Charles A. “Chuck” Anderson, 71, passed peacefully from this life, Friday January 12, 2024 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. He was born October 25, 1952 in Colby, Kansas; the son of Marvin and Mabel (Momeyer) Anderson.

He grew up on his family farm, attended Colby schools and graduated in 1970. He married Kathy (Murray) Johnmeyer April 15, 1972 and from this union two children were born. Chuck enjoyed watching his grandkids sports activities, golfing, fishing, riding his motorcycle and socializing with his friends at JAX Sports Bar.

He spent almost 40 years of his life working in the Oil and Gas field. First working for ARCO, then Vastar Resources and finally BP where he retired as a Team Leader. Dedication to his work and his family caused him to move around a lot throughout his career. He lived in Plainville Kansas, McPherson Kansas, Cushing Oklahoma, Wilburton Oklahoma, Johnson Kansas, Ulysses Kansas and Farmington New Mexico. After retiring 7 years ago, he moved from New Mexico to Garden City to be close to his family.

Survivors include his daughter Stacy and husband JW Tancayo of Garden City, Kansas; daughter-in-law Ashley Anderson of Jonesboro, Arkansas; grandchildren- Jerek Tancayo, Brooks Tancayo, Elly Jo “EJ” Tancayo, Brayden Anderson, and Lily Anderson; one brother John Anderson of Colby, Kansas and one sister Laurie and husband Duane Schlitter of College Station, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents and his son Brock Anderson. Chuck was a great Dad, Grandpa and friend and will be missed dearly until we are all united again in Heaven.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 am Thursday January 18, 2024 at Pierceville Federated Church in Pierceville, Kansas with Pastor Mike Macwhinnie presiding. Memorial contributions are suggested to Leave A Legacy or Pierceville Federated Church both in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City, Kansas.Garnand Funeral Home 412 N. 7th Street Garden City, KS 67846 620-276-3219&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705364741957.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Charles A. “Chuck” Anderson, 71, passed peacefully from this life, Friday January 12, 2024 at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. He was born October 25, 1952 in Colby, Kansas; the son of Marvin and Mabel (Momeyer) Anderson.He grew up on his family farm, attended Colby schools and graduated in 1970. He married Kathy (Murray) Johnmeyer April 15, 1972 and from this union two children were born. Chuck enjoyed watching his grandkids sports activities, golfing, fishing, riding his motorcycle and socializing with his friends at JAX Sports Bar.He spent almost 40 years of his life working in the Oil and Gas field. First working for ARCO, then Vastar Resources and finally BP where he retired as a Team Leader. Dedication to his work and his family caused him to move around a lot throughout his career. He lived in Plainville Kansas, McPherson Kansas, Cushing Oklahoma, Wilburton Oklahoma, Johnson Kansas, Ulysses Kansas and Farmington New Mexico. After retiring 7 years ago, he moved from New Mexico to Garden City to be close to his family.Survivors include his daughter Stacy and husband JW Tancayo of Garden City, Kansas; daughter-in-law Ashley Anderson of Jonesboro, Arkansas; grandchildren- Jerek Tancayo, Brooks Tancayo, Elly Jo “EJ” Tancayo, Brayden Anderson, and Lily Anderson; one brother John Anderson of Colby, Kansas and one sister Laurie and husband Duane Schlitter of College Station, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents and his son Brock Anderson. Chuck was a great Dad, Grandpa and friend and will be missed dearly until we are all united again in Heaven.A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 am Thursday January 18, 2024 at Pierceville Federated Church in Pierceville, Kansas with Pastor Mike Macwhinnie presiding. Memorial contributions are suggested to Leave A Legacy or Pierceville Federated Church both in care of Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City, Kansas.Garnand Funeral Home 412 N. 7th Street Garden City, KS 67846 620-276-3219&nbsp;&nbsp;

Charles A. “Chuck” Anderson

JERUSALEM (AP) — Yemen's Houthi rebels fired an anti-ship cruise missile toward an American destroyer in the Red Sea but a U.S. fighter jet shot it down in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-yemen-houthis-attack-ships-f67d941c260528ac40315ecab4c34ca3">the latest attack roiling global shipping</a>&nbsp;amid Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, officials said.

The attack on Sunday marks the first U.S.-acknowledged fire by the Houthis since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-biden-retaliation-attacks-0804b93372cd5e874a0dd03513fe36a2">America and allied nations began strikes Friday on the rebels</a>&nbsp;following weeks of assaults on shipping in the Red Sea.

The Houthis have targeted that crucial corridor linking Asian and Mideast energy and cargo shipments to the Suez Canal onward to Europe over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-14-2024-3af5b75f744b92c5517b287baf20b55b">the Israel-Hamas war</a>, attacks that threaten to widen that conflict into a regional conflagration.

The Houthis,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-attacks-iran-ships-retaliation-houthis-d770a3fb0fab4c4b72e2459771833e11">a Shiite rebel group allied with Iran</a>&nbsp;that seized Yemen's capital in 2014, did not immediately acknowledge the attack.

It wasn't immediately clear whether the U.S. would retaliate for the latest attack, though President Joe Biden has said he “will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”

The Houthi fire on Sunday went in the direction of the USS Laboon, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer operating in the southern reaches of the Red Sea, the U.S. military's Central Command said in a statement.

The missile came from near Hodeida, a Red Sea port city long held by the Houthis, the U.S. said.

“An anti-ship cruise missile was fired from Iranian-backed Houthi militant areas of Yemen toward USS Laboon,” Central Command said. “There were no injuries or damage reported."

The first day of U.S.-led strikes Friday hit 28 locations and struck more than 60 targets with cruise missiles and bombs launched by fighter jets, warships and a submarine. Sites hit included weapon depots, radars and command centers, including in remote mountain areas, the U.S. has said.

The Houthis have yet to acknowledge how severe the damage was from the strikes, which they said killed five of their troops and wounded six others.

U.S. forces followed up with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-us-ship-attacks-bombing-red-sea-iran-cc06d9186a00d1f22bea6b9c14dda12a">a strike Saturday on a Houthi radar site</a>.

Shipping through the Red Sea has slowed over the attacks. The U.S. Navy on Friday warned American-flagged vessels to steer clear of areas around Yemen in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for 72 hours after the initial airstrikes.

For their part, the Houthis alleged without providing evidence that the U.S. struck a site near Hodeida on Sunday around the same time of the cruise missile fire. The Americans and the United Kingdom did not acknowledge conducting any strike — suggesting the blast may have been from a misfiring Houthi missile.

Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas</a>. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade.

Even the leader of the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group, Hassan Nasrallah, obliquely referenced the widening Houthi attacks on ships in a speech Sunday, saying that “the sea has become battlefield of missiles, drones and warships” and blaming the U.S. strikes for escalating maritime tensions.

“The most dangerous thing is what the Americans did in the Red Sea (it) will harm the security of all maritime navigation,” Nasrallah said.

Though the Biden administration and its allies have tried to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-iran-hezbollah-yemen-0373be2e21b5a832d71f5bf828f67959">calm tensions in the Middle East</a>&nbsp;for weeks and prevent any wider conflict, the strikes in the Red Sea threaten to ignite one.

Saudi Arabia, which supports the Yemeni government-in-exile that the Houthis are fighting, sought to distance itself from the attacks on Houthi sites as it tries to maintain a delicate détente with Iran and a cease-fire it has in Yemen. The Saudi-led, U.S.-backed war in Yemen that began in 2015 has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, killing tens of thousands more.

Meanwhile, the White House said Sunday that “it’s the right time” for Israel to scale back its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, as Israeli leaders again vowed to press ahead with their operation against the territory’s ruling Hamas militant group.

The comments exposed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-netanyahu-israel-palestinians-gaza-fe150c19cdcc4737f4a9e22a695490ed">growing differences</a>&nbsp;between the close allies on the 100th day of the war.

Also Sunday, Israeli warplanes struck targets in Lebanon following a Hezbollah missile attack that killed two Israeli civilians — an older woman and her adult son — in northern Israel. The exchange of fire underscored concerns that the Gaza violence could trigger wider fighting across the region.

The war in Gaza, launched by Israel in response to the unprecedented Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, has killed nearly 24,000 Palestinians, devastated vast swaths of Gaza, driven around 85% of the territory’s 2.3 million residents from their homes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-uninhabitable-un-humanitarian-israel-palestinians-famine-9d92816bdb8d82d023bc4bd18f67d8a3">pushed a quarter of the population into starvation</a>.

Speaking on CBS, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. has been speaking to Israel “about a transition to low-intensity operations” in Gaza.

“We believe it’s the right time for that transition. And we’re talking to them about doing that,” he said on “Face the Nation.”

Israel launched the offensive after the Hamas attack killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 others hostage. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead until Hamas is destroyed and all of the more than 100 hostages still in captivity are freed.

The war has sent tensions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-iran-hezbollah-yemen-0373be2e21b5a832d71f5bf828f67959">soaring across the region</a>, with Israel trading fire almost daily with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group and Iranian-backed militias attacking U.S. targets in Syria and Iraq. In addition, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been targeting international shipping, drawing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-us-ship-attacks-bombing-red-sea-iran-cc06d9186a00d1f22bea6b9c14dda12a">a wave of U.S. airstrikes</a>&nbsp;last week.

Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, said his group won’t stop until a cease-fire is in place for Gaza.

“We are continuing, and our front is inflicting losses on the enemy and putting pressure on displaced people,” Nasrallah said in a speech, referring to the tens of thousands of Israelis who have fled northern border areas.

In other developments, tens of thousands of people in Europe and the Middle East&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-protests-hostages-cease-fire-london-karachi-2632ad0e7285e55f2c222dc69100014a">took to the streets</a>&nbsp;Sunday to mark the 100th day of the war. Opposing demonstrations either demanded the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas or called for a cease-fire in Gaza.

In Israel, supporters of the hostages and their families wrapped up a 24-hour protest in Tel Aviv calling on the government to win their immediate release.

