COWLEY COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent four people to the hospital.

On Tuesday, deputies in&nbsp; Cowley County, responded to report of four individuals who were discovered with gunshot wounds at the 7 Clans Casino North of Newkirk, Oklahoma, according to Cowley County Lt. Christina McDonald.

EMS transported two individuals to the Alliance Hospital in Ponca City, Oklahoma and the other two were transported to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita for treatment.&nbsp;One victim has been released from Wesley Medical Center and the other three are still receiving treatment.

Investigators learned the shooting occurred in rural Cowley County.

The Arkansas City Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kay County Sheriff’s Office, Otoe Missouri Tribal Police and the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation assisted with the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651675471002.png" alt="The casino is located just south of the Kansas-Oklahoma state line in Newkirk-Google image" />
 <figcaption>The casino is located just south of the Kansas-Oklahoma state line in Newkirk-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that sent four people to the hospital.On Tuesday, deputies in&nbsp; Cowley County, responded to report of four individuals who were discovered with gunshot wounds at the 7 Clans Casino North of Newkirk, Oklahoma, according to Cowley County Lt. Christina McDonald.EMS transported two individuals to the Alliance Hospital in Ponca City, Oklahoma and the other two were transported to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita for treatment.&nbsp;One victim has been released from Wesley Medical Center and the other three are still receiving treatment.Investigators learned the shooting occurred in rural Cowley County.The Arkansas City Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kay County Sheriff’s Office, Otoe Missouri Tribal Police and the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigation assisted with the investigation.

Sheriff: 4 victims found near casino after shooting in rural Kan.

By COLE REIF <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>

GREAT BEND — A group of Great Bend High School juniors saw other schools in the area
participate in “Senior Parking Spots," and the Great Bend students had their
plan approved by administration to allow seniors to reserve a parking spot and
be able to paint their spot. The plan will start during the 2022-2023 school
year. 

Junior Katie Kuhlman said seniors have to meet attendance requirements
and maintain a 3.0 GPA to keep their parking spot. "The spots are
 all around school because we realize not everyone parks in the same 
area," said Kuhlman. "We have the big south parking lot, in between the 
PAC and the high school, north of the PAC and some on the west side." 
Signup started Monday for juniors as they submit their designs for their parking
spot. Once awarded a spot, the space is reserved for the student from 7:15 a.m.
to 3:15 p.m. on school days.

Junior Ellyson Somers said hopefully this will
give underclassmen something to look forward to and there won’t be too many
issues. 
"We were hoping with this coming about, this would increase kids having 
their car tags," said Somers. "Everyone is supposed to have their car 
tags in their vehicle. If someone does park in your spot, you can report
 their car tag. They'll get a warning and further consequences after 
that." 
A date in August will be set for the soon-to-be seniors to paint their parking
spots.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651684483992.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF <a href="https://greatbendpost.com">Great Bend Post</a>GREAT BEND — A group of Great Bend High School juniors saw other schools in the area
participate in “Senior Parking Spots," and the Great Bend students had their
plan approved by administration to allow seniors to reserve a parking spot and
be able to paint their spot. The plan will start during the 2022-2023 school
year. Junior Katie Kuhlman said seniors have to meet attendance requirements
and maintain a 3.0 GPA to keep their parking spot. "The spots are
 all around school because we realize not everyone parks in the same 
area," said Kuhlman. "We have the big south parking lot, in between the 
PAC and the high school, north of the PAC and some on the west side." 
Signup started Monday for juniors as they submit their designs for their parking
spot. Once awarded a spot, the space is reserved for the student from 7:15 a.m.
to 3:15 p.m. on school days. Junior Ellyson Somers said hopefully this will
give underclassmen something to look forward to and there won’t be too many
issues. 
"We were hoping with this coming about, this would increase kids having 
their car tags," said Somers. "Everyone is supposed to have their car 
tags in their vehicle. If someone does park in your spot, you can report
 their car tag. They'll get a warning and further consequences after 
that." 
A date in August will be set for the soon-to-be seniors to paint their parking
spots.

Great Bend OKs 'senior parking spots' at high school

NEW YORK (AP) — The company behind the TurboTax tax-filing program will pay $141 million to customers across the United States who were deceived by misleading promises of free tax-filing services,&nbsp;New York's attorney general announced Wednesday.

Under the terms of a settlement signed by the attorneys general of all 50 states, Mountain View,&nbsp;California-based Intuit Inc. will suspend TurboTax’s “free, free, free” ad campaign and pay restitution to nearly 4.4 million taxpayers, New York Attorney General Letitia James said.

James said her investigation into Intuit was sparked by a 2019 ProPublica report that found the company was using deceptive tactics to steer low-income tax filers away from the federally supported free services for which they qualified — and toward its own commercial products, instead.

"For years, Intuit misled the most vulnerable among us to make a profit. Today, every state in the nation is holding Intuit accountable for scamming millions of taxpayers, and we’re putting millions of dollars back into the pockets of impacted Americans," James said in a statement. "This agreement should serve as a reminder to companies large and small that engaging in these deceptive marketing ploys is illegal."

“As part of the agreement, Intuit admitted no wrongdoing, agreed to pay $141 million to put this matter behind it, and made certain commitments regarding its advertising practices," representatives for Intuit said in a blog post Wednesday. “Intuit already adheres to most of these advertising practices and expects minimal impact to its business from implementing the remaining changes going forward."

Until last year, Intuit offered two free versions of TurboTax. One was through its participation in the Internal Revenue Service's Free File Program, geared toward taxpayers earning roughly $34,000 and members of the military. Intuit withdrew from the program in July 2021, saying in a blog post that the company could provide more benefits without the program's limitations.

The company also offers a commercial product called “TurboTax Free Edition” that is only for taxpayers with “simple returns,” as defined by Intuit.

According to documents obtained by ProPublica, Intuit executives knew they were deceiving customers by advertising free services that were not in fact free to everyone.

“The website lists Free, Free, Free and the customers are assuming their return will be free,” an internal company PowerPoint presentation said. “Customers are getting upset.”

Under the agreement, Intuit will provide restitution to consumers who started using the commercial TurboTax Free Edition for tax years 2016 through 2018 and were told that they had to pay to file even though they were eligible for the version of TurboTax offered as part of the IRS Free File program.

Consumers are expected to receive a direct payment of approximately $30 for each year that they were deceived into paying for filing services, James said. They will automatically receive notices and checks by mail.

“We empower our customers to take control of their financial lives, which includes being in charge of their own tax preparation,” an Intuit spokesperson told ProPublica in a statement in 2019.

The spokesperson added that a “government-run pre-filled tax preparation system that makes the tax collector (who is also the investigator, auditor and enforcer) the tax preparer is fraught with conflicts of interest.”

NEW YORK (AP) — The company behind the TurboTax tax-filing program will pay $141 million to customers across the United States who were deceived by misleading promises of free tax-filing services,&nbsp;New York's attorney general announced Wednesday.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fnewyorkstateag%2Fposts%2F553779282780859&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="228" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Under the terms of a settlement signed by the attorneys general of all 50 states, Mountain View,&nbsp;California-based Intuit Inc. will suspend TurboTax’s “free, free, free” ad campaign and pay restitution to nearly 4.4 million taxpayers, New York Attorney General Letitia James said.James said her investigation into Intuit was sparked by a 2019 ProPublica report that found the company was using deceptive tactics to steer low-income tax filers away from the federally supported free services for which they qualified — and toward its own commercial products, instead."For years, Intuit misled the most vulnerable among us to make a profit. Today, every state in the nation is holding Intuit accountable for scamming millions of taxpayers, and we’re putting millions of dollars back into the pockets of impacted Americans," James said in a statement. "This agreement should serve as a reminder to companies large and small that engaging in these deceptive marketing ploys is illegal."“As part of the agreement, Intuit admitted no wrongdoing, agreed to pay $141 million to put this matter behind it, and made certain commitments regarding its advertising practices," representatives for Intuit said in a blog post Wednesday. “Intuit already adheres to most of these advertising practices and expects minimal impact to its business from implementing the remaining changes going forward."Until last year, Intuit offered two free versions of TurboTax. One was through its participation in the Internal Revenue Service's Free File Program, geared toward taxpayers earning roughly $34,000 and members of the military. Intuit withdrew from the program in July 2021, saying in a blog post that the company could provide more benefits without the program's limitations.The company also offers a commercial product called “TurboTax Free Edition” that is only for taxpayers with “simple returns,” as defined by Intuit.According to documents obtained by ProPublica, Intuit executives knew they were deceiving customers by advertising free services that were not in fact free to everyone.“The website lists Free, Free, Free and the customers are assuming their return will be free,” an internal company PowerPoint presentation said. “Customers are getting upset.”Under the agreement, Intuit will provide restitution to consumers who started using the commercial TurboTax Free Edition for tax years 2016 through 2018 and were told that they had to pay to file even though they were eligible for the version of TurboTax offered as part of the IRS Free File program.Consumers are expected to receive a direct payment of approximately $30 for each year that they were deceived into paying for filing services, James said. They will automatically receive notices and checks by mail.“We empower our customers to take control of their financial lives, which includes being in charge of their own tax preparation,” an Intuit spokesperson told ProPublica in a statement in 2019.The spokesperson added that a “government-run pre-filled tax preparation system that makes the tax collector (who is also the investigator, auditor and enforcer) the tax preparer is fraught with conflicts of interest.”

