WASHINGTON (AP) — A government program launched Thursday is giving American citizens the chance to play a role in resettling the thousands of refugees who arrive every year in the United States.

During the first year of&nbsp;<a href="https://welcomecorps.org/">the Welcome Corps</a>, the State Department aims to line up 10,000 Americans who can help 5,000 refugees adjust to life in the United States.

“By tapping into the goodwill of American communities, the Welcome Corps will expand our country’s capacity to provide a warm welcome to higher numbers of refugees,” the department said in announcing the effort.

When refugees from around the world arrive in the U.S., they face a dramatically different way of life. To ease that transition, the department traditionally has worked with nonprofit groups that specialize in refugee issues. Under the new program, five or more Americans could form a group and help fill this role, as well.

They would apply to privately sponsor refugees to resettle in the U.S. and would be responsible for raising their own money to help the refugees over the first 90 days. Assistance would include everything from greeting refugees at the airport to finding them place to live and getting kids enrolled in school.

A consortium of nonprofits with expertise in refugee resettlement will help oversee the vetting and certification of people and groups who want to be private sponsors. They also will offer training so private sponsors understand what's needed to help refugees adjusting to life in America. The consortium will be responsible for monitoring the program.

The program will roll out in two phases. First, private sponsors will be matched with refugees already approved for resettlement under the U.S. Refugee Assistance Program. That will start during the first half of 2023.

Later, private sponsors could identify refugees abroad they would like to help and then refer those people to the Refugee Assistance Program and assist them once they arrive in the U.S.

The program is different from a recent initiative that allows 30,000 people into the country a month from Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela. They also need a sponsor but are being admitted to the U.S. under a humanitarian parole designation that lasts two years and offers no path to becoming permanent residents or citizens.

Under the refugee program, people fleeing violence or persecution can come to the U.S. and stay permanently. Since the Refugee Act was passed in 1980 the U.S. has admitted a little over 3 million refugees.

The Welcome Corps program comes on the heels of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-russia-ukraine-united-states-immigration-477d06070766db3800efd03528c845ec">similar, smaller scale endeavor</a>&nbsp;under which Americans were able to sponsor Afghans or Ukrainians. That program launched in October 2021 and has helped just over 800 people coming to America through a network of 230 certified sponsor circles that included a total of about 5,000 people.

Sasha Chanoff, founder and chief executive of Boston-based RefugePoint, which supports Afghan refugees, said Canada has long used a similar model to help resettle refugees. Chanoff said the sponsor circle program capitalizes on the huge amount of goodwill among Americans to sponsor refugees, something that crosses political divides.

“This represents perhaps a unique opportunity in our history — certainly in our recent history — to really open up space for Americans to protect lives by sponsoring a family,” he said. “We’ve seen the incredible interest among the American public — Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conservatives, veterans, so many others across the political spectrum.”

President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/02/04/executive-order-on-rebuilding-and-enhancing-programs-to-resettle-refugees-and-planning-for-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-migration/">pledged in a 2021 executive order</a>&nbsp;to restore the U.S. as the world’s haven and he called for private sponsorship of refugees. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. had largely rolled back the refugee program.

But Thursday's announcement comes as the U.S. is woefully off track if it hopes to meet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-and-politics-b19f7754da4cc6d55dfb84b4da7152ea">Biden's goal of 125,000 refugees admitted</a>&nbsp;into the U.S. during the 2023 budget year.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wrapsnet.org/documents/Refugee%20Arrivals%20by%20State%20and%20Nationality%20as%20of%2031%20Dec%202022.pdf">According to State Department data</a>, the U.S. has admitted just 6,750 refugees to the country through December — three months into the fiscal year.

Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service commended the Biden administration’s “forward-thinking” program which has “potential to strengthen ties between refugees and the communities they will call home.” But Vignarajah also noted the low number of refugee admissions. The group is a national nonprofit that helps refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants.

“The Biden administration must prioritize the streamlining of refugee admissions, which remain regrettably low this fiscal year. Without urgent action to increase efficiency, it risks letting the compassion of individual sponsors and the expertise of professional refugee resettlement organizations go to waste," Vignarajah said in a statement.

Assistant Secretary of State Julieta Valles Noyes told reporters Thursday that the agency responsible for interviewing refugees overseas had conducted over 20,000 interviews during the first quarter of the year and that she was “confident” that the numbers of refugees arriving in the months ahead would increase.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A government program launched Thursday is giving American citizens the chance to play a role in resettling the thousands of refugees who arrive every year in the United States.During the first year of&nbsp;<a href="https://welcomecorps.org/">the Welcome Corps</a>, the State Department aims to line up 10,000 Americans who can help 5,000 refugees adjust to life in the United States.“By tapping into the goodwill of American communities, the Welcome Corps will expand our country’s capacity to provide a warm welcome to higher numbers of refugees,” the department said in announcing the effort.When refugees from around the world arrive in the U.S., they face a dramatically different way of life. To ease that transition, the department traditionally has worked with nonprofit groups that specialize in refugee issues. Under the new program, five or more Americans could form a group and help fill this role, as well.They would apply to privately sponsor refugees to resettle in the U.S. and would be responsible for raising their own money to help the refugees over the first 90 days. Assistance would include everything from greeting refugees at the airport to finding them place to live and getting kids enrolled in school.A consortium of nonprofits with expertise in refugee resettlement will help oversee the vetting and certification of people and groups who want to be private sponsors. They also will offer training so private sponsors understand what's needed to help refugees adjusting to life in America. The consortium will be responsible for monitoring the program.The program will roll out in two phases. First, private sponsors will be matched with refugees already approved for resettlement under the U.S. Refugee Assistance Program. That will start during the first half of 2023.Later, private sponsors could identify refugees abroad they would like to help and then refer those people to the Refugee Assistance Program and assist them once they arrive in the U.S.The program is different from a recent initiative that allows 30,000 people into the country a month from Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela. They also need a sponsor but are being admitted to the U.S. under a humanitarian parole designation that lasts two years and offers no path to becoming permanent residents or citizens.Under the refugee program, people fleeing violence or persecution can come to the U.S. and stay permanently. Since the Refugee Act was passed in 1980 the U.S. has admitted a little over 3 million refugees.The Welcome Corps program comes on the heels of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-russia-ukraine-united-states-immigration-477d06070766db3800efd03528c845ec">similar, smaller scale endeavor</a>&nbsp;under which Americans were able to sponsor Afghans or Ukrainians. That program launched in October 2021 and has helped just over 800 people coming to America through a network of 230 certified sponsor circles that included a total of about 5,000 people.Sasha Chanoff, founder and chief executive of Boston-based RefugePoint, which supports Afghan refugees, said Canada has long used a similar model to help resettle refugees. Chanoff said the sponsor circle program capitalizes on the huge amount of goodwill among Americans to sponsor refugees, something that crosses political divides.“This represents perhaps a unique opportunity in our history — certainly in our recent history — to really open up space for Americans to protect lives by sponsoring a family,” he said. “We’ve seen the incredible interest among the American public — Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conservatives, veterans, so many others across the political spectrum.”President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/02/04/executive-order-on-rebuilding-and-enhancing-programs-to-resettle-refugees-and-planning-for-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-migration/">pledged in a 2021 executive order</a>&nbsp;to restore the U.S. as the world’s haven and he called for private sponsorship of refugees. Under President Donald Trump, the U.S. had largely rolled back the refugee program.But Thursday's announcement comes as the U.S. is woefully off track if it hopes to meet&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-and-politics-b19f7754da4cc6d55dfb84b4da7152ea">Biden's goal of 125,000 refugees admitted</a>&nbsp;into the U.S. during the 2023 budget year.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wrapsnet.org/documents/Refugee%20Arrivals%20by%20State%20and%20Nationality%20as%20of%2031%20Dec%202022.pdf">According to State Department data</a>, the U.S. has admitted just 6,750 refugees to the country through December — three months into the fiscal year.Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service commended the Biden administration’s “forward-thinking” program which has “potential to strengthen ties between refugees and the communities they will call home.” But Vignarajah also noted the low number of refugee admissions. The group is a national nonprofit that helps refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants.“The Biden administration must prioritize the streamlining of refugee admissions, which remain regrettably low this fiscal year. Without urgent action to increase efficiency, it risks letting the compassion of individual sponsors and the expertise of professional refugee resettlement organizations go to waste," Vignarajah said in a statement.Assistant Secretary of State Julieta Valles Noyes told reporters Thursday that the agency responsible for interviewing refugees overseas had conducted over 20,000 interviews during the first quarter of the year and that she was “confident” that the numbers of refugees arriving in the months ahead would increase.__

US citizens get chance to play role in resettling refugees

Donald Eugene Tracy, 87, passed away January 18, 2023, at his home in
 Great Bend. He was born October 31, 1935, to Frank and Hilda 
(Scheuerman) Tracy in Great Bend. He married Mary Jean (Apel) Miller 
October 30, 1954, and they were later divorced. He then married Andra 
(Hunsley) Lehr December 20, 1973, in Great Bend. She died November 25, 
2017.

A lifetime Great Bend resident, Don was the parts manager for 
Spruill’s Motor Company, Great Bend, and Jeff O’Neil Ford in Hutchinson.
 He then became an adjuster for Farm Bureau Insurance. He was a member 
of Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, and Lake Barton Golf Club. Don 
enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, cooking and baking, and was known for his famous
 “big” cookies.&nbsp; Above all, he enjoyed spending time with family and 
time at the golf course, where if he wasn’t playing a round, you could 
find him in the clubhouse with friends or on the mower.

Survivors include, his children, Becky Draney and husband Ron of 
Great Bend, Chanda Barth of Picayune, Miss., Tammara Tracy and Mary 
Byrne of Paducah, Kent., Trish Lentz of Lyndon, Joe Tracy and wife Kay, 
Geoffrey Tracy and wife Debbie and Kenny Tracy and wife Pam, all of 
Great Bend, and Dan Lehr and wife Teresa of Hutchinson; a sister, Janet 
Lohrding of Bella Vista, Ark.; 18 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren;
 and 4 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his 
parents; his wife, Andra; two sons-in-law, Paul Lentz and Rod Barth; a 
brother, Norman Tracy; grandson, Larry Lehr Cutter; and a sister, Janice
 Dennis.

Visitation will be held Noon to 8:00 p.m., Monday, January 23, 2023, 
at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00
 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 24, 
2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Randy Maki presiding. 
Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend. 

