WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;'s dog&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-cats-dogs-5c25b03c70692de43705c48d885c9269">Commander</a>&nbsp;bit Secret Service officers at least 10 times between October 2022 and January, including one incident that required a trip to the hospital for an injured law enforcement officer, according to records from the Department of Homeland Security.

The conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch on Tuesday released nearly 200 pages of Secret Service records that it obtained through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. The group said it filed suit after the agency, a division of DHS, “failed to respond adequately” to its request last December for records about biting incidents involving the purebred German Shepherd Dog. The group said it filed the request after receiving a tip about Commander's behavior.

The White House and the Secret Service appeared to play down the situation on Tuesday.

Elizabeth Alexander, communications director for first lady Jill Biden, said in an email that the White House complex is a “unique and often stressful environment” for family pets and that the Biden family was “working through ways to make this situation better for everyone.”

Anthony Guglielmi, chief spokesperson for the Secret Service, said in a separate email that his agency has for the past several presidents “navigated how best to operate around family pets and these incidents are no exception. We take the safety and wellbeing of our employees extremely seriously."

The Secret Service provides security protection for the president and his family, and scores of its officers are posted around the executive mansion and its sprawling grounds.

Biden received Commander in December 2021 as a gift from his brother James. The president's previous dog, another German shepherd named&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/major-biden-dog-bite-white-house-2b1d3f05f2ed91b611998d7363b1ccae">Major</a>, had been sent to live with friends in Delaware after some biting incidents of his own involving Secret Service officers and White House staff.

The family also has a cat,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-jill-biden-cats-e3164173bf418f28495a79cd9319ce11">Willow</a>.

On Nov. 3, 2022, a Secret Service official emailed colleagues that Commander had bitten a uniformed officer twice — on the upper right arm and thigh. Staff from the White House medical unit treated the officer and decided to have the individual taken to a hospital.

A captain of the Uniform Division emailed later that day that he had been advised that Commander was up to date on his vaccinations.

A note the following day added details about the attack, including that the officer who was bitten used a steel cart to protect himself from another attack. The officer later was placed on several days of restricted duty based on doctors' advice.

Alexander said the Bidens have been working with the Secret Service and the White House residence staff “on additional leashing protocols and training” for Commander, as well as establishing designated areas where he can run around for exercise.

“The president and first lady are incredibly grateful to the Secret Service and Executive Residence staff for all they do to keep them, their family and the country safe,” Alexander added.

Guglielmi said Secret Service employees are encouraged to report job-related injuries to their immediate supervisors for appropriate documentation.

“As such, we are aware of past incidents involving first-family pets and these instances were treated similarly to comparable workplace injuries, to include with relevant notifications and reporting procedures followed,” he said.

“While special agents and officers neither care for nor handle the first family's pets, we continuously work with all applicable entities to minimize adverse impacts in an environment that includes pets,” Guglielmi added.

Commander is often seen being handled by the White House's chief groundskeeper.

The New York Post was first to report on Commander's biting incidents.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644616777097.png" alt="The White House and the Secret Service appeared to play down the situation on Tuesday.-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>The White House and the Secret Service appeared to play down the situation on Tuesday.-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;'s dog&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-cats-dogs-5c25b03c70692de43705c48d885c9269">Commander</a>&nbsp;bit Secret Service officers at least 10 times between October 2022 and January, including one incident that required a trip to the hospital for an injured law enforcement officer, according to records from the Department of Homeland Security.The conservative watchdog group Judicial Watch on Tuesday released nearly 200 pages of Secret Service records that it obtained through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. The group said it filed suit after the agency, a division of DHS, “failed to respond adequately” to its request last December for records about biting incidents involving the purebred German Shepherd Dog. The group said it filed the request after receiving a tip about Commander's behavior.The White House and the Secret Service appeared to play down the situation on Tuesday.Elizabeth Alexander, communications director for first lady Jill Biden, said in an email that the White House complex is a “unique and often stressful environment” for family pets and that the Biden family was “working through ways to make this situation better for everyone.”Anthony Guglielmi, chief spokesperson for the Secret Service, said in a separate email that his agency has for the past several presidents “navigated how best to operate around family pets and these incidents are no exception. We take the safety and wellbeing of our employees extremely seriously."The Secret Service provides security protection for the president and his family, and scores of its officers are posted around the executive mansion and its sprawling grounds.Biden received Commander in December 2021 as a gift from his brother James. The president's previous dog, another German shepherd named&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/major-biden-dog-bite-white-house-2b1d3f05f2ed91b611998d7363b1ccae">Major</a>, had been sent to live with friends in Delaware after some biting incidents of his own involving Secret Service officers and White House staff.The family also has a cat,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-jill-biden-cats-e3164173bf418f28495a79cd9319ce11">Willow</a>.On Nov. 3, 2022, a Secret Service official emailed colleagues that Commander had bitten a uniformed officer twice — on the upper right arm and thigh. Staff from the White House medical unit treated the officer and decided to have the individual taken to a hospital.A captain of the Uniform Division emailed later that day that he had been advised that Commander was up to date on his vaccinations.A note the following day added details about the attack, including that the officer who was bitten used a steel cart to protect himself from another attack. The officer later was placed on several days of restricted duty based on doctors' advice.Alexander said the Bidens have been working with the Secret Service and the White House residence staff “on additional leashing protocols and training” for Commander, as well as establishing designated areas where he can run around for exercise.“The president and first lady are incredibly grateful to the Secret Service and Executive Residence staff for all they do to keep them, their family and the country safe,” Alexander added.Guglielmi said Secret Service employees are encouraged to report job-related injuries to their immediate supervisors for appropriate documentation.“As such, we are aware of past incidents involving first-family pets and these instances were treated similarly to comparable workplace injuries, to include with relevant notifications and reporting procedures followed,” he said.“While special agents and officers neither care for nor handle the first family's pets, we continuously work with all applicable entities to minimize adverse impacts in an environment that includes pets,” Guglielmi added.Commander is often seen being handled by the White House's chief groundskeeper.The New York Post was first to report on Commander's biting incidents.

Biden's dog sends Secret Service officer to the hospital

<a href="https://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/obituaries/Jane-Ann-Lundy-Matlock?obId=28533433">https://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/obituaries/Jane-Ann-Lundy-Matlock?obId=28533433</a>

Jane Ann Lundy-Matlock, 68, of Vinita, Oklahoma, passed away on July 18, 2023. She was born on October 6, 1954, in Vinita, Oklahoma, to Lloyd and Ida (Simms) Lundy. 

Jane attended high school in Hays, Kansas, graduating in 1972. She then attended Colby Community College, graduating with an associate of applied science in animal technology. Throughout Jane’s younger years, she helped her parents in the hospitality business. Jane worked as a registered nurse at the Hays Medical Center for more than 20 years, before retiring.

She had many interests such as traveling and visiting many interesting countries around the world. 

She enjoyed reading and Jane always loved horses, beginning with her first pony, KoKo. She enjoyed rescuing neglected animals as well as working with her own horses. Her special interest was the American Curly Horse. Jane is preceded in death by her father, Lloyd, and a sister, Connie Baldwin. Those left to cherish Jane’s memory include her mother, Ida (Simms) Lundy, her niece, Jenny Norris Burch and husband, Allen, her nephew, Christopher Norris and wife, Megan, her business partner, and good friend, Sabrina Symns, very special longtime nursing friends, Helen and Theresa, lifetime “bonus sister” Meg, along with numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 28, 2023, at the Ft. Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 1243 Rome Road, Hays, KS. Visitation will be Thursday 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601. Memorial contributions are suggested to the organization of your choice in Jane’s memory. Condolences may be left on Jane’s tribute page&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/" target="_blank">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a> Services in care of Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory, Brock’s Chapel, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690235571037.jpeg" alt="Jane Ann Lundy-Matlock" />
 <figcaption>Jane Ann Lundy-Matlock</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Jane Ann Lundy-Matlock, Vinita, Oklahoma</h2><a href="https://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/obituaries/Jane-Ann-Lundy-Matlock?obId=28533433">https://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/obituaries/Jane-Ann-Lundy-Matlock?obId=28533433</a>October 6, 1954 - July 18 2023Jane Ann Lundy-Matlock, 68, of Vinita, Oklahoma, passed away on July 18, 2023. She was born on October 6, 1954, in Vinita, Oklahoma, to Lloyd and Ida (Simms) Lundy. Jane attended high school in Hays, Kansas, graduating in 1972. She then attended Colby Community College, graduating with an associate of applied science in animal technology. Throughout Jane’s younger years, she helped her parents in the hospitality business. Jane worked as a registered nurse at the Hays Medical Center for more than 20 years, before retiring. She had many interests such as traveling and visiting many interesting countries around the world. She enjoyed reading and Jane always loved horses, beginning with her first pony, KoKo. She enjoyed rescuing neglected animals as well as working with her own horses. Her special interest was the American Curly Horse. Jane is preceded in death by her father, Lloyd, and a sister, Connie Baldwin. Those left to cherish Jane’s memory include her mother, Ida (Simms) Lundy, her niece, Jenny Norris Burch and husband, Allen, her nephew, Christopher Norris and wife, Megan, her business partner, and good friend, Sabrina Symns, very special longtime nursing friends, Helen and Theresa, lifetime “bonus sister” Meg, along with numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 28, 2023, at the Ft. Hays Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 1243 Rome Road, Hays, KS. Visitation will be Thursday 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601. Memorial contributions are suggested to the organization of your choice in Jane’s memory. Condolences may be left on Jane’s tribute page&nbsp;<a href="http://www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com/" target="_blank">www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com</a> Services in care of Keithley Funeral Homes and Crematory, Brock’s Chapel, 2509 Vine, Hays, KS 67601.

