By KAITI DINGES Executive Director of Jana’s Campaign

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Domestic violence is one of society’s largest social problems and it hides in plain sight. DVAM is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of these issues and share resources.&nbsp;

Nationally, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have experienced gender-based violence by an intimate partner or ex-intimate partner (CDC, 2019).&nbsp;

Domestic violence is a leading contributor of injuries, chronic health issues, high-risk health behaviors, and creates a significant strain on the healthcare system. Growing evidence shows the long-term impact of emotional and mental trauma from violence carries an additional likelihood of disease and illness.&nbsp;

Domestic violence takes on many forms. It can be verbal, emotional, psychological, digital, sexual, and/or physical abuse. It can be extreme jealousy, possessiveness, unwanted touching, coercion, and excessive arguments.&nbsp;

And it is ALL about power and control.&nbsp;

Domestic violence occurs in every community across the country, and can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or economic status.&nbsp;

In Kansas alone, domestic violence claimed 37 lives in 2018 (KBI, 2018).&nbsp;

Throughout the month of October, Jana’s Campaign pledges to share 31 facts about domestic violence on our social media accounts.&nbsp;

Our hope is that you increase your understanding of this complex issue and utilize the information to become a part of the collective voice of individuals, families, activists, institutions, and systems who are working to prevent domestic violence.&nbsp;

To access this information, please follow Jana’s Campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.&nbsp;

Violence is a learned behavior, and we can unlearn violence. The only way we can create a society that does not accept violence, is to become educated on the issue and then start a conversation about what we know. While I know these conversations can be uncomfortable, I also know that no social issue has been solved by not talking about it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578075822734.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By KAITI DINGES Executive Director of Jana’s CampaignOctober is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence is one of society’s largest social problems and it hides in plain sight. DVAM is an opportunity to deepen our understanding of these issues and share resources.&nbsp;Nationally, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men have experienced gender-based violence by an intimate partner or ex-intimate partner (CDC, 2019).&nbsp;Domestic violence is a leading contributor of injuries, chronic health issues, high-risk health behaviors, and creates a significant strain on the healthcare system. Growing evidence shows the long-term impact of emotional and mental trauma from violence carries an additional likelihood of disease and illness.&nbsp;Domestic violence takes on many forms. It can be verbal, emotional, psychological, digital, sexual, and/or physical abuse. It can be extreme jealousy, possessiveness, unwanted touching, coercion, and excessive arguments.&nbsp;And it is ALL about power and control.&nbsp;Domestic violence occurs in every community across the country, and can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or economic status.&nbsp;In Kansas alone, domestic violence claimed 37 lives in 2018 (KBI, 2018).&nbsp;Throughout the month of October, Jana’s Campaign pledges to share 31 facts about domestic violence on our social media accounts.&nbsp;A fact per day.&nbsp;Our hope is that you increase your understanding of this complex issue and utilize the information to become a part of the collective voice of individuals, families, activists, institutions, and systems who are working to prevent domestic violence.&nbsp;To access this information, please follow Jana’s Campaign on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.&nbsp;Violence is a learned behavior, and we can unlearn violence. The only way we can create a society that does not accept violence, is to become educated on the issue and then start a conversation about what we know. While I know these conversations can be uncomfortable, I also know that no social issue has been solved by not talking about it.

LETTER: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month 

Midwest Energy is seeking applicants for the position of Engineering Assistant, in Hays, Kan.&nbsp; The primary responsibilities of this position include reviewing, organizing, and developing reports of electric system outage statistics, as well as other information to be used internally by Midwest Energy, senior staff and the Board of Directors. &nbsp;

Applicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent.&nbsp; Two years of post-secondary education in business, math or statistics and communications is preferred.&nbsp; Individual should have three or more years of experience with emphasis in data management, record-keeping, and administrative support.&nbsp; Experience with Microsoft Word is required and expert level of knowledge in Microsoft Excel is preferred. &nbsp;

Midwest Energy offers a comprehensive benefit package.&nbsp; Candidates should submit an application and resume with cover letter summarizing relevant experience and training, by October 19, 2020 to: recruitment@mwenergy.com.&nbsp; Applications and additional details may be found at <a href="http://www.mwenergy.com/careers">www.mwenergy.com/careers</a>. &nbsp;

Midwest Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586196165303.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Midwest Energy is seeking applicants for the position of Engineering Assistant, in Hays, Kan.&nbsp; The primary responsibilities of this position include reviewing, organizing, and developing reports of electric system outage statistics, as well as other information to be used internally by Midwest Energy, senior staff and the Board of Directors. &nbsp;Applicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent.&nbsp; Two years of post-secondary education in business, math or statistics and communications is preferred.&nbsp; Individual should have three or more years of experience with emphasis in data management, record-keeping, and administrative support.&nbsp; Experience with Microsoft Word is required and expert level of knowledge in Microsoft Excel is preferred. &nbsp;Midwest Energy offers a comprehensive benefit package.&nbsp; Candidates should submit an application and resume with cover letter summarizing relevant experience and training, by October 19, 2020 to: recruitment@mwenergy.com.&nbsp; Applications and additional details may be found at <a href="http://www.mwenergy.com/careers">www.mwenergy.com/careers</a>. &nbsp;Midwest Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. &nbsp;

SPONSORED: Midwest Energy seeks engineering assistant in Hays

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Trading barbs through plexiglass shields, Republican Mike Pence and Democrat Kamala Harris turned the only vice presidential debate of 2020 into a dissection of the Trump administration’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, with Harris labeling it “the greatest failure of any presidential administration.”

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/debates/">CLICK here</a>&nbsp;to watch the debate replay

Pence, who leads the president’s coronavirus task force, acknowledged that “our nation’s gone through a very challenging time this year,” yet vigorously defended the administration’s overall response to a pandemic that has killed 210,000 Americans.

The meeting, which was far more civil than last week’s chaotic faceoff between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden, unfolded against an outbreak of coronavirus now hitting the highest levels of the U.S. government. Trump spent three days at the hospital before returning to the White House on Monday, and more than a dozen White House and Pentagon officials are also infected, forcing even more into quarantine.

With less than four weeks before Election Day, the debate was one of the final opportunities for Trump and Pence to reset a contest that could be slipping away. They’re hoping to move the campaign’s focus away from the virus, but the president’s infection — and his downplaying of the consequences — are making that challenging.

Trump and Biden are scheduled to debate again on Oct. 15, though the status of that meeting is unclear. The president has said he wants to attend, but Biden says it shouldn’t move forward if Trump still has coronavirus.

Republicans desperately want to cast the race as a choice between two candidates fighting to move the country in vastly different directions. Biden and Harris, they say, would pursue a far-left agenda bordering on socialism; the Democrats say Trump’s administration will stoke racial and other divides, torpedo health care for people who aren’t wealthy and otherwise undercut national strength.

Harris, 55, made history by becoming the first Black woman to stand on a vice presidential debate stage. She condemned the police killings of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky and George Floyd in Minnesota and spoke about the protests against racial injustice in policing that followed, which Trump has portrayed as “riots” as he calls for law-and-order.

“We are never going to condone violence but we must always fight for the values that we hold dear,” Harris said. “I’m a former career prosecutor. I know what I’m talking about. Bad cops are bad for good cops.”

Pence, 61, said his heart breaks for Taylor’s family but he trusts the U.S. justice system. He called it “remarkable” that Harris, as a former attorney general and prosecutor, would question the grand jury’s decision in the case not to charge an officer with killing her.

He also pushed back against the existence of systemic racism in police departments and rejected the idea that law enforcement officers have a bias against minorities.

“I want everyone to know who puts on the uniform of law enforcement every day, President Trump and I stand with you,” Pence said. “We don’t have to choose between supporting law enforcement, proving public safety and supporting our African American neighbors.”

The candidates also clashed on taxes -- or specifically, Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns four years after repeatedly promising to do so. The New York Times reported last month that the president pays very little personal income tax but owes hundreds of millions of dollars in debt.

“It’d be really good to know who the president owes money to,” Harris said.

“The one thing we know about Joe, he puts it all out there. He is honest, he is forthright,” she added. “Donald Trump, on the other hand, has been about covering up everything.”

Pence defended Trump as a job creator who has paid more than his fair share of taxes and shifted toward Biden: “On Day One, Joe Biden’s going to raise your taxes.”

Both candidates sidestepped difficult questions at times.

