WASHINGTON (AP) — The CEO of TikTok made a rare public appearance Thursday before a U.S. Congressional committee, where he faced a grilling on data security and user safety while he makes his own case for why the hugely popular video-sharing app shouldn't be banned.

<a href="https://fb.watch/js6hfEAuaY/">Click here to&nbsp;</a>watch a replay of the hearing

Shou Zi Chew's testimony comes at a crucial time for the company, which has acquired 150 million American users but is under increasing pressure from U.S. officials. TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have been swept up in a wider geopolitical battle between Beijing and Washington over trade and technology.

In her opening statement, Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican, assailed the social platform's trustworthiness because of its close ties to Beijing.

“Mr. Chew, you are here because the American people need the truth about the threat TikTok poses to our national and personal security,” McMorris Rodgers said. "TikTok has repeatedly chosen a path for more control, more surveillance and more manipulation.”

Chew, a 40-year-old Singapore native, will tell the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce that TikTok prioritizes the safety of its young users and deny&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-china-biden-administration-14ef5f93dc2114e4ade110b2e85433fd">allegations that the app is a national security risk</a>, according to his prepared remarks released ahead of the hearing.

“There are many misconceptions about our company and I’m very proud to come here and represent them and all our users in this country,” Chew told reporters before entering the hearing.

On Wednesday, the company sent dozens of popular TikTokers to Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers to preserve the platform. It has also been putting up ads all over Washington that tout promises of securing users data and privacy and creating a safe platform for its young users.

TikTok has been dogged by claims that its Chinese ownership means user data could end up in the hands of the Chinese government or that it could be used to promote narratives favorable to the country's Communist leaders.

“We understand the popularity of Tiktok, we get that,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. “But the President’s job is to make sure again that the Americans, national security is protected as well. ”

For its part, TikTok has been trying to distance itself from its Chinese origins, saying that 60% percent of its parent company ByteDance is owned by global institutional investors such as Carlyle Group. ByteDance was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs in Beijing in 2012.

“Let me state this unequivocally: ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country,” Chew said.

A U.S. ban on an app would be unprecedented and it’s unclear how the government would go about enforcing it.

Experts says officials could try to force Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, preventing new users from downloading it as well as preventing existing users from updating it, ultimately rendering it useless.

The U.S. could also block access to TikTok’s infrastructure and data, seize its domain names or force internet service providers like Comcast and Verizon to filter TikTok data traffic, said Ahmed Ghappour, a criminal law and computer security expert who teachers at Boston University School of Law.

But a tech savvy user could still get around restrictions by using a virtual private network to make it appear the user is in another country where it's not blocked, he said.

To avoid a ban, TikTok has been trying to sell officials on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-us-news-business-ap-top-news-hong-kong-4eab38c608901de16e92facc1ed5debd">$1.5 billion plan called Project Texas</a>, which routes all U.S. user data to domestic servers owned and maintained by software giant Oracle. Under the project, access to U.S. data is managed by U.S. employees through a separate entity called TikTok U.S. Data Security, which employs 1,500 people, is run independently of ByteDance and would be monitored by outside observers.

As of October, all new U.S. user data was being stored inside the country. The company started deleting all historic U.S. user data from non-Oracle servers this month, in a process expected to be completed later this year, Chew said.

Generally, researchers have said TikTok behaves like other social media companies when it comes to data collection. In an analysis released in 2021, the University of Toronto’s nonprofit Citizen Lab found TikTok and Facebook collect similar amounts of user data, including device identifiers that can be used to track a user and other information that can piece together a user’s behavior, all valuable information for advertisers.

To block such tracking, Congress, the White House, U.S. armed forces and more than half of U.S. states have banned the use of the app from official devices.

But wiping away all the data tracking associated with the platform might prove to be difficult. In a report released this month, the Cybersecurity company Feroot said so-called tracking pixels from ByteDance, which collect user information, were found on 30 U.S state websites, including some where the app has been banned for official use.

Other countries including Denmark, Canada, and New Zealand, along with the European Union, have already banned TikTok from devices issued to government employees, citing cybersecurity concerns.

David Kennedy, a former government intelligence officer who runs the cybersecurity company TrustedSec, agrees with restricting TikTok access on government-issued phones because they might contain sensitive military information or other confidential material. A nationwide ban, however, might be too extreme, he said. He also wondered where it might lead.

“We have Tesla in China, we have Microsoft in China, we have Apple in China. Are they going to start banning us now?" Kennedy said. “It could escalate very quickly.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — The CEO of TikTok will make a high-profile appearance Thursday before a U.S. Congressional committee, where he'll face a grilling on data security and user safety while he makes his own case for why the hugely popular video-sharing app shouldn't be banned.

<a href="https://fb.watch/js6hfEAuaY/">Click here to </a>watch the hearing

<a href="https://d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/Shou_Chew_Bio_fd1abc17e1.pdf?updated_at=2023-03-21T23:58:13.616Z">Shou Zi Chew</a>'s testimony comes at a crucial time for the company, which has acquired 150 million American users but is under increasing pressure from U.S. officials. TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have been swept up in a wider geopolitical battle between Beijing and Washington over trade and technology.

Chew, a 40-year-old Singapore native, is making a rare public appearance to counter the volley of accusations that TikTok has been facing. On Wednesday, the company sent dozens of popular TikTokers to Capitol Hill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-china-62ebef6be3c10e66d7f69f7f6d254700">to lobby lawmakers</a>&nbsp;to preserve the platform. It has also been putting up ads all over Washington that tout promises of securing users data and privacy and creating a safe platform for its young users.

<a href="https://d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/Written_Testimony_of_Shou_Chew_c07504eccf_084e8683f3.pdf?updated_at=2023-03-22T03:10:22.760Z">Chew plans to tell </a>the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce that TikTok prioritizes the safety of its young users and deny&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-china-biden-administration-14ef5f93dc2114e4ade110b2e85433fd">allegations that the app is a national security risk</a>, according to his prepared remarks released ahead of the hearing.

A number of Western countries including Denmark, Canada, and New Zealand, along with the European Union,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/why-is-tiktok-being-banned-7d2de01d3ac5ab2b8ec2239dc7f2b20d">have already banned TikTok from devices</a>&nbsp;issued to government employees, citing cybersecurity concerns.

In the U.S., the federal government, Congress, the armed forces and more than half of states have banned the app from official devices.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679580195331.png" alt="Shou Zi Chew during Thursday's hearing -image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Shou Zi Chew during Thursday's hearing -image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The CEO of TikTok made a rare public appearance Thursday before a U.S. Congressional committee, where he faced a grilling on data security and user safety while he makes his own case for why the hugely popular video-sharing app shouldn't be banned.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FCSPAN%2Fvideos%2F212799924761754%2F&show_text=true&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="429" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div><a href="https://fb.watch/js6hfEAuaY/">Click here to&nbsp;</a>watch a replay of the hearingShou Zi Chew's testimony comes at a crucial time for the company, which has acquired 150 million American users but is under increasing pressure from U.S. officials. TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have been swept up in a wider geopolitical battle between Beijing and Washington over trade and technology.In her opening statement, Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a Republican, assailed the social platform's trustworthiness because of its close ties to Beijing.“Mr. Chew, you are here because the American people need the truth about the threat TikTok poses to our national and personal security,” McMorris Rodgers said. "TikTok has repeatedly chosen a path for more control, more surveillance and more manipulation.”Chew, a 40-year-old Singapore native, will tell the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce that TikTok prioritizes the safety of its young users and deny&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-china-biden-administration-14ef5f93dc2114e4ade110b2e85433fd">allegations that the app is a national security risk</a>, according to his prepared remarks released ahead of the hearing.“There are many misconceptions about our company and I’m very proud to come here and represent them and all our users in this country,” Chew told reporters before entering the hearing.On Wednesday, the company sent dozens of popular TikTokers to Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers to preserve the platform. It has also been putting up ads all over Washington that tout promises of securing users data and privacy and creating a safe platform for its young users.TikTok has been dogged by claims that its Chinese ownership means user data could end up in the hands of the Chinese government or that it could be used to promote narratives favorable to the country's Communist leaders.“We understand the popularity of Tiktok, we get that,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. “But the President’s job is to make sure again that the Americans, national security is protected as well. ”For its part, TikTok has been trying to distance itself from its Chinese origins, saying that 60% percent of its parent company ByteDance is owned by global institutional investors such as Carlyle Group. ByteDance was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs in Beijing in 2012.“Let me state this unequivocally: ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country,” Chew said.A U.S. ban on an app would be unprecedented and it’s unclear how the government would go about enforcing it.Experts says officials could try to force Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, preventing new users from downloading it as well as preventing existing users from updating it, ultimately rendering it useless.The U.S. could also block access to TikTok’s infrastructure and data, seize its domain names or force internet service providers like Comcast and Verizon to filter TikTok data traffic, said Ahmed Ghappour, a criminal law and computer security expert who teachers at Boston University School of Law.But a tech savvy user could still get around restrictions by using a virtual private network to make it appear the user is in another country where it's not blocked, he said.To avoid a ban, TikTok has been trying to sell officials on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-us-news-business-ap-top-news-hong-kong-4eab38c608901de16e92facc1ed5debd">$1.5 billion plan called Project Texas</a>, which routes all U.S. user data to domestic servers owned and maintained by software giant Oracle. Under the project, access to U.S. data is managed by U.S. employees through a separate entity called TikTok U.S. Data Security, which employs 1,500 people, is run independently of ByteDance and would be monitored by outside observers.As of October, all new U.S. user data was being stored inside the country. The company started deleting all historic U.S. user data from non-Oracle servers this month, in a process expected to be completed later this year, Chew said.Generally, researchers have said TikTok behaves like other social media companies when it comes to data collection. In an analysis released in 2021, the University of Toronto’s nonprofit Citizen Lab found TikTok and Facebook collect similar amounts of user data, including device identifiers that can be used to track a user and other information that can piece together a user’s behavior, all valuable information for advertisers.To block such tracking, Congress, the White House, U.S. armed forces and more than half of U.S. states have banned the use of the app from official devices.But wiping away all the data tracking associated with the platform might prove to be difficult. In a report released this month, the Cybersecurity company Feroot said so-called tracking pixels from ByteDance, which collect user information, were found on 30 U.S state websites, including some where the app has been banned for official use.Other countries including Denmark, Canada, and New Zealand, along with the European Union, have already banned TikTok from devices issued to government employees, citing cybersecurity concerns.David Kennedy, a former government intelligence officer who runs the cybersecurity company TrustedSec, agrees with restricting TikTok access on government-issued phones because they might contain sensitive military information or other confidential material. A nationwide ban, however, might be too extreme, he said. He also wondered where it might lead.“We have Tesla in China, we have Microsoft in China, we have Apple in China. Are they going to start banning us now?" Kennedy said. “It could escalate very quickly.”-------WASHINGTON (AP) — The CEO of TikTok will make a high-profile appearance Thursday before a U.S. Congressional committee, where he'll face a grilling on data security and user safety while he makes his own case for why the hugely popular video-sharing app shouldn't be banned.<a href="https://fb.watch/js6hfEAuaY/">Click here to </a>watch the hearing<a href="https://d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/Shou_Chew_Bio_fd1abc17e1.pdf?updated_at=2023-03-21T23:58:13.616Z">Shou Zi Chew</a>'s testimony comes at a crucial time for the company, which has acquired 150 million American users but is under increasing pressure from U.S. officials. TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have been swept up in a wider geopolitical battle between Beijing and Washington over trade and technology.Chew, a 40-year-old Singapore native, is making a rare public appearance to counter the volley of accusations that TikTok has been facing. On Wednesday, the company sent dozens of popular TikTokers to Capitol Hill&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-china-62ebef6be3c10e66d7f69f7f6d254700">to lobby lawmakers</a>&nbsp;to preserve the platform. It has also been putting up ads all over Washington that tout promises of securing users data and privacy and creating a safe platform for its young users.<a href="https://d1dth6e84htgma.cloudfront.net/Written_Testimony_of_Shou_Chew_c07504eccf_084e8683f3.pdf?updated_at=2023-03-22T03:10:22.760Z">Chew plans to tell </a>the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce that TikTok prioritizes the safety of its young users and deny&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-bytedance-china-biden-administration-14ef5f93dc2114e4ade110b2e85433fd">allegations that the app is a national security risk</a>, according to his prepared remarks released ahead of the hearing.TikTok has been dogged by claims that its Chinese ownership means user data could end up in the hands of the Chinese government or that it could be used to promote narratives favorable to the country's Communist leaders.“We understand the popularity of Tiktok, we get that,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. “But the President’s job is to make sure again that the Americans, national security is protected as well. ”For its part, TikTok has been trying to distance itself from its Chinese origins, saying that 60% percent of its parent company ByteDance is owned by global institutional investors such as Carlyle Group. ByteDance was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs in Beijing in 2012.“Let me state this unequivocally: ByteDance is not an agent of China or any other country,” Chew said.A U.S. ban on an app would be unprecedented and it’s unclear how the government would go about enforcing it.Experts says officials could try to force Apple and Google to remove TikTok from their app stores, preventing new users from downloading it as well as preventing existing users from updating it, ultimately rendering it useless.The U.S. could also block access to TikTok’s infrastructure and data, seize its domain names or force internet service providers like Comcast and Verizon to filter TikTok data traffic, said Ahmed Ghappour, a criminal law and computer security expert who teachers at Boston University School of Law.But a tech savvy user could still get around restrictions by using a virtual private network to make it appear the user is in another country where it's not blocked, he said.To avoid a ban, TikTok has been trying to sell officials on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-us-news-business-ap-top-news-hong-kong-4eab38c608901de16e92facc1ed5debd">$1.5 billion plan called Project Texas</a>, which routes all U.S. user data to domestic servers owned and maintained by software giant Oracle. Under the project, access to U.S. data is managed by U.S. employees through a separate entity called TikTok U.S. Data Security, which employs 1,500 people, is run independently of ByteDance and would be monitored by outside observers.As of October, all new U.S. user data was being stored inside the country. The company started deleting all historic U.S. user data from non-Oracle servers this month, in a process expected to be completed later this year, Chew said.A number of Western countries including Denmark, Canada, and New Zealand, along with the European Union,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/why-is-tiktok-being-banned-7d2de01d3ac5ab2b8ec2239dc7f2b20d">have already banned TikTok from devices</a>&nbsp;issued to government employees, citing cybersecurity concerns.In the U.S., the federal government, Congress, the armed forces and more than half of states have banned the app from official devices.David Kennedy, a former government intelligence officer who runs the cybersecurity company TrustedSec, agrees with restricting TikTok access on government-issued phones because they might contain sensitive military information or other confidential material. A nationwide ban, however, might be too extreme, he said. He also wondered where it might lead.“We have Tesla in China, we have Microsoft in China, we have Apple in China. Are they going to start banning us now?" Kennedy said. “It could escalate very quickly.”