The unprecedented level of death and destruction in Gaza has led South Africa to lodge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-court-israel-genocide-gaza-south-africa-774ab3c3d57fd7bcc627602eaf47fd98">allegations of genocide against Israel</a>&nbsp;at the International Court of Justice. Israel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-court-israel-genocide-gaza-south-africa-65b087102893dd06222370b10f0b4e4d">denies the accusations</a>&nbsp;and has vowed to press ahead with its offensive even if the court in The Hague issues an interim order for it to stop.

Israel has also been under growing international pressure to end the war in Gaza, but it has so far been shielded by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-israel-gaza-arms-hamas-bypass-congress-1dc77f20aac4a797df6a2338b677da4f">U.S. diplomatic and military support.</a>&nbsp;Israel argues that any cease-fire would hand victory to Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007 and is bent on Israel’s destruction.

“It’s been 100 days, yet we will not stop until we win,” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Sunday.

But differences with the Americans have begun to emerge. During a visit to the region last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken renewed his calls on Israel to do more to reduce civilian casualties and increase the supplies of desperately needed humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

In recent weeks, Israel has scaled back operations in northern Gaza, the initial target of the offensive, where weeks of airstrikes and ground operations&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">left entire neighborhoods in ruins</a>.

Kirby, the White House spokesman, acknowledged that Israel had taken some “precursory steps” toward scaling back the offensive. But he said there was more to do.

“We’re not saying let your foot up off the gas completely and don’t keep going after Hamas,” he said. “It’s just that we believe the time is coming here very, very soon for a transition to this lower intensity phase.”

The deadly Hezbollah missile strike in northern Israel renewed concerns about a second front erupting into full-blown war.

It came shortly after the Israeli army said it killed three Lebanese militants who tried to infiltrate Israel.

Late Sunday, the Israeli military said it had struck Lebanon in response to the missile strike. Israeli officials said a woman in her 70s and her son, in his 40s, were killed in the town of Yuval.

The army’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said Israel would not tolerate attacks on civilians.

“The price will be extracted not just tonight, but also in the future,” he said.

Yuval is one of more than 40 towns along Israel’s northern border evacuated by the government in October. Israeli media reported that the family stayed in the area because they work in agriculture.

Tensions have also spread to the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Palestinian health officials say nearly 350 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in confrontations throughout the war.

On Sunday, the Israeli army said troops opened fire after a Palestinian car breached a military roadblock in the southern West Bank and an attacker fired at soldiers. Palestinian health officials said two Palestinians were killed.

Late Sunday, Palestinian health officials said two teenage boys were killed by Israeli fire. The army said it shot them after they threw a bomb at an army base.

Israel has launched major operations against the southern city of Khan Younis and built-up refugee camps in central Gaza.

“No one is able to move,” said Rami Abu Matouq, who lives in the Maghazi camp. “Warplanes, snipers and gunfire are everywhere.”

In the central town of Deir al-Balah, health officials said at least 15 people were killed in Israeli strikes late Saturday.

At the entrance of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, men lined up to pray for the dead, their bodies wrapped in white shrouds. The bodies were put on the back of a pickup truck before they were taken to be buried.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian TV station Al-Ghad said a cameraman was killed in an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza. The channel said Yazan al-Zwaidi was apparently in a crowd of people at the time. Details were not immediately available, and the Israeli military had no comment.

The internet advocacy group Netblocks said communications in Gaza were still out after a 48-hour outage. The Palestinian telecommunications operator in Gaza, Jawwal, said two of its employees were killed Saturday when they were hit by a shell while fixing lines in Khan Younis.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Gaza Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;said Sunday that hospitals had received 125 bodies in the last 24 hours, bringing the overall death toll to 23,968. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around two-thirds of the dead are women and minors. It says over 60,000 people have been wounded.

Israel says Hamas is responsible for the high civilian casualties, saying its fighters make use of civilian buildings and launch attacks from densely populated urban areas. The military says 189 soldiers have been killed and 1,099 wounded since the start of the ground offensive.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703990687604.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) — Yemen's Houthi rebels fired an anti-ship cruise missile toward an American destroyer in the Red Sea but a U.S. fighter jet shot it down in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-yemen-houthis-attack-ships-f67d941c260528ac40315ecab4c34ca3">the latest attack roiling global shipping</a>&nbsp;amid Israel's war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, officials said.The attack on Sunday marks the first U.S.-acknowledged fire by the Houthis since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-biden-retaliation-attacks-0804b93372cd5e874a0dd03513fe36a2">America and allied nations began strikes Friday on the rebels</a>&nbsp;following weeks of assaults on shipping in the Red Sea.The Houthis have targeted that crucial corridor linking Asian and Mideast energy and cargo shipments to the Suez Canal onward to Europe over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-14-2024-3af5b75f744b92c5517b287baf20b55b">the Israel-Hamas war</a>, attacks that threaten to widen that conflict into a regional conflagration.The Houthis,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-attacks-iran-ships-retaliation-houthis-d770a3fb0fab4c4b72e2459771833e11">a Shiite rebel group allied with Iran</a>&nbsp;that seized Yemen's capital in 2014, did not immediately acknowledge the attack.It wasn't immediately clear whether the U.S. would retaliate for the latest attack, though President Joe Biden has said he “will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”The Houthi fire on Sunday went in the direction of the USS Laboon, an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer operating in the southern reaches of the Red Sea, the U.S. military's Central Command said in a statement.The missile came from near Hodeida, a Red Sea port city long held by the Houthis, the U.S. said.“An anti-ship cruise missile was fired from Iranian-backed Houthi militant areas of Yemen toward USS Laboon,” Central Command said. “There were no injuries or damage reported."The first day of U.S.-led strikes Friday hit 28 locations and struck more than 60 targets with cruise missiles and bombs launched by fighter jets, warships and a submarine. Sites hit included weapon depots, radars and command centers, including in remote mountain areas, the U.S. has said.The Houthis have yet to acknowledge how severe the damage was from the strikes, which they said killed five of their troops and wounded six others.U.S. forces followed up with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-us-ship-attacks-bombing-red-sea-iran-cc06d9186a00d1f22bea6b9c14dda12a">a strike Saturday on a Houthi radar site</a>.Shipping through the Red Sea has slowed over the attacks. The U.S. Navy on Friday warned American-flagged vessels to steer clear of areas around Yemen in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden for 72 hours after the initial airstrikes.For their part, the Houthis alleged without providing evidence that the U.S. struck a site near Hodeida on Sunday around the same time of the cruise missile fire. The Americans and the United Kingdom did not acknowledge conducting any strike — suggesting the blast may have been from a misfiring Houthi missile.Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, saying they were avenging&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas</a>. But they have frequently targeted vessels with tenuous or no clear links to Israel, imperiling shipping in a key route for global trade.Even the leader of the Lebanese militant Hezbollah group, Hassan Nasrallah, obliquely referenced the widening Houthi attacks on ships in a speech Sunday, saying that “the sea has become battlefield of missiles, drones and warships” and blaming the U.S. strikes for escalating maritime tensions.“The most dangerous thing is what the Americans did in the Red Sea (it) will harm the security of all maritime navigation,” Nasrallah said.Though the Biden administration and its allies have tried to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-iran-hezbollah-yemen-0373be2e21b5a832d71f5bf828f67959">calm tensions in the Middle East</a>&nbsp;for weeks and prevent any wider conflict, the strikes in the Red Sea threaten to ignite one.Saudi Arabia, which supports the Yemeni government-in-exile that the Houthis are fighting, sought to distance itself from the attacks on Houthi sites as it tries to maintain a delicate détente with Iran and a cease-fire it has in Yemen. The Saudi-led, U.S.-backed war in Yemen that began in 2015 has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters, killing tens of thousands more.Meanwhile, the White House said Sunday that “it’s the right time” for Israel to scale back its military offensive in the Gaza Strip, as Israeli leaders again vowed to press ahead with their operation against the territory’s ruling Hamas militant group.The comments exposed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-netanyahu-israel-palestinians-gaza-fe150c19cdcc4737f4a9e22a695490ed">growing differences</a>&nbsp;between the close allies on the 100th day of the war.Also Sunday, Israeli warplanes struck targets in Lebanon following a Hezbollah missile attack that killed two Israeli civilians — an older woman and her adult son — in northern Israel. The exchange of fire underscored concerns that the Gaza violence could trigger wider fighting across the region.The war in Gaza, launched by Israel in response to the unprecedented Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, has killed nearly 24,000 Palestinians, devastated vast swaths of Gaza, driven around 85% of the territory’s 2.3 million residents from their homes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-uninhabitable-un-humanitarian-israel-palestinians-famine-9d92816bdb8d82d023bc4bd18f67d8a3">pushed a quarter of the population into starvation</a>.Speaking on CBS, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. has been speaking to Israel “about a transition to low-intensity operations” in Gaza.“We believe it’s the right time for that transition. And we’re talking to them about doing that,” he said on “Face the Nation.”Israel launched the offensive after the Hamas attack killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took 250 others hostage. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to press ahead until Hamas is destroyed and all of the more than 100 hostages still in captivity are freed.The war has sent tensions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-iran-hezbollah-yemen-0373be2e21b5a832d71f5bf828f67959">soaring across the region</a>, with Israel trading fire almost daily with Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group and Iranian-backed militias attacking U.S. targets in Syria and Iraq. In addition, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have been targeting international shipping, drawing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-us-ship-attacks-bombing-red-sea-iran-cc06d9186a00d1f22bea6b9c14dda12a">a wave of U.S. airstrikes</a>&nbsp;last week.Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah, said his group won’t stop until a cease-fire is in place for Gaza.“We are continuing, and our front is inflicting losses on the enemy and putting pressure on displaced people,” Nasrallah said in a speech, referring to the tens of thousands of Israelis who have fled northern border areas.In other developments, tens of thousands of people in Europe and the Middle East&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-protests-hostages-cease-fire-london-karachi-2632ad0e7285e55f2c222dc69100014a">took to the streets</a>&nbsp;Sunday to mark the 100th day of the war. Opposing demonstrations either demanded the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas or called for a cease-fire in Gaza.In Israel, supporters of the hostages and their families wrapped up a 24-hour protest in Tel Aviv calling on the government to win their immediate release.INTERNATIONAL PRESSUREThe unprecedented level of death and destruction in Gaza has led South Africa to lodge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-court-israel-genocide-gaza-south-africa-774ab3c3d57fd7bcc627602eaf47fd98">allegations of genocide against Israel</a>&nbsp;at the International Court of Justice. Israel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-court-israel-genocide-gaza-south-africa-65b087102893dd06222370b10f0b4e4d">denies the accusations</a>&nbsp;and has vowed to press ahead with its offensive even if the court in The Hague issues an interim order for it to stop.Israel has also been under growing international pressure to end the war in Gaza, but it has so far been shielded by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-israel-gaza-arms-hamas-bypass-congress-1dc77f20aac4a797df6a2338b677da4f">U.S. diplomatic and military support.</a>&nbsp;Israel argues that any cease-fire would hand victory to Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007 and is bent on Israel’s destruction.“It’s been 100 days, yet we will not stop until we win,” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Sunday.But differences with the Americans have begun to emerge. During a visit to the region last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken renewed his calls on Israel to do more to reduce civilian casualties and increase the supplies of desperately needed humanitarian aid entering Gaza.In recent weeks, Israel has scaled back operations in northern Gaza, the initial target of the offensive, where weeks of airstrikes and ground operations&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-gaza-israel-bombing-destruction-hamas-reconstruction-f299a28410b70ee05dd764df97d8d3a0">left entire neighborhoods in ruins</a>.Kirby, the White House spokesman, acknowledged that Israel had taken some “precursory steps” toward scaling back the offensive. But he said there was more to do.“We’re not saying let your foot up off the gas completely and don’t keep going after Hamas,” he said. “It’s just that we believe the time is coming here very, very soon for a transition to this lower intensity phase.”FEARS OF A SECOND FRONTThe deadly Hezbollah missile strike in northern Israel renewed concerns about a second front erupting into full-blown war.It came shortly after the Israeli army said it killed three Lebanese militants who tried to infiltrate Israel.Late Sunday, the Israeli military said it had struck Lebanon in response to the missile strike. Israeli officials said a woman in her 70s and her son, in his 40s, were killed in the town of Yuval.The army’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said Israel would not tolerate attacks on civilians.“The price will be extracted not just tonight, but also in the future,” he said.Yuval is one of more than 40 towns along Israel’s northern border evacuated by the government in October. Israeli media reported that the family stayed in the area because they work in agriculture.Tensions have also spread to the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where Palestinian health officials say nearly 350 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in confrontations throughout the war.On Sunday, the Israeli army said troops opened fire after a Palestinian car breached a military roadblock in the southern West Bank and an attacker fired at soldiers. Palestinian health officials said two Palestinians were killed.Late Sunday, Palestinian health officials said two teenage boys were killed by Israeli fire. The army said it shot them after they threw a bomb at an army base.ISRAEL STRIKES CENTRAL, SOUTHERN GAZAIsrael has launched major operations against the southern city of Khan Younis and built-up refugee camps in central Gaza.“No one is able to move,” said Rami Abu Matouq, who lives in the Maghazi camp. “Warplanes, snipers and gunfire are everywhere.”In the central town of Deir al-Balah, health officials said at least 15 people were killed in Israeli strikes late Saturday.At the entrance of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, men lined up to pray for the dead, their bodies wrapped in white shrouds. The bodies were put on the back of a pickup truck before they were taken to be buried.Meanwhile, the Egyptian TV station Al-Ghad said a cameraman was killed in an Israeli airstrike in northern Gaza. The channel said Yazan al-Zwaidi was apparently in a crowd of people at the time. Details were not immediately available, and the Israeli military had no comment.The internet advocacy group Netblocks said communications in Gaza were still out after a 48-hour outage. The Palestinian telecommunications operator in Gaza, Jawwal, said two of its employees were killed Saturday when they were hit by a shell while fixing lines in Khan Younis.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Gaza Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;said Sunday that hospitals had received 125 bodies in the last 24 hours, bringing the overall death toll to 23,968. The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants but says around two-thirds of the dead are women and minors. It says over 60,000 people have been wounded.Israel says Hamas is responsible for the high civilian casualties, saying its fighters make use of civilian buildings and launch attacks from densely populated urban areas. The military says 189 soldiers have been killed and 1,099 wounded since the start of the ground offensive.___

