COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with three burglaries that occurred while the occupants were at church.

On October 8, police responded to 416 N. Sixth Street in Arkansas City for a report of a burglary in progress, according to a media release. They arrived and spoke to the homeowner, who reported that he had a security camera inside his home.

While attending a local church service, the victim, a 35-year-old Arkansas City man, observed someone entering his home on the camera and notified police.

Officers cleared the residence and determined the suspect had left before they arrived. Police identified 18-year-old Cristian Alexis Vega-Alvarez as the suspect based on the home security video footage.

The victim said his home had been burglarized a week ago, also while he was attending church, and so he installed the security camera in case the residence was ever burglarized again.

Police later learned another member of the same church, a 29-year-old Arkansas City man, also had his home at 503 N. Eighth St. broken into while he was attending a church service on Sept. 20.

Officers determined Vega-Alvarez previously was a member of the same church as the victims, but recently had quit attending services. They later located him and took him to the police department for questioning, during which officers learned Vega-Alvarez allegedly had committed all three burglaries.

He was taken into custody without incident and booked him into the Cowley County jail on requested charges that include three felony counts of burglary of a dwelling, three misdemeanor counts of theft of property totaling less than $1,500 in value, and one misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property.&nbsp; He remains in custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634077577564.png" alt="Vega-Alvarez-photo Cowley Co." />
 <figcaption>Vega-Alvarez-photo Cowley Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>COWLEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with three burglaries that occurred while the occupants were at church.On October 8, police responded to 416 N. Sixth Street in Arkansas City for a report of a burglary in progress, according to a media release. They arrived and spoke to the homeowner, who reported that he had a security camera inside his home.While attending a local church service, the victim, a 35-year-old Arkansas City man, observed someone entering his home on the camera and notified police.Officers cleared the residence and determined the suspect had left before they arrived. Police identified 18-year-old Cristian Alexis Vega-Alvarez as the suspect based on the home security video footage.The victim said his home had been burglarized a week ago, also while he was attending church, and so he installed the security camera in case the residence was ever burglarized again.Police later learned another member of the same church, a 29-year-old Arkansas City man, also had his home at 503 N. Eighth St. broken into while he was attending a church service on Sept. 20.Officers determined Vega-Alvarez previously was a member of the same church as the victims, but recently had quit attending services. They later located him and took him to the police department for questioning, during which officers learned Vega-Alvarez allegedly had committed all three burglaries.He was taken into custody without incident and booked him into the Cowley County jail on requested charges that include three felony counts of burglary of a dwelling, three misdemeanor counts of theft of property totaling less than $1,500 in value, and one misdemeanor count of criminal damage to property.&nbsp; He remains in custody.

Kan. teen burglarized homes while victims were at church

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the Oct. 10 drive by shooting on Fort Riley Blvd. have upgraded charges against the suspect 37-year-old Torrey Lindsey of Manhattan.

Lindsay is now accused of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and criminal discharge of a weapon into an occupied vehicle. He remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a $750,000 bond.

Just after 10:00 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a 911 call of shots fired from one car to another while both were traveling eastbound on Fort Riley Blvd. near the Geary-Riley County Line, according to police spokesperson Aaron Wintermote.

Officers made contact with the two cars involved near the intersection of Miller Pkwy. and Fort Riley Blvd in Manhattan. They found a 33-year-old female victim, driving one of the cars, suffering from minor glass shrapnel injuries to the face. The victim was transported from the scene to Via Christi and released after treatment.

Lindsay who had been driving the second car involved, allegedly shot from his car into the victim’s car. Police originally arrested him on a requested charge of attempted second-degree murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633920083288.png" alt="Lindsay has previous convictions for making a false writing and Impairing a security interest, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Lindsay has previous convictions for making a false writing and Impairing a security interest, according to the Kan. Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the Oct. 10 drive by shooting on Fort Riley Blvd. have upgraded charges against the suspect 37-year-old Torrey Lindsey of Manhattan.Lindsay is now accused of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and criminal discharge of a weapon into an occupied vehicle. He remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a $750,000 bond.Just after 10:00 a.m. Sunday, police responded to a 911 call of shots fired from one car to another while both were traveling eastbound on Fort Riley Blvd. near the Geary-Riley County Line, according to police spokesperson Aaron Wintermote.Officers made contact with the two cars involved near the intersection of Miller Pkwy. and Fort Riley Blvd in Manhattan. They found a 33-year-old female victim, driving one of the cars, suffering from minor glass shrapnel injuries to the face. The victim was transported from the scene to Via Christi and released after treatment.Lindsay who had been driving the second car involved, allegedly shot from his car into the victim’s car. Police originally arrested him on a requested charge of attempted second-degree murder.

Police: Suspect in Kan. drive-by shooting faces new charges 

KANSAS CITY, Kansas —First Lady Dr. Jill Biden stopped in Kansas Tuesday. She met with Hispanic representatives during a visit to El Centro Academy, 1330 South 30th Street in Kansas City, Kansas. It is a dual-language early childhood education program, according to the<a href="https://www.elcentroinc.com/education-2/academy-kansas-city-dual-language-school/"> school's website.</a>

Kansas 3rd District Rep. Sharice Davids accompanied the First Lady on her trip to the school.&nbsp;

Biden's trip includes additional stops in Chicago and Allentown, Pennsylvania to take part in conversations and listen to concerns of Hispanic Americans, according to her office.

In May, Biden visited a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City. The college offered free class and other incentives for students to get vaccinated.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634078755169.png" alt="Photo courtesy Janet Murguia, President and CEO of UnidosUS" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Janet Murguia, President and CEO of UnidosUS</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kansas —First Lady Dr. Jill Biden stopped in Kansas Tuesday. She met with Hispanic representatives during a visit to El Centro Academy, 1330 South 30th Street in Kansas City, Kansas. It is a dual-language early childhood education program, according to the<a href="https://www.elcentroinc.com/education-2/academy-kansas-city-dual-language-school/"> school's website.</a>Kansas 3rd District Rep. Sharice Davids accompanied the First Lady on her trip to the school.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Ready for <a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FLOTUS</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SBAIsabel?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SBAIsabel</a>! I brought along a few souvenirs - proud to share our community college connection and belief that a good education uplifts more than just the individual student. (Plus, my mom made the bag!) <a href="https://t.co/PeSgHRQ2He">pic.twitter.com/PeSgHRQ2He</a>&mdash; Rep. Sharice Davids (@RepDavids) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDavids/status/1447985868900343813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Biden's trip includes additional stops in Chicago and Allentown, Pennsylvania to take part in conversations and listen to concerns of Hispanic Americans, according to her office.-------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1622153299060.png" alt="Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver greet a patient waiting to get vaccinated in May -Photo courtesy Metropolitan Community College" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver greet a patient waiting to get vaccinated in May -Photo courtesy Metropolitan Community College</figcaption>
 </figure>In May, Biden visited a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City. The college offered free class and other incentives for students to get vaccinated.----------

First Lady Jill Biden visits a preschool in Kansas

PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the June 30 escape of violent sexual predator John Freeman Colt from the&nbsp;Sexual Predator Treatment Program at the Larned State Hospital have made two arrests, according to Pawnee County Sheriff Scott King.

Both accomplices in the escape identified as&nbsp;Rachel Rena Perez, 50 of Larned, and Liliana Guadalupe Houser, 45 now of Garden City,  were employed by Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services leading up to the time of the escape. The two face multiple charges, according to King.

Perez is charged with a 15 count Felony Criminal Complaint. Houser is charged with a 13 count Felony Criminal Complaint, according to the Pawnee Co. Attorney's office.

<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/news/chron/2021/colt.pdf"> John Freeman Colt</a>, 42, was sentenced on Dec. 14, 2001, to five years in state prison for aggravated sexual battery, attempted rape, aggravated burglary, and four counts of aggravated battery against law enforcement. He was required to register as a sexual offender for the remainder of his life.

After his criminal sentence was completed, the State of Kansas courts deemed him a Sexually Violent Predator at high risk to commit a future sex offense and too dangerous to be released. He was indefinitely civilly committed and sent to the Larned State Hospital’s Sexual Predator Treatment Program in 2007, where he has resided until the escape.

Investigators believe Colt planned his escape several months in advance, obtaining a replica of a staff ID badge and dress clothes. The morning of his escape he shaved off his long hair and beard. He put blankets under his bed covers making it appear he was still in bed sleeping. He was then able to convince a new staff worker (that he targeted) that he was in fact a new doctor and needed help finding his way out. Posing as a doctor, Colt was able to make his way past five secured doors and ultimately outside the gates.

Several hours passed before staff noticed he was missing and alerted the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office.