🎥TikTok CEO faces off with Congress; social media giant faces U.S. ban 

Diana Lea Naylor, 73, went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 
21, 2023, at Select Specialty Hospital, Wichita. She was born on October 
25, 1949, in Liberal, KS the daughter of Leon and Loveyla (St. Clair) 
Wilson.

Diana grew up in Satanta was an active Girl Scout in her community. 
She moved with her family to Dodge City in 1966. She was a 1967 graduate
 of Dodge City High School. On January 25, 1969 she married Doyle Naylor
 at the First Church of God in Dodge City. In 1973, Doyle and Diana 
moved to Hays, Kansas where Doyle worked on his post secondary 
education. In Hays, Doyle and Diana were foster parents to more than 30 
children in the span of the two years they lived there. In 1975, they 
moved back to Dodge City where Diana worked various jobs while raising 
her family. Diana ended her working years as life skills instructor and a
 community living instructor for Arrowhead West. She worked at Arrowhead
 West for 15 years. She was an avid reader; collector of Antiques, and 
loved art. Diana also supported her children and grandchildren in all 
their sporting events and was a two time breast cancer survivor.

She was a member of the First Church of God in Dodge City and Christian Women’s Connection.

Diana is survived by her husband Doyle Naylor of Dodge City; a 
daughter, Sarah Alexander and husband Darcy of Satanta; a son, Chris 
Naylor and wife Crystal of Satanta; grandchildren, Sabrina, Logan, Seth,
 August, and Kade Russell, Maylea, Marshall, and Macklin Alexander, and 
Brooke, Beckett, and Brier Naylor; two brothers, Andrew Wilson of 
Belton, Texas and Michael Wilson of Pleasant View, Tennessee; and a 
sister, Kathleen Gleeson of Jamestown, North Carolina. She was preceded 
in death by her parents; a daughter, Robyn Russell; and a brother, Bill 
Wilson.

Funeral service will be held at First Church of God on Saturday March
 25, 2023, at 10:30 AM with Kevin Ritchhart and Lloyd Bowman presiding.&nbsp; 
Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation 
will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel on Friday March 24, 2023, from Noon to 
5:00 PM. 

Memorials are suggested to the Diana Naylor Memorial Fund in 
care of the funeral home.&nbsp; Thoughts and memories may be shared in the 
online guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.swaimfuneralhome.com/">www.swaimfuneralhome.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679518648480.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Diana Lea Naylor, 73, went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 
21, 2023, at Select Specialty Hospital, Wichita. She was born on October 
25, 1949, in Liberal, KS the daughter of Leon and Loveyla (St. Clair) 
Wilson.Diana grew up in Satanta was an active Girl Scout in her community. 
She moved with her family to Dodge City in 1966. She was a 1967 graduate
 of Dodge City High School. On January 25, 1969 she married Doyle Naylor
 at the First Church of God in Dodge City. In 1973, Doyle and Diana 
moved to Hays, Kansas where Doyle worked on his post secondary 
education. In Hays, Doyle and Diana were foster parents to more than 30 
children in the span of the two years they lived there. In 1975, they 
moved back to Dodge City where Diana worked various jobs while raising 
her family. Diana ended her working years as life skills instructor and a
 community living instructor for Arrowhead West. She worked at Arrowhead
 West for 15 years. She was an avid reader; collector of Antiques, and 
loved art. Diana also supported her children and grandchildren in all 
their sporting events and was a two time breast cancer survivor.She was a member of the First Church of God in Dodge City and Christian Women’s Connection.Diana is survived by her husband Doyle Naylor of Dodge City; a 
daughter, Sarah Alexander and husband Darcy of Satanta; a son, Chris 
Naylor and wife Crystal of Satanta; grandchildren, Sabrina, Logan, Seth,
 August, and Kade Russell, Maylea, Marshall, and Macklin Alexander, and 
Brooke, Beckett, and Brier Naylor; two brothers, Andrew Wilson of 
Belton, Texas and Michael Wilson of Pleasant View, Tennessee; and a 
sister, Kathleen Gleeson of Jamestown, North Carolina. She was preceded 
in death by her parents; a daughter, Robyn Russell; and a brother, Bill 
Wilson.Funeral service will be held at First Church of God on Saturday March
 25, 2023, at 10:30 AM with Kevin Ritchhart and Lloyd Bowman presiding.&nbsp; 
Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City. Visitation 
will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel on Friday March 24, 2023, from Noon to 
5:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the Diana Naylor Memorial Fund in 
care of the funeral home.&nbsp; Thoughts and memories may be shared in the 
online guest book at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.swaimfuneralhome.com/">www.swaimfuneralhome.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Diana Lea Naylor

James L. Urbanek, 79, of Colby died Monday, March 20, 2023, in Colby. He
 was born August 25, 1943, in Lincoln, Kansas, to Benjamin and Margaret 
(Schroeder) Urbanek. He graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1961. 
Jim served in the United States Navy. On October 17, 1964, he married 
Cheryl Jimison. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joseph Urbanek, 
Donald Urbanek, David Urbanek, and Gary Urbanek; and his beloved wife, 
Cheryl. 
He is survived by his children, Jamie (Paul) Heskett, of Oakley, KS and 
Mitch Urbanek, of Plainville, KS; sisters, Rosemary Rathbun, of 
Ellsworth, KS, Theresa Richards (Les), of Sylvan Grove, KS, and Valerie 
Urbanek, of Houston, TX; seven grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and
 many nieces and nephews. 
There will be no visitation. A Rosary will be held Friday, March 24, 
2023, at 1:30 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m. at Sacred 
Heart Catholic Church in Colby, with burial in Beulah Cemetery, Colby.


Memorials may be made to Citizens Medical Center for the Serenity Room 
and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. 
Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679498078476.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>James L. Urbanek, 79, of Colby died Monday, March 20, 2023, in Colby. He
 was born August 25, 1943, in Lincoln, Kansas, to Benjamin and Margaret 
(Schroeder) Urbanek. He graduated from Ellsworth High School in 1961. 
Jim served in the United States Navy. On October 17, 1964, he married 
Cheryl Jimison. 
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Joseph Urbanek, 
Donald Urbanek, David Urbanek, and Gary Urbanek; and his beloved wife, 
Cheryl. 
He is survived by his children, Jamie (Paul) Heskett, of Oakley, KS and 
Mitch Urbanek, of Plainville, KS; sisters, Rosemary Rathbun, of 
Ellsworth, KS, Theresa Richards (Les), of Sylvan Grove, KS, and Valerie 
Urbanek, of Houston, TX; seven grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren and
 many nieces and nephews. 
There will be no visitation. A Rosary will be held Friday, March 24, 
2023, at 1:30 p.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 2:00 p.m. at Sacred 
Heart Catholic Church in Colby, with burial in Beulah Cemetery, Colby. 
Memorials may be made to Citizens Medical Center for the Serenity Room 
and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. 
Online condolences: www.baalmannmortuary.com&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

James L. Urbanek

A Grammy Award-winning Americana group is coming to Salina in October.

