vaccinations.

Both the U.K. and Canada have adopted a single-dose vaccine strategy prioritizing people who face the highest risk from monkeypox. And health departments in several large U.S. cities adopted a similar strategy amid limited supplies, including New York, San Francisco and Washington.

U.S. officials have shipped more than 617,000 full vaccine doses to state and local health departments and plan to distribute another 380,000 in coming weeks. So far it’s been recommended for people who have already been exposed to monkeypox or are likely to get it due to recent sexual contacts in areas where the virus is spreading.

The Biden administration has come under fire for not quickly marshaling millions more doses from the nation’s strategic national stockpile. Officials have ordered 5 million shots since July, but most aren't expected to be delivered until 2023.

The U.S. government owns bulk vaccine ingredients equivalent to 16.1 million doses under contracts with Danish manufacturer Bavarian Nordic. But the material needs to be sealed in vials, a process that’s expected to take months as the small company fields orders from other nations.

HHS responded to criticism last week about the pace and timing of the government’s vaccine decisions.

“We were thoughtful about how and when to use bulk vaccine because once you remove it from bulk, you lose years of shelf life,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

The FDA approved the Jynneos vaccine in 2019 to prevent smallpox and monkeypox based, in part, on studies in monkeys. Animals that received the two-dose vaccination were more than twice as likely to survive than those who didn't after being infected with monkeypox, according to the FDA labeling.

Additional human studies showed people who received Jynneos had an immune response similar to those who received an older smallpox vaccine. But Jynneos hasn't been tested in humans with either monkeypox or its relative smallpox, which was eradicated decades ago.

That's typical of many of the vaccines and drugs in the national stockpile that treat rare or deadly pathogens like anthrax or the plague.

