BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp; State's Newsroom

WASHINGTON — U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception — a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced last week the chamber would vote on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4381/text?s=6&amp;r=1">bill</a>&nbsp;in June, saying it would help to bolster women’s reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.

“Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting women’s reproductive freedoms,” Schumer said.

The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4381/cosponsors?s=6&amp;r=1">49 co-sponsors</a>, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-signals-hes-open-state-limits-contraceptive-access-then-insists-hes-not">would be releasing a policy on contraception</a>&nbsp;in the next week.

Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.

“We’re looking at that and I’m going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think it’s something that you’ll find interesting,” Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. “It’s another issue that’s very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think it’s a smart decision, but we’ll be releasing it very soon.”

Trump had been asked if he supports “any restrictions on a person’s right to contraception.”

Trump later said that “things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others.” That comment came after Trump was asked if he “may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?”

The House&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-passes-bill-guaranteeing-contraception-access-eight-gop-votes">approved a bill&nbsp;</a>similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.

That measure defined contraception as “an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.”

Senate Democrats&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/bill-guaranteeing-right-birth-control-blocked-us-senate-republicans">tried to pass</a>&nbsp;their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.

Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.

If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.

Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.

In a dissenting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf">opinion</a>&nbsp;in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should “reconsider all of this Court’s substantive due process precedents” that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.

Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.

Griswold was the 1965&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/381/479/">case</a>&nbsp;where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.

The Supreme Court held that a “right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.”

Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/405/438/">ruling</a>.

Polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/poll-finding/kff-health-tracking-poll-march-2024-abortion-in-the-2024-election-and-beyond/">released</a>&nbsp;in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is “a secure right likely to remain in place.”

An additional 21% responded that they believe it is “a threatened right likely to be overturned.” A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657750242184.jpg" alt="Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that&nbsp;the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception " />
 <figcaption>Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday that&nbsp;the Senate will vote in June on legislation guaranteeing the right to access contraception </figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp; State's NewsroomWASHINGTON — U.S. senators will go on record next month with whether they support legislation from Democrats that would guarantee access to contraception — a right currently upheld by two Supreme Court cases, but one that has been singled out by a conservative justice.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, announced last week the chamber would vote on the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4381/text?s=6&amp;r=1">bill</a>&nbsp;in June, saying it would help to bolster women’s reproductive rights at a crucial time. Sixty votes will be needed for the bill to advance.“Now, more than ever, contraception is a critical piece of protecting women’s reproductive freedoms,” Schumer said.The move to hold a procedural vote on the legislation, which has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/4381/cosponsors?s=6&amp;r=1">49 co-sponsors</a>, came just one day after Donald Trump, the Republican presumptive nominee for president, said that his campaign&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-signals-hes-open-state-limits-contraceptive-access-then-insists-hes-not">would be releasing a policy on contraception</a>&nbsp;in the next week.Trump seemed to be open to state restrictions on contraception, though he later backtracked in social media comments.“We’re looking at that and I’m going to have a policy on that very shortly and I think it’s something that you’ll find interesting,” Trump said on KDKA in Pittsburgh. “It’s another issue that’s very interesting. But you will find it very smart. I think it’s a smart decision, but we’ll be releasing it very soon.”Trump had been asked if he supports “any restrictions on a person’s right to contraception.”Trump later said that “things really do have a lot to do with the states. And some states are going to have different policies than others.” That comment came after Trump was asked if he “may want to support some restrictions, like the morning-after pill or something?”<h2>In Congress</h2>The House&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-passes-bill-guaranteeing-contraception-access-eight-gop-votes">approved a bill&nbsp;</a>similar to the Senate legislation in July 2022 that was sponsored by North Carolina Democratic Rep. Kathy Manning. The chamber at the time was controlled by Democrats.That measure defined contraception as “an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives or fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures.”Senate Democrats&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/bill-guaranteeing-right-birth-control-blocked-us-senate-republicans">tried to pass</a>&nbsp;their version of the so-called Right to Contraception Act the same month, but Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst blocked the unanimous consent request.Unanimous consent is the fastest way to approve legislation in the Senate, but it allows any one lawmaker to block passage. There is no recorded vote during that process, but there will be next month when Schumer holds the procedural vote.If the legislation gains 60 votes, it would move on to a simple majority vote.Democrats were attempting to enact statutory protections for contraception two years ago following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling by the Supreme Court that ended the constitutional right to abortion. That right was established in the 1973 Roe v. Wade case and affirmed in the 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood ruling.In a dissenting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf">opinion</a>&nbsp;in Dobbs, Associate Justice Clarence Thomas wrote that the justices should “reconsider all of this Court’s substantive due process precedents” that relied on the same right to privacy legal thinking that justices had cited in Roe and Casey.Thomas specifically mentioned the Griswold v. Connecticut, Obergefell v. Hodges and Lawrence v. Texas cases.Griswold was the 1965&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/381/479/">case</a>&nbsp;where the Supreme Court struck down a Connecticut state law that had prevented married couples from using contraception.The Supreme Court held that a “right to privacy can be inferred from several amendments in the Bill of Rights, and this right prevents states from making the use of contraception by married couples illegal.”Those rights were extended to unmarried people in the 1972 Eisenstadt v. Baird&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/405/438/">ruling</a>.Polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/poll-finding/kff-health-tracking-poll-march-2024-abortion-in-the-2024-election-and-beyond/">released</a>&nbsp;in March, shows that 45% of adults said they believe access to contraception is “a secure right likely to remain in place.”An additional 21% responded that they believe it is “a threatened right likely to be overturned.” A total of 34% of respondents said they were not sure.

U.S. Senators face a vote on whether they support contraception access

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Investigators are working to determine the cause of a fire at a business in Topeka.

Just before 7:30p.m. Wednesday, crews responded to a fire at Dandy Deals, 1801 S Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

First responders found smoke and flames coming from the building and were able to extinguish the fire.

An investigation has not determined the cause of the fire. The estimated loss from the fire was approximately $25,000, with $15,000 associated with structural loss and $10,000 associated with content loss. There were no occupants in the build and no injuries reported.

The business did not have working smoke detectors, according to Nichols.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717087212013.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Investigators are working to determine the cause of a fire at a business in Topeka.Just before 7:30p.m. Wednesday, crews responded to a fire at Dandy Deals, 1801 S Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to spokesperson Rosie Nichols.First responders found smoke and flames coming from the building and were able to extinguish the fire.An investigation has not determined the cause of the fire. The estimated loss from the fire was approximately $25,000, with $15,000 associated with structural loss and $10,000 associated with content loss. There were no occupants in the build and no injuries reported.The business did not have working smoke detectors, according to Nichols.

$25,000 damage after Kansas business fire 

HARVEY COUNTY —Law enforcement in Harvey County are investigating an alleged road rage incident.&nbsp;

Just after 6a.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; Hesston Police received a call of shots fired in the area of exit 40 on Lincoln Blvd, just off of Interstate 135, according to a media release.

Police made contact with the victim and learned that an alleged road rage incident on northbound Interstate 135 ended with another driver pulling a gun and then discharging that firearm. 