Memorials have
 been designated to Trinity Lutheran Church - Social Concerns and Lake 
Barton Golf Club, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674230216140.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Donald Eugene Tracy, 87, passed away January 18, 2023, at his home in
 Great Bend. He was born October 31, 1935, to Frank and Hilda 
(Scheuerman) Tracy in Great Bend. He married Mary Jean (Apel) Miller 
October 30, 1954, and they were later divorced. He then married Andra 
(Hunsley) Lehr December 20, 1973, in Great Bend. She died November 25, 
2017.A lifetime Great Bend resident, Don was the parts manager for 
Spruill’s Motor Company, Great Bend, and Jeff O’Neil Ford in Hutchinson.
 He then became an adjuster for Farm Bureau Insurance. He was a member 
of Trinity Lutheran Church, Great Bend, and Lake Barton Golf Club. Don 
enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, cooking and baking, and was known for his famous
 “big” cookies.&nbsp; Above all, he enjoyed spending time with family and 
time at the golf course, where if he wasn’t playing a round, you could 
find him in the clubhouse with friends or on the mower.Survivors include, his children, Becky Draney and husband Ron of 
Great Bend, Chanda Barth of Picayune, Miss., Tammara Tracy and Mary 
Byrne of Paducah, Kent., Trish Lentz of Lyndon, Joe Tracy and wife Kay, 
Geoffrey Tracy and wife Debbie and Kenny Tracy and wife Pam, all of 
Great Bend, and Dan Lehr and wife Teresa of Hutchinson; a sister, Janet 
Lohrding of Bella Vista, Ark.; 18 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren;
 and 4 great great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his 
parents; his wife, Andra; two sons-in-law, Paul Lentz and Rod Barth; a 
brother, Norman Tracy; grandson, Larry Lehr Cutter; and a sister, Janice
 Dennis.Visitation will be held Noon to 8:00 p.m., Monday, January 23, 2023, 
at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00
 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, January 24, 
2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Reverend Randy Maki presiding. 
Interment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Great Bend. Memorials have
 been designated to Trinity Lutheran Church - Social Concerns and Lake 
Barton Golf Club, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

Donald Eugene Tracy

Rosa Lee (McMurry) Freeman was born in Greensburg, KS,&nbsp;on October 14, 1926. &nbsp;She&nbsp;was the daughter of William Lynn and&nbsp;Rhuy&nbsp;K.&nbsp;(Williams)&nbsp;McMurry. &nbsp;Rosa Lee passed away on January 18, 2023,&nbsp;in WaKeeney, KS. &nbsp;

She grew up on the family farm near&nbsp;Mullinville, KS,&nbsp;with her three&nbsp;brothers and two sisters. &nbsp;Rosa Leegraduated from&nbsp;Mullinville&nbsp;High School,&nbsp;Mullinville, KS,&nbsp;in 1945,&nbsp;and then attended Wichita Beauty School,graduating&nbsp;in 1946. &nbsp;She had&nbsp;a&nbsp;shop&nbsp;in Greensburg until meeting and marrying Lloyd E. Freeman in 1948. &nbsp;They lived in Greensburg and then moved to Clarksville, AR,&nbsp;where Lloyd was in school at the College of the Ozarks. &nbsp;In 1950,&nbsp;they&nbsp;moved to&nbsp;the&nbsp;Abbyville,&nbsp;KS,&nbsp;area where Lloyd farmed and drove a Standard Oil fuel truck. &nbsp;From&nbsp;Abbyville,&nbsp;they moved to Jamestown, KS,&nbsp;and Pratt, KS,&nbsp;and finally&nbsp;to WaKeeney, KS,&nbsp;in 1958.She was a homemaker until they began operating the Standard&nbsp;Oil&nbsp;Truck Stop on I-70 in 1963.&nbsp;&nbsp;After selling the truck stop, Rosa Lee worked at the local IGA grocery store. &nbsp;She was active in the Methodist Church and&nbsp;after retirement&nbsp;she&nbsp;volunteered&nbsp;in&nbsp;the hospital gift shop. &nbsp;

Rosa Lee&nbsp;was&nbsp;preceded in death by:&nbsp;her&nbsp;parents;&nbsp;husband,&nbsp;Lloyd Freeman;&nbsp;son,&nbsp;Donald Freeman;&nbsp;infant grandson,&nbsp;Jarod Ray&nbsp;Freeman;&nbsp;infant brother,&nbsp;Donald McMurry;&nbsp;sisters,&nbsp;Ruth&nbsp;Freeman&nbsp;and&nbsp;Harriet George;&nbsp;and brother,&nbsp;Dale McMurry; son-in-law Brian Hill.&nbsp;

She is survived by: her&nbsp;brother,&nbsp;William&nbsp;‘Bill’&nbsp;(Elaine)&nbsp;McMurry;&nbsp;children,&nbsp;Karen Cole of Manhattan, Christine&nbsp;(JC)&nbsp;Statler&nbsp;of Wichita, Ronald&nbsp;(Elaine)&nbsp;Freeman&nbsp;of WaKeeney,&nbsp;and Alan&nbsp;(Cindy)&nbsp;Freeman&nbsp;of Hutchinson; grandchildren,&nbsp;Jason&nbsp;(Sheila)&nbsp;Cole&nbsp;and&nbsp;children,&nbsp;Connor, Dillon,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Clare; Bradley&nbsp;(Jen)&nbsp;Cole; Melissa&nbsp;Statler (Tan)&nbsp;Do and children,&nbsp;Maisy, Chase, Mallory,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Simon; Matthieu&nbsp;(Sarah)&nbsp;Statler and children,&nbsp;Joel, Hudson,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jude; Morgan&nbsp;Statler (David)&nbsp;Hogland&nbsp;and children,&nbsp;Brayden&nbsp;and&nbsp;Asher; Megan&nbsp;(Justin)&nbsp;Bland&nbsp;and children,&nbsp;Carlee, Austyn,&nbsp;and&nbsp;SenaKay;&nbsp;Robynn&nbsp;(Dustin)&nbsp;Hickert&nbsp;and children,&nbsp;Stella&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mason; Megan&nbsp;(Royce)&nbsp;Purinton&nbsp;and children,&nbsp;Chloe,&nbsp;Isaac,&nbsp;Amelia, and&nbsp;Caroline;&nbsp;and&nbsp;Casey&nbsp;(Tyler)&nbsp;Freeman.

Family graveside service will be&nbsp;11 a.m.,&nbsp;Friday,&nbsp;January 27, 2023,&nbsp;at Fairview Cemetery, Elmer, KS.&nbsp;&nbsp;Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.&nbsp;Monday through&nbsp;Saturday&nbsp;and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to&nbsp;Fairview Cemetery&nbsp;or Trego Hospital Endowment&nbsp;Foundation&nbsp;Inc.,&nbsp;in care of Elliott Mortuary&nbsp;and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674227831872.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rosa Lee (McMurry) Freeman was born in Greensburg, KS,&nbsp;on October 14, 1926. &nbsp;She&nbsp;was the daughter of William Lynn and&nbsp;Rhuy&nbsp;K.&nbsp;(Williams)&nbsp;McMurry. &nbsp;Rosa Lee passed away on January 18, 2023,&nbsp;in WaKeeney, KS. &nbsp;She grew up on the family farm near&nbsp;Mullinville, KS,&nbsp;with her three&nbsp;brothers and two sisters. &nbsp;Rosa Leegraduated from&nbsp;Mullinville&nbsp;High School,&nbsp;Mullinville, KS,&nbsp;in 1945,&nbsp;and then attended Wichita Beauty School,graduating&nbsp;in 1946. &nbsp;She had&nbsp;a&nbsp;shop&nbsp;in Greensburg until meeting and marrying Lloyd E. Freeman in 1948. &nbsp;They lived in Greensburg and then moved to Clarksville, AR,&nbsp;where Lloyd was in school at the College of the Ozarks. &nbsp;In 1950,&nbsp;they&nbsp;moved to&nbsp;the&nbsp;Abbyville,&nbsp;KS,&nbsp;area where Lloyd farmed and drove a Standard Oil fuel truck. &nbsp;From&nbsp;Abbyville,&nbsp;they moved to Jamestown, KS,&nbsp;and Pratt, KS,&nbsp;and finally&nbsp;to WaKeeney, KS,&nbsp;in 1958.She was a homemaker until they began operating the Standard&nbsp;Oil&nbsp;Truck Stop on I-70 in 1963.&nbsp;&nbsp;After selling the truck stop, Rosa Lee worked at the local IGA grocery store. &nbsp;She was active in the Methodist Church and&nbsp;after retirement&nbsp;she&nbsp;volunteered&nbsp;in&nbsp;the hospital gift shop. &nbsp;Rosa Lee&nbsp;was&nbsp;preceded in death by:&nbsp;her&nbsp;parents;&nbsp;husband,&nbsp;Lloyd Freeman;&nbsp;son,&nbsp;Donald Freeman;&nbsp;infant grandson,&nbsp;Jarod Ray&nbsp;Freeman;&nbsp;infant brother,&nbsp;Donald McMurry;&nbsp;sisters,&nbsp;Ruth&nbsp;Freeman&nbsp;and&nbsp;Harriet George;&nbsp;and brother,&nbsp;Dale McMurry; son-in-law Brian Hill.&nbsp;She is survived by: her&nbsp;brother,&nbsp;William&nbsp;‘Bill’&nbsp;(Elaine)&nbsp;McMurry;&nbsp;children,&nbsp;Karen Cole of Manhattan, Christine&nbsp;(JC)&nbsp;Statler&nbsp;of Wichita, Ronald&nbsp;(Elaine)&nbsp;Freeman&nbsp;of WaKeeney,&nbsp;and Alan&nbsp;(Cindy)&nbsp;Freeman&nbsp;of Hutchinson; grandchildren,&nbsp;Jason&nbsp;(Sheila)&nbsp;Cole&nbsp;and&nbsp;children,&nbsp;Connor, Dillon,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Clare; Bradley&nbsp;(Jen)&nbsp;Cole; Melissa&nbsp;Statler (Tan)&nbsp;Do and children,&nbsp;Maisy, Chase, Mallory,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Simon; Matthieu&nbsp;(Sarah)&nbsp;Statler and children,&nbsp;Joel, Hudson,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Jude; Morgan&nbsp;Statler (David)&nbsp;Hogland&nbsp;and children,&nbsp;Brayden&nbsp;and&nbsp;Asher; Megan&nbsp;(Justin)&nbsp;Bland&nbsp;and children,&nbsp;Carlee, Austyn,&nbsp;and&nbsp;SenaKay;&nbsp;Robynn&nbsp;(Dustin)&nbsp;Hickert&nbsp;and children,&nbsp;Stella&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mason; Megan&nbsp;(Royce)&nbsp;Purinton&nbsp;and children,&nbsp;Chloe,&nbsp;Isaac,&nbsp;Amelia, and&nbsp;Caroline;&nbsp;and&nbsp;Casey&nbsp;(Tyler)&nbsp;Freeman.Family graveside service will be&nbsp;11 a.m.,&nbsp;Friday,&nbsp;January 27, 2023,&nbsp;at Fairview Cemetery, Elmer, KS.&nbsp;&nbsp;Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.&nbsp;Monday through&nbsp;Saturday&nbsp;and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to&nbsp;Fairview Cemetery&nbsp;or Trego Hospital Endowment&nbsp;Foundation&nbsp;Inc.,&nbsp;in care of Elliott Mortuary&nbsp;and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Rosa Lee (McMurry) Freeman

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A federal jury convicted a Kansas man on Thursday after he admitted in court that he threatened to kill U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner.