Pence refused to say whether climate change was an existential threat or whether Trump would accept the election results should he lose, while Harris declined to say whether Biden would push to expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court.

But so long as the coronavirus is ravaging the White House and killing several hundred Americans each day, the campaign will almost certainly be a referendum on the Trump administration’s inability to control the pandemic, which Republicans have sought to downplay or ignore altogether for several months.

Pence’s effort to focus on other topics was undercut by the mere fact that the candidates and moderator were separated by plexiglass shields, seated more than 12 feet apart and facing a crowd of masked audience members who faced expulsion if they removed their face coverings. The candidates on stage revealed test results earlier in the day proving they were not infected.

While the audience was forced to wear face masks throughout, second lady Karen Pence removed her mask as she joined her husband on stage at the end of the debate.

Though the night was about Pence and Harris, the men at the top of the ticket also made their presence known.

Trump released a video just three hours before the debate calling his diagnosis “a blessing in disguise” because it shed light on an experimental antibody combination that he credited for his improved condition — though neither he nor his doctors have a way of knowing whether the drug had that effect.

He tweeted several times during the debate, offering this assessment at one point: “Mike Pence is doing GREAT! She is a gaffe machine.”

Biden too kept a stream of tweets going; he posted his plans for confronting the virus, shared clips from the debate exchanges and praised Harris, who he said “is showing the American people why I chose her as my running mate.”

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Separated by plexiglass barriers, Republican Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic challenger Kamala Harris on Wednesday night sparred over the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/debates/">CLICK here</a>&nbsp;to watch the debate or a replay

Harris condemned the Republican president’s leadership of the worst public health crisis in a century as “the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country.” She also declared she would not take a vaccine if President Donald Trump endorsed it without the backing of medical professionals.

Pence, who leads the president’s coronavirus task force, acknowledged that “our nation’s gone through a very challenging time this year.”

But he added, “I want the American people to know, from the very first day, President Trump has put the health of America first,” Pence said, promising millions of doses of a yet-to-be-announced treatment before the end of the year.

He also condemned Harris’ skepticism of Trump’s bragging about vaccines-to-be: “Senator, I ask you: Stop playing politics with peoples’ lives.”

There were heated exchanges early on, but overall it was a far more respectful affair than the opening presidential debate eight days earlier. While Trump was the aggressor then, butting in and almost yelling, Pence demonstrated the discipline and Midwestern folksy style he is known for.

The candidates debated in an auditorium where any guest who refused to wear a face mask was to be asked to leave, an extraordinary backdrop for the only vice presidential debate of 2020.

Ultimately, the prime-time meeting was a chance for voters to decide whether Pence or Harris, a U.S. senator from California, is ready to assume the duties of the presidency before the end of the next term. It’s hardly a theoretical question: President Donald Trump, 74, is recovering from the coronavirus, and 77-year-old Joe Biden has not been infected but would be the oldest president ever.

For those reasons and more, the debate at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City shaped up as the most meaningful vice presidential debate in recent memory. It came at a precarious moment for the Republicans in particular, with growing concern that Trump’s position is weakening as more than a dozen senior officials across the White House, the Pentagon and inside his campaign are infected with the virus or in quarantine.

Trailing in polls, Trump and Pence have no time to lose; Election Day is less than four weeks away, and millions of Americans are already casting ballots.

Before Harris said a word, she made history by becoming the first Black woman to stand on a vice presidential debate stage. The night offered her a prime opportunity to energize would-be voters who have shown only modest excitement about Biden, a lifelong politician with a mixed record on race and criminal justice, particularly in his early years in the Senate.

Harris, 55, is the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother. She is also a former prosecutor whose pointed questioning of Trump’s appointees and court nominees helped make her a Democratic star.

Pence is a 61-year-old former Indiana governor and ex-radio host, an evangelical Christian known for his folksy charm and unwavering loyalty to Trump. And while he is Trump’s biggest public defender, the vice president does not share the president’s brash tone or undisciplined style.

While the debate covered a range of topics, the virus was at the forefront.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The stage in Utah has been set with all the trappings of a modern political debate: Red, white and blue carpets, a backdrop of the Declaration of Independence — and plexiglass.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/debates/">CLICK here</a>&nbsp;to watch the debate 8p.m. CDT

The clear partitions that will divide Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris in Wednesday’s vice presidential debate in Salt Lake City are a late addition that serve as a clear reminder that the coronavirus pandemic rages on less than a month before the Nov. 3 election. The two candidates will sit in desks spaced more than 12 feet (3.7 meters) apart, and each desk will have a partition on the side facing the other candidate.

The partitions caused a stir: Harris’ team requested they be used after President Donald Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19 shortly after his first presidential debate against Democrat Joe Biden. Pence’s team, meanwhile, insisted they were not medically necessary, an objection that came as Trump returned to the White House. The Trump campaign is trying to move past the virus despite the president’s own diagnosis.

Other reminders that these are not normal times for a vice presidential debate: 20 chairs for guests are spaced roughly 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart in the debate hall, a performing arts center on the University of Utah campus. Additional guests will be seated in traditional theater seats, though they will have to sit spaced apart. Everyone will be required to wear a mask. Even the network TV cameras have plexiglass wrapping on the sides and back.

But the moderator, Susan Page of USA Today, does not. The existence of barriers between Harris and Pence — but not between the candidates and Page — serves as a visual cue from Democrats that sharing the stage with Pence is the primary concern.