Police believe that the round discharged went into the berm of the interchange. Using the department's Flock Camera in the area they were able to develop a suspect and witnesses. One of the witnesses had video footage of part of the incident.

With all of that information, police secured a search warrant and with the help of Moundridge Police Department arrested the suspect on requested charges of Aggravated Assault and Criminal Discharge of a Firearm and collected evidence.&nbsp; &nbsp;The suspect, whose name has not been released, met the bond requirement and is no longer in custody, according to Hesston Police Chief Chris Eilert.

HARVEY COUNTY —Law enforcement in Harvey County are investigating an alleged road rage incident.&nbsp;Just after 6a.m. Wednesday,&nbsp; Hesston Police received a call of shots fired in the area of exit 40 on Lincoln Blvd, just off of Interstate 135, according to a media release.Police made contact with the victim and learned that an alleged road rage incident on northbound Interstate 135 ended with another driver pulling a gun and then discharging that firearm. Police believe that the round discharged went into the berm of the interchange. Using the department's Flock Camera in the area they were able to develop a suspect and witnesses. One of the witnesses had video footage of part of the incident.With all of that information, police secured a search warrant and with the help of Moundridge Police Department arrested the suspect on requested charges of Aggravated Assault and Criminal Discharge of a Firearm and collected evidence.&nbsp; &nbsp;The suspect, whose name has not been released, met the bond requirement and is no longer in custody, according to Hesston Police Chief Chris Eilert.

Witness video led to arrest in alleged Kan. road-rage incident

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects including a Kansas felon on drug allegations.

Just after 6p.m. Thursday the Riley County Police Department, with the assistance of the Geary County Sheriff’s Office, conducted an investigation into the distribution of fentanyl, in the 1500 block of Houston Street in Manhattan, according to a media release.

Officers arrested Catrien Van Petten, 35, of Manhattan on requested charges of possession of paraphernalia with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance, use/possession with the intent to use drug paraphernalia into the human body, distribution of opiates/narcotics/certain stimulants/heroin dose &gt; 1000 within 1000 feet of a school, possession of marijuana- two or more prior convictions, and distribution of opiate/narcotic/ certain stimulant/ heroin 3.5 - &lt; 100 grams within 1000 feet of a school. She has ten previous convictions for burglary, theft, ID theft, forgery and drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Nathan McClurg, 34, of Tipton, Kansas was arrested in the 1500 block of Colorado Street in connection with the same investigation. McClurg was arrested on requested charges of possession of opiate/opium/narcotic/ certain stimulant, possession of marijuana- 1 prior conviction, use/possession with the intent to use drug paraphernalia into the human body, possession of paraphernalia with the intent to manufacture controlled substance, and distribution of opiate/narcotic/certain stimulant/ heroin dose &gt; 1000 within 1000 feet of a school. He has previous felony convictions for theft, making a false writing and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Van Petten and McClurg are each being held on a total bond of $100,000, according to the RCPD.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717078422006.jpeg" alt="Catrien Van Petten has ten previous convictions for burglary, theft, ID theft, forgery and drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Catrien Van Petten has ten previous convictions for burglary, theft, ID theft, forgery and drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects including a Kansas felon on drug allegations.Just after 6p.m. Thursday the Riley County Police Department, with the assistance of the Geary County Sheriff’s Office, conducted an investigation into the distribution of fentanyl, in the 1500 block of Houston Street in Manhattan, according to a media release.Officers arrested Catrien Van Petten, 35, of Manhattan on requested charges of possession of paraphernalia with the intent to manufacture a controlled substance, use/possession with the intent to use drug paraphernalia into the human body, distribution of opiates/narcotics/certain stimulants/heroin dose &gt; 1000 within 1000 feet of a school, possession of marijuana- two or more prior convictions, and distribution of opiate/narcotic/ certain stimulant/ heroin 3.5 - &lt; 100 grams within 1000 feet of a school. She has ten previous convictions for burglary, theft, ID theft, forgery and drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.Nathan McClurg, 34, of Tipton, Kansas was arrested in the 1500 block of Colorado Street in connection with the same investigation. McClurg was arrested on requested charges of possession of opiate/opium/narcotic/ certain stimulant, possession of marijuana- 1 prior conviction, use/possession with the intent to use drug paraphernalia into the human body, possession of paraphernalia with the intent to manufacture controlled substance, and distribution of opiate/narcotic/certain stimulant/ heroin dose &gt; 1000 within 1000 feet of a school. He has previous felony convictions for theft, making a false writing and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Van Petten and McClurg are each being held on a total bond of $100,000, according to the RCPD.

Kansas felons accused of selling fentanyl in Manhattan

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The City of Wichita reported Wednesday that more City systems are coming back into service following the cyber security event three weeks ago, according to a statement from the city.

The City’s Information Technology team continues to work diligently to get more publicfacing systems, including customer water billing, back in service as quickly as possible.

Some external vendor systems, such as Park &amp; Recreation’s summer programming, have already come back online sooner than others. The city expects other systems to go back into service on a rolling basis.

Restoring all systems will be more of a process than an event.

Systems will only come back into service once they have been thoroughly vetted and tested.

As of Wednesday, the city's Park &amp; Recreation Department announced that online registration for summer activities is back up and running. Park and Recreation is also now able to take credit cards in person at all facilities and online. 

Golf Wichita announced that they are also now able to accept credit card payments both in clubhouses and through our online store. 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The City of Wichita reported Wednesday that more City systems are coming back into service following the cyber security event three weeks ago, according to a statement from the city.The City’s Information Technology team continues to work diligently to get more publicfacing systems, including customer water billing, back in service as quickly as possible.Some external vendor systems, such as Park &amp; Recreation’s summer programming, have already come back online sooner than others. The city expects other systems to go back into service on a rolling basis.Restoring all systems will be more of a process than an event.Systems will only come back into service once they have been thoroughly vetted and tested.As of Wednesday, the city's Park &amp; Recreation Department announced that online registration for summer activities is back up and running. Park and Recreation is also now able to take credit cards in person at all facilities and online. Golf Wichita announced that they are also now able to accept credit card payments both in clubhouses and through our online store.

Wichita continues to restore services after cyberattack

KANSAS CITY —A man is recovering after he was injured in an accident while trimming trees at a home in Kansas City.

Just after 8p.m. Tuesday, the Kansas City Fire Department responded to a reported individual stuck in a tree in the 5900 block of Indiana, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

First responders found a man stuck in a tree suspended upside down by his foot approximately 15 feet in the air. 

Fire crews used ladders and ropes to disentangle the man and lower him safely to the ground. He was transported to the hospital for treatment for his leg and foot.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details.

KANSAS CITY —A man is recovering after he was injured in an accident while trimming trees at a home in Kansas City.Just after 8p.m. Tuesday, the Kansas City Fire Department responded to a reported individual stuck in a tree in the 5900 block of Indiana, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.First responders found a man stuck in a tree suspended upside down by his foot approximately 15 feet in the air. Fire crews used ladders and ropes to disentangle the man and lower him safely to the ground. He was transported to the hospital for treatment for his leg and foot.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details.

Kansas City fire crews rescue man stuck in a tree

OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Spelling champions from Missouri did an outstanding job but will have to wait until next year to make the Scripps National Spelling Bee finals.