Jane Ann Lundy-Matlock

<a href="https://www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com/obituary/lenora-boyd">https://www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com/obituary/lenora-boyd</a>

Lenora Mae Boyd, age 98, of Utica, Kansas, died on November 13, 2022, at Rhode Island Suites, Ransom. She was born on October 17, 1924, at the home located south of Pendennis, Kansas to Howard A. and Mildred M. (Mendenhall) Sigsworth.

She attended various county schools in Ness, Lane, and Sheridan counties and her freshman high school year at Sheridan County High School in Hoxie, Kansas. &nbsp;In December 1940, her family moved to Ontario, California where she graduated from Chaffey High School in 1943.

World War II had started in 1941. Convair (now General Dynamics) was building B-24 bombers in San Diego Plant #1. She went to work as a clerk in the welding dept. where she met her husband, C.E. (Gene) Boyd and married in 1945. He was drafted into the Air Corp and was sent to Nuremburg, Germany. She taught school in Gove County while he was away. 

On his return in 1946 they went back to San Diego, he to Convair, and she worked for several years as a department head at a title company.

They parted in 1953. During the next several years, she attended UCLA and Whitties College, became an airline stewardess, taught at a private airline school and at the same time served as the registrar for the school.

In 1957, she went to work processing new business for an agency of New England Life Insurance Co. She worked in this business for the next seven years. 

In 1964, she met and married her second husband, moved to Missouri, and lived on a ranch, co-owned a resort, and co-owned a trucking company. 

In October 1975, they dissolved their marriage, she moved back to Los Angeles, and worked in life insurance business for four years. She bought a home in Riverside County, CA, moved there and worked for a family of farmers who were selling and developing their land for homes, mall, etc. until she retired in October 1989.

She then moved back to Kansas where she resided for the next 33 years. She was active in her church, local library board, welfare of kids in the Youthville organization at the Dodge City Campus.

She never received a college degree even though she attended five different colleges; the courses she took were always pertaining to either her current job or a personal interest at the time. The last course was an IRS course on partnership and corporate taxation at the University of California at Riverside. 

She enjoyed painting flowers, knitting caps and sweaters for kids at Youthville, reading, gardening, and home decorating.&nbsp;

She was proceded in death by both parents, both sisters, all aunts and uncles and fifteen cousins.&nbsp; 

Survivors include two nieces, a stepson, Denzil Hellesen and wife, Shirley of Lebanon, MO and several cousins from the Mendenhall and second cousins from the Sigsworth families.

She requested no visitation and cremation.&nbsp; Graveside committal Service will be held at the Gove County Cemetery on Saturday, July 29, 2023, 10:00 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be given to Youthville or the Utica United Methodist Church.

Memories and words of support may be left for the family by writing in the guest book.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of&nbsp;Lenora Mae Boyd, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com/obituary/lenora-boyd/gifts?campaign=obituaryThemed-gifts-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

<h2>Lenora Mae Boyd, Utica</h2><a href="https://www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com/obituary/lenora-boyd">https://www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com/obituary/lenora-boyd</a>October 17, 1924 - November 13, 2022Lenora Mae Boyd, age 98, of Utica, Kansas, died on November 13, 2022, at Rhode Island Suites, Ransom. She was born on October 17, 1924, at the home located south of Pendennis, Kansas to Howard A. and Mildred M. (Mendenhall) Sigsworth.She attended various county schools in Ness, Lane, and Sheridan counties and her freshman high school year at Sheridan County High School in Hoxie, Kansas. &nbsp;In December 1940, her family moved to Ontario, California where she graduated from Chaffey High School in 1943.World War II had started in 1941. Convair (now General Dynamics) was building B-24 bombers in San Diego Plant #1. She went to work as a clerk in the welding dept. where she met her husband, C.E. (Gene) Boyd and married in 1945. He was drafted into the Air Corp and was sent to Nuremburg, Germany. She taught school in Gove County while he was away. On his return in 1946 they went back to San Diego, he to Convair, and she worked for several years as a department head at a title company.They parted in 1953. During the next several years, she attended UCLA and Whitties College, became an airline stewardess, taught at a private airline school and at the same time served as the registrar for the school.In 1957, she went to work processing new business for an agency of New England Life Insurance Co. She worked in this business for the next seven years. In 1964, she met and married her second husband, moved to Missouri, and lived on a ranch, co-owned a resort, and co-owned a trucking company. In October 1975, they dissolved their marriage, she moved back to Los Angeles, and worked in life insurance business for four years. She bought a home in Riverside County, CA, moved there and worked for a family of farmers who were selling and developing their land for homes, mall, etc. until she retired in October 1989.She then moved back to Kansas where she resided for the next 33 years. She was active in her church, local library board, welfare of kids in the Youthville organization at the Dodge City Campus.She never received a college degree even though she attended five different colleges; the courses she took were always pertaining to either her current job or a personal interest at the time. The last course was an IRS course on partnership and corporate taxation at the University of California at Riverside. She enjoyed painting flowers, knitting caps and sweaters for kids at Youthville, reading, gardening, and home decorating.&nbsp;She was proceded in death by both parents, both sisters, all aunts and uncles and fifteen cousins.&nbsp; Survivors include two nieces, a stepson, Denzil Hellesen and wife, Shirley of Lebanon, MO and several cousins from the Mendenhall and second cousins from the Sigsworth families.She requested no visitation and cremation.&nbsp; Graveside committal Service will be held at the Gove County Cemetery on Saturday, July 29, 2023, 10:00 a.m.Memorial contributions may be given to Youthville or the Utica United Methodist Church.Memories and words of support may be left for the family by writing in the guest book.To plant Memorial Trees in memory of&nbsp;Lenora Mae Boyd, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com/obituary/lenora-boyd/gifts?campaign=obituaryThemed-gifts-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

Lenora Mae Boyd

Henry “Hank” F. Pierce went home to meet his Lord and Savior on June 2, 2023. He was born on October 27, 1936, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Henry Fletcher Pierce, III and Edith Lorraine (Campbell).

Hank graduated from Hays High School in 1954 and received his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Kansas State University in 1961. He was a proud Beta Theta Phi and cherished lifelong relationships with his fraternity brothers. He enjoyed planning and attending their reunions including trips to Branson, Wichita, Colorado Springs, and the Hill Country of Texas. 

He served as a private first class in the United States Marine Corps from 1956-1958, and was stationed in Okinawa.

Hank’s successful career started as project manager for Hunter Construction Company from 1961-1966. In 1967, he started Pierce - Schippers Construction Company with his partner, John Schippers. Together they built many of Hays’ iconic buildings including St. Anthony’s Hospital, Hadley Hospital, Gross Memorial Coliseum, Midwest Energy, Rarick Hall, McMindes Hall, Wiest Hall, Hays High School, Midwest Energy, Epworth Towers, Epworth Village, Centennial Towers and St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church.

Hank enjoyed golfing, fishing, boating, tournament bridge, and poker. He also enjoyed playing recreational basketball, which he did into his later years.

On June 2, 1962, he married Patricia Isbell and they had three daughters: Jane, Carrie and Lisa. Their fondest memories of their dad are golfing and swimming at Smoky Hill Country Club, the houseboat and fishing at Wilson Lake, track meets, bowling, playing Putt Putt, watching sports, eating at Taco Grande, and enjoying his barbecued hamburgers.

On July 15, 1979, he married Mary Lynn Crow and they had two children: Hank and Michelle.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Lynn Pierce of Cleveland, OH; his sister Mary Beth (Larry) Sayre of Colleyville, TX; his five children: Jane (Sonny) Lewis of Hays, KS, Carrie Stremel of Hays, KS, Lisa Pierce of Hays, KS, Henry Pierce of Colorado Springs, CO, and Michelle (Sam) Cario of Cleveland, OH; his nine grandchildren: Cody Baker of Hays, Audrea (Salv) Marciano of San Antonio, TX, Amy Stewart of Wichita, KS, Brittany Baker of Hays, Ashley (Aaron) Durbin of Upland, CA, Heather (Jeremy) Dixon of Hays, Jordan (Crysta) Stremel of Denver, CO, Holly Donaldson of Hays, Hannah Donaldson of San Antonio, TX, Alec Cario and Sebastian Cario of Cleveland, OH. Hank also has nine great-grandchildren.

He was proceeded in death by his parents and his sister Patricia Anne Pierce.

In his memory, his daughter, Jane and granddaughter, Audrea, will travel to Scotland in the Spring to visit St. Andrews Links and the highlands of the Campbell clan. It was always their dream to visit their ancestral home and play golf together.

"Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.”- Matthew 25:23 Amazing love!&nbsp; How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me! Charles Wesley

<h2>Henry 'Hank' F. Pierce</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690212010323.png" alt="Henry 'Hank' F. Pierce" />
 <figcaption>Henry 'Hank' F. Pierce</figcaption>
 </figure>October 27, 1936 - June 2, 2023Henry “Hank” F. Pierce went home to meet his Lord and Savior on June 2, 2023. He was born on October 27, 1936, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Henry Fletcher Pierce, III and Edith Lorraine (Campbell). Hank graduated from Hays High School in 1954 and received his bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from Kansas State University in 1961. He was a proud Beta Theta Phi and cherished lifelong relationships with his fraternity brothers. He enjoyed planning and attending their reunions including trips to Branson, Wichita, Colorado Springs, and the Hill Country of Texas. He served as a private first class in the United States Marine Corps from 1956-1958, and was stationed in Okinawa.Hank’s successful career started as project manager for Hunter Construction Company from 1961-1966. In 1967, he started Pierce - Schippers Construction Company with his partner, John Schippers. Together they built many of Hays’ iconic buildings including St. Anthony’s Hospital, Hadley Hospital, Gross Memorial Coliseum, Midwest Energy, Rarick Hall, McMindes Hall, Wiest Hall, Hays High School, Midwest Energy, Epworth Towers, Epworth Village, Centennial Towers and St. Nicholas of Myra Catholic Church. Hank enjoyed golfing, fishing, boating, tournament bridge, and poker. He also enjoyed playing recreational basketball, which he did into his later years.On June 2, 1962, he married Patricia Isbell and they had three daughters: Jane, Carrie and Lisa. Their fondest memories of their dad are golfing and swimming at Smoky Hill Country Club, the houseboat and fishing at Wilson Lake, track meets, bowling, playing Putt Putt, watching sports, eating at Taco Grande, and enjoying his barbecued hamburgers. On July 15, 1979, he married Mary Lynn Crow and they had two children: Hank and Michelle.Survivors include his wife, Mary Lynn Pierce of Cleveland, OH; his sister Mary Beth (Larry) Sayre of Colleyville, TX; his five children: Jane (Sonny) Lewis of Hays, KS, Carrie Stremel of Hays, KS, Lisa Pierce of Hays, KS, Henry Pierce of Colorado Springs, CO, and Michelle (Sam) Cario of Cleveland, OH; his nine grandchildren: Cody Baker of Hays, Audrea (Salv) Marciano of San Antonio, TX, Amy Stewart of Wichita, KS, Brittany Baker of Hays, Ashley (Aaron) Durbin of Upland, CA, Heather (Jeremy) Dixon of Hays, Jordan (Crysta) Stremel of Denver, CO, Holly Donaldson of Hays, Hannah Donaldson of San Antonio, TX, Alec Cario and Sebastian Cario of Cleveland, OH. Hank also has nine great-grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his parents and his sister Patricia Anne Pierce. In his memory, his daughter, Jane and granddaughter, Audrea, will travel to Scotland in the Spring to visit St. Andrews Links and the highlands of the Campbell clan. It was always their dream to visit their ancestral home and play golf together."Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.”- Matthew 25:23 Amazing love!&nbsp; How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me! Charles Wesley

Henry 'Hank' F. Pierce

DENVER (AP) — An 18-year-old from suburban Denver who allegedly planned to go to Iraq to fight for the Islamic State group was arrested last week as he tried to board a flight to Turkey.

Davin Daniel Meyer of Castle Rock, who was arrested Friday, has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, the U.S. Attorney's Office for Colorado announced late Monday.

Meyer's lawyer did not immediately return a telephone message or email seeking comment.

According to his arrest affidavit, law enforcement began investigating him in June 2022 when someone who knew him contacted the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. The person said they were concerned because, after following white supremacist ideology, Meyer, then 17, had turned to Islam and was frequently watching and listening to “radical Islamic sermons online." The FBI was notified by the sheriff's office, it said.

The person, who was not identified in the document, said Meyer said “he wanted to die in his early twenties for Allah."

“In October 2022, the individual informed the FBI that Meyer had stated that if he could not go to the Middle East, he planned to get fertilizer and build a bomb in the United States,” the arrest affidavit said.

The document noted that Meyer had previously undergone mental health treatment and has been diagnosed with conditions including autism spectrum disorder and major depressive disorder.

Soon after he turned 18 in November, Meyer began communicating online with someone he thought was an Islamic State facilitator but was actually a paid FBI informant, the document said. The following month, that person introduced Meyer to another informant who claimed to be an Islamic State travel facilitator, who met with Meyer three times to talk about his plan to pay and prepare for traveling to join the Islamic State.

Meyer talked about problems finding a job that would allow him to follow his religious practices, such as not having to interact with women or listen to music, it said. After his mother offered to pay for an apartment for him and cover some living expenses for him, he decided to use that money to pay for his trip and buy gear that he needed to become a fighter, the document said.

Concerned that his mother would worry about him, he talked about leaving a note on the counter saying he had left by his own choice.

Meyer bought a ticket for July 14 to travel to Ankara, Turkey, where he believed he would meet with Islamic State members and travel on to Iraq to become a fighter, the arrest affidavit said.

That day, he “repeatedly expressed anxiety and hesitation” to one of the informants, but he also “repeatedly expressed determination to go through with his plans,” it said.

Meyer was arrested after showing his boarding pass to the gate agent and walking down the jet bridge to the plane, the arrest affidavit said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690157195054.png" alt="Davin Daniel Meyer -photo courtesy FBI" />
 <figcaption>Davin Daniel Meyer -photo courtesy FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>DENVER (AP) — An 18-year-old from suburban Denver who allegedly planned to go to Iraq to fight for the Islamic State group was arrested last week as he tried to board a flight to Turkey.Davin Daniel Meyer of Castle Rock, who was arrested Friday, has been charged with attempting to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, the U.S. Attorney's Office for Colorado announced late Monday.Meyer's lawyer did not immediately return a telephone message or email seeking comment.According to his arrest affidavit, law enforcement began investigating him in June 2022 when someone who knew him contacted the Douglas County Sheriff's Office. The person said they were concerned because, after following white supremacist ideology, Meyer, then 17, had turned to Islam and was frequently watching and listening to “radical Islamic sermons online." The FBI was notified by the sheriff's office, it said.The person, who was not identified in the document, said Meyer said “he wanted to die in his early twenties for Allah."“In October 2022, the individual informed the FBI that Meyer had stated that if he could not go to the Middle East, he planned to get fertilizer and build a bomb in the United States,” the arrest affidavit said.The document noted that Meyer had previously undergone mental health treatment and has been diagnosed with conditions including autism spectrum disorder and major depressive disorder.Soon after he turned 18 in November, Meyer began communicating online with someone he thought was an Islamic State facilitator but was actually a paid FBI informant, the document said. The following month, that person introduced Meyer to another informant who claimed to be an Islamic State travel facilitator, who met with Meyer three times to talk about his plan to pay and prepare for traveling to join the Islamic State.Meyer talked about problems finding a job that would allow him to follow his religious practices, such as not having to interact with women or listen to music, it said. After his mother offered to pay for an apartment for him and cover some living expenses for him, he decided to use that money to pay for his trip and buy gear that he needed to become a fighter, the document said.Concerned that his mother would worry about him, he talked about leaving a note on the counter saying he had left by his own choice.Meyer bought a ticket for July 14 to travel to Ankara, Turkey, where he believed he would meet with Islamic State members and travel on to Iraq to become a fighter, the arrest affidavit said.That day, he “repeatedly expressed anxiety and hesitation” to one of the informants, but he also “repeatedly expressed determination to go through with his plans,” it said.Meyer was arrested after showing his boarding pass to the gate agent and walking down the jet bridge to the plane, the arrest affidavit said.

Colorado teen accused of ties to foreign terrorist organization

<a href="https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/barbara-gregory">https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/barbara-gregory</a>

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Barbara Janelle Gregory, 86, passed away July 20, 2023, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence, Kan. She was born on June 23, 1937, at Ellinwood, to Gottfried and Marie (Winter) Miller. 

She married Frank W. Gregory on October 31, 1954, at Ellinwood. He died December 4, 1990.&nbsp;

A recent resident of Lawrence, Barbara was formerly of Great Bend, Hoisington, Ellinwood, Hoxie and Garden City. 

She worked in housekeeping at CKMC for many years and a former member of St. John Lutheran Church in Ellinwood. Barbara enjoyed crocheting, and word search puzzles.

Survivors include two sons, Wayne Gregory and wife Joyce of Hillsdale, Kan., and David Gregory and wife Brenda of Burlington, Colo.; a daughter, Brenda Sekavec and husband Dale of Lawrence; a brother, Richard “Dick” Miller and wife Dorothy of Great Bend; seven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank; an infant son, Danny J. Gregory; two brothers, Gottfied Miller and Robert Miller; and three sisters, Alvera Miller, Lydia Ailshie and Emma Beardslee.

Visitation will be held from noon to 8:00 p.m., Monday, July 24, 2023, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., at Bryant Funeral Home, with Reverend Tom Thierfelder presiding. Interment will be in the Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery, Ellinwood. 

