WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for making counterfeit United States currency.

According to court documents, Joseph Bulis, 38, of Wichita pleaded guilty in October 2023, to one count of manufacturing counterfeit currency and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.

In July 2022, law enforcement went to Bulis’ hotel room in Wichita where they discovered a printer and paraphernalia used to manufacture counterfeit currency. They also found $3,000 in counterfeit money in the forms of $100 and $20 bills. Bulis fled when law enforcement arrived. 

When he was later apprehended, he had a backpack containing drawing paper, uncut counterfeit bills, and cutting tools.

In a separate incident, Bulis was contacted by law enforcement during a traffic stop and found to have a gun in the vehicle. He is prohibited from having a firearm because of a prior felony conviction. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706110555613.png" alt="Bulis is being held in Butler County" />
 <figcaption>Bulis is being held in Butler County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced today to 57 months in prison for making counterfeit United States currency.According to court documents, Joseph Bulis, 38, of Wichita pleaded guilty in October 2023, to one count of manufacturing counterfeit currency and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon.In July 2022, law enforcement went to Bulis’ hotel room in Wichita where they discovered a printer and paraphernalia used to manufacture counterfeit currency. They also found $3,000 in counterfeit money in the forms of $100 and $20 bills. Bulis fled when law enforcement arrived. When he was later apprehended, he had a backpack containing drawing paper, uncut counterfeit bills, and cutting tools.In a separate incident, Bulis was contacted by law enforcement during a traffic stop and found to have a gun in the vehicle. He is prohibited from having a firearm because of a prior felony conviction.

Man was printing counterfeit cash in his Kansas hotel room

&nbsp;At the start of the day on December 24th the angels escorted Victor Lee Michel on his heavenly journey. The entire family had gathered around for a very special remembrance of his life.

Victor was born in Kearny County, Kansas on April 5th in the year 1940, the first born to Leo &amp; Gladys Michel. The family resided on a farm north of Lakin, Ks. Victor lived a full and exciting life that lasted 83 years and reached into the lives of many in the community.Early in life Victor met and fell in love with Vivian McStay on a double date with Vic’s cousin Gale, they were married October 10, 1960 in Sharon Springs Kansas. There time together sometimes involved severe obstacles, and with God’s grace, Vic and Viv just celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in October. To this union they added 4 Children, Colleen, Charles, Tami, and Troy.

Victor attended Trade School in Kansas City where he mastered the art of repairing anything. This gift of repair started early in life, guiding his career through farming and ranching, an officer of law with the Lakin Police Department, founding and operating Michel Repair and Equipment. He completed his career at the Kansas State Hwy Dept as the District Shop Superintendent, retiring from that position in 2003. During retirement he enjoyed wood working, making delicious jerky and helping Vivian out with her many projects. Over the years Victor had many opportunities to step in and help out anyone with whatever was required, he never met a stranger, becoming a friend of everyone along the way.

Victor had many passions and interests. He loved being Involved with 4-H, the ability to guide and teach the next generations was very important. He sat on the Kearney County Fair board, Wheat belt Credit Union Board, a Free Mason with the Eastern Star. The Shriners was probable his favorite, he very much enjoyed the people, the parades and most of all helping children.

Victor was a kind and gracious man, devoted and loving husband, father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather; he truly and deeply loved his family. Victor is survived by his wife Vivian Michel, Lakin Ks, sister Linda (Rex) Puckett Lakin Ks, Children Colleen (Joe) Eskelund Deerfield Ks, Charles (Chris Coffey) Michel Louisburg Ks, Tami Rodd, Troy (Amanda) Michel Lakin Ks, 6 grand children, 12 great grand children and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceding him on the heavenly journey are his parents Leo &amp; Gladys Michel, brother and sister n law Dennis and Marsha Michel. We will all forever miss and cherish the memories of our patriarch.

Victor requested no service be held and the urn be entombed with Vivian at a later date. A celebration of his life will be held January 27th at the United Methodist Church in Lakin Ks at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, our family requests donations in Victors Honor are given to the Shriners in care of Garnand Funeral Home, po box 91, Lakin, Kansas 67860. Condolences may be given at garnandfuneralhomes.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706137235607.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;At the start of the day on December 24th the angels escorted Victor Lee Michel on his heavenly journey. The entire family had gathered around for a very special remembrance of his life.Victor was born in Kearny County, Kansas on April 5th in the year 1940, the first born to Leo &amp; Gladys Michel. The family resided on a farm north of Lakin, Ks. Victor lived a full and exciting life that lasted 83 years and reached into the lives of many in the community.Early in life Victor met and fell in love with Vivian McStay on a double date with Vic’s cousin Gale, they were married October 10, 1960 in Sharon Springs Kansas. There time together sometimes involved severe obstacles, and with God’s grace, Vic and Viv just celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary in October. To this union they added 4 Children, Colleen, Charles, Tami, and Troy.Victor attended Trade School in Kansas City where he mastered the art of repairing anything. This gift of repair started early in life, guiding his career through farming and ranching, an officer of law with the Lakin Police Department, founding and operating Michel Repair and Equipment. He completed his career at the Kansas State Hwy Dept as the District Shop Superintendent, retiring from that position in 2003. During retirement he enjoyed wood working, making delicious jerky and helping Vivian out with her many projects. Over the years Victor had many opportunities to step in and help out anyone with whatever was required, he never met a stranger, becoming a friend of everyone along the way.Victor had many passions and interests. He loved being Involved with 4-H, the ability to guide and teach the next generations was very important. He sat on the Kearney County Fair board, Wheat belt Credit Union Board, a Free Mason with the Eastern Star. The Shriners was probable his favorite, he very much enjoyed the people, the parades and most of all helping children.Victor was a kind and gracious man, devoted and loving husband, father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather; he truly and deeply loved his family. Victor is survived by his wife Vivian Michel, Lakin Ks, sister Linda (Rex) Puckett Lakin Ks, Children Colleen (Joe) Eskelund Deerfield Ks, Charles (Chris Coffey) Michel Louisburg Ks, Tami Rodd, Troy (Amanda) Michel Lakin Ks, 6 grand children, 12 great grand children and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceding him on the heavenly journey are his parents Leo &amp; Gladys Michel, brother and sister n law Dennis and Marsha Michel. We will all forever miss and cherish the memories of our patriarch.Victor requested no service be held and the urn be entombed with Vivian at a later date. A celebration of his life will be held January 27th at the United Methodist Church in Lakin Ks at 1:00 p.m.In lieu of flowers, our family requests donations in Victors Honor are given to the Shriners in care of Garnand Funeral Home, po box 91, Lakin, Kansas 67860. Condolences may be given at garnandfuneralhomes.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Victor Lee Michel

Delores Elaine (Popp) DeWald Hanhardt, 98, La Crosse, Kansas, passed away Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Rush County Memorial Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed, La Crosse, Kansas.

Delores was born December 16, 1925, in rural Susank, Barton County, Kansas, the eldest of five children born to Wilhelm and Olinda (Schwartzkopf) Popp. &nbsp;She was baptized and confirmed in the faith of Schoenfeld Evangelical Church, northwest of Susank, Kansas. &nbsp;A 1944 graduate of Hoisington High School, Hoisington, Kansas, she received her teaching certificate from Fort Hays Kansas State College, Hays, Kansas. &nbsp;She taught two years at North Star District #62, Barton County, Kansas.

On May 12, 1946, she married Harlan DeWald at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Millberger, Kansas. &nbsp;They made their home on a farm near Galatia, Kansas. &nbsp;In 1952 they moved to a farm northwest of La Crosse, Kansas. &nbsp;Harlan preceded her in death October 9, 1986.

On December 11, 1993, she married Robert D. Hanhardt at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hays, Kansas. &nbsp;He preceded her in death October 2, 2017.

She was a member of First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Kansas. &nbsp;Through the years she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and was a member of WELCA.

Her interests as a homemaker were spent with her children’s 4-H projects. &nbsp;She enjoyed needlework, sewing, crocheting afghans for family members, and oil painting.

Delores was a devoted wife and homemaker. &nbsp;She helped with farmwork in addition to being a cook for La Crosse High School, La Crosse, Kansas, and a part time cook for Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kansas. &nbsp;Students and residents loved her food, especially the breads she baked. &nbsp;After her marriage to Robert, she was active in the Hanhardt Tax Service, La Crosse, Kansas. &nbsp;She and Robert were able to travel, something they both enjoyed, before he preceded her in death.

Survivors include: &nbsp;one son, Mark DeWald, Great Bend, Kansas; one daughter, Janice Huthoefer (Don), Sierra Vista, Arizona; four grandchildren, Jessica Riebel (Chase), Jonathan DeWald (Julie), Katie Harrelson, and Daniel Huthoefer; 10 great grandchildren, Mathew Huthoefer, Jacob Riebel, Abigail Nilges (Sam), Alexandria Langworthy (Coleton), Anastasia Riebel, Ashley Riebel, Flint Riebel, Tinesha DeWald, Reuben DeWald, and Heaven DeWald; two great great grandchildren, Pompey Nilges, and Samantha Nilges; two sisters, Theresa Dietz (Emil), and Shirley Maier (Robert); one step son, Ron Hanhardt (Juanita); one step daughter in law, Shelley Hanhardt; two sisters in law, Alice Michaelis, and Shirley DeWald; step grandchildren; step great grandchildren; step great great grandchildren.&nbsp;

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; an infant son, Stephen Dale DeWald (January 30, 1950); one daughter in law, Enid “E. J.” DeWald (August 19, 2020); a grandson, Daniel Huthoefer (March 15, 2006); &nbsp;a granddaughter, Justina Elizabeth DeWald (March 15, 1986); one step son, Jim Hanhardt; twin step grandsons, Matthew Hanhardt, and Luke Hanhardt; one brother, Vernon Popp; and a sister and brother in law, LoRee and Elroy Dietz.&nbsp;

Per Delores’ wishes, the family has chosen cremation. &nbsp;A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Kansas, or Rush County Memorial Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed, La Crosse, Kansas.

Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706137089616.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Delores Elaine (Popp) DeWald Hanhardt, 98, La Crosse, Kansas, passed away Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Rush County Memorial Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed, La Crosse, Kansas.Delores was born December 16, 1925, in rural Susank, Barton County, Kansas, the eldest of five children born to Wilhelm and Olinda (Schwartzkopf) Popp. &nbsp;She was baptized and confirmed in the faith of Schoenfeld Evangelical Church, northwest of Susank, Kansas. &nbsp;A 1944 graduate of Hoisington High School, Hoisington, Kansas, she received her teaching certificate from Fort Hays Kansas State College, Hays, Kansas. &nbsp;She taught two years at North Star District #62, Barton County, Kansas.On May 12, 1946, she married Harlan DeWald at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Millberger, Kansas. &nbsp;They made their home on a farm near Galatia, Kansas. &nbsp;In 1952 they moved to a farm northwest of La Crosse, Kansas. &nbsp;Harlan preceded her in death October 9, 1986.On December 11, 1993, she married Robert D. Hanhardt at Trinity Lutheran Church, Hays, Kansas. &nbsp;He preceded her in death October 2, 2017.She was a member of First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Kansas. &nbsp;Through the years she taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and was a member of WELCA.Her interests as a homemaker were spent with her children’s 4-H projects. &nbsp;She enjoyed needlework, sewing, crocheting afghans for family members, and oil painting.Delores was a devoted wife and homemaker. &nbsp;She helped with farmwork in addition to being a cook for La Crosse High School, La Crosse, Kansas, and a part time cook for Locust Grove Village, La Crosse, Kansas. &nbsp;Students and residents loved her food, especially the breads she baked. &nbsp;After her marriage to Robert, she was active in the Hanhardt Tax Service, La Crosse, Kansas. &nbsp;She and Robert were able to travel, something they both enjoyed, before he preceded her in death.Survivors include: &nbsp;one son, Mark DeWald, Great Bend, Kansas; one daughter, Janice Huthoefer (Don), Sierra Vista, Arizona; four grandchildren, Jessica Riebel (Chase), Jonathan DeWald (Julie), Katie Harrelson, and Daniel Huthoefer; 10 great grandchildren, Mathew Huthoefer, Jacob Riebel, Abigail Nilges (Sam), Alexandria Langworthy (Coleton), Anastasia Riebel, Ashley Riebel, Flint Riebel, Tinesha DeWald, Reuben DeWald, and Heaven DeWald; two great great grandchildren, Pompey Nilges, and Samantha Nilges; two sisters, Theresa Dietz (Emil), and Shirley Maier (Robert); one step son, Ron Hanhardt (Juanita); one step daughter in law, Shelley Hanhardt; two sisters in law, Alice Michaelis, and Shirley DeWald; step grandchildren; step great grandchildren; step great great grandchildren.&nbsp;She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; an infant son, Stephen Dale DeWald (January 30, 1950); one daughter in law, Enid “E. J.” DeWald (August 19, 2020); a grandson, Daniel Huthoefer (March 15, 2006); &nbsp;a granddaughter, Justina Elizabeth DeWald (March 15, 1986); one step son, Jim Hanhardt; twin step grandsons, Matthew Hanhardt, and Luke Hanhardt; one brother, Vernon Popp; and a sister and brother in law, LoRee and Elroy Dietz.&nbsp;Per Delores’ wishes, the family has chosen cremation. &nbsp;A memorial service will be held at a later date.In lieu of flowers or plants, the family requests memorials to First Lutheran Church, La Crosse, Kansas, or Rush County Memorial Hospital Intermediate Swing Bed, La Crosse, Kansas.Condolences or remembrances may be left for the family at www.janousekfuneralhome.com.Arrangements were by Janousek Funeral Home, 719 Pine Street, P O Box 550, La Crosse, Kansas 67548, 785/222-2517.

Delores Elaine (Popp) DeWald Hanhardt

Rosemary L. Steinle, 78, of Russell, Kansas, died on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at the Russell Regional Hospital.

Rosemary was born on January 28, 1945, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the daughter of Jerome and Rose Marie (Marino) Liuzza.&nbsp; She grew up in New Orleans and graduated from Warren Eston High School in New Orleans in 1963.&nbsp; She graduated in 1967, from the University of New Orleans with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and worked as an elementary school teacher until she retired in 1995.&nbsp; She met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to Roy Neil Steinle on October 10, 1970, in New Orleans, Louisiana.&nbsp; From this union Rosemary and Roy were blessed with two sons David and Jason.&nbsp; After the devastating hurricane Katrina in August 2005, they decided to move to Russell, Kansas to be closer to Roy’s father, Elmer Steinle.&nbsp; Rosemary quickly made several friends in Russell, joining the Wednesday chapter of TOPS and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 99. She was also invited to join a group of Russell ladies that got together on Wednesdays for lunch. Rosemary later left TOPS and the “lunch bunch” disbanded, but Rosemary stayed in contact with many of the people from both groups. She devoted much of her time to the American Legion Post 99 Auxiliary. She met with young ladies of RHS each year that had interest in attending Girls State, helped prepare meals for stag/stagette each fourth Thursday of the month, tended bar at the Post, and took care of Auxiliary memberships and finances. Rosemary made it a routine for her and two of her best friends to meet every Wednesday morning for coffee and laughs. She also enjoyed cooking, watching Louisiana State University and Notre Dame sports, and was a various book reader visiting the Russell Library on a weekly basis.&nbsp; Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her husband Roy, 2 sons and 3 grandchildren.

Surviving family are her husband Roy of the home; sons David Steinle of Russell, Kansas and Jason Steinle and wife Kim of Nolensville, Tennessee; brother Jerry Liuzza and wife Kerri of Gulfport, Mississippi and 3 grandchildren Alister Shoulders, Luke and Jack Steinle.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Joe, Nick and Roy Liuzza. A memorial graveside service will be held at 11 A.M. on Monday, January 29, 2024, at the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Russell, Kansas.&nbsp; Family will greet guests on the day of the graveside service.&nbsp; Cremation has been chosen by the family.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703646164734.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rosemary L. Steinle, 78, of Russell, Kansas, died on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at the Russell Regional Hospital.Rosemary was born on January 28, 1945, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the daughter of Jerome and Rose Marie (Marino) Liuzza.&nbsp; She grew up in New Orleans and graduated from Warren Eston High School in New Orleans in 1963.&nbsp; She graduated in 1967, from the University of New Orleans with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and worked as an elementary school teacher until she retired in 1995.&nbsp; She met, fell in love, and was united in marriage to Roy Neil Steinle on October 10, 1970, in New Orleans, Louisiana.&nbsp; From this union Rosemary and Roy were blessed with two sons David and Jason.&nbsp; After the devastating hurricane Katrina in August 2005, they decided to move to Russell, Kansas to be closer to Roy’s father, Elmer Steinle.&nbsp; Rosemary quickly made several friends in Russell, joining the Wednesday chapter of TOPS and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 99. She was also invited to join a group of Russell ladies that got together on Wednesdays for lunch. Rosemary later left TOPS and the “lunch bunch” disbanded, but Rosemary stayed in contact with many of the people from both groups. She devoted much of her time to the American Legion Post 99 Auxiliary. She met with young ladies of RHS each year that had interest in attending Girls State, helped prepare meals for stag/stagette each fourth Thursday of the month, tended bar at the Post, and took care of Auxiliary memberships and finances. Rosemary made it a routine for her and two of her best friends to meet every Wednesday morning for coffee and laughs. She also enjoyed cooking, watching Louisiana State University and Notre Dame sports, and was a various book reader visiting the Russell Library on a weekly basis.&nbsp; Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her husband Roy, 2 sons and 3 grandchildren.Surviving family are her husband Roy of the home; sons David Steinle of Russell, Kansas and Jason Steinle and wife Kim of Nolensville, Tennessee; brother Jerry Liuzza and wife Kerri of Gulfport, Mississippi and 3 grandchildren Alister Shoulders, Luke and Jack Steinle.She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers Joe, Nick and Roy Liuzza. A memorial graveside service will be held at 11 A.M. on Monday, January 29, 2024, at the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Russell, Kansas.&nbsp; Family will greet guests on the day of the graveside service.&nbsp; Cremation has been chosen by the family.&nbsp; Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas, is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.

Rosemary L. Steinle

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Dozens of Kansas lawmakers launched an effort Tuesday to direct the state's attorney general to release information from an investigation into a police&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marion-kansas-newspaper-raid-aca057365ea3925328a69acd615c9893">raid last year on a weekly newspaper</a>, but it wasn't clear that their measure would get a hearing in the Republican-controlled Legislature.

Thirty-five Democrats and 10 Republicans in the Kansas House introduced a resolution condemning the Aug. 11 raid of the Marion County Record's offices, the home of its publisher and the home of a city council member in Marion in central Kansas. The resolution would direct Attorney General Kris Kobach to provide a report on whether the investigation found that people's civil rights were violated.

The raid put Marion, a town of about 1,900 residents about 150 miles (241 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City, at the center of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marion-county-record-kansas-newspaper-raid-f1e49c4e542ddb3cf19c9ca02a0a21fb">a national debate</a>&nbsp;over press freedom. It also focused an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-newspaper-raid-police-chief-resigns-e4ddf5a06defbb702bc23650827e53fd">intense spotlight on the police chief</a>&nbsp;who led the raid because the paper had been looking into his past.

The 98-year-old mother of Publisher Eric Meyer died the day after the raid, something he attributed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-newspaper-mother-raid-video-4427af3241da82767deb76028836cffd">the stress it caused,</a>&nbsp;and within days the local prosecutor declared there wasn't enough evidence to support the raid. Legal experts said it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-newspaper-raid-marion-county-record-bead3f49d323c784d40154067141dc7c">likely violated state or federal law,</a>&nbsp;and then-Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody resigned in early October.

“This is something that happened in Kansas that garnered international attention and concern about the state of our free press in the world and very particularly here in Kansas,” said state Rep. Mary Lynn Poskin, a Kansas City-area Democrat and a leading sponsor of the resolution. “I felt it was really important for the Kansas House to send a strong message.”

The resolution is likely to go to the House Judiciary Committee. Chair Susan Humphries, a Wichita Republican, said she needs to review the measure, adding, “I can't say for sure that I'm going to have a hearing.”

Kobach, an elected Republican, said that if anyone is charged with a crime, information will come out during the legal proceedings.

He said when no one is charged with a crime, "Then our system has a preference for not throwing everything on the table.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/newspaper-raid-kansas-affidavit-07d9c856894892bff13cb014248ec866">Cody has said</a>&nbsp;he was investigating whether the newspaper and city council member had illegally violated a local business owner's privacy or committed other crimes by obtaining her driving record, which included a past drunken driving offense. Meyer has said the newspaper only verified the information's authenticity, and no criminal charges have been filed.

Kobach oversees the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, which took over the investigation into the newspaper and the city council member. Later, Kansas officials asked the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to look into the circumstances surrounding the raid.

Meyer said Tuesday that he'd like to have a formal statement from authorities that the newspaper or its staff is no longer under investigation. He said making information public would be “a first step,” but there are questions about why the raid was necessary and about how search warrants are issued in Kansas.

The lead sponsors of the resolution are Poskin and another Democrat, Rep. Boog Highberger, of Lawrence. Meyer said it could be “the kiss of death” for the measure.

“You know, if a Democrat said the sun is going to rise in the east in the morning, the Republicans would deny it — and vice versa, I might add,” he said.

Several legislators and staffers said the resolution drew criticism from some Republicans for explicitly linking the raid to the death of Meyer's mother, Joan Meyer, the paper's co-owner.

The resolution also declares that the raid undermined "the role of journalism in encouraging engaged, civic-minded, critical thinkers.”

Asked about the resolution, House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said in an emailed statement that it would go through “the normal committee process” — which gives a committee chair wide discretion in what measures to consider.