Both Harris and Pence tested negative for the virus on Tuesday, their respective teams said. A number of members of the Trump administration are continuing to test positive.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602120146783.png" alt="Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic challenger Kamala Harris image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic challenger Kamala Harris image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Trading barbs through plexiglass shields, Republican Mike Pence and Democrat Kamala Harris turned the only vice presidential debate of 2020 into a dissection of the Trump administration’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, with Harris labeling it “the greatest failure of any presidential administration.”<a href="https://www.c-span.org/debates/">CLICK here</a>&nbsp;to watch the debate replayPence, who leads the president’s coronavirus task force, acknowledged that “our nation’s gone through a very challenging time this year,” yet vigorously defended the administration’s overall response to a pandemic that has killed 210,000 Americans.The meeting, which was far more civil than last week’s chaotic faceoff between President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden, unfolded against an outbreak of coronavirus now hitting the highest levels of the U.S. government. Trump spent three days at the hospital before returning to the White House on Monday, and more than a dozen White House and Pentagon officials are also infected, forcing even more into quarantine.With less than four weeks before Election Day, the debate was one of the final opportunities for Trump and Pence to reset a contest that could be slipping away. They’re hoping to move the campaign’s focus away from the virus, but the president’s infection — and his downplaying of the consequences — are making that challenging.Trump and Biden are scheduled to debate again on Oct. 15, though the status of that meeting is unclear. The president has said he wants to attend, but Biden says it shouldn’t move forward if Trump still has coronavirus.Republicans desperately want to cast the race as a choice between two candidates fighting to move the country in vastly different directions. Biden and Harris, they say, would pursue a far-left agenda bordering on socialism; the Democrats say Trump’s administration will stoke racial and other divides, torpedo health care for people who aren’t wealthy and otherwise undercut national strength.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a>, you made us all proud tonight.&mdash; Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1314034535890378752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Harris, 55, made history by becoming the first Black woman to stand on a vice presidential debate stage. She condemned the police killings of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky and George Floyd in Minnesota and spoke about the protests against racial injustice in policing that followed, which Trump has portrayed as “riots” as he calls for law-and-order.“We are never going to condone violence but we must always fight for the values that we hold dear,” Harris said. “I’m a former career prosecutor. I know what I’m talking about. Bad cops are bad for good cops.”Pence, 61, said his heart breaks for Taylor’s family but he trusts the U.S. justice system. He called it “remarkable” that Harris, as a former attorney general and prosecutor, would question the grand jury’s decision in the case not to charge an officer with killing her.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Mike Pence WON BIG!&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1314037081392525312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 8, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>He also pushed back against the existence of systemic racism in police departments and rejected the idea that law enforcement officers have a bias against minorities.“I want everyone to know who puts on the uniform of law enforcement every day, President Trump and I stand with you,” Pence said. “We don’t have to choose between supporting law enforcement, proving public safety and supporting our African American neighbors.”The candidates also clashed on taxes -- or specifically, Trump’s refusal to release his tax returns four years after repeatedly promising to do so. The New York Times reported last month that the president pays very little personal income tax but owes hundreds of millions of dollars in debt.“It’d be really good to know who the president owes money to,” Harris said.“The one thing we know about Joe, he puts it all out there. He is honest, he is forthright,” she added. “Donald Trump, on the other hand, has been about covering up everything.”Pence defended Trump as a job creator who has paid more than his fair share of taxes and shifted toward Biden: “On Day One, Joe Biden’s going to raise your taxes.”Both candidates sidestepped difficult questions at times.Pence refused to say whether climate change was an existential threat or whether Trump would accept the election results should he lose, while Harris declined to say whether Biden would push to expand the number of justices on the Supreme Court.But so long as the coronavirus is ravaging the White House and killing several hundred Americans each day, the campaign will almost certainly be a referendum on the Trump administration’s inability to control the pandemic, which Republicans have sought to downplay or ignore altogether for several months.Pence’s effort to focus on other topics was undercut by the mere fact that the candidates and moderator were separated by plexiglass shields, seated more than 12 feet apart and facing a crowd of masked audience members who faced expulsion if they removed their face coverings. The candidates on stage revealed test results earlier in the day proving they were not infected.While the audience was forced to wear face masks throughout, second lady Karen Pence removed her mask as she joined her husband on stage at the end of the debate.Though the night was about Pence and Harris, the men at the top of the ticket also made their presence known.Trump released a video just three hours before the debate calling his diagnosis “a blessing in disguise” because it shed light on an experimental antibody combination that he credited for his improved condition — though neither he nor his doctors have a way of knowing whether the drug had that effect.He tweeted several times during the debate, offering this assessment at one point: “Mike Pence is doing GREAT! She is a gaffe machine.”Biden too kept a stream of tweets going; he posted his plans for confronting the virus, shared clips from the debate exchanges and praised Harris, who he said “is showing the American people why I chose her as my running mate.”___SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Separated by plexiglass barriers, Republican Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic challenger Kamala Harris on Wednesday night sparred over the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/debates/">CLICK here</a>&nbsp;to watch the debate or a replayHarris condemned the Republican president’s leadership of the worst public health crisis in a century as “the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country.” She also declared she would not take a vaccine if President Donald Trump endorsed it without the backing of medical professionals.Pence, who leads the president’s coronavirus task force, acknowledged that “our nation’s gone through a very challenging time this year.”But he added, “I want the American people to know, from the very first day, President Trump has put the health of America first,” Pence said, promising millions of doses of a yet-to-be-announced treatment before the end of the year.He also condemned Harris’ skepticism of Trump’s bragging about vaccines-to-be: “Senator, I ask you: Stop playing politics with peoples’ lives.”There were heated exchanges early on, but overall it was a far more respectful affair than the opening presidential debate eight days earlier. While Trump was the aggressor then, butting in and almost yelling, Pence demonstrated the discipline and Midwestern folksy style he is known for.The candidates debated in an auditorium where any guest who refused to wear a face mask was to be asked to leave, an extraordinary backdrop for the only vice presidential debate of 2020.Ultimately, the prime-time meeting was a chance for voters to decide whether Pence or Harris, a U.S. senator from California, is ready to assume the duties of the presidency before the end of the next term. It’s hardly a theoretical question: President Donald Trump, 74, is recovering from the coronavirus, and 77-year-old Joe Biden has not been infected but would be the oldest president ever.For those reasons and more, the debate at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City shaped up as the most meaningful vice presidential debate in recent memory. It came at a precarious moment for the Republicans in particular, with growing concern that Trump’s position is weakening as more than a dozen senior officials across the White House, the Pentagon and inside his campaign are infected with the virus or in quarantine.Trailing in polls, Trump and Pence have no time to lose; Election Day is less than four weeks away, and millions of Americans are already casting ballots.Before Harris said a word, she made history by becoming the first Black woman to stand on a vice presidential debate stage. The night offered her a prime opportunity to energize would-be voters who have shown only modest excitement about Biden, a lifelong politician with a mixed record on race and criminal justice, particularly in his early years in the Senate.Harris, 55, is the daughter of a Jamaican father and an Indian mother. She is also a former prosecutor whose pointed questioning of Trump’s appointees and court nominees helped make her a Democratic star.Pence is a 61-year-old former Indiana governor and ex-radio host, an evangelical Christian known for his folksy charm and unwavering loyalty to Trump. And while he is Trump’s biggest public defender, the vice president does not share the president’s brash tone or undisciplined style.While the debate covered a range of topics, the virus was at the forefront.--------------<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602106746915.png" alt="Photo courtesy University of Utah" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy University of Utah</figcaption>
 </figure>SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The stage in Utah has been set with all the trappings of a modern political debate: Red, white and blue carpets, a backdrop of the Declaration of Independence — and plexiglass.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/debates/">CLICK here</a>&nbsp;to watch the debate 8p.m. CDTThe clear partitions that will divide Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris in Wednesday’s vice presidential debate in Salt Lake City are a late addition that serve as a clear reminder that the coronavirus pandemic rages on less than a month before the Nov. 3 election. The two candidates will sit in desks spaced more than 12 feet (3.7 meters) apart, and each desk will have a partition on the side facing the other candidate.The partitions caused a stir: Harris’ team requested they be used after President Donald Trump was diagnosed with COVID-19 shortly after his first presidential debate against Democrat Joe Biden. Pence’s team, meanwhile, insisted they were not medically necessary, an objection that came as Trump returned to the White House. The Trump campaign is trying to move past the virus despite the president’s own diagnosis.Other reminders that these are not normal times for a vice presidential debate: 20 chairs for guests are spaced roughly 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart in the debate hall, a performing arts center on the University of Utah campus. Additional guests will be seated in traditional theater seats, though they will have to sit spaced apart. Everyone will be required to wear a mask. Even the network TV cameras have plexiglass wrapping on the sides and back.But the moderator, Susan Page of USA Today, does not. The existence of barriers between Harris and Pence — but not between the candidates and Page — serves as a visual cue from Democrats that sharing the stage with Pence is the primary concern.Both Harris and Pence tested negative for the virus on Tuesday, their respective teams said. A number of members of the Trump administration are continuing to test positive.

 🎥 VP debate: Pence, Harris face off through plexiglass

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspect in connection with alleged human trafficking involving a 17-year-old victim.

On September 29, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol received information from a concerned citizen regarding the possible human trafficking and sexual exploitation of a child, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the evening hours Monday, detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division of the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and multiple law enforcement officers with the Kansas Highway Patrol apprehended David D. Spears, 51, Osawatomie, who&nbsp; attempted to meet with a 17-year-old child at a local motel.&nbsp;

Officers arrested Spears and booked him on requested charges of aggravated human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of a child, according to Christian.

Police also arrested a 17-year-old boy from Topeka on requested charges of commercial sexual exploitation for transporting the victim.

The victim was placed into police protective custody.

SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. (SNSO) – Sheriff Brian C. Hill announces a 51-year-old male from

Osawatomie is in custody and facing two felony charges after traveling to Topeka to meet an

On September 29, 2020, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol

received information from a concerned citizen regarding the possible human trafficking and sexual

exploitation of a child. During the evening hours of October 5, 2020, detectives with the Criminal

Investigations Division of the Sheriff’s Office and multiple law enforcement officers with the

Kansas Highway Patrol apprehended one male subject that attempted to meet up with a 17-yearold child at a local motel. The victim was placed into police protective custody.

David D. Spears (51) of Osawatomie was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County

Department of Corrections and charged with two felonies, aggravated human trafficking and

commercial sexual exploitation of a child. A 17-year-old male from Topeka was also arrested and

charged with commercial sexual exploitation for transporting the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602001340452.png" alt="Spears photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Spears photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspect in connection with alleged human trafficking involving a 17-year-old victim.On September 29, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrol received information from a concerned citizen regarding the possible human trafficking and sexual exploitation of a child, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the evening hours Monday, detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division of the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and multiple law enforcement officers with the Kansas Highway Patrol apprehended David D. Spears, 51, Osawatomie, who&nbsp; attempted to meet with a 17-year-old child at a local motel.&nbsp;Officers arrested Spears and booked him on requested charges of aggravated human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of a child, according to Christian.Police also arrested a 17-year-old boy from Topeka on requested charges of commercial sexual exploitation for transporting the victim.The victim was placed into police protective custody.------SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan. (SNSO) – Sheriff Brian C. Hill announces a 51-year-old male fromOsawatomie is in custody and facing two felony charges after traveling to Topeka to meet anunderage child yesterday evening.On September 29, 2020, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Highway Patrolreceived information from a concerned citizen regarding the possible human trafficking and sexualexploitation of a child. During the evening hours of October 5, 2020, detectives with the CriminalInvestigations Division of the Sheriff’s Office and multiple law enforcement officers with theKansas Highway Patrol apprehended one male subject that attempted to meet up with a 17-yearold child at a local motel. The victim was placed into police protective custody.David D. Spears (51) of Osawatomie was arrested and booked into the Shawnee CountyDepartment of Corrections and charged with two felonies, aggravated human trafficking andcommercial sexual exploitation of a child. A 17-year-old male from Topeka was also arrested andcharged with commercial sexual exploitation for transporting the victim.This investigation is ongoing.