The U.S. government has spent more than $1 billion developing and stockpiling the freeze-dried vaccine, which replaced an earlier liquid version that had a shorter shelf life. Bavarian Nordic has a 10-year contract with the U.S. to supply the new vaccine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660078810711.png" alt="Monkeypox vaccine protesters- photo courtesy KTVU" />
 <figcaption>Monkeypox vaccine protesters- photo courtesy KTVU</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health officials on Tuesday authorized a plan to stretch the nation’s limited supply of monkeypox vaccine by giving people just one-fifth the usual dose, citing research suggesting that the reduced amount is about as effective.The so-called dose-sparing approach also calls for administering the Jynneos vaccine with an injection just under the skin rather than into deeper tissue — a practice that may rev up the immune system better. Recipients would still get two shots spaced four weeks apart.The highly unusual step is a stark acknowledgment that the U.S. currently lacks the supplies needed to vaccinate everyone seeking protection from the rapidly spreading virus.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660040436720.png" alt="Total confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases: 8,934 in the U.S. as of August 8, 2022-CDC image" />
 <figcaption>Total confirmed monkeypox/orthopoxvirus cases: 8,934 in the U.S. as of August 8, 2022-CDC image</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660040478936.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>That includes 1.6 million to 1.7 million Americans considered by federal officials to be at highest risk from the disease, primarily men with HIV or men who have a higher risk of contracting it. Vaccinating that group would require about three times more full doses than the roughly 1.1 million that officials have made available.The Kansas Department of Health (KDHE) reported Monday they are investigating a case of the virus in the Topeka area. The individual was exposed after contact with a confirmed positive case that had traveled to Shawnee County from out-of-state. On July 9, KDHE reported the first case of monkeypox in Kansas.&nbsp;The adult patient is a resident in Johnson County, Kansas, who recently traveled out of state.On June 18, health officials reported the first case of monkeypox in Missouri. It was found in a Kansas City resident who had recently traveled out of state.The White House’s monkeypox response coordinator, Robert Fenton, said the vaccine plan would help the U.S. “stay ahead of the virus.”“It’s safe, it’s effective, and it will significantly scale the volume of vaccine doses available for communities across the country,” Fenton told reporters.The Biden administration declared monkeypox a public health emergency last week in an effort to slow the growing outbreak that has infected more than 8,900 Americans. Officials announced a separate determination Tuesday that allows the Food and Drug Administration to expedite its review of medical products or new uses for them, such as the dose-sparing technique for Jynneos.The FDA authorized the new approach for adults 18 and older who are at high risk of monkeypox infection. Younger people can also get the vaccine if they are deemed high risk, though they should receive the traditional injection, the agency said.The announcement represents an about-face from last month, when the FDA and other agencies repeatedly stressed that two full vaccine doses were necessary for adequate protection.But regulators now point to a 2015 study showing that vaccination with one fifth of the traditional dose generated a robust immune-system response comparable to that of the full dose. About 94% of people receiving the smaller dose had adequate levels of virus-fighting antibodies, compared with 98% of those receiving the full dose, according to the study funded by the National Institutes of Health.The NIH is planning an additional trial of the technique in coming months, according to the agency.Vaccine makers often formulate their shots to provide more than enough protection, so it's not unusual that a smaller dose could still prove effective.But some experts and advocates warned there is little data to support the policy and worried it could backfire if it reduces the vaccine's effectiveness.“We have grave concerns about the limited amount of research that has been done on this dose and administration method, and we fear it will give people a false sense of confidence that they are protected,” said David Harvey of the National Coalition of STD Directors, in a statement.The smaller doses also require a different type of injection that penetrates only the top layer of skin, rather than the lower layer between the skin and muscle. That's a less common technique that may require training for some health practitioners. It's also associated with more side effects such as redness, itchiness and swelling.The shallower injection is thought to help stimulate the immune system because the skin contains numerous immunity cells that target outside invaders.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it will provide educational materials on the technique along with a broader awareness campaign for U.S. health departments.Rationing vaccine doses is common in Africa and other parts of the world with limited health resources. In recent years the World Health Organization has endorsed the approach to address outbreaks of yellow fever, polio and other diseases.“This is not an uncommon situation” said Dr. William Moss of Johns Hopkins’ Vaccine Access Center. “It comes down to the public health decision-making: In the midst of an outbreak where you have insufficient supply, do you make this tradeoff?”When the first COVID-19 vaccines became available in late 2020, the U.K. government prioritized giving a first dose to as many people as possible before providing second vaccinations.Both the U.K. and Canada have adopted a single-dose vaccine strategy prioritizing people who face the highest risk from monkeypox. And health departments in several large U.S. cities adopted a similar strategy amid limited supplies, including New York, San Francisco and Washington.U.S. officials have shipped more than 617,000 full vaccine doses to state and local health departments and plan to distribute another 380,000 in coming weeks. So far it’s been recommended for people who have already been exposed to monkeypox or are likely to get it due to recent sexual contacts in areas where the virus is spreading.The Biden administration has come under fire for not quickly marshaling millions more doses from the nation’s strategic national stockpile. Officials have ordered 5 million shots since July, but most aren't expected to be delivered until 2023.The U.S. government owns bulk vaccine ingredients equivalent to 16.1 million doses under contracts with Danish manufacturer Bavarian Nordic. But the material needs to be sealed in vials, a process that’s expected to take months as the small company fields orders from other nations.HHS responded to criticism last week about the pace and timing of the government’s vaccine decisions.“We were thoughtful about how and when to use bulk vaccine because once you remove it from bulk, you lose years of shelf life,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.The FDA approved the Jynneos vaccine in 2019 to prevent smallpox and monkeypox based, in part, on studies in monkeys. Animals that received the two-dose vaccination were more than twice as likely to survive than those who didn't after being infected with monkeypox, according to the FDA labeling.Additional human studies showed people who received Jynneos had an immune response similar to those who received an older smallpox vaccine. But Jynneos hasn't been tested in humans with either monkeypox or its relative smallpox, which was eradicated decades ago.That's typical of many of the vaccines and drugs in the national stockpile that treat rare or deadly pathogens like anthrax or the plague.The U.S. government has spent more than $1 billion developing and stockpiling the freeze-dried vaccine, which replaced an earlier liquid version that had a shorter shelf life. Bavarian Nordic has a 10-year contract with the U.S. to supply the new vaccine.