Sonia Babuol Kulkarni, 13, 8th Grader from John Burroughs School, St. Louis advanced to the 7th round. She was eliminated during a word meaning round of the competition. Her question: What is another word forgainsay?&nbsp; Correct answer:&nbsp;contradict

<a href="https://spellingbee.com/speller-summary/124">Garrett Fry</a>, 14, 8th grader from Delta Woods Middle School in Independence was eliminated in round 6. His word rickettsemia. He spelled it ricketsemia.

Kunal Roshan Patel, 11, 6th Grader from Cedar Ridge School, Rolla, Missouri was eliminated in round 5 word meaning round. His question: An actor's repertoire is?&nbsp; He said, "the costume that they wear in a performance." The Correct answer: the parts that they are prepared to perform

<a href="https://spellingbee.com/speller-summary/123">Aanya Shetty</a>, 13, an 8th grader from Columbia, was eliminated in round 4. She mispelled marrite.&nbsp; She spelled it mahrite.

&nbsp;Carey Chebii Chesire , 13, Andover, Kansas, Middle School was eliminated attempting to spell&nbsp;sagenite. He spelled it saginite, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://spellingbee.com/round-results/6]">Scripps Spelling Bee web site.</a>&nbsp; He finished in the top 45.

These four from Missouri and the teen from Kansas had plenty of company among the 140 spellers eliminated on Wednesday, spelling's saddest day.

“I didn't expect to get out, but I did, and I guess I have to accept the truth now,” said Achyut Ethiraj, an eighth-grader from Fort Wayne, Indiana. “I'm happy to do high school and do other things, but I'm kind of confused what to do now that I'm done with spelling."

“It's my last year, and I expected to do better, but I guess it is what it is," he said. "And I have to move on.”

The structure of the spelling bee has undergone plenty of changes over time, but over the past three years under executive director Corrie Loeffler, the competition has gotten very hard, very fast for spellers who make it past the preliminary rounds.

The morning began with 148 spellers. By the end of the first quarterfinal round, there were 59 left, and 46 of those got through a vocabulary round to reach the semifinals. By the end of the day, eight finalists remained. They will return Thursday night, when the winner will receive a trophy and more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.

The champion won't be Shradha Rachamreddy, who finished third last year and was a consensus favorite to go all the way. She was eliminated on exactly the sort of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scripps-national-spelling-bee-preliminary-2024-6331732d552c3b07bab29e5485fc813c">“super short, tricky word”</a>&nbsp;she said she concentrated on studying after misspelling “orle” last year. This year it was “varan,” a type of lizard. She added an extra “r,” and former spellers in the audience gasped at her mistake.

“I am in shock and despair,” said Dev Shah, the 2023 champion.

“We all thought she was going to win,” added Charlotte Walsh, last year's runner-up.

Starting in the quarterfinals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-spelling-bee-word-list-6b67fd86e9008d3f61cc7f256dbad480">the bee's word panel</a>&nbsp;can use any of the more than half a million words in Webster's Unabridged dictionary, plus some geographical names that aren't even listed in that volume. While the panel tries to maintain a consistent level of difficulty in each round, it can vary from word to word.

Achyut was asked to spell the word “sistine.” Derived from the Sistine Chapel, it's an adjective meaning “a light blue color.” He went with “cistine,” and his coach, Grace Walters, was second-guessing herself.

“I'm sure when I was making my lists, I just assumed, ‘Oh, everybody knows the Sistine Chapel.’ But the reality is these kids are like 10 to 14. They might not have the ... cultural knowledge that us older people have,” said the 22-year-old Walters, a former speller. “So that's definitely something I feel like I overlooked in helping him prepare.”

Two years ago, Achyut finished in a tie for 14th place, and last year he tied for 23rd. This year, he tied for 60th place alongside the 88 others eliminated in the round.

“My rank has been going lower. But the reality is my preparation has been increasing a lot,” Achyut said. “And I don't know how that matches up, but I know that I know the words and I deserve a good break.”

He has plenty of company. Rare is a speller like Vanya Shivashankar, who came in with enormous buzz in 2015 after years of strong finishes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-52b763355a874abfacdb02fc290ceaed">ended up winning</a>. Even Shivashankar&nbsp;<a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article22176948.html">had a setback the previous year</a>&nbsp;when a written spelling and vocabulary test kept her out of the finals.

Naysa Modi,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5d8561545c954ac28b82f2a3d889c1a7">the 2018 runner-up</a>, didn't make the finals the following year. Ishika Varipilli, who hoped to make a run at the trophy this year in her third and final attempt, bowed out in a tie for 47th after missing a vocabulary word, “swanky," and said afterward she was “trying to keep it together.”

In the semifinals, Shradha was followed to the exit by two more top-ten finishers from 2023: Aryan Khedkar and Sarah Fernandes. Aryan got a long hug from fellow competitor Faizan Zaki before leaving the stage.

“These kids put a lot of pressure on themselves. I think they get nervous. They get worried. They get more focused on, ‘What if I don’t make it? What if this happens? What if that happens?'” Walters said. “The kids feel it around them that, you know, they're being looked up to as previous finalists, previous semifinalists, and they internalize that people expect something from them.”

Aliyah Alpert, who finished ninth in 2022, missed the bee entirely last year because she flubbed the word “recoup” in the Yavapai County spelling bee in her home state of Arizona.

“It was on-list, I totally knew the word, but I blanked. Choked,” said 13-year-old Aliyah, who returned this year and was ousted in the semifinals.

Matthew Bader came in knowing he might not improve upon his finish last year, a tie for 57th.

“The farther you make it in the competition one year, that's the more chance you'll do worse next year,” said Matthew, a 14-year-old from Peachtree City, Georgia. “Actually, I didn’t really mind getting out. Win or lose, to be here, it’s a pretty big accomplishment.”

Ananth Chepuri of Bradenton, Florida, thought his daughter, 11-year-old Amara, was eliminated by one of the most difficult words ("ephectic") of what he called an inconsistent round.