Nickel Creek is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

Tickets start at $59 and go on sale at noon Friday. Buy online at: www.stiefeltheatre.org or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales from noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

About the artists from the Stiefel Theatre

GRAMMY Award-winning trio, Nickel Creek — mandolinist Chris Thile, violinist Sara Watkins and guitarist Sean Watkins — will continue their extensive headline tour through the fall with newly confirmed shows.

The tour — their first as a group since 2014 — adds to a landmark year for Nickel Creek, which will release&nbsp;Celebrants, its first new album in nine years, this Friday via Thirty Tigers. Their fifth studio album,&nbsp;Celebrants&nbsp;marks a highly anticipated return for the beloved trio and explores the inherent dynamics of human connection. Across the 18 tracks, the trio addresses love, friendship and time with lyrics both poetic and plain-spoken, as they see bridges built, crossed, burned and rebuilt. Recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio A, the album was produced by longtime collaborator Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Grace Potter, Weezer) and features Mike Elizondo on bass.

Together a sum of more than their staggering parts, Nickel Creek revolutionized bluegrass and folk in the early 2000s and ushered in a new era of what we now recognize as Americana music. In a 2020 retrospective titled&nbsp;The Year Folk Broke: How Nickel Creek Made Americana The New Indie Rock, NPR Music praised, “20 years ago this month, an album arrived that seemed to speak all these languages at once: unafraid to push the boundaries of its primary genre, and packing the musical chops to bring such an eclectic vision to life. Behind it were three musicians just barely old enough to vote.

NPR Music continued, "That makes Nickel Creek and its unofficial debut a critical point along a storied timeline, one whose innovations offer countless connections between the genre’s origins and its future. Once dubbed ‘progressive newgrassers,’ the three musicians now fit firmly within the ranks of Americana music—however nebulous, layered and diverse that realm may be. They have only themselves to thank.”

After meeting as young children and subsequently earning the respect of the bluegrass circuit for a decade, the trio signed with venerable label, Sugar Hill Records, in 2000 and quickly broke through with their Grammy-nominated, Alison Krauss-produced self-titled LP. Since that effort, the trio has released three more studio albums to date: 2002’s&nbsp;This Side, which won Best Contemporary Folk Album at the 45th Grammy Awards, 2005’s&nbsp;Why Should the Fire Die?&nbsp;and 2014’s&nbsp;A Dotted Line.

Each member of Nickel Creek has also taken part in many outside projects over the years. Thile is a 2012 recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and served as the host of the American radio variety show Live from Here (formerly A Prairie Home Companion) from 2016 to 2020. He has also released collaborative albums with world-renowned musicians like Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Brad Mehldau and Stuart Duncan as well as six studio albums with his Grammy-winning band, Punch Brothers.

Sean Watkins is a co-founder of Watkins Family Hour alongside Sara, who has released three albums and maintains a long-running collaborative show in Los Angeles. Sean has also released a string of solo albums, while Sara’s extracurricular projects include the aforementioned Watkins Family Hour, as well as the Grammy-winning roots trio, I’m With Her, which she co-founded alongside Aoife O’Donovan and Sarah Jarosz. Sara has released four studio albums and has contributed fiddle to recordings by artists like Phoebe Bridgers, the Killers and John Mayer.

By SALINA POSTA Grammy Award-winning Americana group is coming to Salina in October.Nickel Creek is scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19 in the Stiefel Theatre, 151 S. Santa Fe Avenue.Tickets start at $59 and go on sale at noon Friday. Buy online at: www.stiefeltheatre.org or by calling the Stiefel at 785-827-1998. The Stiefel box office is open for phone or walk-up sales from noon-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.About the artists from the Stiefel TheatreGRAMMY Award-winning trio, Nickel Creek — mandolinist Chris Thile, violinist Sara Watkins and guitarist Sean Watkins — will continue their extensive headline tour through the fall with newly confirmed shows.The tour — their first as a group since 2014 — adds to a landmark year for Nickel Creek, which will release&nbsp;Celebrants, its first new album in nine years, this Friday via Thirty Tigers. Their fifth studio album,&nbsp;Celebrants&nbsp;marks a highly anticipated return for the beloved trio and explores the inherent dynamics of human connection. Across the 18 tracks, the trio addresses love, friendship and time with lyrics both poetic and plain-spoken, as they see bridges built, crossed, burned and rebuilt. Recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio A, the album was produced by longtime collaborator Eric Valentine (Queens of the Stone Age, Grace Potter, Weezer) and features Mike Elizondo on bass.Together a sum of more than their staggering parts, Nickel Creek revolutionized bluegrass and folk in the early 2000s and ushered in a new era of what we now recognize as Americana music. In a 2020 retrospective titled&nbsp;The Year Folk Broke: How Nickel Creek Made Americana The New Indie Rock, NPR Music praised, “20 years ago this month, an album arrived that seemed to speak all these languages at once: unafraid to push the boundaries of its primary genre, and packing the musical chops to bring such an eclectic vision to life. Behind it were three musicians just barely old enough to vote.NPR Music continued, "That makes Nickel Creek and its unofficial debut a critical point along a storied timeline, one whose innovations offer countless connections between the genre’s origins and its future. Once dubbed ‘progressive newgrassers,’ the three musicians now fit firmly within the ranks of Americana music—however nebulous, layered and diverse that realm may be. They have only themselves to thank.”After meeting as young children and subsequently earning the respect of the bluegrass circuit for a decade, the trio signed with venerable label, Sugar Hill Records, in 2000 and quickly broke through with their Grammy-nominated, Alison Krauss-produced self-titled LP. Since that effort, the trio has released three more studio albums to date: 2002’s&nbsp;This Side, which won Best Contemporary Folk Album at the 45th Grammy Awards, 2005’s&nbsp;Why Should the Fire Die?&nbsp;and 2014’s&nbsp;A Dotted Line.Each member of Nickel Creek has also taken part in many outside projects over the years. Thile is a 2012 recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and served as the host of the American radio variety show Live from Here (formerly A Prairie Home Companion) from 2016 to 2020. He has also released collaborative albums with world-renowned musicians like Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Brad Mehldau and Stuart Duncan as well as six studio albums with his Grammy-winning band, Punch Brothers.Sean Watkins is a co-founder of Watkins Family Hour alongside Sara, who has released three albums and maintains a long-running collaborative show in Los Angeles. Sean has also released a string of solo albums, while Sara’s extracurricular projects include the aforementioned Watkins Family Hour, as well as the Grammy-winning roots trio, I’m With Her, which she co-founded alongside Aoife O’Donovan and Sarah Jarosz. Sara has released four studio albums and has contributed fiddle to recordings by artists like Phoebe Bridgers, the Killers and John Mayer.

Nickel Creek to perform in Salina's Stiefel Theatre in October

KANSAS CITY(AP) — A&nbsp; man dubbed the “Package Killer” for his method of disposing bodies received two life sentences Tuesday after admitting to killing two women in the St. Louis area more than 30 years ago.

Gary Muehlberg, 74, has now pleaded guilty to killing three women and faces a hearing next week in the death of a fourth. Remains of all four women were found in 1990 or 1991, packed into various types of containers.

Muehlberg was already in prison for killing a man in 1993 when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/st-louis-missouri-365f6d3ba318c251617fa14165341a2f">he was charged</a>&nbsp;last year with four counts of fist-degree murder in the women's death. The cases were solved after O'Fallon Detective Jodi Weber found DNA evidence while examining old, unsolved homicides. Muehlberg confessed after prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty.

He pleaded guilty Tuesday to murdering Brenda Pruitt and Donna Reitmeyer. The new life sentences will run concurrently with two other life sentences he was previously given.

Pruitt was 27 when her family reported her missing on May 9, 1990. Her body was found in October 1991 inside a plastic trash can on the side of a busy road in St. Louis County. Authorities said she had been smothered or strangled.

Reitmeyer’s body was found June 11, 1990, inside a trash can on a sidewalk in the city of St. Louis. She was a 40-year-old mother of three daughters.

On March 6, Muehlberg admitted to murdering 21-year-old Sandy Little, whose body was found inside a dresser abandoned along a highway in O'Fallon on Feb. 17, 1991.

A hearing is scheduled for March 31 in the death of 18-year-old Robyn Mihan. Her body was found between two mattresses secured together with wire along a road near the small rural Missouri town of Silex on March 26, 1990.

Court documents say Muehlberg also admitted to killing a fifth woman at his home and disposing of her body in a metal barrel he left near a self-service car wash. Her remains were never found.

A motive for the killings has not been disclosed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663670116168.png" alt="Muehlberg-photo&nbsp; MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Muehlberg-photo&nbsp; MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — A&nbsp; man dubbed the “Package Killer” for his method of disposing bodies received two life sentences Tuesday after admitting to killing two women in the St. Louis area more than 30 years ago.Gary Muehlberg, 74, has now pleaded guilty to killing three women and faces a hearing next week in the death of a fourth. Remains of all four women were found in 1990 or 1991, packed into various types of containers.Muehlberg was already in prison for killing a man in 1993 when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/st-louis-missouri-365f6d3ba318c251617fa14165341a2f">he was charged</a>&nbsp;last year with four counts of fist-degree murder in the women's death. The cases were solved after O'Fallon Detective Jodi Weber found DNA evidence while examining old, unsolved homicides. Muehlberg confessed after prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty.He pleaded guilty Tuesday to murdering Brenda Pruitt and Donna Reitmeyer. The new life sentences will run concurrently with two other life sentences he was previously given.Pruitt was 27 when her family reported her missing on May 9, 1990. Her body was found in October 1991 inside a plastic trash can on the side of a busy road in St. Louis County. Authorities said she had been smothered or strangled.Reitmeyer’s body was found June 11, 1990, inside a trash can on a sidewalk in the city of St. Louis. She was a 40-year-old mother of three daughters.On March 6, Muehlberg admitted to murdering 21-year-old Sandy Little, whose body was found inside a dresser abandoned along a highway in O'Fallon on Feb. 17, 1991.A hearing is scheduled for March 31 in the death of 18-year-old Robyn Mihan. Her body was found between two mattresses secured together with wire along a road near the small rural Missouri town of Silex on March 26, 1990.Court documents say Muehlberg also admitted to killing a fifth woman at his home and disposing of her body in a metal barrel he left near a self-service car wash. Her remains were never found.A motive for the killings has not been disclosed.

Man dubbed 'Package Killer' admits to killing 3 women

Robert "Bob" Leonard Dinkel, 85 years old, of Collyer, KS., passed away on February 12, 2023. Robert was born in Gove County on November 3, 1937, to&nbsp;Antone&nbsp;and Rosalia (Giebler) Dinkel. He graduated from Collyer High School in 1955.&nbsp;

Bob enlisted in the Army on March 11, 1959, and was a Light Vehicle Driver until his discharge on November 22, 1960. While in the Army, he received a Marksman Certificate of Achievement.