First missile threat on U.S. warship in the Red Sea since America-led attack

JOHNSON COUNTY—A man from Iowa is going to prison for the 2021 killing of a man in Kansas.

According to the Johnson County District Attorney, Michael Balance, 60, Des Moines, was sentenced to just more than 51-year-years in prison for the death of 70-year-old John Hoffman, of Prairie Village. 

In May of 2021, police found Hoffman’s body in his apartment. He had been shot several times. Police quickly identified Balance as a suspect in the shooting and contacted Des Moines police, who arrested him.

In October, a Johnson County jury found Balance guilty of second-degree murder. He was&nbsp;originally charged with premeditated first-degree murder, according to the district attorney's office.

A Johnson County jury found Michael L. Balance, 60, of Des Moines, Iowa, guilty of second-degree murder. He was originally charged with premeditated first-degree murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704488000265.png" alt="Balance-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Balance-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY—A man from Iowa is going to prison for the 2021 killing of a man in Kansas.According to the Johnson County District Attorney, Michael Balance, 60, Des Moines, was sentenced to just more than 51-year-years in prison for the death of 70-year-old John Hoffman, of Prairie Village. In May of 2021, police found Hoffman’s body in his apartment. He had been shot several times. Police quickly identified Balance as a suspect in the shooting and contacted Des Moines police, who arrested him.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620143853583.png" alt="Balance following his arrest in Iowa" />
 <figcaption>Balance following his arrest in Iowa</figcaption>
 </figure>In October, a Johnson County jury found Balance guilty of second-degree murder. He was&nbsp;originally charged with premeditated first-degree murder, according to the district attorney's office.A Johnson County jury found Michael L. Balance, 60, of Des Moines, Iowa, guilty of second-degree murder. He was originally charged with premeditated first-degree murder.

Suspect captured in Iowa going to prison for Kansas murder

WASHINGTON (AP) A jailed member of the Proud Boys extremist group was sentenced on Friday to more than four years in prison for his role in a mob's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">attack on the U.S. Capitol</a>&nbsp;three years ago, court records show.

William Chrestman, a U.S. Army veteran from Olathe, Kansas, brandished an axe handle and threated police with violence after leading other Proud Boys members to the perimeter of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Chrestman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/william-chrestman-guilty-proud-boys-capitol-riot-8f1f528b40bf41dcf9e945a270bdfcac">pleaded guilty in October</a>&nbsp;to obstructing the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying the Electoral College vote. He also pleaded guilty to a second felony count of threatening to assault a federal officer during the Capitol riot.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly sentenced Chrestman to four years and seven months in prison, according to court records.

Prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of five years and three months, arguing that he “played a significant role during the riot due to his presence and conduct at pivotal moments during the day.”

“Indeed, Chrestman regularly presented himself as a leader among the rioters including when he was part of the tip of the spear that created the breach at the Peace Circle, encouraged other rioters to move to the police barricades, told rioters to stop the arrest of a rioter, and thanked them for supporting the Proud Boys,”&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.228125/gov.uscourts.dcd.228125.232.0.pdf">prosecutors wrote</a>.

Chrestman has been jailed since his arrest in February 2021. He'll get credit for the nearly three years he already has served in custody.

Defense attorney Michael Cronkright argued that Chrestman never used his axe handle “to do anything remotely violent” on Jan. 6.

“To date, the worst thing that the government has asserted is that he used it to touch a security gate that was already going up,”&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.228130/gov.uscourts.dcd.228130.233.0.pdf">Cronkright wrote</a>.

Chrestman also had a gas mask, a helmet and other tactical gear when he traveled to Washington with other Proud Boys members from the Kansas City, Kansas, area. On Jan. 6, he marched to the Capitol grounds with dozens of other Proud Boys leaders, members and associates.

Chrestman and other Proud Boys moved past a toppled metal barricade and joined other rioters in front of another police barrier. He shouted a threat at officers and yelled at others in the crowd to stop police from arresting another rioter, according to prosecutors.

Facing the crowd, Chrestman shouted, “Whose house is this?”

“Do you want your house back?” Chrestman asked.

Chrestman also pointed his finger at a line of Capitol police officers, gestured at them with his axe handle and threatened to assault them if they fired “pepper ball” rounds at the crowd of rioters,&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.228125/gov.uscourts.dcd.228125.202.0.pdf">according to a court filing accompanying his guilty plea</a>.

More than 1,200 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. About 900 of them have pleaded guilty or been convicted after trials decided by a jury or judge. Over 750 of them have been sentenced, with nearly 500 receiving some term of imprisonment, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://interactives.ap.org/jan-6-prosecutions/">data compiled by The Associated Press</a>.