“It's been brutal,” Chepuri said. “The first kid, I felt so sorry for him. This was a bloodbath!”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716912769985.png" alt="Sonia Babuol Kulkarni, 13, 8th Grade, John Burroughs School, St. Louis, courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Sonia Babuol Kulkarni, 13, 8th Grade, John Burroughs School, St. Louis, courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Spelling champions from Missouri did an outstanding job but will have to wait until next year to make the Scripps National Spelling Bee finals.Sonia Babuol Kulkarni, 13, 8th Grader from John Burroughs School, St. Louis advanced to the 7th round. She was eliminated during a word meaning round of the competition. Her question: What is another word forgainsay?&nbsp; Correct answer:&nbsp;contradict<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716912576073.png" alt="Garrett William Fry, 14, 8th Grade, Delta Woods Middle School, Independence, Missouri- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Garrett William Fry, 14, 8th Grade, Delta Woods Middle School, Independence, Missouri- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://spellingbee.com/speller-summary/124">Garrett Fry</a>, 14, 8th grader from Delta Woods Middle School in Independence was eliminated in round 6. His word rickettsemia. He spelled it ricketsemia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716979657158.png" alt="Kunal Roshan Patel, 11, 6th Grade Cedar Ridge School, Rolla, Missouri-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kunal Roshan Patel, 11, 6th Grade Cedar Ridge School, Rolla, Missouri-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Kunal Roshan Patel, 11, 6th Grader from Cedar Ridge School, Rolla, Missouri was eliminated in round 5 word meaning round. His question: An actor's repertoire is?&nbsp; He said, "the costume that they wear in a performance." The Correct answer: the parts that they are prepared to perform<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716912420166.png" alt="&nbsp; Aanya Shetty, 13,8th grade, John Warner Middle School, Columbia, Missouri" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp; Aanya Shetty, 13,8th grade, John Warner Middle School, Columbia, Missouri</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://spellingbee.com/speller-summary/123">Aanya Shetty</a>, 13, an 8th grader from Columbia, was eliminated in round 4. She mispelled marrite.&nbsp; She spelled it mahrite.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716912172264.png" alt="Carey Chebii Chesire , 13, Andover Middle School- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Carey Chebii Chesire , 13, Andover Middle School- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Carey Chebii Chesire , 13, Andover, Kansas, Middle School was eliminated attempting to spell&nbsp;sagenite. He spelled it saginite, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://spellingbee.com/round-results/6]">Scripps Spelling Bee web site.</a>&nbsp; He finished in the top 45.These four from Missouri and the teen from Kansas had plenty of company among the 140 spellers eliminated on Wednesday, spelling's saddest day.“I didn't expect to get out, but I did, and I guess I have to accept the truth now,” said Achyut Ethiraj, an eighth-grader from Fort Wayne, Indiana. “I'm happy to do high school and do other things, but I'm kind of confused what to do now that I'm done with spelling."“It's my last year, and I expected to do better, but I guess it is what it is," he said. "And I have to move on.”The structure of the spelling bee has undergone plenty of changes over time, but over the past three years under executive director Corrie Loeffler, the competition has gotten very hard, very fast for spellers who make it past the preliminary rounds.The morning began with 148 spellers. By the end of the first quarterfinal round, there were 59 left, and 46 of those got through a vocabulary round to reach the semifinals. By the end of the day, eight finalists remained. They will return Thursday night, when the winner will receive a trophy and more than $50,000 in cash and prizes.The champion won't be Shradha Rachamreddy, who finished third last year and was a consensus favorite to go all the way. She was eliminated on exactly the sort of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scripps-national-spelling-bee-preliminary-2024-6331732d552c3b07bab29e5485fc813c">“super short, tricky word”</a>&nbsp;she said she concentrated on studying after misspelling “orle” last year. This year it was “varan,” a type of lizard. She added an extra “r,” and former spellers in the audience gasped at her mistake.“I am in shock and despair,” said Dev Shah, the 2023 champion.“We all thought she was going to win,” added Charlotte Walsh, last year's runner-up.Starting in the quarterfinals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-spelling-bee-word-list-6b67fd86e9008d3f61cc7f256dbad480">the bee's word panel</a>&nbsp;can use any of the more than half a million words in Webster's Unabridged dictionary, plus some geographical names that aren't even listed in that volume. While the panel tries to maintain a consistent level of difficulty in each round, it can vary from word to word.That's when luck comes into play.Achyut was asked to spell the word “sistine.” Derived from the Sistine Chapel, it's an adjective meaning “a light blue color.” He went with “cistine,” and his coach, Grace Walters, was second-guessing herself.“I'm sure when I was making my lists, I just assumed, ‘Oh, everybody knows the Sistine Chapel.’ But the reality is these kids are like 10 to 14. They might not have the ... cultural knowledge that us older people have,” said the 22-year-old Walters, a former speller. “So that's definitely something I feel like I overlooked in helping him prepare.”Two years ago, Achyut finished in a tie for 14th place, and last year he tied for 23rd. This year, he tied for 60th place alongside the 88 others eliminated in the round.“My rank has been going lower. But the reality is my preparation has been increasing a lot,” Achyut said. “And I don't know how that matches up, but I know that I know the words and I deserve a good break.”He has plenty of company. Rare is a speller like Vanya Shivashankar, who came in with enormous buzz in 2015 after years of strong finishes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-52b763355a874abfacdb02fc290ceaed">ended up winning</a>. Even Shivashankar&nbsp;<a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article22176948.html">had a setback the previous year</a>&nbsp;when a written spelling and vocabulary test kept her out of the finals.Naysa Modi,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5d8561545c954ac28b82f2a3d889c1a7">the 2018 runner-up</a>, didn't make the finals the following year. Ishika Varipilli, who hoped to make a run at the trophy this year in her third and final attempt, bowed out in a tie for 47th after missing a vocabulary word, “swanky," and said afterward she was “trying to keep it together.”In the semifinals, Shradha was followed to the exit by two more top-ten finishers from 2023: Aryan Khedkar and Sarah Fernandes. Aryan got a long hug from fellow competitor Faizan Zaki before leaving the stage.“These kids put a lot of pressure on themselves. I think they get nervous. They get worried. They get more focused on, ‘What if I don’t make it? What if this happens? What if that happens?'” Walters said. “The kids feel it around them that, you know, they're being looked up to as previous finalists, previous semifinalists, and they internalize that people expect something from them.”Aliyah Alpert, who finished ninth in 2022, missed the bee entirely last year because she flubbed the word “recoup” in the Yavapai County spelling bee in her home state of Arizona.“It was on-list, I totally knew the word, but I blanked. Choked,” said 13-year-old Aliyah, who returned this year and was ousted in the semifinals.Matthew Bader came in knowing he might not improve upon his finish last year, a tie for 57th.“The farther you make it in the competition one year, that's the more chance you'll do worse next year,” said Matthew, a 14-year-old from Peachtree City, Georgia. “Actually, I didn’t really mind getting out. Win or lose, to be here, it’s a pretty big accomplishment.”Ananth Chepuri of Bradenton, Florida, thought his daughter, 11-year-old Amara, was eliminated by one of the most difficult words ("ephectic") of what he called an inconsistent round.“It's been brutal,” Chepuri said. “The first kid, I felt so sorry for him. This was a bloodbath!”

Missouri teens miss out on National Spelling Bee finals

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 23-year-old&nbsp;Xavier C. Keith, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just before 1p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the intersection of E 51st Street and Prospect Avenue, according to Gonzalez.

First responders found Keith lying on the sidewalk near the bus stop suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. EMS responded simultaneously and transported him to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The circumstances surrounding this incident are still unknown and no one is in custody. Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel&nbsp; responded to gather evidence and collect witness statements.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716928154533.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating another homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 23-year-old&nbsp;Xavier C. Keith, according to Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just before 1p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to the intersection of E 51st Street and Prospect Avenue, according to Gonzalez.First responders found Keith lying on the sidewalk near the bus stop suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. EMS responded simultaneously and transported him to an area hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.The circumstances surrounding this incident are still unknown and no one is in custody. Homicide detectives and crime scene personnel&nbsp; responded to gather evidence and collect witness statements.&nbsp;

Police ID man found with gunshot wound near KC bus stop

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – A KC-135 Stratotanker’s front landing gear retracted while it was parked on the McConnell Air Force Base flightline at approximately 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to a statement from the base.