Bob returned to Collyer, where he spent the remaining years of his life, working as a farmer. He also was employed by&nbsp;Ben Dinkel’s&nbsp;gas station in Collyer, City of Collyer,&nbsp;George&nbsp;Parsons&nbsp;to help move houses, and served for the St. Michael Catholic Church as a cemetery sexton and maintenance man.&nbsp;Bob was a lifelong member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Collyer, KS.&nbsp;Bob was united in marriage to Lori Smith on June 2, 2001. They were married for 18 years until Lori passed on October 16, 2019. In his spare time, you could find Bob playing cards, especially a good game of cribbage.

Bob Dinkel is survived by many nieces and nephews and Lori’s sons Nick, Adam, and Paul Smith, as well as loved ones and friends.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Paul Dinkel, Leo Dinkel, Don Dinkel, Alvin Dinkel, Clarence Dinkel; sisters, Bertha&nbsp;Applehans, Beata&nbsp;Malsom, Marcella&nbsp;Malsom, Rosalie Shaffer, Rosemary Walt.

A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held on March 25, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church. Inurnment will take place immediately following at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be on March 25, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with a rosary to be held at 9:30 a.m. prior to service.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678901206426.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Robert "Bob" Leonard Dinkel, 85 years old, of Collyer, KS., passed away on February 12, 2023. Robert was born in Gove County on November 3, 1937, to&nbsp;Antone&nbsp;and Rosalia (Giebler) Dinkel. He graduated from Collyer High School in 1955.&nbsp;Bob enlisted in the Army on March 11, 1959, and was a Light Vehicle Driver until his discharge on November 22, 1960. While in the Army, he received a Marksman Certificate of Achievement.Bob returned to Collyer, where he spent the remaining years of his life, working as a farmer. He also was employed by&nbsp;Ben Dinkel’s&nbsp;gas station in Collyer, City of Collyer,&nbsp;George&nbsp;Parsons&nbsp;to help move houses, and served for the St. Michael Catholic Church as a cemetery sexton and maintenance man.&nbsp;Bob was a lifelong member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Collyer, KS.&nbsp;Bob was united in marriage to Lori Smith on June 2, 2001. They were married for 18 years until Lori passed on October 16, 2019. In his spare time, you could find Bob playing cards, especially a good game of cribbage.Bob Dinkel is survived by many nieces and nephews and Lori’s sons Nick, Adam, and Paul Smith, as well as loved ones and friends.Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Paul Dinkel, Leo Dinkel, Don Dinkel, Alvin Dinkel, Clarence Dinkel; sisters, Bertha&nbsp;Applehans, Beata&nbsp;Malsom, Marcella&nbsp;Malsom, Rosalie Shaffer, Rosemary Walt.A Memorial Funeral Mass will be held on March 25, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church. Inurnment will take place immediately following at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery.Visitation will be on March 25, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with a rosary to be held at 9:30 a.m. prior to service.Memorial contributions are suggested to Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care. Donations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.

Robert 'Bob' Leonard Dinkel

Sunday, October 19th, 1975-Sunday, March 19th, 2023

An obituary and services are pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

Sunday, October 19th, 1975-Sunday, March 19th, 2023An obituary and services are pending with Baalmann Mortuary.

Carson Charles Cobb

Curtis Loyal Beach, age 75, passed away Monday, March 20, 2023,&nbsp; at the Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS.&nbsp;&nbsp;Curtis was 
born October 13, 1947, in Rural Smith County, KS to Agustus Clare and 
Dorothy (Abbott) Beach. He was a Feed &amp; Animal Health Sales 
Specialist.

Curtis was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Cameron.

Survivors
 include his wife Mary Gay (Beckman) Beach of Kensington, daughter Amber
 (Bruce) Hardacre of Kensington, son Kiley (Katie) Beach of Dighton, 
KS;&nbsp; &nbsp;brother Abbott Craig (Margaret) Beach of Lincoln, NE; sister 
Lynette (Beach) Sprague (Randy) of Alta Vista, KS and 6 granddaughters.

Click <a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Curtis-Loyal-Beach?obId=27533232#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679402926920.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Curtis Loyal Beach, age 75, passed away Monday, March 20, 2023,&nbsp; at the Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS.&nbsp;&nbsp;Curtis was 
born October 13, 1947, in Rural Smith County, KS to Agustus Clare and 
Dorothy (Abbott) Beach. He was a Feed &amp; Animal Health Sales 
Specialist.Curtis was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Cameron.Survivors
 include his wife Mary Gay (Beckman) Beach of Kensington, daughter Amber
 (Bruce) Hardacre of Kensington, son Kiley (Katie) Beach of Dighton, 
KS;&nbsp; &nbsp;brother Abbott Craig (Margaret) Beach of Lincoln, NE; sister 
Lynette (Beach) Sprague (Randy) of Alta Vista, KS and 6 granddaughters.Click <a href="https://www.rfmortuaries.com/obituaries/Curtis-Loyal-Beach?obId=27533232#/celebrationWall">HERE</a> for service details.

Curtis Loyal Beach

Arthur “Art” Leiker, 92, died Friday, March 17, 2023, at St. Catherine 
Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. He was born September 19, 1930, in 
Collyer, Kansas, the son of Adolph &amp; Margaret (Braun) Leiker. 
 Art moved with his family to Garden City in 1934, where he grew up 
on a sugar beet farm north of Holcomb, Kansas. He attended St. Mary 
Catholic School and Holcomb schools where he graduated from high school.
 After school hours, Art went to work at the Company’s Sugar Factory 
until he entered the service. He served 18 months in the United States 
Army and 3 years active in the Army Reserves. After active duty in the 
service, Art returned to Garden City and worked for the Garden City 
Company. He retired after 33 years as a Farm Maintenance 
Superintendent. 
 On May 16, 1955, he married Joan Cason in Garden City. Art was a 
member of St. Mary Catholic Church, a life member of the Knights of 
Columbus #2795, member of the American Legion, Harry H. Renick Post #9, 
the APS Stamp Association, and numerous coin associations. He enjoyed 
spending his time going to antique auctions and collecting coins and 
stamps. 
 Survivors include a son John Leiker of Garden City; a daughter 
Karen Wells of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, a brother James Leiker of Scott, 
Louisiana; 6 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. Art is preceded 
in death by his wife Joan who died on October 15, 2006. He is also 
preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Cynthia Romero; a sister 
Esther Smith; a brother Otto Leiker; and a grandson Arthur Romero. 
 A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on 
Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. 
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 23, at St. 
Mary Catholic Church in Garden City with Fr. Jacob Schneider as 
Celebrant. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City 
with military graveside rites conducted by the Kansas Army National 
Guard Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on 
Wednesday at Garnand Funeral Home.

 The family suggests memorials given 
to St. Mary Catholic Church or to Wounded Warriors, both in care of the 
funeral home.  Condolences may be given at garnandfuneralhomes.com.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679266530479.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Arthur “Art” Leiker, 92, died Friday, March 17, 2023, at St. Catherine 
Hospital in Garden City, Kansas. He was born September 19, 1930, in 
Collyer, Kansas, the son of Adolph &amp; Margaret (Braun) Leiker. 
 Art moved with his family to Garden City in 1934, where he grew up 
on a sugar beet farm north of Holcomb, Kansas. He attended St. Mary 
Catholic School and Holcomb schools where he graduated from high school.
 After school hours, Art went to work at the Company’s Sugar Factory 
until he entered the service. He served 18 months in the United States 
Army and 3 years active in the Army Reserves. After active duty in the 
service, Art returned to Garden City and worked for the Garden City 
Company. He retired after 33 years as a Farm Maintenance 
Superintendent. 
 On May 16, 1955, he married Joan Cason in Garden City. Art was a 
member of St. Mary Catholic Church, a life member of the Knights of 
Columbus #2795, member of the American Legion, Harry H. Renick Post #9, 
the APS Stamp Association, and numerous coin associations. He enjoyed 
spending his time going to antique auctions and collecting coins and 
stamps. 
 Survivors include a son John Leiker of Garden City; a daughter 
Karen Wells of Cedarburg, Wisconsin, a brother James Leiker of Scott, 
Louisiana; 6 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. Art is preceded 
in death by his wife Joan who died on October 15, 2006. He is also 
preceded in death by his parents; a daughter Cynthia Romero; a sister 
Esther Smith; a brother Otto Leiker; and a grandson Arthur Romero. 
 A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on 
Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City. 
Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 23, at St. 
Mary Catholic Church in Garden City with Fr. Jacob Schneider as 
Celebrant. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery in Garden City 
with military graveside rites conducted by the Kansas Army National 
Guard Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on 
Wednesday at Garnand Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials given 
to St. Mary Catholic Church or to Wounded Warriors, both in care of the 
funeral home. Condolences may be given at garnandfuneralhomes.com.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Arthur 'Art' Leiker

Sally “Sara” Stansbury, age 86, of Hays, Kansas, passed away 
peacefully on March 15, 2023, with her family by her side. She was born 
on October 8, 1936, the daughter of William and Myrtle (Buffon) Austin 
in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.

She attended the 
Cottonwood Falls public schools and upon graduation&nbsp;from high school, 
Sally enrolled at Kansas State Teachers College in&nbsp;Emporia to begin work
 on requirements for a degree in education.&nbsp;After one year, Sally 
transferred to Washburn University in Topeka&nbsp;where she completed degree 
requirements and graduated in the spring&nbsp;of 1958. She was involved in 
several activities at Washburn and became&nbsp;a member of the Alpha Phi 
sorority.

On June 28, 1958, she was united in marriage 
to James Stansbury, whom she met at Washburn. They then moved to Ellis, 
Kansas where Jim had been hired for a teaching and coaching position in 
the Ellis public school system. After 8 years, they moved to Hays when 
Jim was selected for an instructor’s position on the Fort Hays State 
University College of Education faculty.

Sally enjoyed 
life in Hays. She was an active member of the First&nbsp;Presbyterian Church,
 serving one 3-year term on the Session and a&nbsp;number of years as the 
church’s part time secretary. She was very&nbsp;proud of her membership in 
the Daughters of the American Revolution&nbsp;and was an active member of 
this organization as well as in the PEO.&nbsp;She also served several years 
as a part time secretary for the Ellis&nbsp;County Historical Society. 
Sally’s favorite leisure time activity was&nbsp;playing bridge and she was a 
member of a number of local bridge clubs&nbsp;over the years. She also 
enjoyed the numerous bus tours that she, Jim&nbsp;Chuck, Jerri, and Tom took 
after Jim retired.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Patti and brother, Bill.

Sally
 is survived by her husband Jim, daughter Jerri Black (Terry Tavis), Son 
Bill (Lori), Chuck, and grandson Tom Black (Erica), Jim’s&nbsp;brother Gary 
Stansbury (Pat) and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services
 will be announced at a later date under the direction of 
Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601.