Sheriff: Kansas man attempted to meet teen at motel 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A registered Kansas sex offender was charged Tuesday with rape and kidnapping in connection with a September attack on a woman in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after 7 p.m. Sept. 22, police were dispatched to a sexual assault case in the 800 block of South Sylvan in Wichita, according to officer Paul Cruz.

Upon arrival, a 48-year-old female victim, told police she was walking in the area of Lincoln and Oliver when a suspect later identified as 34-year-old Darrius Johnson approached and grabbed her, forcing her into his Toyota Camry.

Johnson drove the victim to a separate location and sexually assaulted her. Johnson then drove the victim back to Lincoln and Oliver where she was released. Through the investigation and examination of evidence, Johnson was determined to have been involved in the attack. 

Police arrested Johnson October 1, in the 2100 block of South White Oak in Wichita without incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Johnson has a previous felony conviction in 2010 for attempted aggravated sexual battery where victim is overcome by force or fear, according to the KBI offender registry.

At the time of his arrest, Johnson was out on bond for a separate alleged sex crime, according to Cruz.

Johnson is being held on a&nbsp; bond of $350,000. Attorneys in the case will discuss it on October 22, according to the district attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1601842042015.png" alt="Johnson photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Johnson photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A registered Kansas sex offender was charged Tuesday with rape and kidnapping in connection with a September attack on a woman in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after 7 p.m. Sept. 22, police were dispatched to a sexual assault case in the 800 block of South Sylvan in Wichita, according to officer Paul Cruz.Upon arrival, a 48-year-old female victim, told police she was walking in the area of Lincoln and Oliver when a suspect later identified as 34-year-old Darrius Johnson approached and grabbed her, forcing her into his Toyota Camry.Johnson drove the victim to a separate location and sexually assaulted her. Johnson then drove the victim back to Lincoln and Oliver where she was released. Through the investigation and examination of evidence, Johnson was determined to have been involved in the attack. Police arrested Johnson October 1, in the 2100 block of South White Oak in Wichita without incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1601904705441.png" alt="Johnson-photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>Johnson has a previous felony conviction in 2010 for attempted aggravated sexual battery where victim is overcome by force or fear, according to the KBI offender registry.At the time of his arrest, Johnson was out on bond for a separate alleged sex crime, according to Cruz.Johnson is being held on a&nbsp; bond of $350,000. Attorneys in the case will discuss it on October 22, according to the district attorney.

Kansas sex offender charged with rape, kidnapping 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is crediting an experimental drug treatment with helping his recovery from COVID-19 and suggesting his diagnosis could be a “blessing in disguise” for the nation’s battle against the pandemic — even though there is no way for the president or his doctors to know whether the drug had any effect. 

In a new White House video posted Wednesday evening, Trump says his illness has shed light on an experimental antibody cocktail that he credits for his improved condition. He promises to swiftly get the drugs approved for use — and distribute it for free — even though he does not have the power to order that himself.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s physician says the president had been symptom-free for 24 hours and his vital signs have remained stable and in normal range.

Dr. Scott Conley, in a memo, also wrote that Trump, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 five days ago, told him “I feel great!”

Conley didn't detail which medications the president was taking. He says the president has not required any supplemental oxygen since returning to the White House late Monday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is crediting an experimental drug treatment with helping his recovery from COVID-19 and suggesting his diagnosis could be a “blessing in disguise” for the nation’s battle against the pandemic — even though there is no way for the president or his doctors to know whether the drug had any effect. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT! <a href="https://t.co/uhLIcknAjT">pic.twitter.com/uhLIcknAjT</a>&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1313959702104023047?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a new White House video posted Wednesday evening, Trump says his illness has shed light on an experimental antibody cocktail that he credits for his improved condition. He promises to swiftly get the drugs approved for use — and distribute it for free — even though he does not have the power to order that himself.WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s physician says the president had been symptom-free for 24 hours and his vital signs have remained stable and in normal range.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602093409827.png" alt="Courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>Dr. Scott Conley, in a memo, also wrote that Trump, who was diagnosed with COVID-19 five days ago, told him “I feel great!”Conley didn't detail which medications the president was taking. He says the president has not required any supplemental oxygen since returning to the White House late Monday.

 🎥  President: Experimental treatment helped his recovery

Mary Ann Taylor, 92, of Waldo, Kansas, passed away Monday, October 5, 2020, at her residence in Waldo. She was born December 24, 1927, in rural Holyrood, Kansas to Joseph and Mary Lanzl Rous.

Mary’s surviving family include her three daughters, Mary Louise Taylor of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Lois Lund of Waldo, Kansas and Karen Taylor Brothersen (Pepper) of Guernsey, Iowa; two sons, Ben Taylor of Osborne, Kansas and Roy Taylor (Debbie) of Lucas, Kansas; sister, Loretta Handlin of Newton, North Carolina; two grandsons, Jason Lund (Jennifer) of Waldo, Kansas and Nathan Lund (Krista) of Beloit, Kansas; six great grandchildren, Rachel Lund, Tyler Lund, Ashton Lund, Shelton Lund, Parker Lund, Kassandra Lund; sister-in-law Mardella Rous and nieces and nephews.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Max C. Taylor, 1998; son-in-law, Monty Lund; brothers, Robert, Martin and Laurence Rous.

As a RN graduate of Asbury School of Nursing, she worked at Osborne County Hospital and was the Osborne County Health Nurse until her retirement. She was an avid gardener and prolific quilter.

A Private Family Graveside service will be held at a later date in the Cheyenne Cemetery north of Luray.  No memorial has been established.  

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602107008768.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Mary Ann Taylor, 92, of Waldo, Kansas, passed away Monday, October 5, 2020, at her residence in Waldo. She was born December 24, 1927, in rural Holyrood, Kansas to Joseph and Mary Lanzl Rous.Mary’s surviving family include her three daughters, Mary Louise Taylor of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Lois Lund of Waldo, Kansas and Karen Taylor Brothersen (Pepper) of Guernsey, Iowa; two sons, Ben Taylor of Osborne, Kansas and Roy Taylor (Debbie) of Lucas, Kansas; sister, Loretta Handlin of Newton, North Carolina; two grandsons, Jason Lund (Jennifer) of Waldo, Kansas and Nathan Lund (Krista) of Beloit, Kansas; six great grandchildren, Rachel Lund, Tyler Lund, Ashton Lund, Shelton Lund, Parker Lund, Kassandra Lund; sister-in-law Mardella Rous and nieces and nephews.Mary was preceded in death by her parents, husband Max C. Taylor, 1998; son-in-law, Monty Lund; brothers, Robert, Martin and Laurence Rous.As a RN graduate of Asbury School of Nursing, she worked at Osborne County Hospital and was the Osborne County Health Nurse until her retirement. She was an avid gardener and prolific quilter.A Private Family Graveside service will be held at a later date in the Cheyenne Cemetery north of Luray. No memorial has been established.

Mary Ann Taylor

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) held a press briefing Wednesday on COVID-19.

Among the topics, he discussed the upcoming flu season and the importance of getting a flu shot shot.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,244 to a total of 63,952 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

Coronavirus deaths were reported at 723, an increase of 17.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) held a press briefing Wednesday on COVID-19.Among the topics, he discussed the upcoming flu season and the importance of getting a flu shot shot.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKDHEnews%2Fvideos%2F346905849722977%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allow="encrypted-media" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,244 to a total of 63,952 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 723, an increase of 17.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602090349295.png" alt="Wednesday October 7, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday October 7, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,244 to a total of 63,952 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 723, an increase of 17.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602090349295.png" alt="Wednesday October 7, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday October 7, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.