Aircrew had disembarked prior to the incident. Two maintainers were on board the aircraft and three others were near the aircraft at the time of the incident, but no one was injured.

McConnell emergency response forces responded to the aircraft and remain at the scene.

“Today our Emergency Response Airmen put their training to this real-world test, and I am extremely proud of how they conducted themselves and performed their duties,” said Col. Cory Damon, 22nd&nbsp;Air Refueling Wing commander. “Other flying operations at McConnell remain unhindered by this incident.”&nbsp; The incident is under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717030257861.png" alt="A U.S. Air Force KC-135-Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot" />
 <figcaption>A U.S. Air Force KC-135-Photo by Senior Master Sgt. Vincent De Groot</figcaption>
 </figure>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. – A KC-135 Stratotanker’s front landing gear retracted while it was parked on the McConnell Air Force Base flightline at approximately 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, according to a statement from the base.Aircrew had disembarked prior to the incident. Two maintainers were on board the aircraft and three others were near the aircraft at the time of the incident, but no one was injured.McConnell emergency response forces responded to the aircraft and remain at the scene.“Today our Emergency Response Airmen put their training to this real-world test, and I am extremely proud of how they conducted themselves and performed their duties,” said Col. Cory Damon, 22nd&nbsp;Air Refueling Wing commander. “Other flying operations at McConnell remain unhindered by this incident.”&nbsp; The incident is under investigation.

Kansas air force base investigating aircraft incident

&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon charged a in fatal 2021 nightclub shooting in Wichita has entered a guilty plea in the case.

&nbsp;Earlier this month, Keshawn Dawson, 25,&nbsp; pleaded guilty to second-degree reckless murder and aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

At 12:40 a.m. on Sept. 7,&nbsp; 2021 officers responded to a shooting call at the Enigma Club, 351 N. Mosely in Wichita.&nbsp; Officers located multiple victims that were all transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.&nbsp; The investigation revealed Dawson got into a disturbance earlier inside the club and was forced to leave.&nbsp; Dawson returned a short time later and fired multiple rounds with a handgun through windows into the club from the outside, striking the victims.

In addition, Dawson had active felony Sedgwick County warrants and was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous felony convictions, according to Officer Charlie Davidson.

On Oct. 8, U.S. Marshals arrested Dawson in Phoenix Arizona.&nbsp; He is scheduled for sentencing July 18, according to the District Attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634817510235.png" alt="Dawson-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Dawson-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas felon charged a in fatal 2021 nightclub shooting in Wichita has entered a guilty plea in the case.&nbsp;Earlier this month, Keshawn Dawson, 25,&nbsp; pleaded guilty to second-degree reckless murder and aggravated battery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.At 12:40 a.m. on Sept. 7,&nbsp; 2021 officers responded to a shooting call at the Enigma Club, 351 N. Mosely in Wichita.&nbsp; Officers located multiple victims that were all transported to an area hospital for medical treatment.&nbsp; The investigation revealed Dawson got into a disturbance earlier inside the club and was forced to leave.&nbsp; Dawson returned a short time later and fired multiple rounds with a handgun through windows into the club from the outside, striking the victims.In addition, Dawson had active felony Sedgwick County warrants and was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous felony convictions, according to Officer Charlie Davidson.On Oct. 8, U.S. Marshals arrested Dawson in Phoenix Arizona.&nbsp; He is scheduled for sentencing July 18, according to the District Attorney's office.

Kan. mass shooting suspect captured in Arizona enters plea

MCCURTAIN COUNTY —Bradly Courtright caught a 95 pound flathead catfish in Pine Creek Reservoir on a trotline, according to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservataion.

The catch is the largest flathead ever caught in Pine Creek. This fish is almost 20 pounds larger than the rod and reel record but 11 pounds short of the unrestricted division record - which was caught on a trotline in 1977 in Wister Reservoir.

Pine Creek Lake is a lake in McCurtain County and Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, USA. It is 8 miles north of Valliant, Oklahoma. It is located east of Rattan and north of Sobol. The lake, which was begun in 1963 and became operational built in 1969, impounds the waters of Little River, Pine Creek, and Turkey Creek, according to the ODWC.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717016108765.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>MCCURTAIN COUNTY —Bradly Courtright caught a 95 pound flathead catfish in Pine Creek Reservoir on a trotline, according to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservataion.The catch is the largest flathead ever caught in Pine Creek. This fish is almost 20 pounds larger than the rod and reel record but 11 pounds short of the unrestricted division record - which was caught on a trotline in 1977 in Wister Reservoir.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1717016034403.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Pine Creek Lake is a lake in McCurtain County and Pushmataha County, Oklahoma, USA. It is 8 miles north of Valliant, Oklahoma. It is located east of Rattan and north of Sobol. The lake, which was begun in 1963 and became operational built in 1969, impounds the waters of Little River, Pine Creek, and Turkey Creek, according to the ODWC.

Man catches record-breaking flathead catfish

NEW YORK (AP) — The first day of jury deliberations in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial concluded after the panel sent their first two notes to the judge Wednesday afternoon, just a few hours after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-judge-verdict-390f045e9e8a37f069e82576edd7a842">beginning deliberations</a>.

They requested to rehear jury instructions, as well as rehear testimony from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker about the August 2015 Trump Tower meeting where he agreed to identify negative stories for Trump, a phone call he says he had with Trump about the Karen McDougal deal, and his decision not to sell the rights to McDougal’s story to Trump.

The jury also asked to hear Michael Cohen's testimony about the same Trump Tower meeting.

Judge Juan M. Merchan said it would take some time to gather the requested testimony and about a half hour to re-read it to the jury. Deliberations will resume Thursday morning.

The historic deliberations followed Tuesday's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-jury-hush-money-stormy-daniels-e262d1fe4a9ca624f2f983ca1000eb55">whirlwind of closing arguments</a>, which stretched into the evening as prosecutor Joshua Steinglass accused Trump of intentionally deceiving voters by allegedly participating in a “catch-and-kill” scheme to bury stories that might obliterate his 2016 presidential bid.

The defense approached its summation much in the same way it approached cross-examination: by targeting the credibility of star witness Michael Cohen.

Trump faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">34 felony counts</a>&nbsp;of falsifying business records, charges which are punishable by up to four years in prison. He has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty.

At&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-trial-closing-arguments-ed9e28cd63502c0949e9fafcc6f0a991">the heart of the charges</a>&nbsp;are reimbursements paid to Cohen for a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in exchange for not going public with her claim about a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump.

Prosecutors say the reimbursements were falsely logged as “legal expenses” to hide the true nature of the transactions.