Memorials have been designated to the American Lung Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.&nbsp;

To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of&nbsp;Barbara Janelle Gregory, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/barbara-gregory/flowers?campaign=obituaryThemed-flowers-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

<h2>Barbara Janelle Gregory</h2><a href="https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/barbara-gregory">https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/barbara-gregory</a><a href="https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/90669" target="_blank">View Funeral Webcast</a>Barbara Janelle Gregory, 86, passed away July 20, 2023, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence, Kan. She was born on June 23, 1937, at Ellinwood, to Gottfried and Marie (Winter) Miller. She married Frank W. Gregory on October 31, 1954, at Ellinwood. He died December 4, 1990.&nbsp;A recent resident of Lawrence, Barbara was formerly of Great Bend, Hoisington, Ellinwood, Hoxie and Garden City. She worked in housekeeping at CKMC for many years and a former member of St. John Lutheran Church in Ellinwood. Barbara enjoyed crocheting, and word search puzzles.Survivors include two sons, Wayne Gregory and wife Joyce of Hillsdale, Kan., and David Gregory and wife Brenda of Burlington, Colo.; a daughter, Brenda Sekavec and husband Dale of Lawrence; a brother, Richard “Dick” Miller and wife Dorothy of Great Bend; seven grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank; an infant son, Danny J. Gregory; two brothers, Gottfied Miller and Robert Miller; and three sisters, Alvera Miller, Lydia Ailshie and Emma Beardslee.Visitation will be held from noon to 8:00 p.m., Monday, July 24, 2023, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family to receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., at Bryant Funeral Home, with Reverend Tom Thierfelder presiding. Interment will be in the Lakin-Comanche District Cemetery, Ellinwood. Memorials have been designated to the American Lung Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.&nbsp;To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of&nbsp;Barbara Janelle Gregory, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/barbara-gregory/flowers?campaign=obituaryThemed-flowers-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.

Barbara Janelle Gregory

WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with a federal relief program designed to help United States business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the United State's Attorney.

Timothy Dale Warren, 59, of Haysville served as owner of<a href="https://titanmedcenter.com/about/"> Titan Medical</a> <a href="https://titanmedcenter.com/about/">Center </a>which offered chiropractic care, school sports physicals, and other services in Wichita,&nbsp;According to court documents.

In May 2020 and April 2021, Warren submitted false documents to banks in order to fraudulently obtain two loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of the CARES Act.

In August 2020, the defendant converted $35,500.00 in criminally obtained funds into a cashier’s check then deposited money into a business bank account at another financial institution. 

Warren acknowledges his actions caused the SBA a total loss of $145,877.70.

“The federal government created programs to provide economic relief to businesses struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 related shutdowns,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher. “Unfortunately, Timothy Warren manipulated a well-intentioned program into a mechanism of personal financial gain and must now be held accountable.”

Warren is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3, 2023. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689709800592.png" alt="Dr. Tim Warren-photo courtesy Titan Medical" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tim Warren-photo courtesy Titan Medical</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with a federal relief program designed to help United States business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the United State's Attorney.Timothy Dale Warren, 59, of Haysville served as owner of<a href="https://titanmedcenter.com/about/"> Titan Medical</a> <a href="https://titanmedcenter.com/about/">Center </a>which offered chiropractic care, school sports physicals, and other services in Wichita,&nbsp;According to court documents.In May 2020 and April 2021, Warren submitted false documents to banks in order to fraudulently obtain two loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) of the CARES Act.In August 2020, the defendant converted $35,500.00 in criminally obtained funds into a cashier’s check then deposited money into a business bank account at another financial institution. Warren acknowledges his actions caused the SBA a total loss of $145,877.70.“The federal government created programs to provide economic relief to businesses struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 related shutdowns,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher. “Unfortunately, Timothy Warren manipulated a well-intentioned program into a mechanism of personal financial gain and must now be held accountable.”Warren is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3, 2023. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Another Kan. businessman admits cheating COVID relief program

Pilot program Nov. 7-9 open to Kansas resident applicants for undergraduate school

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Board of Regents unanimously voted Tuesday to create a three-day window during November in which public colleges and universities in the state would waive undergraduate application fees for Kansas residents regardless of a person’s income or age.

The pilot project scheduled for Nov. 7-9, 2023, would attempt to address the 11.5 percentage point decline between 2014 and 2021 in the rate of Kansas high school graduates who enrolled within one year at any of more than 30 public institutions under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents.

The free application initiative, modeled after a similar effort in Colorado, would be open to Kansas residents interested in enrolling as undergraduate students. Eligible persons would include first-time freshmen, transfer students, returning students and those seeking a second bachelor’s degree. Application fees in Kansas ranged from $25 to $40.

The Board of Regents’ pilot project wouldn’t be available to nonresident applicants nor to individuals applying to graduate school.

The project would cost state universities about $1 million annually in application fee revenue typically spent on admissions staff and enrollment management operations. University of Kansas, Wichita State University and Kansas State University would surrender more than two-thirds of that revenue total. Pittsburg State University doesn’t have an undergraduate application fee. Community colleges in Kansas don’t have a general application fee, but technical colleges do.

The pilot would likely produce more “soft” applications from people who don’t actually enroll at a public institution in Kansas, but advocates believe it could draw more students into a higher education system struggling to sustain enrollment numbers.

“What are some of the things we can do right now to remove barriers and kind of better position ourselves to have a more robust high school-to-college pipeline?” said Daniel Archer, vice president for academic affairs with the Board of Regents.

Archer said evidence of the state’s challenge could be found in statistics comparing Kansas public college enrollment in 2014 and 2021, which was during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said 58.9 percent of Kansas high school graduates enrolled within one year at a Kansas public college or university in 2014. That percentage fell to 43.7 percent in 2021.

Comparable statistics along racial and ethnic lines in Kansas indicated Hispanic enrollment in that period plummeted from 50 percent to 31.9 percent, he said. Black enrollment crashed over those seven years from 51.5 percent to 32.7 percent, while white enrollment slid from 56.8 percent to 48.1 percent.

“Really critical, I think, to emphasize that we’re going to look at the total number of applicants as well as the total number of applicants by race and ethnicity,” Archer said.

Cynthia Lane, a member of the Board of Regents and a retired Kansas public school administrator, said the higher education board should measure the pilot project in terms of how application fees influenced prospective students. She said the experiment should be useful in the development of recruiting strategies for the state’s public universities.

The precise window established by the Board of Regents would be 12 a.m. Nov. 7 to 11:59 p.m. Nov. 9. Applications could be filled out in advance, but would need to be submitted during the three-day window.

Five years ago, Colorado started an Apply Free day for the state’s residents. It began with a one-day fee holiday in October. Marketing was conducted in English and Spanish. Residents of that state were given the opportunity to apply without charge to undergraduate programs at all state public and some private Colorado colleges and universities.

In 2020, the third year of the Colorado program, 56,800 applications were filed in a single day. That amounted to a 28 percent increase in interest compared to the program’s first year. In Colorado, 44 percent of the third-year applications were submitted by students of color and 28 percent by first-generation students. Colorado moved to a three-day window in 2021 to better deal with the avalanche of applications.

<h2>Pilot program Nov. 7-9 open to Kansas resident applicants for undergraduate school</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689711918729.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Kansas Board of Regents member Cindy Lane endorsed creation of a three-day window in November for public colleges and universities in Kansas to waive application fees for Kansas residents seeking to enroll as undergraduate students. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Kansas Board of Regents member Cindy Lane endorsed creation of a three-day window in November for public colleges and universities in Kansas to waive application fees for Kansas residents seeking to enroll as undergraduate students. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Board of Regents unanimously voted Tuesday to create a three-day window during November in which public colleges and universities in the state would waive undergraduate application fees for Kansas residents regardless of a person’s income or age.The pilot project scheduled for Nov. 7-9, 2023, would attempt to address the 11.5 percentage point decline between 2014 and 2021 in the rate of Kansas high school graduates who enrolled within one year at any of more than 30 public institutions under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents.The free application initiative, modeled after a similar effort in Colorado, would be open to Kansas residents interested in enrolling as undergraduate students. Eligible persons would include first-time freshmen, transfer students, returning students and those seeking a second bachelor’s degree. Application fees in Kansas ranged from $25 to $40.The Board of Regents’ pilot project wouldn’t be available to nonresident applicants nor to individuals applying to graduate school.The project would cost state universities about $1 million annually in application fee revenue typically spent on admissions staff and enrollment management operations. University of Kansas, Wichita State University and Kansas State University would surrender more than two-thirds of that revenue total. Pittsburg State University doesn’t have an undergraduate application fee. Community colleges in Kansas don’t have a general application fee, but technical colleges do.The pilot would likely produce more “soft” applications from people who don’t actually enroll at a public institution in Kansas, but advocates believe it could draw more students into a higher education system struggling to sustain enrollment numbers.“What are some of the things we can do right now to remove barriers and kind of better position ourselves to have a more robust high school-to-college pipeline?” said Daniel Archer, vice president for academic affairs with the Board of Regents.Archer said evidence of the state’s challenge could be found in statistics comparing Kansas public college enrollment in 2014 and 2021, which was during the COVID-19 pandemic.He said 58.9 percent of Kansas high school graduates enrolled within one year at a Kansas public college or university in 2014. That percentage fell to 43.7 percent in 2021.Comparable statistics along racial and ethnic lines in Kansas indicated Hispanic enrollment in that period plummeted from 50 percent to 31.9 percent, he said. Black enrollment crashed over those seven years from 51.5 percent to 32.7 percent, while white enrollment slid from 56.8 percent to 48.1 percent.“Really critical, I think, to emphasize that we’re going to look at the total number of applicants as well as the total number of applicants by race and ethnicity,” Archer said.Cynthia Lane, a member of the Board of Regents and a retired Kansas public school administrator, said the higher education board should measure the pilot project in terms of how application fees influenced prospective students. She said the experiment should be useful in the development of recruiting strategies for the state’s public universities.The precise window established by the Board of Regents would be 12 a.m. Nov. 7 to 11:59 p.m. Nov. 9. Applications could be filled out in advance, but would need to be submitted during the three-day window.Five years ago, Colorado started an Apply Free day for the state’s residents. It began with a one-day fee holiday in October. Marketing was conducted in English and Spanish. Residents of that state were given the opportunity to apply without charge to undergraduate programs at all state public and some private Colorado colleges and universities.In 2020, the third year of the Colorado program, 56,800 applications were filed in a single day. That amounted to a 28 percent increase in interest compared to the program’s first year. In Colorado, 44 percent of the third-year applications were submitted by students of color and 28 percent by first-generation students. Colorado moved to a three-day window in 2021 to better deal with the avalanche of applications.