After escaping, Colt received a ride from a local farmer into Larned, where he was last seen leaving a hardware store on a motorcycle he’d purchased prior to his escape with the help of an accomplice.&nbsp; U.S. Marshals arrested him in Wayne County Utah on Sept. 27.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632850718422.png" alt="Colt-photo Sevier Co. Utah Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Colt-photo Sevier Co. Utah Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the June 30 escape of violent sexual predator John Freeman Colt from the&nbsp;Sexual Predator Treatment Program at the Larned State Hospital have made two arrests, according to Pawnee County Sheriff Scott King.Both accomplices in the escape identified as&nbsp;Rachel Rena Perez, 50 of Larned, and Liliana Guadalupe Houser, 45 now of Garden City, were employed by Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services leading up to the time of the escape. The two face multiple charges, according to King.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634076399777.png" alt="Perez -photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Perez -photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Perez is charged with a 15 count Felony Criminal Complaint. Houser is charged with a 13 count Felony Criminal Complaint, according to the Pawnee Co. Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634076547899.png" alt="Houser photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Houser photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/news/chron/2021/colt.pdf"> John Freeman Colt</a>, 42, was sentenced on Dec. 14, 2001, to five years in state prison for aggravated sexual battery, attempted rape, aggravated burglary, and four counts of aggravated battery against law enforcement. He was required to register as a sexual offender for the remainder of his life.After his criminal sentence was completed, the State of Kansas courts deemed him a Sexually Violent Predator at high risk to commit a future sex offense and too dangerous to be released. He was indefinitely civilly committed and sent to the Larned State Hospital’s Sexual Predator Treatment Program in 2007, where he has resided until the escape.Investigators believe Colt planned his escape several months in advance, obtaining a replica of a staff ID badge and dress clothes. The morning of his escape he shaved off his long hair and beard. He put blankets under his bed covers making it appear he was still in bed sleeping. He was then able to convince a new staff worker (that he targeted) that he was in fact a new doctor and needed help finding his way out. Posing as a doctor, Colt was able to make his way past five secured doors and ultimately outside the gates.Several hours passed before staff noticed he was missing and alerted the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office.After escaping, Colt received a ride from a local farmer into Larned, where he was last seen leaving a hardware store on a motorcycle he’d purchased prior to his escape with the help of an accomplice.&nbsp; U.S. Marshals arrested him in Wayne County Utah on Sept. 27.

Update:  Employees arrested for escape from Kan. sexual predator program

PRATT&nbsp;– When a lure drops below the water’s surface, it’s not always known what might rise to meet it. On a warm night late last month, one angler fishing the Neosho River east of Parsons caught something he probably never expected to see – a four and a half-foot, 39.5-pound Alligator Gar, according to a release from the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks.

The kicker? Alligator Gar aren’t native to Kansas and have never been documented here.

Though not always common, Alligator Gar are distributed from southwestern Ohio and southeastern Missouri and Illinois, south to the Gulf of Mexico, and a small portion of northeastern Mexico. A predatory fish, Alligator Gar are sometimes referred to as “living fossils” since fossil records trace them back nearly 100 million years. As the name implies, Alligator Gar are easily identified by their broad snouts that loosely resemble that of the American Alligator. Alligator Gar are the largest gar species with specimens weighing more than 300 pounds and measuring more than 8 feet long. Just three gar species are native to Kansas: Longnose, Shortnose, and Spotted Gar. Longnose Gar are the most common and largest gar species in Kansas. While the Longnose Gar are common in the state and reach lengths exceeding 5 feet, they are distinguished from the Alligator Gar by a narrow snout and smaller overall size, among other characteristics. So, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Fisheries biologists must ask, “What’s an alligator gar doing in the Neosho River?”

It’s a good question, and one KDWP Fisheries biologists are attempting to answer.

“We’re confident the information from the angler is accurate and the fish was, in fact, caught from the Neosho River,” said KDWP Fisheries biologist Connor Ossowski. “However, that doesn’t mean the fish originated from the river.”

To determine the fish’s origins, KDWP biologists have several unique options.

Since all states involved in Alligator Gar reintroduction efforts for populations in decline have been tagging each hatchery-produced Alligator Gar, KDWP staff had the option of looking for a tag. After using a “wand” to detect any identification markers, KDWP staff are confident this catch was not part of a formal reintroduction effort.

“Because most populations of this species can be distinguished from one another with a sample of the fish’s fins, another option we’re considering is genetic identification,” said KDWP assistant director of Fisheries research, Jeff Koch. “This will tell us if the fish came from an existing population in another state.”

If genetic testing doesn’t pan out, not all hope is lost; KDWP Fisheries biologists would still have one more option.

“Microchemistry is another technique at our disposal,” Koch added.

Microchemistry is performed by measuring the elemental proportion of a bone on a given fish and comparing it to the elemental concentration of a surrounding water. If consistencies exist, the data may be able to help Fisheries biologists determine at least how long the fish had been in the Neosho River.

Of all the potential scenarios for how this giant came to be in the Neosho River, there’s one hypothesis that rings the truest – the possibility that the Kansas-caught Alligator Gar was released from an aquarium.

“It’s not unlikely that this fish was once somebody’s pet or purchased from a pet store, and simply released into the river once it became too large,” said Doug Nygren, KDWP Fisheries Division director. “These techniques should allow us to determine which mode of introduction occurred.”

Time will tell if the Neosho River Alligator Gar made its way to the Sunflower State by natural or assisted means. While it would be very difficult for this fish to have made its way to Kansas naturally, due to the distance to the nearest population and the series of dams along the river, KDWP Fisheries biologists won’t jump to conclusions; they’ll do as they always have, which is rely on verifiable data from proven research methods.

Once their research is complete, KDWP Fisheries biologists will publish the results of this catch on ksoutdoors.com and on the Kansas Fisheries Division Facebook page at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMTIuNDcyMzg0OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmZhY2Vib29rLmNvbS9LRFdQRmlzaGVyaWVzIn0.lOuNlVKOQrAEQmV1aJkryGdmNbrx63qeqGCM0VepGB0/s/1303160919/br/113769587528-l" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/KDWPFisheries</a>.

In the meantime, it’s important to note that transporting and releasing fish or other species in public waters, whether native or non-native, is illegal in Kansas. Chris Steffen, KDWP Aquatic Nuisance Species coordinator, warns, “Transporting and releasing fish risks spreading other harmful species such as microscopic zebra mussels, fish diseases, or aquatic vegetation that might be present in the water used to transport the fish.”

To report a rare species find in Kansas, <a href="https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Threatened-and-Endangered-Wildlife/Rare-Species-Sighting">click here</a> email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rare.species@ks.gov" target="_blank">rare.species@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;and visit for more information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634063994816.png" alt="Alligator Gar -photo courtesy Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks" />
 <figcaption>Alligator Gar -photo courtesy Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks</figcaption>
 </figure>PRATT&nbsp;– When a lure drops below the water’s surface, it’s not always known what might rise to meet it. On a warm night late last month, one angler fishing the Neosho River east of Parsons caught something he probably never expected to see – a four and a half-foot, 39.5-pound Alligator Gar, according to a release from the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks.The kicker? Alligator Gar aren’t native to Kansas and have never been documented here.Though not always common, Alligator Gar are distributed from southwestern Ohio and southeastern Missouri and Illinois, south to the Gulf of Mexico, and a small portion of northeastern Mexico. A predatory fish, Alligator Gar are sometimes referred to as “living fossils” since fossil records trace them back nearly 100 million years. As the name implies, Alligator Gar are easily identified by their broad snouts that loosely resemble that of the American Alligator. Alligator Gar are the largest gar species with specimens weighing more than 300 pounds and measuring more than 8 feet long. Just three gar species are native to Kansas: Longnose, Shortnose, and Spotted Gar. Longnose Gar are the most common and largest gar species in Kansas. While the Longnose Gar are common in the state and reach lengths exceeding 5 feet, they are distinguished from the Alligator Gar by a narrow snout and smaller overall size, among other characteristics. So, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Fisheries biologists must ask, “What’s an alligator gar doing in the Neosho River?”It’s a good question, and one KDWP Fisheries biologists are attempting to answer.“We’re confident the information from the angler is accurate and the fish was, in fact, caught from the Neosho River,” said KDWP Fisheries biologist Connor Ossowski. “However, that doesn’t mean the fish originated from the river.”To determine the fish’s origins, KDWP biologists have several unique options.Since all states involved in Alligator Gar reintroduction efforts for populations in decline have been tagging each hatchery-produced Alligator Gar, KDWP staff had the option of looking for a tag. After using a “wand” to detect any identification markers, KDWP staff are confident this catch was not part of a formal reintroduction effort.“Because most populations of this species can be distinguished from one another with a sample of the fish’s fins, another option we’re considering is genetic identification,” said KDWP assistant director of Fisheries research, Jeff Koch. “This will tell us if the fish came from an existing population in another state.”If genetic testing doesn’t pan out, not all hope is lost; KDWP Fisheries biologists would still have one more option.“Microchemistry is another technique at our disposal,” Koch added.Microchemistry is performed by measuring the elemental proportion of a bone on a given fish and comparing it to the elemental concentration of a surrounding water. If consistencies exist, the data may be able to help Fisheries biologists determine at least how long the fish had been in the Neosho River.Of all the potential scenarios for how this giant came to be in the Neosho River, there’s one hypothesis that rings the truest – the possibility that the Kansas-caught Alligator Gar was released from an aquarium.“It’s not unlikely that this fish was once somebody’s pet or purchased from a pet store, and simply released into the river once it became too large,” said Doug Nygren, KDWP Fisheries Division director. “These techniques should allow us to determine which mode of introduction occurred.”Time will tell if the Neosho River Alligator Gar made its way to the Sunflower State by natural or assisted means. While it would be very difficult for this fish to have made its way to Kansas naturally, due to the distance to the nearest population and the series of dams along the river, KDWP Fisheries biologists won’t jump to conclusions; they’ll do as they always have, which is rely on verifiable data from proven research methods.Once their research is complete, KDWP Fisheries biologists will publish the results of this catch on ksoutdoors.com and on the Kansas Fisheries Division Facebook page at&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTEwMTIuNDcyMzg0OTEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmZhY2Vib29rLmNvbS9LRFdQRmlzaGVyaWVzIn0.lOuNlVKOQrAEQmV1aJkryGdmNbrx63qeqGCM0VepGB0/s/1303160919/br/113769587528-l" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/KDWPFisheries</a>.In the meantime, it’s important to note that transporting and releasing fish or other species in public waters, whether native or non-native, is illegal in Kansas. Chris Steffen, KDWP Aquatic Nuisance Species coordinator, warns, “Transporting and releasing fish risks spreading other harmful species such as microscopic zebra mussels, fish diseases, or aquatic vegetation that might be present in the water used to transport the fish.”To report a rare species find in Kansas, <a href="https://ksoutdoors.com/Services/Threatened-and-Endangered-Wildlife/Rare-Species-Sighting">click here</a> email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rare.species@ks.gov" target="_blank">rare.species@ks.gov</a>&nbsp;and visit for more information.