The case is the first of&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">Trump's four indictments</a>&nbsp;to reach trial and is the first-ever criminal case against a former U.S. president.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716986622777.png" alt="Trump leaving the court house late Tuesday-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Trump leaving the court house late Tuesday-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The first day of jury deliberations in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial concluded after the panel sent their first two notes to the judge Wednesday afternoon, just a few hours after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-deliberations-jury-judge-verdict-390f045e9e8a37f069e82576edd7a842">beginning deliberations</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Former President Trump: &quot;Mother Teresa could not beat these charges. These charges are rigged. The whole thing is rigged. The whole country&#39;s a mess between the borders and fake elections and you have a trial like this...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/pfHWUSkWx9">pic.twitter.com/pfHWUSkWx9</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1795847409433555154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>They requested to rehear jury instructions, as well as rehear testimony from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker about the August 2015 Trump Tower meeting where he agreed to identify negative stories for Trump, a phone call he says he had with Trump about the Karen McDougal deal, and his decision not to sell the rights to McDougal’s story to Trump.The jury also asked to hear Michael Cohen's testimony about the same Trump Tower meeting.Judge Juan M. Merchan said it would take some time to gather the requested testimony and about a half hour to re-read it to the jury. Deliberations will resume Thursday morning.The historic deliberations followed Tuesday's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-jury-hush-money-stormy-daniels-e262d1fe4a9ca624f2f983ca1000eb55">whirlwind of closing arguments</a>, which stretched into the evening as prosecutor Joshua Steinglass accused Trump of intentionally deceiving voters by allegedly participating in a “catch-and-kill” scheme to bury stories that might obliterate his 2016 presidential bid.The defense approached its summation much in the same way it approached cross-examination: by targeting the credibility of star witness Michael Cohen.Trump faces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">34 felony counts</a>&nbsp;of falsifying business records, charges which are punishable by up to four years in prison. He has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty.At&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-trial-closing-arguments-ed9e28cd63502c0949e9fafcc6f0a991">the heart of the charges</a>&nbsp;are reimbursements paid to Cohen for a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels in exchange for not going public with her claim about a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump.Prosecutors say the reimbursements were falsely logged as “legal expenses” to hide the true nature of the transactions.The case is the first of&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">Trump's four indictments</a>&nbsp;to reach trial and is the first-ever criminal case against a former U.S. president.

🎥 Trump: Mother Teresa could not beat these charges

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Ten Kansas counties stand to receive millions in federal funds to improve the safety and efficiency of local roads.&nbsp;

Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday announced the $6.65 million in federal funds for 10 projects, selected out of 46 applications. Haskell, Linn, Ottawa, Phillips, Sedgwick, Seward and Shawnee counties have all been granted federal dollars for these rural road improvement projects.&nbsp;

“Our rural roads are important to the local and state economy,” Kelly said. “Programs like this enable commerce to flow smoothly and improve safety for Kansas families as they travel our state.”

Project funding is managed through the&nbsp;Kansas Department of Transportation’s High Risk Rural Roads Program.&nbsp;The state effort is funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program,&nbsp;federal aid geared toward reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roads.

Over the past 13 years, KDOT HRRR funds have been geared toward reducing collisions with a fixed object&nbsp;— one of the most common types of fatal rural crashes.&nbsp;To that end,&nbsp;KDOT has prioritized projects geared toward low-cost&nbsp;prevention measures such as installing rumble strips, increasing signage, guardrails and other roadside barriers.

Among other projects, Linn will receive $370,000 to install pavement markings, hazard markers and signs on a portion of Route 1095. Phillips has $525,000 to upgrade signing on 154 miles of country roads east of U.S. 183.&nbsp; Seward has&nbsp;$775,000 to extend four culverts and install road shoulders, among other improvements. Haskell has $270,000 to upgrade signage.&nbsp;

“These funds assist our rural partners to increase roadway safety by using low-cost and proven countermeasures,” said Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645215030601.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;File photo -Safety projects for rural roads in the state will include enhancing signage, broadening lanes and extending shoulders. The Kansas Department of Transportation funding will go toward 10 rural road projects.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;File photo -Safety projects for rural roads in the state will include enhancing signage, broadening lanes and extending shoulders. The Kansas Department of Transportation funding will go toward 10 rural road projects.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Ten Kansas counties stand to receive millions in federal funds to improve the safety and efficiency of local roads.&nbsp;Gov. Laura Kelly on Thursday announced the $6.65 million in federal funds for 10 projects, selected out of 46 applications. Haskell, Linn, Ottawa, Phillips, Sedgwick, Seward and Shawnee counties have all been granted federal dollars for these rural road improvement projects.&nbsp;“Our rural roads are important to the local and state economy,” Kelly said. “Programs like this enable commerce to flow smoothly and improve safety for Kansas families as they travel our state.”Project funding is managed through the&nbsp;Kansas Department of Transportation’s High Risk Rural Roads Program.&nbsp;The state effort is funded through the Highway Safety Improvement Program,&nbsp;federal aid geared toward reducing traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roads.Over the past 13 years, KDOT HRRR funds have been geared toward reducing collisions with a fixed object&nbsp;— one of the most common types of fatal rural crashes.&nbsp;To that end,&nbsp;KDOT has prioritized projects geared toward low-cost&nbsp;prevention measures such as installing rumble strips, increasing signage, guardrails and other roadside barriers.Among other projects, Linn will receive $370,000 to install pavement markings, hazard markers and signs on a portion of Route 1095. Phillips has $525,000 to upgrade signing on 154 miles of country roads east of U.S. 183.&nbsp; Seward has&nbsp;$775,000 to extend four culverts and install road shoulders, among other improvements. Haskell has $270,000 to upgrade signage.&nbsp;“These funds assist our rural partners to increase roadway safety by using low-cost and proven countermeasures,” said Kansas Transportation Secretary Calvin Reed.

Millions of dollars allocated to reduce fatal rural accidents in Kansas

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scheffler-pga-police-fatality-a421bfdb346f00dec95c95a0ab04e4d9">arrested and handcuffed</a>&nbsp;in Louisville during the PGA Championship.

(Click below to watch videos from a street pole camera of encounter)

Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell asked a judge Wednesday afternoon to drop the four charges against Scheffler, who was not required to be in the courtroom. The prosecutor said his team reviewed the case in a “thorough and expeditious manner.”

“Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler," O'Connell said during the hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes. "Mr. Scheffler’s characterization that this was ‘a big misunderstanding’ is corroborated by the evidence.”

Scheffler was charged with a felony for assaulting a police officer with his vehicle, along with three misdemeanors. The arresting officer, Detective Bryan Gillis, was outside the gate of Valhalla Golf Course May 17 directing traffic after a pedestrian death when he encountered Scheffler.

The prosecutor said the findings of his office’s review of the case led him to request the dismissal of the charges.

“The evidence we reviewed supports the conclusion that Detective Gillis was concerned for public safety at the scene when he initiated contact with Mr. Scheffler,” O’Connell said. “However, Mr. Scheffler’s actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange during this misunderstanding do not satisfy the elements of any criminal offenses.”

Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, was asked if he wanted to comment. Romines replied: “Judge, it’s taken me a long time to understand that when I’m winning, don’t talk. So I have nothing to say, your honor.”

The judge then accepted the dismissal motion.

Scheffler, 27, was driving a PGA courtesy vehicle when Gillis said he “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging” Gillis to the ground. Gillis said his uniform pants were damaged in the fall and he was taken to the hospital for his injuries.

A surveillance video released by Louisville police last week showed Gillis pursuing Scheffler’s vehicle on foot and stopping him from entering the course. Scheffler is later pulled from the car and cuffed. But the video did not show Gillis’ first contact with Scheffler, authorities said.