 🎥 Dr. Norman on increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations 

Rural Glade resident Tracy L. Baxter passed away, October 6, 2020, at his home. He was 61.

He was born March 31, 1959, in Phillipsburg, the son of Robert D. and Dortha L. (Shields) Baxter.

Survivors include his two sons Nate and Joe Baxter, both of 
Phillipsburg; two grandchildren; and a brother Richard “Dick” Baxter of 
Clay Center, KS.

The family will hold a graveside memorial service 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 10th, in the Bow Creek Cemetery, Phillips County, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Tracy L. Baxter Memorial 
Fund c/o Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, P. O. Box 563, Phillipsburg, KS&nbsp; 
67661.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602099391581.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rural Glade resident Tracy L. Baxter passed away, October 6, 2020, at his home. He was 61.He was born March 31, 1959, in Phillipsburg, the son of Robert D. and Dortha L. (Shields) Baxter.Survivors include his two sons Nate and Joe Baxter, both of 
Phillipsburg; two grandchildren; and a brother Richard “Dick” Baxter of 
Clay Center, KS.The family will hold a graveside memorial service 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 10th, in the Bow Creek Cemetery, Phillips County, Kansas.Memorial contributions may be made to The Tracy L. Baxter Memorial 
Fund c/o Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, P. O. Box 563, Phillipsburg, KS&nbsp; 
67661.

Tracy L. Baxter 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday tried to salvage a few priority items lost in the rubble of COVID-19 relief talks that he had himself blown up, pressing for $1,200 stimulus checks and a new wave of aid for airlines and other businesses hard hit by the pandemic. But it was not clear whether he might be able to undo the self-inflicted political damage so close to the election.

In a barrage of tweets, Trump pressed for passage of these chunks of assistance, an about-face from his abrupt and puzzling move on Tuesday afternoon to abandon talks with a longtime rival, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The California Democrat has rejected such piecemeal entreaties all along.

Trump’s tweets amounted to him demanding his way in negotiations that he himself had ended. Trump, who absorbed much political heat for abandoning the talks, is the steward of an economy whose continued recovery may hinge on significant new steps such as pandemic unemployment benefits. His tweets seemed to move the financial markets into positive territory, though it was far from certain whether they would impress voters demanding more relief.

He called on Congress to send him a “Stand Alone Bill for Stimulus Checks ($1,200)” — a reference to a preelection batch of direct payments to most Americans that had been a central piece of negotiations between Pelosi and the White House.

“I am ready to sign right now. Are you listening Nancy?” Trump said on Twitter Tuesday evening. He also urged Congress to immediately approve $25 billion for airlines and $135 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses.

The stock market fell precipitously after Trump pulled the plug on the talks but was recovering Wednesday after he floated the idea of piecemeal aid.

Trump’s decision to scuttle talks between Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Pelosi came after the president was briefed on the landscape for the negotiations — and on the blowback that any Pelosi-Mnuchin deal probably would have received from his GOP allies in Congress.

“It became very obvious over the last couple of days that a comprehensive bill was just going to get to a point where it didn’t have really much Republican support at all,” White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Wednesday on Fox News. “It was more of a Democrat-led bill, which would have been problematic, more so in the Senate than in the House.”

Pelosi told reporters that “all the president wants is his name on a check” for direct aid payments.

The unexpected turn could be a blow to Trump’s reelection prospects and comes as his administration and campaign are in turmoil. Trump is quarantining in the White House with a case of the coronavirus, and the latest batch of opinion polls shows him significantly behind Democrat Joe Biden with the election four weeks away.

Trump’s withdrawal from the talks came immediately after he spoke with the GOP leaders in Congress, Many Republican senators had signaled they would not be willing to go along with any measure that topped $1 trillion, and GOP aides had been privately dismissive of the prospects for a deal. Any Pelosi-sponsored agreement of close to $2 trillion raised the potential of a GOP revolt if such a plan came to a vote.

Pelosi and Mnuchin talked briefly on Wednesday morning about the chances for a stand-alone airline rescue, Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill tweeted. Pelosi directed Mnuchin to a measure she had attempted to pass on Friday on short notice under fast-track procedures, but only after Democrats made a number of changes Republicans did not like.

The talks have been troubled from their start in July and never appeared to close in on an agreement both sides could embrace.

Pelosi had been demanding a host of Democratic wins on food aid, unemployment benefits, help for renters and homeowners, and aid to state and local governments. Republicans charged she was dragging the talks to deny Trump a political victory before the Nov. 3 election.

Early rounds of virus aid passed by overwhelming margins as the economy went into lockdown in March. After that, Trump and many of his GOP allies focused on loosening social and economic restrictions as the key to recovery instead of more taxpayer-funded help.

Still, the decision to halt negotiations now could be politically perilous. While the stock market has clawed much of its way back after cratering in the early weeks of the crisis, unemployment stands at 7.9%, and the nearly 10 million jobs that remain lost since the start of the pandemic exceed the number that the nation shed during the entire 2008-09 Great Recession.

The economy has recovered more quickly than most economists had expected, largely because of the aid Congress approved in a $2 trillion package in March. The $1,200 stimulus checks, supplemental $600 unemployment benefits each week, and aid to small businesses boosted household incomes and enabled many low-income Americans to pay bills and rent and maintain their overall spending, according to data from Opportunity Insights.

But the recovery has slowed and certain sectors such as restaurants, hotels, theaters and airlines remain in bad shape, shedding jobs and risking permanent realignment. Without more stimulus, economists expect growth will slow significantly in the final three months of the year.

“You’re going to see quite a significant drag on growth,” said Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, a consulting firm. It “would really risk a double-dip recession.”

WASHINGTON —Despite instructing aides to stop negotiating on a new round of COVID-19 relief until after the election, President Trump used social media late Tuesday to suggest he might reconsider.

Stocks dropped suddenly on Wall Street after Trump ordered a stop to negotiations. The Dow Jones Industrial Average swung instantly from a gain of about 200 points to a loss of about 300 points on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has instructed aides to stop negotiating on another round of COVID-19 relief until after the election.

Trump tweeted that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was “not negotiating in good faith” and said he’s asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to direct all his focus before the election into confirming his U.S. Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett.

“I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business,” Trump tweeted.

Last week, the White House said it was backing a $400 per week pandemic jobless benefit and dangled the possibility of a COVID-19 relief bill of $1.6 trillion. But that offer was rejected by Pelosi.

Trump broke off talks after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned earlier Tuesday that the economic recovery remains fragile seven months into coronavirus pandemic without further economic stimulus.

Stocks dropped suddenly on Wall Street after Trump ordered a stop to negotiations.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average swung instantly from a gain of about 200 points to a loss of about 300 points.