KDWP: First-ever Alligator Gar caught in Kansas

WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. questioned&nbsp;U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training nominee Jose Javier Rodriguez recently on how he plans to handle the upcoming spike in unemployment rates caused by President Biden’s vaccine mandate. During the hearing, Senator Marshall said in part,

“We had record unemployment through the COVID pandemic…Kansas like many states just did&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/press-releases/marshall-moran-estes-laturner-mann-state-leaders-call-on-governor-to-improve-response-times-to-kansans-filing-for-unemployment/" target="_blank">horrible</a>&nbsp;trying to filter through the unemployment issues…On top of this now, the White House has issued a vaccine mandate…My phone again blowing up from small businesses, from big businesses. They are telling me maybe 30 to 50 percent of their line workers, the blue collar workers are not vaccinated. They don’t plan on getting vaccinated. This is a personal choice they have made. This vaccine mandate is a slap in the face of so many people that ran to the battle. The nurses, the doctors, the ambulance drivers, our police officers, they developed natural immunity because there was no vaccine. The natural immunity [is] well proven to be better than vaccines, but the CDC and this White House will not acknowledge natural immunity. So you can see that we are on the path to more record numbers of people becoming unemployed because of Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate…You have little if any experience dealing with unemployment… when we see unemployment rates spike again in the next couple months due to this vaccine mandate, what is your plan to help Kansas and other states be able to handle the problem.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1621958703771.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. questioned&nbsp;U.S. Department of Labor Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training nominee Jose Javier Rodriguez recently on how he plans to handle the upcoming spike in unemployment rates caused by President Biden’s vaccine mandate. During the hearing, Senator Marshall said in part,“We had record unemployment through the COVID pandemic…Kansas like many states just did&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/press-releases/marshall-moran-estes-laturner-mann-state-leaders-call-on-governor-to-improve-response-times-to-kansans-filing-for-unemployment/" target="_blank">horrible</a>&nbsp;trying to filter through the unemployment issues…On top of this now, the White House has issued a vaccine mandate…My phone again blowing up from small businesses, from big businesses. They are telling me maybe 30 to 50 percent of their line workers, the blue collar workers are not vaccinated. They don’t plan on getting vaccinated. This is a personal choice they have made. This vaccine mandate is a slap in the face of so many people that ran to the battle. The nurses, the doctors, the ambulance drivers, our police officers, they developed natural immunity because there was no vaccine. The natural immunity [is] well proven to be better than vaccines, but the CDC and this White House will not acknowledge natural immunity. So you can see that we are on the path to more record numbers of people becoming unemployed because of Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate…You have little if any experience dealing with unemployment… when we see unemployment rates spike again in the next couple months due to this vaccine mandate, what is your plan to help Kansas and other states be able to handle the problem.”

Marshall: Biden COVID policy will create record unemployment

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Cross-country traveler Gabby Petito was strangled to death, a Wyoming coroner announced Tuesday.

Petito, 22, died three to four weeks before her body was found Sept. 19 near an undeveloped camping area along the border of Grand Teton National Park in remote northern Wyoming, Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue said in a news conference.

It wasn’t clear if the determination might lead to additional charges against Petito’s boyfriend and traveling partner, Brian Laundrie, who is considered a person of interest in her disappearance and remains unaccounted for.

Blue declined to say more about the autopsy or the case overall, saying he was prevented by Wyoming law that limits what coroners can release.

Petito had been on a cross-country trip with her boyfriend. She was reported missing Sept. 11 by her parents after she did not respond to calls and texts for several days while the couple visited parks in the West.

Blue previously classified Petito’s death as a homicide — meaning her death was caused by another person — but had not disclosed how she was killed pending further autopsy results.

Petito’s case has led to renewed calls for people to pay greater attention to cases involving missing Indigenous women and other people of color, with some commentators describing the intense coverage of her disappearance as “missing white woman syndrome.”

The search for Laundrie has generated a frenzy, with TV personalities like Duane Chapman — known as Dog the Bounty Hunter — and longtime “America’s Most Wanted” host John Walsh working to track him down.

Petito and Laundrie posted online about their trip in a white Ford Transit van converted into a camper. They got into a physical altercation Aug. 12 in Moab, Utah, that led to a police stop, which ended with police deciding to separate the quarreling couple for the night. No charges were filed, and no serious injuries were reported.

Investigators have searched for Laundrie in Florida and also searched his parents’ home in North Port, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of Sarasota.

Federal officials in Wyoming last month charged Laundrie with unauthorized use of a debit card, alleging he used a Capital One Bank card and someone’s personal identification number to make unauthorized withdrawals or charges worth more than $1,000 during the period in which Petito went missing. They did not say to whom the card belonged.

In Florida, FBI-led search teams have been looking in a vast nature preserve for any sign of Laundrie. Weeks of searching in the swampy Carlton Reserve south of Sarasota — where Laundrie’s parents say he went after returning home from the West — have turned up nothing.

Laundrie family lawyer Steve Bertolino said in an email there was “nothing new” in the search.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634065134730.png" alt="Gabby Petito and her boyfriend and traveling partner, Brian Laundrie traveled down Interstate 70 in Kansas on the way to Wyoming. Laundrie, who is considered a person of interest in her death remains unaccounted for.-photo FBI Denver" />
 <figcaption>Gabby Petito and her boyfriend and traveling partner, Brian Laundrie traveled down Interstate 70 in Kansas on the way to Wyoming. Laundrie, who is considered a person of interest in her death remains unaccounted for.-photo FBI Denver</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Cross-country traveler Gabby Petito was strangled to death, a Wyoming coroner announced Tuesday.Petito, 22, died three to four weeks before her body was found Sept. 19 near an undeveloped camping area along the border of Grand Teton National Park in remote northern Wyoming, Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue said in a news conference.It wasn’t clear if the determination might lead to additional charges against Petito’s boyfriend and traveling partner, Brian Laundrie, who is considered a person of interest in her disappearance and remains unaccounted for.Blue declined to say more about the autopsy or the case overall, saying he was prevented by Wyoming law that limits what coroners can release.Petito had been on a cross-country trip with her boyfriend. She was reported missing Sept. 11 by her parents after she did not respond to calls and texts for several days while the couple visited parks in the West.Blue previously classified Petito’s death as a homicide — meaning her death was caused by another person — but had not disclosed how she was killed pending further autopsy results.Petito’s case has led to renewed calls for people to pay greater attention to cases involving missing Indigenous women and other people of color, with some commentators describing the intense coverage of her disappearance as “missing white woman syndrome.”The search for Laundrie has generated a frenzy, with TV personalities like Duane Chapman — known as Dog the Bounty Hunter — and longtime “America’s Most Wanted” host John Walsh working to track him down.Petito and Laundrie posted online about their trip in a white Ford Transit van converted into a camper. They got into a physical altercation Aug. 12 in Moab, Utah, that led to a police stop, which ended with police deciding to separate the quarreling couple for the night. No charges were filed, and no serious injuries were reported.Investigators have searched for Laundrie in Florida and also searched his parents’ home in North Port, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of Sarasota.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634065104645.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Federal officials in Wyoming last month charged Laundrie with unauthorized use of a debit card, alleging he used a Capital One Bank card and someone’s personal identification number to make unauthorized withdrawals or charges worth more than $1,000 during the period in which Petito went missing. They did not say to whom the card belonged.In Florida, FBI-led search teams have been looking in a vast nature preserve for any sign of Laundrie. Weeks of searching in the swampy Carlton Reserve south of Sarasota — where Laundrie’s parents say he went after returning home from the West — have turned up nothing.Laundrie family lawyer Steve Bertolino said in an email there was “nothing new” in the search.