Kansas Board of Regents creates 3-day free application option at public universities, colleges

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman is going to prison for the death of her infant daughter.

On Friday, 29-year-old Neriah Dilley was sentenced to just over 14-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In February, Dilley entered a guilty plea to one count of second-degree murder and one count of abuse of a child.

In October of 2021, police responded to a home in the 800 block of South Mission in Wichita after report of an infant not breathing, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, officers located 1-year-old Myonna Townley in critical condition. EMS transported her an area hospital for medical treatment where she succumbed to her injuries. Townley was also found to have trauma on her body, according to Davidson.

Interviews and the examination of evidence led police to arrest Dilley, the girl's mother.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1633901481923.png" alt="Dilley-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Dilley-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman is going to prison for the death of her infant daughter.On Friday, 29-year-old Neriah Dilley was sentenced to just over 14-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In February, Dilley entered a guilty plea to one count of second-degree murder and one count of abuse of a child.In October of 2021, police responded to a home in the 800 block of South Mission in Wichita after report of an infant not breathing, according to Officer Charley Davidson.Upon arrival, officers located 1-year-old Myonna Townley in critical condition. EMS transported her an area hospital for medical treatment where she succumbed to her injuries. Townley was also found to have trauma on her body, according to Davidson.Interviews and the examination of evidence led police to arrest Dilley, the girl's mother.

Kan. mother sentenced for abuse death of infant daughter

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A national civil rights organization focused on LGBTQ issues waded into a federal-court campaign by Attorney General Kris Kobach to unravel a 2019 consent order guaranteeing transgender individuals could change gender markers on their Kansas birth certificates.

Attorneys with the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund responded to Kobach by requesting the U.S. District Court uphold a four-year-old order as it related to revision of birth certificates. The settlement under scrutiny applied to a lawsuit filed by transgender plaintiffs challenging Gov. Sam Brownback’s ban on gender refinements to certificates of birth.

“Permitting transgender Kansans to obtain accurate birth certificates consistent with their&nbsp;gender identity remains the main thrust of the consent judgment,” said Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, a Lambda Legal lawyer on the brief.&nbsp;“Simply put, the zealous desire of some state actors to perpetuate the very discriminatory&nbsp;policies this court has already found to be unconstitutional is not and cannot be a sufficient&nbsp;significant change in circumstances to warrant relief.”

Days before the anti-trans Senate Bill 180 took effect in Kansas, the attorney general urged U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree to set aside key provisions of the June 21, 2019, order accepted by the administration of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and the four transgender plaintiffs.

The federal decree was based on the court’s perspective that policies forbidding correction of birth certificates violated due process and equal protection clauses of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Kobach argued the new state law required Kansas officials to document on birth certificates and driver’s licenses the biological sex of infants at birth. He said Crabtree’s order should be recalculated&nbsp;because the new statute mandated state officials operate in a way contrary to the federal judgment.

In fact, the Republican attorney general said the new state law made compliance with the federal order “legally impermissible.”

Attorneys with Lambda Legal countered that Kobach mistakenly believed federal court confirmation of unconstitutional practices could be superseded by enactment of a state law declaring those practices to be legal.

The 2019 federal order did state obligations of the consent judgment were binding upon state of Kansas defendants and&nbsp;any successor charged with enforcing laws regarding birth certificates.

“Such language was presciently necessary because, as is the case now, those intent on&nbsp;using the state’s powers to perpetuate discrimination against vulnerable and discrete minorities&nbsp;like transgender people do not give up easily,” the Lambda Legal attorneys said.

Lambda Legal asked in the brief whether Kobach’s theory meant a new&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;statute, law, policy or practice could prohibit issuance within the state of marriage licenses to same-sex couples&nbsp;in violation of U.S. Supreme Court precedent. The same question was framed by Lambda Legal in context of the landmark segregation decision of the U.S. Supreme Court declaring separate-but-equal schools were unconstitutional.

“Is it Attorney General Kobach’s&nbsp;position that the judgment in&nbsp;Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka&nbsp;may be vacated simply because the Kansas Legislature has enacted a law instituting separate&nbsp;educational facilities based on race? The answer is clearly no,” the Lambda Legal lawyers said.

For the state attorney general to prevail, Lambda Legal said, a judge would have to enable unconstitutional intrusion into privacy, autonomy and free speech rights of transgender Kansans. Lambda Legal’s attorneys said Kobach was relying on two non-binding decisions from district courts outside Kansas and a handful of other state court decisions to defeat the consent order, but Lambda Legal contended the picture presented by Kobach was incomplete.

Lambda Legal said Kobach ignored evidence modification of the consent order would materially harm transgender Kansans, reinforce the political persecution of LGBTQ people and run counter to the public interest in shielding constitutional rights.

In October 2018, plaintiffs Nyla Foster, Luc Bensimon, Jessica Hicklin and C.K. as well as the&nbsp;Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project filed suit contesting the Brownback policy&nbsp;barring transgender people from obtaining birth certificates that reflected their gender identity.

The plaintiffs’ argument was based on U.S. constitutional guarantees to&nbsp;equal protection under the law as well as the right to&nbsp;liberty, privacy and freedom of expression. After prolonged negotiations, the federal judge signed the consent judgment.

Senate Bill 180, enacted over Kelly’s veto, went into effect July 1. In advance of that date, Kobach&nbsp;issued an advisory opinion asserting the new state law required Kansas Department of Health and Environment to register applicants for birth certificates as either female or male at birth.

Kobach claimed the state law required the federal court to rescind the previous order on gender modification of birth certificates.