In
 lieu of flowers, memorials for Sally are suggested to the First 
Presbyterian Church, DSNWK, or the Arc Park. Contributions made payable 
to the organization of your choice may be sent in care of Keithley 
Funeral Homes PO Box 86 Hays, KS 67601.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679244597696.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Sally “Sara” Stansbury, age 86, of Hays, Kansas, passed away 
peacefully on March 15, 2023, with her family by her side. She was born 
on October 8, 1936, the daughter of William and Myrtle (Buffon) Austin 
in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas.She attended the 
Cottonwood Falls public schools and upon graduation&nbsp;from high school, 
Sally enrolled at Kansas State Teachers College in&nbsp;Emporia to begin work
 on requirements for a degree in education.&nbsp;After one year, Sally 
transferred to Washburn University in Topeka&nbsp;where she completed degree 
requirements and graduated in the spring&nbsp;of 1958. She was involved in 
several activities at Washburn and became&nbsp;a member of the Alpha Phi 
sorority.On June 28, 1958, she was united in marriage 
to James Stansbury, whom she met at Washburn. They then moved to Ellis, 
Kansas where Jim had been hired for a teaching and coaching position in 
the Ellis public school system. After 8 years, they moved to Hays when 
Jim was selected for an instructor’s position on the Fort Hays State 
University College of Education faculty.Sally enjoyed 
life in Hays. She was an active member of the First&nbsp;Presbyterian Church,
 serving one 3-year term on the Session and a&nbsp;number of years as the 
church’s part time secretary. She was very&nbsp;proud of her membership in 
the Daughters of the American Revolution&nbsp;and was an active member of 
this organization as well as in the PEO.&nbsp;She also served several years 
as a part time secretary for the Ellis&nbsp;County Historical Society. 
Sally’s favorite leisure time activity was&nbsp;playing bridge and she was a 
member of a number of local bridge clubs&nbsp;over the years. She also 
enjoyed the numerous bus tours that she, Jim&nbsp;Chuck, Jerri, and Tom took 
after Jim retired.She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Patti and brother, Bill.Sally
 is survived by her husband Jim, daughter Jerri Black (Terry Tavis), Son 
Bill (Lori), Chuck, and grandson Tom Black (Erica), Jim’s&nbsp;brother Gary 
Stansbury (Pat) and numerous nieces and nephews.Services
 will be announced at a later date under the direction of 
Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601.In
 lieu of flowers, memorials for Sally are suggested to the First 
Presbyterian Church, DSNWK, or the Arc Park. Contributions made payable 
to the organization of your choice may be sent in care of Keithley 
Funeral Homes PO Box 86 Hays, KS 67601.Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com

Sally 'Sara' Stansbury

Rocky L. Yoder, 68, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Monday, March 6, 2023, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Rocky was born November 17, 1954, in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado .&nbsp; He 
was one of five children born to Wilbur and Phyllis (Bedker) Yoder.&nbsp; At 
the age of 12 he started working in construction with his father.&nbsp; At 
16, he worked at Jerrys Texaco Station changing tires and assisting with
 the pumps.&nbsp; In high school he became interested in Rodeo bull riding.&nbsp; 
He graduated from Littleton High School.&nbsp; He then attended two years at 
Sterling College before he started working at the Arabian Horse Registry
 in Illinois.&nbsp; Later he returned to college and got a Degree in 
Agriculture Science.&nbsp; He moved to Russell, Kansas, in 2004.

Rocky was united in marriage to Brenda Schmidtberger on October 1, 2011 in Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; They made their home in Russell.

Rocky worked at the Land O Lakes where he did the rations for cattle 
feed.&nbsp; He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell and St. 
Fidelis Catholic Church in Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp; He was known for his 
artistic wood carvings and had Art shows at the Deines Cultural Center 
and the 4-H Building in Russell.

Rocky’s surviving family include his wife of 11 years, Brenda of the 
home; two brothers, Larry Yoder (Karen) of Hugoton, Kansas and Randy 
Yoder (Shelley) of Wauneta, Nebraska; sister, Nancy Noble (Steve) of 
Lincoln, Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews and friends.

Rocky was preceded in death by his parents and sister Melody Burr.

Celebration of Rocky’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, April 
21, 2023, at St. John Lutheran Church of Russell.&nbsp; Cremation has taken 
place. Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is
 in charge of these arrangements.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679170779697.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rocky L. Yoder, 68, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Monday, March 6, 2023, at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.Rocky was born November 17, 1954, in Cheyenne Wells, Colorado .&nbsp; He 
was one of five children born to Wilbur and Phyllis (Bedker) Yoder.&nbsp; At 
the age of 12 he started working in construction with his father.&nbsp; At 
16, he worked at Jerrys Texaco Station changing tires and assisting with
 the pumps.&nbsp; In high school he became interested in Rodeo bull riding.&nbsp; 
He graduated from Littleton High School.&nbsp; He then attended two years at 
Sterling College before he started working at the Arabian Horse Registry
 in Illinois.&nbsp; Later he returned to college and got a Degree in 
Agriculture Science.&nbsp; He moved to Russell, Kansas, in 2004.Rocky was united in marriage to Brenda Schmidtberger on October 1, 2011 in Hays, Kansas.&nbsp; They made their home in Russell.Rocky worked at the Land O Lakes where he did the rations for cattle 
feed.&nbsp; He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Russell and St. 
Fidelis Catholic Church in Victoria, Kansas.&nbsp; He was known for his 
artistic wood carvings and had Art shows at the Deines Cultural Center 
and the 4-H Building in Russell.Rocky’s surviving family include his wife of 11 years, Brenda of the 
home; two brothers, Larry Yoder (Karen) of Hugoton, Kansas and Randy 
Yoder (Shelley) of Wauneta, Nebraska; sister, Nancy Noble (Steve) of 
Lincoln, Nebraska; and many nieces and nephews and friends.Rocky was preceded in death by his parents and sister Melody Burr.Celebration of Rocky’s Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, April 
21, 2023, at St. John Lutheran Church of Russell.&nbsp; Cremation has taken 
place. Condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is
 in charge of these arrangements.

Rocky L. Yoder

Gordon Slater, 75, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023.

He
 was born November 13, 1947, on a farm in Holdrege, Nebraska. He was on 
the football, basketball and track teams in high school, where he was 
given the nickname “Shotty.” He was a dual graduate of Eustis High 
School and Elwood High School, both in Nebraska.

Gordon married Lillian Urban on October 17, 2006. She survives of the home.

He
 was a visionary in the world of computer programming and software. He 
worked for Fort Hays State University in the computer department, then 
started his own software company, AnnRay, in 1977. In 2002, he started 
ATCi, which developed emergency management mapping software.

Gordon enjoyed reading, especially history. A man with an ornery sense of humor, he loved spending time with his grandchildren.

He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Tim Slater.

Survivors
 include his wife, Lillian; children, Shawn Slater (Lesli), Troy Slater 
(Julee), Tiffani Spicer (Matt), and Brett Slater; grandchildren, Ashten,
 Kaylee, Luke, Ethan, Stephen, Drew, Ryan, and Bennett; brothers, Dr. 
Dick Slater (Judy) and Ron Slater; numerous extended family members and 
friends.

Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1:00 P.M. Monday,
 St. Peter Lutheran Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family
 will gather with friends 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. prior to the service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679088902195.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Gordon Slater, 75, St. Joseph, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, March 15, 2023.He
 was born November 13, 1947, on a farm in Holdrege, Nebraska. He was on 
the football, basketball and track teams in high school, where he was 
given the nickname “Shotty.” He was a dual graduate of Eustis High 
School and Elwood High School, both in Nebraska.Gordon married Lillian Urban on October 17, 2006. She survives of the home.He
 was a visionary in the world of computer programming and software. He 
worked for Fort Hays State University in the computer department, then 
started his own software company, AnnRay, in 1977. In 2002, he started 
ATCi, which developed emergency management mapping software.Gordon enjoyed reading, especially history. A man with an ornery sense of humor, he loved spending time with his grandchildren.He was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church.Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Tim Slater.Survivors
 include his wife, Lillian; children, Shawn Slater (Lesli), Troy Slater 
(Julee), Tiffani Spicer (Matt), and Brett Slater; grandchildren, Ashten,
 Kaylee, Luke, Ethan, Stephen, Drew, Ryan, and Bennett; brothers, Dr. 
Dick Slater (Judy) and Ron Slater; numerous extended family members and 
friends.Farewell Services and Public Livestream 1:00 P.M. Monday,
 St. Peter Lutheran Church. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. The family
 will gather with friends 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. prior to the service.

Gordon Slater

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The U.S. European Command released video Thursday of a Russian fighter jet dumping fuel on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-kramatorsk-peace-plan-fde09a8ea4d9b692637ad8f76cd05f3a">U.S. Air Force surveillance drone</a>&nbsp;as the U.S. sought to hold Russia responsible for the collision that led to the drone's crash into the Black Sea without escalating already fraught tensions with the Kremlin.

(click the video below to watch courtesy U.S. European Command)

Poland, meanwhile, said it's giving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-poland-russia-war-jets-migs-6d843ccbd50fef5f96091a5bff8f3e01">Ukraine a dozen MiG-29 fighter jets</a>, becoming the first NATO member to fulfill Kyiv's increasingly urgent requests for warplanes.

The U.S. military's declassified 42-second color footage shows a Russian Su-27 approaching the back of the MQ-9 Reaper drone and releasing fuel as it passes, the Pentagon said. Dumping the fuel appeared to be aimed at blinding the drone's optical instruments to drive it from the area.

On a second approach, either the same jet or another Russian Su-27 that had been shadowing the MQ-9 struck the drone’s propeller, damaging a blade, according to the U.S. military, which said it then ditched the aircraft in the sea.

The video excerpt does not show the collision, although it does show the damage to the propeller.

Russia said its fighters didn’t strike the drone and claimed the unmanned aerial vehicle went down after making a sharp maneuver.

While calling out Russia for “reckless” action, the White House tried to strike a balance to avoid exacerbating tensions. U.S. officials said they have not been able to determine whether the Russian pilot intentionally struck the American drone and stressed that lines of communication with Moscow remain open.

“I can’t point to that video and say this is a deliberate attempt to escalate or ... tangibly bring about Putin’s false claim that this is about the West versus Russia.,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. “We have made clear on many occasions, we do not seek a conflict with Russia.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin argues that by providing weapons to Ukraine and sharing intelligence information with Kyiv, the U.S. and its allies have effectively become engaged in the war, now in its 13th month.

Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russia’s Security Council, said Wednesday that an attempt would be made to recover the drone debris.

U.S. officials have expressed confidence that nothing of military value would remain from the drone even if Russia retrieved the wreckage. They left open the possibility of trying to recover portions of the downed $32 million aircraft, which they said crashed into waters that were 4,000 to 5,000 feet (1,200 to 1,500 meters) deep, although the U.S. does not have any ships in the area.

Russia and NATO member countries routinely intercept each other’s warplanes, but Tuesday's incident marked the first time since the Cold War that a U.S. aircraft went down during such a confrontation, raising concerns it could bring the United States and Russia closer to a direct conflict.

Moscow has repeatedly voiced concern about U.S. intelligence flights near the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014 and illegally annexed.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-drone-pentagon-9f4b3e8fdd719c0fa91a0683228b9e51">top U.S. and Russian defense and military leaders</a>&nbsp;spoke Wednesday about the destruction of the drone, underscoring the event's seriousness.