Gillis has been disciplined for not activating his body-worn camera during the arrest. In a report on that failure, Gillis wrote that Scheffler had “demanded to be let in” the golf course.

Scheffler has said he simply misunderstood the commands coming from traffic officers.

The famous golfer spent a brief stint in a jail cell, then returned to the course for the second round. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scottie-scheffler-pga-championship-15f6041dc4d9fd00ab65f742737f0f34">finished the tournament</a>&nbsp;tied for eighth place.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715949652837.png" alt="Scheffler's booking photo Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Scheffler's booking photo Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scheffler-pga-police-fatality-a421bfdb346f00dec95c95a0ab04e4d9">arrested and handcuffed</a>&nbsp;in Louisville during the PGA Championship.(Click below to watch videos from a street pole camera of encounter)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mnWeQfNMLmM?si=ZRSVVZfgFYR4Z5k4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mnWeQfNMLmM?si=ZRSVVZfgFYR4Z5k4" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell asked a judge Wednesday afternoon to drop the four charges against Scheffler, who was not required to be in the courtroom. The prosecutor said his team reviewed the case in a “thorough and expeditious manner.”“Based upon the totality of the evidence, my office cannot move forward in the prosecution of the charges filed against Mr. Scheffler," O'Connell said during the hearing that lasted less than 10 minutes. "Mr. Scheffler’s characterization that this was ‘a big misunderstanding’ is corroborated by the evidence.”Scheffler was charged with a felony for assaulting a police officer with his vehicle, along with three misdemeanors. The arresting officer, Detective Bryan Gillis, was outside the gate of Valhalla Golf Course May 17 directing traffic after a pedestrian death when he encountered Scheffler.The prosecutor said the findings of his office’s review of the case led him to request the dismissal of the charges.“The evidence we reviewed supports the conclusion that Detective Gillis was concerned for public safety at the scene when he initiated contact with Mr. Scheffler,” O’Connell said. “However, Mr. Scheffler’s actions and the evidence surrounding their exchange during this misunderstanding do not satisfy the elements of any criminal offenses.”Scheffler’s attorney, Steve Romines, was asked if he wanted to comment. Romines replied: “Judge, it’s taken me a long time to understand that when I’m winning, don’t talk. So I have nothing to say, your honor.”The judge then accepted the dismissal motion.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715949915421.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Scheffler, 27, was driving a PGA courtesy vehicle when Gillis said he “refused to comply and accelerated forward, dragging” Gillis to the ground. Gillis said his uniform pants were damaged in the fall and he was taken to the hospital for his injuries.A surveillance video released by Louisville police last week showed Gillis pursuing Scheffler’s vehicle on foot and stopping him from entering the course. Scheffler is later pulled from the car and cuffed. But the video did not show Gillis’ first contact with Scheffler, authorities said.Gillis has been disciplined for not activating his body-worn camera during the arrest. In a report on that failure, Gillis wrote that Scheffler had “demanded to be let in” the golf course.Scheffler has said he simply misunderstood the commands coming from traffic officers.The famous golfer spent a brief stint in a jail cell, then returned to the course for the second round. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scottie-scheffler-pga-championship-15f6041dc4d9fd00ab65f742737f0f34">finished the tournament</a>&nbsp;tied for eighth place.

🎥 Why charges against world's top golfer were dropped after arrest

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that she will call a special legislative session on tax cuts beginning June 18.

The move comes after the Democratic governor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-budget-tax-cuts-veto-9ebddf96cd35b614d8e96f2d8b8939c2">vetoed</a>&nbsp;three Republican plans to cut taxes this year, setting up a high-stakes election-year tussle with the GOP-controlled Kansas Legislature.

“I am committed to working with the Legislature to deliver responsible, sustainable tax cuts for all Kansans,” Kelly said in a statement. “A special session provides the opportunity for bipartisan collaboration on comprehensive tax relief that does not threaten Kansas’ solid fiscal foundation. By working together, we can swiftly come to a compromise to put more money back into Kansans’ pockets.”

Lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-budget-tax-cuts-veto-9ebddf96cd35b614d8e96f2d8b8939c2">this month</a>&nbsp;sent Kelly a proposal to cut income, sales and property taxes by a total of $1.45 billion or more over three years. She vetoed the measure after the Legislature adjourned, blocking lawmakers from attempting to override her.

Kelly and Republican leaders have agreed on eliminating state income taxes on retirees’ Social Security benefits, which kick in when they earn $75,000 a year. They also agree on reducing a state property tax for schools and eliminating the state’s already set-to-expire 2% sales tax on groceries six months early, on July 1.

But almost half of the cuts in the latest bill were tied to changes in the personal income tax. The state’s highest tax rate would have been 5.57%, instead of the current 5.7%.

GOP leaders have grown increasingly frustrated as they’ve made what they see as major concessions, including giving up on moving Kansas from three personal income tax rates to one.

All 40 Senate seats and 125 House seats are on the ballot in this year’s elections, and Democrats hope to break the Republican supermajorities in both chambers. Both parties believe voters will be upset if there is no broad tax relief after surplus funds piled up in the state’s coffers.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Wednesday that she will call a special legislative session on tax cuts beginning June 18.The move comes after the Democratic governor&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-budget-tax-cuts-veto-9ebddf96cd35b614d8e96f2d8b8939c2">vetoed</a>&nbsp;three Republican plans to cut taxes this year, setting up a high-stakes election-year tussle with the GOP-controlled Kansas Legislature.“I am committed to working with the Legislature to deliver responsible, sustainable tax cuts for all Kansans,” Kelly said in a statement. “A special session provides the opportunity for bipartisan collaboration on comprehensive tax relief that does not threaten Kansas’ solid fiscal foundation. By working together, we can swiftly come to a compromise to put more money back into Kansans’ pockets.”Lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-budget-tax-cuts-veto-9ebddf96cd35b614d8e96f2d8b8939c2">this month</a>&nbsp;sent Kelly a proposal to cut income, sales and property taxes by a total of $1.45 billion or more over three years. She vetoed the measure after the Legislature adjourned, blocking lawmakers from attempting to override her.Kelly and Republican leaders have agreed on eliminating state income taxes on retirees’ Social Security benefits, which kick in when they earn $75,000 a year. They also agree on reducing a state property tax for schools and eliminating the state’s already set-to-expire 2% sales tax on groceries six months early, on July 1.But almost half of the cuts in the latest bill were tied to changes in the personal income tax. The state’s highest tax rate would have been 5.57%, instead of the current 5.7%.GOP leaders have grown increasingly frustrated as they’ve made what they see as major concessions, including giving up on moving Kansas from three personal income tax rates to one.All 40 Senate seats and 125 House seats are on the ballot in this year’s elections, and Democrats hope to break the Republican supermajorities in both chambers. Both parties believe voters will be upset if there is no broad tax relief after surplus funds piled up in the state’s coffers.

Kansas special legislative session on tax cuts set to begin in June

BUTLER COUNTY—Authorities investigating a high-speed law enforcement chase that sent three people to the hospital including a Kansas police officer released additional details on what led to the crash.