Intuit to pay $141M settlement over 'free' TurboTax ads

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Nebraska man pleaded guilty to one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, in February 2021, Cody Deichen, 26, of Hastings, Nebraska, admitted to aiding and abetting in the brandishing and use of a home built .223 caliber AR-15 style rifle during a bank robbery at Guaranty State Bank on South Main Street in Burr Oak, Kansas.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 27.

The FBI and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651663866778.png" alt="Deichen-photo Hall Co." />
 <figcaption>Deichen-photo Hall Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, KAN. – A Nebraska man pleaded guilty to one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, in February 2021, Cody Deichen, 26, of Hastings, Nebraska, admitted to aiding and abetting in the brandishing and use of a home built .223 caliber AR-15 style rifle during a bank robbery at Guaranty State Bank on South Main Street in Burr Oak, Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612977424382.png" alt="Guaranty State Bank in Burr Oak -google image" />
 <figcaption>Guaranty State Bank in Burr Oak -google image</figcaption>
 </figure>A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 27.The FBI and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation are investigating the case

Man used home built AR-15 style rifle in Kan. bank robbery

WASHINGTON (AP) —The bombshell leak of a draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case legalizing abortion nationwide has set the country on course for an even more polarized and fluctuating landscape of abortion rights.

Almost immediately, Republicans who had fostered a decades-long push to end abortion rights cheered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-roe-v-wade-33c08858dc8b0aa5f0450858b51a648a">Roe’s potential fall.&nbsp;</a>Democrats vowed to fight the possible loss of a constitutional right that has been in place for nearly a half-century.

The Supreme Court confirmed the leaked draft, first published by Politico, was an authentic document but said Tuesday “it does not represent a decision by the court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.”

Though the draft opinion could change, Democrats and Republicans across the states pledged action&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/roe-wade-supreme-court-f6b899076faba20517b9ac1e82438c16">amid warnings such a ruling could also put other rights at risk</a>&nbsp;—battles that could likewise play out in the states.

In California, Democrats who wield control of the state Legislature and the governor’s office issued a joint statement late Monday announcing they would seek to amend the state’s constitution to enshrine abortion rights.

“California will not stand idly by as women across America are stripped of their rights and the progress so many have fought for gets erased,” California Democrats said. “We know we can’t trust the Supreme Court to protect reproductive rights, so California will build a firewall around this right in our state constitution. Women will remain protected here.”

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, said on Twitter she plans to immediately call a special legislative session “to save lives” if Roe is overturned. The state already has a so-called trigger law that would make abortion illegal if that happens and Noem’s office declined to say why a special session would be necessary. Her spokesman, Ian Fury, said the tweet, “speaks for itself.”

In Georgia, which is among several dozen states electing governors this year, candidates on both sides of the aisle proclaimed they would prioritize the issue if elected to the state’s top office.

Republican gubernatorial candidate David Perdue said he’d call state lawmakers into a special session to outlaw all abortions, while Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams said she would defend the right to abortion if she wins.

About half of U.S. states are expected to ban abortion if Roe falls, according to the abortion-rights think tank Guttmacher Institute. Twenty-two states, largely in the South and Midwest, already have total or near-total bans on the books. Aside from Texas, all are now blocked because of Roe.

States&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-donald-trump-us-supreme-court-health-religion-a9baf97e858cf27f2d143c4fd3ea1d86">have already been preparing for the protentional of the ruling being weakened or overturned</a>, and Republican-led states&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-abortion-health-covid-19-pandemic-medication-31791ed14247c4c8ad35ef078982078e">have also been working to restrict access to medication abortion</a>, which would allow women to get abortions without the burden of traveling to clinics that may be few and far between.

In addition to South Dakota, 12 other states have trigger laws that would immediately ban abortion if Roe is overturned.

One is Oklahoma, where Republican House Speaker Charles McCall declared Tuesday that “decades of steadfast prayer and unwavering legislative efforts to protect the lives of the unborn are finally on the doorsteps of success.”

“For close to 50 years, the silent cries of the millions who lost their lives before even having a chance to live have been heard through the voices of those of us fighting for their rights,” McCall said. “The pro-life movement won, securing those yet unborn the future and promise that comes with being born in the United States of America.”

A few states still have pre-Roe bans on the books, including Michigan, where Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has sued to remove it and pledged on Twitter Monday to “fight like hell to make sure abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible.”

The Kansas Supreme Court in 2019 declared that the state constitution protects abortion rights, but Republican lawmakers placed on the August primary ballot an initiative to overturn it.

In New Hampshire, Gov. Chris Sununu was a rare Republican governor who said he supports abortion rights and was committed to upholding Roe v. Wade. “So long as I am governor, these health care services for women will remain safe and legal,” Sununu said.

However, last year Sununu signed into law restrictions on abortion when he approved a measure banning abortion after 24 weeks of gestation, with exceptions only for pregnancies that threaten the mother’s life or health.

Polling shows relatively few Americans want to see Roe overturned. In 2020, AP VoteCast found that 69% of voters in the presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave the Roe v. Wade decision as is; just 29% said the court should overturn the decision. In general, AP-NORC polling finds a majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases.

At least eight GOP-led states have already passed new restrictions this year, expecting change from the conservative majority on the high court. Arizona and Florida banned the procedure after 15 weeks, without exceptions for rape or incest. Others,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-reproductive-rights-oklahoma-2810e6accef0fa3c6fdb0e53fed90664">like Oklahoma, went further</a>&nbsp;and made it a felony as of this summer to perform an abortion, with an exception only for the life of the mother.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-business-texas-idaho-87992ce80b3c9e55100444e34bdcb173">Idaho&nbsp;</a>followed Texas and allowed people to sue over abortions — including potential family members of the embryo.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law, and several states moved to expand or strengthen those protections this year.

States like Washington and Connecticut, for example, have protected abortion providers in their states from lawsuits.

The Democratic leaders in Connecticut’s statehouse,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-lifestyle-religion-connecticut-268fa7ed40d190a0709e3d2be8e960f5">which over the weekend sent legislation&nbsp;</a>to that state’s governor that would protect abortion providers, said in a joint statement Monday night they had feared a proposed decision like the one in the draft opinion and “now this nightmare appears to be all too real.”

“America is likely headed down a dark path where individual states will adopt conflicting statutes leading to additional divisions in an already divided nation,” Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff said.

Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said her state would “welcome with open arms” those who need access to abortion.

In Hawaii, state Sen. Roz Baker, a Democrat, questioned what more the ruling, if issued by the court, could bring.

“Are they going to go back and go after the LGBTQ community next?” she said. “Are they going to go after immigrants? Are they going to go after any of the vulnerable populations?”

In some cases, abortion laws may divide states as well.

GOP-led Tennessee also has a trigger law banning abortion if Roe is overturned, but Nashville’s district attorney on Monday tweeted that he would not prosecute any doctor who performed an abortion.