Chase Neill was found guilty after acting as his own attorney and questioning the congressman on the witness stand. Neill also testified during the trial, and he told jurors he was a messenger from God and that he threatened LaTurner for ignoring his concerns about sorcery, wizards, extraterrestrials and a war for people's souls.

Federal prosecutors said Neill, 32, from Lawrence in northeastern Kansas, fixated on LaTurner before leaving an after-hours voicemail with the congressman’s Topeka office that included, “I will kill you.” Neill’s trial comes amid a sharp rise in reported threats against elected officials and their families.

Representing himself in court, Neill admitted that he left that message and others with more death threats the next day. But he told jurors that he was merely the messenger, telling LaTurner and other officials that they faced death by an act of God, such as a tornado or hurricane, for attacking God’s creation.

“This is not me saying, ‘I’m going to chase you down with a knife,’ or something like that,” Neill said in his closing argument.

Presiding U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter had Neill present his testimony Thursday as a narrative from the witness stand because he is acting as his own attorney. He interrupted his comments to get documents projected on four big screens behind him and to conference with the judge and prosecutors over what evidence he could present. Prosecutors did not cross-examine him.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">He faced a single count</a>&nbsp;of threatening a U.S. government official, punishable by 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The jury must decide whether his June 5 voicemail represents a true threat and whether Neill intended to intimidate LaTurner or interefere with LaTurner’s work as a congressman.

“You cannot cloak yourself in religious belief and justify such a threat,” federal prosecutor Stephen Hunting said in his closing remarks. “There is a line you cannot cross.”

Threats against members of Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">have increased</a>&nbsp;since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In October, an intruder severely beat former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-35db5c9eec87b85ca8eb95a64c2f6dd7">Local school board members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">election workers</a>&nbsp;across the nation also have endured harassment and threats. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this week arrested a failed Republican legislative candidate over a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-1410b516f5b66c18d62342a0d7a9b60f">series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting elected Democratic officials’ homes or offices.

In Neill’s case, he said his concerns about a war for souls were sparked by a&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/13/kelly-uses-veto-authority-to-reject-infectious-disease-medicaid-and-election-bills/">May 13 story</a>&nbsp;on the Kansas Reflector news site about a legislative debate in which a western Kansas lawmaker urged colleagues to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a measure that would have restricted public health officials’ power in epidemics following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republican state Rep. Tatum Lee was quoted as saying, “The war is real you all. We are fighting for the soul of our nation.”

In court Thursday, Neill told jurors he values his soul and was required by God to act when he “heard the sound of the trumpet.”

He also showed jurors a LinkedIn page for himself, saying he dealt with “matters concerning over 400 million lives lost with high sorcery.”

“I am held to an obligation by our Creator,” Neill said.

LaTurner testified Wednesday that the June 5 voicemail made him concerned about the safety of his family and staff and prompted him to beef up security at his home and Topeka office.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/topeka-kansas-lawrence-df22820adfa2c5515085eb20279317a0">Cross-examined by Neill</a>, the congressman said he considered some of Neill’s language “ridiculous talk” but added, “I’m more focused on the the threats of death.”

A U.S. magistrate judge said in an August order refusing to release Neill from custody that Neill had suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.” Neill told jurors Thursday that in 2018, “God came to me very directly,” without elaborating.

But the trial judge concluded last month that Neill is capable of following what goes on in court and assisting his lawyers, making him mentally competent to stand trial. She granted his request to act as his own attorney, starting Wednesday.

Neill, a convert to Judaism, said his special relationship with God causes natural events, including a hurricane and fires. He said he conveyed messages to LaTurner even though he knew it would likely result in his being prosecuted.

“I’m really trying to explain how I interact with God, and it’s a difficult explanation,” Neill told jurors during his testimony. “I apologize.”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A jury began deliberating Thursday in the federal criminal case of a man who told them that a death threat he made against U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner came from God, prompted by the Kansas Republican ignoring concerns about sorcery, wizards, extraterrestrials and a war for people's souls.

Federal prosecutors say Chase Neill, 32, from Lawrence in northeastern Kansas, fixated on LaTurner before leaving an after-hours voicemail with the congressman's Topeka office that included, “I will kill you.” Neill's trial comes amid a sharp rise in reported threats against elected officials and their families.

Representing himself in court, Neill admitted that he left that message and others with more death threats the next day. But he told jurors that he was merely the messenger, telling LaTurner and other officials that they faced death by an act of God, such as a tornado or hurricane, for attacking God's creation.

“This is not me saying, ‘I’m going to chase you down with a knife,' or something like that,” Neill said in his closing argument.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">He is charged</a>&nbsp;with a single count of threatening a U.S. government official, punishable by 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The jury must decide whether his June 5 voicemail represents a true threat and whether Neill intended to intimidate LaTurner or interefere with LaTurner's work as a congressman.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-35db5c9eec87b85ca8eb95a64c2f6dd7">Local school board members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">election workers</a>&nbsp;across the nation also have endured harassment and threats. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this week arrested a failed Republican legislative candidate over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-1410b516f5b66c18d62342a0d7a9b60f">a series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting elected Democratic officials’ homes or offices.

In Neill's case, he said his concerns about a war for souls were sparked by a&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/13/kelly-uses-veto-authority-to-reject-infectious-disease-medicaid-and-election-bills/">May 13 story</a>&nbsp;on the Kansas Reflector news site about a legislative debate in which a western Kansas lawmaker urged colleagues to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of a measure that would have restricted public health officials' power in epidemics following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republican state Rep. Tatum Lee, was quoted as saying, “The war is real you all. We are fighting for the soul of our nation."

LaTurner testified Wednesday that the June 5 voicemail made him concerned about the safety of his family and staff and prompted him to beef up security at his home and Topeka office.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/topeka-kansas-lawrence-df22820adfa2c5515085eb20279317a0">Cross-examined by Neill,</a>&nbsp;the congressman said he considered some of Neill's language “ridiculous talk” but added, “I'm more focused on the the threats of death.”

“I'm really trying to explain how I interact with God, and it's a difficult explanation,” Neill told jurors during his testimony. “I apologize.”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man told jurors Thursday that a death threat he made against U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner came from God, prompted by the Kansas Republican ignoring concerns about sorcery, wizards, extraterrestrials and a war for people's souls.

“I'm not going to try to pursue him for some sort of violent crime,” Neill said.

Presiding U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter had Neill present his case as a narrative from the witness stand because he is acting as his own attorney. He interrupted his comments to get documents projected on four big screens behind him and to conference with the judge and prosecutors over what evidence he could present. Prosecutors did not cross-examine him, clearing the way for closing statements.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">He is charged</a>&nbsp;with a single count of threatening a public official, punishable by 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The jury will have to decide whether his June 5 voicemail represented a true threat meant to interfere with LaTurner's official duties.