Powell, in remarks before the National Association for Business Economics, made clear that too little support “would lead to a weak recovery, creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Wednesday tried to salvage a few priority items lost in the rubble of COVID-19 relief talks that he had himself blown up, pressing for $1,200 stimulus checks and a new wave of aid for airlines and other businesses hard hit by the pandemic. But it was not clear whether he might be able to undo the self-inflicted political damage so close to the election.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Move Fast, I Am Waiting To Sign! <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerPelosi</a> <a href="https://t.co/RYBeWWuPC2">https://t.co/RYBeWWuPC2</a>&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1313829415730786305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a barrage of tweets, Trump pressed for passage of these chunks of assistance, an about-face from his abrupt and puzzling move on Tuesday afternoon to abandon talks with a longtime rival, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The California Democrat has rejected such piecemeal entreaties all along.Trump’s tweets amounted to him demanding his way in negotiations that he himself had ended. Trump, who absorbed much political heat for abandoning the talks, is the steward of an economy whose continued recovery may hinge on significant new steps such as pandemic unemployment benefits. His tweets seemed to move the financial markets into positive territory, though it was far from certain whether they would impress voters demanding more relief.He called on Congress to send him a “Stand Alone Bill for Stimulus Checks ($1,200)” — a reference to a preelection batch of direct payments to most Americans that had been a central piece of negotiations between Pelosi and the White House.“I am ready to sign right now. Are you listening Nancy?” Trump said on Twitter Tuesday evening. He also urged Congress to immediately approve $25 billion for airlines and $135 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program to help small businesses.The stock market fell precipitously after Trump pulled the plug on the talks but was recovering Wednesday after he floated the idea of piecemeal aid.Trump’s decision to scuttle talks between Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Pelosi came after the president was briefed on the landscape for the negotiations — and on the blowback that any Pelosi-Mnuchin deal probably would have received from his GOP allies in Congress.“It became very obvious over the last couple of days that a comprehensive bill was just going to get to a point where it didn’t have really much Republican support at all,” White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said Wednesday on Fox News. “It was more of a Democrat-led bill, which would have been problematic, more so in the Senate than in the House.”Pelosi told reporters that “all the president wants is his name on a check” for direct aid payments.The unexpected turn could be a blow to Trump’s reelection prospects and comes as his administration and campaign are in turmoil. Trump is quarantining in the White House with a case of the coronavirus, and the latest batch of opinion polls shows him significantly behind Democrat Joe Biden with the election four weeks away.Trump’s withdrawal from the talks came immediately after he spoke with the GOP leaders in Congress, Many Republican senators had signaled they would not be willing to go along with any measure that topped $1 trillion, and GOP aides had been privately dismissive of the prospects for a deal. Any Pelosi-sponsored agreement of close to $2 trillion raised the potential of a GOP revolt if such a plan came to a vote.Pelosi and Mnuchin talked briefly on Wednesday morning about the chances for a stand-alone airline rescue, Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill tweeted. Pelosi directed Mnuchin to a measure she had attempted to pass on Friday on short notice under fast-track procedures, but only after Democrats made a number of changes Republicans did not like.The talks have been troubled from their start in July and never appeared to close in on an agreement both sides could embrace.Pelosi had been demanding a host of Democratic wins on food aid, unemployment benefits, help for renters and homeowners, and aid to state and local governments. Republicans charged she was dragging the talks to deny Trump a political victory before the Nov. 3 election.Early rounds of virus aid passed by overwhelming margins as the economy went into lockdown in March. After that, Trump and many of his GOP allies focused on loosening social and economic restrictions as the key to recovery instead of more taxpayer-funded help.Still, the decision to halt negotiations now could be politically perilous. While the stock market has clawed much of its way back after cratering in the early weeks of the crisis, unemployment stands at 7.9%, and the nearly 10 million jobs that remain lost since the start of the pandemic exceed the number that the nation shed during the entire 2008-09 Great Recession.The economy has recovered more quickly than most economists had expected, largely because of the aid Congress approved in a $2 trillion package in March. The $1,200 stimulus checks, supplemental $600 unemployment benefits each week, and aid to small businesses boosted household incomes and enabled many low-income Americans to pay bills and rent and maintain their overall spending, according to data from Opportunity Insights.But the recovery has slowed and certain sectors such as restaurants, hotels, theaters and airlines remain in bad shape, shedding jobs and risking permanent realignment. Without more stimulus, economists expect growth will slow significantly in the final three months of the year.“You’re going to see quite a significant drag on growth,” said Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford Economics, a consulting firm. It “would really risk a double-dip recession.”WASHINGTON —Despite instructing aides to stop negotiating on a new round of COVID-19 relief until after the election, President Trump used social media late Tuesday to suggest he might reconsider.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Move Fast, I Am Waiting To Sign! <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SpeakerPelosi</a> <a href="https://t.co/RYBeWWuPC2">https://t.co/RYBeWWuPC2</a>&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1313829415730786305?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Stocks dropped suddenly on Wall Street after Trump ordered a stop to negotiations. The Dow Jones Industrial Average swung instantly from a gain of about 200 points to a loss of about 300 points on Tuesday.---------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he has instructed aides to stop negotiating on another round of COVID-19 relief until after the election.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Nancy Pelosi is asking for $2.4 Trillion Dollars to bailout poorly run, high crime, Democrat States, money that is in no way related to COVID-19. We made a very generous offer of $1.6 Trillion Dollars and, as usual, she is not negotiating in good faith. I am rejecting their...&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1313551794623127552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Trump tweeted that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was “not negotiating in good faith” and said he’s asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to direct all his focus before the election into confirming his U.S. Supreme Court nominee, Amy Coney Barrett.“I have instructed my representatives to stop negotiating until after the election when, immediately after I win, we will pass a major Stimulus Bill that focuses on hardworking Americans and Small Business,” Trump tweeted.Last week, the White House said it was backing a $400 per week pandemic jobless benefit and dangled the possibility of a COVID-19 relief bill of $1.6 trillion. But that offer was rejected by Pelosi.Trump broke off talks after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell warned earlier Tuesday that the economic recovery remains fragile seven months into coronavirus pandemic without further economic stimulus.Stocks dropped suddenly on Wall Street after Trump ordered a stop to negotiations.The Dow Jones Industrial Average swung instantly from a gain of about 200 points to a loss of about 300 points.Powell, in remarks before the National Association for Business Economics, made clear that too little support “would lead to a weak recovery, creating unnecessary hardship for households and businesses.”

Update: President now pushing to send $1200 virus relief checks

Lawrence Schmeidler, age 87, of Catharine, Kansas, died Sunday, October 4, 2020, at Good Samaritan Society of Hays. He was born January 15, 1933, on the farm north of Catharine, Kansas, to Anton and Anna (Sander) Schmeidler.&nbsp; He married Dolores (Romme) on October 12, 1954, in Victoria, Kansas. &nbsp;

He was a farmer, and grew up north of Catharine near Severin, Kansas.&nbsp; He was a 1951 graduate of Hays High School, a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church, a member of the Catherine Knights of Columbus, he was instrumental in starting the Catherine Council in 1996, and served as the first Grand Knight, and was a past parish council member.&nbsp; In the 1975 he received a Kansas Bankers Soil Conservation Award, and in the 1980’s he received an Ellis County Friend of 4-H Award.

Survivors include his wife, Dolores Schmeidler, of the home; one son, Jonathan Schmeidler and wife, Kim, Hays, KS; two daughters, Diane Schmeidler, Hays, KS; Joyce Schumacher and husband, Jerry, Salina, KS; five, grandchildren, Maggie Carey (Chris); Sarah Anglemyer (Corey); Jacob Schmeidler; Grace Schmeidler; Faith Schmeidler; three great grandchildren, Natalia Carey, Madeleine Carey, Levi Anglemyer; four sisters, Sophia Walter, Victoria, KS; Lillian Fisher and husband, Victor, Hays, KS; Ann Marie Lessor and husband, Laverne, Great Bend, KS; Gloria VonLintel and husband, Robert. Vincent, KS; two sisters-in-law, Elsie Schmeidler, Hays, KS; Vera Schmidtberger, Great Bend, Ks; one brother-in-law, Leon Romme and wife, Jolene, Lawrence, KS; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Edwin Schmeidler and his wife, Alfreda; Ralph Schmeidler; Anton Schmeidler Jr.; one sister, Irene Dreiling and her husband, Fred; two brothers-in-law, Ralph Walter and Virgil Hertel.

A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held and burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp; Due to the COVID-19 restrictions a public mass will be held at a later date.&nbsp;

A visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, October 8, 2020, with a vigil service and a St. Catherine Knights of Columbus rosary at 6:30 P.M. Thursday, all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.

The family suggests memorials to St. Catherine Catholic Church, Catharine, Kansas, in care of the mortuary.