Kelly said her legal counsel didn’t interpret Senate Bill 180 to forbid changes to gender markers on birth certificates issued by KDHE or driver’s licenses produced by the Kansas Department of Revenue. A Shawnee County District Court judge issued a temporary order requested by Kobach that halted gender modifications to driver’s licenses pending further review.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689677402002.png" alt=" LGBTQ flags were positioned on Capitol desks of Kansas House members during the 2023 debate on legislation targeting rights of transgender Kansans. Attorney General Kris Kobach, in wake of Senate Bill 180's passage, is challenging a federal court order allowing gender changes to birth certificates. His views clash with civil rights organizations, including Lambda Legal. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> LGBTQ flags were positioned on Capitol desks of Kansas House members during the 2023 debate on legislation targeting rights of transgender Kansans. Attorney General Kris Kobach, in wake of Senate Bill 180's passage, is challenging a federal court order allowing gender changes to birth certificates. His views clash with civil rights organizations, including Lambda Legal. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A national civil rights organization focused on LGBTQ issues waded into a federal-court campaign by Attorney General Kris Kobach to unravel a 2019 consent order guaranteeing transgender individuals could change gender markers on their Kansas birth certificates.Attorneys with the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund responded to Kobach by requesting the U.S. District Court uphold a four-year-old order as it related to revision of birth certificates. The settlement under scrutiny applied to a lawsuit filed by transgender plaintiffs challenging Gov. Sam Brownback’s ban on gender refinements to certificates of birth.“Permitting transgender Kansans to obtain accurate birth certificates consistent with their&nbsp;gender identity remains the main thrust of the consent judgment,” said Omar Gonzalez-Pagan, a Lambda Legal lawyer on the brief.&nbsp;“Simply put, the zealous desire of some state actors to perpetuate the very discriminatory&nbsp;policies this court has already found to be unconstitutional is not and cannot be a sufficient&nbsp;significant change in circumstances to warrant relief.”Days before the anti-trans Senate Bill 180 took effect in Kansas, the attorney general urged U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree to set aside key provisions of the June 21, 2019, order accepted by the administration of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and the four transgender plaintiffs.The federal decree was based on the court’s perspective that policies forbidding correction of birth certificates violated due process and equal protection clauses of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.Kobach argued the new state law required Kansas officials to document on birth certificates and driver’s licenses the biological sex of infants at birth. He said Crabtree’s order should be recalculated&nbsp;because the new statute mandated state officials operate in a way contrary to the federal judgment.In fact, the Republican attorney general said the new state law made compliance with the federal order “legally impermissible.”<h2>‘Answer is clearly no’</h2>Attorneys with Lambda Legal countered that Kobach mistakenly believed federal court confirmation of unconstitutional practices could be superseded by enactment of a state law declaring those practices to be legal.The 2019 federal order did state obligations of the consent judgment were binding upon state of Kansas defendants and&nbsp;any successor charged with enforcing laws regarding birth certificates.“Such language was presciently necessary because, as is the case now, those intent on&nbsp;using the state’s powers to perpetuate discrimination against vulnerable and discrete minorities&nbsp;like transgender people do not give up easily,” the Lambda Legal attorneys said.Lambda Legal asked in the brief whether Kobach’s theory meant a new&nbsp;Kansas&nbsp;statute, law, policy or practice could prohibit issuance within the state of marriage licenses to same-sex couples&nbsp;in violation of U.S. Supreme Court precedent. The same question was framed by Lambda Legal in context of the landmark segregation decision of the U.S. Supreme Court declaring separate-but-equal schools were unconstitutional.“Is it Attorney General Kobach’s&nbsp;position that the judgment in&nbsp;Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka&nbsp;may be vacated simply because the Kansas Legislature has enacted a law instituting separate&nbsp;educational facilities based on race? The answer is clearly no,” the Lambda Legal lawyers said.For the state attorney general to prevail, Lambda Legal said, a judge would have to enable unconstitutional intrusion into privacy, autonomy and free speech rights of transgender Kansans. Lambda Legal’s attorneys said Kobach was relying on two non-binding decisions from district courts outside Kansas and a handful of other state court decisions to defeat the consent order, but Lambda Legal contended the picture presented by Kobach was incomplete.Lambda Legal said Kobach ignored evidence modification of the consent order would materially harm transgender Kansans, reinforce the political persecution of LGBTQ people and run counter to the public interest in shielding constitutional rights.<h2>Foundation in 2018 suit</h2>In October 2018, plaintiffs Nyla Foster, Luc Bensimon, Jessica Hicklin and C.K. as well as the&nbsp;Kansas Statewide Transgender Education Project filed suit contesting the Brownback policy&nbsp;barring transgender people from obtaining birth certificates that reflected their gender identity.The plaintiffs’ argument was based on U.S. constitutional guarantees to&nbsp;equal protection under the law as well as the right to&nbsp;liberty, privacy and freedom of expression. After prolonged negotiations, the federal judge signed the consent judgment.Senate Bill 180, enacted over Kelly’s veto, went into effect July 1. In advance of that date, Kobach&nbsp;issued an advisory opinion asserting the new state law required Kansas Department of Health and Environment to register applicants for birth certificates as either female or male at birth.Kobach claimed the state law required the federal court to rescind the previous order on gender modification of birth certificates.Kelly said her legal counsel didn’t interpret Senate Bill 180 to forbid changes to gender markers on birth certificates issued by KDHE or driver’s licenses produced by the Kansas Department of Revenue. A Shawnee County District Court judge issued a temporary order requested by Kobach that halted gender modifications to driver’s licenses pending further review.

LGBTQ legal group fights effort to halt changes on Kan. birth certificates

Richard Dean Pospichal was born in David City, Nebraska on April 2, 1944. He was the second child of August and Martha (Kobza) Pospichal. His early years were spent on the farm near Dwight, Nebraska. At age five, his family moved to the sandhills of Holt County, where he thrived and developed his lifelong love for horses. He attended country school, graduated from St. Joseph’s in Atkinson, and then studied agriculture at the University of Lincoln. He married Patty Dvorak in October 1965, and this union brought five children. Richard worked in the agriculture field in various places and retiring from the Dodge City COOP in 2009. He lived by the cowboy ethics of honesty, dependability, and respect. He was proud of all his children and grandchildren, and he especially enjoyed following their activities, and participating in equine events with his son and grandchildren. He also eagerly anticipated his mountain rides with his friend Doc Smith. Richard and Pat enjoyed traveling, especially their trips to the Faroe Islands. He is survived by his wife Pat of Ingalls, Kansas; son Rick (Gale) Pospichal of Scott City, Kansas; daughters Lisa (Vince) Koons of Meade, Kansas, Sara Pospichal of North Platte, Nebraska, Carrie (Doug) Althouse of Cimarron, Kansas, and Janel (Jeff) Foust of North Platte, Nebraska; seven grandsons, five granddaughters, and four great-grandchildren. Other survivors include his brother Mike (Mary) Pospichal of Atkinson, Nebraska, and several nieces and nephews.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents and a brother Milo. A vigil service and rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Ingalls, Kansas. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, also at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church with Fr. Tim Hickey as Celebrant. Burial will follow at the Ingalls Cemetery in Ingalls, Kansas. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City, Kansas.

The family suggests memorials given to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to St. Catherine Hospice Comfort Zone, both in care of the funeral home. 

Condolences may be given at garnandfuneralhomes.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>Richard Dean Pospichal</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689686789606.jpeg" alt="Richard Dean Pospichal" />
 <figcaption>Richard Dean Pospichal</figcaption>
 </figure>April 2nd, 1944 - July 15th, 2023Richard Dean Pospichal was born in David City, Nebraska on April 2, 1944. He was the second child of August and Martha (Kobza) Pospichal. His early years were spent on the farm near Dwight, Nebraska. At age five, his family moved to the sandhills of Holt County, where he thrived and developed his lifelong love for horses. He attended country school, graduated from St. Joseph’s in Atkinson, and then studied agriculture at the University of Lincoln. He married Patty Dvorak in October 1965, and this union brought five children. Richard worked in the agriculture field in various places and retiring from the Dodge City COOP in 2009. He lived by the cowboy ethics of honesty, dependability, and respect. He was proud of all his children and grandchildren, and he especially enjoyed following their activities, and participating in equine events with his son and grandchildren. He also eagerly anticipated his mountain rides with his friend Doc Smith. Richard and Pat enjoyed traveling, especially their trips to the Faroe Islands. He is survived by his wife Pat of Ingalls, Kansas; son Rick (Gale) Pospichal of Scott City, Kansas; daughters Lisa (Vince) Koons of Meade, Kansas, Sara Pospichal of North Platte, Nebraska, Carrie (Doug) Althouse of Cimarron, Kansas, and Janel (Jeff) Foust of North Platte, Nebraska; seven grandsons, five granddaughters, and four great-grandchildren. Other survivors include his brother Mike (Mary) Pospichal of Atkinson, Nebraska, and several nieces and nephews. Richard is preceded in death by his parents and a brother Milo. A vigil service and rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Ingalls, Kansas. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, also at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church with Fr. Tim Hickey as Celebrant. Burial will follow at the Ingalls Cemetery in Ingalls, Kansas. Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City, Kansas. The family suggests memorials given to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to St. Catherine Hospice Comfort Zone, both in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be given at garnandfuneralhomes.com.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Richard Dean Pospichal

LONDON (AP) — Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-grain-food-security-ba7f9146b745337a1948a964cb30331c">has suspended a wartime deal</a>&nbsp;designed to move grain from Ukraine to parts of the world where millions are going hungry.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the U.N. and Turkey, has allowed 32.9 million metric tons (36.2 million tons) of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-grain-farmers-food-a9df0827d8009c3fef347378061f9dd7">food to be exported from Ukraine</a>&nbsp;since August, more than half to developing countries, according to the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul.

Kansas junior U.S. Senator Roger Marshall used social media to call for immediate action in response, "Putin ending the Ukraine Grain Deal will cause starvation across the world. It is time we finally get tough on Russia and quit dragging this war out. We must fully implement bank sanctions on Russia."

Some analysts don't foresee a lasting rise in the cost of commodities like wheat because there’s enough grain in the world to go around. But many countries are already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/food-prices-inflation-ukraine-war-economy-8daa7e3d92666d290d87932dc8f25a94">struggling with high local food prices</a>, which are helping fuel hunger.

Here's a look at the crucial accord and what it means for the world:

Ukraine and Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-middle-east-global-trade-a2c89d94a0f8473b40a1fcde5710bda8">signed separate agreements</a>&nbsp;in July 2022, one that reopened three of Ukraine's Black Sea ports that were blocked for months following Moscow's invasion. The other facilitated the movement of Russian food and fertilizer amid Western sanctions.

Both countries are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-africa-lifestyle-middle-east-1b41faaa7ac0984d0673023b68d39a70">major suppliers of wheat</a>, barley,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-covid-business-health-africa-688a358195a4723fc862cfe3f9e60474">sunflower oil</a>&nbsp;and other affordable food products that Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia rely on. Ukraine is also a huge exporter of corn, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-business-health-europe-c6a2d11380d3cb0c48d4c22703d1954e">Russia of fertilizer</a>&nbsp;— other critical parts of the food chain.