US will stretch monkeypox vaccine supply with smaller doses

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed a $280 billion bipartisan bill to boost domestic high-tech manufacturing, part of his administration's push to boost U.S. competitiveness over China.

(Click below to watch the President's comments)

Flanked by scores of lawmakers, union officials, local politicians and business leaders, Biden feted the legislation, a core part of his economic agenda that will incentivize investments in the American semiconductor industry in an effort to ease U.S. reliance on overseas supply chains for critical, cutting-edge goods.

“The future of the chip industry is going to be made in America,” Biden said in a sweltering Rose Garden ceremony Tuesday, referring to the diminutive devices that power everything from smartphones to computers to automobiles. The legislation sets aside $52 billion specifically to bolster the U.S. computer chip sector.

The bill has been more than a year in the making, but finally cleared both chambers of Congress late last month with significant bipartisan margins. The Senate passed it 64-33, with 17 GOP senators supporting it, while the House quickly followed suit with a 243-187 vote that included 24 House Republicans in favor, even though party leaders began urging their ranks to vote against it after Democrats advanced a separate sweeping bill focused on climate and health care. 

No GOP members of the Kansas delegation voted in favor of the bill.&nbsp; Missouri GOP Senator Roy Blunt who is retiring voted for the measure.

The White House sought Tuesday to begin selling the immediate impacts of the semiconductor measure, noting that Micron, a leading U.S. chip manufacturer, will announce a $40 billion plan to boost domestic production of memory chips, while Qualcomm and GlobalFoundries will unveil a $4.2 billion expansion of an upstate New York chip plant.

The administration has also repeatedly portrayed this legislation as a critical component in countering the influence of a rising China and ensure the U.S. can maintain a competitive edge against Beijing, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing. Administration officials have held multiple briefings for lawmakers to sketch out the national security implications of this bill, and Biden noted during his remarks Tuesday that the Chinese government had lobbied U.S. businesses against the legislation.

“The CHIPS and Science Act is going to inspire a whole new generation of Americans to answer that question: What next?” Biden said Tuesday during the signing ceremony. “Decades from now, people will look back at this week and all we passed and all we moved on, that we met the moment at this inflection point in history.”

Tuesday’s ceremony is one of several public events Biden has scheduled since recovering from COVID-19, including a visit to flood-ravaged Kentucky on Monday and another signing event on Wednesday for legislation aiding veterans who have suffered from toxic burn pits. But Biden appeared to be dealing with some residual symptoms, coughing heavily several times during his remarks and apologizing at one point for doing so.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660067995536.png" alt="White House photo" />
 <figcaption>White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed a $280 billion bipartisan bill to boost domestic high-tech manufacturing, part of his administration's push to boost U.S. competitiveness over China.(Click below to watch the President's comments)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1357854698072541%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=2345" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Flanked by scores of lawmakers, union officials, local politicians and business leaders, Biden feted the legislation, a core part of his economic agenda that will incentivize investments in the American semiconductor industry in an effort to ease U.S. reliance on overseas supply chains for critical, cutting-edge goods.“The future of the chip industry is going to be made in America,” Biden said in a sweltering Rose Garden ceremony Tuesday, referring to the diminutive devices that power everything from smartphones to computers to automobiles. The legislation sets aside $52 billion specifically to bolster the U.S. computer chip sector.The bill has been more than a year in the making, but finally cleared both chambers of Congress late last month with significant bipartisan margins. The Senate passed it 64-33, with 17 GOP senators supporting it, while the House quickly followed suit with a 243-187 vote that included 24 House Republicans in favor, even though party leaders began urging their ranks to vote against it after Democrats advanced a separate sweeping bill focused on climate and health care. No GOP members of the Kansas delegation voted in favor of the bill.&nbsp; Missouri GOP Senator Roy Blunt who is retiring voted for the measure.The White House sought Tuesday to begin selling the immediate impacts of the semiconductor measure, noting that Micron, a leading U.S. chip manufacturer, will announce a $40 billion plan to boost domestic production of memory chips, while Qualcomm and GlobalFoundries will unveil a $4.2 billion expansion of an upstate New York chip plant.The administration has also repeatedly portrayed this legislation as a critical component in countering the influence of a rising China and ensure the U.S. can maintain a competitive edge against Beijing, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing. Administration officials have held multiple briefings for lawmakers to sketch out the national security implications of this bill, and Biden noted during his remarks Tuesday that the Chinese government had lobbied U.S. businesses against the legislation.“The CHIPS and Science Act is going to inspire a whole new generation of Americans to answer that question: What next?” Biden said Tuesday during the signing ceremony. “Decades from now, people will look back at this week and all we passed and all we moved on, that we met the moment at this inflection point in history.”Tuesday’s ceremony is one of several public events Biden has scheduled since recovering from COVID-19, including a visit to flood-ravaged Kentucky on Monday and another signing event on Wednesday for legislation aiding veterans who have suffered from toxic burn pits. But Biden appeared to be dealing with some residual symptoms, coughing heavily several times during his remarks and apologizing at one point for doing so.