Coroner: Gabby Petito was strangled to death

Older adults without heart disease shouldn’t take daily low-dose aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke, an influential health guidelines group said in preliminary updated advice released Tuesday.

Bleeding risks for adults in their 60s and up who haven’t had a heart attack or stroke outweigh any potential benefits from aspirin, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said in its draft guidance.

For the first time, the panel said there may be a small benefit for adults in their 40s who have no bleeding risks. For those in their 50s, the panel softened advice and said evidence of benefit is less clear.

The recommendations are meant for people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity or other conditions that increase their chances for a heart attack or stroke. Regardless of age, adults should talk with their doctors about stopping or starting aspirin to make sure it’s the right choice for them, said task force member Dr. John Wong, a primary-care expert at Tufts Medical Center.

“Aspirin use can cause serious harms, and risk increases with age,” he said.

If finalized, the advice for older adults would backtrack on recommendations the panel issued in 2016 for helping prevent a first heart attack and stroke, but it would be in line with more recent guidelines from other medical groups.

The task force previously said certain people in their 50s and 60s may want to consider a daily aspirin to prevent a first heart attack and stroke, and that they might get protection against colorectal cancer, too. The updated guidance says more evidence of any benefit for colorectal cancer is needed.

Doctors have long recommended daily low-dose aspirin for many patients who already have had a heart attack or stroke. The task force guidance does not change that advice.

The guidance was posted online to allow for public comments until Nov. 8. The group will evaluate that input and then make a final decision.

The independent panel of disease-prevention experts analyzes medical research and literature and issues periodic advice on measures to help keep Americans healthy. Newer studies and a re-analysis of older research prompted the updated advice, Wong said.

Aspirin is best known as a pain reliever but it is also a blood thinner that can reduce chances for blood clots. But aspirin also has risks, even at low doses — mainly bleeding in the digestive tract or ulcers, both of which can be life-threatening.

Dr. Lauren Block, an internist-researcher at Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in Manhasset, New York, said the guidance is important because so many adults take aspirin even though they have never had a heart attack or stroke.

Block, who is not on the task force, recently switched one of her patients from aspirin to a cholesterol-lowering statin drug because of the potential harms.

The patient, 70-year-old Richard Schrafel, has high blood pressure and knows about his heart attack risks. Schrafel, president of a paperboard-distribution business, said he never had any ill effects from aspirin, but he is taking the new guidance seriously.

Rita Seefeldt, 63, also has high blood pressure and took a daily aspirin for about a decade until her doctor told her two years ago to stop.

“He said they changed their minds on that,” recalled the retired elementary school teacher from Milwaukee. She said she understands that science evolves.

Wong acknowledged that the backtracking might leave some patients frustrated and wondering why scientists can’t make up their minds.

“It’s a fair question,” he said. ‘’What’s really important to know is that evidence changes over time.’’

By LINDSEY TANNER, Associated PressOlder adults without heart disease shouldn’t take daily low-dose aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke, an influential health guidelines group said in preliminary updated advice released Tuesday.Bleeding risks for adults in their 60s and up who haven’t had a heart attack or stroke outweigh any potential benefits from aspirin, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said in its draft guidance.For the first time, the panel said there may be a small benefit for adults in their 40s who have no bleeding risks. For those in their 50s, the panel softened advice and said evidence of benefit is less clear.The recommendations are meant for people with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity or other conditions that increase their chances for a heart attack or stroke. Regardless of age, adults should talk with their doctors about stopping or starting aspirin to make sure it’s the right choice for them, said task force member Dr. John Wong, a primary-care expert at Tufts Medical Center.“Aspirin use can cause serious harms, and risk increases with age,” he said.If finalized, the advice for older adults would backtrack on recommendations the panel issued in 2016 for helping prevent a first heart attack and stroke, but it would be in line with more recent guidelines from other medical groups.The task force previously said certain people in their 50s and 60s may want to consider a daily aspirin to prevent a first heart attack and stroke, and that they might get protection against colorectal cancer, too. The updated guidance says more evidence of any benefit for colorectal cancer is needed.Doctors have long recommended daily low-dose aspirin for many patients who already have had a heart attack or stroke. The task force guidance does not change that advice.The guidance was posted online to allow for public comments until Nov. 8. The group will evaluate that input and then make a final decision.The independent panel of disease-prevention experts analyzes medical research and literature and issues periodic advice on measures to help keep Americans healthy. Newer studies and a re-analysis of older research prompted the updated advice, Wong said.Aspirin is best known as a pain reliever but it is also a blood thinner that can reduce chances for blood clots. But aspirin also has risks, even at low doses — mainly bleeding in the digestive tract or ulcers, both of which can be life-threatening.Dr. Lauren Block, an internist-researcher at Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in Manhasset, New York, said the guidance is important because so many adults take aspirin even though they have never had a heart attack or stroke.Block, who is not on the task force, recently switched one of her patients from aspirin to a cholesterol-lowering statin drug because of the potential harms.The patient, 70-year-old Richard Schrafel, has high blood pressure and knows about his heart attack risks. Schrafel, president of a paperboard-distribution business, said he never had any ill effects from aspirin, but he is taking the new guidance seriously.Rita Seefeldt, 63, also has high blood pressure and took a daily aspirin for about a decade until her doctor told her two years ago to stop.“He said they changed their minds on that,” recalled the retired elementary school teacher from Milwaukee. She said she understands that science evolves.Wong acknowledged that the backtracking might leave some patients frustrated and wondering why scientists can’t make up their minds.“It’s a fair question,” he said. ‘’What’s really important to know is that evidence changes over time.’’___

Advice shifting on aspirin use for preventing heart attacks

HARVEY COUNTY —A Kansas kidnaping suspect who ran from a court appearance last week is back in custody, according to the Harvey County Sheriff's Office.

On Thursday, 47-year-old Joshua Harris of Wichita&nbsp;appeared in court at the Harvey County Courthouse for a preliminary hearing on a felony drug charge. Separately, Harris was wanted on a Harvey County warrant for aggravated kidnapping. A Harvey County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to detain Harris on the warrant. Harris evaded the deputy and ran from the Courthouse.&nbsp;Harris was able to get into his vehicle and flee the area.&nbsp; Traffic near the courthouse prevented deputies from reaching Harris' vehicle before he drove away.

Just after 4:15 p.m. Monday, local law enforcement were notified Harris had been seen at a convenience store in the 3500 block of S. Duncan Street in Newton. As law enforcement arrived at the location, Harris fled in his vehicle.

Harris was pursued by law enforcement as he drove south into Sedgwick County. He later exited his vehicle and continued to run away from law enforcement.

Law enforcement utilized a drone and a K-9 unit to help locate him. Harris was found by drone footage attempting to hide in the yard of a residence in the 8100 block of N. Hillside Street in Valley Center. Just after 5p.m., Harris turned himself over to law enforcement when the K-9 unit began to be deployed.

Harris is being held without bond in the Harvey County Detention Center on requested charges of aggravated kidnapping, failure to appear, possession of opiates, use and possession of drug paraphernalia, and fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633781801985.png" alt="Harris from an earlier arrest in Butler Co." />
 <figcaption>Harris from an earlier arrest in Butler Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY —A Kansas kidnaping suspect who ran from a court appearance last week is back in custody, according to the Harvey County Sheriff's Office.On Thursday, 47-year-old Joshua Harris of Wichita&nbsp;appeared in court at the Harvey County Courthouse for a preliminary hearing on a felony drug charge. Separately, Harris was wanted on a Harvey County warrant for aggravated kidnapping. A Harvey County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to detain Harris on the warrant. Harris evaded the deputy and ran from the Courthouse.&nbsp;Harris was able to get into his vehicle and flee the area.&nbsp; Traffic near the courthouse prevented deputies from reaching Harris' vehicle before he drove away.Just after 4:15 p.m. Monday, local law enforcement were notified Harris had been seen at a convenience store in the 3500 block of S. Duncan Street in Newton. As law enforcement arrived at the location, Harris fled in his vehicle.Harris was pursued by law enforcement as he drove south into Sedgwick County. He later exited his vehicle and continued to run away from law enforcement.Law enforcement utilized a drone and a K-9 unit to help locate him. Harris was found by drone footage attempting to hide in the yard of a residence in the 8100 block of N. Hillside Street in Valley Center. Just after 5p.m., Harris turned himself over to law enforcement when the K-9 unit began to be deployed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633781783180.png" alt="Harris ph0to Harvey County" />
 <figcaption>Harris ph0to Harvey County</figcaption>
 </figure>Harris is being held without bond in the Harvey County Detention Center on requested charges of aggravated kidnapping, failure to appear, possession of opiates, use and possession of drug paraphernalia, and fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement.------------

Kan. kidnapping suspect who fled court appearance is in custody

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges after a search at a Kansas home.