Interrupted shipments from Ukraine, dubbed the “breadbasket of the world,” exacerbated a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-covid-politics-health-middle-east-58bb99da6bf9fc6af5a5a645022bc4d7">global food crisis</a>&nbsp;and sent prices for grain soaring worldwide.

The deal provided assurances that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-grain-shipping-risks-6adc97731965377e2f1db5f91adefa92">ships won't be attacked</a>&nbsp;entering and leaving Ukrainian ports. Vessels were checked by Russian, Ukrainian, U.N. and Turkish officials to ensure they carry only food.

Meant to be extended every four months, the deal was hailed as a beacon of hope and was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-grain-food-security-67e9fd1b5ee8b46fdd9c28955dbcb465">renewed three times</a>&nbsp;— the last two for only two months as Russia insisted its exports were being held up. That's despite Moscow shipping record amounts of wheat.

No new ships have joined the initiative since June 27, and Ukraine blames Moscow. The last vessel left Ukraine on Sunday.

The deal helped bring down global prices of food commodities like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-inflation-health-business-climate-and-environment-00539505ec5db37de5877137b9febeb8">wheat that hit record highs</a>&nbsp;after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Once the grain deal was struck, the World Food Program got back a top supplier, allowing 725,000 metric tons of humanitarian food aid to leave Ukraine and reach countries on the precipice of famine, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-humanitarian-food-aid-theft-us-un-c129b6942663cbfc44c6605fed97928b">Ethiopia</a>, Afghanistan and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-yemen-middle-east-civil-wars-famine-081076dd0f56f3c3cf19e3d5fce71a7b">Yemen</a>.

“It is a pretty unique phenomenon to have two warring parties and two intermediaries agree to establish this sort of corridor to get humanitarian products — which is ostensibly what this is — out to markets that need it most,” said John Stawpert, senior manager of environment and trade for the International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 80% of the world’s commercial fleet.

After Russia exited the deal, wheat prices in Chicago trading rose about 3% on Monday, to $6.81 a bushel, still about half what they were during last year's peaks. Prices fell later in the day.

Russia has said it wants an end to sanctions on the Russian Agricultural Bank and to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-grain-deal-exports-cde16aa076f5285a7ca72dcb822e673b">restrictions on shipping and insurance</a>&nbsp;that Moscow insists have hampered its agricultural exports.

Some companies have been wary of doing business with Russia because of sanctions, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-macky-sall-european-union-9a323f94f1dfc8c9b955a08973248dac">Western allies have made assurances</a>&nbsp;that food and fertilizer are exempt.

“It’s not uncommon in situations like this for countries to use whatever levers they have to try and get sanctions regimes changed," said Simon Evenett, professor of international trade and economic development at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.

Russia also has complained that a commitment to pipe its ammonia, a key component of fertilizer, to a Ukrainian port to be exported has never started under the deal. That’s true, but the U.N. says the pipeline has been damaged in the fighting.

“Regrettably, the part of the Black Sea agreements related to Russia hasn’t been fulfilled,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-russia-ukraine-food-exports-7027edafa7e5b5ff90740df6e559e98b">proposing to ease transactions</a>&nbsp;through the agricultural bank, a spokesperson said.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Monday that the last-minute offer was not feasible and couldn’t be implemented.

Russian “claims that its agriculture sector is suffering are countered by the reality" that production and exports are up since before the war, said Caitlin Welsh, director of the Global Food and Water Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Russia exported a record 45.5 million metric tons of wheat in the 2022-2023 trade year, with another all-time high of 47.5 million metric tons expected in 2023-2024, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates.

The International Rescue Committee calls the grain deal a “lifeline for the 79 countries and 349 million people on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/somalia-drought-climate-food-security-ramadan-c04b48a83d6bba88fc05bdb69dbf438f">frontlines of food insecurity</a>."

Losing millions of tons of food from Ukraine at a time when many countries are increasingly reliant on imported food because of conflict and drought, "will result in inaccessibility and unavailability of food but also will increase prices and impact affordability for households,” Shashwat Saraf, the group’s regional emergency director for East Africa, said in an interview Monday.

While global prices for grain may stabilize, countries that depend on imported food, from Lebanon to Egypt, may see their costs rise for a while if they need to find suppliers that are farther away, analysts say.

That will compound costs for countries that also have seen their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-middle-east-africa-business-global-trade-bee68344b1812dd48ca9c0735395b868">currencies weaken</a>&nbsp;and debt levels grow because they pay for food shipments in dollars.

For low-income countries and people, food “will be less affordable," World Food Program chief economist Arif Husain told reporters last week.

Ukraine's economy depends on agriculture, and before the war, 75% of its grain exports went through the Black Sea.

It can send its food by land or river through Europe, but those routes can handle lower amounts compared to sea shipments and their use has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poland-ukraine-grain-imports-war-eu-hungary-43ebb8cd01ccf679d190e5690b8d4c23">stirred anger in neighboring countries</a>.

Nonetheless, the Ukrainian Grain Association wants to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-war-grain-exports-us-danube-romania-1d506df3c6e30df86f8ed4e6d7e04df0">send more grain through the Danube River</a>&nbsp;to neighboring Romania's Black Sea ports, saying it's possible to double monthly exports along that route to 4 million metric tons.

Ukraine’s wheat shipments have fallen by more than 40% from its pre-war average, with the USDA expecting 10.5 million metric tons exported in the coming year.

Ukraine accused Russia of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-health-russia-government-united-nations-business-b2f6bb9e50b7440ea6c18f66e016e145">slowing down inspections of ships</a>. Combined with no new ships joining the effort, that has led to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-business-02978d1ab61d70939ff1581b1129d18a">drop in exports</a>&nbsp;from a high under the deal of 4.2 million metric tons in October to 2 million in June.

Fallout from the pandemic, conflict, economic crises, drought and other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/climate-and-environment">climate factors</a>&nbsp;affect the ability of people to get enough to eat.

There are 45 countries that need food assistance, the Food and Agriculture Organization said in a July report. High domestic food prices are driving hunger in most of those countries, including Haiti, Ukraine, Venezuela and several in Africa and Asia.

While drought can also be a problem for major grain suppliers, analysts see other countries producing enough grain to counterbalance losses from Ukraine.

Besides Russia's huge exports, Europe and Argentina are increasing wheat shipments, while Brazil saw a banner year for corn.