Dozens of Proud Boys leaders, members and associates have been arrested on Jan. 6 charges. The group's former national chairman, Enrique Tarrio, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/enrique-tarrio-capitol-riot-seditious-conspiracy-sentencing-da60222b3e1e54902db2bbbb219dc3fb">sentenced to 22 years in prison</a>&nbsp;— the longest for a Capitol riot case so far. A jury convicted Tarrio and three lieutenants of seditious conspiracy charges for a failed plot to keep Donald Trump in power after the Republican lost the 2020 election.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705095370615.png" alt="Photo U.S. Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) A jailed member of the Proud Boys extremist group was sentenced on Friday to more than four years in prison for his role in a mob's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">attack on the U.S. Capitol</a>&nbsp;three years ago, court records show.William Chrestman, a U.S. Army veteran from Olathe, Kansas, brandished an axe handle and threated police with violence after leading other Proud Boys members to the perimeter of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.Chrestman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/william-chrestman-guilty-proud-boys-capitol-riot-8f1f528b40bf41dcf9e945a270bdfcac">pleaded guilty in October</a>&nbsp;to obstructing the Jan. 6 joint session of Congress for certifying the Electoral College vote. He also pleaded guilty to a second felony count of threatening to assault a federal officer during the Capitol riot.U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly sentenced Chrestman to four years and seven months in prison, according to court records.Prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of five years and three months, arguing that he “played a significant role during the riot due to his presence and conduct at pivotal moments during the day.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613070062571.png" alt="Chrestman from his Feb. 2021 arrest in Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Chrestman from his Feb. 2021 arrest in Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>“Indeed, Chrestman regularly presented himself as a leader among the rioters including when he was part of the tip of the spear that created the breach at the Peace Circle, encouraged other rioters to move to the police barricades, told rioters to stop the arrest of a rioter, and thanked them for supporting the Proud Boys,”&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.228125/gov.uscourts.dcd.228125.232.0.pdf">prosecutors wrote</a>.Chrestman has been jailed since his arrest in February 2021. He'll get credit for the nearly three years he already has served in custody.Defense attorney Michael Cronkright argued that Chrestman never used his axe handle “to do anything remotely violent” on Jan. 6.“To date, the worst thing that the government has asserted is that he used it to touch a security gate that was already going up,”&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.228130/gov.uscourts.dcd.228130.233.0.pdf">Cronkright wrote</a>.Chrestman also had a gas mask, a helmet and other tactical gear when he traveled to Washington with other Proud Boys members from the Kansas City, Kansas, area. On Jan. 6, he marched to the Capitol grounds with dozens of other Proud Boys leaders, members and associates.Chrestman and other Proud Boys moved past a toppled metal barricade and joined other rioters in front of another police barrier. He shouted a threat at officers and yelled at others in the crowd to stop police from arresting another rioter, according to prosecutors.Facing the crowd, Chrestman shouted, “Whose house is this?”“Our house!” the crowd replied.“Do you want your house back?” Chrestman asked.“Yes!” the crowd responded.“Take it!” Chrestman yelled.Chrestman also pointed his finger at a line of Capitol police officers, gestured at them with his axe handle and threatened to assault them if they fired “pepper ball” rounds at the crowd of rioters,&nbsp;<a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.228125/gov.uscourts.dcd.228125.202.0.pdf">according to a court filing accompanying his guilty plea</a>.More than 1,200 people have been charged with Capitol riot-related federal crimes. About 900 of them have pleaded guilty or been convicted after trials decided by a jury or judge. Over 750 of them have been sentenced, with nearly 500 receiving some term of imprisonment, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://interactives.ap.org/jan-6-prosecutions/">data compiled by The Associated Press</a>.Dozens of Proud Boys leaders, members and associates have been arrested on Jan. 6 charges. The group's former national chairman, Enrique Tarrio, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/enrique-tarrio-capitol-riot-seditious-conspiracy-sentencing-da60222b3e1e54902db2bbbb219dc3fb">sentenced to 22 years in prison</a>&nbsp;— the longest for a Capitol riot case so far. A jury convicted Tarrio and three lieutenants of seditious conspiracy charges for a failed plot to keep Donald Trump in power after the Republican lost the 2020 election.

Proud Boy from Kan. who carried ax handle into Capitol Jan. 6, is sentenced

Lea M. Dean, age 65, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at the St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas.&nbsp; She was born on September 6, 1958, in Las Animas, Colorado, the daughter of Charley Raymond &amp; Leona Larrew Hunt.&nbsp; A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 1982 moving from Goodland, Kansas, she was a retired office manager for Bill Curtis Trucking in Scott City, Kansas.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas.

On September 6, 1985, she married Clifford L. Dean in Scott City, Kansas.&nbsp; He passed away on October 7, 2013, in Scott City, Kansas.

Survivors include her Two Daughters - Leanna &amp; David Hensley of Hutchinson, Kansas, Markie &amp; Korbyn Burhoop of Scott City, Kansas, One Son - Justin Dean of Seattle, Washington, One Sister - Sherry &amp; Terry Peterson of El Dorado, Kansas, One Brother - Carl &amp; Gina Hunt of St. Francis, Kansas, Seven Grandchildren - Chloe Marker of Hutchinson, Kansas, Aleiya Marker of Hutchinson, Kansas, Easton Hensley of Hutchinson, Kansas, Emry Hensley of Hutchinson, Kansas, Macy Brown of Scott City, Kansas, Tatum Brown of Scott City, Kansas, Paislee Brown of Scott City, Kansas, and Two Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband - Clifford Dean, One Sister - Betty Hoss, and One Granddaughter - Shelby Woods.

Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 15, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.

Memorials can be written to the Lea Dean Memorial Fund in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 553, Scott City, Kansas, 67871.

Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705092386004.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Lea M. Dean, age 65, passed away on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at the St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas.&nbsp; She was born on September 6, 1958, in Las Animas, Colorado, the daughter of Charley Raymond &amp; Leona Larrew Hunt.&nbsp; A resident of Scott City, Kansas since 1982 moving from Goodland, Kansas, she was a retired office manager for Bill Curtis Trucking in Scott City, Kansas.She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas.On September 6, 1985, she married Clifford L. Dean in Scott City, Kansas.&nbsp; He passed away on October 7, 2013, in Scott City, Kansas.Survivors include her Two Daughters - Leanna &amp; David Hensley of Hutchinson, Kansas, Markie &amp; Korbyn Burhoop of Scott City, Kansas, One Son - Justin Dean of Seattle, Washington, One Sister - Sherry &amp; Terry Peterson of El Dorado, Kansas, One Brother - Carl &amp; Gina Hunt of St. Francis, Kansas, Seven Grandchildren - Chloe Marker of Hutchinson, Kansas, Aleiya Marker of Hutchinson, Kansas, Easton Hensley of Hutchinson, Kansas, Emry Hensley of Hutchinson, Kansas, Macy Brown of Scott City, Kansas, Tatum Brown of Scott City, Kansas, Paislee Brown of Scott City, Kansas, and Two Great Grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her Parents, Husband - Clifford Dean, One Sister - Betty Hoss, and One Granddaughter - Shelby Woods.Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 15, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas with Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.Memorials can be written to the Lea Dean Memorial Fund in care of Price &amp; Sons Funeral Home, PO Box 553, Scott City, Kansas, 67871.There will be no calling times.Inurnment will be held at a later date in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.

Lea Mae Dean

BY:&nbsp;ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/12/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-early-student-debt-cancellation-for-borrowers-enrolled-in-save/">announced Friday </a>that some federal student loan borrowers will have their loans cancelled under the Department of Education’s new repayment plan.

Starting next month, people who took out under $12,000 in federal student loans and have been repaying those loans for 10 years will get their remaining student loan balance cancelled&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://studentaid.gov/">once they enroll</a>&nbsp;in the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan, known as SAVE.

“This action will particularly help community college borrowers, low-income borrowers, and those struggling to repay their loans,” Biden said in a statement.

“And, it’s part of our ongoing efforts to act as quickly as possible to give more borrowers breathing room so they can get out from under the burden of student loan debt, move on with their lives and pursue their dreams.”

This initiative builds on the Biden administration’s effort to cancel federal student loan debt following last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down the White House’s plan for a one-time cancellation of up to $10,000 for federal borrowers. Student loan borrowers who had received Pell Grants — federal aid to help low-income students pay for higher education — could have qualified for an additional $10,000 in forgiveness.

<a target="_blank" href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2023/06/30/us-supreme-court-rules-against-biden-administration-student-loan-debt-relief-plan/">Hours after the Supreme Court struck down the plan</a>, the White House announced its SAVE plan, along with a one-year off-ramp program that would not report borrowers to creditors if they failed to make loan payments once repayment started back up in October.

“And, in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on our student debt relief plan, we are continuing to pursue an alternative path to deliver student debt relief to as many borrowers as possible as quickly as possible,” Biden said. “I won’t back down from using every tool at our disposal to get student loan borrowers the relief they need to reach their dreams.”

So far, 6.9 million borrowers have enrolled in SAVE, and of those borrowers, 3.9 million have a $0 monthly payment.

Under the new plan, SAVE calculates payments based on a borrower’s income and family size and forgives balances after a set number of years. The Department of Education has estimated that most borrowers will save about $1,000 per year under the new plan.

Borrowers who are in the former payment plan — known as the Revised Pay as You Earn plan — will automatically be enrolled in the SAVE program.

The states with the highest number of borrowers enrolled in the program include Texas, with 591,700, California with 597,300, Florida with 475,800, New York with 374,300 and Pennsylvania with 289,800.

BY:&nbsp;ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/01/12/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-early-student-debt-cancellation-for-borrowers-enrolled-in-save/">announced Friday </a>that some federal student loan borrowers will have their loans cancelled under the Department of Education’s new repayment plan.Starting next month, people who took out under $12,000 in federal student loans and have been repaying those loans for 10 years will get their remaining student loan balance cancelled&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://studentaid.gov/">once they enroll</a>&nbsp;in the Saving on a Valuable Education Plan, known as SAVE.“This action will particularly help community college borrowers, low-income borrowers, and those struggling to repay their loans,” Biden said in a statement.“And, it’s part of our ongoing efforts to act as quickly as possible to give more borrowers breathing room so they can get out from under the burden of student loan debt, move on with their lives and pursue their dreams.”This initiative builds on the Biden administration’s effort to cancel federal student loan debt following last year’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down the White House’s plan for a one-time cancellation of up to $10,000 for federal borrowers. Student loan borrowers who had received Pell Grants — federal aid to help low-income students pay for higher education — could have qualified for an additional $10,000 in forgiveness.<a target="_blank" href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2023/06/30/us-supreme-court-rules-against-biden-administration-student-loan-debt-relief-plan/">Hours after the Supreme Court struck down the plan</a>, the White House announced its SAVE plan, along with a one-year off-ramp program that would not report borrowers to creditors if they failed to make loan payments once repayment started back up in October.“And, in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on our student debt relief plan, we are continuing to pursue an alternative path to deliver student debt relief to as many borrowers as possible as quickly as possible,” Biden said. “I won’t back down from using every tool at our disposal to get student loan borrowers the relief they need to reach their dreams.”So far, 6.9 million borrowers have enrolled in SAVE, and of those borrowers, 3.9 million have a $0 monthly payment.Under the new plan, SAVE calculates payments based on a borrower’s income and family size and forgives balances after a set number of years. The Department of Education has estimated that most borrowers will save about $1,000 per year under the new plan.Borrowers who are in the former payment plan — known as the Revised Pay as You Earn plan — will automatically be enrolled in the SAVE program.The states with the highest number of borrowers enrolled in the program include Texas, with 591,700, California with 597,300, Florida with 475,800, New York with 374,300 and Pennsylvania with 289,800.