On Monday,&nbsp;members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Shawnee County Drug Task Force served a search warrant at a residence in the 1600 Block of SW Harrison in Topeka, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.

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

Officers arrested Erasto Ortega, 64 years of age, and James Funkhouser II, 51 years of age, both from Topeka. They were transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges for Erasto Ortega Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent of distribution, according to Monasmith.

James Funkhouser II is being held on a Felony Shawnee County warrant.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634034117254.png" alt="Funkhouser photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Funkhouser photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on drug charges after a search at a Kansas home.On Monday,&nbsp;members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit and the Shawnee County Drug Task Force served a search warrant at a residence in the 1600 Block of SW Harrison in Topeka, according to Lt. Jerry Monasmith.While conducting the search warrant, the officers located methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634034050257.png" alt="Ortega photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Ortega photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers arrested Erasto Ortega, 64 years of age, and James Funkhouser II, 51 years of age, both from Topeka. They were transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges for Erasto Ortega Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent of distribution, according to Monasmith.James Funkhouser II is being held on a Felony Shawnee County warrant.

Police: 64-year-old Kan. man jailed for alleged drug distribution 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Data shows that most of the people who participated in Missouri's COVID-19 vaccine lottery were already immunized before the program started.

The incentive program was started in July as Missouri struggled to control a surge in cases driven by the more transmissible delta variant in less-vaccinated communities.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services conducted the last of the drawings in the program Friday. Among the participants, 57,117 adults got the shot after the program was announced, while nearly 600,000 got the shot beforehand.

The program also had more than 39,000 entries from children.

In total, the state will pay out $9 million to 900 prizewinners, who will each receive $10,000 in either cash or, for the youth winners, scholarship accounts.

Anyone who had gotten at least one dose of the vaccine was eligible to enter, but separate drawings were conducted for those who had already gotten a shot, making the odds of winning higher for the newly vaccinated.

Just over 48% of Missouri's total population is fully vaccinated, up from about 40% when the incentive program was announced.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Data shows that most of the people who participated in Missouri's COVID-19 vaccine lottery were already immunized before the program started.The incentive program was started in July as Missouri struggled to control a surge in cases driven by the more transmissible delta variant in less-vaccinated communities.The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services conducted the last of the drawings in the program Friday. Among the participants, 57,117 adults got the shot after the program was announced, while nearly 600,000 got the shot beforehand.The program also had more than 39,000 entries from children.In total, the state will pay out $9 million to 900 prizewinners, who will each receive $10,000 in either cash or, for the youth winners, scholarship accounts.Anyone who had gotten at least one dose of the vaccine was eligible to enter, but separate drawings were conducted for those who had already gotten a shot, making the odds of winning higher for the newly vaccinated.Just over 48% of Missouri's total population is fully vaccinated, up from about 40% when the incentive program was announced.

Most COVID lottery entrants immunized before program started

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police in Wichita say an 11-year-old girl was wounded in an early-morning drive-by shooting Tuesday. Television station KSN reports that the shooting happened shortly after midnight in the city's Ken-Mar neighborhood.

 Witnesses tell police that someone in a black sport utility vehicle shot into a house, then sped away. 

Police say the girl was hit by gunfire and taken to a hospital with serious injuries, but she is expected to survive. Police say four other people in the home at the time of the shooting were not injured. Investigators say they have identified a suspect, but no arrests have been reported.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Police in Wichita say an 11-year-old girl was wounded in an early-morning drive-by shooting Tuesday. Television station KSN reports that the shooting happened shortly after midnight in the city's Ken-Mar neighborhood. Witnesses tell police that someone in a black sport utility vehicle shot into a house, then sped away. Police say the girl was hit by gunfire and taken to a hospital with serious injuries, but she is expected to survive. Police say four other people in the home at the time of the shooting were not injured. Investigators say they have identified a suspect, but no arrests have been reported.

Police: 11-year-old Kan. girl hurt in drive-by shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration urged the courts again Monday night to step in and suspend a new Texas law that has banned most abortions since early September, as clinics hundreds of miles away remain busy with Texas patients making long journeys to get care.

The latest attempt comes three days after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the nation’s most restrictive abortion law after a brief 48-hour window last week in which Texas abortion providers —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-business-texas-courts-5eb085acee67615da3623212953220c9">following a blistering ruling by a lower court</a>&nbsp;— had rushed to bring in patients again.

The days ahead could now be key in determining the immediate future of the law known as Senate Bill 8, including whether&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-austin-courts-health-8f8f701e4bb857e7cd39bd45daa02063">there is another attempt to have the U.S. Supreme Court weigh in.</a>

The law bans abortions in Texas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-laws-government-and-politics-health-77c9ba98c4f4ab46fdbd5bcc47b5b938">once cardiac activity is detected</a>, which is usually at six weeks and before some women even know they are pregnant. Although other GOP-controlled states have had similar early bans on abortions blocked by courts, the Texas law has proved durable because the state offloads enforcement solely onto private citizens, who can collect at least $10,000 in damages if they successfully sue abortion providers.

“If Texas’s scheme is permissible, no constitutional right is safe from state-sanctioned sabotage of this kind,” the Justice Department told the appeals court.

In wording that seemed to be a message to the Supreme Court, the Justice Department raised the specter that if allowed to stand, the legal structure created in enacting the law could be used to circumvent even the Supreme Court’s rulings in 2008 and 2010 on gun rights and campaign financing.

It is not clear when the 5th Circuit court will decide whether to extend what is currently a temporary order allowing the Texas law to stand.

Just as some Texas abortion providers last week quickly moved to once again perform abortions for patients past six weeks, the New Orleans-based appeals court set that order aside while it reviews the case. Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in Texas, relayed to the court in a separate filing Monday night numerous stories of Texas women impacted by the law, including one patient who they said was only 12 years old.

“Oklahoma staff are working overtime to care for Texas patients denied abortions,” attorneys for Planned Parenthood told the court.

The Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aw-court-a7961b629e913e1008f8e929c99fb310" target="_blank">sued Texas</a>&nbsp;over the law last month after it went into effect. Texas officials have defended the restrictions, which were signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in May and say they have no ability to stop private individuals from bringing lawsuits.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634041318695.png" alt="Abortion rights protestors last week in Kansas City photo Planned Parenthood" />
 <figcaption>Abortion rights protestors last week in Kansas City photo Planned Parenthood</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration urged the courts again Monday night to step in and suspend a new Texas law that has banned most abortions since early September, as clinics hundreds of miles away remain busy with Texas patients making long journeys to get care.The latest attempt comes three days after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the nation’s most restrictive abortion law after a brief 48-hour window last week in which Texas abortion providers —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-business-texas-courts-5eb085acee67615da3623212953220c9">following a blistering ruling by a lower court</a>&nbsp;— had rushed to bring in patients again.The days ahead could now be key in determining the immediate future of the law known as Senate Bill 8, including whether&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-us-supreme-court-austin-courts-health-8f8f701e4bb857e7cd39bd45daa02063">there is another attempt to have the U.S. Supreme Court weigh in.</a>The law bans abortions in Texas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-laws-government-and-politics-health-77c9ba98c4f4ab46fdbd5bcc47b5b938">once cardiac activity is detected</a>, which is usually at six weeks and before some women even know they are pregnant. Although other GOP-controlled states have had similar early bans on abortions blocked by courts, the Texas law has proved durable because the state offloads enforcement solely onto private citizens, who can collect at least $10,000 in damages if they successfully sue abortion providers.“If Texas’s scheme is permissible, no constitutional right is safe from state-sanctioned sabotage of this kind,” the Justice Department told the appeals court.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634041349306.png" alt="Photo Planned Parenthood&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo Planned Parenthood&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>In wording that seemed to be a message to the Supreme Court, the Justice Department raised the specter that if allowed to stand, the legal structure created in enacting the law could be used to circumvent even the Supreme Court’s rulings in 2008 and 2010 on gun rights and campaign financing.It is not clear when the 5th Circuit court will decide whether to extend what is currently a temporary order allowing the Texas law to stand.Just as some Texas abortion providers last week quickly moved to once again perform abortions for patients past six weeks, the New Orleans-based appeals court set that order aside while it reviews the case. Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in Texas, relayed to the court in a separate filing Monday night numerous stories of Texas women impacted by the law, including one patient who they said was only 12 years old.“Oklahoma staff are working overtime to care for Texas patients denied abortions,” attorneys for Planned Parenthood told the court.The Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aw-court-a7961b629e913e1008f8e929c99fb310" target="_blank">sued Texas</a>&nbsp;over the law last month after it went into effect. Texas officials have defended the restrictions, which were signed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott in May and say they have no ability to stop private individuals from bringing lawsuits.