🎥 Biden signs CHIPS act that Kan. GOP delegation voted against

By CLARK KAUFFMAN <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>

Amidst a rapid proliferation of 
social-media posts offering people tips on how to easily steal a Kia or 
Hyundai automobile, two Iowans have filed a class-action lawsuit against
 the car makers.

Ann Brady of Polk County and Leah Price of Decatur County are suing 
Kia America Inc., Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Kia America 
Technical Center. They allege the companies produced a defect in their 
vehicles that makes them “easy to steal, unsafe, and worth less than 
they should be.”

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District 
of Iowa, alleges the companies “admit there is a theft and safety 
problem with these vehicles but refuses to fix them, compensate 
consumers or otherwise take actions” to address the issue.

The two Iowans are suing on behalf of themselves and a nationwide 
class of thousands of persons who purchased a Kia or Hyundai in recent 
years.

Brady claims that at some unspecified time, she purchased a 2019 
Hyundai Tuscan at Stew Hanson Hyundai in Clive, and that it was stolen 
in July 2022. Price says that in 2017, she purchased a new Kia Sorento 
from Kia Des Moines and then, the following year, purchased a 2012 
Sorento and a 2016 Sorento from the same dealership.

According to the lawsuit, one of the reasons older Kia and Hyundai 
cars can so easily be stolen is that they do not comply with a Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that requires vehicles to have a starting 
system that, once they ignition key is removed, prevents the activation 
of the engine and locks the steering column.

In the “defective” vehicles, the lawsuit claims, “neither steering 
nor forward self-mobility is prevented. If it were, the vehicles would 
not be stolen at alarming rates. … All a thief needs to do is strip the 
ignition column, exposing a piece that pops off, and then stick (in) a 
USB drive, a knife or some other similar tool, to start the vehicle 
without a key or code.”

The plaintiffs argue that considering the number of people who charge
 their cell phones in their car using a USB cable inside the vehicle, 
the only tool needed to steal a Kia or Hyundai “is usually readily 
available to any thief.”

Beginning in 2009, the lawsuit alleges, Kia sought to add a vehicle 
immobilizer to its Amanti line of vehicles, telling the federal 
government that this device was similar to other devices that have been 
shown to reduce theft by 58% to 80%. In 2007, Hyundai initiated similar 
efforts to add an immobilizer to its Azera line.

“Defendants are aware of the problems and even claim they have 
attempted to ‘fix’ their 2022 vehicles to eliminate the safety defects,”
 the lawsuit alleges, “but are refusing to do anything about the 
pre-2022 defective vehicles.”

The Iowa plaintiffs are seeking a refund of all expenses tied to 
their purchase of the vehicles, including the cost of anti-theft devices
 and increased insurance premiums due to the alleged defects.

The court has yet to rule on the plaintiffs’ request for class-action
 status, and the auto makers have not yet filed a response to the 
lawsuit.

The plaintiffs are represented by Sioux City attorney Jay M. Smith.

In recent weeks, several videos have been uploaded to TikTok, YouTube
 and other social-media platforms instructing people on the best methods
 for using a USB cord to steal a KIA manufactured from 2011 to 2021, or a
 Hyundai made from 2015 to 2021.