The calls between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, as well as between Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley and Gen. Valery Gerasimov, chief of Russian General Staff, were the first since October.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in its report of the call with Austin that Shoigu accused the U.S. of provoking the incident by ignoring flight restrictions the Kremlin had imposed because of its military operations in Ukraine. The U.S. said the drone was operating in international airspace.

The MQ-9, which has a 66-foot (20-meter) wingspan, includes a ground control station and satellite equipment. It is capable of carrying munitions, but Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, would not say whether the ditched drone had been armed.

The video's release is the latest example of the Biden administration making public intelligence findings over the course of the war. The administration has said it wants to highlight Russian malicious activity as well as plans for Russian misinformation operations so allies remain clear-eyed about Moscow’s intent.

The White House deferred to Austin on the decision to release it, with the Pentagon and President Joe Biden’s national security aides agreeing it was important to let the world see what happened, according to an administration official familiar with the decision-making process. The official, who requested anonymity to discuss the deliberations, said it took time to go through the declassification process and insisted the administration was not concerned it would further escalate tensions with Russia.

Because the video does not show the actual collision, some involved in the decision to release the footage wondered whether the Russians would seize on that as proof there was no contact between the jet and the drone, according to another official familiar with the discussions about making it public. Those concerns were overcome when the Pentagon explained that the video showed the immediate aftermath and damage to the drone’s propeller, which could have come only from a collision, according to the second official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to disclose the details.

Separately, Polish President Andrzej Duda said Warsaw would give Ukraine four Soviet-made MiG-29s “within the next few days” and that the rest needed servicing and would be supplied later. The Polish word he used to describe the total number of warplanes can mean between 11 and 19.

“They are in the last years of their functioning but they are in good working condition,” Duda added. He did not say whether other countries would follow suit, although Slovakia has said it would send Ukraine its disused MiGs.

While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pleaded for fighter jets from the West, some NATO members — including the U.S. — have expressed hesitancy.

The White House said Poland gave the U.S. advanced notice of its decision to provide the MiGs.

Kirby, the White House spokesman, called Poland’s providing the fighter jets a sovereign decision and cheered the Poles for continuing to “punch above their weight” in assisting Kyiv, but insisted that Duda's decision would have no bearing on the U.S. president's decision, thus far, not to provide American-made F-16s.

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine had several dozen MiG-29s it inherited in the 1991 demise of the Soviet Union, but it’s unclear how many remain in service.

Duda said Poland’s air force would replace the planes it gives to Ukraine with South Korean-made FA-50 fighters and American-made F-35s.

A crucial ally of Kyiv, Poland hosts thousands of U.S. troops and is taking in more people fleeing the war in the neighboring country than any other nation. It has suffered invasions and occupations by Russia for centuries and still fears Russia despite being a member of NATO.

Authorities in Warsaw also said the security services have detained members of a Russian espionage ring, alleging they were preparing acts of sabotage in Poland and had been monitoring railroad routes used to transport weapons into Ukraine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679049345331.png" alt="The MQ-9 struck the drone’s propeller, damaging a blade.-image from the video" />
 <figcaption>The MQ-9 struck the drone’s propeller, damaging a blade.-image from the video</figcaption>
 </figure>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The U.S. European Command released video Thursday of a Russian fighter jet dumping fuel on a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-kramatorsk-peace-plan-fde09a8ea4d9b692637ad8f76cd05f3a">U.S. Air Force surveillance drone</a>&nbsp;as the U.S. sought to hold Russia responsible for the collision that led to the drone's crash into the Black Sea without escalating already fraught tensions with the Kremlin.(click the video below to watch courtesy U.S. European Command)<div><iframe src="https://www.dvidshub.net/video/embed/876667" width="800" height="450" frameborder="0" allowtransparency allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Poland, meanwhile, said it's giving&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-poland-russia-war-jets-migs-6d843ccbd50fef5f96091a5bff8f3e01">Ukraine a dozen MiG-29 fighter jets</a>, becoming the first NATO member to fulfill Kyiv's increasingly urgent requests for warplanes.The U.S. military's declassified 42-second color footage shows a Russian Su-27 approaching the back of the MQ-9 Reaper drone and releasing fuel as it passes, the Pentagon said. Dumping the fuel appeared to be aimed at blinding the drone's optical instruments to drive it from the area.On a second approach, either the same jet or another Russian Su-27 that had been shadowing the MQ-9 struck the drone’s propeller, damaging a blade, according to the U.S. military, which said it then ditched the aircraft in the sea.The video excerpt does not show the collision, although it does show the damage to the propeller.Russia said its fighters didn’t strike the drone and claimed the unmanned aerial vehicle went down after making a sharp maneuver.While calling out Russia for “reckless” action, the White House tried to strike a balance to avoid exacerbating tensions. U.S. officials said they have not been able to determine whether the Russian pilot intentionally struck the American drone and stressed that lines of communication with Moscow remain open.“I can’t point to that video and say this is a deliberate attempt to escalate or ... tangibly bring about Putin’s false claim that this is about the West versus Russia.,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said. “We have made clear on many occasions, we do not seek a conflict with Russia.”Russian President Vladimir Putin argues that by providing weapons to Ukraine and sharing intelligence information with Kyiv, the U.S. and its allies have effectively become engaged in the war, now in its 13th month.Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russia’s Security Council, said Wednesday that an attempt would be made to recover the drone debris.U.S. officials have expressed confidence that nothing of military value would remain from the drone even if Russia retrieved the wreckage. They left open the possibility of trying to recover portions of the downed $32 million aircraft, which they said crashed into waters that were 4,000 to 5,000 feet (1,200 to 1,500 meters) deep, although the U.S. does not have any ships in the area.Russia and NATO member countries routinely intercept each other’s warplanes, but Tuesday's incident marked the first time since the Cold War that a U.S. aircraft went down during such a confrontation, raising concerns it could bring the United States and Russia closer to a direct conflict.Moscow has repeatedly voiced concern about U.S. intelligence flights near the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014 and illegally annexed.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-drone-pentagon-9f4b3e8fdd719c0fa91a0683228b9e51">top U.S. and Russian defense and military leaders</a>&nbsp;spoke Wednesday about the destruction of the drone, underscoring the event's seriousness.The calls between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, as well as between Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley and Gen. Valery Gerasimov, chief of Russian General Staff, were the first since October.The Russian Defense Ministry said in its report of the call with Austin that Shoigu accused the U.S. of provoking the incident by ignoring flight restrictions the Kremlin had imposed because of its military operations in Ukraine. The U.S. said the drone was operating in international airspace.The MQ-9, which has a 66-foot (20-meter) wingspan, includes a ground control station and satellite equipment. It is capable of carrying munitions, but Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, would not say whether the ditched drone had been armed.The video's release is the latest example of the Biden administration making public intelligence findings over the course of the war. The administration has said it wants to highlight Russian malicious activity as well as plans for Russian misinformation operations so allies remain clear-eyed about Moscow’s intent.The White House deferred to Austin on the decision to release it, with the Pentagon and President Joe Biden’s national security aides agreeing it was important to let the world see what happened, according to an administration official familiar with the decision-making process. The official, who requested anonymity to discuss the deliberations, said it took time to go through the declassification process and insisted the administration was not concerned it would further escalate tensions with Russia.Because the video does not show the actual collision, some involved in the decision to release the footage wondered whether the Russians would seize on that as proof there was no contact between the jet and the drone, according to another official familiar with the discussions about making it public. Those concerns were overcome when the Pentagon explained that the video showed the immediate aftermath and damage to the drone’s propeller, which could have come only from a collision, according to the second official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to disclose the details.Separately, Polish President Andrzej Duda said Warsaw would give Ukraine four Soviet-made MiG-29s “within the next few days” and that the rest needed servicing and would be supplied later. The Polish word he used to describe the total number of warplanes can mean between 11 and 19.“They are in the last years of their functioning but they are in good working condition,” Duda added. He did not say whether other countries would follow suit, although Slovakia has said it would send Ukraine its disused MiGs.While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pleaded for fighter jets from the West, some NATO members — including the U.S. — have expressed hesitancy.The White House said Poland gave the U.S. advanced notice of its decision to provide the MiGs.Kirby, the White House spokesman, called Poland’s providing the fighter jets a sovereign decision and cheered the Poles for continuing to “punch above their weight” in assisting Kyiv, but insisted that Duda's decision would have no bearing on the U.S. president's decision, thus far, not to provide American-made F-16s.Before Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine had several dozen MiG-29s it inherited in the 1991 demise of the Soviet Union, but it’s unclear how many remain in service.Duda said Poland’s air force would replace the planes it gives to Ukraine with South Korean-made FA-50 fighters and American-made F-35s.A crucial ally of Kyiv, Poland hosts thousands of U.S. troops and is taking in more people fleeing the war in the neighboring country than any other nation. It has suffered invasions and occupations by Russia for centuries and still fears Russia despite being a member of NATO.Authorities in Warsaw also said the security services have detained members of a Russian espionage ring, alleging they were preparing acts of sabotage in Poland and had been monitoring railroad routes used to transport weapons into Ukraine.___

🎥Spat between U.S., Russia over downed $32M drone escalating

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate took a first step Thursday toward repealing two measures that give open-ended approval for military action in Iraq, pushing to end that authority as the United States marks the 20th anniversary of the Iraq War.

Senators voted 68-27 to move forward on legislation that would repeal the 2002 measure that greenlighted that March 2003 invasion of Iraq and also a 1991 measure that sanctioned the U.S.-led Gulf War to expel Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait. Nineteen Republicans including Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall of Kansas and Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt of Missouri joined Democrats in supporting the repeal.

The bipartisan effort comes as lawmakers in both parties are increasingly seeking to claw back congressional powers over U.S. military strikes and deployments, arguing that the war authorizations are no longer necessary and subject to misuse if they are left on the books. President Joe Biden has backed the push, and the White House issued a statement Thursday in support.

"Repeal of these authorizations would have no impact on current U.S. military operations and would support this administration's commitment to a strong and comprehensive relationship with our Iraqi partners," the White House said.

Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Todd Young, R-Ind., said they believe the 68 votes in support send a powerful message to Americans who believe their voice should be heard on matters of war and peace. Kaine and Young have led the push for repeal and have worked for several years on the issue.

"It is time for Congress to have its voice heard on these matters, and I believe this will establish a very important precedent moving forward," Young said.

It's unclear whether leaders in the Republican-controlled House will bring the bill up for a vote, even if it passes the Senate. Forty-nine House Republicans supported the legislation when then-majority Democrats held a vote two years ago, but current House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has opposed it.

Senate Republicans are also split on the legislation. While the 19 GOP senators voted for it, opponents argue that the repeal could project weakness to U.S. enemies. They have pointed out that President Donald Trump's administration cited the 2002 Iraq war resolution as part of its legal justification for a 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani.