“Freedom of speech and law and order are two very important considerations here,” Hawkins said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692219843330.png" alt="photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Dozens of Kansas lawmakers launched an effort Tuesday to direct the state's attorney general to release information from an investigation into a police&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marion-kansas-newspaper-raid-aca057365ea3925328a69acd615c9893">raid last year on a weekly newspaper</a>, but it wasn't clear that their measure would get a hearing in the Republican-controlled Legislature.Thirty-five Democrats and 10 Republicans in the Kansas House introduced a resolution condemning the Aug. 11 raid of the Marion County Record's offices, the home of its publisher and the home of a city council member in Marion in central Kansas. The resolution would direct Attorney General Kris Kobach to provide a report on whether the investigation found that people's civil rights were violated.The raid put Marion, a town of about 1,900 residents about 150 miles (241 kilometers) southwest of Kansas City, at the center of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marion-county-record-kansas-newspaper-raid-f1e49c4e542ddb3cf19c9ca02a0a21fb">a national debate</a>&nbsp;over press freedom. It also focused an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-newspaper-raid-police-chief-resigns-e4ddf5a06defbb702bc23650827e53fd">intense spotlight on the police chief</a>&nbsp;who led the raid because the paper had been looking into his past.The 98-year-old mother of Publisher Eric Meyer died the day after the raid, something he attributed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-newspaper-mother-raid-video-4427af3241da82767deb76028836cffd">the stress it caused,</a>&nbsp;and within days the local prosecutor declared there wasn't enough evidence to support the raid. Legal experts said it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-newspaper-raid-marion-county-record-bead3f49d323c784d40154067141dc7c">likely violated state or federal law,</a>&nbsp;and then-Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody resigned in early October.“This is something that happened in Kansas that garnered international attention and concern about the state of our free press in the world and very particularly here in Kansas,” said state Rep. Mary Lynn Poskin, a Kansas City-area Democrat and a leading sponsor of the resolution. “I felt it was really important for the Kansas House to send a strong message.”The resolution is likely to go to the House Judiciary Committee. Chair Susan Humphries, a Wichita Republican, said she needs to review the measure, adding, “I can't say for sure that I'm going to have a hearing.”Kobach, an elected Republican, said that if anyone is charged with a crime, information will come out during the legal proceedings.He said when no one is charged with a crime, "Then our system has a preference for not throwing everything on the table.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/newspaper-raid-kansas-affidavit-07d9c856894892bff13cb014248ec866">Cody has said</a>&nbsp;he was investigating whether the newspaper and city council member had illegally violated a local business owner's privacy or committed other crimes by obtaining her driving record, which included a past drunken driving offense. Meyer has said the newspaper only verified the information's authenticity, and no criminal charges have been filed.Kobach oversees the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, which took over the investigation into the newspaper and the city council member. Later, Kansas officials asked the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to look into the circumstances surrounding the raid.Meyer said Tuesday that he'd like to have a formal statement from authorities that the newspaper or its staff is no longer under investigation. He said making information public would be “a first step,” but there are questions about why the raid was necessary and about how search warrants are issued in Kansas.The lead sponsors of the resolution are Poskin and another Democrat, Rep. Boog Highberger, of Lawrence. Meyer said it could be “the kiss of death” for the measure.“You know, if a Democrat said the sun is going to rise in the east in the morning, the Republicans would deny it — and vice versa, I might add,” he said.Several legislators and staffers said the resolution drew criticism from some Republicans for explicitly linking the raid to the death of Meyer's mother, Joan Meyer, the paper's co-owner.The resolution also declares that the raid undermined "the role of journalism in encouraging engaged, civic-minded, critical thinkers.”Asked about the resolution, House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, said in an emailed statement that it would go through “the normal committee process” — which gives a committee chair wide discretion in what measures to consider.“Freedom of speech and law and order are two very important considerations here,” Hawkins said.

Kan. lawmakers want report on last year's police raid of newspaper

&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is out of money for Ukraine, unable to send the ammunition and missiles that the government in Kyiv needs to fend off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia's invasion</a>.

(click below to watch Austin's statement to the allies)

With the aid caught up in domestic politics, the Biden administration on Tuesday came empty-handed for the first time as host of the monthly meeting of about 50 nations that coordinate support for Ukraine. The group was established by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in April 2022.

While&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-speaker-johnson-border-security-ukraine-government-shutdown-fa505e84f1ffd1767eb01a250a161393">waiting for Congress to</a>&nbsp;approve more money for Ukraine’s fight, Washington will look to allies to keep bridging the gap.

“I urge this group to dig deep to provide Ukraine with more lifesaving ground-based air defense systems and interceptors,” Austin said in opening remarks broadcast from his home, where he is recuperating after prostate cancer surgery.

The opening statement by video was the first public appearance from Austin, 70, who appeared slightly gaunt. He was hospitalized for two weeks after complications from the surgery.

After the meeting, Celeste Wallander, assistant defense secretary for international affairs, told reporters that Ukraine's ministry of defense is getting reports from its front lines that “units are not do not have the stocks and the stores of ammunition that they require."

Wallander added, “That is one of the reasons we have been focusing on the need to answer Congress’ questions, so that they are able to move forward on a decision to pass” legislation with the aid.

While Ukraine waits to see what Congress will do, European allies are moving ahead with new measures to support Ukraine.

In Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-nato-artillery-shells-59663a6a14ad180be86bc79a86cea07b">$1.2 billion joint contract</a>&nbsp;to buy more than 222,000 rounds of 155 mm ammunition. The rounds are some of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/155mm-howitzer-ukraine-ammunition-russia-7d966c85046b73db2b013f93c51af2a5">most heavily used</a>&nbsp;munitions in the war, and the contract will be used to backfill allies that have pushed their own reserves to Kyiv.

While the conflict between Israel and Hamas has dominated headlines since October, Russia's onslaught against Ukraine has continued.

Russia on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-kyiv-missile-kharkiv-7c360faaeec27ac169b2abf4865a4522">launched a barrage</a>&nbsp;of more than 40 ballistic, cruise, anti-aircraft and guided missiles into Ukraine’s two biggest cities, damaging apartment buildings and killing at least five people. The assault came a day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-states-clash-peace-gaza-united-nations-aeebfd51edbacb6b82550ebe3b47f2ac">Moscow shunned any deal backed by Kyiv</a>&nbsp;and its Western allies to end the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">almost two-year war</a>.

Ukraine's air defenses were able to intercept at least 21 of the missiles. But the attacks injured at least 20 people in four districts of Kyiv, the capital.

The Pentagon announced its last security assistance for Ukraine on Dec. 27, a $250 million package that included 155 mm rounds, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and other high-demand items drawn from existing U.S. stockpiles.

The U.S. has not been able to provide additional munitions since then because the money for replenishing those stockpiles has run out and Congress has yet to approve more funds.

More than $110 billion in aid for both Ukraine and Israel is stalled over disagreements between Congress and the White House over other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-speaker-johnson-border-security-ukraine-government-shutdown-fa505e84f1ffd1767eb01a250a161393">policy priorities,</a>&nbsp;including additional security for the U.S.-Mexico border.

Senators are trying for a bipartisan deal that would include nearly $61 billion in aid for Ukraine and make changes in border policy. But Republicans are renewing a push to scale back the amount of assistance for Ukraine, targeting money that would go to Ukraine’s civil sector and arguing that European nations could step in to fund those needs.

“Personally speaking, I’d like to see portions pared down,” Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the second-ranking Republican senator, told reporters Tuesday. “I think the number is really high and there are a lot of things funded in there.”

But even if a deal can be reached in the Senate, the package faces even more opposition in the House, where many Republicans have voted repeatedly against the Ukrainian war effort.

The U.S. has provided Ukraine more than $44.2 billion in security assistance since Russia invaded in February 2022. About $23.6 billion of that was pulled from existing military stockpiles and almost $19 billion was sent in the form of longer-term military contracts, for items that will take months to procure. So even though funds have run out, some previously purchased weapons will continue to flow in. An additional $1.7 billion has been provided by the U.S. State Department in the form of foreign military financing.

The U.S. and approximately 30 international partners are also continuing to train Ukrainian forces, and to date have trained a total of 118,000 Ukrainians at locations around the world, said Col. Marty O’Donnell, spokesman for U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706044056961.png" alt="Austin in his first public appearance since his secret hospitalization urged&nbsp; the group to "dig deep to provide Ukraine with more lifesaving ground-based air defense systems and interceptors."" />
 <figcaption>Austin in his first public appearance since his secret hospitalization urged&nbsp; the group to "dig deep to provide Ukraine with more lifesaving ground-based air defense systems and interceptors."</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is out of money for Ukraine, unable to send the ammunition and missiles that the government in Kyiv needs to fend off&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Russia's invasion</a>.(click below to watch Austin's statement to the allies)<div><iframe width='500' height='300' scrolling='no' frameborder='0' style='border: none; overflow: hidden; width: 500px; height: 300px;' allowtransparency='true' src='https://www.dvidshub.net/video/embed/910925'></iframe></div>With the aid caught up in domestic politics, the Biden administration on Tuesday came empty-handed for the first time as host of the monthly meeting of about 50 nations that coordinate support for Ukraine. The group was established by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in April 2022.While&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-speaker-johnson-border-security-ukraine-government-shutdown-fa505e84f1ffd1767eb01a250a161393">waiting for Congress to</a>&nbsp;approve more money for Ukraine’s fight, Washington will look to allies to keep bridging the gap.“I urge this group to dig deep to provide Ukraine with more lifesaving ground-based air defense systems and interceptors,” Austin said in opening remarks broadcast from his home, where he is recuperating after prostate cancer surgery.The opening statement by video was the first public appearance from Austin, 70, who appeared slightly gaunt. He was hospitalized for two weeks after complications from the surgery.After the meeting, Celeste Wallander, assistant defense secretary for international affairs, told reporters that Ukraine's ministry of defense is getting reports from its front lines that “units are not do not have the stocks and the stores of ammunition that they require."Wallander added, “That is one of the reasons we have been focusing on the need to answer Congress’ questions, so that they are able to move forward on a decision to pass” legislation with the aid.While Ukraine waits to see what Congress will do, European allies are moving ahead with new measures to support Ukraine.In Brussels, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-nato-artillery-shells-59663a6a14ad180be86bc79a86cea07b">$1.2 billion joint contract</a>&nbsp;to buy more than 222,000 rounds of 155 mm ammunition. The rounds are some of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/155mm-howitzer-ukraine-ammunition-russia-7d966c85046b73db2b013f93c51af2a5">most heavily used</a>&nbsp;munitions in the war, and the contract will be used to backfill allies that have pushed their own reserves to Kyiv.While the conflict between Israel and Hamas has dominated headlines since October, Russia's onslaught against Ukraine has continued.Russia on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-kyiv-missile-kharkiv-7c360faaeec27ac169b2abf4865a4522">launched a barrage</a>&nbsp;of more than 40 ballistic, cruise, anti-aircraft and guided missiles into Ukraine’s two biggest cities, damaging apartment buildings and killing at least five people. The assault came a day after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-united-states-clash-peace-gaza-united-nations-aeebfd51edbacb6b82550ebe3b47f2ac">Moscow shunned any deal backed by Kyiv</a>&nbsp;and its Western allies to end the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">almost two-year war</a>.Ukraine's air defenses were able to intercept at least 21 of the missiles. But the attacks injured at least 20 people in four districts of Kyiv, the capital.The Pentagon announced its last security assistance for Ukraine on Dec. 27, a $250 million package that included 155 mm rounds, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and other high-demand items drawn from existing U.S. stockpiles.The U.S. has not been able to provide additional munitions since then because the money for replenishing those stockpiles has run out and Congress has yet to approve more funds.More than $110 billion in aid for both Ukraine and Israel is stalled over disagreements between Congress and the White House over other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-speaker-johnson-border-security-ukraine-government-shutdown-fa505e84f1ffd1767eb01a250a161393">policy priorities,</a>&nbsp;including additional security for the U.S.-Mexico border.Senators are trying for a bipartisan deal that would include nearly $61 billion in aid for Ukraine and make changes in border policy. But Republicans are renewing a push to scale back the amount of assistance for Ukraine, targeting money that would go to Ukraine’s civil sector and arguing that European nations could step in to fund those needs.“Personally speaking, I’d like to see portions pared down,” Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the second-ranking Republican senator, told reporters Tuesday. “I think the number is really high and there are a lot of things funded in there.”But even if a deal can be reached in the Senate, the package faces even more opposition in the House, where many Republicans have voted repeatedly against the Ukrainian war effort.The U.S. has provided Ukraine more than $44.2 billion in security assistance since Russia invaded in February 2022. About $23.6 billion of that was pulled from existing military stockpiles and almost $19 billion was sent in the form of longer-term military contracts, for items that will take months to procure. So even though funds have run out, some previously purchased weapons will continue to flow in. An additional $1.7 billion has been provided by the U.S. State Department in the form of foreign military financing.The U.S. and approximately 30 international partners are also continuing to train Ukrainian forces, and to date have trained a total of 118,000 Ukrainians at locations around the world, said Col. Marty O’Donnell, spokesman for U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