The videos have given rise to the “Kia Challenge” in which a group of
 individuals calling themselves the “Kia Boyz” challenge others to steal
 a vehicle using the USB method while recording the theft to video.

In Lincoln, Nebraska, two teenagers recently recorded themselves 
trying to steal a 2013 Hyundai from the parking lot of the Lincoln 
Children’s Zoo, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/lincoln-police-concerned-about-viral-kia-boyz-tik-tok-trend/#:~:text=The%20Lincoln%20Police%20Department%20called%20out%20the%20%E2%80%9CKIA,Hyundai%20from%20the%20Lincoln%20Children%E2%80%99s%20Zoo%20parking%20lot.">Nebraska Public Media</a>.
 Omaha police say so far this year, there have been 230 Hyundais or Kias
 stolen – compared to 131 in the first seven months of 2021, the <a target="_blank" href="https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/omaha-police-link-increase-of-kia-hyundai-thefts-to-social-media-trend/article_1390835a-0eb3-11ed-94f0-47493c6cff0e.html">Omaha World-Herald</a> reported. Other cities around the nation have reported a similar surge in thefts.

In a written statement, Kia America has said it “is aware of the rise
 in vehicle thefts” and says all 2022 models have an immobilizer in 
place. “All Kia vehicles for sale in the U.S. meet or exceed Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards,” the company says.

Hyundai Motor America has said it is “concerned” with a reported rise
 in thefts but that its vehicles “meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle 
Safety Standards.” The company says engine immobilizers “are standard 
equipment on all new Hyundai vehicles.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660058320403.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By CLARK KAUFFMAN <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>Amidst a rapid proliferation of 
social-media posts offering people tips on how to easily steal a Kia or 
Hyundai automobile, two Iowans have filed a class-action lawsuit against
 the car makers.Ann Brady of Polk County and Leah Price of Decatur County are suing 
Kia America Inc., Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Kia America 
Technical Center. They allege the companies produced a defect in their 
vehicles that makes them “easy to steal, unsafe, and worth less than 
they should be.”The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District 
of Iowa, alleges the companies “admit there is a theft and safety 
problem with these vehicles but refuses to fix them, compensate 
consumers or otherwise take actions” to address the issue.The two Iowans are suing on behalf of themselves and a nationwide 
class of thousands of persons who purchased a Kia or Hyundai in recent 
years.Brady claims that at some unspecified time, she purchased a 2019 
Hyundai Tuscan at Stew Hanson Hyundai in Clive, and that it was stolen 
in July 2022. Price says that in 2017, she purchased a new Kia Sorento 
from Kia Des Moines and then, the following year, purchased a 2012 
Sorento and a 2016 Sorento from the same dealership.<h2>USB cords used to start cars</h2>According to the lawsuit, one of the reasons older Kia and Hyundai 
cars can so easily be stolen is that they do not comply with a Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that requires vehicles to have a starting 
system that, once they ignition key is removed, prevents the activation 
of the engine and locks the steering column.In the “defective” vehicles, the lawsuit claims, “neither steering 
nor forward self-mobility is prevented. If it were, the vehicles would 
not be stolen at alarming rates. … All a thief needs to do is strip the 
ignition column, exposing a piece that pops off, and then stick (in) a 
USB drive, a knife or some other similar tool, to start the vehicle 
without a key or code.”The plaintiffs argue that considering the number of people who charge
 their cell phones in their car using a USB cable inside the vehicle, 
the only tool needed to steal a Kia or Hyundai “is usually readily 
available to any thief.”Beginning in 2009, the lawsuit alleges, Kia sought to add a vehicle 
immobilizer to its Amanti line of vehicles, telling the federal 
government that this device was similar to other devices that have been 
shown to reduce theft by 58% to 80%. In 2007, Hyundai initiated similar 
efforts to add an immobilizer to its Azera line.“Defendants are aware of the problems and even claim they have 
attempted to ‘fix’ their 2022 vehicles to eliminate the safety defects,”
 the lawsuit alleges, “but are refusing to do anything about the 
pre-2022 defective vehicles.”The Iowa plaintiffs are seeking a refund of all expenses tied to 
their purchase of the vehicles, including the cost of anti-theft devices
 and increased insurance premiums due to the alleged defects.The court has yet to rule on the plaintiffs’ request for class-action
 status, and the auto makers have not yet filed a response to the 
lawsuit.The plaintiffs are represented by Sioux City attorney Jay M. Smith.<h2>‘Kia Challenge’ on TikTok</h2>In recent weeks, several videos have been uploaded to TikTok, YouTube
 and other social-media platforms instructing people on the best methods
 for using a USB cord to steal a KIA manufactured from 2011 to 2021, or a
 Hyundai made from 2015 to 2021.The videos have given rise to the “Kia Challenge” in which a group of
 individuals calling themselves the “Kia Boyz” challenge others to steal
 a vehicle using the USB method while recording the theft to video.In Lincoln, Nebraska, two teenagers recently recorded themselves 
trying to steal a 2013 Hyundai from the parking lot of the Lincoln 
Children’s Zoo, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/lincoln-police-concerned-about-viral-kia-boyz-tik-tok-trend/#:~:text=The%20Lincoln%20Police%20Department%20called%20out%20the%20%E2%80%9CKIA,Hyundai%20from%20the%20Lincoln%20Children%E2%80%99s%20Zoo%20parking%20lot.">Nebraska Public Media</a>.
 Omaha police say so far this year, there have been 230 Hyundais or Kias
 stolen – compared to 131 in the first seven months of 2021, the <a target="_blank" href="https://omaha.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/omaha-police-link-increase-of-kia-hyundai-thefts-to-social-media-trend/article_1390835a-0eb3-11ed-94f0-47493c6cff0e.html">Omaha World-Herald</a> reported. Other cities around the nation have reported a similar surge in thefts.In a written statement, Kia America has said it “is aware of the rise
 in vehicle thefts” and says all 2022 models have an immobilizer in 
place. “All Kia vehicles for sale in the U.S. meet or exceed Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards,” the company says.Hyundai Motor America has said it is “concerned” with a reported rise
 in thefts but that its vehicles “meet or exceed Federal Motor Vehicle 
Safety Standards.” The company says engine immobilizers “are standard 
equipment on all new Hyundai vehicles.”