“I'm really trying to explain how I interact with God, and it's a difficult explanation,” Neill told jurors. “I apologize.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673992624611.png" alt="Neill-photo Shawnee Co.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Neill-photo Shawnee Co.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A federal jury convicted a Kansas man on Thursday after he admitted in court that he threatened to kill U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner.Chase Neill was found guilty after acting as his own attorney and questioning the congressman on the witness stand. Neill also testified during the trial, and he told jurors he was a messenger from God and that he threatened LaTurner for ignoring his concerns about sorcery, wizards, extraterrestrials and a war for people's souls.Federal prosecutors said Neill, 32, from Lawrence in northeastern Kansas, fixated on LaTurner before leaving an after-hours voicemail with the congressman’s Topeka office that included, “I will kill you.” Neill’s trial comes amid a sharp rise in reported threats against elected officials and their families.Representing himself in court, Neill admitted that he left that message and others with more death threats the next day. But he told jurors that he was merely the messenger, telling LaTurner and other officials that they faced death by an act of God, such as a tornado or hurricane, for attacking God’s creation.“This is not me saying, ‘I’m going to chase you down with a knife,’ or something like that,” Neill said in his closing argument.Presiding U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter had Neill present his testimony Thursday as a narrative from the witness stand because he is acting as his own attorney. He interrupted his comments to get documents projected on four big screens behind him and to conference with the judge and prosecutors over what evidence he could present. Prosecutors did not cross-examine him.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">He faced a single count</a>&nbsp;of threatening a U.S. government official, punishable by 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The jury must decide whether his June 5 voicemail represents a true threat and whether Neill intended to intimidate LaTurner or interefere with LaTurner’s work as a congressman.“You cannot cloak yourself in religious belief and justify such a threat,” federal prosecutor Stephen Hunting said in his closing remarks. “There is a line you cannot cross.”Threats against members of Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">have increased</a>&nbsp;since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In October, an intruder severely beat former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-35db5c9eec87b85ca8eb95a64c2f6dd7">Local school board members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">election workers</a>&nbsp;across the nation also have endured harassment and threats. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this week arrested a failed Republican legislative candidate over a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-1410b516f5b66c18d62342a0d7a9b60f">series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting elected Democratic officials’ homes or offices.In Neill’s case, he said his concerns about a war for souls were sparked by a&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/13/kelly-uses-veto-authority-to-reject-infectious-disease-medicaid-and-election-bills/">May 13 story</a>&nbsp;on the Kansas Reflector news site about a legislative debate in which a western Kansas lawmaker urged colleagues to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a measure that would have restricted public health officials’ power in epidemics following the COVID-19 pandemic.Republican state Rep. Tatum Lee was quoted as saying, “The war is real you all. We are fighting for the soul of our nation.”In court Thursday, Neill told jurors he values his soul and was required by God to act when he “heard the sound of the trumpet.”He also showed jurors a LinkedIn page for himself, saying he dealt with “matters concerning over 400 million lives lost with high sorcery.”“I am held to an obligation by our Creator,” Neill said.LaTurner testified Wednesday that the June 5 voicemail made him concerned about the safety of his family and staff and prompted him to beef up security at his home and Topeka office.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/topeka-kansas-lawrence-df22820adfa2c5515085eb20279317a0">Cross-examined by Neill</a>, the congressman said he considered some of Neill’s language “ridiculous talk” but added, “I’m more focused on the the threats of death.”A U.S. magistrate judge said in an August order refusing to release Neill from custody that Neill had suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.” Neill told jurors Thursday that in 2018, “God came to me very directly,” without elaborating.But the trial judge concluded last month that Neill is capable of following what goes on in court and assisting his lawyers, making him mentally competent to stand trial. She granted his request to act as his own attorney, starting Wednesday.Neill, a convert to Judaism, said his special relationship with God causes natural events, including a hurricane and fires. He said he conveyed messages to LaTurner even though he knew it would likely result in his being prosecuted.“I’m really trying to explain how I interact with God, and it’s a difficult explanation,” Neill told jurors during his testimony. “I apologize.”___TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A jury began deliberating Thursday in the federal criminal case of a man who told them that a death threat he made against U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner came from God, prompted by the Kansas Republican ignoring concerns about sorcery, wizards, extraterrestrials and a war for people's souls.Federal prosecutors say Chase Neill, 32, from Lawrence in northeastern Kansas, fixated on LaTurner before leaving an after-hours voicemail with the congressman's Topeka office that included, “I will kill you.” Neill's trial comes amid a sharp rise in reported threats against elected officials and their families.Representing himself in court, Neill admitted that he left that message and others with more death threats the next day. But he told jurors that he was merely the messenger, telling LaTurner and other officials that they faced death by an act of God, such as a tornado or hurricane, for attacking God's creation.“This is not me saying, ‘I’m going to chase you down with a knife,' or something like that,” Neill said in his closing argument.Presiding U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter had Neill present his testimony Thursday as a narrative from the witness stand because he is acting as his own attorney. He interrupted his comments to get documents projected on four big screens behind him and to conference with the judge and prosecutors over what evidence he could present. Prosecutors did not cross-examine him.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">He is charged</a>&nbsp;with a single count of threatening a U.S. government official, punishable by 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The jury must decide whether his June 5 voicemail represents a true threat and whether Neill intended to intimidate LaTurner or interefere with LaTurner's work as a congressman.“You cannot cloak yourself in religious belief and justify such a threat,” federal prosecutor Stephen Hunting said in his closing remarks. “There is a line you cannot cross.”Threats against members of Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">have increased</a>&nbsp;since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In October, an intruder severely beat former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-35db5c9eec87b85ca8eb95a64c2f6dd7">Local school board members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">election workers</a>&nbsp;across the nation also have endured harassment and threats. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this week arrested a failed Republican legislative candidate over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-1410b516f5b66c18d62342a0d7a9b60f">a series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting elected Democratic officials’ homes or offices.In Neill's case, he said his concerns about a war for souls were sparked by a&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/13/kelly-uses-veto-authority-to-reject-infectious-disease-medicaid-and-election-bills/">May 13 story</a>&nbsp;on the Kansas Reflector news site about a legislative debate in which a western Kansas lawmaker urged colleagues to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of a measure that would have restricted public health officials' power in epidemics following the COVID-19 pandemic.Republican state Rep. Tatum Lee, was quoted as saying, “The war is real you all. We are fighting for the soul of our nation."In court Thursday, Neill told jurors he values his soul and was required by God to act when he “heard the sound of the trumpet.”He also showed jurors a LinkedIn page for himself, saying he dealt with “matters concerning over 400 million lives lost with high sorcery.”“I am held to an obligation by our Creator,” Neill said.LaTurner testified Wednesday that the June 5 voicemail made him concerned about the safety of his family and staff and prompted him to beef up security at his home and Topeka office.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/topeka-kansas-lawrence-df22820adfa2c5515085eb20279317a0">Cross-examined by Neill,</a>&nbsp;the congressman said he considered some of Neill's language “ridiculous talk” but added, “I'm more focused on the the threats of death.”A U.S. magistrate judge said in an August order refusing to release Neill from custody that Neill had suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.” Neill told jurors Thursday that in 2018, “God came to me very directly,” without elaborating.But the trial judge concluded last month that Neill is capable of following what goes on in court and assisting his lawyers, making him mentally competent to stand trial. She granted his request to act as his own attorney, starting Wednesday.Neill, a convert to Judaism, said his special relationship with God causes natural events, including a hurricane and fires. He said he conveyed messages to LaTurner even though he knew it would likely result in his being prosecuted.“I'm really trying to explain how I interact with God, and it's a difficult explanation,” Neill told jurors during his testimony. “I apologize.”-------------TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man told jurors Thursday that a death threat he made against U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner came from God, prompted by the Kansas Republican ignoring concerns about sorcery, wizards, extraterrestrials and a war for people's souls.Federal prosecutors say Chase Neill, 32, from Lawrence in northeastern Kansas, fixated on LaTurner before leaving an after-hours voicemail with the congressman's Topeka office that included, “I will kill you.” Neill's trial comes amid a sharp rise in reported threats against elected officials and their families.Representing himself in court, Neill admitted that he left that message and others with more death threats the next day. But he told jurors that he was merely the messenger, telling LaTurner and other officials that they faced death by an act of God, such as a tornado or hurricane, for attacking God's creation.“I'm not going to try to pursue him for some sort of violent crime,” Neill said.Presiding U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter had Neill present his case as a narrative from the witness stand because he is acting as his own attorney. He interrupted his comments to get documents projected on four big screens behind him and to conference with the judge and prosecutors over what evidence he could present. Prosecutors did not cross-examine him, clearing the way for closing statements.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">He is charged</a>&nbsp;with a single count of threatening a public official, punishable by 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. The jury will have to decide whether his June 5 voicemail represented a true threat meant to interfere with LaTurner's official duties.Threats against members of Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">have increased</a>&nbsp;since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In October, an intruder severely beat former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-35db5c9eec87b85ca8eb95a64c2f6dd7">Local school board members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">election workers</a>&nbsp;across the nation also have endured harassment and threats. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this week arrested a failed Republican legislative candidate over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-1410b516f5b66c18d62342a0d7a9b60f">a series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting elected Democratic officials’ homes or offices.In Neill's case, he said his concerns about a war for souls were sparked by a&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/05/13/kelly-uses-veto-authority-to-reject-infectious-disease-medicaid-and-election-bills/">May 13 story</a>&nbsp;on the Kansas Reflector news site about a legislative debate in which a western Kansas lawmaker urged colleagues to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of a measure that would have restricted public health officials' power in epidemics following the COVID-19 pandemic.Republican state Rep. Tatum Lee, was quoted as saying, “The war is real you all. We are fighting for the soul of our nation."In court Thursday, Neill told jurors he values his soul and was required by God to act when he “heard the sound of the trumpet.”He also showed jurors a LinkedIn page for himself, saying he dealt with “matters concerning over 400 million lives lost with high sorcery.”“I am held to an obligation by our Creator,” Neill said.LaTurner testified Wednesday that the June 5 voicemail made him concerned about the safety of his family and staff and prompted him to beef up security at his home and Topeka office.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/topeka-kansas-lawrence-df22820adfa2c5515085eb20279317a0">Cross-examined by Neill,</a>&nbsp;the congressman said he considered some of Neill's language “ridiculous talk” but added, “I'm more focused on the the threats of death.”A U.S. magistrate judge said in an August order refusing to release Neill from custody that Neill had suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.” Neill told jurors Thursday that in 2018, “God came to me very directly,” without elaborating.But the trial judge concluded last month that Neill is capable of following what goes on in court and assisting his lawyers, making him mentally competent to stand trial. She granted his request to act as his own attorney, starting Wednesday.Neill, a convert to Judaism, said his special relationship with God causes natural events, including a hurricane and fires. He said he conveyed messages to LaTurner even though he knew it would likely result in his being prosecuted.“I'm really trying to explain how I interact with God, and it's a difficult explanation,” Neill told jurors. “I apologize.”

Kansas man convicted of threatening to kill Kan. congressman

Manager Ramon Borrego returns for third season

The Minnesota Twins has announces its 2023 
Minor League coaching staffs, including the staff for their Double-A 
affiliate the Wichita Wind Surge.  

Ramon Borrego returns for his third season 
after leading the club to the best record in the Texas League in 2021 
(69-51) and 2022 (78-59). The club has played for the league title in 
both seasons, capturing a pair of division championships. Borrego was 
named the League’s Manager of the Year in 2021 and surpassed the 500-win
 mark in August 2022. He will be joined by Pitching Coaches Dan Urbina 
and DJ Engle, Hitting Coach Shawn Schlechter, Bench Coach Takashi 
Miyoshi, Athletic Trainer Tyler Blair and Katie Lortie, Strength and 
Conditioning Coach Jacob Needham, and Coordinator of Baseball Technology
 Chase Carder.

Borrego, who is entering his 14th 
season as a manager in the Twins organization, led his past five teams 
to the postseason, including the Surge in ’21 and ‘22 and a 2018 Florida
 State League Championship (Single-A, Ft. Myers). This year is Ramon’s 
fourth season at the Double-A level having led the Southern League 
Pensacola Blue Wahoos to a 76-63 record and to the playoff semifinals in
 2019. Originally signed by Minnesota on October 9, 1995 as an undrafted
 free agent, Borrego played in the Twins organization from 1996-2002. 
Ramon coached at the Twins Venezuelan Baseball Academy from 2004-2008, 
prior to starting his managerial career at the Twins Dominican Republic 
Baseball Academy in 2009.

Dan Urbina enters his fifth season in the 
Twins organization and returns to Wichita for his second season at the 
Double-A level. Urbina guided the Wind Surge pitching staff to the 
league’s best ERA in 2022. Previously, he was a Pitching Coach in the 
Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 18 seasons and pitched for three 
seasons in the Los Angeles Dodgers.  

DJ Engle enters his third season with the 
Twins organization after having spent the 2022 season with the Twins 
Dominican Summer League team. The Wisconsin native has a Kansas 
background spending two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at 
McPherson College after earning his master’s at Fort Hays State 
University.

Shawn Schlechter begins his fourth season in the Twins organization 
after serving as Hitting Coach for the Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels in 
2022. Schlechter spent eight years at North Iowa Community College, 
first as a player and then as a coach. 

Takashi Miyoshi begins his sixth year with 
the Twins organization. In 2022, he was the Bench Coach with Class-A 
Fort Myers and in 2021 was the Florida Coast League Manager. Miyoshi 
managed three seasons in the Pacific Association for the Sonoma Stompers
 and was named manager of the year in 2016 and 2017 and guided the club 
to the league title in ‘16.   

Tyler Blair returns to Wichita and will be 
joined by Katie Lortie as Wind Surge Athletic Trainers; they are joined 
by Strength and Conditioning Coach, Jacob Needham. Chase Carder returns 
to the Wind Surge as the Baseball Technology Coordinator.