Justice Dept. asks courts to again take action on abortion law

WASHINGTON (AP) — Year-end pileups of crucial legislation and the brinkmanship that goes with them are normal behavior for Congress. This autumn, lawmakers are barreling toward battles that are striking for the risks they pose to both parties.

Though few doubt that Congress will again extend the government’s borrowing authority when it expires in December, no one seems certain of how they’ll do it.&nbsp;Democrats don’t have the votes yet to enact President Joe Biden’s top priorities into law. And Republicans are nervous that Democrats may weaken the filibuster rule that lets the Senate’s minority party derail legislation.

Miscalculate and there could be a calamitous federal default, a collapse of Biden’s domestic agenda and, for good measure, a damaging government shutdown. Stir in lawmakers whose nerves are already frayed and are looking to tee up issues for next year’s midterm elections, and it’s a recipe for confrontations that could damage each party if leaders aren’t careful.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., blinked last week. And then he said he wouldn’t blink again.

McConnell said since summer that Republicans wouldn’t supply the votes majority Democrats needed to extend the federal debt limit. But Thursday night, 11 Republicans including McConnell joined Democrats in narrowly overcoming a procedural hurdle so the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-mitch-mcconnell-6e330d9fb94b73787ea70e7807b87151">Senate could subsequently approve $480 billion in fresh borrowing.</a>

House passage, expected Tuesday, would stave off until December a first-ever federal default that could disrupt the global economy, delay government checks to Social Security recipients and others and unleash voters’ wrath on lawmakers.

But the partisan dispute will resume in two months.

Republicans want Democrats to raise the debt ceiling on their own to underscore their argument that Biden’s multitrillion-dollar social and environment agenda is unaffordable. Democrats want Republicans to put their imprint on the borrowing limit increase, noting that the $28 trillion national debt is for unpaid bills already incurred, including $7 trillion under former President Donald Trump.

By enabling a two-month reprieve on the fight, McConnell angered Republicans who wanted a tougher stance against Democrats including Trump, still an intimidating force in the GOP. Even usual McConnell ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called it “complete capitulation.”

Demonstrating the political sensitivities in play, eight of the 11 Republicans who Thursday helped Democrats approve the debt limit increase are either retiring or not seeking reelection until 2024 or later.

Friday night, McConnell said he “will not provide such assistance again,” citing “grave concerns” over Democrats’ huge domestic bill and “hysterics” by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. More on that later.

Come December, something has to give. But it’s unclear how that will happen, and the stakes will be high for leaders to ensure a partisan stare down doesn’t tumble out of control.

Oh — by Dec. 3, federal agencies will shut down unless Congress approves legislation financing them.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-eeae09b4577d27bbe5f82c8bba1af2fe">Democratic progressives&nbsp;</a>and centrists are fighting over the final size and contents of Biden’s proposed 10-year, $3.5 trillion package of social safety net, climate change and tax initiatives. The longer their battles rage, the more the party risks letting the struggles themselves define the effort, distracting from the widely popular programs they hope to include.

Due to Senate moderates like Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-f6fc8e4ea79642a7e04e28211c00db9a">Biden has conceded that the final price tag will likely be much smaller</a>, around $2 trillion. Money for priorities like the environment, health care and education will have to shrink accordingly.

Facing unanimous Republican opposition and paper-thin congressional majorities, Democrats will need near unanimity to succeed. The political consequences for Democrats would be jolting if Biden’s highest priority bill, along with an accompanying $1 trillion infrastructure package, crumble with his party holding the White House and Congress.

“I hope to God that is not the case,” Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Friday. He predicted both bills would pass but conceded “a horrible possibility” of failure.

Democrats have become increasingly open to the idea of weakening filibusters, Senate procedures that have let Republicans wreak legislative havoc by requiring 60 votes in the 50-50 chamber to pass most bills. Manchin and Sinema have said they oppose that change, stymying that option.

GOP leaders worry that if a debt limit standoff moves to the brink of a default, Schumer might be able to persuade Manchin and Sinema to support erasing filibusters against debt limit increases. And that might lead to later, additional exceptions for voting rights or other Democratic priorities.

Those fears are Republicans’ “most obvious challenge” in calculating how stubborn to be in the debt limit standoff, said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.

Congress is an angry place these days. Four years of Trump’s bellicose presidency, the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters and the high stakes for Democrats pushing Biden’s programs have taken a toll.

Manchin said Wednesday that he didn’t want Democrats’ huge domestic programs bill, of which Sanders is a leading author, to make the U.S. “an entitlement society.”

Sanders criticized Manchin’s desire to curb climate change and health care provisions in the bill. “Does Senator Manchin not believe that our children and grandchildren are entitled to live in a country and a world that is healthy and is habitable?” Sanders asked.

The two represent opposite ends of Democrats’ political spectrum. Still, it was a highly unusual public airing of internal differences, and at a crucial moment.

In a letter to Biden, McConnell unleashed a remarkably bitter personal attack on Schumer. McConnell said Schumer’s “childish behavior” alienated Republicans who’d just helped pass the short-term debt limit extension, adding, “It has poisoned the well even further.”

“There’s a lot of stress being felt, there’s a lot of things at stake here in terms of causes that many of us fought for, for a lifetime,” said No. 2 Senate Democratic leader Richard Durbin of Illinois. He added, “So the sooner we get this done, the better.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633173132637.png" alt="President Biden’s&nbsp; made a sudden excursion to Capitol Hill last week -photo courtesy House Speaker" />
 <figcaption>President Biden’s&nbsp; made a sudden excursion to Capitol Hill last week -photo courtesy House Speaker</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Year-end pileups of crucial legislation and the brinkmanship that goes with them are normal behavior for Congress. This autumn, lawmakers are barreling toward battles that are striking for the risks they pose to both parties.Though few doubt that Congress will again extend the government’s borrowing authority when it expires in December, no one seems certain of how they’ll do it.&nbsp;Democrats don’t have the votes yet to enact President Joe Biden’s top priorities into law. And Republicans are nervous that Democrats may weaken the filibuster rule that lets the Senate’s minority party derail legislation.Miscalculate and there could be a calamitous federal default, a collapse of Biden’s domestic agenda and, for good measure, a damaging government shutdown. Stir in lawmakers whose nerves are already frayed and are looking to tee up issues for next year’s midterm elections, and it’s a recipe for confrontations that could damage each party if leaders aren’t careful.Here are gambles each side faces:DEBT LIMITSenate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., blinked last week. And then he said he wouldn’t blink again.McConnell said since summer that Republicans wouldn’t supply the votes majority Democrats needed to extend the federal debt limit. But Thursday night, 11 Republicans including McConnell joined Democrats in narrowly overcoming a procedural hurdle so the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-mitch-mcconnell-6e330d9fb94b73787ea70e7807b87151">Senate could subsequently approve $480 billion in fresh borrowing.</a>House passage, expected Tuesday, would stave off until December a first-ever federal default that could disrupt the global economy, delay government checks to Social Security recipients and others and unleash voters’ wrath on lawmakers.But the partisan dispute will resume in two months.Republicans want Democrats to raise the debt ceiling on their own to underscore their argument that Biden’s multitrillion-dollar social and environment agenda is unaffordable. Democrats want Republicans to put their imprint on the borrowing limit increase, noting that the $28 trillion national debt is for unpaid bills already incurred, including $7 trillion under former President Donald Trump.By enabling a two-month reprieve on the fight, McConnell angered Republicans who wanted a tougher stance against Democrats including Trump, still an intimidating force in the GOP. Even usual McConnell ally Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., called it “complete capitulation.”Demonstrating the political sensitivities in play, eight of the 11 Republicans who Thursday helped Democrats approve the debt limit increase are either retiring or not seeking reelection until 2024 or later.Friday night, McConnell said he “will not provide such assistance again,” citing “grave concerns” over Democrats’ huge domestic bill and “hysterics” by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. More on that later.Come December, something has to give. But it’s unclear how that will happen, and the stakes will be high for leaders to ensure a partisan stare down doesn’t tumble out of control.Oh — by Dec. 3, federal agencies will shut down unless Congress approves legislation financing them.BIDEN’S AGENDA<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-eeae09b4577d27bbe5f82c8bba1af2fe">Democratic progressives&nbsp;</a>and centrists are fighting over the final size and contents of Biden’s proposed 10-year, $3.5 trillion package of social safety net, climate change and tax initiatives. The longer their battles rage, the more the party risks letting the struggles themselves define the effort, distracting from the widely popular programs they hope to include.Due to Senate moderates like Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-congress-f6fc8e4ea79642a7e04e28211c00db9a">Biden has conceded that the final price tag will likely be much smaller</a>, around $2 trillion. Money for priorities like the environment, health care and education will have to shrink accordingly.Facing unanimous Republican opposition and paper-thin congressional majorities, Democrats will need near unanimity to succeed. The political consequences for Democrats would be jolting if Biden’s highest priority bill, along with an accompanying $1 trillion infrastructure package, crumble with his party holding the White House and Congress.“I hope to God that is not the case,” Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said Friday. He predicted both bills would pass but conceded “a horrible possibility” of failure.FILIBUSTER FEARSDemocrats have become increasingly open to the idea of weakening filibusters, Senate procedures that have let Republicans wreak legislative havoc by requiring 60 votes in the 50-50 chamber to pass most bills. Manchin and Sinema have said they oppose that change, stymying that option.GOP leaders worry that if a debt limit standoff moves to the brink of a default, Schumer might be able to persuade Manchin and Sinema to support erasing filibusters against debt limit increases. And that might lead to later, additional exceptions for voting rights or other Democratic priorities.Those fears are Republicans’ “most obvious challenge” in calculating how stubborn to be in the debt limit standoff, said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.SOUR MOODCongress is an angry place these days. Four years of Trump’s bellicose presidency, the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters and the high stakes for Democrats pushing Biden’s programs have taken a toll.Frayed relationships are everywhere.Manchin said Wednesday that he didn’t want Democrats’ huge domestic programs bill, of which Sanders is a leading author, to make the U.S. “an entitlement society.”Sanders criticized Manchin’s desire to curb climate change and health care provisions in the bill. “Does Senator Manchin not believe that our children and grandchildren are entitled to live in a country and a world that is healthy and is habitable?” Sanders asked.The two represent opposite ends of Democrats’ political spectrum. Still, it was a highly unusual public airing of internal differences, and at a crucial moment.In a letter to Biden, McConnell unleashed a remarkably bitter personal attack on Schumer. McConnell said Schumer’s “childish behavior” alienated Republicans who’d just helped pass the short-term debt limit extension, adding, “It has poisoned the well even further.”“There’s a lot of stress being felt, there’s a lot of things at stake here in terms of causes that many of us fought for, for a lifetime,” said No. 2 Senate Democratic leader Richard Durbin of Illinois. He added, “So the sooner we get this done, the better.”