“These markets adapt and producers adapt — and boy, the wheat and corn markets have adapted very, very quickly,” said Peter Meyer, head of grain analytics at S&amp;P Global Commodity Insights.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1663760963726.jpeg" alt="Photo (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP)" />
 <figcaption>Photo (Russian Presidential Press Service via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>LONDON (AP) — Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-grain-food-security-ba7f9146b745337a1948a964cb30331c">has suspended a wartime deal</a>&nbsp;designed to move grain from Ukraine to parts of the world where millions are going hungry.The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the U.N. and Turkey, has allowed 32.9 million metric tons (36.2 million tons) of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-russia-war-grain-farmers-food-a9df0827d8009c3fef347378061f9dd7">food to be exported from Ukraine</a>&nbsp;since August, more than half to developing countries, according to the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul.Kansas junior U.S. Senator Roger Marshall used social media to call for immediate action in response, "Putin ending the Ukraine Grain Deal will cause starvation across the world. It is time we finally get tough on Russia and quit dragging this war out. We must fully implement bank sanctions on Russia."Some analysts don't foresee a lasting rise in the cost of commodities like wheat because there’s enough grain in the world to go around. But many countries are already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/food-prices-inflation-ukraine-war-economy-8daa7e3d92666d290d87932dc8f25a94">struggling with high local food prices</a>, which are helping fuel hunger.Here's a look at the crucial accord and what it means for the world:WHAT IS THE GRAIN DEAL? Ukraine and Russia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-middle-east-global-trade-a2c89d94a0f8473b40a1fcde5710bda8">signed separate agreements</a>&nbsp;in July 2022, one that reopened three of Ukraine's Black Sea ports that were blocked for months following Moscow's invasion. The other facilitated the movement of Russian food and fertilizer amid Western sanctions.Both countries are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-business-africa-lifestyle-middle-east-1b41faaa7ac0984d0673023b68d39a70">major suppliers of wheat</a>, barley,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-covid-business-health-africa-688a358195a4723fc862cfe3f9e60474">sunflower oil</a>&nbsp;and other affordable food products that Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia rely on. Ukraine is also a huge exporter of corn, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-business-health-europe-c6a2d11380d3cb0c48d4c22703d1954e">Russia of fertilizer</a>&nbsp;— other critical parts of the food chain.Interrupted shipments from Ukraine, dubbed the “breadbasket of the world,” exacerbated a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-covid-politics-health-middle-east-58bb99da6bf9fc6af5a5a645022bc4d7">global food crisis</a>&nbsp;and sent prices for grain soaring worldwide.The deal provided assurances that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-grain-shipping-risks-6adc97731965377e2f1db5f91adefa92">ships won't be attacked</a>&nbsp;entering and leaving Ukrainian ports. Vessels were checked by Russian, Ukrainian, U.N. and Turkish officials to ensure they carry only food.Meant to be extended every four months, the deal was hailed as a beacon of hope and was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-grain-food-security-67e9fd1b5ee8b46fdd9c28955dbcb465">renewed three times</a>&nbsp;— the last two for only two months as Russia insisted its exports were being held up. That's despite Moscow shipping record amounts of wheat.No new ships have joined the initiative since June 27, and Ukraine blames Moscow. The last vessel left Ukraine on Sunday.WHAT HAS IT ACCOMPLISHED? The deal helped bring down global prices of food commodities like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-inflation-health-business-climate-and-environment-00539505ec5db37de5877137b9febeb8">wheat that hit record highs</a>&nbsp;after Russia invaded Ukraine.Once the grain deal was struck, the World Food Program got back a top supplier, allowing 725,000 metric tons of humanitarian food aid to leave Ukraine and reach countries on the precipice of famine, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ethiopia-humanitarian-food-aid-theft-us-un-c129b6942663cbfc44c6605fed97928b">Ethiopia</a>, Afghanistan and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-yemen-middle-east-civil-wars-famine-081076dd0f56f3c3cf19e3d5fce71a7b">Yemen</a>.“It is a pretty unique phenomenon to have two warring parties and two intermediaries agree to establish this sort of corridor to get humanitarian products — which is ostensibly what this is — out to markets that need it most,” said John Stawpert, senior manager of environment and trade for the International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 80% of the world’s commercial fleet.After Russia exited the deal, wheat prices in Chicago trading rose about 3% on Monday, to $6.81 a bushel, still about half what they were during last year's peaks. Prices fell later in the day.WHY DID RUSSIA END THE DEAL? Russia has said it wants an end to sanctions on the Russian Agricultural Bank and to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-grain-deal-exports-cde16aa076f5285a7ca72dcb822e673b">restrictions on shipping and insurance</a>&nbsp;that Moscow insists have hampered its agricultural exports.Some companies have been wary of doing business with Russia because of sanctions, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-macky-sall-european-union-9a323f94f1dfc8c9b955a08973248dac">Western allies have made assurances</a>&nbsp;that food and fertilizer are exempt.“It’s not uncommon in situations like this for countries to use whatever levers they have to try and get sanctions regimes changed," said Simon Evenett, professor of international trade and economic development at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.Russia also has complained that a commitment to pipe its ammonia, a key component of fertilizer, to a Ukrainian port to be exported has never started under the deal. That’s true, but the U.N. says the pipeline has been damaged in the fighting.“Regrettably, the part of the Black Sea agreements related to Russia hasn’t been fulfilled,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday.U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin last week&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-russia-ukraine-food-exports-7027edafa7e5b5ff90740df6e559e98b">proposing to ease transactions</a>&nbsp;through the agricultural bank, a spokesperson said.The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement Monday that the last-minute offer was not feasible and couldn’t be implemented.Russian “claims that its agriculture sector is suffering are countered by the reality" that production and exports are up since before the war, said Caitlin Welsh, director of the Global Food and Water Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.Russia exported a record 45.5 million metric tons of wheat in the 2022-2023 trade year, with another all-time high of 47.5 million metric tons expected in 2023-2024, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates.WHO IS AFFECTED? The International Rescue Committee calls the grain deal a “lifeline for the 79 countries and 349 million people on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/somalia-drought-climate-food-security-ramadan-c04b48a83d6bba88fc05bdb69dbf438f">frontlines of food insecurity</a>."Losing millions of tons of food from Ukraine at a time when many countries are increasingly reliant on imported food because of conflict and drought, "will result in inaccessibility and unavailability of food but also will increase prices and impact affordability for households,” Shashwat Saraf, the group’s regional emergency director for East Africa, said in an interview Monday.While global prices for grain may stabilize, countries that depend on imported food, from Lebanon to Egypt, may see their costs rise for a while if they need to find suppliers that are farther away, analysts say.That will compound costs for countries that also have seen their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-middle-east-africa-business-global-trade-bee68344b1812dd48ca9c0735395b868">currencies weaken</a>&nbsp;and debt levels grow because they pay for food shipments in dollars.For low-income countries and people, food “will be less affordable," World Food Program chief economist Arif Husain told reporters last week.WHAT ABOUT UKRAINE? Ukraine's economy depends on agriculture, and before the war, 75% of its grain exports went through the Black Sea.It can send its food by land or river through Europe, but those routes can handle lower amounts compared to sea shipments and their use has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poland-ukraine-grain-imports-war-eu-hungary-43ebb8cd01ccf679d190e5690b8d4c23">stirred anger in neighboring countries</a>.Nonetheless, the Ukrainian Grain Association wants to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-war-grain-exports-us-danube-romania-1d506df3c6e30df86f8ed4e6d7e04df0">send more grain through the Danube River</a>&nbsp;to neighboring Romania's Black Sea ports, saying it's possible to double monthly exports along that route to 4 million metric tons.Ukraine’s wheat shipments have fallen by more than 40% from its pre-war average, with the USDA expecting 10.5 million metric tons exported in the coming year.Ukraine accused Russia of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-health-russia-government-united-nations-business-b2f6bb9e50b7440ea6c18f66e016e145">slowing down inspections of ships</a>. Combined with no new ships joining the effort, that has led to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-business-02978d1ab61d70939ff1581b1129d18a">drop in exports</a>&nbsp;from a high under the deal of 4.2 million metric tons in October to 2 million in June.WHAT ELSE AFFECTS FOOD SUPPLY? Fallout from the pandemic, conflict, economic crises, drought and other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/climate-and-environment">climate factors</a>&nbsp;affect the ability of people to get enough to eat.There are 45 countries that need food assistance, the Food and Agriculture Organization said in a July report. High domestic food prices are driving hunger in most of those countries, including Haiti, Ukraine, Venezuela and several in Africa and Asia.While drought can also be a problem for major grain suppliers, analysts see other countries producing enough grain to counterbalance losses from Ukraine.Besides Russia's huge exports, Europe and Argentina are increasing wheat shipments, while Brazil saw a banner year for corn.“These markets adapt and producers adapt — and boy, the wheat and corn markets have adapted very, very quickly,” said Peter Meyer, head of grain analytics at S&amp;P Global Commodity Insights.

Kan. Senator: Putin ending grain deal will cause starvation across the world

<a href="https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/stephen-ball?fh_id=10931">https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/ste</a>phen-ball?fh_id=10931

Stephen Craig “Steve” Ball, 70, passed away July 16, 2023, at his home in Bison, Kansas. He was born on October 6, 1952, in Great Bend, Kansas, to John and Coralee Ann (Lewis) Ball. 

On October 10, 1987, he married Linda Koci in Bison, Kansas. She survives.

Steve served his country in the United States Marine Corps and after being discharged, spent his working years as an onsite geologist in the oil field. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge Walnut City Lodge of Rush Center. Steve enjoyed hunting, fishing, dog training and farming.

Survivors include his wife of the home; three brothers, Richard Ball of Junction City, Kansas, Michael (Coleen) Ball of Hillsboro, Kansas, and David Ball of Manhattan, Kansas; two sisters, Candace (John) Cobb of Lawrence, Kansas and Crystal (David) Miller of Winfield, Kansas; stepbrother, Iver Tokoi of Abilene, Kansas; and stepsister, Amanda (Tim) Hilfiger of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Patrick Ball; and sister-in-law, Patricia Ball.

There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 21, 20203, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Schumacher presiding. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Marine Corps, as well as Masonic Funeral Rites presented.

Memorials may be made to Barnard Library in La Crosse, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1689602643971.png" alt="Stephen Craig Ball" />
 <figcaption>Stephen Craig Ball</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Stephen Craig Ball, Bison</h2>October 6, 1952 - July 16, 2023<a href="https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/stephen-ball?fh_id=10931">https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/ste</a>phen-ball?fh_id=10931Stephen Craig “Steve” Ball, 70, passed away July 16, 2023, at his home in Bison, Kansas. He was born on October 6, 1952, in Great Bend, Kansas, to John and Coralee Ann (Lewis) Ball. On October 10, 1987, he married Linda Koci in Bison, Kansas. She survives.Steve served his country in the United States Marine Corps and after being discharged, spent his working years as an onsite geologist in the oil field. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge Walnut City Lodge of Rush Center. Steve enjoyed hunting, fishing, dog training and farming.Survivors include his wife of the home; three brothers, Richard Ball of Junction City, Kansas, Michael (Coleen) Ball of Hillsboro, Kansas, and David Ball of Manhattan, Kansas; two sisters, Candace (John) Cobb of Lawrence, Kansas and Crystal (David) Miller of Winfield, Kansas; stepbrother, Iver Tokoi of Abilene, Kansas; and stepsister, Amanda (Tim) Hilfiger of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania.He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Patrick Ball; and sister-in-law, Patricia Ball.There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place. Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 21, 20203, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Schumacher presiding. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Marine Corps, as well as Masonic Funeral Rites presented.Memorials may be made to Barnard Library in La Crosse, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of&nbsp;Stephen Craig "Steve" Ball, please&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bryantfh.net/obituary/stephen-ball/flowers?campaign=obituaryThemed-flowers-textLink-obitText">click here to visit our Sympathy Store</a>.