Biden announces plan to cancel some student loan balances under $12,000

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Police and Reno County Sheriff Chaplain Richard Haley has been selected as a Chaplain by the International Conference of Police Chaplains to go to Israel February 20-28, 2024.&nbsp;

The purpose of this trip will be to assist the Israeli National Police with meeting with families in Israel affected by the October 7 attack.

Chaplain Haley will be visiting Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers and will be helping the families displaced due to the loss of their homes, he will also be helping the farmers along the Gaza border with home reconstruction and grief counseling. Chaplain Haley will be staying with families who lost their loved ones and helping them with counseling.

Chaplain Haley is Jewish through his mother and his grandfather was a Rabbi. Chaplain Haley has many relatives in Israel.&nbsp;

The cost of the trip is $4,000.&nbsp; Chaplain Haley is seeking assistance with the funding. Elliott Mortuary has given the first $500 for this trip. Chaplain Haley needs the money by next week.

If anyone would like to help with the cost for the trip, the Chaplain Program has an account with the First National Bank in Hutchinson.

Chaplain Haley has been a Reno County Police/Sherriff Chaplain for the past 3 years.

If you'd like more information, Chaplain Haley can be reached at 620-200-6020.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705072193734.jpeg" alt="Chaplain Richard Haley-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Chaplain Richard Haley-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Chaplain Richard HaleyHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Police and Reno County Sheriff Chaplain Richard Haley has been selected as a Chaplain by the International Conference of Police Chaplains to go to Israel February 20-28, 2024.&nbsp;The purpose of this trip will be to assist the Israeli National Police with meeting with families in Israel affected by the October 7 attack.Chaplain Haley will be visiting Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers and will be helping the families displaced due to the loss of their homes, he will also be helping the farmers along the Gaza border with home reconstruction and grief counseling. Chaplain Haley will be staying with families who lost their loved ones and helping them with counseling.Chaplain Haley is Jewish through his mother and his grandfather was a Rabbi. Chaplain Haley has many relatives in Israel.&nbsp;The cost of the trip is $4,000.&nbsp; Chaplain Haley is seeking assistance with the funding. Elliott Mortuary has given the first $500 for this trip. Chaplain Haley needs the money by next week.If anyone would like to help with the cost for the trip, the Chaplain Program has an account with the First National Bank in Hutchinson.Chaplain Haley has been a Reno County Police/Sherriff Chaplain for the past 3 years.If you'd like more information, Chaplain Haley can be reached at 620-200-6020.

Kansas police chaplain selected to serve in Israel

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man captured in Mexico is going to prison for a double-murder in Kansas. This week, Judge Jeff Goering sentenced 37-year-old Kyle Young to life in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;

In October, Young plead guilty to the murder of&nbsp;22-year-old Alicia Roman and 27-year-old George Kirksey, according to the district attorney's office.

In the early morning of January 2, 2020, police responded to a shooting call at the Hotel at WaterWalk in the 700 block of South Main, in Wichita, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.

Upon arrival, officers located the bodies of Roman and Kirksey with multiple gunshot wounds, according to Wheeler.

The investigation revealed that Roman and Kirksey were inside of the hotel room when a suspect identified as Young entered the room and fired multiple shots, striking them and then he ran from the scene.

Investigators learned of Young's involvement and six months later located him in Mexico and made an arrest, according to Wheeler.

According to court documents Young was upset that his former girlfriend had moved on and found someone else. Young will be eligible for parole consideration after he serves 100-years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/7/1593795027094.png" alt="Young-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Young-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man captured in Mexico is going to prison for a double-murder in Kansas. This week, Judge Jeff Goering sentenced 37-year-old Kyle Young to life in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;In October, Young plead guilty to the murder of&nbsp;22-year-old Alicia Roman and 27-year-old George Kirksey, according to the district attorney's office.In the early morning of January 2, 2020, police responded to a shooting call at the Hotel at WaterWalk in the 700 block of South Main, in Wichita, according to officer Kevin Wheeler.Upon arrival, officers located the bodies of Roman and Kirksey with multiple gunshot wounds, according to Wheeler.The investigation revealed that Roman and Kirksey were inside of the hotel room when a suspect identified as Young entered the room and fired multiple shots, striking them and then he ran from the scene.Investigators learned of Young's involvement and six months later located him in Mexico and made an arrest, according to Wheeler.According to court documents Young was upset that his former girlfriend had moved on and found someone else. Young will be eligible for parole consideration after he serves 100-years.

Man captured in Mexico killed ex-girlfriend at Kansas hotel

NEW YORK (AP) — The Securities and Exchange Commission reluctantly approved the first exchange-traded funds that hold bitcoin Wednesday, saying it is still deeply skeptical about cryptocurrencies and that the SEC “did not approve or endorse bitcoin” in its decision.

The SEC said it is finishing the approval of 10 exchange-traded funds for bitcoin even though it only faced a deadline for one application. The agency said this action would give the market enough competition and provide a “level playing field” for the new entrants.

An exchange traded fund, or ETF, is an easy way to invest in something or a group of things, like gold, junk bonds or bitcoins, without having to buy the things themselves. Cryptocurrency advocates hope the development thrusts the once niche and nerdy corner of the internet even further into the financial mainstream.

The regulatory greenlight has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grayscale-sec-bitcoin-etf-cryptocurrencies-d8a9bb4fb476527e803aed3dd19dc303" target="_blank">anticipated for several months</a>&nbsp;and the price of bitcoin has jumped about 70% since October.

In a twist perhaps appropriate for the unpredictable crypto industry,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sec-bitcoin-gary-gensler-etf-hacked-b037c80938c564cad36f91beb888290e" target="_blank">a fake tweet from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s account</a>&nbsp;on X Tuesday stated that trading of bitcoin ETFs had been approved but the agency had not issued any approval.

Here are some things to know about bitcoin ETFs.

WHY ALL THE EXCITEMENT OVER A BITCOIN ETF?

An exchange traded fund, or ETF, is an easy way to invest in something or a group of things, like gold or junk bonds, without having to buy the things themselves. Unlike traditional mutual funds, ETFs trade like stocks, which means they can be bought and sold throughout the day.

Since the inception of bitcoin, anyone wanting to own one would have to buy it. That in turn would mean either having to learn what a cold wallet is or having to open an account at a crypto trading platform like Coinbase or Binance.

A spot bitcoin ETF could open the door to many new investors who don’t want to take such extra steps.

The price of bitcoin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bitcoin-price-surge-40k-spot-etfs-16a5678dad7a112e1292bc651cc9fe78" target="_blank">has already soared</a>&nbsp;in anticipation of the SEC’s approval, with bitcoin trading at $45,890 Wednesday, up from around $27,000 in mid-October. The price had sunk as low as $16,000 in November of 2022 following the bankruptcy of the crypto exchange FTX.

The Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) has already been trading since 2021, but it holds futures related to bitcoin, not the cryptocurrency itself.

The new bitcoin ETF will perform like the SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD), which allows anyone to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5fc385b4da15f42483c198faaba83c82" target="_blank">invest in gold</a>&nbsp;without having to find someplace to store a bar or having to protect it. It’s the same reason some people invest in the SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK), which lets investors simply buy one thing instead of the more than 1,000 low-quality bonds that make up the index.

The SEC said it is finishing approval of the applications for 10 bitcoin ETFs.

Longtime crypto fans might object. Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin were created in part due to mistrust of the traditional financial system. Wall Street would become an intermediary between investors and cryptocurrency in the case of ETFs.

ETFs also charge fees, though they tend to be relatively low compared with the overall financial industry. These fees are shown through what’s called the expense ratio, which indicates how much of a fund’s assets the ETF will take each year to cover its costs.

WHEN IS IT BETTER TO HOLD ACTUAL BITCOIN?

An ETF will not put actual cryptocurrency into investors’ accounts, meaning that they cannot use it. Also, an ETF would not provide investors with the same anonymity that crypto does, one of the big draws for many crypto investors.

The biggest concern for an investor in one of these ETFs is the notorious volatility in the price of bitcoin.

Despite failing to catch on as a replacement for fiat, or paper, currencies, bitcoin soared near $68,000 in November of 2021. A year later it fell below $20,000 as investors in general shunned riskier assets and a series of company blowups and scandals shook faith in the crypto industry.