🎥 U.S. has no more money for Ukraine, asks allies for support 

BAGHDAD(AP) —The U.S. military struck three facilities in Iraq and two anti-ship missiles in Yemen operated by Iranian-backed militias that have attacked U.S. personnel and ships in the region as the United States tries to keep the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;from spilling over into a wider conflict.

Both the strikes in Iraq and Yemen late on Tuesday targeted sites that the U.S. has said are involved in the attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria and were threatening U.S. military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the strikes in Iraq were at the direction of President Joe Biden and targeted facilities used by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-kataib-hezbollah-drone-strike-us-military-injured-b4b4480e2cae6e7ad26e88eb625ab397">Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia</a>&nbsp;and other Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq.

“These precision strikes are in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against U.S. and Coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias," Austin said. Those strikes hit militia facilities in Jurf al-Sakhar, which is south of Baghdad, al-Qaim and another unnamed site in western Iraq, two U.S. officials said.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said the strikes “blatantly violate Iraq’s sovereignty" and contribute to an "irresponsible escalation," according to a statement from his office. The statement, signed by military spokesman Yahya Rasool, said Iraq considers the strikes “hostile acts” and is taking measures to protect the lives of Iraqis.

The Popular Mobilization Forces, or PMF, a coalition of armed mostly Shiite groups only nominally under Iraqi military authority, said the strike near the Syrian border killed one of its fighters and wounded two, while the strike south of Baghdad caused material damage.

The U.S. Central Command announced it had also struck two anti-ship missiles belonging to the Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels that were being prepared for launch and were aimed at the southern part of the Red Sea.

“U.S. forces identified the missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region,” Central Command said.

Both fronts — land attacks in Iraq and Syria, and sea attacks originating from Yemen — have seen a significant uptick in launches and counterstrikes over the last few days.

The U.S. strikes on the Kataib Hezbollah sites in Iraq came hours after the U.S. said militiamen fired two one-way attack drones at al-Asad Air Base, injuring U.S. service members and damaging infrastructure. And they followed the militia's most serious attack this year on the air base, when it launched multiple ballistic missiles on Saturday.

U.S. Central Command said it targeted Kataib Hezbollah headquarters, storage, and training locations for rocket, missile, and one-way attack drone capabilities.

In the drone attacks against al-Asad earlier Tuesday, U.S. defenses were able to intercept the first drone but it crashed on base while the second drone hit the base, U.S. officials said. Injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and smoke inhalation, were reported to be minor. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that had not been announced publicly.

The strikes on the Houthi missile launch sites in Yemen followed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-british-strikes-houthi-yemen-4ca86a7c0f484fcdf9c386cd752c1878">joint operation on Monday night</a>&nbsp;where the U.S. and Britain used warship- and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets to take out Houthi missile storage sites, drones and launchers.

On both fronts, the Iranian-backed militias have employed ballistic missiles to target U.S. bases and ships, which marks an escalation, said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies who specializes in Iran.

The militias have typically used drones and rockets to attack. Tehran supplied Shiite militias in Iraq with short-range and close-range ballistic missiles in 2019, Taleblu said, but they had not been used until November’s attacks.

During Saturday’s larger-scale attack, multiple ballistic missiles and rockets launched by Iranian-backed militias targeted al-Asad, but most were intercepted by air defense systems there, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters on Monday. She said other munitions hit the base.

Al-Asad is a large air base in western Iraq where U.S. troops have trained Iraqi security forces and now coordinate operations to counter the militant Islamic State group.

Singh said Saturday’s attack was a “barrage” — the first time since Nov. 20 that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iraq-airstrike-military-iran-d93d861feeef90cfeac3ba85f1f2f36d">Iranian proxy forces in Iraq had fired ballistic missiles at U.S. bases</a>&nbsp;there.

A coalition of militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has taken credit for a number of the attacks on U.S. forces. Kataib Hezbollah is one of the groups within that umbrella organization.

Iran has also supplied the Houthis with ballistic missiles, and that group is the first Iranian proxy to fire medium-range ballistic missiles and anti-ship ballistic missiles, Taleblu said. “With Yemen, think of it as an intensification of the problem.”

Saturday’s ballistic missile attack on al-Asad injured four U.S. service members, all of whom have returned to duty. One member of the Iraqi security forces was also injured.

Since the Israel-Hamas war began in early October, there have been more than 151 attacks on U.S. facilities in Syria and Iraq. According to the Pentagon, two attacks took place on Monday and included multiple rockets fired at U.S. and coalition troops at Mission Support Site Euphrates in Syria and a single rocket fired at the Rumalyn Landing Zone in Syria. Neither attack resulted in casualties or damage.

The U.S. struck back at the militia groups late last month, ordering a round of retaliatory strikes after three&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-iran-us-gaza-israel-hamas-0b99659922bf1174f86e390808e5bfde">U.S. service members were injured in a drone attack in northern Iraq.</a>&nbsp;Kataib Hezbollah claimed credit for the attack, carried out by a one-way attack drone.

The U.S., in response, hit three sites, destroying facilities and likely killing a number of the militia, the White House said at the time.

BAGHDAD(AP) —The U.S. military struck three facilities in Iraq and two anti-ship missiles in Yemen operated by Iranian-backed militias that have attacked U.S. personnel and ships in the region as the United States tries to keep the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;from spilling over into a wider conflict.Both the strikes in Iraq and Yemen late on Tuesday targeted sites that the U.S. has said are involved in the attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria and were threatening U.S. military and commercial vessels in the Red Sea.U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement that the strikes in Iraq were at the direction of President Joe Biden and targeted facilities used by the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-kataib-hezbollah-drone-strike-us-military-injured-b4b4480e2cae6e7ad26e88eb625ab397">Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah militia</a>&nbsp;and other Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq.“These precision strikes are in direct response to a series of escalatory attacks against U.S. and Coalition personnel in Iraq and Syria by Iranian-sponsored militias," Austin said. Those strikes hit militia facilities in Jurf al-Sakhar, which is south of Baghdad, al-Qaim and another unnamed site in western Iraq, two U.S. officials said.Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said the strikes “blatantly violate Iraq’s sovereignty" and contribute to an "irresponsible escalation," according to a statement from his office. The statement, signed by military spokesman Yahya Rasool, said Iraq considers the strikes “hostile acts” and is taking measures to protect the lives of Iraqis.The Popular Mobilization Forces, or PMF, a coalition of armed mostly Shiite groups only nominally under Iraqi military authority, said the strike near the Syrian border killed one of its fighters and wounded two, while the strike south of Baghdad caused material damage.The U.S. Central Command announced it had also struck two anti-ship missiles belonging to the Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels that were being prepared for launch and were aimed at the southern part of the Red Sea.“U.S. forces identified the missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region,” Central Command said.Both fronts — land attacks in Iraq and Syria, and sea attacks originating from Yemen — have seen a significant uptick in launches and counterstrikes over the last few days.The U.S. strikes on the Kataib Hezbollah sites in Iraq came hours after the U.S. said militiamen fired two one-way attack drones at al-Asad Air Base, injuring U.S. service members and damaging infrastructure. And they followed the militia's most serious attack this year on the air base, when it launched multiple ballistic missiles on Saturday.U.S. Central Command said it targeted Kataib Hezbollah headquarters, storage, and training locations for rocket, missile, and one-way attack drone capabilities.In the drone attacks against al-Asad earlier Tuesday, U.S. defenses were able to intercept the first drone but it crashed on base while the second drone hit the base, U.S. officials said. Injuries, including traumatic brain injuries and smoke inhalation, were reported to be minor. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details that had not been announced publicly.The strikes on the Houthi missile launch sites in Yemen followed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-british-strikes-houthi-yemen-4ca86a7c0f484fcdf9c386cd752c1878">joint operation on Monday night</a>&nbsp;where the U.S. and Britain used warship- and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets to take out Houthi missile storage sites, drones and launchers.On both fronts, the Iranian-backed militias have employed ballistic missiles to target U.S. bases and ships, which marks an escalation, said Behnam Ben Taleblu, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies who specializes in Iran.The militias have typically used drones and rockets to attack. Tehran supplied Shiite militias in Iraq with short-range and close-range ballistic missiles in 2019, Taleblu said, but they had not been used until November’s attacks.During Saturday’s larger-scale attack, multiple ballistic missiles and rockets launched by Iranian-backed militias targeted al-Asad, but most were intercepted by air defense systems there, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told reporters on Monday. She said other munitions hit the base.Al-Asad is a large air base in western Iraq where U.S. troops have trained Iraqi security forces and now coordinate operations to counter the militant Islamic State group.Singh said Saturday’s attack was a “barrage” — the first time since Nov. 20 that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iraq-airstrike-military-iran-d93d861feeef90cfeac3ba85f1f2f36d">Iranian proxy forces in Iraq had fired ballistic missiles at U.S. bases</a>&nbsp;there.A coalition of militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has taken credit for a number of the attacks on U.S. forces. Kataib Hezbollah is one of the groups within that umbrella organization.Iran has also supplied the Houthis with ballistic missiles, and that group is the first Iranian proxy to fire medium-range ballistic missiles and anti-ship ballistic missiles, Taleblu said. “With Yemen, think of it as an intensification of the problem.”Saturday’s ballistic missile attack on al-Asad injured four U.S. service members, all of whom have returned to duty. One member of the Iraqi security forces was also injured.Since the Israel-Hamas war began in early October, there have been more than 151 attacks on U.S. facilities in Syria and Iraq. According to the Pentagon, two attacks took place on Monday and included multiple rockets fired at U.S. and coalition troops at Mission Support Site Euphrates in Syria and a single rocket fired at the Rumalyn Landing Zone in Syria. Neither attack resulted in casualties or damage.The U.S. struck back at the militia groups late last month, ordering a round of retaliatory strikes after three&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-iran-us-gaza-israel-hamas-0b99659922bf1174f86e390808e5bfde">U.S. service members were injured in a drone attack in northern Iraq.</a>&nbsp;Kataib Hezbollah claimed credit for the attack, carried out by a one-way attack drone.The U.S., in response, hit three sites, destroying facilities and likely killing a number of the militia, the White House said at the time.