WASHINGTON (AP) —The bombshell leak of a draft opinion suggesting the Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade case legalizing abortion nationwide has set the country on course for an even more polarized and fluctuating landscape of abortion rights.Almost immediately, Republicans who had fostered a decades-long push to end abortion rights cheered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-roe-v-wade-33c08858dc8b0aa5f0450858b51a648a">Roe’s potential fall.&nbsp;</a>Democrats vowed to fight the possible loss of a constitutional right that has been in place for nearly a half-century.The Supreme Court confirmed the leaked draft, first published by Politico, was an authentic document but said Tuesday “it does not represent a decision by the court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.”Though the draft opinion could change, Democrats and Republicans across the states pledged action&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/roe-wade-supreme-court-f6b899076faba20517b9ac1e82438c16">amid warnings such a ruling could also put other rights at risk</a>&nbsp;—battles that could likewise play out in the states.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651593865137.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In California, Democrats who wield control of the state Legislature and the governor’s office issued a joint statement late Monday announcing they would seek to amend the state’s constitution to enshrine abortion rights.“California will not stand idly by as women across America are stripped of their rights and the progress so many have fought for gets erased,” California Democrats said. “We know we can’t trust the Supreme Court to protect reproductive rights, so California will build a firewall around this right in our state constitution. Women will remain protected here.”South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, said on Twitter she plans to immediately call a special legislative session “to save lives” if Roe is overturned. The state already has a so-called trigger law that would make abortion illegal if that happens and Noem’s office declined to say why a special session would be necessary. Her spokesman, Ian Fury, said the tweet, “speaks for itself.”In Georgia, which is among several dozen states electing governors this year, candidates on both sides of the aisle proclaimed they would prioritize the issue if elected to the state’s top office.Republican gubernatorial candidate David Perdue said he’d call state lawmakers into a special session to outlaw all abortions, while Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams said she would defend the right to abortion if she wins.About half of U.S. states are expected to ban abortion if Roe falls, according to the abortion-rights think tank Guttmacher Institute. Twenty-two states, largely in the South and Midwest, already have total or near-total bans on the books. Aside from Texas, all are now blocked because of Roe.States&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-donald-trump-us-supreme-court-health-religion-a9baf97e858cf27f2d143c4fd3ea1d86">have already been preparing for the protentional of the ruling being weakened or overturned</a>, and Republican-led states&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-abortion-health-covid-19-pandemic-medication-31791ed14247c4c8ad35ef078982078e">have also been working to restrict access to medication abortion</a>, which would allow women to get abortions without the burden of traveling to clinics that may be few and far between.In addition to South Dakota, 12 other states have trigger laws that would immediately ban abortion if Roe is overturned.One is Oklahoma, where Republican House Speaker Charles McCall declared Tuesday that “decades of steadfast prayer and unwavering legislative efforts to protect the lives of the unborn are finally on the doorsteps of success.”“For close to 50 years, the silent cries of the millions who lost their lives before even having a chance to live have been heard through the voices of those of us fighting for their rights,” McCall said. “The pro-life movement won, securing those yet unborn the future and promise that comes with being born in the United States of America.”A few states still have pre-Roe bans on the books, including Michigan, where Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has sued to remove it and pledged on Twitter Monday to “fight like hell to make sure abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible.”The Kansas Supreme Court in 2019 declared that the state constitution protects abortion rights, but Republican lawmakers placed on the August primary ballot an initiative to overturn it.In New Hampshire, Gov. Chris Sununu was a rare Republican governor who said he supports abortion rights and was committed to upholding Roe v. Wade. “So long as I am governor, these health care services for women will remain safe and legal,” Sununu said.However, last year Sununu signed into law restrictions on abortion when he approved a measure banning abortion after 24 weeks of gestation, with exceptions only for pregnancies that threaten the mother’s life or health.Polling shows relatively few Americans want to see Roe overturned. In 2020, AP VoteCast found that 69% of voters in the presidential election said the Supreme Court should leave the Roe v. Wade decision as is; just 29% said the court should overturn the decision. In general, AP-NORC polling finds a majority of the public favors abortion being legal in most or all cases.At least eight GOP-led states have already passed new restrictions this year, expecting change from the conservative majority on the high court. Arizona and Florida banned the procedure after 15 weeks, without exceptions for rape or incest. Others,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-health-reproductive-rights-oklahoma-2810e6accef0fa3c6fdb0e53fed90664">like Oklahoma, went further</a>&nbsp;and made it a felony as of this summer to perform an abortion, with an exception only for the life of the mother.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-business-texas-idaho-87992ce80b3c9e55100444e34bdcb173">Idaho&nbsp;</a>followed Texas and allowed people to sue over abortions — including potential family members of the embryo.Sixteen states and the District of Columbia, meanwhile, have protected access to abortion in state law, and several states moved to expand or strengthen those protections this year.States like Washington and Connecticut, for example, have protected abortion providers in their states from lawsuits.The Democratic leaders in Connecticut’s statehouse,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-lifestyle-religion-connecticut-268fa7ed40d190a0709e3d2be8e960f5">which over the weekend sent legislation&nbsp;</a>to that state’s governor that would protect abortion providers, said in a joint statement Monday night they had feared a proposed decision like the one in the draft opinion and “now this nightmare appears to be all too real.”“America is likely headed down a dark path where individual states will adopt conflicting statutes leading to additional divisions in an already divided nation,” Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff said.Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said her state would “welcome with open arms” those who need access to abortion.In Hawaii, state Sen. Roz Baker, a Democrat, questioned what more the ruling, if issued by the court, could bring.“Are they going to go back and go after the LGBTQ community next?” she said. “Are they going to go after immigrants? Are they going to go after any of the vulnerable populations?”In some cases, abortion laws may divide states as well.GOP-led Tennessee also has a trigger law banning abortion if Roe is overturned, but Nashville’s district attorney on Monday tweeted that he would not prosecute any doctor who performed an abortion.

Possible overturning of Roe sends abortion fight to states

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been found guilty of capital murder in the 2018 killing of his pregnant girlfriend. 

Johnson County prosecutors say a jury convicted 31-year-old Devonte Dominique Wash on Monday for the death of 23-year-old Ashley Harlan, of Olathe, and her unborn child. 

Wash faces life in prison without parole when he's sentenced on June 24. Police said Harlan was found shot to death at her grandfather's home. She was about 20 weeks pregnant with Wash's child when she died. 

Wash called 911 to report that he had found Harlan shot inside the home, but investigators determined through surveillance video near the home and ballistics evidence that Wash was the shooter.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651601883537.png" alt="Wash-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Wash-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been found guilty of capital murder in the 2018 killing of his pregnant girlfriend. Johnson County prosecutors say a jury convicted 31-year-old Devonte Dominique Wash on Monday for the death of 23-year-old Ashley Harlan, of Olathe, and her unborn child. Wash faces life in prison without parole when he's sentenced on June 24. Police said Harlan was found shot to death at her grandfather's home. She was about 20 weeks pregnant with Wash's child when she died. Wash called 911 to report that he had found Harlan shot inside the home, but investigators determined through surveillance video near the home and ballistics evidence that Wash was the shooter.

Kan. man guilty in murder of girlfriend, her unborn child

WASHINGTON
 — The Internal Revenue Service today urged business taxpayers to begin 
planning now to take advantage of the enhanced 100% deduction for 
business meals and other tax benefits available to them when they file 
their 2022 federal income tax return.

During <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/small-business-week">National Small Business Week</a>,
 May 1 to 7, the IRS is highlighting tax benefits and resources tied to 
the theme for this year's celebration: "Building a Better America 
through Entrepreneurship." With next year's filing deadline nearly a 
year away, any entrepreneur still has time to identify possible tax 
benefits, take action to qualify for them and then claim them when they 
file in 2023.

For 2021 and 2022 only, businesses can generally deduct the full cost
 of business-related food and beverages purchased from a restaurant. 
Otherwise, the limit is usually 50% of the cost of the meal.

To qualify for the higher limit, the business owner or an employee of
 the business must be present when food or beverages are provided. 
Moreover, the expense cannot be lavish or extravagant. Restaurants 
include businesses that prepare and sell food or beverages to retail 
customers for immediate on-premises or off-premises consumption.

For this purpose, grocery stores, convenience stores and other 
businesses that primarily sell pre-packaged goods not for immediate 
consumption, do not qualify as restaurants. Additionally, an employer 
may not treat certain employer-operated eating facilities as 
restaurants, even if they are operated under contract by a third party.

For more information about this provision, as well as details on the 
special recordkeeping rules that apply to business meals, see IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-463">Publication 463, Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses</a>.

With a growing number of business owners now working from home, many 
may qualify for the home office deduction, also known as the deduction 
for business use of a home.

Usually, a business owner must use a room or other identifiable 
portion of the home exclusively for business on a regular basis. 
Exceptions to the exclusive-use standard apply to home-based daycare 
facilities and to portions of the home used for business storage, where 
the home is the only fixed location for that business.

Those eligible can figure the deduction using either the regular method or the simplified method.

To choose the regular method, fill out and attach <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8829">Form 8829, Expenses for Business Use of Your Home</a>.
 In general, this form divides the expenses of operating the home 
between personal and business use. Direct business expenses are fully 
deductible. On the other hand, the business portion of indirect 
expenses, such as real estate taxes, mortgage interest, rent, casualty 
losses, utilities, insurance, depreciation, maintenance and repairs, is 
figured on this form, based on the percentage of the home used for 
business.

Alternatively, instead of filling out the 44-line Form 8829, business
 owners can choose the simplified method, based on a 6-line worksheet 
found in the instructions to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-c-form-1040">Schedule C</a>,
 the tax form for sole proprietors. This method has a prescribed rate of
 $5 a square foot for business use of the home. The maximum deduction is
 $1,500, based on business use of at least 300 square feet.

Though homeowners choosing the simplified option cannot depreciate 
the portion of their home used for business, they can still claim 
allowable home mortgage interest, real estate taxes and casualty losses 
as itemized deductions on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-a-form-1040">Schedule A</a>.
 These deductions need not be allocated between personal and business 
use, as is required under the regular method. Business expenses 
unrelated to the home, such as advertising, supplies and wages paid to 
employees, are still fully deductible.

Under both the regular and simplified methods, business expenses in 
excess of the gross income limitation are not deductible. For more 
information about this limit along with other details on the home office
 deduction and both methods for figuring it, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-587">Publication 587, Business Use of Your Home</a>.

From business start-up expenses to the qualified business income 
deduction to the health-insurance deduction for self-employed 
individuals, there are a variety of other tax benefits that are often 
available to entrepreneurs and other business owners.