TikTok challenge sparks rash of car thefts, class-action lawsuit 

PHILLIPSBURG&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday joined Amber Wave, a leader in sustainable agriculture, food ingredients, and low-carbon fuels, to cut the ribbon on a state-of-the-art wheat protein ingredients facility in Phillipsburg that will be the largest wheat protein producer in North America within two years, according to a media release from her office.

The company is investing more than $250 million into the facility and is creating more than 60 new jobs as it ramps up to full capacity.

The ribbon-cutting comes during the Governor's Prosperity on the Plains tour promoting economic development in Kansas.

“Kansas is known for its high-quality wheat, and this cutting-edge facility will strengthen the competitive edge we have in the market,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “Now, Kansas wheat farming families will have a massive direct buyer close to home and major food, baking, and pet food companies are able to have their wheat needs met here in Phillipsburg. This investment shows why our constant efforts to bring businesses to Kansas matter: Every local business owner and community member benefits.”

The plant’s location puts it in the heart of the country with rail access to both coasts and core Midwest customers for the diverse variety of products being made in Phillipsburg. All the wheat Amber Wave needs is grown within 100 miles of the plant.

“This is a big win not just for Phillipsburg and western Kansas but the entire state,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.&nbsp;“Amber Wave's facility underscores Governor Kelly’s continued commitment to increasing prosperity in all areas of the Kansas.”

In addition to building a wheat mill and vital wheat gluten plant, the company retrofitted the existing Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy corn-based ethanol plant to produce ethanol from wheat starch. The plant will use the latest technology in wheat milling and protein extraction while creating a significantly lower carbon footprint than traditional corn ethanol plants to produce biofuels.