The October 2002 votes to give President George W. Bush broad authority for the invasion — coming just a month before the midterm elections that year — became a defining moment for many members of Congress as the country debated whether a military strike was warranted. The U.S. was already at war then in Afghanistan, the country that hosted the al-Qaida plotters responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, something Iraq played no part in.

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat who was in the Senate at the time and voted against the resolution, said on the floor before Thursday's vote that "I look back on it, as I'm sure others do, as one of the most important votes that I ever cast."

"The repeal of this authorization of use the use of military force does not mean the United States has become a pacifist nation," Durbin said. "It means that the United States is going to be a constitutional nation and the premise of our Founding Fathers will be respected."

The Bush administration had drummed up support among members of Congress and Americans for invading Iraq by promoting false intelligence claims about Saddam's weapons of mass destruction.

After the initial March 2003 invasion, American ground forces quickly discovered that the allegations of nuclear or chemical weapons programs were baseless. But the U.S. overthrow of Iraq's security forces precipitated a brutal sectarian fight and violent campaigns by Islamic extremist groups in Iraq. Car bombings, assassinations, torture and kidnapping became a part of daily life in Iraq for years.

Nearly 5,000 U.S. troops were killed in the war. Iraqi deaths are estimated in the hundreds of thousands.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in the hours before the vote that he was glad that the repeal is a bipartisan effort after the Iraq conflict was the cause of "so much bitterness" in the past.

"Americans are tired of endless wars in the Middle East," Schumer said.

The Senate will consider the legislation next week, with possible amendments from both sides.

One of the amendments that could be considered would repeal a separate authorization of military force passed immediately after the 2001 attacks. It gave Bush broad authority for the invasion of Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism but did not name one country, instead broadly approving force "against those nations, organizations, or persons" that planned or aided the attacks on the U.S.

But there is less support in the Senate and Congress overall for repealing the broader authority. Biden and some lawmakers have supported replacing or revising that authorization in the future, but "not right now," Kaine said, as it is still used by the military.

In its statement of policy, the White House appeared to reference the 2001 authority, saying that Biden "remains committed to working with the Congress to ensure that outdated authorizations for the use of military force are replaced with a narrow and specific framework more appropriate to protecting Americans from modern terrorist threats."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679016319597.png" alt="Nineteen Republicans including Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall of Kansas and Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt of Missouri joined Democrats in supporting the repeal.CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Nineteen Republicans including Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall of Kansas and Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt of Missouri joined Democrats in supporting the repeal.CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate took a first step Thursday toward repealing two measures that give open-ended approval for military action in Iraq, pushing to end that authority as the United States marks the 20th anniversary of the Iraq War.Senators voted 68-27 to move forward on legislation that would repeal the 2002 measure that greenlighted that March 2003 invasion of Iraq and also a 1991 measure that sanctioned the U.S.-led Gulf War to expel Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's forces from Kuwait. Nineteen Republicans including Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall of Kansas and Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt of Missouri joined Democrats in supporting the repeal.The bipartisan effort comes as lawmakers in both parties are increasingly seeking to claw back congressional powers over U.S. military strikes and deployments, arguing that the war authorizations are no longer necessary and subject to misuse if they are left on the books. President Joe Biden has backed the push, and the White House issued a statement Thursday in support."Repeal of these authorizations would have no impact on current U.S. military operations and would support this administration's commitment to a strong and comprehensive relationship with our Iraqi partners," the White House said.Sens. Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Todd Young, R-Ind., said they believe the 68 votes in support send a powerful message to Americans who believe their voice should be heard on matters of war and peace. Kaine and Young have led the push for repeal and have worked for several years on the issue."It is time for Congress to have its voice heard on these matters, and I believe this will establish a very important precedent moving forward," Young said.It's unclear whether leaders in the Republican-controlled House will bring the bill up for a vote, even if it passes the Senate. Forty-nine House Republicans supported the legislation when then-majority Democrats held a vote two years ago, but current House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has opposed it.Senate Republicans are also split on the legislation. While the 19 GOP senators voted for it, opponents argue that the repeal could project weakness to U.S. enemies. They have pointed out that President Donald Trump's administration cited the 2002 Iraq war resolution as part of its legal justification for a 2020 U.S. drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassim Soleimani.The October 2002 votes to give President George W. Bush broad authority for the invasion — coming just a month before the midterm elections that year — became a defining moment for many members of Congress as the country debated whether a military strike was warranted. The U.S. was already at war then in Afghanistan, the country that hosted the al-Qaida plotters responsible for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, something Iraq played no part in.Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat who was in the Senate at the time and voted against the resolution, said on the floor before Thursday's vote that "I look back on it, as I'm sure others do, as one of the most important votes that I ever cast.""The repeal of this authorization of use the use of military force does not mean the United States has become a pacifist nation," Durbin said. "It means that the United States is going to be a constitutional nation and the premise of our Founding Fathers will be respected."The Bush administration had drummed up support among members of Congress and Americans for invading Iraq by promoting false intelligence claims about Saddam's weapons of mass destruction.After the initial March 2003 invasion, American ground forces quickly discovered that the allegations of nuclear or chemical weapons programs were baseless. But the U.S. overthrow of Iraq's security forces precipitated a brutal sectarian fight and violent campaigns by Islamic extremist groups in Iraq. Car bombings, assassinations, torture and kidnapping became a part of daily life in Iraq for years.Nearly 5,000 U.S. troops were killed in the war. Iraqi deaths are estimated in the hundreds of thousands.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in the hours before the vote that he was glad that the repeal is a bipartisan effort after the Iraq conflict was the cause of "so much bitterness" in the past."Americans are tired of endless wars in the Middle East," Schumer said.The Senate will consider the legislation next week, with possible amendments from both sides.One of the amendments that could be considered would repeal a separate authorization of military force passed immediately after the 2001 attacks. It gave Bush broad authority for the invasion of Afghanistan and the fight against terrorism but did not name one country, instead broadly approving force "against those nations, organizations, or persons" that planned or aided the attacks on the U.S.But there is less support in the Senate and Congress overall for repealing the broader authority. Biden and some lawmakers have supported replacing or revising that authorization in the future, but "not right now," Kaine said, as it is still used by the military.In its statement of policy, the White House appeared to reference the 2001 authority, saying that Biden "remains committed to working with the Congress to ensure that outdated authorizations for the use of military force are replaced with a narrow and specific framework more appropriate to protecting Americans from modern terrorist threats."

Moran, Marshall vote to advance repeal of Iraq war authorization

Norman Mermis, age 80,&nbsp;of Hays, Kansas, died Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas.

He was born on August 7, 1942, in Walker, Kansas, to Alfred and Clara (Scheck). &nbsp;He married Dorothy Ann (Younger) on October 6, 1962, in Hays, Kansas. &nbsp;She preceded him in death on May 30, 2008.

Norman owned and operated Top Notch Cleaners in Hays since 1987, when he purchased for former&nbsp;owner&nbsp;Alphonse Ruder Dry Cleaning.&nbsp;During the years at Top Notch Cleaners Norman would repair&nbsp;and maintain equipment&nbsp;for area dry cleaning business.&nbsp;&nbsp; Norman and his wife Dorothy started the Hays Annual Coat Drive and now in its 27th&nbsp;year.

Prior to getting into the dry cleaning business, Norman worked at the Hadley Hospital&nbsp;operating&nbsp;the linen service department&nbsp;for 33 years. &nbsp;He attended the college&nbsp;Eastern Kentucky University receiving a degree in Laundry and Linen Care. While&nbsp;at the Hadley Hospital Norman would install ramps, railing, and hand bars for patients with&nbsp;handicap&nbsp;needs when leaving the hospital.&nbsp;

Over the years, Norman had a number of business he owned Victor Rapid Transit and U-Haul &nbsp;Service Station in Hays. &nbsp;He owned a postal mail route from Hays to Dorrance, he worked for&nbsp;Chalmer -Borton Builders installing grain elevators, worked for Bieker Construction, and had his own home repair and remodeling business for many years.&nbsp;

He grew up in Walker, attended the Walker Grade School, and was a 1960 graduate of Victoria High School.&nbsp;&nbsp;He was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Knights of Columbus Council # 6984.

Survivors include his children, Norman E. “Gene” Mermis and wife, Shar, Wichita, KS; Barbara Marcotte and husband, Walter, Wichita, KS; Amy Mermis-Smith, Rick Smith,&nbsp;Hays, KS; his brother, Frank Mermis, Hays, KS; his sister, Vera Galliart, Russell, KS; his grandchildren, Riann Hand (Jordan); Brier Mermis; Morgann Mermis; Charlsie Frey (Alex); Travis Marcotte (Tiffany); Anya&nbsp;Honse&nbsp;(Cory); Andrew Marcotte (Shelby); Levi Marcotte; Amber Arnold (Nathan); Graysen Smith; Cooper Smith; and 17 great grandchildren.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Clara; his wife, Dorothy; his brothers, Alfred Mermis and Verlin Mermis; his brother-in-law, Gene Galliart; his sists-in-law, Dorita Mermis and Mary Mermis.

Mass of Christian Burial&nbsp;will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 18, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church,&nbsp;13th&nbsp;and Ash,&nbsp;Hays, Kansas&nbsp;with Father Rich Daise and Father Michael Rag Kothalamuthu HDN officiating. &nbsp;Burial will be in Saint Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas.

A vigil service will be at 6:30 P.M. Friday, and a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00 P.M. Friday, both at&nbsp;Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd&nbsp;Street,&nbsp;Hays, Kansas 67601.

Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, and from 9:00 to&nbsp;9:45&nbsp;A.M. Saturday, all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays.