NEW YORK (AP) — The Securities and Exchange Commission reluctantly approved the first exchange-traded funds that hold bitcoin Wednesday, saying it is still deeply skeptical about cryptocurrencies and that the SEC “did not approve or endorse bitcoin” in its decision.The SEC said it is finishing the approval of 10 exchange-traded funds for bitcoin even though it only faced a deadline for one application. The agency said this action would give the market enough competition and provide a “level playing field” for the new entrants.An exchange traded fund, or ETF, is an easy way to invest in something or a group of things, like gold, junk bonds or bitcoins, without having to buy the things themselves. Cryptocurrency advocates hope the development thrusts the once niche and nerdy corner of the internet even further into the financial mainstream.The regulatory greenlight has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/grayscale-sec-bitcoin-etf-cryptocurrencies-d8a9bb4fb476527e803aed3dd19dc303" target="_blank">anticipated for several months</a>&nbsp;and the price of bitcoin has jumped about 70% since October.In a twist perhaps appropriate for the unpredictable crypto industry,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sec-bitcoin-gary-gensler-etf-hacked-b037c80938c564cad36f91beb888290e" target="_blank">a fake tweet from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s account</a>&nbsp;on X Tuesday stated that trading of bitcoin ETFs had been approved but the agency had not issued any approval.Here are some things to know about bitcoin ETFs.<h2>WHY ALL THE EXCITEMENT OVER A BITCOIN ETF?</h2>An exchange traded fund, or ETF, is an easy way to invest in something or a group of things, like gold or junk bonds, without having to buy the things themselves. Unlike traditional mutual funds, ETFs trade like stocks, which means they can be bought and sold throughout the day.Since the inception of bitcoin, anyone wanting to own one would have to buy it. That in turn would mean either having to learn what a cold wallet is or having to open an account at a crypto trading platform like Coinbase or Binance.A spot bitcoin ETF could open the door to many new investors who don’t want to take such extra steps.The price of bitcoin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bitcoin-price-surge-40k-spot-etfs-16a5678dad7a112e1292bc651cc9fe78" target="_blank">has already soared</a>&nbsp;in anticipation of the SEC’s approval, with bitcoin trading at $45,890 Wednesday, up from around $27,000 in mid-October. The price had sunk as low as $16,000 in November of 2022 following the bankruptcy of the crypto exchange FTX.<h2>HOW WOULD THE ETF WORK?</h2>The Bitcoin Strategy ETF (BITO) has already been trading since 2021, but it holds futures related to bitcoin, not the cryptocurrency itself.The new bitcoin ETF will perform like the SPDR Gold Shares ETF (GLD), which allows anyone to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/5fc385b4da15f42483c198faaba83c82" target="_blank">invest in gold</a>&nbsp;without having to find someplace to store a bar or having to protect it. It’s the same reason some people invest in the SPDR Bloomberg High Yield Bond ETF (JNK), which lets investors simply buy one thing instead of the more than 1,000 low-quality bonds that make up the index.<h2>HOW MANY BITCOIN ETFS COULD THERE BE?</h2>The SEC said it is finishing approval of the applications for 10 bitcoin ETFs.<h2>WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF AN ETF?</h2>Longtime crypto fans might object. Cryptocurrencies like bitcoin were created in part due to mistrust of the traditional financial system. Wall Street would become an intermediary between investors and cryptocurrency in the case of ETFs.ETFs also charge fees, though they tend to be relatively low compared with the overall financial industry. These fees are shown through what’s called the expense ratio, which indicates how much of a fund’s assets the ETF will take each year to cover its costs.<h2>WHEN IS IT BETTER TO HOLD ACTUAL BITCOIN?</h2>An ETF will not put actual cryptocurrency into investors’ accounts, meaning that they cannot use it. Also, an ETF would not provide investors with the same anonymity that crypto does, one of the big draws for many crypto investors.<h2>WHAT CONCERNS SHOULD INVESTORS HAVE?</h2>The biggest concern for an investor in one of these ETFs is the notorious volatility in the price of bitcoin.Despite failing to catch on as a replacement for fiat, or paper, currencies, bitcoin soared near $68,000 in November of 2021. A year later it fell below $20,000 as investors in general shunned riskier assets and a series of company blowups and scandals shook faith in the crypto industry.

 SEC OKs first exchange-traded funds that hold bitcoin

By WILL BAUER <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2023-12-22/u-s-trade-deficit-agriculture-exports-imports-record-high">Harvest Public Media&nbsp;</a>

The United States has imported $20 billion more in agricultural products than it exported — putting the sector on pace to run a record deficit. A look at what’s behind the numbers.

For the third time in five years, agricultural trade in the United States will be at a deficit — when a country imports more than it exports.

As of November, the U.S. imported $20 billion more in agricultural products than it exported in 2023, which would set a record for biggest deficit in a calendar year in nearly a century if the trend continues through the last month of the year.

For some farmers, this year’s big deficit is a sign that trade has taken a hit and other countries may be out trading the U.S. However, some economists argue there are logical explanations behind what has created such an eye-popping deficit — including rising imports, a strong American dollar and basic supply and demand.

“Trade deficits aren’t something we should be inherently worried about,” said Bill Ridley, a professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who studies international trade.

Over the last five years,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/foreign-agricultural-trade-of-the-united-states-fatus/u-s-agricultural-trade-data-update/" target="_blank">agricultural exports</a>&nbsp;have climbed from $141 billion in 2019 to nearly $196 billion in 2022, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In both 2020 and 2021, agricultural trade was at a surplus, or the opposite of a deficit, where exports exceed imports.

In the 2023 calendar year, the U.S. has reported exporting $143 billion and importing $163 billion. At this time last year, the country had exported about $18 billion more.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/foreign-agricultural-trade-of-the-united-states-fatus/u-s-agricultural-trade-data-update/" target="_blank">Data for the remainder of the year</a>&nbsp;is scheduled to be published Jan. 11.

“The U.S. is very much still the breadbasket to the world,” said Doug McKalip, chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative, the government agency responsible for promoting trade. “We're growing things and successfully exporting them around the globe. So there's certainly a lot more to it than what might meet the eye initially.”

To the farmers who grow some of the most profitable exports — soybeans, corn and wheat — the deficit is concerning and something many watch closely.

Chris Otten, a fourth generation grower who owns roughly 1,400 acres in southwest Illinois, said farmers would like to see the deficit turn into a surplus.

“That’d be ideal for us,” Otten said. “I don’t know if that’ll ever happen, but that is ideal for us to get back to where we’re exporting as much as we possibly can.”

During a year like this, when export totals have also dropped, farmers are naturally prepared to weather the current economic conditions, Otten said. However, the politics of trade are frustrating to him.

Examples include when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/06/china-agriculture-us-economy.html" target="_blank">China pulled out of buying</a>&nbsp;U.S. agricultural products in 2019 or how&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-us-gm-corn-trade-dispute-5b3127bff468f48592d1bbe80e1b1fac" target="_blank">Mexico announced this year it intends to ban genetically modified corn</a>. The political nature of those disputes cost farmers, he said.

“I contend our food source shouldn't be a political game,” Otten said.

In his eyes, one remedy would be striking trade deals with other countries around the world to establish more avenues to sell American products.

For Otten and other farmers, checking a small box — called the commodity checkoff program — is a good place to start. Those provide small funds to certain commodity groups that could help advocate for expanded trade opportunities.

To Ridley, the Illinois professor, analyzing all agricultural trade markets in one lump can be misleading. While all share similarities, looking at individual commodities paints a more accurate picture, he said.

For example, exports of soybeans, the most profitable commodity, have been robust this year, Ridley said. Through October, Americans exported $21.38 billion worth of soybeans this year. In 2022, a record year, that figure stood at $23.81 billion during the same time frame.

Corn exports also remain high. This year, $11.1 billion worth of corn has been sold and shipped abroad, according to USDA data. At the same time last year, the U.S. exported $16.5 billion.

Economists have a variety of answers as to why agricultural imports will far outpace exports in 2023. Simply put, Ridley said, it boils down to one thing: more imports.

“It seems to be purely and almost entirely a story about imports rising,” Ridley said. “And, of course, the more you import, holding your exports mostly constant, that's going to shrink your trade surplus or create a trade deficit.”

Through November, the U.S. had imported $163 billion worth of agricultural products. That figure stood at $166 billion at the same time in 2022.

The strength of the American dollar also plays a factor with the deficit, said Tanner Ehmke, an economist with CoBank, one of the biggest lenders to rural America.

"A strong dollar makes our exports non-competitive overseas, and it makes imports more competitive,” Ehmke said. “Our stronger dollar gives us more purchasing power. Therefore, we can afford to bring in more imports.”

Also, Americans are now using some products domestically that they used to export, Ehmke said. Namely,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/agriculture/101223-us-shifts-to-net-soybean-oil-importer-on-biofuel-boom-foreign-agricultural-service#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20FAS%2C%20increased,out%20of%20global%20export%20market." target="_blank">renewable diesel demand</a>&nbsp;has grown so much that the U.S. is keeping vast amounts of soybean oil home. To compensate for this, Americans are now importing more canola oil, largely from Canada, to fill that demand.

As the U.S. exports trickled downward,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/us-corn-soy-exporters-continue-battling-huge-brazilian-supplies-2023-10-06/" target="_blank">Brazil</a>&nbsp;continues to have record years. They’re becoming especially competitive with American farmers when it comes to corn, soybeans, cotton and rice, Ehmke said.

Russia is yet another country that’s had a record crop in 2023. Pair that with the value of their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dallasfed.org/research/economics/2023/1010" target="_blank">currency collapsing</a>, the agriculture exports from Russia are ample and cheap, Ehmke said.

“There's a lot of events that are coalescing here,” Ehmke said.

Not only are economic dynamics changing abroad, they are also changing domestically, said Tait Berg, a southern Minnesota farmer who also works at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.

“The U.S. consumer, we want a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, and we can’t grow that year round here,” Berg said.

Through October, the U.S. imported $79 billion worth of fruits and vegetables. At the same time in 2022, that figure stood at nearly $76 billion.

In Berg’s eyes, this is the global market meeting its demand. The market responded similarly in 2020 when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marketplace.org/2020/04/15/flour-yeast-sales-rise-people-bake-bread-quarantine/" target="_blank">demand for flour grew like crazy</a>. Many people baked more while they worked from home.

“Hopefully, we're growing global trade, and that's kind of part of the deal,” Berg said. “That's what we want.”

Economists expect that agriculture trade may eventually swing in the other direction and could be in surplus again. If and exactly when are harder questions to answer.

During the next fiscal year, USDA forecasters anticipate the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=108031" target="_blank">deficit could widen</a>. Exports are projected to total $169.5 billion. Imports will tally $200 billion — leaving the deficit standing around $30.5 billion.