For details on these and other tax benefits, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-535">Publication 535, Business Expenses</a>. Details on another major expense for most businesses, depreciation of buildings, equipment and other assets, can be found in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-946">Publication 946, How to Depreciate Property</a>. Yet another worthwhile resource for any small business is the agency's Tax Guide for Small Business, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-334">Publication 334</a>. All these publications are available on IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON
 — The Internal Revenue Service today urged business taxpayers to begin 
planning now to take advantage of the enhanced 100% deduction for 
business meals and other tax benefits available to them when they file 
their 2022 federal income tax return.During <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/small-business-week">National Small Business Week</a>,
 May 1 to 7, the IRS is highlighting tax benefits and resources tied to 
the theme for this year's celebration: "Building a Better America 
through Entrepreneurship." With next year's filing deadline nearly a 
year away, any entrepreneur still has time to identify possible tax 
benefits, take action to qualify for them and then claim them when they 
file in 2023.<h2>Enhanced business meal deduction</h2>For 2021 and 2022 only, businesses can generally deduct the full cost
 of business-related food and beverages purchased from a restaurant. 
Otherwise, the limit is usually 50% of the cost of the meal.To qualify for the higher limit, the business owner or an employee of
 the business must be present when food or beverages are provided. 
Moreover, the expense cannot be lavish or extravagant. Restaurants 
include businesses that prepare and sell food or beverages to retail 
customers for immediate on-premises or off-premises consumption.For this purpose, grocery stores, convenience stores and other 
businesses that primarily sell pre-packaged goods not for immediate 
consumption, do not qualify as restaurants. Additionally, an employer 
may not treat certain employer-operated eating facilities as 
restaurants, even if they are operated under contract by a third party.For more information about this provision, as well as details on the 
special recordkeeping rules that apply to business meals, see IRS <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-463">Publication 463, Travel, Gift, and Car Expenses</a>.<h2>Home office deduction</h2>With a growing number of business owners now working from home, many 
may qualify for the home office deduction, also known as the deduction 
for business use of a home.Usually, a business owner must use a room or other identifiable 
portion of the home exclusively for business on a regular basis. 
Exceptions to the exclusive-use standard apply to home-based daycare 
facilities and to portions of the home used for business storage, where 
the home is the only fixed location for that business.Those eligible can figure the deduction using either the regular method or the simplified method.To choose the regular method, fill out and attach <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8829">Form 8829, Expenses for Business Use of Your Home</a>.
 In general, this form divides the expenses of operating the home 
between personal and business use. Direct business expenses are fully 
deductible. On the other hand, the business portion of indirect 
expenses, such as real estate taxes, mortgage interest, rent, casualty 
losses, utilities, insurance, depreciation, maintenance and repairs, is 
figured on this form, based on the percentage of the home used for 
business.Alternatively, instead of filling out the 44-line Form 8829, business
 owners can choose the simplified method, based on a 6-line worksheet 
found in the instructions to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-c-form-1040">Schedule C</a>,
 the tax form for sole proprietors. This method has a prescribed rate of
 $5 a square foot for business use of the home. The maximum deduction is
 $1,500, based on business use of at least 300 square feet.Though homeowners choosing the simplified option cannot depreciate 
the portion of their home used for business, they can still claim 
allowable home mortgage interest, real estate taxes and casualty losses 
as itemized deductions on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-schedule-a-form-1040">Schedule A</a>.
 These deductions need not be allocated between personal and business 
use, as is required under the regular method. Business expenses 
unrelated to the home, such as advertising, supplies and wages paid to 
employees, are still fully deductible.Under both the regular and simplified methods, business expenses in 
excess of the gross income limitation are not deductible. For more 
information about this limit along with other details on the home office
 deduction and both methods for figuring it, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-587">Publication 587, Business Use of Your Home</a>.<h2>Other tax benefits</h2>From business start-up expenses to the qualified business income 
deduction to the health-insurance deduction for self-employed 
individuals, there are a variety of other tax benefits that are often 
available to entrepreneurs and other business owners.For details on these and other tax benefits, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-535">Publication 535, Business Expenses</a>. Details on another major expense for most businesses, depreciation of buildings, equipment and other assets, can be found in <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-946">Publication 946, How to Depreciate Property</a>. Yet another worthwhile resource for any small business is the agency's Tax Guide for Small Business, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-334">Publication 334</a>. All these publications are available on IRS.gov.

Business meal, home office tax deductions changing for 2022

MCPHERSON COUNTY—The athletic bond election in Inman, USD 488, is too close to call following the unofficial count Tuesday night.

According to unofficial numbers, the question is currently within two votes 377 yes to 379 no, but the eligibility of provisional ballots must still be determined.&nbsp;

The proposed $5 million bond would pay for improvements to&nbsp;facilities for football/track and field, baseball and softball and improve site drainage along with improvements to address handicap access (Americans with Disabilities Act) and other code compliance challenges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583521325143.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MCPHERSON COUNTY—The athletic bond election in Inman, USD 488, is too close to call following the unofficial count Tuesday night.According to unofficial numbers, the question is currently within two votes 377 yes to 379 no, but the eligibility of provisional ballots must still be determined.&nbsp;The canvass will happen May 9.&nbsp;The proposed $5 million bond would pay for improvements to&nbsp;facilities for football/track and field, baseball and softball and improve site drainage along with improvements to address handicap access (Americans with Disabilities Act) and other code compliance challenges.

Results of Inman, USD 488 bond election too close to call 

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend shooting have identified one victim as 34-year-old&nbsp;Michael A. Rehard, according to a media release from KCPD.

&nbsp;Rehard is one of three who died in separated incidents. One shooting happened late Saturday while the second one was reported shortly after 4 a.m. Sunday. In the first shooting, officers found two people who had been fatally wounded in the 1800 block of North 26th Street, according to the release.

A third person who had also been shot was taken to the hospital. On Sunday morning, police found Rehard dead and two wounded individuals in the 200 block of North 6th Street. Police have not reported any arrests.

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal weekend shooting have identified one victim as 34-year-old&nbsp;Michael A. Rehard, according to a media release from KCPD.&nbsp;Rehard is one of three who died in separated incidents. One shooting happened late Saturday while the second one was reported shortly after 4 a.m. Sunday. In the first shooting, officers found two people who had been fatally wounded in the 1800 block of North 26th Street, according to the release.A third person who had also been shot was taken to the hospital. On Sunday morning, police found Rehard dead and two wounded individuals in the 200 block of North 6th Street. Police have not reported any arrests.

Police ID one of three victims in weekend Kansas City killings

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A 14-year-old Missouri boy who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-orlando-d03a753b6ac928a86222c0f3b1134619">fell to his death from a 430-foot drop-tower ride</a>&nbsp;in central Florida's tourist district appeared to slip out of his seat at the halfway mark of its plunge to the ground, according to a law enforcement report released Tuesday.

The father of a friend of Tyre Sampson who witnessed the March 24 accident told deputies that the teen appeared to fall out of his seat when plunging passengers on the Free Fall ride passed a yellow reflective tape halfway down the tower. The ride reaches speeds of 75 mph according to an Orange County Sheriff's Office incident report released through a public records request.

When the teen hit the ground, he appeared to be breathing but was unresponsive, Leon Howard told deputies.

Howard's son, also named Leon Howard, was friends with Sampson from a travel football team and was also on the ride at the time of the accident. Sampson, who was 6 feet, 2 inches tall (1.9 meters) and weighed more than 300 pounds (136 kilograms), had traveled to Orlando with his friend's family for vacation.

The younger Leon Howard told deputies that at the top of the ride, which is taller than the Statue of Liberty, he became nervous and closed his eyes until the ride stopped.

The incident report said nobody touched Sampson on the ground until deputies arrived. According to 911 calls released Tuesday, dispatchers asked witnesses who had called in the accident if they could perform CPR on Sampson.

One man told the dispatcher that Sampson was face down, “and he's about 300 pounds." The dispatcher started asking him to have someone help him move Sampson onto his back, but then deputies arrived at the scene.

A section of the incident report was redacted. The Orange County Sheriff's Office didn't immediately return an emailed inquiry about where their investigation stood. Homicide investigators participated in the probe, according to the report.

An initial report by outside engineers hired by the Florida Department of Agriculture said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-orlando-e9470b0e84a8c59e1bdb1fb06314f170">sensors on the ride had been adjusted manually</a>&nbsp;to double the size of the opening for restraints on two seats, resulting in Sampson not being properly secured before he slipped out and fell to his death.

The Department of Agriculture report said there were many other “potential contributions” to the accident and that a full review of the ride’s design and operations was needed.

Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-florida-orlando-9b95f3f27e54da9b7e527304816562ae">Sampson's parents sued the ride’s owner, manufacturer and landlord</a>, saying they were negligent and failed to provide a safe amusement ride. The lawsuit said the defendants failed to warn Sampson about the risks of someone of his size going on the ride and that they did not provide an appropriate restraint system.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1648251123999.png" alt="An initial report by outside engineers hired by the Florida Department of Agriculture said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-orlando-e9470b0e84a8c59e1bdb1fb06314f170">sensors on the ride had been adjusted manually</a>&nbsp;to double the size of the opening for restraints on two seats, resulting in Sampson not being properly secured before he slipped out and fell to his death- photo courtesy WFTV" />
 <figcaption>An initial report by outside engineers hired by the Florida Department of Agriculture said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-orlando-e9470b0e84a8c59e1bdb1fb06314f170">sensors on the ride had been adjusted manually</a>&nbsp;to double the size of the opening for restraints on two seats, resulting in Sampson not being properly secured before he slipped out and fell to his death- photo courtesy WFTV</figcaption>
 </figure>ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — A 14-year-old Missouri boy who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-orlando-d03a753b6ac928a86222c0f3b1134619">fell to his death from a 430-foot drop-tower ride</a>&nbsp;in central Florida's tourist district appeared to slip out of his seat at the halfway mark of its plunge to the ground, according to a law enforcement report released Tuesday.The father of a friend of Tyre Sampson who witnessed the March 24 accident told deputies that the teen appeared to fall out of his seat when plunging passengers on the Free Fall ride passed a yellow reflective tape halfway down the tower. The ride reaches speeds of 75 mph according to an Orange County Sheriff's Office incident report released through a public records request.When the teen hit the ground, he appeared to be breathing but was unresponsive, Leon Howard told deputies.Howard's son, also named Leon Howard, was friends with Sampson from a travel football team and was also on the ride at the time of the accident. Sampson, who was 6 feet, 2 inches tall (1.9 meters) and weighed more than 300 pounds (136 kilograms), had traveled to Orlando with his friend's family for vacation.The younger Leon Howard told deputies that at the top of the ride, which is taller than the Statue of Liberty, he became nervous and closed his eyes until the ride stopped.The incident report said nobody touched Sampson on the ground until deputies arrived. According to 911 calls released Tuesday, dispatchers asked witnesses who had called in the accident if they could perform CPR on Sampson.One man told the dispatcher that Sampson was face down, “and he's about 300 pounds." The dispatcher started asking him to have someone help him move Sampson onto his back, but then deputies arrived at the scene.A section of the incident report was redacted. The Orange County Sheriff's Office didn't immediately return an emailed inquiry about where their investigation stood. Homicide investigators participated in the probe, according to the report.An initial report by outside engineers hired by the Florida Department of Agriculture said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/florida-orlando-e9470b0e84a8c59e1bdb1fb06314f170">sensors on the ride had been adjusted manually</a>&nbsp;to double the size of the opening for restraints on two seats, resulting in Sampson not being properly secured before he slipped out and fell to his death.The Department of Agriculture report said there were many other “potential contributions” to the accident and that a full review of the ride’s design and operations was needed.Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-lawsuits-florida-orlando-9b95f3f27e54da9b7e527304816562ae">Sampson's parents sued the ride’s owner, manufacturer and landlord</a>, saying they were negligent and failed to provide a safe amusement ride. The lawsuit said the defendants failed to warn Sampson about the risks of someone of his size going on the ride and that they did not provide an appropriate restraint system.