The Surge open their third season on April 6th in Springfield and the home opener is set for April 11th at Riverfront Stadium against the NW Arkansas Naturals. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620213249405.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Manager Ramon Borrego returns for third season</h2>Wichita Wind SurgeThe Minnesota Twins has announces its 2023 
Minor League coaching staffs, including the staff for their Double-A 
affiliate the Wichita Wind Surge. Ramon Borrego returns for his third season 
after leading the club to the best record in the Texas League in 2021 
(69-51) and 2022 (78-59). The club has played for the league title in 
both seasons, capturing a pair of division championships. Borrego was 
named the League’s Manager of the Year in 2021 and surpassed the 500-win
 mark in August 2022. He will be joined by Pitching Coaches Dan Urbina 
and DJ Engle, Hitting Coach Shawn Schlechter, Bench Coach Takashi 
Miyoshi, Athletic Trainer Tyler Blair and Katie Lortie, Strength and 
Conditioning Coach Jacob Needham, and Coordinator of Baseball Technology
 Chase Carder.Borrego, who is entering his 14th 
season as a manager in the Twins organization, led his past five teams 
to the postseason, including the Surge in ’21 and ‘22 and a 2018 Florida
 State League Championship (Single-A, Ft. Myers). This year is Ramon’s 
fourth season at the Double-A level having led the Southern League 
Pensacola Blue Wahoos to a 76-63 record and to the playoff semifinals in
 2019. Originally signed by Minnesota on October 9, 1995 as an undrafted
 free agent, Borrego played in the Twins organization from 1996-2002. 
Ramon coached at the Twins Venezuelan Baseball Academy from 2004-2008, 
prior to starting his managerial career at the Twins Dominican Republic 
Baseball Academy in 2009.Dan Urbina enters his fifth season in the 
Twins organization and returns to Wichita for his second season at the 
Double-A level. Urbina guided the Wind Surge pitching staff to the 
league’s best ERA in 2022. Previously, he was a Pitching Coach in the 
Pittsburgh Pirates organization for 18 seasons and pitched for three 
seasons in the Los Angeles Dodgers. DJ Engle enters his third season with the 
Twins organization after having spent the 2022 season with the Twins 
Dominican Summer League team. The Wisconsin native has a Kansas 
background spending two seasons as a graduate assistant coach at 
McPherson College after earning his master’s at Fort Hays State 
University.Shawn Schlechter begins his fourth season in the Twins organization 
after serving as Hitting Coach for the Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels in 
2022. Schlechter spent eight years at North Iowa Community College, 
first as a player and then as a coach. Takashi Miyoshi begins his sixth year with 
the Twins organization. In 2022, he was the Bench Coach with Class-A 
Fort Myers and in 2021 was the Florida Coast League Manager. Miyoshi 
managed three seasons in the Pacific Association for the Sonoma Stompers
 and was named manager of the year in 2016 and 2017 and guided the club 
to the league title in ‘16. Tyler Blair returns to Wichita and will be 
joined by Katie Lortie as Wind Surge Athletic Trainers; they are joined 
by Strength and Conditioning Coach, Jacob Needham. Chase Carder returns 
to the Wind Surge as the Baseball Technology Coordinator.The Surge open their third season on April 6th in Springfield and the home opener is set for April 11th at Riverfront Stadium against the NW Arkansas Naturals.

⚾ FHSU alum enters third season as Twins minor league pitching coach

The Federal 
Trade Commission opened a claims process for former AT&amp;T customers 
who have yet to claim a refund stemming from the FTC’s lawsuit against 
the company for misleading consumers about its unlimited data plans.

Former AT&amp;T
 customers may be eligible to claim a refund from the $7 million 
remaining in a fund created to settle allegations that the wireless 
provider charged for “unlimited” data plans while reducing their data speeds, a practice known as throttling.

The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2019/11/att-pay-60-million-resolve-ftc-allegations-it-misled-consumers-unlimited-data-promises">FTC in 2019 required AT&amp;T to provide $60 million</a>
 for refunds for failing to disclose to millions of smartphone customers
 with unlimited data plans that once they reached a certain amount of 
data use in a given billing cycle, AT&amp;T would reduce or throttle 
their data speeds. Some customers experienced data speeds so slow that 
many common phone applications, such as web browsing and video 
streaming, became difficult or nearly impossible to use.

The money paid by AT&amp;T was 
deposited into a fund that the company used to provide partial refunds 
to current and former customers who had unlimited plans that were 
throttled by AT&amp;T. The company gave a bill credit to current 
AT&amp;T customers and sent refund checks to former customers.

AT&amp;T has not been able to 
reach everyone who was eligible for a refund. The FTC is using the 
remaining $7 million from the fund to provide partial refunds to 
consumers who meet all these requirements:

Consumers who meet these requirements can submit a claim online at <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/ATT">www.ftc.gov/ATT</a>. Consumers can contact the claims administrator by calling 1-877-654-1982 or emailing <a href="mailto:info@ATTDataThrottling.com">info@ATTDataThrottling.com</a>

 if they have questions or if they would like to request a claim form. Consumers have until May 18, 2023, to submit a claim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619632629588.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FTCThe Federal 
Trade Commission opened a claims process for former AT&amp;T customers 
who have yet to claim a refund stemming from the FTC’s lawsuit against 
the company for misleading consumers about its unlimited data plans.Former AT&amp;T
 customers may be eligible to claim a refund from the $7 million 
remaining in a fund created to settle allegations that the wireless 
provider charged for “unlimited” data plans while reducing their data speeds, a practice known as throttling.The <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2019/11/att-pay-60-million-resolve-ftc-allegations-it-misled-consumers-unlimited-data-promises">FTC in 2019 required AT&amp;T to provide $60 million</a>
 for refunds for failing to disclose to millions of smartphone customers
 with unlimited data plans that once they reached a certain amount of 
data use in a given billing cycle, AT&amp;T would reduce or throttle 
their data speeds. Some customers experienced data speeds so slow that 
many common phone applications, such as web browsing and video 
streaming, became difficult or nearly impossible to use.The money paid by AT&amp;T was 
deposited into a fund that the company used to provide partial refunds 
to current and former customers who had unlimited plans that were 
throttled by AT&amp;T. The company gave a bill credit to current 
AT&amp;T customers and sent refund checks to former customers.AT&amp;T has not been able to 
reach everyone who was eligible for a refund. The FTC is using the 
remaining $7 million from the fund to provide partial refunds to 
consumers who meet all these requirements:<ul>
 <li>they are a former AT&amp;T customer;</li><li>they had an unlimited data plan at some point between October 1, 2011 and June 30, 2015;</li><li>they experienced data throttling; and </li><li>they have not received a bill credit or payment from AT&amp;T related to this matter.</li>
 </ul>Consumers who meet these requirements can submit a claim online at <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/ATT">www.ftc.gov/ATT</a>. Consumers can contact the claims administrator by calling 1-877-654-1982 or emailing <a href="mailto:info@ATTDataThrottling.com">info@ATTDataThrottling.com</a> if they have questions or if they would like to request a claim form. Consumers have until May 18, 2023, to submit a claim.

AT&T throttle your wireless? Apply for a payment from FTC

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man on trial for threatening to kill U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner cross-examined the Kansas Republican on Wednesday in federal court, with the congressman rejecting the defendant's suggestions that he was conveying a message from God.

LaTurner was the last prosecution witness in the trial of Chase Neill, 32, from the northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence. Prosecutors contend that Neill, who is representing himself in court, became fixated on LaTurner and then made his threat in a June 5 phone message left after hours at LaTurner’s office in Topeka.

The trial came amid what authorities say is a sharp rise in threats against the nation’s lawmakers over the past two years. LaTurner testified that he beefed up the security at his Topeka office and home in response to Neill’s message because he worried about the safety of his family and staff.

Neill suggested Wednesday during his cross-examination of prosecution witnesses that he believes he is a “religious heir” whose message to LaTurner followed a tradition of Old Testament prophets following a duty of speaking for God and doing it as if they were God themselves. In questioning LaTurner, Neill asked whether it was reasonable for Neill to identify himself in his voicemail as the son of God.

“I thought the whole voicemail was unreasonable, especially the death threat parts,” LaTurner replied.

Before presiding U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter allowed Neill to take over his own defense Wednesday, federal public defenders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-government-kansas-state-lawrence-6fea225d8b04ecd4e9eb31b5acd65166">argued that Neill is harmless</a>&nbsp;because he expected God to send "meteors and plagues” to punish LaTurner and government officials across the Earth. The public defenders also said Neill never tried to get close to LaTurner and after Neill left the message, local authorities did not arrest him or send him to a mental health hospital or ward.

In the June voicemail message, Neill said he had contacted LaTurner’s office before about whether Congress was pursuing issues involving witchcraft, divination, wizards and “creatures.”

Threats against members of Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">have increased</a>&nbsp;since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In October, an intruder&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">severely beat</a>&nbsp;former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-35db5c9eec87b85ca8eb95a64c2f6dd7">Local school board members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">election workers</a>&nbsp;across the nation also have endured harassment and threats. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this week arrested a former Republican legislative candidate over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-1410b516f5b66c18d62342a0d7a9b60f">a series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting elected Democratic officials’ homes or offices, though none were injured.

Neill acknowledges that he left the voicemail message in June telling LaTurner, “I am saying that I will kill you,” but argues that his use of the phrase “act of God” in the same message means he was forwarding a message from God, not himself.

While LaTurner testified that he thought Neill was using some “ridiculous talk," he focused on the death threat. He received an anonymous written threat in the mailbox at his Topeka home early in 2021, when he first entered Congress.

As for the “act of God phrase, LaTurner told Neill: "I thought it meant something more nefarious, that there would be an attempt to kill me and it wouldn't be detectable.”

Neill's questioning of LaTurner was bizarrely low-key, with the clean-shaven LaTurner sitting at the witness stand in a dark suit and the bearded Neill at the lawyers' podium wearing khaki pants, a blue jacket and a dress shirt without a tie. Neill had a Bible with him at the podium.

His cross-examination of LaTurner ended abruptly after an objection from prosecutors to a question to the congressman, “Do you believe that God has a right to punish people?”

A U.S. magistrate judge said in an August order refusing to release Neill from custody that Neill had suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.” But Teeter concluded during a hearing last month that Neill was capable of following what was going on in court and assisting his lawyers, making him mentally competent to stand trial.

Twice within the past week, Neill asked to represent himself, withdrawing one request before his federal court jury was selected Tuesday. He said Wednesday in court that he has been portrayed as “a false Christ,” damaging his reputation.