For farmers, they say they will wait to see what happens. As always, they’ll need to be financially prepared for whatever weather they get or whatever the markets dictate.

“These forecasts and projections always change,” Berg said. “And that’s just something that we’re all a part of as producers. We need to keep our ducks in a row.”

<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/will-bauer" target="_blank">Will Bauer</a>&nbsp;is St. Louis Public Radio's Metro East reporter. This story was produced in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/harvestpublicmedia" target="_blank">Harvest Public Media</a>, a collaboration of public media newsrooms in the Midwest. It reports on food systems, agriculture and rural issues.

<figure>
 <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/174d4ae/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1500x1000+0+0/resize/880x587!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fbc%2F5c%2F663ac7304703990f28ae32e5cda2%2F12222023-tr-harvestagexports-7.png" alt="Jason Imel, a deck hand with Cargill, Inc., blows excess soybeans off the top of a river barge and closes the barge’s loading lids on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, at Cargill, Inc.’s facility in East St. Louis, Illinois. For the third time in five years, the U.S. will import more agricultural products than it exports. However, this year’s deficit is tracking to be around $20 billion, far more than last year’s $2 billion deficit.&nbsp;Tristen Rouse/St. Louis Public Radio" />
 <figcaption>Jason Imel, a deck hand with Cargill, Inc., blows excess soybeans off the top of a river barge and closes the barge’s loading lids on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, at Cargill, Inc.’s facility in East St. Louis, Illinois. For the third time in five years, the U.S. will import more agricultural products than it exports. However, this year’s deficit is tracking to be around $20 billion, far more than last year’s $2 billion deficit.&nbsp;Tristen Rouse/St. Louis Public Radio</figcaption>
 </figure> By WILL BAUER <a href="https://www.kcur.org/2023-12-22/u-s-trade-deficit-agriculture-exports-imports-record-high">Harvest Public Media&nbsp;</a><h2>The United States has imported $20 billion more in agricultural products than it exported — putting the sector on pace to run a record deficit. A look at what’s behind the numbers.</h2>For the third time in five years, agricultural trade in the United States will be at a deficit — when a country imports more than it exports.As of November, the U.S. imported $20 billion more in agricultural products than it exported in 2023, which would set a record for biggest deficit in a calendar year in nearly a century if the trend continues through the last month of the year.For some farmers, this year’s big deficit is a sign that trade has taken a hit and other countries may be out trading the U.S. However, some economists argue there are logical explanations behind what has created such an eye-popping deficit — including rising imports, a strong American dollar and basic supply and demand.<figure>
 <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9941387/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3000x2000+0+0/resize/880x587!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fe4%2F0c%2F18a64ece4859bac70abff5f8de71%2F12222023-tr-harvestagexports-2.JPG" alt="A river barge is loaded with soybeans on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, at Cargill, Inc.'s facility in East St. Louis, Illinois. While major commodity crop exports such as corn and soybeans remain high, U.S. imports far outpaced exports in 2023.&nbsp;Tristen Rouse/St. Louis Public Radio&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>A river barge is loaded with soybeans on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023, at Cargill, Inc.'s facility in East St. Louis, Illinois. While major commodity crop exports such as corn and soybeans remain high, U.S. imports far outpaced exports in 2023.&nbsp;Tristen Rouse/St. Louis Public Radio&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>“Trade deficits aren’t something we should be inherently worried about,” said Bill Ridley, a professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who studies international trade.Over the last five years,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/foreign-agricultural-trade-of-the-united-states-fatus/u-s-agricultural-trade-data-update/" target="_blank">agricultural exports</a>&nbsp;have climbed from $141 billion in 2019 to nearly $196 billion in 2022, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In both 2020 and 2021, agricultural trade was at a surplus, or the opposite of a deficit, where exports exceed imports.In the 2023 calendar year, the U.S. has reported exporting $143 billion and importing $163 billion. At this time last year, the country had exported about $18 billion more.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/foreign-agricultural-trade-of-the-united-states-fatus/u-s-agricultural-trade-data-update/" target="_blank">Data for the remainder of the year</a>&nbsp;is scheduled to be published Jan. 11.“The U.S. is very much still the breadbasket to the world,” said Doug McKalip, chief agricultural negotiator for the U.S. Trade Representative, the government agency responsible for promoting trade. “We're growing things and successfully exporting them around the globe. So there's certainly a lot more to it than what might meet the eye initially.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704846572125.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>To the farmers who grow some of the most profitable exports — soybeans, corn and wheat — the deficit is concerning and something many watch closely.Chris Otten, a fourth generation grower who owns roughly 1,400 acres in southwest Illinois, said farmers would like to see the deficit turn into a surplus.“That’d be ideal for us,” Otten said. “I don’t know if that’ll ever happen, but that is ideal for us to get back to where we’re exporting as much as we possibly can.”During a year like this, when export totals have also dropped, farmers are naturally prepared to weather the current economic conditions, Otten said. However, the politics of trade are frustrating to him.Examples include when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/06/china-agriculture-us-economy.html" target="_blank">China pulled out of buying</a>&nbsp;U.S. agricultural products in 2019 or how&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-us-gm-corn-trade-dispute-5b3127bff468f48592d1bbe80e1b1fac" target="_blank">Mexico announced this year it intends to ban genetically modified corn</a>. The political nature of those disputes cost farmers, he said.“I contend our food source shouldn't be a political game,” Otten said.In his eyes, one remedy would be striking trade deals with other countries around the world to establish more avenues to sell American products.For Otten and other farmers, checking a small box — called the commodity checkoff program — is a good place to start. Those provide small funds to certain commodity groups that could help advocate for expanded trade opportunities.<figure>
 <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ee8fae9/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1500x1000+0+0/resize/880x587!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fec%2F0b%2F414dd9554f5bb498bd80377634c7%2F12182023-tr-harvestagexports-14.JPG" alt="&nbsp;Chris Otten checks the moisture levels of his corn crop, stored in bins while they wait to be sold, on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at his farm outside St. Libory, Illinois. Otten said he's concerned about the ag trade deficit and hopes the Biden administration is focused on finding new trade partners.&nbsp;Tristen Rouse/Lance Lillibridge" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Chris Otten checks the moisture levels of his corn crop, stored in bins while they wait to be sold, on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, at his farm outside St. Libory, Illinois. Otten said he's concerned about the ag trade deficit and hopes the Biden administration is focused on finding new trade partners.&nbsp;Tristen Rouse/Lance Lillibridge</figcaption>
 </figure>To Ridley, the Illinois professor, analyzing all agricultural trade markets in one lump can be misleading. While all share similarities, looking at individual commodities paints a more accurate picture, he said.For example, exports of soybeans, the most profitable commodity, have been robust this year, Ridley said. Through October, Americans exported $21.38 billion worth of soybeans this year. In 2022, a record year, that figure stood at $23.81 billion during the same time frame.Corn exports also remain high. This year, $11.1 billion worth of corn has been sold and shipped abroad, according to USDA data. At the same time last year, the U.S. exported $16.5 billion.The causes of the deficitEconomists have a variety of answers as to why agricultural imports will far outpace exports in 2023. Simply put, Ridley said, it boils down to one thing: more imports.“It seems to be purely and almost entirely a story about imports rising,” Ridley said. “And, of course, the more you import, holding your exports mostly constant, that's going to shrink your trade surplus or create a trade deficit.”Through November, the U.S. had imported $163 billion worth of agricultural products. That figure stood at $166 billion at the same time in 2022.The strength of the American dollar also plays a factor with the deficit, said Tanner Ehmke, an economist with CoBank, one of the biggest lenders to rural America.<figure>
 <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4d06e6b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1500x1000+0+0/resize/880x587!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ff3%2Fc4%2F15b2b9954a06a9d31cbc33531ae0%2F12222023-tr-harvestagexports-1.JPG" alt="&nbsp;Corn is dropped out of a transport truck and into a collection pit on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023 at Cargill, Inc.’s facility in East St. Louis, Illinois. The U.S. exported $11.1 billion worth of corn through November, according to USDA data, compared with $16.5 billion at the same point in 2022.&nbsp;Tristen Rouse/St. Louis Public Radio" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Corn is dropped out of a transport truck and into a collection pit on Friday, Dec. 22, 2023 at Cargill, Inc.’s facility in East St. Louis, Illinois. The U.S. exported $11.1 billion worth of corn through November, according to USDA data, compared with $16.5 billion at the same point in 2022.&nbsp;Tristen Rouse/St. Louis Public Radio</figcaption>
 </figure>"A strong dollar makes our exports non-competitive overseas, and it makes imports more competitive,” Ehmke said. “Our stronger dollar gives us more purchasing power. Therefore, we can afford to bring in more imports.”Also, Americans are now using some products domestically that they used to export, Ehmke said. Namely,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.spglobal.com/commodityinsights/en/market-insights/latest-news/agriculture/101223-us-shifts-to-net-soybean-oil-importer-on-biofuel-boom-foreign-agricultural-service#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20FAS%2C%20increased,out%20of%20global%20export%20market." target="_blank">renewable diesel demand</a>&nbsp;has grown so much that the U.S. is keeping vast amounts of soybean oil home. To compensate for this, Americans are now importing more canola oil, largely from Canada, to fill that demand.As the U.S. exports trickled downward,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/us-corn-soy-exporters-continue-battling-huge-brazilian-supplies-2023-10-06/" target="_blank">Brazil</a>&nbsp;continues to have record years. They’re becoming especially competitive with American farmers when it comes to corn, soybeans, cotton and rice, Ehmke said.Russia is yet another country that’s had a record crop in 2023. Pair that with the value of their&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dallasfed.org/research/economics/2023/1010" target="_blank">currency collapsing</a>, the agriculture exports from Russia are ample and cheap, Ehmke said.“There's a lot of events that are coalescing here,” Ehmke said.Not only are economic dynamics changing abroad, they are also changing domestically, said Tait Berg, a southern Minnesota farmer who also works at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis.“The U.S. consumer, we want a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, and we can’t grow that year round here,” Berg said.Through October, the U.S. imported $79 billion worth of fruits and vegetables. At the same time in 2022, that figure stood at nearly $76 billion.<figure>
 <img src="https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/9c73ab7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1500x1000+0+0/resize/880x587!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F35%2Ff9%2F88b7c94c410fab69af86a46b32c5%2F12182023-tr-harvestagexports-3.JPG" alt="Chris Otten holds some of his harvested corn crop at his farm outside St. Libory, Illinois.&nbsp;Tristen Rouse/St. Louis Public Radio" />
 <figcaption>Chris Otten holds some of his harvested corn crop at his farm outside St. Libory, Illinois.&nbsp;Tristen Rouse/St. Louis Public Radio</figcaption>
 </figure>In Berg’s eyes, this is the global market meeting its demand. The market responded similarly in 2020 when&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marketplace.org/2020/04/15/flour-yeast-sales-rise-people-bake-bread-quarantine/" target="_blank">demand for flour grew like crazy</a>. Many people baked more while they worked from home.“Hopefully, we're growing global trade, and that's kind of part of the deal,” Berg said. “That's what we want.”Economists expect that agriculture trade may eventually swing in the other direction and could be in surplus again. If and exactly when are harder questions to answer.During the next fiscal year, USDA forecasters anticipate the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=108031" target="_blank">deficit could widen</a>. Exports are projected to total $169.5 billion. Imports will tally $200 billion — leaving the deficit standing around $30.5 billion.For farmers, they say they will wait to see what happens. As always, they’ll need to be financially prepared for whatever weather they get or whatever the markets dictate.“These forecasts and projections always change,” Berg said. “And that’s just something that we’re all a part of as producers. We need to keep our ducks in a row.”<a href="https://www.stlpr.org/will-bauer" target="_blank">Will Bauer</a>&nbsp;is St. Louis Public Radio's Metro East reporter. This story was produced in partnership with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kcur.org/harvestpublicmedia" target="_blank">Harvest Public Media</a>, a collaboration of public media newsrooms in the Midwest. It reports on food systems, agriculture and rural issues.