“Recognizing the rising demand for high-protein ingredients and innovative feed products, coupled with renewable fuels that reduce our carbon footprint, this investment fits with what we have successfully done many times in Summit’s history,”&nbsp;said Bruce Rastetter, CEO of Summit Agricultural Group, Amber Wave’s parent organization.&nbsp;“We evaluated several sites in various wheat-growing areas and Prairie Horizon is ideally located. The wheat protein we will produce is a healthy ingredient used widely within baked goods, pet food and growing aquaculture feed markets.”

“Today, wheat protein demand in the U.S. is heavily reliant on imports,”&nbsp;Rastetter said, “and with consumers demanding more transparency about the origins of the food they eat, we see a real opportunity.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1660071167423.png" alt="The ribbon-cutting comes during the Governor's Prosperity on the Plains tour promoting economic development in Kansas-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The ribbon-cutting comes during the Governor's Prosperity on the Plains tour promoting economic development in Kansas-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>PHILLIPSBURG&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly on Tuesday joined Amber Wave, a leader in sustainable agriculture, food ingredients, and low-carbon fuels, to cut the ribbon on a state-of-the-art wheat protein ingredients facility in Phillipsburg that will be the largest wheat protein producer in North America within two years, according to a media release from her office.The company is investing more than $250 million into the facility and is creating more than 60 new jobs as it ramps up to full capacity.The ribbon-cutting comes during the Governor's Prosperity on the Plains tour promoting economic development in Kansas.“Kansas is known for its high-quality wheat, and this cutting-edge facility will strengthen the competitive edge we have in the market,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “Now, Kansas wheat farming families will have a massive direct buyer close to home and major food, baking, and pet food companies are able to have their wheat needs met here in Phillipsburg. This investment shows why our constant efforts to bring businesses to Kansas matter: Every local business owner and community member benefits.”The plant’s location puts it in the heart of the country with rail access to both coasts and core Midwest customers for the diverse variety of products being made in Phillipsburg. All the wheat Amber Wave needs is grown within 100 miles of the plant.“This is a big win not just for Phillipsburg and western Kansas but the entire state,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.&nbsp;“Amber Wave's facility underscores Governor Kelly’s continued commitment to increasing prosperity in all areas of the Kansas.”In addition to building a wheat mill and vital wheat gluten plant, the company retrofitted the existing Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy corn-based ethanol plant to produce ethanol from wheat starch. The plant will use the latest technology in wheat milling and protein extraction while creating a significantly lower carbon footprint than traditional corn ethanol plants to produce biofuels.“Recognizing the rising demand for high-protein ingredients and innovative feed products, coupled with renewable fuels that reduce our carbon footprint, this investment fits with what we have successfully done many times in Summit’s history,”&nbsp;said Bruce Rastetter, CEO of Summit Agricultural Group, Amber Wave’s parent organization.&nbsp;“We evaluated several sites in various wheat-growing areas and Prairie Horizon is ideally located. The wheat protein we will produce is a healthy ingredient used widely within baked goods, pet food and growing aquaculture feed markets.”“Today, wheat protein demand in the U.S. is heavily reliant on imports,”&nbsp;Rastetter said, “and with consumers demanding more transparency about the origins of the food they eat, we see a real opportunity.”

North America's largest wheat protein plant is in Kansas

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Missouri gathered enough signatures to make it on the November ballot, the secretary of state announced Tuesday.

Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft also said&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/e6645a94d542770df7d1a8f75864e1b3">a proposal to allow ranked-choice voting</a>&nbsp;failed to collect the roughly 170,000 voter signatures from six of the state’s eight congressional districts to get on the ballot.

If voters approve the constitutional amendment on marijuana, those age 21 and older could buy and grow it for personal consumption as early as this year.

Missouri voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/82a662ba82bb4c8c9c858b7565ff7f95">approved medical marijuana</a>&nbsp;use in 2018. Efforts to allow recreational marijuana use have failed to pass Missouri's Republican-led Legislature for years, prompting advocates to go to voters for approval instead.

Recreational marijuana is already legal in 19 states, and legalization proposals are on the ballot this fall in South Dakota and Maryland. Supporters are also trying to get measures on the ballot in Arkansas, North Dakota and Oklahoma.