The family suggests memorials made payable to: Top Notch Cleaners for the ongoing Hays Annual Coat Drive in care of the mortuary. &nbsp;

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

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679002114097.jpeg" alt="" />
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 </figure>Norman Mermis, age 80,&nbsp;of Hays, Kansas, died Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Kansas.He was born on August 7, 1942, in Walker, Kansas, to Alfred and Clara (Scheck). &nbsp;He married Dorothy Ann (Younger) on October 6, 1962, in Hays, Kansas. &nbsp;She preceded him in death on May 30, 2008.Norman owned and operated Top Notch Cleaners in Hays since 1987, when he purchased for former&nbsp;owner&nbsp;Alphonse Ruder Dry Cleaning.&nbsp;During the years at Top Notch Cleaners Norman would repair&nbsp;and maintain equipment&nbsp;for area dry cleaning business.&nbsp;&nbsp; Norman and his wife Dorothy started the Hays Annual Coat Drive and now in its 27th&nbsp;year.Prior to getting into the dry cleaning business, Norman worked at the Hadley Hospital&nbsp;operating&nbsp;the linen service department&nbsp;for 33 years. &nbsp;He attended the college&nbsp;Eastern Kentucky University receiving a degree in Laundry and Linen Care. While&nbsp;at the Hadley Hospital Norman would install ramps, railing, and hand bars for patients with&nbsp;handicap&nbsp;needs when leaving the hospital.&nbsp;Over the years, Norman had a number of business he owned Victor Rapid Transit and U-Haul &nbsp;Service Station in Hays. &nbsp;He owned a postal mail route from Hays to Dorrance, he worked for&nbsp;Chalmer -Borton Builders installing grain elevators, worked for Bieker Construction, and had his own home repair and remodeling business for many years.&nbsp;He grew up in Walker, attended the Walker Grade School, and was a 1960 graduate of Victoria High School.&nbsp;&nbsp;He was a member of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, and Immaculate Heart of Mary Knights of Columbus Council # 6984.Survivors include his children, Norman E. “Gene” Mermis and wife, Shar, Wichita, KS; Barbara Marcotte and husband, Walter, Wichita, KS; Amy Mermis-Smith, Rick Smith,&nbsp;Hays, KS; his brother, Frank Mermis, Hays, KS; his sister, Vera Galliart, Russell, KS; his grandchildren, Riann Hand (Jordan); Brier Mermis; Morgann Mermis; Charlsie Frey (Alex); Travis Marcotte (Tiffany); Anya&nbsp;Honse&nbsp;(Cory); Andrew Marcotte (Shelby); Levi Marcotte; Amber Arnold (Nathan); Graysen Smith; Cooper Smith; and 17 great grandchildren.Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Clara; his wife, Dorothy; his brothers, Alfred Mermis and Verlin Mermis; his brother-in-law, Gene Galliart; his sists-in-law, Dorita Mermis and Mary Mermis.Mass of Christian Burial&nbsp;will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 18, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church,&nbsp;13th&nbsp;and Ash,&nbsp;Hays, Kansas&nbsp;with Father Rich Daise and Father Michael Rag Kothalamuthu HDN officiating. &nbsp;Burial will be in Saint Joseph Cemetery Hays, Kansas.A vigil service will be at 6:30 P.M. Friday, and a Knights of Columbus rosary at 7:00 P.M. Friday, both at&nbsp;Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd&nbsp;Street,&nbsp;Hays, Kansas 67601.Visitation is from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday, and from 9:00 to&nbsp;9:45&nbsp;A.M. Saturday, all at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays.The family suggests memorials made payable to: Top Notch Cleaners for the ongoing Hays Annual Coat Drive in care of the mortuary. &nbsp;Condolences can be sent via email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net">clinesmortuary@eaglecom.net</a>&nbsp;or can be left at guestbook at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a>&nbsp;

Norman Mermis

KANSAS CITY (AP) —The stakes are higher in Ohio this year for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">March Madness</a>&nbsp;— and not just because it's a regional host for the first round of the men's NCAA basketball tournament.

For the first time, Ohio sports fans can click on a mobile app or tap into kiosks at bars, restaurants or grocery stores and legally bet on the famed tournament.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-legislature-betting-dodge-city-3dd926041924c63c3cdbf4ba950b1d98">Kansas</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-sports-betting-addiction-mobile-massachusetts-2a82643a86d6d17a42a1e52c27215854">Massachusetts</a>&nbsp;and Maryland also are new additions to the world of online sports betting since the NCAA tournament last tipped off. A total of 33 states and the District of Columbia now offer at least some form of sports wagering — each scrambling for shares of a multibillion-dollar enterprise that has rapidly expanded after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nv-state-wire-north-america-courts-supreme-courts-gambling-industry-f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4">the U.S. Supreme Court allowed it</a>&nbsp;nearly five years ago.

Ohio got off to a booming start when it launched sports betting in January. In its first month, Ohio bettors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-sports-betting-gambling-acedf48f0a29188936c9f95a16d4ca7a">wagered more than $1.1 billion</a>, generating more than $20 million in state tax revenue. That nearly tripled the revenue amount that legislative analysts had projected for the entire first six months of operation. But no one's blaming them for missing the mark.

“They couldn’t know how big of a market we were going to have on day one,” said Jessica Franks, communications director at the Ohio Casino Control Commission.

Whereas some states started with limited in-person sports betting and gradually added mobile apps, Ohio began more aggressively — simultaneously launching numerous mobile options and retail locations. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine is now proposing to double the tax rate on sports betting.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d09a306184914ed28c402251176cec8d">New York began allowing sports betting</a>&nbsp;in 2019, but only in person at four upstate casinos, limiting the market. Betting boomed when the state began allowing people to make sports bets through cell phones and computers in January 2022. In the first month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-business-football-new-york-new-jersey-5dd240f1375493c5c08066ec74034890">more than $1.6 billion was wagered</a>&nbsp;through online sports betting, compared to just $15 million through in-person sports bets at casinos.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678989435605.png" alt="" />
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 </figure>By DAVID A. LIEB&nbsp;KANSAS CITY (AP) —The stakes are higher in Ohio this year for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness">March Madness</a>&nbsp;— and not just because it's a regional host for the first round of the men's NCAA basketball tournament.For the first time, Ohio sports fans can click on a mobile app or tap into kiosks at bars, restaurants or grocery stores and legally bet on the famed tournament.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-legislature-betting-dodge-city-3dd926041924c63c3cdbf4ba950b1d98">Kansas</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-sports-betting-addiction-mobile-massachusetts-2a82643a86d6d17a42a1e52c27215854">Massachusetts</a>&nbsp;and Maryland also are new additions to the world of online sports betting since the NCAA tournament last tipped off. A total of 33 states and the District of Columbia now offer at least some form of sports wagering — each scrambling for shares of a multibillion-dollar enterprise that has rapidly expanded after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nv-state-wire-north-america-courts-supreme-courts-gambling-industry-f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4">the U.S. Supreme Court allowed it</a>&nbsp;nearly five years ago.Ohio got off to a booming start when it launched sports betting in January. In its first month, Ohio bettors&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-sports-betting-gambling-acedf48f0a29188936c9f95a16d4ca7a">wagered more than $1.1 billion</a>, generating more than $20 million in state tax revenue. That nearly tripled the revenue amount that legislative analysts had projected for the entire first six months of operation. But no one's blaming them for missing the mark.“They couldn’t know how big of a market we were going to have on day one,” said Jessica Franks, communications director at the Ohio Casino Control Commission.Whereas some states started with limited in-person sports betting and gradually added mobile apps, Ohio began more aggressively — simultaneously launching numerous mobile options and retail locations. Republican Gov. Mike DeWine is now proposing to double the tax rate on sports betting.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d09a306184914ed28c402251176cec8d">New York began allowing sports betting</a>&nbsp;in 2019, but only in person at four upstate casinos, limiting the market. Betting boomed when the state began allowing people to make sports bets through cell phones and computers in January 2022. In the first month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-business-football-new-york-new-jersey-5dd240f1375493c5c08066ec74034890">more than $1.6 billion was wagered</a>&nbsp;through online sports betting, compared to just $15 million through in-person sports bets at casinos.New York charges a 51% tax on revenue from mobile sports betting — a far higher rate than other states — with most revenue going to education. Budget officials originally projected that mobile sports betting would generate $357 million in state tax revenue for the 2023 fiscal year, which ends March 31. Bettors have blown that away. Through February, mobile sports betting had&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gaming.ny.gov/pdf/mobile/Monthly%20Mobile%20Sports%20Wagering%20Report%20Statewide.pdf">generated $661 million of tax revenue</a>&nbsp;for education.State Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr., who advocated for sports betting as chair of the Senate Racing, Gaming and Wagering Committee, said even he is amazed at the results.“There is an appetite, certainly, to do sports betting with a mobile device," Addabbo said.New York and Ohio both have large populations and multiple professional sports teams to help drive interest in sports betting.Arkansas, a much smaller state without major league sports teams, began in-person sports betting at casinos in July 2019. Things really took off last year when it launched mobile sports betting. State figures show nearly $3 million was wagered on this year's Super Bowl — more than three times the annual amount before mobile betting was allowed.State officials expect people from neighboring states to cross into Arkansas to bet on March Madness.“We will be surprised if March doesn’t set a new monthly record for sports betting in the state,” said Scott Hardin, spokesperson for the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.Other states also have exceeded expectations for sports betting revenues.Indiana's sports wagering taxes topped $31 million in the 2022 fiscal year — well more than&nbsp;<a href="https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2019/bills/house/1015#document-e379226d">the $12 million projection</a>&nbsp;when lawmakers authorized it in 2019. New Hampshire's tax take of nearly $24 million from sports betting easily doubled its original projection for the 2022 fiscal year.But not every state is banking as many bucks as projected from sports betting.Legislative analysts in Montana, which allows sports bets only from online networks inside bars and casinos, had anticipated that $79 million of bets would be cast last fiscal year, generating $4.8 million of state tax revenue. The actual results were about half that — $2.4 million of state tax revenue from about $45 million of sports bets.Connecticut received less than $20 million in sports betting taxes in the first 16 months since wagering began in October 2021. Legislative analysts had projected $21 million in its first full fiscal year.Nationwide, legal sports betting has generated more than $3 billion in state and federal taxes since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling allowing it, according to the American Gaming Association. It's producing about three-quarters of what eventually could be expected from a fully mature market.The debate about sports betting has shifted from "`Is this something we should consider?' to 'How should we go about doing this in a way that best serves our constituencies?’” said Casey Clark, the association's senior vice president.The prospects for sports betting to expand into more states this year appear mixed.A bill legalizing sports betting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-gambling-legalized-betting-wagering-kentucky-8031ecb4f4568769eb4d22b6fc1201b6">passed the Kentucky House</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-gambling-legalized-betting-kentucky-legislature-5d51206d19c953e173c5036f92d9bb61">advanced Wednesday to the Senate</a>&nbsp;but still faces a high hurdle. Similar bills have died in the past in the Senate, and this year's version would a need three-fifths vote to pass.Supporters also are taking another run at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-sports-minnesota-state-government-business-72906b8d372a2e1b9c7da3bcfd5005e1">a sports betting bill in Minnesota</a>&nbsp;and various other states.In Missouri, attempts to authorize sports betting have gotten bogged down in the Senate over whether to pair them with regulations on slot-machine-style games that have been popping up in convenience stores.In Georgia,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gambling-gaming-sports-betting-georgia-51ba7da58835cf3ae47bf3dc67eb9324">sports betting bills have stalled</a>&nbsp;amid debate about whether a constitutional amendment is needed, how to spend the potential tax revenue and whether to pair sports betting with the legalization of casinos and horse racing tracks.The three most populous states — California, Texas and Florida — all currently lack online sports betting. The Seminole Tribe of Florida, which received exclusive state rights to run sports betting,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-business-florida-district-of-columbia-sports-betting-c1eaff80b40aeea9d243abeb5d760e01">shut down its online app</a>&nbsp;in December 2021 after federal courts ruled it violated a rule requiring people to be physically present on tribal land when wagering.After the most expensive ballot issue battle in U.S. history, California voters last November rejected a pair of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-technology-sports-business-california-7552c76ea151ba145e8c85ee7b277838">rival sports betting initiatives</a>&nbsp;backed by Native American tribes and the gambling industry. Supporters are likely to try again, though it's unclear when that might occur.