U.S. agricultural trade deficit could reach record highs for 2023. Is there cause for concern?

&nbsp;Agustin Garcia died Sunday January 7, 2024, at his home in Garden City, Kansas. He was born October 8, 1935, in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico, the son of Dionisio and Juana (Quezada) Garcia. He married Mildred Nabors on March 17 in El Paso, TX and has been with him for 48 years . She survives.

Mr. Garcia was a very hard-working individual. He learned his work ethic at the tender age of 5 when his own father died, and he had to step in and start working on the family farm to help feed his siblings. He later immigrated to the United States and started as a migrant field worker, later he got his CDL and began his career as a truck driver. He worked many years at Brookover Feed Yards though retiring from there, he went to work for Pappas Concrete up until full retirement. His hobbies included gardening, singing and whistling music. He enjoyed when family gathered at his home. He will be remembered for being an astonishing friend, husband, father, grandpa, and great grandpa. He was a man that would help any person in need!

In addition to his Wife-Mildred Garcia, he is survived by his Children Dionisio (Dino) Garcia of Pierceville, KS, Maria Juana Garcia of Garden City, KS, Jose Ernesto Garcia Mendiola of Garden City, KS, Ma. Isabel Garcia Mendiola, Leticia Garcia Mendiola, Guillermo Garcia Mendiola, Lucila Garcia Mendiola, Soledad Garcia Mendiola, Ma. Rosalia Garcia Mendiola, Ma. Remedios Garcia Mendiola, Juan Gabriel Garcia Mendiola, Francisco Javier Garcia Mendiola all of Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico, Tammy Espinoza of Scott City, KS, Eva Williams of Grand Junction, CO, Raymond Crone and Albert Crone of Dodge City, KS. 34 Grandchildren, 42 Great Grandchildren, Numerous Nieces and Nephews and many close Friends.

Visitation will be held 11:00 am -8:00 pm Thursday January 11, 2024, and a 10:30 am Funeral Service will be held on Friday January 12, 2024, both at Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to the Agustin Garcia Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 412 N 7th Street, Garden City, KS 67846&nbsp;&nbsp;

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 </figure>&nbsp;Agustin Garcia died Sunday January 7, 2024, at his home in Garden City, Kansas. He was born October 8, 1935, in Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico, the son of Dionisio and Juana (Quezada) Garcia. He married Mildred Nabors on March 17 in El Paso, TX and has been with him for 48 years . She survives.Mr. Garcia was a very hard-working individual. He learned his work ethic at the tender age of 5 when his own father died, and he had to step in and start working on the family farm to help feed his siblings. He later immigrated to the United States and started as a migrant field worker, later he got his CDL and began his career as a truck driver. He worked many years at Brookover Feed Yards though retiring from there, he went to work for Pappas Concrete up until full retirement. His hobbies included gardening, singing and whistling music. He enjoyed when family gathered at his home. He will be remembered for being an astonishing friend, husband, father, grandpa, and great grandpa. He was a man that would help any person in need!In addition to his Wife-Mildred Garcia, he is survived by his Children Dionisio (Dino) Garcia of Pierceville, KS, Maria Juana Garcia of Garden City, KS, Jose Ernesto Garcia Mendiola of Garden City, KS, Ma. Isabel Garcia Mendiola, Leticia Garcia Mendiola, Guillermo Garcia Mendiola, Lucila Garcia Mendiola, Soledad Garcia Mendiola, Ma. Rosalia Garcia Mendiola, Ma. Remedios Garcia Mendiola, Juan Gabriel Garcia Mendiola, Francisco Javier Garcia Mendiola all of Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico, Tammy Espinoza of Scott City, KS, Eva Williams of Grand Junction, CO, Raymond Crone and Albert Crone of Dodge City, KS. 34 Grandchildren, 42 Great Grandchildren, Numerous Nieces and Nephews and many close Friends.Visitation will be held 11:00 am -8:00 pm Thursday January 11, 2024, and a 10:30 am Funeral Service will be held on Friday January 12, 2024, both at Garnand Funeral Home of Garden City. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery. The family suggests memorials to the Agustin Garcia Memorial Fund in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 412 N 7th Street, Garden City, KS 67846&nbsp;&nbsp;

Agustin Garcia

Patty Irene (Veach) Cheatum, 94, passed away Friday, January 5, 2024, at Eaglecrest Retirement Community in Salina, Kansas. &nbsp;She was born October 25, 1929 in Rolla, Kansas, the daughter of Linnie R. Veach and Marie (Floyd) Veach.

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 </figure>Patty Irene (Veach) Cheatum, 94, passed away Friday, January 5, 2024, at Eaglecrest Retirement Community in Salina, Kansas. &nbsp;She was born October 25, 1929 in Rolla, Kansas, the daughter of Linnie R. Veach and Marie (Floyd) Veach.When Patty was 6 years old, the family moved to Stanton County. &nbsp;At the age of 10, the family moved to Syracuse, Kansas, where she attended Syracuse High School and graduated in 1947. &nbsp;Patty went on to further her education attending Fort Hays Kansas State Colleges and obtained an emergency teaching certificate. &nbsp;She used her knowledge from college as a teacher for 3 years in rural country schools.On January 30, 1949, Patty married Richard “Dick” Eldon Cheatum in Syracuse. &nbsp;To this union three children were born: Rick, Jamie and Jody. &nbsp;Patty spent much of her time as a housewife and mother taking care of her children. &nbsp;When the children were older, Patty worked at various places including part-time bookkeeper at Hilltop Lanes, bookkeeper at First National Bank, Gould Implement and R &amp; H Implement as a bookkeeper and a customer service representative at People’s Natural Gas, from which she retired in 1995. &nbsp;In 2017, she moved to High Plains Retirement Village in Lakin, Kansas, due to her health. &nbsp;In 2021, she moved to Eaglecrest Retirement Community in Salina and resided there until her passing.Patty was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Syracuse. &nbsp;She was an avid bowler and attended multiple state and national bowling events. &nbsp;Most of all, Patty enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, and friends.Patty is preceded in death by her parents, Linnie R. and Marie (Floyd) Veach; her husband Richard “Dick” Cheatum; sisters Wanita Keyes, Claudine Cheatum, Reba McGonagle and brothers Dale Veach and Ken Veach.Patty is survived by sons, Rick (Debra) Cheatum of Pocatello, ID; Jamie (Glenda) Cheatum of Salina, KS; daughter Jody Cheatum of Manhattan, KS; grandchildren Nicole Cheatum of Boise, ID; Gretchen Holopirek of Larned, KS; Travis (Maria) Cheatum of El Paso, TX; Sabrina (Jason) Fink of Salina, KS; Cory (Lindsey) Wilson of Merritt Island, FL; Gary (Sierra) Wilson of Lenexa, KS; Rochelle (Philip) Newman of Prairie Village, KS; great grandchildren Autumn, Jace and Kenzi Holopirek of Larned, KS; Taylyr Webb of Norfolk VA; Kylee (Tad) Holm of Hawaii; Lane Cheatum of Atwood, KS; Jackson Cheatum of Leoti, KS; Dallas and Diego Cheatum of El Paso, TX; Morgan and Logan Fink of Salina, KS; Amelia and Charles Wilson of Merritt Island, FL; Graham and Maxwell, Wilson of Lenexa, KS; Mabel and Margaret Newman of Prairie Village, KS; and great-great grandchild TJ Holm of Hawaii and numerous family and friends.Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM (MST) at the First United Methodist Church in Syracuse, KS. &nbsp;Interment will follow in the Syracuse Cemetery, Syracuse. &nbsp;Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 2:00-5:00 PM (MST) at Fellers Funeral Home LLC in Syracuse, KS.Memorial contributions may be payable to Hamilton County Library and may be sent in care of Fellers Funeral Home LLC, PO Box 1253, Syracuse, KS 67878. 620-384-5100.