Lawmakers barrel toward fights on crucial legislation this fall

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —A Wamego man died in an accident just before 12:30a.m. Sunday in Pottawatomie County.

The Pottawatomie County Sheriff's office reported a truck driven by 34-year-old Joshua Higdon of Wamego was&nbsp;eastbound on Military Trail near Bluebird Road at a high rate of speed.&nbsp; The driver lost control of the truck, it rolled and Higdon was ejected.

Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Deputies, EMS, the Wamego Police Department and the Louisville Fire Department responded to the scene.&nbsp;EMS pronounced Higdon dead at the scene, according to a the sheriff's department.

&nbsp;The accident is still under investigation and anyone with information about the accident is asked to contact the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office at 785-457-3353 or leave a tip via our Crimestoppers link at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ptsheriff.com/?fbclid=IwAR3Ls_H9aSZlxM5Cumy7uU57xs8BjLvkSdW82raKtfqg7gcoTzN5SDLd024" target="_blank">www.ptsheriff.com.</a>

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —A Wamego man died in an accident just before 12:30a.m. Sunday in Pottawatomie County.The Pottawatomie County Sheriff's office reported a truck driven by 34-year-old Joshua Higdon of Wamego was&nbsp;eastbound on Military Trail near Bluebird Road at a high rate of speed.&nbsp; The driver lost control of the truck, it rolled and Higdon was ejected.Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Deputies, EMS, the Wamego Police Department and the Louisville Fire Department responded to the scene.&nbsp;EMS pronounced Higdon dead at the scene, according to a the sheriff's department.&nbsp;The accident is still under investigation and anyone with information about the accident is asked to contact the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office at 785-457-3353 or leave a tip via our Crimestoppers link at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ptsheriff.com/?fbclid=IwAR3Ls_H9aSZlxM5Cumy7uU57xs8BjLvkSdW82raKtfqg7gcoTzN5SDLd024" target="_blank">www.ptsheriff.com.</a>

Sheriff: Kansas man dies after ejected in rollover crash

MANHATTAN —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have two suspects in custody.

Just before 8p.m. Friday, offices filed a report for aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, domestic battery, battery, criminal damage to property, criminal threat, and violation of a protection order in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

A 38-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man reported two suspects forced entry into the Dairy Queen,&nbsp;1015 N 3rd Street in Manhattan, while holding a "club" then chased one victim outside and battered him and the woman.

Police arrested Cornelius Lee Sisson, 37, and Kenneth Durell Dotson, 38, both of Manhattan.

Sisson was jailed on requested charges that include two counts of battery, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, aggravated burglary, and criminal threat, he remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a $30,000 bond.

Dotson was arrested on a requested charge of domestic battery, battery, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, violation of a protection order, and aggravated burglary, he remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a $24,000 bond, according to the RCPD.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633963639426.png" alt="Sisson from an earlier arrest in Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Sisson from an earlier arrest in Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have two suspects in custody.Just before 8p.m. Friday, offices filed a report for aggravated burglary, aggravated assault, domestic battery, battery, criminal damage to property, criminal threat, and violation of a protection order in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.A 38-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man reported two suspects forced entry into the Dairy Queen,&nbsp;1015 N 3rd Street in Manhattan, while holding a "club" then chased one victim outside and battered him and the woman.Police arrested Cornelius Lee Sisson, 37, and Kenneth Durell Dotson, 38, both of Manhattan.Sisson was jailed on requested charges that include two counts of battery, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, aggravated burglary, and criminal threat, he remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a $30,000 bond.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632060646160.png" alt="Dotson from an earlier arrest in Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Dotson from an earlier arrest in Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Dotson was arrested on a requested charge of domestic battery, battery, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, violation of a protection order, and aggravated burglary, he remains confined in the Riley County Jail on a $24,000 bond, according to the RCPD.

Suspects battered victims during Kan. Dairy Queen break-in

KANSAS CITY(AP) — A Kansas City-area man has been charged in connection with a shooting that was initially reported as a suicide.

The Jackson County Prosecutor's Office said Saturday that 36-year-old Myles Blesz of Independence, Mo.,&nbsp; has been charged with second-degree murder and several other charges in the death of Waylon Williams on Oct. 5.

A friend told police that Williams had shot himself when his body was found that morning.

But detectives who searched the area found two guns and Williams' cell phone in the woods, and shell casings in the home where Williams was found matched one of the guns.

According to court records, a neighbor reported hearing an argument before hearing gunshots. A witness told police he helped Blesz hide the guns in the woods. And court documents say Blesz later told detectives that he shot Williams but he didn’t mean to do it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633913953139.png" alt="Blesz photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Blesz photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — A Kansas City-area man has been charged in connection with a shooting that was initially reported as a suicide.The Jackson County Prosecutor's Office said Saturday that 36-year-old Myles Blesz of Independence, Mo.,&nbsp; has been charged with second-degree murder and several other charges in the death of Waylon Williams on Oct. 5.A friend told police that Williams had shot himself when his body was found that morning.But detectives who searched the area found two guns and Williams' cell phone in the woods, and shell casings in the home where Williams was found matched one of the guns.According to court records, a neighbor reported hearing an argument before hearing gunshots. A witness told police he helped Blesz hide the guns in the woods. And court documents say Blesz later told detectives that he shot Williams but he didn’t mean to do it.

KC-area man charged in shooting first reported as suicide

DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines canceled several hundred more flights Monday following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-travel-8abd4e0541a0a2d6d58f99cc62209a37">weekend of major disruptions</a>&nbsp;that it blamed on bad weather and air traffic control issues. The company and the pilots union said the cancellations were not in response to the airline’s decision to mandate vaccinations.

Southwest canceled more than 360 flights — 10% of its schedule for the day — on Monday, and more than 1,000 others were delayed, according to the FlightAware tracking service.

Shares of Southwest Airlines Co. briefly fell more than 4% before a partial recovery; they were down 3% by afternoon.

The third straight day of large-scale cancellations left thousands of passengers stranded and upset.

“My concern is we had no explanation really that was, I feel, very legitimate or believable,” said Brian Gesch of Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, who was traveling through Reagan Washington National Airport with his wife. He doubted that weather and air traffic controllers were the real issue. “So we are frustrated and missing a day of work.”

Some were less concerned about the cause than just getting home.