Due to the coronavirus, if you have a cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or on line guestbook.&nbsp; Social distancing and wearing masks is required at the visitation.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Condolences can be sent via e-mail to <a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a> or can be left at guest book at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a> &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602093133515.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lawrence Schmeidler, age 87, of Catharine, Kansas, died Sunday, October 4, 2020, at Good Samaritan Society of Hays. He was born January 15, 1933, on the farm north of Catharine, Kansas, to Anton and Anna (Sander) Schmeidler.&nbsp; He married Dolores (Romme) on October 12, 1954, in Victoria, Kansas. &nbsp;He was a farmer, and grew up north of Catharine near Severin, Kansas.&nbsp; He was a 1951 graduate of Hays High School, a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church, a member of the Catherine Knights of Columbus, he was instrumental in starting the Catherine Council in 1996, and served as the first Grand Knight, and was a past parish council member.&nbsp; In the 1975 he received a Kansas Bankers Soil Conservation Award, and in the 1980’s he received an Ellis County Friend of 4-H Award.Survivors include his wife, Dolores Schmeidler, of the home; one son, Jonathan Schmeidler and wife, Kim, Hays, KS; two daughters, Diane Schmeidler, Hays, KS; Joyce Schumacher and husband, Jerry, Salina, KS; five, grandchildren, Maggie Carey (Chris); Sarah Anglemyer (Corey); Jacob Schmeidler; Grace Schmeidler; Faith Schmeidler; three great grandchildren, Natalia Carey, Madeleine Carey, Levi Anglemyer; four sisters, Sophia Walter, Victoria, KS; Lillian Fisher and husband, Victor, Hays, KS; Ann Marie Lessor and husband, Laverne, Great Bend, KS; Gloria VonLintel and husband, Robert. Vincent, KS; two sisters-in-law, Elsie Schmeidler, Hays, KS; Vera Schmidtberger, Great Bend, Ks; one brother-in-law, Leon Romme and wife, Jolene, Lawrence, KS; and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Edwin Schmeidler and his wife, Alfreda; Ralph Schmeidler; Anton Schmeidler Jr.; one sister, Irene Dreiling and her husband, Fred; two brothers-in-law, Ralph Walter and Virgil Hertel.A private family Mass of Christian Burial will be held and burial in St. Fidelis Cemetery, Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp; Due to the COVID-19 restrictions a public mass will be held at a later date.&nbsp;A visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday, October 8, 2020, with a vigil service and a St. Catherine Knights of Columbus rosary at 6:30 P.M. Thursday, all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.The family suggests memorials to St. Catherine Catholic Church, Catharine, Kansas, in care of the mortuary.Due to the coronavirus, if you have a cough, fever or are not feeling well, please use our e-mail or on line guestbook.&nbsp; Social distancing and wearing masks is required at the visitation.&nbsp; &nbsp;Condolences can be sent via e-mail to <a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a> or can be left at guest book at <a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a> &nbsp; &nbsp;

Lawrence Schmeidler

Leonard D. Zink passed away on Monday, October 5, 2020, at the Hays 
Medical Center in Hays, Kansas, at the age of 82. He was born on 
September 3, 1938 to William and Eva (Mason) Zink in Phillips County, 
Kansas.
 Leonard is a lifetime resident of Phillips County; he attended 
Tanyard Country School for 3 years before going to Glade Grade School 
and later, Phillipsburg High School where he graduated with the Class of
 1956. Following graduation, he continued to work for the family farm 
until he was drafted to the United States Army in 1961. He faithfully 
served our nation for 2 years before being honorably discharged in 1963.
 Leonard returned to the farm and later took it over completely, 
continuing his labors farming the land and taking care of the livestock 
until he was no longer able. 
 Aside from being a farmer and rancher, Leonard was the Rushville 
Township Treasurer for many years. In his younger years he enjoyed the 
4-H shows. Most of the time Leonard stayed busy and kept to himself but 
loved to be around all his nieces and nephews when he had the chance. 
Attending the annual Phillipsburg Rodeo, and going out to eat with 
friends and neighbors was always something he enjoyed. He was a quiet, 
hardworking, faith-filled man. He attended the St. Thomas Catholic 
Church in Stockton the majority of his life and was also involved in the
 Legion of Mary. 
 Left to cherish his memory is his sister, Jeannine (Bob) Goertz of 
Hutchinson, KS; nieces and nephews, Renee (Randall) Gates of Manhattan, 
KS, Jim (Tammy) Goertz of Hutchinson, Darren Goertz of Hutchinson, Chris
 Goertz of Hutchinson, Jason Goertz of Hutchinson, and Joe Zink of 
Wichita, KS; and great-nieces and nephews, Corinne Gates, Mason Gates, 
Tyler Gates, Matthew Gates, Bastian (Caytlin) Mills, Dakota Mills, 
Jeremy Goertz, Isaiah Goertz, Gabriel Goertz, Taylor Brittian, Alex 
Goertz, Carter Goertz, Bailey Goertz, Noah Goertz, Camryn Goertz, Eva 
Goertz, Norah Goertz, Todd (Jessica) Zink, and Michael Zink. &nbsp;&nbsp; He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Eva Zink; 
brothers, William “Billy” Zink, Jr. and Leon Zink; and sister-in-law 
Magdalena Zink.
 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 12, 2020 
at 10:30 AM at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Stockton. Burial will 
follow at the St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors being 
rendered by Kansas Army National Guard and the local VFW. Visitation 
will be held on Sunday 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM with family receiving friends 
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Vigil Service and Rosary at 7:00 PM at the 
funeral home in Stockton. 
 Memorials are suggested to St. Thomas Catholic Church or St. Thomas 
Catholic Cemetery and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral 
Home, 723 North First, Stockton, KS 67669.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602179176716.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Leonard D. Zink passed away on Monday, October 5, 2020, at the Hays 
Medical Center in Hays, Kansas, at the age of 82. He was born on 
September 3, 1938 to William and Eva (Mason) Zink in Phillips County, 
Kansas.
 Leonard is a lifetime resident of Phillips County; he attended 
Tanyard Country School for 3 years before going to Glade Grade School 
and later, Phillipsburg High School where he graduated with the Class of
 1956. Following graduation, he continued to work for the family farm 
until he was drafted to the United States Army in 1961. He faithfully 
served our nation for 2 years before being honorably discharged in 1963.
 Leonard returned to the farm and later took it over completely, 
continuing his labors farming the land and taking care of the livestock 
until he was no longer able. 
 Aside from being a farmer and rancher, Leonard was the Rushville 
Township Treasurer for many years. In his younger years he enjoyed the 
4-H shows. Most of the time Leonard stayed busy and kept to himself but 
loved to be around all his nieces and nephews when he had the chance. 
Attending the annual Phillipsburg Rodeo, and going out to eat with 
friends and neighbors was always something he enjoyed. He was a quiet, 
hardworking, faith-filled man. He attended the St. Thomas Catholic 
Church in Stockton the majority of his life and was also involved in the
 Legion of Mary. 
 Left to cherish his memory is his sister, Jeannine (Bob) Goertz of 
Hutchinson, KS; nieces and nephews, Renee (Randall) Gates of Manhattan, 
KS, Jim (Tammy) Goertz of Hutchinson, Darren Goertz of Hutchinson, Chris
 Goertz of Hutchinson, Jason Goertz of Hutchinson, and Joe Zink of 
Wichita, KS; and great-nieces and nephews, Corinne Gates, Mason Gates, 
Tyler Gates, Matthew Gates, Bastian (Caytlin) Mills, Dakota Mills, 
Jeremy Goertz, Isaiah Goertz, Gabriel Goertz, Taylor Brittian, Alex 
Goertz, Carter Goertz, Bailey Goertz, Noah Goertz, Camryn Goertz, Eva 
Goertz, Norah Goertz, Todd (Jessica) Zink, and Michael Zink. &nbsp;&nbsp; He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Eva Zink; 
brothers, William “Billy” Zink, Jr. and Leon Zink; and sister-in-law 
Magdalena Zink.
 A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, October 12, 2020 
at 10:30 AM at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Stockton. Burial will 
follow at the St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors being 
rendered by Kansas Army National Guard and the local VFW. Visitation 
will be held on Sunday 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM with family receiving friends 
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Vigil Service and Rosary at 7:00 PM at the 
funeral home in Stockton. 
 Memorials are suggested to St. Thomas Catholic Church or St. Thomas 
Catholic Cemetery and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral 
Home, 723 North First, Stockton, KS 67669.

Leonard D. Zink

Robin F. Henderson, age 63, passed away while in hospice care in Kansas City, Missouri on Monday, October 5, 2020.  She was born on May 13, 1958, in Scott City, Kansas, the daughter of Roy E. and Anita F. Houck Lausch.  A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she was a Nurse at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas.

Survivors include her One Son - Troy Henderson of Trimble, Missouri, One Daughter - Trista &amp; Derek Fenner of Liberty, Missouri, One Brother - Kyle &amp; Gena Lausch of Scott City, Kansas, Three Sisters - Lavona &amp; Jim Kuhn of Paris, Texas, Sherrie &amp; Charles Berry of Scott City, Kansas, Lynn &amp; Mike Palen of Omaha, Nebraska.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, One Sister - Karen Lausch.

Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 09, 2020, at the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas with Steve Payne presiding. 

Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas. 