<a href="https://www.legalmo22.com/">Backers of the Missouri ballot </a>proposal are highlighting a provision that would erase past marijuana-related convictions for nonviolent offenders and those whose conviction didn’t include selling to minors or driving while high.

Local NAACP chapters, the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, criminal defense lawyers and other civil rights advocacy groups endorsed automatic expungement, and it could broaden support for the initiative among Republican criminal justice advocates. Seven other states with legal recreational marijuana have also adopted automatic expungement policies.

Marijuana sales would be taxed at 6% under the Missouri measure. The tax is estimated to bring in more than $46 million during the first full year the amendment is in effect and close to $70 million the following year. Revenues would be earmarked for veterans’ homes, drug treatment programs and public defenders.

Cities and other municipalities could enact local sales taxes on recreational marijuana up to 3% or enact local bans on non-medical marijuana sales by a public vote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1652108881547.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — A campaign to legalize recreational marijuana in Missouri gathered enough signatures to make it on the November ballot, the secretary of state announced Tuesday.Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft also said&nbsp;<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/e6645a94d542770df7d1a8f75864e1b3">a proposal to allow ranked-choice voting</a>&nbsp;failed to collect the roughly 170,000 voter signatures from six of the state’s eight congressional districts to get on the ballot.If voters approve the constitutional amendment on marijuana, those age 21 and older could buy and grow it for personal consumption as early as this year.Missouri voters&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/82a662ba82bb4c8c9c858b7565ff7f95">approved medical marijuana</a>&nbsp;use in 2018. Efforts to allow recreational marijuana use have failed to pass Missouri's Republican-led Legislature for years, prompting advocates to go to voters for approval instead.Recreational marijuana is already legal in 19 states, and legalization proposals are on the ballot this fall in South Dakota and Maryland. Supporters are also trying to get measures on the ballot in Arkansas, North Dakota and Oklahoma.<a href="https://www.legalmo22.com/">Backers of the Missouri ballot </a>proposal are highlighting a provision that would erase past marijuana-related convictions for nonviolent offenders and those whose conviction didn’t include selling to minors or driving while high.Local NAACP chapters, the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri, criminal defense lawyers and other civil rights advocacy groups endorsed automatic expungement, and it could broaden support for the initiative among Republican criminal justice advocates. Seven other states with legal recreational marijuana have also adopted automatic expungement policies.Marijuana sales would be taxed at 6% under the Missouri measure. The tax is estimated to bring in more than $46 million during the first full year the amendment is in effect and close to $70 million the following year. Revenues would be earmarked for veterans’ homes, drug treatment programs and public defenders.Cities and other municipalities could enact local sales taxes on recreational marijuana up to 3% or enact local bans on non-medical marijuana sales by a public vote.

Missouri voters set to weigh in on recreational marijuana

KANSAS CITY —Felony charges have been filed in the August 5, fatal stabbing of a Kansas City man's former girlfriend, Latoya Brown, outside a Raytown nursing home, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Andre M. Williams, 49, faces requested charges of murder 1st degree and&nbsp; armed criminal action charges.

According to court records filed Monday, Raytown Police responded to Edgewood Manor in Raytown on a reported stabbing. Surveillance video showed that Williams waited in his vehicle nearby and waited for the victim, Latoya Brown.

KANSAS CITY —Felony charges have been filed in the August 5, fatal stabbing of a Kansas City man's former girlfriend, Latoya Brown, outside a Raytown nursing home, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Andre M. Williams, 49, faces requested charges of murder 1st degree and&nbsp; armed criminal action charges.According to court records filed Monday, Raytown Police responded to Edgewood Manor in Raytown on a reported stabbing. Surveillance video showed that Williams waited in his vehicle nearby and waited for the victim, Latoya Brown.Williams approached her and began verbally fighting with her, then stabbed her multiple times with two knives. Witnesses told police they recognized Williams as the victim’s ex-boyfriend. After the stabbing the defendant fled in his vehicle and drove to the Broadway bridge in Kansas City and jumped off it attempting to commit suicide. He survived after Kansas City police officers found him in the Missouri River. Williams is being held on a bond of $300.000.