“I’m not sure what’s going on,” said Sean Merrell of Frisco, Texas, “but as long as I can get back to Dallas, it’s all that matters to me.”

The widespread disruptions began shortly after the union for Southwest’s 9,000 pilots asked a federal court on Friday to block the airline’s order that all employees get vaccinated against COVID-19. The union said it doesn’t oppose vaccination, but it argued in its filing that Southwest must negotiate before taking such a step.

Pilots are not conducting a sickout or slowdown to protest the vaccine mandate, according to the union, which said it “has not authorized, and will not condone, any job action.”

The pilots association offered another explanation: It said Southwest’s operation “has become brittle and subject to massive failures under the slightest pressure” because of a lack of support from the company. The union complained about the “already strained relationship” between it and the company.

Airlines persuaded thousands of workers to take leaves of absence during the pandemic. Unions at Southwest and American have argued that management was too slow to bring pilots back, leaving them short-handed.

Alan Kasher, Southwest’s executive vice president of daily operations, said the airline was staffed for the weekend but got tripped up by air-traffic control issues and bad weather in Florida and couldn’t recover quickly. Because of cutbacks during the pandemic, he noted the airline has fewer flights to accommodate stranded passengers.

“The weekend challenges were not a result of Southwest employee demonstrations,” said airline spokesman Chris Mainz.

The White House has pushed airlines to adopt vaccine mandates because they are federal contractors — they get paid by the Defense Department to operate flights, including those that carried Afghanistan refugees to the U.S. this summer.

United Airlines was the first major U.S. carrier to announce a vaccination requirement. Southwest had remained silent even after President Joe Biden announced his order for federal contractors and large employers. Finally last week, Southwest told employees they must be fully vaccinated by Dec. 8 to keep their jobs. Workers can ask to skip the shots for medical or religious reasons.

Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged delays in part of Florida on Friday but pushed back against Southwest’s air-traffic control explanation. The FAA said Sunday that “some airlines” were experiencing problems because of planes and crews being out of position. Southwest was the only airline to report such a large percentage of canceled and delayed flights over the weekend.

Savanthi Syth, an airlines analyst for Raymond James, said the weekend problems will increase Southwest’ costs and worsen the company’s strained relations with unions.

Southwest has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-9fd5b2b67c316107f9345f3366554335">struggled all summer</a>&nbsp;with high numbers of delayed and canceled flights. In August, it announced it was trimming its September schedule by 27 flights a day, or less than 1%, and 162 flights a day, or 4.5% of the schedule, from early October through Nov. 5.

NEW YORK (AP) —Southwest Airlines canceled hundreds more flights Monday following a weekend of major service disruptions. According to Flightaware, the carrier has cancelled 348 flights Monday and delayed another 271 flights.  

The airline canceled more than 1,000 flights in total, or 29% of its schedule, as of 7 p.m. ET Sunday, according to flight tracker FlightAware. That was the highest rate by far of the major U.S. airlines. Next in line was Allegiant, which canceled 6% of its flights. American Airlines canceled 5% of its flights, while Spirit canceled 4% on Sunday, according to the flight tracker. On Saturday, Southwest Airlines canceled more than 800 flights.

DALLAS (AP) — Southwest Airlines canceled several hundred more flights Monday following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lifestyle-business-travel-8abd4e0541a0a2d6d58f99cc62209a37">weekend of major disruptions</a>&nbsp;that it blamed on bad weather and air traffic control issues. The company and the pilots union said the cancellations were not in response to the airline’s decision to mandate vaccinations.Southwest canceled more than 360 flights — 10% of its schedule for the day — on Monday, and more than 1,000 others were delayed, according to the FlightAware tracking service.Shares of Southwest Airlines Co. briefly fell more than 4% before a partial recovery; they were down 3% by afternoon.The third straight day of large-scale cancellations left thousands of passengers stranded and upset.“My concern is we had no explanation really that was, I feel, very legitimate or believable,” said Brian Gesch of Cedar Grove, Wisconsin, who was traveling through Reagan Washington National Airport with his wife. He doubted that weather and air traffic controllers were the real issue. “So we are frustrated and missing a day of work.”Some were less concerned about the cause than just getting home.“I’m not sure what’s going on,” said Sean Merrell of Frisco, Texas, “but as long as I can get back to Dallas, it’s all that matters to me.”The widespread disruptions began shortly after the union for Southwest’s 9,000 pilots asked a federal court on Friday to block the airline’s order that all employees get vaccinated against COVID-19. The union said it doesn’t oppose vaccination, but it argued in its filing that Southwest must negotiate before taking such a step.Pilots are not conducting a sickout or slowdown to protest the vaccine mandate, according to the union, which said it “has not authorized, and will not condone, any job action.”The pilots association offered another explanation: It said Southwest’s operation “has become brittle and subject to massive failures under the slightest pressure” because of a lack of support from the company. The union complained about the “already strained relationship” between it and the company.Airlines persuaded thousands of workers to take leaves of absence during the pandemic. Unions at Southwest and American have argued that management was too slow to bring pilots back, leaving them short-handed.Alan Kasher, Southwest’s executive vice president of daily operations, said the airline was staffed for the weekend but got tripped up by air-traffic control issues and bad weather in Florida and couldn’t recover quickly. Because of cutbacks during the pandemic, he noted the airline has fewer flights to accommodate stranded passengers.“The weekend challenges were not a result of Southwest employee demonstrations,” said airline spokesman Chris Mainz.The White House has pushed airlines to adopt vaccine mandates because they are federal contractors — they get paid by the Defense Department to operate flights, including those that carried Afghanistan refugees to the U.S. this summer.United Airlines was the first major U.S. carrier to announce a vaccination requirement. Southwest had remained silent even after President Joe Biden announced his order for federal contractors and large employers. Finally last week, Southwest told employees they must be fully vaccinated by Dec. 8 to keep their jobs. Workers can ask to skip the shots for medical or religious reasons.Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration acknowledged delays in part of Florida on Friday but pushed back against Southwest’s air-traffic control explanation. The FAA said Sunday that “some airlines” were experiencing problems because of planes and crews being out of position. Southwest was the only airline to report such a large percentage of canceled and delayed flights over the weekend.Savanthi Syth, an airlines analyst for Raymond James, said the weekend problems will increase Southwest’ costs and worsen the company’s strained relations with unions.Southwest has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-9fd5b2b67c316107f9345f3366554335">struggled all summer</a>&nbsp;with high numbers of delayed and canceled flights. In August, it announced it was trimming its September schedule by 27 flights a day, or less than 1%, and 162 flights a day, or 4.5% of the schedule, from early October through Nov. 5.___NEW YORK (AP) —Southwest Airlines canceled hundreds more flights Monday following a weekend of major service disruptions. According to Flightaware, the carrier has cancelled 348 flights Monday and delayed another 271 flights. The airline canceled more than 1,000 flights in total, or 29% of its schedule, as of 7 p.m. ET Sunday, according to flight tracker FlightAware. That was the highest rate by far of the major U.S. airlines. Next in line was Allegiant, which canceled 6% of its flights. American Airlines canceled 5% of its flights, while Spirit canceled 4% on Sunday, according to the flight tracker. On Saturday, Southwest Airlines canceled more than 800 flights.Southwest Airlines said in an emailed statement that it had experienced weather challenges in its Florida airports at the beginning of the weekend, which were compounded by unexpected air traffic control issues in the same region. Those issues triggered delays and prompted significant cancellations for the airlines beginning Friday evening.“We’ve continued diligent work throughout the weekend to reset our operation with a focus on getting aircraft and crews repositioned to take care of our customers,” said Southwest Airlines. “With fewer frequencies between cities in our current schedule, recovering during operational challenges is more difficult and prolonged.”The company said that it’s allowing customers to explore self-service rebooking options on Southwest.com, where they can get updates on the status of their travel.However, Henry H. Harteveldt, president and travel industry analyst at The Atmosphere Research Group, based in San Francisco, points to other causes for the cancellations.First, he says Southwest has scheduled more flights than it can handle, a problem that started in June. He also noted that Southwest operates what’s known as a point-to-point route network, and when a delay occurs, it “cascades” along the remaining flight segments. That’s because, for example, a Southwest flight departing Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for the airline’s home base of Dallas may make multiple stops along the way.But Harteveldt says the most troubling reason is the likelihood that some pilots who oppose Southwest’s decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations are participating in an illegal job action where they call in sick or are engaging in a “work slowdown.”In a statement Saturday, the airline’s pilot union, Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, said that’s not the case.“SWAPA is aware of operational difficulties affecting Southwest Airlines today due to a number of issues, but we can say with confidence that our pilots are not participating in any official or unofficial job actions,” it said.Harteveldt noted Southwest’s woes could linger and affect its fourth quarter financial performance.“All of this is happening as people are in the midst of booking their Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year holiday travel,” he said. “It’s very possible that some people who might normally book on Southwest may see this news and choose to fly other airlines.”