Teen appeared to fall out of ride halfway in fatal plunge

TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court is seeking comment on the new Kansas House and Kansas Senate maps.&nbsp; The Kansas Constitution requires the Supreme Court to determine the validity of reapportioned state legislative districts within 30 days of the attorney filing a petition making that request. Attorney General Derek Schmidt filed the petition April 25.

Now, the Court is requesting public comments. Written comments are due to the Court no later 5 p.m. on Monday, May 9.

The general public can submit statements via email to&nbsp;<a href="http://reapportionmentviews@kscourts.org/">reapportionmentviews@kscourts.org</a>&nbsp; or click&nbsp;<a href="https://theeisenhowerseries.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2de8bfd1285fda271044afedc&amp;id=64c1ab4f22&amp;e=1e3a0d00dc" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;for specific instructions for submitting comments.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — The Kansas Supreme Court is seeking comment on the new Kansas House and Kansas Senate maps.&nbsp; The Kansas Constitution requires the Supreme Court to determine the validity of reapportioned state legislative districts within 30 days of the attorney filing a petition making that request. Attorney General Derek Schmidt filed the petition April 25.Now, the Court is requesting public comments. Written comments are due to the Court no later 5 p.m. on Monday, May 9.The general public can submit statements via email to&nbsp;<a href="http://reapportionmentviews@kscourts.org/">reapportionmentviews@kscourts.org</a>&nbsp; or click&nbsp;<a href="https://theeisenhowerseries.us17.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2de8bfd1285fda271044afedc&amp;id=64c1ab4f22&amp;e=1e3a0d00dc" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;for specific instructions for submitting comments.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Court wants your comment on Kan. redistricting maps

WICHITA, KAN – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging two men with various drug trafficking related offenses, according to the United State's Attorney.

Jose Rodriguez-Cardenas, 46, and Felix Rodriguez-Flores, 42, of Wichita, are both charged with one count of heroin conspiracy, one count of fentanyl conspiracy, and one count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

Rodriguez-Cardenas is also charged four counts of distribution of a controlled substance, one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and one count of possession of fentanyl with intention to distribute.

Rodriguez-Flores is charged with six counts of distribution of a controlled substance and one count of possession of fentanyl with intention to distribute.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651527840734.png" alt="Rodriguez-Cardenas-photo Harvey Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>Rodriguez-Cardenas-photo Harvey Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging two men with various drug trafficking related offenses, according to the United State's Attorney.Jose Rodriguez-Cardenas, 46, and Felix Rodriguez-Flores, 42, of Wichita, are both charged with one count of heroin conspiracy, one count of fentanyl conspiracy, and one count of possession of heroin with intent to distribute.Rodriguez-Cardenas is also charged four counts of distribution of a controlled substance, one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and one count of possession of fentanyl with intention to distribute.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651528082331.png" alt="Rodriguez-Flores is being held in Butler Co." />
 <figcaption>Rodriguez-Flores is being held in Butler Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Rodriguez-Flores is charged with six counts of distribution of a controlled substance and one count of possession of fentanyl with intention to distribute.

Suspects indicted in Kansas for heroin, fentanyl distribution

KANSAS CITY (AP)—A man who killed a couple during a robbery at their rural home more than a quarter of a century ago was put to death Tuesday, becoming just the fifth person executed in the United States this year.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/executions-sentencing-missouri-8b1099a050b86c4a98c6fd0da5e0e3ed">Carman Deck</a>, 56, died by injection at the state prison in Bonne Terre. He was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m. His fate was sealed a day earlier when neither the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-executions-missouri-4d6d9cf622713c2f79a8d577ccb13520">U.S. Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;nor Republican Gov. Mike Parson stepped in to halt the execution. Deck’s death sentence was overturned three times before for procedural issues.

Deck mouthed a few inaudible words as the 5 grams of pentobarbital were administered, then puffed out a couple of breaths before all movement stopped, the process lasting just a few seconds.

“My hope is that one day the world will find peace and that we all will learn to be kind and loving to one another,” Deck said in a written final statement. “We all are a part of this journey through life, connected in every way. Please give love, show love, BE LOVE!”

Parson, in a statement, said the couple killed, James and Zelma Long, “were innocent victims of Carman Deck’s heinous violence. Tonight, justice was served.”

Just four other people have been executed in the U.S. in 2022 —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-oklahoma-oklahoma-city-robbery-mcalester-3693d1a245878cc773aa6bdbbad56ab4">Donald Anthony Grant</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/executions-oklahoma-mcalester-24d25f6c178c5b0852ccae3ba03214f1">Gilbert Ray Postelle&nbsp;</a>in Oklahoma,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-health-alabama-executions-b9b6c18d2d0f1833329d09091998b14a">Matthew Reeves</a>&nbsp;in Alabama and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-shootings-texas-executions-houston-74e25cf0325008b48a21619d257c69d0">Carl Wayne Buntio</a>&nbsp;n last month in Texas. Eleven people were executed in the U.S. last year, the fewest since 1988.

Court records show that Deck, of the St. Louis area, was a friend of the grandson of the Longs, who lived in De Soto, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southwest of St. Louis. He knew the couple, in their late 60s, kept a safe in their home.

In July 1996, Deck and his sister stopped at the home under the guise of asking directions. Deck wasn’t surprised the couple let them in.

“They’re country folks,” Deck told a detective, according to court records. “They always do.”

Once inside, Deck pulled a gun from his waistband. At Deck’s command, Zelma Long opened the safe and removed jewelry, then got $200 from her purse and more money hidden in a canister.

Deck ordered the couple to lie on their stomachs on their bed. Court records said Deck stood there for 10 minutes deciding what to do, then shot James Long twice in the head before doing the same thing to Zelma Long.

A tip alerted police to Deck, and he was arrested later that night outside his sister’s apartment building in St. Louis County. The decorative tin canister from the Long home was on the floorboard of his car.

Prosecutors said Deck later gave a full account of the killings in oral, written and audiotaped statements. He was sentenced to death in 1998, but the Missouri Supreme Court tossed the sentence due to errors by Deck’s trial lawyer.

The U.S. Supreme Court threw out his second sentence in 2005, citing the prejudice caused by Deck being shackled in front of the sentencing jury.

He was sentenced to death for a third time in 2008.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/59b0d23c85d04ed7b8374ce433393748">Nine years later</a>, U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry determined that “substantial” evidence arguing against the death penalty in Deck’s first two penalty phases was unavailable for the third because witnesses had died, couldn’t be found or declined to cooperate.

In October 2020, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals restored the death penalty, ruling that Deck should have raised his concern first in state court, not federal court. Appeals of that ruling were unsuccessful.

The clemency petition on behalf of Deck cited abuse he suffered as a child, including beatings that left welts and sexual abuse. It said he and his siblings often were left alone without food. Deck's attorney, Elizabeth Unger Carlyle, said in a statement that Deck also was raped while in prison for theft at age 19.

“This experience transformed him from a non-violent thief into the person who committed two terrible murders,” Carlyle said. She called his execution “unjust and immoral.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-executions-f32c014193ac2fdc77c15e7c3db4ec6c">number of executions</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. has declined significantly since peaking at 98 in 1998. The drop has coincided with declining support, falling from a high of 80% in 1994 to 54% in 2021 according to Gallup polls. Since the mid-1990s, opposition has risen from under 20% to around 45%.

Use of the death penalty has become concentrated mostly in a few Southern and Plains states. Last year, Texas executed three inmates, Oklahoma executed two, and one each were put to death in Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri. Three federal inmates were executed in January 2021, toward the end of President Donald Trump’s administration.

On Monday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-executions-tennessee-nashville-e143acccdd34b46b346c0e1fb02fe823">paused executions</a>&nbsp;in his state for the rest of the year to enable a review of lethal injection procedures after a testing oversight forced the state to call off the execution of Oscar Smith an hour before he was to die on April 21.

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A man whose death sentence for killing a Missouri couple while robbing their home was overturned three times was scheduled to be executed on Tuesday.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/executions-sentencing-missouri-8b1099a050b86c4a98c6fd0da5e0e3ed">Carman Deck</a>, 56, would be just the fifth U.S. inmate to be executed this year if his lethal injection goes ahead. His hopes for a reprieve were all but dashed on Monday when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-executions-missouri-4d6d9cf622713c2f79a8d577ccb13520">the U.S. Supreme Court turned aside an appeal</a>&nbsp;and Republican Gov. Mike Parson declined Deck’s clemency request, though he could file new appeals.

Deck, who was from the St. Louis area, was a friend of the grandson of James and Zelma Long and knew they kept a safe in their home De Soto, about 45 miles southwest of St. Louis, according to court records.