Teeter granted the second request, finding it was his right to to represent himself and he could do so competently, despite his lack of legal training as a high school graduate with some college education. The judge warned Neill repeatedly Wednesday that she thought it unwise for him to represent himself, but he was adamant.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673992624611.png" alt="Neill is being held in Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Neill is being held in Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man on trial for threatening to kill U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner cross-examined the Kansas Republican on Wednesday in federal court, with the congressman rejecting the defendant's suggestions that he was conveying a message from God.LaTurner was the last prosecution witness in the trial of Chase Neill, 32, from the northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence. Prosecutors contend that Neill, who is representing himself in court, became fixated on LaTurner and then made his threat in a June 5 phone message left after hours at LaTurner’s office in Topeka.The trial came amid what authorities say is a sharp rise in threats against the nation’s lawmakers over the past two years. LaTurner testified that he beefed up the security at his Topeka office and home in response to Neill’s message because he worried about the safety of his family and staff.Neill suggested Wednesday during his cross-examination of prosecution witnesses that he believes he is a “religious heir” whose message to LaTurner followed a tradition of Old Testament prophets following a duty of speaking for God and doing it as if they were God themselves. In questioning LaTurner, Neill asked whether it was reasonable for Neill to identify himself in his voicemail as the son of God.“I thought the whole voicemail was unreasonable, especially the death threat parts,” LaTurner replied.Before presiding U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter allowed Neill to take over his own defense Wednesday, federal public defenders&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-government-kansas-state-lawrence-6fea225d8b04ecd4e9eb31b5acd65166">argued that Neill is harmless</a>&nbsp;because he expected God to send "meteors and plagues” to punish LaTurner and government officials across the Earth. The public defenders also said Neill never tried to get close to LaTurner and after Neill left the message, local authorities did not arrest him or send him to a mental health hospital or ward.In the June voicemail message, Neill said he had contacted LaTurner’s office before about whether Congress was pursuing issues involving witchcraft, divination, wizards and “creatures.”Threats against members of Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">have increased</a>&nbsp;since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In October, an intruder&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">severely beat</a>&nbsp;former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-35db5c9eec87b85ca8eb95a64c2f6dd7">Local school board members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">election workers</a>&nbsp;across the nation also have endured harassment and threats. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this week arrested a former Republican legislative candidate over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-1410b516f5b66c18d62342a0d7a9b60f">a series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting elected Democratic officials’ homes or offices, though none were injured.Neill acknowledges that he left the voicemail message in June telling LaTurner, “I am saying that I will kill you,” but argues that his use of the phrase “act of God” in the same message means he was forwarding a message from God, not himself.While LaTurner testified that he thought Neill was using some “ridiculous talk," he focused on the death threat. He received an anonymous written threat in the mailbox at his Topeka home early in 2021, when he first entered Congress.As for the “act of God phrase, LaTurner told Neill: "I thought it meant something more nefarious, that there would be an attempt to kill me and it wouldn't be detectable.”Neill's questioning of LaTurner was bizarrely low-key, with the clean-shaven LaTurner sitting at the witness stand in a dark suit and the bearded Neill at the lawyers' podium wearing khaki pants, a blue jacket and a dress shirt without a tie. Neill had a Bible with him at the podium.His cross-examination of LaTurner ended abruptly after an objection from prosecutors to a question to the congressman, “Do you believe that God has a right to punish people?”A U.S. magistrate judge said in an August order refusing to release Neill from custody that Neill had suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.” But Teeter concluded during a hearing last month that Neill was capable of following what was going on in court and assisting his lawyers, making him mentally competent to stand trial.Twice within the past week, Neill asked to represent himself, withdrawing one request before his federal court jury was selected Tuesday. He said Wednesday in court that he has been portrayed as “a false Christ,” damaging his reputation.Teeter granted the second request, finding it was his right to to represent himself and he could do so competently, despite his lack of legal training as a high school graduate with some college education. The judge warned Neill repeatedly Wednesday that she thought it unwise for him to represent himself, but he was adamant.

Defendant cross-examines Kansas congressman he threatened

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man charged with threatening to kill a Kansas congressman is harmless, believing he has a special relationship with God and his weapons are “meteors and plagues,” not “knives and guns,” a defense attorney argued Tuesday during a federal criminal trial.

The trial for Chase Neill, 32, began amid what authorities says is a sharp rise in threats to the nation's lawmakers and their families. Prosecutors say Neill became fixated on U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">threatened to kill him</a>&nbsp;in a June 5 voicemail left with the Republican congressman's Topeka office.

Prosecutors argue that Neill was upset with LaTurner, meant the June message as a death threat and prompted LaTurner and his staff to beef up security at his Topeka office. But defense attorneys argued that Neill also threatened “everyone in the universe” in the same call, and his concerns included witchcraft, unidentified flying objects and Neill's claim that a host of U.S. government agencies were monitoring him.

Kirk Redmond, a federal public defender representing Neill, told jurors in his opening statement that authorities in Neill's northeastern Kansas hometown of Lawrence concluded after the June call that he was harmless and did not need to be arrested or sent to a mental hospital. Redmond said Neill “never went anywhere near the congressman” because he believes he can “speak a word and it happens.”

“His weapons aren't knives and guns,” Redmond said. “His weapons are meteors and plagues.”

Members of Congress have faced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">a sharp rise in threats</a>&nbsp;in the two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In October, an intruder&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">attacked and severely beat</a>&nbsp;former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-coronavirus-pandemic-school-boards-35db5c9eec87b85ca8eb95a64c2f6dd7">Local school board members</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-new-mexico-donald-trump-presidential-9356ff48f081250aa54040cbd7cf1cc3">election workers</a>&nbsp;across the U.S. also have endured harassment, intimidation and threats of violence. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Monday arrested a former Republican candidate for a state House seat in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-mexico-state-government-crime-albuquerque-shootings-fbed4efadff3bc7469f83a01dd888e63">a series of shootings</a>&nbsp;targeting the homes or offices of elected Democratic officials, though none were injured.

LaTurner was a Kansas state senator and state treasurer before winning his U.S. House seat in 2020. Until the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature redrew political boundaries last year, LaTurner’s eastern Kansas district included Lawrence, home to the main University of Kansas campus, which is among the state’s most liberal communities.

In Neill's trial, after one of LaTurner's staffers testified as the first witness, Neill said he wants to represent himself. He had previously made that request through his attorneys Friday but withdrew it in court Tuesday morning before his jury was selected.

U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter ended the day early so that Neill could think more about his request overnight and told him, “I think it is an unwise decision.”

Neill said his attorneys weren't accurately portraying his beliefs. He said he didn't represent himself as God but conveyed messages from God using “an Old Testament perspective,” like prophets who spoke for God in the first person. A pretrial report on Neill said he saw himself as “the Messiah.”

When the first witness said Neill had talked about UFOs in a call in May, Neill interrupted by saying, “I think the UFOs made national headlines.”

He added, “Just so I don't look crazy in the courtroom.”

In court Tuesday, Neill wore khaki pants, a dress shirt and a navy blue jacket without a tie. He had a full beard. His ankles remained chained throughout the trial.

Teeter concluded during a hearing last month that "a preponderance of the evidence” showed Neill was mentally competent to stand trial. The official notes from the hearing showed Teeter relied on a psychological evaluation of Neill, but that document is sealed and closed to the public.

In a separate order in August, a U.S. magistrate judge who refused to released Neill from custody said in that order that Neill suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Skip Jacobs played part of the June call during his opening statement. Jurors heard Neill identify himself as “the Messiah” and “the Son of Man,” a common description of Jesus in the New Testament of the Bible.

"I am saying I will kill you, but the insurance will say it's an act of God,” Neill said in the call.

The call also included a threat against all members of Congress.

Jacobs told jurors that Topeka police started a patrol around LaTurner's home. His staffer testified that in May, the Topeka office remained locked when only one staffer was present and that after the June call, it remained locked even during business hours, and cameras were installed.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A jury was seated Tuesday in a federal criminal trial for a man prosecutors say became fixated on a Kansas congressman and threatened to kill him, a case that comes amid what authorities say is a sharp rise in treats to the nation's lawmakers and their families.

Prosecutors say Chase Neill, 32,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">threatened to kill U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner</a>&nbsp;in a June 5 voicemail message left at the Republican congressman's office, then continued to make threatening calls the following day. In one message, presiding U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter said in court Tuesday, he told LaTurner that he would “die by the hand of God.”

The selection of 12 jurors and two alternates took about two hours in the morning after Neill withdrew a request to act as his own attorney. His court-appointed public defenders notified Teeter of that request Friday and told her they would refuse to work with him in a “hybrid" defense. After a private conference, Teeter told Neill from the bench that she believed such an arrangement would be “untenable.”

After Neill withdrew his request, Teeter told him, “For whatever it's worth, I think that's a very wise decision.”

Neill’s trial in U.S. District Court on one count of threatening a public official was scheduled through Friday. It came weeks after Teeter concluded that evidence of mental illness doesn’t mean Neill can’t help his attorney or follow what happens in court.

Before jury selection, Teeter confirmed with prosecutors and Neill’s attorneys that no plea bargains had been offered or sought.

Neill told her, without explaining further, “I believe there were arguable grounds for immunity, but that’s fine.”

In court, Neill wore khaki pants, a dress shirt and a navy blue jacket without a tie. He had a full beard.

A pretrial report said Neill believes he is “the Messiah." Prosecutors have said in court documents that Neill believes he was “obligated by God” to warn “certain public figures” and detail the results of not heeding his warnings.

A magistrate who ordered Neill to remain in custody in June 2022 said he also had threatened other members of Congress. The others have not been named and Neill is charged only with threatening LaTurner.

LaTurner was a Kansas state senator and state treasurer before winning his U.S. House seat in 2020. Until the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature redrew political boundaries last year, LaTurner's eastern Kansas district included Neill's hometown of Lawrence, which includes the main University of Kansas campus and is among Kansas' most liberal communities.

Members of Congress have seen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">a sharp rise in threats</a>&nbsp;in the two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. In October,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">an intruder attacked and severely beat</a>&nbsp;former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.

In the Kansas case, Neill's attorney and prosecutors declined to comment ahead of the trial.

LaTurner's office also did not comment. The congressman and four of his staffers are potential prosecution witnesses.

The pretrial report on Neill, describing his “Messiah” belief, also said police in Lawrence had reports in March 2018 that Neill was delusional and paranoid and had accused one officer of trying to steal his “unicorn business idea.” Neill was sentenced to six months in jail in February 2019 on a domestic battery charge, the report said.

U.S. Magistrate Rachel Schwartz cited the pretrial report in refusing a request from Neill in August to be released from custody. Schwartz said in her order that he had $150,000 in student loan debt but no income.

Schwartz also said in her order that Neill suffered a head injury four or five years ago “characterized as a head fracture.”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Jury selection began Tuesday in a federal criminal trial for a man prosecutors say became fixated on a Kansas congressman and threatened to kill him, a case that comes amid what authorities say is a sharp rise in treats to the nation's lawmakers and their families.

Jury selection began in the morning after Neill withdrew a request to act as his own attorney. His court-appointed public defenders notified Teeter of that request Friday and told her they would refuse to work with him in a “hybrid" defense. After a private conference, Teeter told Neill from the bench that she believed such an arrangement would be “untenable.”

Neill's trial in U.S. District Court on one count of threatening a public official was scheduled through Friday. It came weeks after Teeter concluded that evidence of mental illness doesn’t mean Neill can’t help his attorney or follow what happens in court.

Before jury selection, Teeter confirmed with prosecutors and Neill's attorneys that no plea bargains had been offered or sought.

Neill told her, without explaining further, “I believe there were arguable grounds for immunity, but that's fine.”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A criminal trial was set to start Tuesday for a northeastern Kansas man who federal prosecutors say developed a fixation on U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner and threatened to kill him, at a time when authorities have seen a sharp increase in threats to the nation's lawmakers and their families.

Prosecutors say Chase Neill, 32,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-mental-kansas-topeka-lawrence-537e4ab84e3c459053d19f12352981bd">threatened to kill LaTurner</a>&nbsp;in a June 5 voicemail message left at the Republican congressman's office, then continued to make threatening calls the following day.

His federal trial on one count of threatening a public official was scheduled to begin Tuesday with jury selection, weeks after a judge concluded evidence of mental illness doesn’t mean Neill can’t help his attorney or follow what happens in court.

U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter concluded during a hearing last month that "a preponderance of the evidence” showed Neill was mentally competent to stand trial. The official notes from the hearing showed Teeter relied on a psychological evaluation of Neill, but that document is sealed and closed to the public.