Memorials In Lieu of Flowers can be made to the Scott County Hospital in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602092977666.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Robin F. Henderson, age 63, passed away while in hospice care in Kansas City, Missouri on Monday, October 5, 2020. She was born on May 13, 1958, in Scott City, Kansas, the daughter of Roy E. and Anita F. Houck Lausch. A lifetime resident of Scott City, Kansas, she was a Nurse at the Scott County Hospital in Scott City, Kansas.Survivors include her One Son - Troy Henderson of Trimble, Missouri, One Daughter - Trista &amp; Derek Fenner of Liberty, Missouri, One Brother - Kyle &amp; Gena Lausch of Scott City, Kansas, Three Sisters - Lavona &amp; Jim Kuhn of Paris, Texas, Sherrie &amp; Charles Berry of Scott City, Kansas, Lynn &amp; Mike Palen of Omaha, Nebraska.She was preceded in death by her Parents, One Sister - Karen Lausch.Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, October 09, 2020, at the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas with Steve Payne presiding. Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas. Memorials In Lieu of Flowers can be made to the Scott County Hospital in care of Price and Sons Funeral Home.Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.

Robin F. Henderson

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,244 to a total of 63,952 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;

TOPEKA— The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas increased by 1,244 to a total of 63,952 the state health department reported Wednesday afternoon.&nbsp;Coronavirus deaths were reported at 723, an increase of 17.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional numbers from the KDHE.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602090349295.png" alt="Wednesday October 7, 2020 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday October 7, 2020 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure>

KDHE: Latest coronavirus numbers in Kansas

Join Dr. Barbara Bollier, Kansas Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, in Hays Saturday, October 10 for a Lawn Chair Chat.&nbsp;

She will be at Frontier Park East, south Highway 183, for the Lawn Chair Chat, beginning at 10 a.m.

 This is your chance to learn about Barbara, her campaign, and ask questions about how she’ll be a voice of reason for Kansans.

To ensure your safety and the safety for those around us please bring both a folding chair and a face covering. Coverings are required for this event.

For questions about this event please email Info@BollierforKansas.com.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602090459911.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Join Dr. Barbara Bollier, Kansas Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, in Hays Saturday, October 10 for a Lawn Chair Chat.&nbsp;She will be at Frontier Park East, south Highway 183, for the Lawn Chair Chat, beginning at 10 a.m. This is your chance to learn about Barbara, her campaign, and ask questions about how she’ll be a voice of reason for Kansans.To ensure your safety and the safety for those around us please bring both a folding chair and a face covering. Coverings are required for this event.For questions about this event please email Info@BollierforKansas.com.

UPDATE: U.S. Senate candidate Bollier in Hays Saturday for 'Lawn Chair Chat'

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department unsealed charges Wednesday against two Islamic State militants from Britain, accusing them of carrying out a gruesome campaign of torture, beheadings and other acts of violence against Western hostages they had captured in Syria, including four Americans.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?476715-1/fbi-director-wray-justice-department-officials-hold-news-conference&amp;live">Click here to watch</a> a replay of the press conference

El Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey are two of four men dubbed “the Beatles” by the hostages they held captive because of their British accents. They are expected to make their first appearance in the afternoon in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, where a federal grand jury issued an eight-count indictment.

The charges are a milestone in a years-long effort by U.S. authorities to bring to justice members of the group known for beheadings and barbaric treatment of aid workers, journalists and other hostages in Syria. The men’s arrival in the U.S. sets the stage for arguably the most sensational terrorism trial since the 2014 criminal case against the suspected ringleader of a deadly attack on the diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.

Videos of the killings, released online in the form of Islamic State propaganda, stunned the U.S. government for their unflinching violence. The recordings routinely showed prisoners in orange jumpsuits on their knees beside a captor dressed in black whose native English drove home the global reach of a group that at its peak occupied vast swaths of Syria and Iraq.

Relatives of four of the slain hostages praised the Justice Department for transferring the men to the U.S. for trial, saying, “Now our families can pursue accountability for these crimes against our children in a U.S. court.”

The indictment describes Kotey and Elsheikh as “leading participants in a brutal hostage-taking scheme targeting American and European citizens” from 2012 through 2015.

In July 2014, according to the indictment, Elsheikh described to a family member his participation in an Islamic State attack on the Syrian Army. He sent the family member photos of decapitated heads and said in a voice message, “There’s many heads, this is just a couple that I took a photo of.”

Elsheikh and Kotey have been held since October 2019 in American military custody after being captured in Syria one year earlier by the U.S.-based Syrian Democratic Forces. The Justice Department has long wanted to put them on trial, but those efforts were complicated by wrangling over whether Britain, which does not have the death penalty, would share evidence that could be used in a death penalty prosecution.

Attorney General William Barr broke the diplomatic standoff earlier this year when he promised the men would not face the death penalty. That prompted British authorities to share evidence that U.S. prosecutors deemed crucial for obtaining convictions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602084322917.png" alt="U.S. Department of Justice officials and FBI Director Christopher Wray (right) made the announcement Wednesday morning -image courtesy Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Department of Justice officials and FBI Director Christopher Wray (right) made the announcement Wednesday morning -image courtesy Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department unsealed charges Wednesday against two Islamic State militants from Britain, accusing them of carrying out a gruesome campaign of torture, beheadings and other acts of violence against Western hostages they had captured in Syria, including four Americans.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?476715-1/fbi-director-wray-justice-department-officials-hold-news-conference&amp;live">Click here to watch</a> a replay of the press conferenceEl Shafee Elsheikh and Alexanda Kotey are two of four men dubbed “the Beatles” by the hostages they held captive because of their British accents. They are expected to make their first appearance in the afternoon in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, where a federal grand jury issued an eight-count indictment.The charges are a milestone in a years-long effort by U.S. authorities to bring to justice members of the group known for beheadings and barbaric treatment of aid workers, journalists and other hostages in Syria. The men’s arrival in the U.S. sets the stage for arguably the most sensational terrorism trial since the 2014 criminal case against the suspected ringleader of a deadly attack on the diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya.Videos of the killings, released online in the form of Islamic State propaganda, stunned the U.S. government for their unflinching violence. The recordings routinely showed prisoners in orange jumpsuits on their knees beside a captor dressed in black whose native English drove home the global reach of a group that at its peak occupied vast swaths of Syria and Iraq.Relatives of four of the slain hostages praised the Justice Department for transferring the men to the U.S. for trial, saying, “Now our families can pursue accountability for these crimes against our children in a U.S. court.”The indictment describes Kotey and Elsheikh as “leading participants in a brutal hostage-taking scheme targeting American and European citizens” from 2012 through 2015.In July 2014, according to the indictment, Elsheikh described to a family member his participation in an Islamic State attack on the Syrian Army. He sent the family member photos of decapitated heads and said in a voice message, “There’s many heads, this is just a couple that I took a photo of.”Elsheikh and Kotey have been held since October 2019 in American military custody after being captured in Syria one year earlier by the U.S.-based Syrian Democratic Forces. The Justice Department has long wanted to put them on trial, but those efforts were complicated by wrangling over whether Britain, which does not have the death penalty, would share evidence that could be used in a death penalty prosecution.Attorney General William Barr broke the diplomatic standoff earlier this year when he promised the men would not face the death penalty. That prompted British authorities to share evidence that U.S. prosecutors deemed crucial for obtaining convictions.In interviews while in detention, the two men admitted they helped collect email addresses from Kayla Mueller that could be used to send out ransom demands. Mueller was killed in 2015 after 18 months in ISIS captivity.The State Department described their conduct in terms not nearly so benign. The agency declared Elsheikh and Kotey as specially designated global terrorists in 2017 and accused them of holding captive and beheading approximately two dozen hostages, including American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff, and aid worker Peter Kassig.ADVERTISEMENTSpecifically, the State Department said Elsheikh “was said to have earned a reputation for waterboarding, mock executions, and crucifixions while serving as an ISIS jailer.”Kotey, according to the State Department, acted as an Islamic State recruiter and “likely engaged in the group’s executions and exceptionally cruel torture methods, including electronic shock and waterboarding.”In a statement, relatives of Mueller, Foley, Sotloff and Kassig said the transfer “will be the first step in the pursuit of justice for the alleged horrific human rights crimes against these four young Americans.”“We are hopeful that the U.S. government will finally be able to send the important message that if you harm Americans, you will never escape justice. And when you are caught, you will face the full power of American law,” the statement said.The other two Beatles included the most infamous member of the group, Mohammed Emwazi, known as “Jihadi John,” who was killed in a 2015 drone strike. Emwazi appeared and spoke in the video of Foley’s execution. The fourth member, Aine Lesley Davis, was sentenced to seven years in prison in Turkey in 2017.