US strikes targets in Iraq, Yemen after American forces wounded

The 2024 legislative session began on Monday, January 8. The first week of session is usually ceremonial in nature with the State of the State and State of the Judiciary addresses before joint sessions of the legislature.

This year was slightly different as the Senate took up an important resolution that dealt with the horrific terrorist attacks that occurred in October. It was crucial for the Senate to speak clearly and without equivocation on such an important issue that impacts every single one of us. The resolution, SR 1729, makes it clear that the Kansas Senate unequivocally supports Israel’s right to exist, defend itself, and protect its citizens from terrorism and harm. We condemn the unprovoked attacks on the State of Israel, demand the unconditional safe return of hostages, and reject all forms of antisemitism, including threats against Jewish people and institutions, some of which have occurred in Kansas. This resolution passed the Senate 34-6 condemning the October 7, 2023, attacks on the State of Israel and reaffirming Kansas’ support and cooperation with the State of Israel.

Chief Justice Marla Luckett delivered the State of the Judiciary speech on Wednesday before a joint session of the legislature. Chief Justice Luckett discussed how a Russian-based ransomware group infiltrated the computer systems of the Kansas Judicial Branch on October 12, 2023. While she indicated the scope and source of the attack was not immediately apparent, they later learned that critical servers housed in the Kansas Judicial Center were inaccessible. The attack ultimately forced the shutdown of the e-filing system used by attorneys to file documents in cases. The attack also impacted case management systems that the district and appellate courts use to process cases.

On Wednesday evening, Governor Laura Kelly delivered her annual State of the State address. The governor devoted a large portion of her speech to promises about tax relief to the people of Kansas, when her veto is the very reason that taxpayers aren’t enjoying that relief today. Because of the veto, Kansas taxpayers are not receiving a reduction on their income tax, the state sales tax on food would have been eliminated and retirees would no longer be paying income tax on their Social Security benefits. These ideas are not new; we have been trying to pass these for years.

The Kansas House and Senate have both overwhelmingly passed bipartisan tax relief HB2284 and are now sending it to Governor Kelly’s desk for her to sign. 

Here is a brief explanation of the tax relief bill:

* It is a tax break for all Kansans, especially those who have been struggling to make ends meet. * Over 300,000 lower income Kansans will see their income tax eliminated. * Seniors receiving social security will see their income tax eliminated on their social security income. * All state sales tax on groceries will be eliminated. * Homeowners with homes under $100,000 will have their property tax eliminated from the states 20 mill levy. * All Kansas residential property will see an increased exemption from about $43,000 to $100,000, providing additional property&nbsp;tax relief. * This bill will also increase the personal exemption that hasn’t been changed in nearly thirty years.

My office has several dates available for 6th graders through high school to serve as a page. Working as a page in the Kansas Legislature is an excellent way to learn more about the legislative process. If your child is interested in being a page for my office the following dates are available: February 12, February 19, or March 11.

I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. 

Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785-296-7399 or my cell is 785-899-4700. If you are in Topeka, stop by my office at 545-S.

Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is senator of the 40th District which includes:

Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Rawlins,&nbsp;Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego and Wallace counties Phillips County: Cities: Logan, Long Island, Prairie View, Speed;&nbsp;Townships: Beaver, Belmont, Dayton, Granite, Logan, Long Island, Mound, Plainview, Prairie View,&nbsp;Solomon (part) and Towanda

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644852447177.jpeg" alt="Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist. Hays Post/Becky Kiser" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, 40th Dist. Hays Post/Becky Kiser</figcaption>
 </figure>January 23, 2024The 2024 legislative session began on Monday, January 8. The first week of session is usually ceremonial in nature with the State of the State and State of the Judiciary addresses before joint sessions of the legislature.This year was slightly different as the Senate took up an important resolution that dealt with the horrific terrorist attacks that occurred in October. It was crucial for the Senate to speak clearly and without equivocation on such an important issue that impacts every single one of us. The resolution, SR 1729, makes it clear that the Kansas Senate unequivocally supports Israel’s right to exist, defend itself, and protect its citizens from terrorism and harm. We condemn the unprovoked attacks on the State of Israel, demand the unconditional safe return of hostages, and reject all forms of antisemitism, including threats against Jewish people and institutions, some of which have occurred in Kansas. This resolution passed the Senate 34-6 condemning the October 7, 2023, attacks on the State of Israel and reaffirming Kansas’ support and cooperation with the State of Israel.Chief Justice Marla Luckett delivered the State of the Judiciary speech on Wednesday before a joint session of the legislature. Chief Justice Luckett discussed how a Russian-based ransomware group infiltrated the computer systems of the Kansas Judicial Branch on October 12, 2023. While she indicated the scope and source of the attack was not immediately apparent, they later learned that critical servers housed in the Kansas Judicial Center were inaccessible. The attack ultimately forced the shutdown of the e-filing system used by attorneys to file documents in cases. The attack also impacted case management systems that the district and appellate courts use to process cases.On Wednesday evening, Governor Laura Kelly delivered her annual State of the State address. The governor devoted a large portion of her speech to promises about tax relief to the people of Kansas, when her veto is the very reason that taxpayers aren’t enjoying that relief today. Because of the veto, Kansas taxpayers are not receiving a reduction on their income tax, the state sales tax on food would have been eliminated and retirees would no longer be paying income tax on their Social Security benefits. These ideas are not new; we have been trying to pass these for years.The Kansas House and Senate have both overwhelmingly passed bipartisan tax relief HB2284 and are now sending it to Governor Kelly’s desk for her to sign. Here is a brief explanation of the tax relief bill:* It is a tax break for all Kansans, especially those who have been struggling to make ends meet. * Over 300,000 lower income Kansans will see their income tax eliminated. * Seniors receiving social security will see their income tax eliminated on their social security income. * All state sales tax on groceries will be eliminated. * Homeowners with homes under $100,000 will have their property tax eliminated from the states 20 mill levy. * All Kansas residential property will see an increased exemption from about $43,000 to $100,000, providing additional property&nbsp;tax relief. * This bill will also increase the personal exemption that hasn’t been changed in nearly thirty years.My office has several dates available for 6th graders through high school to serve as a page. Working as a page in the Kansas Legislature is an excellent way to learn more about the legislative process. If your child is interested in being a page for my office the following dates are available: February 12, February 19, or March 11.I am honored and grateful to represent the 40th Senate District in Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at rick.billinger@senate.ks.gov or call me with your questions or concerns. My office number is 785-296-7399 or my cell is 785-899-4700. If you are in Topeka, stop by my office at 545-S.Rick Billinger, R-Goodland, is senator of the 40th District which includes:Cheyenne, Decatur, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Logan, Norton, Rawlins,&nbsp;Sheridan, Sherman, Thomas, Trego and Wallace counties Phillips County: Cities: Logan, Long Island, Prairie View, Speed;&nbsp;Townships: Beaver, Belmont, Dayton, Granite, Logan, Long Island, Mound, Plainview, Prairie View,&nbsp;Solomon (part) and Towanda

BILLINGER:  Senate Update, Jan. 23

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and British militaries bombed eight locations used by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-attacks-iran-ships-retaliation-houthis-d770a3fb0fab4c4b72e2459771833e11">the Iranian-backed Houthis</a>&nbsp;in Yemen on Monday night, the second time the two allies have conducted coordinated retaliatory strikes on an array of the rebels' missile-launching capabilities.

According to officials, the U.S. and U.K. used warship- and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets to take out Houthi missile storage sites and launchers. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a military operation, said Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands contributed to the mission, including with intelligence and surveillance.

In a joint statement, the six allied nations said the strikes specifically targeted a Houthi underground storage site and locations associated with the Houthis’ missile and air surveillance capabilities. They added, “Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let us reiterate our warning to Houthi leadership: we will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats.”

Britain’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that four Royal Air Force Typhoon jets struck “multiple targets at two military sites in the vicinity of Sanaa airfield” with precision-guided bombs. The strikes, said Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, were “aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities” and would “deal another blow to their limited stockpiles and ability to threaten global trade.”

The joint operation comes about 10 days after U.S. and British warships and fighter jets struck more than 60 targets in 28 locations. That was the first U.S. military response to what has been a persistent campaign of Houthi drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October.

The Houthis' media office said in an online statement that raids targeted Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. And Jamal Hassan, a resident from south Sanaa, told The Associated Press that two strikes landed near his home, setting off car alarms in the street. An Associated Press journalist in Sanaa also heard aircraft flying above the skies of Sanaa overnight Monday.

Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, said there were multiple air raids on three areas of Sanaa: al-Dailami Air Base just north of the capital, Sarif, northeast of the city center, and al-Hafa, which is south of Sanaa.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke with President Joe Biden earlier Monday. Sunak’s office said the two leaders agreed to take “as needed, targeted military action to degrade Houthi capabilities.”

The latest barrage of allied attacks marks the eighth time the U.S. has conducted strikes on Houthi sites since Jan. 12. And it follows an almost-daily assault on Houthi missile launchers by U.S. fighter jets and ship-based Tomahawks over the past week. The rapid response missions, which officials said go after launchers that are armed and ready to fire, demonstrate the military’s increasing ability to watch, detect and strike militant activities in Yemen.

The chaotic wave of attacks and reprisals involving the United States, its allies and foes suggests that the retaliatory strikes haven’t deterred the Houthis from their campaign against Red Sea shipping, and that the broader regional war that the U.S. has spent months trying to avoid is becoming closer to reality.

For months, the Houthis have attacked ships in the region’s waterways that they say are either linked to Israel or heading to Israeli ports. They say their attacks aim to end the Israeli air-and-ground offensive in the Gaza Strip that was triggered by the Palestinian militant group Hamas’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel</a>. But any such links to the ships targeted in the rebel assaults have grown more tenuous as the attacks continue.