Members of Congress have seen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-congress-government-and-politics-b8a3fb8b3e6f491fcfb16e155b877427">a sharp rise in threats</a>&nbsp;in the two years since the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. In October,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">an intruder attacked and severely beat</a>&nbsp;then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their San Francisco home.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A northeastern Kansas man is facing a felony charge of threatening to kill one of the state's congressmen. But his trial has been postponed indefinitely so that a federal judge can decide whether he is too mentally ill to help his lawyers or follow what's going on in court.

Federal prosecutors contend in court documents that Chase Neill, 31, from Lawrence, developed a fixation on Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner, who represents an eastern Kansas district. Neill is accused of threatening to kill LaTurner in a June 5 voicemail message left at LaTurner's office and continuing to make threatening calls the following day.

A magistrate said later that month in ordering Neill to remain in custody that he had threatened other members of Congress. The others have not been named, and Neill is charged only with threatening LaTurner.

A hearing is scheduled in the case for Nov. 8, Election Day. Neill's trial initially was set to start in September, but U.S. District Judge Holly Teeter granted a request from both sides to have Neill's mental health examined.

“There is reasonable cause to believe that Mr. Neill has a mental disease and that the mental disease renders him unable to assist properly in his defense,” Teeter wrote in her two-page order.

LaTurner was a Kansas state senator and state treasurer before winning his U.S. House seat in 2020.

Threats to lawmakers are at an all-time high almost two years after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol in Washington. In San Francisco early Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/paul-pelosi-assaulted-156ece77186eb11b97260af3c5122f67">an intruder attacked</a>&nbsp;and severely beat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband with a hammer in their home while searching for the Democratic leader and shouting: “Where is Nancy, where is Nancy?”

In the Kansas case, neither the U.S. attorney's office for the state nor Neill's defense attorneys would comment Friday. LaTurner's office also wouldn't discuss the case. It was not clear whether Neill's examination is complete.

"Rep. LaTurner’s office will continue to cooperate with local and federal law enforcement on this matter,” spokesperson Mike Howard said in an email.

One pretrial report on Neill said he believes he is “the Messiah,” and prosecutors have said in court documents that he believes he was “obligated by God” to warn “certain public figures” and detail the results of not heeding his warnings.

U.S. Magistrate Rachel Schwartz cited the pretrial report in refusing a request from Neill in August to be released from custody. She said in her order that he had $150,000 in student loan debt but no income.

Schwartz said in her order that Neill suffered a head injury four or five years ago, “characterized as a head fracture.”

The pretrial report said that in March 2018, Lawrence police had reports that Neill, who was living with his mother there, was delusional and paranoid and accused one officer of trying to steal his “unicorn business idea.” Neill was sentenced to six months in jail in February 2019 on a domestic battery charge, the report said.

Defense: Man harmless despite threat to kill Kansas lawmaker

Rexford DeWayne Hyde was born to Mabel (Isaacson) and Sherman Hyde in
 Belleville,  KS on March 7, 1926.  Rex attended the Osborne School 
system and graduated in 1944. Following his father’s death in December 
1943, Rex joined the United States Navy, February 1944.  He started 
active duty on May 18, 1944.  Rex served in the Navy for 2 years before 
being discharged on February 19, 1946.  Rex served as a photographer in 
the service and after being discharge Rex returned home to open up a 
photography studio, called “Hyde’s Studio.” 

  After closing his studio 
Rex then worked for a locale men’s clothing store, Sollingberger’s. 
While being Max Taylor's Bestman,  Rex met Dora Dean Clemence. He and 
Dean were united in Marriage on January 14,1951.  They moved to Wichita 
where Rex worked at the Boeing airplane factory.  They then returned to 
Osborne, Ks. and Rex began working at the Osborne Post-Office. To this 
union two children were born:  Olin DeWayne Hyde, on August 16, 1954, 
and Sherridene (Hyde) Mick, on March 4, 1956.  Rex was a mail carrier 
for many years, before becoming the Post Master of the Osborne Post 
Office.  Rex retired from the post office in 1988.  After working at the
 Post Office Rex started his new job of Crop Adjusting for the next 10 
years.  Rex enjoyed his time as a Crop Adjuster.  He enjoyed meeting new
 people and making new friends. After 43 years of marriage, Dean past 
away on October 21, 1994.

After her death Rex met and 
married neighbor, Jeani (Balderston) Ballard on November 30, 1996. Rex 
and Jeani were married for 26 years before Rex‘s passing on Tuesday 
January 17, 2023. With this union two families became one.  They had 12 
Children including spouses, 30 Grandchildren including spouses, 52 
Great-Grandchildren including spouses, and 12 Great-Great Grandchildren.
 Rex loved family and he was very proud of all 106 members of his 
family.  He lived a full and wonderful life that was full of love.

Click <a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Rexford-Dewayne-Hyde?obId=27059926#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674045100483.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rexford DeWayne Hyde was born to Mabel (Isaacson) and Sherman Hyde in
 Belleville, KS on March 7, 1926. Rex attended the Osborne School 
system and graduated in 1944. Following his father’s death in December 
1943, Rex joined the United States Navy, February 1944. He started 
active duty on May 18, 1944. Rex served in the Navy for 2 years before 
being discharged on February 19, 1946. Rex served as a photographer in 
the service and after being discharge Rex returned home to open up a 
photography studio, called “Hyde’s Studio.” After closing his studio 
Rex then worked for a locale men’s clothing store, Sollingberger’s. 
While being Max Taylor's Bestman, Rex met Dora Dean Clemence. He and 
Dean were united in Marriage on January 14,1951. They moved to Wichita 
where Rex worked at the Boeing airplane factory. They then returned to 
Osborne, Ks. and Rex began working at the Osborne Post-Office. To this 
union two children were born: Olin DeWayne Hyde, on August 16, 1954, 
and Sherridene (Hyde) Mick, on March 4, 1956. Rex was a mail carrier 
for many years, before becoming the Post Master of the Osborne Post 
Office. Rex retired from the post office in 1988. After working at the
 Post Office Rex started his new job of Crop Adjusting for the next 10 
years. Rex enjoyed his time as a Crop Adjuster. He enjoyed meeting new
 people and making new friends. After 43 years of marriage, Dean past 
away on October 21, 1994.After her death Rex met and 
married neighbor, Jeani (Balderston) Ballard on November 30, 1996. Rex 
and Jeani were married for 26 years before Rex‘s passing on Tuesday 
January 17, 2023. With this union two families became one. They had 12 
Children including spouses, 30 Grandchildren including spouses, 52 
Great-Grandchildren including spouses, and 12 Great-Great Grandchildren.
 Rex loved family and he was very proud of all 106 members of his 
family. He lived a full and wonderful life that was full of love.Click <a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Rexford-Dewayne-Hyde?obId=27059926#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Rexford DeWayne Hyde

David Arthur George, 80, of Natoma, Kansas, died on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas.

David was born on October 12, 1942, in Scott City, Kansas, to Arthur 
and Zelma (Lake) George.&nbsp; He lived in several places during his early 
years, eventually settling in Lebanon, Kansas, which he called home.&nbsp; He
 attended Lebanon High School.&nbsp; 

He met, fell in love, and was united in 
marriage to Donna Dee Wait on August 8th, 1964, in Natoma, Kansas.&nbsp; From
 this union David and Donna were blessed with 4 children, DeeAnn, 
Dennis, Dustin, and Denton.&nbsp; 

He was drafted into the United States Army 
in 1966 and served in Germany until 1968.&nbsp; He worked in several 
occupations until starting his career as a journeyman lineman in the 
Natoma area and retired in 1995.&nbsp; 

He was a member of Peace Lutheran 
Church in Natoma, the Natoma Lions Club, and American Legion Post 109. 
He served several years as a volunteer firefighter, fire chief for 
Natoma, and EMT. &nbsp;He enjoyed his part time job operating a road grader 
for Natoma and Round Mound townships, and spending time helping the 
community of Natoma with any projects or events going on in town.&nbsp; Most 
of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and especially loved 
being active with his kids and grandkids.

Surviving family include his wife Donna of the home, daughter DeeAnn 
Heaton and husband Darren of Cuba, Missouri, sons Dennis George and wife
 Amy of Hays, Kansas, Dustin George and wife Carmen of Natoma, Kansas 
and Denton George and fiancée Jennifer of Phillipsburg, Kansas, seven 
“ornery” grandkids (who he hopes will remember to be good girls and good
 boys) Hannah Shaw and husband Cody of Cuba, Missouri, Tyler Heaton and 
wife Haley of Kansas City, Missouri, Haley Vajnar and husband Conrad, 
Emily George and Avry George all of Hays, Kansas, Erika George and Derek
 George all of Natoma, Kansas and two great grandkids Wyatt Shaw and 
Mary May Vajnar. Sisters Arlene Wagner and husband David of Great Bend, 
Kansas, and Sondra Smith and husband Cory of Springfield, Missouri, 
Brothers Leon Small of Lawrence, Kansas and Darin George of San Antonio,
 Texas. Aunt Trudy George of Orleans, Nebraska.&nbsp; Numerous cousins, 
nieces, nephews, and good friends. 

He was preceded in death by his 
parents, stepmother Zona George, uncles Eldon George and wife Bonnie, 
Lawrence George and wife Verna, Aunt Lurlene Lake and husband Herbert. 

A
 celebration of David’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, 
January 21, 2023, at the Paradise Gymnasium in Paradise, Kansas.&nbsp; Family
 will greet guests the day of the service.&nbsp; 

Memorials may be given to 
the Lions Club Scholarship Fund and sent in care of the mortuary to 610 
N. Maple St., Russell, Kansas 67665.&nbsp; Cremation has been selected by the
 family.&nbsp; 

Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell and Natoma, Kansas, 
is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673455233858.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>David Arthur George, 80, of Natoma, Kansas, died on Sunday, January 8, 2023, at the Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, Kansas.David was born on October 12, 1942, in Scott City, Kansas, to Arthur 
and Zelma (Lake) George.&nbsp; He lived in several places during his early 
years, eventually settling in Lebanon, Kansas, which he called home.&nbsp; He
 attended Lebanon High School.&nbsp; He met, fell in love, and was united in 
marriage to Donna Dee Wait on August 8th, 1964, in Natoma, Kansas.&nbsp; From
 this union David and Donna were blessed with 4 children, DeeAnn, 
Dennis, Dustin, and Denton.&nbsp; He was drafted into the United States Army 
in 1966 and served in Germany until 1968.&nbsp; He worked in several 
occupations until starting his career as a journeyman lineman in the 
Natoma area and retired in 1995.&nbsp; He was a member of Peace Lutheran 
Church in Natoma, the Natoma Lions Club, and American Legion Post 109. 
He served several years as a volunteer firefighter, fire chief for 
Natoma, and EMT. &nbsp;He enjoyed his part time job operating a road grader 
for Natoma and Round Mound townships, and spending time helping the 
community of Natoma with any projects or events going on in town.&nbsp; Most 
of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family and especially loved 
being active with his kids and grandkids.Surviving family include his wife Donna of the home, daughter DeeAnn 
Heaton and husband Darren of Cuba, Missouri, sons Dennis George and wife
 Amy of Hays, Kansas, Dustin George and wife Carmen of Natoma, Kansas 
and Denton George and fiancée Jennifer of Phillipsburg, Kansas, seven 
“ornery” grandkids (who he hopes will remember to be good girls and good
 boys) Hannah Shaw and husband Cody of Cuba, Missouri, Tyler Heaton and 
wife Haley of Kansas City, Missouri, Haley Vajnar and husband Conrad, 
Emily George and Avry George all of Hays, Kansas, Erika George and Derek
 George all of Natoma, Kansas and two great grandkids Wyatt Shaw and 
Mary May Vajnar. Sisters Arlene Wagner and husband David of Great Bend, 
Kansas, and Sondra Smith and husband Cory of Springfield, Missouri, 
Brothers Leon Small of Lawrence, Kansas and Darin George of San Antonio,
 Texas. Aunt Trudy George of Orleans, Nebraska.&nbsp; Numerous cousins, 
nieces, nephews, and good friends. He was preceded in death by his 
parents, stepmother Zona George, uncles Eldon George and wife Bonnie, 
Lawrence George and wife Verna, Aunt Lurlene Lake and husband Herbert. A
 celebration of David’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, 
January 21, 2023, at the Paradise Gymnasium in Paradise, Kansas.&nbsp; Family
 will greet guests the day of the service.&nbsp; Memorials may be given to 
the Lions Club Scholarship Fund and sent in care of the mortuary to 610 
N. Maple St., Russell, Kansas 67665.&nbsp; Cremation has been selected by the
 family.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell and Natoma, Kansas, 
is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

David A. George

By QASIM RAHIMI <a href="https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2023-01-17/hazara-refugees-build-a-new-home-in-kansas-city-but-want-help-for-loved-ones-in-afghanistan">Kansas News Service</a>

Aziz Nadim works as a bank teller in Gardner, Kansas. He is among approximately <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-08-15/a-year-since-the-taliban-takeover-kansas-city-has-become-home-to-760-afghan-refugees" target="_blank">750 refugees who came to Kansas City</a> after United States forces left Afghanistan in 2021.

Since
 the Taliban took power, Nadim is worried about the future of his 
friends and family — his fellow members of the Hazara ethic minority who
 have long been targets of violence.

"The Taliban have resumed the
 process of massacre of Hazara that started a century ago,” Nadim said, 
“and they are trying to hand over the lands and properties of Hazara to 
the individuals and groups they support.”

About 60 Hazara families
 are living in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Mohammad Ibrahimi, who
 arrived in 1983, believes his was among the first Hazara families to 
come to the area. They now live in Overland Park.

“We left Afghanistan because of Hazara genocide,” Ibrahimi said, 
adding that the communist government at the time was against Hazara 
people because of their religion and ethnicity. “They kidnapped and 
killed my brother after we decided to leave our ancestral land. First, 
we went to Pakistan, (then) Italy and then we came to the United States 
in 1983.”

A few other Hazara families arrived after the first time the Taliban took over the government of Afghanistan <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/08/19/1028472005/afghanistan-conflict-timeline" target="_blank">in the mid-1990s</a>,
 and during the two decades when the country was led by the U. S.-backed
 government. Almost all of these families came through Special 
Immigration Visas because they had worked for the U.S. Army or on behalf
 of the U.S. government in Afghanistan. Others were assisted by 
international immigrants’ organizations.

When nearly 60 young Hazara girls and teenagers were <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/afghan-protests-continue-against-school-attack-as-un-raises-death-toll-to-53-/6773473.html" target="_blank">killed in an explosion at a school in Kabul in September 2022</a>,
 I could easily imagine the scene. I used to live in the area where the 
school was located, and my mother and two of my sisters’ families still 
live there. Initial reports said 53 people died, but I heard from 
sources in Kabul that five or six injured girls died later, after weeks 
in hospitals.

After that, I joined other Hazara people who demonstrated in front of Kansas City’s World War I Museum and Memorial.

“Our
 goal was to draw the attention of American institutions and people to 
the dangerous situation that Hazara people are facing in Afghanistan,” 
Nadim said. "Here in Kansas City our children can go to school and 
prepare for a future, but the Hazara people living in Afghanistan do not
 have security, food or a bright future.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673971981588.png" alt="Kansas City area members of the Hazara, an ethnic minority in Afghanistan who have long been targets of violence, demonstrated at the World War I Museum and Memorial in October 2022 to call attention to the killing of young Hazara women and girls in Kabul. Ali Hussaini" />
 <figcaption>Kansas City area members of the Hazara, an ethnic minority in Afghanistan who have long been targets of violence, demonstrated at the World War I Museum and Memorial in October 2022 to call attention to the killing of young Hazara women and girls in Kabul. Ali Hussaini</figcaption>
 </figure>By QASIM RAHIMI <a href="https://www.kcur.org/arts-life/2023-01-17/hazara-refugees-build-a-new-home-in-kansas-city-but-want-help-for-loved-ones-in-afghanistan">Kansas News Service</a>Aziz Nadim works as a bank teller in Gardner, Kansas. He is among approximately <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-08-15/a-year-since-the-taliban-takeover-kansas-city-has-become-home-to-760-afghan-refugees" target="_blank">750 refugees who came to Kansas City</a> after United States forces left Afghanistan in 2021.Since
 the Taliban took power, Nadim is worried about the future of his 
friends and family — his fellow members of the Hazara ethic minority who
 have long been targets of violence."The Taliban have resumed the
 process of massacre of Hazara that started a century ago,” Nadim said, 
“and they are trying to hand over the lands and properties of Hazara to 
the individuals and groups they support.”About 60 Hazara families
 are living in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Mohammad Ibrahimi, who
 arrived in 1983, believes his was among the first Hazara families to 
come to the area. They now live in Overland Park.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673972066948.png" alt="Mohammad Ibrahimi came to the United States from Afghanistan in 1983. He believes his family was one of the first Hazara families to arrive in the Kansas City area. Mohammad Ibrahimi " />
 <figcaption>Mohammad Ibrahimi came to the United States from Afghanistan in 1983. He believes his family was one of the first Hazara families to arrive in the Kansas City area. Mohammad Ibrahimi </figcaption>
 </figure>“We left Afghanistan because of Hazara genocide,” Ibrahimi said, 
adding that the communist government at the time was against Hazara 
people because of their religion and ethnicity. “They kidnapped and 
killed my brother after we decided to leave our ancestral land. First, 
we went to Pakistan, (then) Italy and then we came to the United States 
in 1983.”A few other Hazara families arrived after the first time the Taliban took over the government of Afghanistan <a href="https://www.npr.org/2021/08/19/1028472005/afghanistan-conflict-timeline" target="_blank">in the mid-1990s</a>,
 and during the two decades when the country was led by the U. S.-backed
 government. Almost all of these families came through Special 
Immigration Visas because they had worked for the U.S. Army or on behalf
 of the U.S. government in Afghanistan. Others were assisted by 
international immigrants’ organizations.When nearly 60 young Hazara girls and teenagers were <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/afghan-protests-continue-against-school-attack-as-un-raises-death-toll-to-53-/6773473.html" target="_blank">killed in an explosion at a school in Kabul in September 2022</a>,
 I could easily imagine the scene. I used to live in the area where the 
school was located, and my mother and two of my sisters’ families still 
live there. Initial reports said 53 people died, but I heard from 
sources in Kabul that five or six injured girls died later, after weeks 
in hospitals.After that, I joined other Hazara people who demonstrated in front of Kansas City’s World War I Museum and Memorial.“Our
 goal was to draw the attention of American institutions and people to 
the dangerous situation that Hazara people are facing in Afghanistan,” 
Nadim said. "Here in Kansas City our children can go to school and 
prepare for a future, but the Hazara people living in Afghanistan do not
 have security, food or a bright future.”Nadim wants international institutions to deal with the massacre of 
Hazara and the violation of their human rights. After the September 
explosion, a social media campaign began with the hashtag 
#StopHazaraGenocide. Hazara people who left Afghanistan hope it will 
draw attention to the genocide of their people back home, and that the 
United Nations will take action to protect them. <h2>Facing genocide in Afghanistan</h2>Hazara
 people are Muslims and belong to the Shia and Soni sects. They speak 
Persian, which in Afghanistan is called Dari. Hazara people <a href="https://www.ushmm.org/genocide-prevention/blog/urgent-action-needed-hazaras-in-afghanistan-under-attack" target="_blank">are facing genocide in Afghanistan</a> because of their religious beliefs and ethnic differences.This
 ethnic cleansing began in 1882 when Afghan ruler Abdul Rahman Khan 
first ordered the killing of Hazara people and the capture of their 
land. More than 60 percent of the Hazara were killed and their lands 
confiscated. Some then fled to parts of India that are now part of 
Pakistan, and others remained in remote parts of Afghanistan.Since
 then, Hazara people have been discriminated against, are unable to join
 or work in the military, and must pay double taxes.Their culture
 and traditions were endangered when the Taliban first took over and 
tried to remove all Hazara from Afghanistan. Between 1996 to 2001, the 
Taliban government blocked the delivery of food, gas and other 
necessities. The Taliban also destroyed the <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/taliban-destroyed-afghanistans-ancient-buddhas-now-welcoming-tourists-rcna6307" target="_blank">Buddhas of Bamiyan</a>, a symbol of the culture and history in Afghanistan.<h2>Hazara people in Kansas and Missouri&nbsp;</h2>Gholam Rasoul Rahimi (no relation to me) came to the United States in 2020.“I
 had to leave Afghanistan, because of two reasons: I was a warehouse 
manager for the United States embassy in Kabul, and because of my 
religion and ethnicity,” Rahimi said. “Nobody wants to leave his home 
but sometimes you see a dark future for your children requiring one to 
make hard decisions.”He and several Hazara people who came to Kansas City have started to establish a community here.“We
 are in contact with all Hazara families,” said Nadim. “We want to honor
 our Hazara heritage. We try to preserve our culture and identity 
values. Let's not forget our mother tongue."For the first time in
 Kansas City, on Dec. 17, 2022, Hazara people celebrated Shab Yalda, a 
tradition in Afghanistan to mark the longest night of the year.Ali Mosawi, a young Hazara man, coordinated this ceremony in the 
Northeast neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, inviting Hazara 
families from as far away as Wichita and Manhattan, Kansas. They 
celebrated with bolani (flatbread stuffed with vegetables), ashak 
(vegetable dumplings) and ash (a vegetable noodle soup).“We 
brought traditional Hazara dishes, we wore our cultural traditional 
clothes, we ate together and told our historical story to their 
children,” Mosawi said.“We want to make sure that our children 
don’t forget their native language,” Rahimi said. “We lost our homeland.
 At least in the last two decades Hazara people were a part of a new 
Afghanistan. We had our own self rule, governing education, medicine, 
health and sport. Hazara women also prospered. They had a good chance to
 bring changes to their life.”He said Hazara families want to 
teach their children to work hard to build their future in the United 
States and to be true to the values of this country, but not forget that
 their families came from a country where their next generation is 
facing genocide.