In July 1996, Deck and his sister stopped at the home under the guise of asking for directions. Deck told a detective that he wasn’t surprised to be invited inside by the couple, who were in their late 60s.

“They’re country folks,” Deck said, according to court records. “They always do.”

A tip alerted police to Deck and he was arrested later that night outside his sister’s apartment building in St. Louis County. The decorative tin canister from the Long home was in his car.

Prosecutors said Deck later gave a full account of the killings. He was sentenced to death in 1998, but the Missouri Supreme Court tossed the sentence due to errors by Deck’s trial lawyer.

He was condemned to death a second time, but the U.S. Supreme Court threw out the sentence in 2005, citing the prejudice caused by Deck being shackled in front of the jury.

He was sentenced to death for a third time in 2008, but U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry overturned that sentence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/59b0d23c85d04ed7b8374ce433393748">nine years later</a>&nbsp;after she determined that “substantial” evidence arguing against the death penalty during Deck’s first two penalty phases was unavailable for the third because witnesses had died, couldn’t be found or declined to cooperate.

Deck’s clemency petition said he suffered sexual abuse and beatings as a child, and that he and his siblings were often left alone without food.

But Parson wasn’t swayed, explaining his rationale for rejecting the petition in a news release: “Mr. Deck has received due process, and three separate juries of his peers have recommended sentences of death for the brutal murders he committed.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-executions-f32c014193ac2fdc77c15e7c3db4ec6c">The number of executions</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. has declined significantly since peaking at 98 in 1998. The drop has coincided with a decline in public support for capital punishment that has fallen from a high of 80% in 1994 to 54% in 2021, according to Gallup polls. Since the mid-1990s, opposition to capital punishment has risen from under 20% to about 45%.

Just four people have been executed in 2022 —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-oklahoma-oklahoma-city-robbery-mcalester-3693d1a245878cc773aa6bdbbad56ab4">Donald Anthony Grant</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/executions-oklahoma-mcalester-24d25f6c178c5b0852ccae3ba03214f1">Gilbert Ray Postelle</a>&nbsp;in Oklahoma,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-health-alabama-executions-b9b6c18d2d0f1833329d09091998b14a">Matthew Reeves</a>&nbsp;in Alabama and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-shootings-texas-executions-houston-74e25cf0325008b48a21619d257c69d0">Carl Wayne Buntion</a>&nbsp;last month in Texas. All four were convicted killers who were put to death by injection. Eleven people were executed in the U.S. last year, which was the country’s fewest executions since 1988.

On Monday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-executions-tennessee-nashville-e143acccdd34b46b346c0e1fb02fe823">paused executions</a>&nbsp;for the rest of the year to enable a review of lethal injection procedures after a testing oversight forced the state to call off the execution of Oscar Smith an hour before he was to die on April 21.

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to halt the upcoming execution of Missouri inmate Carman Deck, and Republican Gov. Mike Parson said he will not grant clemency.

Deck, 56, is scheduled to die by injection at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the state prison in Bonne Terre for killing a couple while robbing their rural home in July 1996.

"Mr. Deck has received due process, and three separate juries of his peers have recommended sentences of death for the brutal murders he committed,” Parson said in a statement. “The State of Missouri will carry out Mr. Deck’s sentence according to the Court’s order and deliver justice.”

Deck's attorney didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Only four executions have been carried out in the U.S. so far in 2022, and the 11 last year were the fewest since 1988. Earlier Monday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-executions-tennessee-nashville-e143acccdd34b46b346c0e1fb02fe823">paused executions</a>&nbsp;for the rest of the year to enable a review of the state's lethal injection procedures. That decision came after a testing oversight forced the state to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-crime-executions-tennessee-c35f2cf35a7791617bd4e24555d13a2c">call off the execution</a>&nbsp;of Oscar Smith an hour before he was to die on April 21.

Deck, of the St. Louis area, admitted that he killed James Long, 69, and his 67-year-old wife, Zelma, while robbing them at their home in the eastern Missouri town of De Soto in July 1996.

Deck's death sentence was thrown out three times due to procedural errors before a federal appeals court panel restored it in 2020.

The clemency petition on behalf of Deck cited abuse he suffered as a child, including sexual abuse and beatings. It also said he and his siblings often were left alone without food.

The number of executions in the U.S. has declined significantly since peaking at 98 in 1998. The drop has coincided with a decline in public support for capital punishment that has fallen from a high of 80% in 1994 to 54% in 2021, according to Gallup polls. Since the mid-1990s, opposition to capital punishment has risen from under 20% to about 45%.

JEFFERSON CITY—On Monday, Governor Mike Parson confirmed that the State of Missouri will carry out the sentence of 56-year-old Carmen Deck on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, as ordered by the Supreme Court of Missouri, according to a statement from Parson's office.

"Mr. Deck has received due process, and three separate juries of his peers have recommended sentences of death for the brutal murders he committed,"&nbsp;Governor Parson&nbsp;said. "The State of Missouri will carry out Mr. Deck's sentence according to the Court's order and&nbsp;deliver justice."

Deck was tried and convicted for the heinous execution-style murders of two innocent elderly victims during a robbery in 1996. Mr. Deck fully admitted to his callous offenses in verbal, written, and recorded statements to law enforcement.

Court records said Deck and his sister went to the Long home under the guise of asking for directions, but with the intent to rob them. Deck pulled a pistol from his waistband and ordered them to lie facedown on their bed. He shot them in the head.