The U.S. and allies warned of retaliation for weeks, and the White House and a host of partner nations&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-israel-hamas-houthis-red-sea-fef8d446852b6eae33d38ffd8f6b2d64">issued a final warning</a>&nbsp;on Jan. 3 to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action.

That threat, however, had little noticeable effect. The Houthis continued to attack ships in the region, including at times appearing to target U.S. Navy and U.S.-owned ships, in addition to the wide range of commercial vessels.

Of the eight strike missions on Yemen this month, all but the two with Britain were conducted by the U.S. military alone. Five of the latest strikes were labeled self-defense to take out missiles ready to fire. The most recent, on Saturday, struck and destroyed a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed into the Gulf of Aden and was prepared to launch, according to Central Command.

The Biden administration has also put the Houthis back on its list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.state.gov/executive-order-13224/">specially designated global terrorists</a>. The sanctions that come with the formal designation are meant to sever violent extremist groups from their sources of financing, while also allowing vital humanitarian aid to continue flowing to impoverished Yemenis.

U.S. defense officials have said they believe the strikes have degraded the Houthis’ weapons and strike capabilities. But Biden and others have acknowledged that the rebels are well-equipped by Iran and are likely to continue the attacks.

The Houthis, meanwhile, have made it clear that they have no intention of scaling back their assault. In the wake of the first U.S. and British joint attack, Hussein al-Ezzi, a Houthi official in their Foreign Ministry, said, “America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression.”

The continued harassment of the ships has driven the U.S. and international partners to take extraordinary steps to defend them through a joint mission named Operation Prosperity Guardian, in which they provide a protective umbrella for vessels traveling the critical waterway that runs from the Suez Canal down to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

About 400 commercial vessels transit the southern Red Sea at any given time. And the ongoing violence has prompted companies to reroute their ships, sending them around Africa through the Cape of Good Hope instead — a much longer and less efficient passage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705969554059.png" alt="U.S. Central Command image shows F/A-18E “Super Hornets” with Carrier Air Wing 3 aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) launching to conduct Airstrikes against the Houthi Terrorist Group in Yemen" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Central Command image shows F/A-18E “Super Hornets” with Carrier Air Wing 3 aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) launching to conduct Airstrikes against the Houthi Terrorist Group in Yemen</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and British militaries bombed eight locations used by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-attacks-iran-ships-retaliation-houthis-d770a3fb0fab4c4b72e2459771833e11">the Iranian-backed Houthis</a>&nbsp;in Yemen on Monday night, the second time the two allies have conducted coordinated retaliatory strikes on an array of the rebels' missile-launching capabilities.According to officials, the U.S. and U.K. used warship- and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets to take out Houthi missile storage sites and launchers. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a military operation, said Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlands contributed to the mission, including with intelligence and surveillance.In a joint statement, the six allied nations said the strikes specifically targeted a Houthi underground storage site and locations associated with the Houthis’ missile and air surveillance capabilities. They added, “Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, but let us reiterate our warning to Houthi leadership: we will not hesitate to defend lives and the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats.”Britain’s Ministry of Defense confirmed that four Royal Air Force Typhoon jets struck “multiple targets at two military sites in the vicinity of Sanaa airfield” with precision-guided bombs. The strikes, said Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, were “aimed at degrading Houthi capabilities” and would “deal another blow to their limited stockpiles and ability to threaten global trade.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705969629635.png" alt="-U.S. Central Command image shows F/A-18E “Super Hornets” with Carrier Air Wing 3 aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) launching to conduct Airstrikes against the Houthi Terrorist Group in Yemen" />
 <figcaption>-U.S. Central Command image shows F/A-18E “Super Hornets” with Carrier Air Wing 3 aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) launching to conduct Airstrikes against the Houthi Terrorist Group in Yemen</figcaption>
 </figure>The joint operation comes about 10 days after U.S. and British warships and fighter jets struck more than 60 targets in 28 locations. That was the first U.S. military response to what has been a persistent campaign of Houthi drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October.The Houthis' media office said in an online statement that raids targeted Yemen’s capital, Sanaa. And Jamal Hassan, a resident from south Sanaa, told The Associated Press that two strikes landed near his home, setting off car alarms in the street. An Associated Press journalist in Sanaa also heard aircraft flying above the skies of Sanaa overnight Monday.Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, said there were multiple air raids on three areas of Sanaa: al-Dailami Air Base just north of the capital, Sarif, northeast of the city center, and al-Hafa, which is south of Sanaa.British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke with President Joe Biden earlier Monday. Sunak’s office said the two leaders agreed to take “as needed, targeted military action to degrade Houthi capabilities.”The latest barrage of allied attacks marks the eighth time the U.S. has conducted strikes on Houthi sites since Jan. 12. And it follows an almost-daily assault on Houthi missile launchers by U.S. fighter jets and ship-based Tomahawks over the past week. The rapid response missions, which officials said go after launchers that are armed and ready to fire, demonstrate the military’s increasing ability to watch, detect and strike militant activities in Yemen.The chaotic wave of attacks and reprisals involving the United States, its allies and foes suggests that the retaliatory strikes haven’t deterred the Houthis from their campaign against Red Sea shipping, and that the broader regional war that the U.S. has spent months trying to avoid is becoming closer to reality.For months, the Houthis have attacked ships in the region’s waterways that they say are either linked to Israel or heading to Israeli ports. They say their attacks aim to end the Israeli air-and-ground offensive in the Gaza Strip that was triggered by the Palestinian militant group Hamas’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel</a>. But any such links to the ships targeted in the rebel assaults have grown more tenuous as the attacks continue.The U.S. and allies warned of retaliation for weeks, and the White House and a host of partner nations&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-israel-hamas-houthis-red-sea-fef8d446852b6eae33d38ffd8f6b2d64">issued a final warning</a>&nbsp;on Jan. 3 to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action.That threat, however, had little noticeable effect. The Houthis continued to attack ships in the region, including at times appearing to target U.S. Navy and U.S.-owned ships, in addition to the wide range of commercial vessels.Of the eight strike missions on Yemen this month, all but the two with Britain were conducted by the U.S. military alone. Five of the latest strikes were labeled self-defense to take out missiles ready to fire. The most recent, on Saturday, struck and destroyed a Houthi anti-ship missile that was aimed into the Gulf of Aden and was prepared to launch, according to Central Command.The Biden administration has also put the Houthis back on its list of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.state.gov/executive-order-13224/">specially designated global terrorists</a>. The sanctions that come with the formal designation are meant to sever violent extremist groups from their sources of financing, while also allowing vital humanitarian aid to continue flowing to impoverished Yemenis.U.S. defense officials have said they believe the strikes have degraded the Houthis’ weapons and strike capabilities. But Biden and others have acknowledged that the rebels are well-equipped by Iran and are likely to continue the attacks.The Houthis, meanwhile, have made it clear that they have no intention of scaling back their assault. In the wake of the first U.S. and British joint attack, Hussein al-Ezzi, a Houthi official in their Foreign Ministry, said, “America and Britain will undoubtedly have to prepare to pay a heavy price and bear all the dire consequences of this blatant aggression.”The continued harassment of the ships has driven the U.S. and international partners to take extraordinary steps to defend them through a joint mission named Operation Prosperity Guardian, in which they provide a protective umbrella for vessels traveling the critical waterway that runs from the Suez Canal down to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.About 400 commercial vessels transit the southern Red Sea at any given time. And the ongoing violence has prompted companies to reroute their ships, sending them around Africa through the Cape of Good Hope instead — a much longer and less efficient passage.___

U.S.  bombed more Iranian-backed terrorist sites 

Leland John Rahjes passed away on January 20, 2024, at Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS.

Leland was born prematurely on December 26, 1945. While the birth certificate has Concordia recorded as his birthplace, it is thought he was born in Smith Center and taken to Concordia for premature newborn care. Several months went by without a word from the hospital in Concordia due to phone lines being down from a blizzard before the call came to bring him home.

Leland grew up on the family farm outside of Agra with his father John, mother Frieda and younger brother, Leonard.

Leland was baptized at St. John Lutheran church In Kensington and confirmed his faith on May 22, 1960. He lived his confirmation verse, 2 Thes. 3:3 believing in the Lord’s promise of faithfulness and protection. He had a passion for leading others to Christ and taught Sunday School for many years. After retiring from teaching Sunday School, he continued to serve Christ as a leader for Promise Keepers.

Leland graduated from Agra High School in 1963. After high school he served stateside with the National Guard, was honorably discharged in 1971 and returned to Agra to farm with his dad and brother.

Leland married Judy (Hein) on June 11, 1970, at the St John Lutheran church in Kensington. Leland and Judy had two daughters, Risa Jo and Tonya Marie.

Leland was a leader in the community and served for many years as the mayor of Kensington in addition to serving in other community leadership roles.

In 1997, Judy left the earthly confines of this world with Leland and their girls faithfully by her side.

Leland found and married his second love, Linda (Heeke) on October 16, 1999.

Leland and Linda had many years of joy and love together. One of their favorite memories together was exploring Ireland. During their marriage they celebrated the births of 8 grandkids. The pillow fights before were legendary.

Leland is survived by his wife, Linda, his daughter Risa and husband Steve, his daughter Tonya and husband Justin, a son Scott and wife Lisa, a daughter Kelli and husband David, and eight grandkids, Trevor, Emily, Camden, Colsen, Trent, Taylor, Karsten and Liam.

Leland was preceded in death by his parents John and Frieda, his first wife Judy, brother-in-law Jerome Hein and his brother Leonard.

Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Friday, January 26, 2024, at the funeral home.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the St. John Lutheran Church, Kensington, KS

Burial will be in the St. John Lutheran Church cemetery in Kensington KS on January 27th, 2024.

Memorials are encouraged to be made to either Smith Center Health and Rehab or to the Smith County Memorial Hospital and can be sent in care of the mortuary.

Arrangements are entrusted to Rentschler Family Mortuaries, Simmons-Rentschler Chapel, Smith Center, KS.

To leave an online condolence visit www.rfmortuaries.com.

Leland John Rahjes passed away on January 20, 2024, at Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS.Leland was born prematurely on December 26, 1945. While the birth certificate has Concordia recorded as his birthplace, it is thought he was born in Smith Center and taken to Concordia for premature newborn care. Several months went by without a word from the hospital in Concordia due to phone lines being down from a blizzard before the call came to bring him home.Leland grew up on the family farm outside of Agra with his father John, mother Frieda and younger brother, Leonard.Leland was baptized at St. John Lutheran church In Kensington and confirmed his faith on May 22, 1960. He lived his confirmation verse, 2 Thes. 3:3 believing in the Lord’s promise of faithfulness and protection. He had a passion for leading others to Christ and taught Sunday School for many years. After retiring from teaching Sunday School, he continued to serve Christ as a leader for Promise Keepers.Leland graduated from Agra High School in 1963. After high school he served stateside with the National Guard, was honorably discharged in 1971 and returned to Agra to farm with his dad and brother.Leland married Judy (Hein) on June 11, 1970, at the St John Lutheran church in Kensington. Leland and Judy had two daughters, Risa Jo and Tonya Marie.Leland was a leader in the community and served for many years as the mayor of Kensington in addition to serving in other community leadership roles.In 1997, Judy left the earthly confines of this world with Leland and their girls faithfully by her side.Leland found and married his second love, Linda (Heeke) on October 16, 1999.Leland and Linda had many years of joy and love together. One of their favorite memories together was exploring Ireland. During their marriage they celebrated the births of 8 grandkids. The pillow fights before were legendary.Leland is survived by his wife, Linda, his daughter Risa and husband Steve, his daughter Tonya and husband Justin, a son Scott and wife Lisa, a daughter Kelli and husband David, and eight grandkids, Trevor, Emily, Camden, Colsen, Trent, Taylor, Karsten and Liam.Leland was preceded in death by his parents John and Frieda, his first wife Judy, brother-in-law Jerome Hein and his brother Leonard.Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Friday, January 26, 2024, at the funeral home.Celebration of Life Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, January 27, 2024, at the St. John Lutheran Church, Kensington, KSBurial will be in the St. John Lutheran Church cemetery in Kensington KS on January 27th, 2024.Memorials are encouraged to be made to either Smith Center Health and Rehab or to the Smith County Memorial Hospital and can be sent in care of the mortuary.Arrangements are entrusted to Rentschler Family Mortuaries, Simmons-Rentschler Chapel, Smith Center, KS.To leave an online condolence visit www.rfmortuaries.com.

Leland John Rahjes

Mark Edward Thummel, of Plainville, Kansas, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2024, at Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, at the age of 70.

Mark, better known as “Thummel”, was born on October 14, 1953, to John and Ruth (Hoff) Thummel in Hays, Kansas. Mark grew up in Plainville with his parents and 8 siblings. Even at a young age, Mark’s sense of humor and orneriness shone through. If there was mischief to be had, you know Mark would be behind it. He graduated from Plainville High School in 1972. He then went on to NCKA Vo-Tech in Beloit and that is where he met the love of his life, Melinda Jean Ireland. They married on April 20, 1974, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville, where they made their home. On August 29, 1980, they welcomed a son to complete their family. Along with his love of cars and tinkering with motors, he was a long-time oil field worker and pump repairman. He retired after 40 plus years of dedicated service.

Mark was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to drive around checking crops and enjoying the scenery. He loved running into friends around town. There was never a person he wouldn’t stop and talk with. He enjoyed having coffee with the boys at the shop. He liked puzzling with his wife, beating anyone in a game of Canasta and spending time with his precious family.

Mark leaves to mourn his wife, Melinda of Plainville; son, Justin Dean (Sara Thummel) of Plainville; sisters, Elizabeth Striggow of Hill City, Sister Mary Jo Thummel of Concordia,

Theresa Kriley of Stockton, and May Munk of Hays; and granddaughters, Peyton and Lillian Thummel of Plainville.

Mark joins his parents; sisters, Grace Thummel, Rose Hardman, and Vera Kruse; brothers, Jon Thummel and Ralph Thummel; and grandson, Cade Andrew Thummel.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 starting with a Rosary at 1:00p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will be held from 1:30p.m. until 3p.m. A Graveside Service will follow at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Plainville. Memorials are suggested to the Mark Thummel Memorial Fund and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, Kansas 67663. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com.

Mark Edward Thummel, of Plainville, Kansas, passed away peacefully on January 17, 2024, at Rooks County Health Center in Plainville, at the age of 70.Mark, better known as “Thummel”, was born on October 14, 1953, to John and Ruth (Hoff) Thummel in Hays, Kansas. Mark grew up in Plainville with his parents and 8 siblings. Even at a young age, Mark’s sense of humor and orneriness shone through. If there was mischief to be had, you know Mark would be behind it. He graduated from Plainville High School in 1972. He then went on to NCKA Vo-Tech in Beloit and that is where he met the love of his life, Melinda Jean Ireland. They married on April 20, 1974, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Plainville, where they made their home. On August 29, 1980, they welcomed a son to complete their family. Along with his love of cars and tinkering with motors, he was a long-time oil field worker and pump repairman. He retired after 40 plus years of dedicated service.Mark was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved to drive around checking crops and enjoying the scenery. He loved running into friends around town. There was never a person he wouldn’t stop and talk with. He enjoyed having coffee with the boys at the shop. He liked puzzling with his wife, beating anyone in a game of Canasta and spending time with his precious family.Mark leaves to mourn his wife, Melinda of Plainville; son, Justin Dean (Sara Thummel) of Plainville; sisters, Elizabeth Striggow of Hill City, Sister Mary Jo Thummel of Concordia,Theresa Kriley of Stockton, and May Munk of Hays; and granddaughters, Peyton and Lillian Thummel of Plainville.Mark joins his parents; sisters, Grace Thummel, Rose Hardman, and Vera Kruse; brothers, Jon Thummel and Ralph Thummel; and grandson, Cade Andrew Thummel.A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 starting with a Rosary at 1:00p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation will be held from 1:30p.m. until 3p.m. A Graveside Service will follow at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Plainville. Memorials are suggested to the Mark Thummel Memorial Fund and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, Kansas 67663. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com.

Mark Edward Thummel

GRAND RAPIDS, MN. (AP) —The aging reformed mobster who has admitted stealing a pair of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/solen-ruby-slippers-wizard-of-oz-5d142469ad5f052f6af053d20dbf20c4">ruby slippers</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/judy-garland">Judy Garland</a>&nbsp;wore in “The Wizard of Oz” gave into the temptation of “one last score” after an old mob associate led him to believe the famous shoes must be adorned with real jewels to justify their $1 million insured value.

Terry Jon Martin's defense attorney finally revealed the 76-year-old's motive for the 2005 theft from the Judy Garland Museum in the late actor’s hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in a new memo filed ahead of his Jan. 29 sentencing in Duluth, Minnesota.

The FBI recovered the shoes in 2018 when someone else tried to claim an insurance reward on them, but Martin wasn't charged with stealing them until last year.

Martin pleaded guilty in October to using a hammer to smash the glass of the museum door and display case to take the slippers. He had hoped to harvest real rubies from the shoes and sell them. But a fence, a person who deals in stolen goods, informed him the rubies were glass and Martin got rid of the slippers less than two days after he took them, he said.

Defense attorney Dane DeKrey said in his memo that an unidentified former mob associate tempted Martin to steal the shoes, even though he hadn't committed a crime in nearly 10 years after his last prison stint.

“At first, Terry declined the invitation to participate in the heist. But old habits die hard, and the thought of a ‘final score’ kept him up at night," DeKrey wrote. "After much contemplation, Terry had a criminal relapse and decided to participate in the theft.”

DeKrey and prosecutors are recommending the judge sentence Martin to time served because he is physically incapable of presenting a threat to society. Martin is in hospice care with a life expectancy of less than six months. He needs oxygen at all times because of his chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and was in a wheelchair at his most recent court appearance. Even if he were sentenced to prison, his poor health might be grounds for a compassionate release.

Martin had no idea about the cultural significance of the ruby slippers and had never seen the movie. Instead, DeKrey said he was just looking for one last big score, and the “old Terry” with a lifelong history of crimes like burglary and receiving stolen property beat out the “new Terry” who seemed to “finally put his demons to rest” after being released from prison in 1996 and became “a contributing member of society.”

DeKrey urged the judge to consider the major events of Martin's life when deciding whether a lenient sentence is appropriate.

Martin suffered under a cruel stepmother who mistreated him and his three brothers so badly for several years that he left home at the age of 16 and began drinking and stealing.

While on parole from prison, Martin's girlfriend became pregnant with twins, but he missed their birth after his parole was revoked. Right after his girlfriend brought the 1-month-old twins to prison to meet him, they died after a train struck her vehicle.

“This was truly the turning point in Terry’s life — his villain origin story — and the reason he not only went down his dark path but accelerated towards it,” DeKrey wrote. "His son said it best: ‘the twins’ death made (my dad) just give up on life; he decided on a life of crime.’”

Martin's lawyer also said the judge should consider that Martin had not committed any other crimes in nearly a decade before stealing the slippers nor in the years since then. DeKrey said Martin didn't even try to claim a slice of the insurance reward money when some of his former associates tried to collect.

Garland wore several pairs of ruby slippers during filming of the classic 1939 musical, but only four authentic pairs are known to remain. The stolen slippers were insured for $1 million, but federal prosecutors put the current market value at about $3.5 million.

The FBI said a man approached the insurer in 2017 and claimed he could help recover them but demanded more than the $200,000 reward being offered. The slippers were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5f15402e28f04341b6a25d179b070fc5">recovered during an FBI sting</a>&nbsp;in Minneapolis. The FBI has never disclosed how it tracked down the slippers, which remain in the agency’s custody.

The slippers were on loan to the museum from Hollywood memorabilia collector Michael Shaw when Martin stole them. Three other pairs worn by Garland in the movie are held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.si.edu/object/dorothys-ruby-slippers:nmah_670130">Smithsonian Museum of American History</a>&nbsp;and a private collector.

Several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/958ee83929104907b80b387d92bb71e8">rewards were offered</a>&nbsp;over the years in hopes of figuring out who stole the slippers, which were key props in the film. Garland’s character, Dorothy, has to click the heels of the slippers three times and repeat, “There’s no place like home,” to return to Kansas.

Garland was born Frances Gumm in 1922. She&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/16889e9c55dd4728a45ee11a783b74de">lived in Grand Rapids</a>, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) north of Minneapolis, until she was 4, when her family moved to Los Angeles. She died in 1969.