 In three different proceedings, separate juries have recommended Mr. Deck’s death sentences. Deck's case has been reviewed in the state trial court, Missouri Supreme Court, federal district court, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and United States Supreme Court.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643738665139.png" alt="Deck photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Deck photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP)—A man who killed a couple during a robbery at their rural home more than a quarter of a century ago was put to death Tuesday, becoming just the fifth person executed in the United States this year.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/executions-sentencing-missouri-8b1099a050b86c4a98c6fd0da5e0e3ed">Carman Deck</a>, 56, died by injection at the state prison in Bonne Terre. He was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m. His fate was sealed a day earlier when neither the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-executions-missouri-4d6d9cf622713c2f79a8d577ccb13520">U.S. Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;nor Republican Gov. Mike Parson stepped in to halt the execution. Deck’s death sentence was overturned three times before for procedural issues.Deck mouthed a few inaudible words as the 5 grams of pentobarbital were administered, then puffed out a couple of breaths before all movement stopped, the process lasting just a few seconds.“My hope is that one day the world will find peace and that we all will learn to be kind and loving to one another,” Deck said in a written final statement. “We all are a part of this journey through life, connected in every way. Please give love, show love, BE LOVE!”Parson, in a statement, said the couple killed, James and Zelma Long, “were innocent victims of Carman Deck’s heinous violence. Tonight, justice was served.”Just four other people have been executed in the U.S. in 2022 —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-oklahoma-oklahoma-city-robbery-mcalester-3693d1a245878cc773aa6bdbbad56ab4">Donald Anthony Grant</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/executions-oklahoma-mcalester-24d25f6c178c5b0852ccae3ba03214f1">Gilbert Ray Postelle&nbsp;</a>in Oklahoma,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-health-alabama-executions-b9b6c18d2d0f1833329d09091998b14a">Matthew Reeves</a>&nbsp;in Alabama and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-shootings-texas-executions-houston-74e25cf0325008b48a21619d257c69d0">Carl Wayne Buntio</a>&nbsp;n last month in Texas. Eleven people were executed in the U.S. last year, the fewest since 1988.Court records show that Deck, of the St. Louis area, was a friend of the grandson of the Longs, who lived in De Soto, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) southwest of St. Louis. He knew the couple, in their late 60s, kept a safe in their home.In July 1996, Deck and his sister stopped at the home under the guise of asking directions. Deck wasn’t surprised the couple let them in.“They’re country folks,” Deck told a detective, according to court records. “They always do.”Once inside, Deck pulled a gun from his waistband. At Deck’s command, Zelma Long opened the safe and removed jewelry, then got $200 from her purse and more money hidden in a canister.Deck ordered the couple to lie on their stomachs on their bed. Court records said Deck stood there for 10 minutes deciding what to do, then shot James Long twice in the head before doing the same thing to Zelma Long.A tip alerted police to Deck, and he was arrested later that night outside his sister’s apartment building in St. Louis County. The decorative tin canister from the Long home was on the floorboard of his car.Prosecutors said Deck later gave a full account of the killings in oral, written and audiotaped statements. He was sentenced to death in 1998, but the Missouri Supreme Court tossed the sentence due to errors by Deck’s trial lawyer.The U.S. Supreme Court threw out his second sentence in 2005, citing the prejudice caused by Deck being shackled in front of the sentencing jury.He was sentenced to death for a third time in 2008.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/59b0d23c85d04ed7b8374ce433393748">Nine years later</a>, U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry determined that “substantial” evidence arguing against the death penalty in Deck’s first two penalty phases was unavailable for the third because witnesses had died, couldn’t be found or declined to cooperate.In October 2020, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals restored the death penalty, ruling that Deck should have raised his concern first in state court, not federal court. Appeals of that ruling were unsuccessful.The clemency petition on behalf of Deck cited abuse he suffered as a child, including beatings that left welts and sexual abuse. It said he and his siblings often were left alone without food. Deck's attorney, Elizabeth Unger Carlyle, said in a statement that Deck also was raped while in prison for theft at age 19.“This experience transformed him from a non-violent thief into the person who committed two terrible murders,” Carlyle said. She called his execution “unjust and immoral.”The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-executions-f32c014193ac2fdc77c15e7c3db4ec6c">number of executions</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. has declined significantly since peaking at 98 in 1998. The drop has coincided with declining support, falling from a high of 80% in 1994 to 54% in 2021 according to Gallup polls. Since the mid-1990s, opposition has risen from under 20% to around 45%.Use of the death penalty has become concentrated mostly in a few Southern and Plains states. Last year, Texas executed three inmates, Oklahoma executed two, and one each were put to death in Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri. Three federal inmates were executed in January 2021, toward the end of President Donald Trump’s administration.On Monday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-executions-tennessee-nashville-e143acccdd34b46b346c0e1fb02fe823">paused executions</a>&nbsp;in his state for the rest of the year to enable a review of lethal injection procedures after a testing oversight forced the state to call off the execution of Oscar Smith an hour before he was to die on April 21.----------KANSAS CITY (AP) —A man whose death sentence for killing a Missouri couple while robbing their home was overturned three times was scheduled to be executed on Tuesday.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/executions-sentencing-missouri-8b1099a050b86c4a98c6fd0da5e0e3ed">Carman Deck</a>, 56, would be just the fifth U.S. inmate to be executed this year if his lethal injection goes ahead. His hopes for a reprieve were all but dashed on Monday when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-executions-missouri-4d6d9cf622713c2f79a8d577ccb13520">the U.S. Supreme Court turned aside an appeal</a>&nbsp;and Republican Gov. Mike Parson declined Deck’s clemency request, though he could file new appeals.Deck, who was from the St. Louis area, was a friend of the grandson of James and Zelma Long and knew they kept a safe in their home De Soto, about 45 miles southwest of St. Louis, according to court records.In July 1996, Deck and his sister stopped at the home under the guise of asking for directions. Deck told a detective that he wasn’t surprised to be invited inside by the couple, who were in their late 60s.“They’re country folks,” Deck said, according to court records. “They always do.”Once inside, Deck pulled a gun from his waistband. At Deck’s command, Zelma Long opened the safe and removed jewelry, then got $200 from her purse and more money hidden in a canister.Deck ordered the couple to lie on their stomachs on their bed. Court records said Deck stood there for 10 minutes deciding what to do, then shot James Long twice in the head before doing the same thing to Zelma Long.A tip alerted police to Deck and he was arrested later that night outside his sister’s apartment building in St. Louis County. The decorative tin canister from the Long home was in his car.Prosecutors said Deck later gave a full account of the killings. He was sentenced to death in 1998, but the Missouri Supreme Court tossed the sentence due to errors by Deck’s trial lawyer.He was condemned to death a second time, but the U.S. Supreme Court threw out the sentence in 2005, citing the prejudice caused by Deck being shackled in front of the jury.He was sentenced to death for a third time in 2008, but U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry overturned that sentence&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/59b0d23c85d04ed7b8374ce433393748">nine years later</a>&nbsp;after she determined that “substantial” evidence arguing against the death penalty during Deck’s first two penalty phases was unavailable for the third because witnesses had died, couldn’t be found or declined to cooperate.In October 2020, a three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals restored the death penalty, ruling that Deck should have raised his concern first in state court, not federal court. Appeals of that ruling were unsuccessful.Deck’s clemency petition said he suffered sexual abuse and beatings as a child, and that he and his siblings were often left alone without food.But Parson wasn’t swayed, explaining his rationale for rejecting the petition in a news release: “Mr. Deck has received due process, and three separate juries of his peers have recommended sentences of death for the brutal murders he committed.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-executions-f32c014193ac2fdc77c15e7c3db4ec6c">The number of executions</a>&nbsp;in the U.S. has declined significantly since peaking at 98 in 1998. The drop has coincided with a decline in public support for capital punishment that has fallen from a high of 80% in 1994 to 54% in 2021, according to Gallup polls. Since the mid-1990s, opposition to capital punishment has risen from under 20% to about 45%.Just four people have been executed in 2022 —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-oklahoma-oklahoma-city-robbery-mcalester-3693d1a245878cc773aa6bdbbad56ab4">Donald Anthony Grant</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/executions-oklahoma-mcalester-24d25f6c178c5b0852ccae3ba03214f1">Gilbert Ray Postelle</a>&nbsp;in Oklahoma,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-health-alabama-executions-b9b6c18d2d0f1833329d09091998b14a">Matthew Reeves</a>&nbsp;in Alabama and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-shootings-texas-executions-houston-74e25cf0325008b48a21619d257c69d0">Carl Wayne Buntion</a>&nbsp;last month in Texas. All four were convicted killers who were put to death by injection. Eleven people were executed in the U.S. last year, which was the country’s fewest executions since 1988.Use of the death penalty has become concentrated mostly in a few Southern and Plains states. Last year, Texas executed three inmates, Oklahoma executed two, and one each were put to death in Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri. Three federal inmates were executed in January 2021, toward the end of President Donald Trump’s administration.On Monday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-executions-tennessee-nashville-e143acccdd34b46b346c0e1fb02fe823">paused executions</a>&nbsp;for the rest of the year to enable a review of lethal injection procedures after a testing oversight forced the state to call off the execution of Oscar Smith an hour before he was to die on April 21.---------------WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to halt the upcoming execution of Missouri inmate Carman Deck, and Republican Gov. Mike Parson said he will not grant clemency.Deck, 56, is scheduled to die by injection at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the state prison in Bonne Terre for killing a couple while robbing their rural home in July 1996."Mr. Deck has received due process, and three separate juries of his peers have recommended sentences of death for the brutal murders he committed,” Parson said in a statement. “The State of Missouri will carry out Mr. Deck’s sentence according to the Court’s order and deliver justice.”Deck's attorney didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.Only four executions have been carried out in the U.S. so far in 2022, and the 11 last year were the fewest since 1988. Earlier Monday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-executions-tennessee-nashville-e143acccdd34b46b346c0e1fb02fe823">paused executions</a>&nbsp;for the rest of the year to enable a review of the state's lethal injection procedures. That decision came after a testing oversight forced the state to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-crime-executions-tennessee-c35f2cf35a7791617bd4e24555d13a2c">call off the execution</a>&nbsp;of Oscar Smith an hour before he was to die on April 21.Deck, of the St. Louis area, admitted that he killed James Long, 69, and his 67-year-old wife, Zelma, while robbing them at their home in the eastern Missouri town of De Soto in July 1996.Deck's death sentence was thrown out three times due to procedural errors before a federal appeals court panel restored it in 2020.The clemency petition on behalf of Deck cited abuse he suffered as a child, including sexual abuse and beatings. It also said he and his siblings often were left alone without food.The number of executions in the U.S. has declined significantly since peaking at 98 in 1998. The drop has coincided with a decline in public support for capital punishment that has fallen from a high of 80% in 1994 to 54% in 2021, according to Gallup polls. Since the mid-1990s, opposition to capital punishment has risen from under 20% to about 45%.------------JEFFERSON CITY—On Monday, Governor Mike Parson confirmed that the State of Missouri will carry out the sentence of 56-year-old Carmen Deck on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, as ordered by the Supreme Court of Missouri, according to a statement from Parson's office."Mr. Deck has received due process, and three separate juries of his peers have recommended sentences of death for the brutal murders he committed,"&nbsp;Governor Parson&nbsp;said. "The State of Missouri will carry out Mr. Deck's sentence according to the Court's order and&nbsp;deliver justice."Deck was tried and convicted for the heinous execution-style murders of two innocent elderly victims during a robbery in 1996. Mr. Deck fully admitted to his callous offenses in verbal, written, and recorded statements to law enforcement.Court records said Deck and his sister went to the Long home under the guise of asking for directions, but with the intent to rob them. Deck pulled a pistol from his waistband and ordered them to lie facedown on their bed. He shot them in the head. In three different proceedings, separate juries have recommended Mr. Deck’s death sentences. Deck's case has been reviewed in the state trial court, Missouri Supreme Court, federal district court, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and United States Supreme Court.

Execution: Convicted killer put to death for 1996 murder of couple

GEARY COUNTY —Three days of searching have not produced any results, but authorities have identified the suspected drowning victim that they have been searching for at Milford Lake, as Jesse Paul Sockness (white man, 41,&nbsp; brown hair, brown eyes) of Lawrence, Kansas. He was last seen swimming to shore in Milford Lake on Saturday

According to Captain David Gilbert of the Sheriff's Department the search continued Tuesday as boats from the Geary County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, Wildlife and Parks/Milford State Park, and Wild Life and Parks Law Enforcement Division took to the waters.&nbsp; The area where the subject was last seen was thoroughly searched with side scan and live view sonar east across the lake to the area of Milford State park where a makeshift water vessel was located along with the female passenger who had ridden on it with the suspected drowning victim. A couple articles of clothing believed to belong to her and Sockness were located.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Geary County Sheriff/Junction City Fire Department Dive Team deployed into the area where Sockness was last seen and conducted several large area grid searches.&nbsp; All searches to this point have been met with negative results.&nbsp; Moving forward the Sheriff’s Office will continue to search the area throughout the coming days by land and by water multiple times each day/night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651611657234.png" alt="photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY —Three days of searching have not produced any results, but authorities have identified the suspected drowning victim that they have been searching for at Milford Lake, as Jesse Paul Sockness (white man, 41,&nbsp; brown hair, brown eyes) of Lawrence, Kansas. He was last seen swimming to shore in Milford Lake on SaturdayAccording to Captain David Gilbert of the Sheriff's Department the search continued Tuesday as boats from the Geary County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, Wildlife and Parks/Milford State Park, and Wild Life and Parks Law Enforcement Division took to the waters.&nbsp; The area where the subject was last seen was thoroughly searched with side scan and live view sonar east across the lake to the area of Milford State park where a makeshift water vessel was located along with the female passenger who had ridden on it with the suspected drowning victim. A couple articles of clothing believed to belong to her and Sockness were located.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Geary County Sheriff/Junction City Fire Department Dive Team deployed into the area where Sockness was last seen and conducted several large area grid searches.&nbsp; All searches to this point have been met with negative results.&nbsp; Moving forward the Sheriff’s Office will continue to search the area throughout the coming days by land and by water multiple times each day/night.