The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com/">Judy Garland Museum,</a>&nbsp;located in the house where she lived, says it has the world’s largest collection of Garland and Wizard of Oz memorabilia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684352824766.png" alt="FILE - Ruby slippers once worn by Judy Garland in the "The Wizard of Oz" are displayed at a news conference on Sept. 4, 2018, at the FBI office in Brooklyn Center, Minn. Terry Jon Martin, the aging reformed mobster who has admitted stealing the slippers, gave into the temptation of “one last score” after an old mob associate led him to believe the famous shoes must be adorned with real jewels to justify their $1 million insured value according to a new memo filed ahead of his Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, sentencing in Duluth, Minn. (AP Photo/Jeff Baenen, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - Ruby slippers once worn by Judy Garland in the "The Wizard of Oz" are displayed at a news conference on Sept. 4, 2018, at the FBI office in Brooklyn Center, Minn. Terry Jon Martin, the aging reformed mobster who has admitted stealing the slippers, gave into the temptation of “one last score” after an old mob associate led him to believe the famous shoes must be adorned with real jewels to justify their $1 million insured value according to a new memo filed ahead of his Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, sentencing in Duluth, Minn. (AP Photo/Jeff Baenen, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>GRAND RAPIDS, MN. (AP) —The aging reformed mobster who has admitted stealing a pair of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/solen-ruby-slippers-wizard-of-oz-5d142469ad5f052f6af053d20dbf20c4">ruby slippers</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/judy-garland">Judy Garland</a>&nbsp;wore in “The Wizard of Oz” gave into the temptation of “one last score” after an old mob associate led him to believe the famous shoes must be adorned with real jewels to justify their $1 million insured value.Terry Jon Martin's defense attorney finally revealed the 76-year-old's motive for the 2005 theft from the Judy Garland Museum in the late actor’s hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in a new memo filed ahead of his Jan. 29 sentencing in Duluth, Minnesota.The FBI recovered the shoes in 2018 when someone else tried to claim an insurance reward on them, but Martin wasn't charged with stealing them until last year.Martin pleaded guilty in October to using a hammer to smash the glass of the museum door and display case to take the slippers. He had hoped to harvest real rubies from the shoes and sell them. But a fence, a person who deals in stolen goods, informed him the rubies were glass and Martin got rid of the slippers less than two days after he took them, he said.Defense attorney Dane DeKrey said in his memo that an unidentified former mob associate tempted Martin to steal the shoes, even though he hadn't committed a crime in nearly 10 years after his last prison stint.“At first, Terry declined the invitation to participate in the heist. But old habits die hard, and the thought of a ‘final score’ kept him up at night," DeKrey wrote. "After much contemplation, Terry had a criminal relapse and decided to participate in the theft.”DeKrey and prosecutors are recommending the judge sentence Martin to time served because he is physically incapable of presenting a threat to society. Martin is in hospice care with a life expectancy of less than six months. He needs oxygen at all times because of his chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder and was in a wheelchair at his most recent court appearance. Even if he were sentenced to prison, his poor health might be grounds for a compassionate release.Martin had no idea about the cultural significance of the ruby slippers and had never seen the movie. Instead, DeKrey said he was just looking for one last big score, and the “old Terry” with a lifelong history of crimes like burglary and receiving stolen property beat out the “new Terry” who seemed to “finally put his demons to rest” after being released from prison in 1996 and became “a contributing member of society.”DeKrey urged the judge to consider the major events of Martin's life when deciding whether a lenient sentence is appropriate.Martin suffered under a cruel stepmother who mistreated him and his three brothers so badly for several years that he left home at the age of 16 and began drinking and stealing.While on parole from prison, Martin's girlfriend became pregnant with twins, but he missed their birth after his parole was revoked. Right after his girlfriend brought the 1-month-old twins to prison to meet him, they died after a train struck her vehicle.“This was truly the turning point in Terry’s life — his villain origin story — and the reason he not only went down his dark path but accelerated towards it,” DeKrey wrote. "His son said it best: ‘the twins’ death made (my dad) just give up on life; he decided on a life of crime.’”Martin's lawyer also said the judge should consider that Martin had not committed any other crimes in nearly a decade before stealing the slippers nor in the years since then. DeKrey said Martin didn't even try to claim a slice of the insurance reward money when some of his former associates tried to collect.Garland wore several pairs of ruby slippers during filming of the classic 1939 musical, but only four authentic pairs are known to remain. The stolen slippers were insured for $1 million, but federal prosecutors put the current market value at about $3.5 million.The FBI said a man approached the insurer in 2017 and claimed he could help recover them but demanded more than the $200,000 reward being offered. The slippers were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5f15402e28f04341b6a25d179b070fc5">recovered during an FBI sting</a>&nbsp;in Minneapolis. The FBI has never disclosed how it tracked down the slippers, which remain in the agency’s custody.The slippers were on loan to the museum from Hollywood memorabilia collector Michael Shaw when Martin stole them. Three other pairs worn by Garland in the movie are held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.si.edu/object/dorothys-ruby-slippers:nmah_670130">Smithsonian Museum of American History</a>&nbsp;and a private collector.Several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/958ee83929104907b80b387d92bb71e8">rewards were offered</a>&nbsp;over the years in hopes of figuring out who stole the slippers, which were key props in the film. Garland’s character, Dorothy, has to click the heels of the slippers three times and repeat, “There’s no place like home,” to return to Kansas.Garland was born Frances Gumm in 1922. She&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/16889e9c55dd4728a45ee11a783b74de">lived in Grand Rapids</a>, about 200 miles (320 kilometers) north of Minneapolis, until she was 4, when her family moved to Los Angeles. She died in 1969.The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com/">Judy Garland Museum,</a>&nbsp;located in the house where she lived, says it has the world’s largest collection of Garland and Wizard of Oz memorabilia.

Reformed mobster went after 'one last score' when he stole ruby slippers from 'Oz'

The Biden-Harris Administration announced Friday the approval of $4.9 billion in additional student loan debt relief for 73,600 borrowers acording to a media release fro the U.S. Department of Education.

 These discharges are the result of fixes made by the Administration to income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

Today’s announcement brings the total loan forgiveness approved by the Biden-Harris Administration to $136.6 billion for more than 3.7 million Americans.

“The Biden-Harris Administration has worked relentlessly to fix our country's broken student loan system and address the needless hurdles and administrative inaccuracies that, in the past, kept borrowers from getting the student debt forgiveness they deserved," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "The nearly $5 billion in additional debt relief announced today will go to teachers, social workers, and other public servants whose service to our communities have earned them Public Service Loan Forgiveness, as well as borrowers qualifying for income-driven repayment forgiveness because their payments are for the first time being accurately accounted for. Thanks to President Biden's leadership, we're approving this loan forgiveness while moving full speed ahead in our efforts to deliver even greater debt relief, and help more borrowers get on a faster track to loan forgiveness under our new, affordable SAVE repayment plan."

The debt relief announced this week is broken down into the following categories:

“Today we are helping borrowers who were promised help with their loans, planned their lives around those promises, and earned forgiveness through years of payments.” said U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal. “The Biden-Harris Administration is not going to stop until we’ve helped all of those harmed by the broken student loan system.”

The Biden-Harris Administration last week&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-shorten-path-debt-cancellation-some-save-borrowers">announced</a>&nbsp;that the U.S. Department of Education (Department) is fast-tracking additional loan forgiveness through early implementation of the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. Borrowers who originally took out $12,000 or less for college and are enrolled in the SAVE Plan will see forgiveness after as few as 10 years of payments. Those who are enrolled in SAVE and are eligible for early forgiveness will have their debts automatically cancelled starting next month, months ahead of schedule, with no action needed.

The Department began communications with borrowers who may be eligible but are not already enrolled in SAVE to encourage them to sign up. The Department is also working with its partners through the SAVE on Student Debt campaign to reach eligible borrowers and provide resources to sign up for SAVE.

Borrowers can find additional resources at StudentAid.gov and sign up for the SAVE plan at&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-plan">StudentAid.gov/save</a>.

An unparalleled track record of borrower assistance

The Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic steps to reduce the burden of student debt and ensure that student loans are not a barrier to opportunity for students and families. The Administration secured the largest increase to Pell Grants in a decade and finalized new rules to protect borrowers from career programs that leave graduates with unaffordable debts or insufficient earnings. And, in the wake of the Supreme Court decision on the Administration's original student debt relief plan, the Administration continues its work to pursue an alternative path to debt relief through negotiated rulemaking under the Higher Education Act.

The Biden-Harris Administration announced Friday the approval of $4.9 billion in additional student loan debt relief for 73,600 borrowers acording to a media release fro the U.S. Department of Education. These discharges are the result of fixes made by the Administration to income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).Today’s announcement brings the total loan forgiveness approved by the Biden-Harris Administration to $136.6 billion for more than 3.7 million Americans.“The Biden-Harris Administration has worked relentlessly to fix our country's broken student loan system and address the needless hurdles and administrative inaccuracies that, in the past, kept borrowers from getting the student debt forgiveness they deserved," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. "The nearly $5 billion in additional debt relief announced today will go to teachers, social workers, and other public servants whose service to our communities have earned them Public Service Loan Forgiveness, as well as borrowers qualifying for income-driven repayment forgiveness because their payments are for the first time being accurately accounted for. Thanks to President Biden's leadership, we're approving this loan forgiveness while moving full speed ahead in our efforts to deliver even greater debt relief, and help more borrowers get on a faster track to loan forgiveness under our new, affordable SAVE repayment plan."The debt relief announced this week is broken down into the following categories:<ul>
 <li>$1.7 billion for 29,700 borrowers through administrative adjustments to IDR&nbsp;payment counts that have brought borrowers closer to forgiveness and address longstanding concerns with the misuse of forbearance by loan servicers. Including today’s announcement, the Biden-Harris Administration has now approved $45.7 billion in IDR relief for 930,500 borrowers.</li><li>$3.2 billion for 43,900 borrowers through PSLF.&nbsp;This includes borrowers who have benefitted from the Biden-Harris Administration’s limited PSLF waiver as well as regulatory improvements made to the program by the Administration. Total relief through PSLF is now $56.7 billion for 793,400 borrowers since October 2021. Prior to the Biden-Harris Administration’s fixes to PSLF, only about 7,000 borrowers had ever received forgiveness.</li>
 </ul>“Today we are helping borrowers who were promised help with their loans, planned their lives around those promises, and earned forgiveness through years of payments.” said U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal. “The Biden-Harris Administration is not going to stop until we’ve helped all of those harmed by the broken student loan system.”Continued debt relief for borrowersThe Biden-Harris Administration last week&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-shorten-path-debt-cancellation-some-save-borrowers">announced</a>&nbsp;that the U.S. Department of Education (Department) is fast-tracking additional loan forgiveness through early implementation of the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan. Borrowers who originally took out $12,000 or less for college and are enrolled in the SAVE Plan will see forgiveness after as few as 10 years of payments. Those who are enrolled in SAVE and are eligible for early forgiveness will have their debts automatically cancelled starting next month, months ahead of schedule, with no action needed.The Department began communications with borrowers who may be eligible but are not already enrolled in SAVE to encourage them to sign up. The Department is also working with its partners through the SAVE on Student Debt campaign to reach eligible borrowers and provide resources to sign up for SAVE.Borrowers can find additional resources at StudentAid.gov and sign up for the SAVE plan at&nbsp;<a href="https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/save-plan">StudentAid.gov/save</a>.An unparalleled track record of borrower assistanceThe Biden-Harris Administration has taken historic steps to reduce the burden of student debt and ensure that student loans are not a barrier to opportunity for students and families. The Administration secured the largest increase to Pell Grants in a decade and finalized new rules to protect borrowers from career programs that leave graduates with unaffordable debts or insufficient earnings. And, in the wake of the Supreme Court decision on the Administration's original student debt relief plan, the Administration continues its work to pursue an alternative path to debt relief through negotiated rulemaking under the Higher Education Act.Beyond the relief under IDR and PSLF, the Biden-Harris Administration has also approved:<ul>
 <li>$11.7 billion for almost 513,000 borrowers with a total and permanent disability.</li><li>$22.5 billion for more than 1.3 million borrowers who were cheated by their schools, saw their institutions precipitously close, or are covered by related court settlements.</li>
 </ul>