Sheriff IDs suspected drowning victim at Kansas lake 

By BLAISE MESA and DYLAN LYSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-05-03/roe-v-wade-decision-will-mean-kansas-abortion-rights-hinge-on-a-state-vote-in-august">Kansas News Service</a>

TOPEKA, Kansas — A leaked draft of a U.S. Supreme Court 
opinion shows the justices are preparing to overturn federal abortion 
rights protections, and that raises the stakes for a constitutional 
amendment vote on abortion rights in Kansas this August.

Losing 
federal protections would mean the state constitution would be the only 
protections for abortion rights in Kansas. A Kansas Supreme Court <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2019-04-26/kansas-supreme-court-rules-state-constitution-protects-right-to-abortion" target="_blank">ruling in 2019</a> said there is a right to abortion in the Kansas Constitution.

“Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,” wrote U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, according to a <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/02/supreme-court-abortion-draft-opinion-00029473" target="_blank">POLITICO article</a>
 reporting on the leaked documents. “Its reasoning was exceptionally 
weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from 
bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division.”

On
 Aug. 2, Kansans will vote on an amendment that would say there is no 
right to abortion in the state constitution. If approved, and if Roe v. 
Wade is overturned, the state’s Republican lawmakers — who currently 
hold a supermajority in the Legislature — are likely to pursue abortion 
bans similar to Oklahoma, Texas and other Republican-led states.

Mackenzie
 Haddix, spokesperson for the Value Them Both Coalition supporting the 
change to eliminate abortion rights from the state constitution, said 
Kansas is already a destination for late-term abortions and its laws are
 “among the most extreme states in the nation.”

“If Kansans want to stop this, they must vote YES on Value Them Both,” she said in a statement.

If the amendment fails, abortion will remain legal in Kansas no matter what the Supreme Court decides.

“We
 have seen a dramatic acceleration of anti-abortion legislation over the
 past year — a culmination of the decades-long maneuvering by the right 
towards this moment,” said the Wichita-based group Trust Woman in a 
statement. “We have seen hundreds of women traveling thousands of miles 
for medical care that should have been available in their own 
communities.”

<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2746_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">One bill banning abortion</a> has already been introduced in the Kansas Legislature, and does not appear to allow exceptions even in cases of rape or incest.

If
 the nation’s high court does overturn the decades-old precedent, the 
country would then be covered with a state-by-state patchwork of 
differing abortion laws. That, in turn, could lead even more women to 
travel from their home states for places where it remains legal, 
including Kansas.

Several states have enacted abortion bans in 
anticipation of the ruling. Arizona and Wyoming approved laws that will 
go into effect only if the Supreme Court reverses the ruling that’s 
protected abortion rights since 1973.

Meanwhile, neighboring 
states have approved significant bans on abortion that have led to 
residents looking for abortion services in Kansas. Oklahoma <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-04-14/more-women-are-expected-to-come-to-kansas-clinics-because-of-oklahomas-abortion-ban" target="_blank">approved a near-total ban</a>
 on abortion earlier this year, and Texas enacted significant abortion 
restrictions in 2021. Kansas saw an increase of women seeking service 
then, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-12-21/women-across-the-midwest-and-south-are-coming-to-kansas-for-abortions-that-could-end-next-year" target="_blank">making it an unlikely abortion refuge</a>.

Blaise
 Mesa reports on criminal justice and social services for the Kansas 
News Service in Topeka. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/blaise_mesa" target="_blank">@Blaise_Mesa</a> or email him at <a href="mailto:blaise@kcur.org" target="_blank">blaise@kcur.org</a>.&nbsp;Dylan Lysen reports on politics for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/DylanLysen" target="_blank">@DylanLysen</a> or email him at dlysen@kcur.org.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651593742878.png" alt="The Kansas Constitution gives people the right to an abortion, a judge said in 2019. Chris Neal / Shooter Imaging" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Constitution gives people the right to an abortion, a judge said in 2019. Chris Neal / Shooter Imaging</figcaption>
 </figure>By BLAISE MESA and DYLAN LYSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-05-03/roe-v-wade-decision-will-mean-kansas-abortion-rights-hinge-on-a-state-vote-in-august">Kansas News Service</a>TOPEKA, Kansas — A leaked draft of a U.S. Supreme Court 
opinion shows the justices are preparing to overturn federal abortion 
rights protections, and that raises the stakes for a constitutional 
amendment vote on abortion rights in Kansas this August.Losing 
federal protections would mean the state constitution would be the only 
protections for abortion rights in Kansas. A Kansas Supreme Court <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2019-04-26/kansas-supreme-court-rules-state-constitution-protects-right-to-abortion" target="_blank">ruling in 2019</a> said there is a right to abortion in the Kansas Constitution.“Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,” wrote U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, according to a <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/02/supreme-court-abortion-draft-opinion-00029473" target="_blank">POLITICO article</a>
 reporting on the leaked documents. “Its reasoning was exceptionally 
weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from 
bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division.”On
 Aug. 2, Kansans will vote on an amendment that would say there is no 
right to abortion in the state constitution. If approved, and if Roe v. 
Wade is overturned, the state’s Republican lawmakers — who currently 
hold a supermajority in the Legislature — are likely to pursue abortion 
bans similar to Oklahoma, Texas and other Republican-led states.Mackenzie
 Haddix, spokesperson for the Value Them Both Coalition supporting the 
change to eliminate abortion rights from the state constitution, said 
Kansas is already a destination for late-term abortions and its laws are
 “among the most extreme states in the nation.”“If Kansans want to stop this, they must vote YES on Value Them Both,” she said in a statement.If the amendment fails, abortion will remain legal in Kansas no matter what the Supreme Court decides.“We
 have seen a dramatic acceleration of anti-abortion legislation over the
 past year — a culmination of the decades-long maneuvering by the right 
towards this moment,” said the Wichita-based group Trust Woman in a 
statement. “We have seen hundreds of women traveling thousands of miles 
for medical care that should have been available in their own 
communities.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651593865137.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/hb2746_00_0000.pdf" target="_blank">One bill banning abortion</a> has already been introduced in the Kansas Legislature, and does not appear to allow exceptions even in cases of rape or incest.If
 the nation’s high court does overturn the decades-old precedent, the 
country would then be covered with a state-by-state patchwork of 
differing abortion laws. That, in turn, could lead even more women to 
travel from their home states for places where it remains legal, 
including Kansas.Several states have enacted abortion bans in 
anticipation of the ruling. Arizona and Wyoming approved laws that will 
go into effect only if the Supreme Court reverses the ruling that’s 
protected abortion rights since 1973.Meanwhile, neighboring 
states have approved significant bans on abortion that have led to 
residents looking for abortion services in Kansas. Oklahoma <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-04-14/more-women-are-expected-to-come-to-kansas-clinics-because-of-oklahomas-abortion-ban" target="_blank">approved a near-total ban</a>
 on abortion earlier this year, and Texas enacted significant abortion 
restrictions in 2021. Kansas saw an increase of women seeking service 
then, <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2021-12-21/women-across-the-midwest-and-south-are-coming-to-kansas-for-abortions-that-could-end-next-year" target="_blank">making it an unlikely abortion refuge</a>.Blaise
 Mesa reports on criminal justice and social services for the Kansas 
News Service in Topeka. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/blaise_mesa" target="_blank">@Blaise_Mesa</a> or email him at <a href="mailto:blaise@kcur.org" target="_blank">blaise@kcur.org</a>.&nbsp;Dylan Lysen reports on politics for the Kansas News Service. You can follow him on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/DylanLysen" target="_blank">@DylanLysen</a> or email him at dlysen@kcur.org.

Roe v. Wade decision will mean Kan. abortion rights hinge on August vote

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of 49-year-old Kurt Krueger and released the security camera image of a vehicle that may be connected to the death.

Police found Krueger's body in the 7900 block of West Cottontail in Wichita just after 2a.m. Sunday, according to Officer Chad Ditch.

Officers responded to the report of a man down in the roadway and located Krueger unconscious and not breathing. He would be pronounced deceased on the scene.

The investigation revealed that Krueger was walking in the neighborhood where he lives, approximately 20-30 minutes before his body was found.&nbsp; Police have not reported the cause of death.

Investigators are asking the public for&nbsp; information on the vehicle and driver. Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Det. T.J. Nelson at 316-350-3686 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1651519978529.png" alt="Photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the death of 49-year-old Kurt Krueger and released the security camera image of a vehicle that may be connected to the death.Police found Krueger's body in the 7900 block of West Cottontail in Wichita just after 2a.m. Sunday, according to Officer Chad Ditch.Officers responded to the report of a man down in the roadway and located Krueger unconscious and not breathing. He would be pronounced deceased on the scene.The investigation revealed that Krueger was walking in the neighborhood where he lives, approximately 20-30 minutes before his body was found.&nbsp; Police have not reported the cause of death.Investigators are asking the public for&nbsp; information on the vehicle and driver. Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Det. T.J. Nelson at 316-350-3686 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.