Just after 6p.m. Monday, deputies responded to the Butler County-Greenwood County line on US 400 for a vehicle that failed to yield to Greenwood County deputies, according to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.

It had been reported that a pickup truck pulling an empty boat trailer struck another vehicle and after being located by law enforcement, the driver later identified as&nbsp;Allan Milton Firman III, 44, Wichita, refused to stop, according to Cunfiff.

&nbsp;As the truck reached the county line on US 400, the pursuing Greenwood County deputy ended the pursuit. A short time later, Butler County Emergency Communications received another call of a reckless driver involving a vehicle matching the description of the truck and trailer pursued by Greenwood County.

The sheriff’s office said reports indicated that the truck was driving into oncoming traffic at a high rate of speed in a construction zone near Beaumont. 

A deputy then spotted the truck heading west in the area of US 400 and Pickrell Road. The deputy tried to stop the pickup but Firman continued west. 

The sheriff’s office said deputies set up tire deflation devices along the highway ahead of a fleeing truck and at one point, the driver swerved into the median to avoid the device. In that process, the fleeing pickup nearly hit a deputy, according to Cundiff.

The pickup continued west in the eastbound lanes of US 400 and deputies deployed another tire deflation device near US 400 and Lunger Road on the east side of Augusta.

The pickup entered the city of Augusta and the pickup struck the Augusta Police Department Dodge Durango Pursuit driven by&nbsp;Officer Kyle E. Sisco with the Augusta Police Department, according to the Kansas Highway Patro.

EMS transported Firman, a passenger in the pickup Sandra C.  Schopplein, 47, Derby and Sisco to Wichita area hospitals.&nbsp; Just after 11p.m. Monday, Firman was booked into the Butler County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, drug charges, driving under the influence, transporting an open container and reckless driving, according to Cundiff.

Firman has two previous convictions for aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Firman is set to make his first court appearance on Wednesday afternoon.

BUTLER COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Monday in Butler County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the law enforcement were in pursuit of a 2020 Chevy Silverado that was pulling a was pulling a 2020 Karavan boat trailer westbound in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 54.

The pickup driven by Allan Milton&nbsp;Firman III, 44, Wichita, struck the left rear corner of a 2023 Dodge Durango Pursuit driven by Officer Kyle E.&nbsp;Sisco with the Augusta Police Department.

EMS transported&nbsp;Firman, a passenger in the pickup&nbsp;Sandra C.&nbsp; Schopplein, 47, Derby and Sisco to Wichita area hospitals. The occupants of the pickup were properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp; Just after 11p.m. Monday, Firman was booked into the Butler County Jail. He has two previous convictions for aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716945189377.png" alt="Firman has two previous convictions for aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. photo Butler Co.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Firman has two previous convictions for aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. photo Butler Co.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY—Authorities investigating a high-speed law enforcement chase that sent three people to the hospital including a Kansas police officer released additional details on what led to the crash.Just after 6p.m. Monday, deputies responded to the Butler County-Greenwood County line on US 400 for a vehicle that failed to yield to Greenwood County deputies, according to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.It had been reported that a pickup truck pulling an empty boat trailer struck another vehicle and after being located by law enforcement, the driver later identified as&nbsp;Allan Milton Firman III, 44, Wichita, refused to stop, according to Cunfiff.&nbsp;As the truck reached the county line on US 400, the pursuing Greenwood County deputy ended the pursuit. A short time later, Butler County Emergency Communications received another call of a reckless driver involving a vehicle matching the description of the truck and trailer pursued by Greenwood County.The sheriff’s office said reports indicated that the truck was driving into oncoming traffic at a high rate of speed in a construction zone near Beaumont. A deputy then spotted the truck heading west in the area of US 400 and Pickrell Road. The deputy tried to stop the pickup but Firman continued west. The sheriff’s office said deputies set up tire deflation devices along the highway ahead of a fleeing truck and at one point, the driver swerved into the median to avoid the device. In that process, the fleeing pickup nearly hit a deputy, according to Cundiff.The pickup continued west in the eastbound lanes of US 400 and deputies deployed another tire deflation device near US 400 and Lunger Road on the east side of Augusta.The pickup entered the city of Augusta and the pickup struck the Augusta Police Department Dodge Durango Pursuit driven by&nbsp;Officer Kyle E. Sisco with the Augusta Police Department, according to the Kansas Highway Patro.EMS transported Firman, a passenger in the pickup Sandra C. Schopplein, 47, Derby and Sisco to Wichita area hospitals.&nbsp; Just after 11p.m. Monday, Firman was booked into the Butler County Jail on requested charges of&nbsp; fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, drug charges, driving under the influence, transporting an open container and reckless driving, according to Cundiff.Firman has two previous convictions for aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Firman is set to make his first court appearance on Wednesday afternoon.-------BUTLER COUNTY —Three people were injured in an accident just before 6:30p.m. Monday in Butler County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the law enforcement were in pursuit of a 2020 Chevy Silverado that was pulling a was pulling a 2020 Karavan boat trailer westbound in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 54.Firman has two previous convictions for aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.The pickup driven by Allan Milton&nbsp;Firman III, 44, Wichita, struck the left rear corner of a 2023 Dodge Durango Pursuit driven by Officer Kyle E.&nbsp;Sisco with the Augusta Police Department.EMS transported&nbsp;Firman, a passenger in the pickup&nbsp;Sandra C.&nbsp; Schopplein, 47, Derby and Sisco to Wichita area hospitals. The occupants of the pickup were properly restrained, according to the KHP.&nbsp; Just after 11p.m. Monday, Firman was booked into the Butler County Jail. He has two previous convictions for aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Sheriff reveals details on chase, crash into Kansas police vehicle

DETROIT (AP) — Nissan is urging the owners of about 84,000 older vehicles to stop driving them because their Takata air bag inflators have an increased risk of exploding in a crash and hurling dangerous metal fragments.

Wednesday's urgent request comes after one person in a Nissan was killed by an exploding front-passenger inflator, and as many as 58 people were injured since 2015.

“Due to the age of the vehicles equipped with defective Takata air bag inflators, there is an increased risk the inflator could explode during an air bag deployment, propelling sharp metal fragments which can cause serious injury or death,” Nissan said in a statement.

Nissan said the “do not drive” warning covers certain 2002 through 2006 Sentra small cars, as well as some 2002 through 2004 Pathfinder SUVs, and 2002 and 2003 Infiniti QX4 SUVs. Owners can find out if their vehicles are affected by going to&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/X780800/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/HSWBL88K/nissanusa.com/takata-airbag-recall">nissanusa.com/takata-airbag-recall</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/X780800/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/HSWBL88K/infinitiusa.com/takata-airbag-recall">infinitiusa.com/takata-airbag-recall</a>&nbsp;and keying in their 17-digit vehicle identification number.

The company says owners should contact their dealer to set up an appointment to have inflators replaced for free. Nissan also is offering free towing to dealers, and in some locations mobile service and loaner cars are available.

“Even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries," the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement. “Older model year vehicles put their occupants at higher risk, as the age of the air bag is one of the contributing factors.”

Nissan originally recalled 736,422 of the vehicles in 2020 to replace the Takata inflators. The company said around 84,000 remain unrepaired and are believed to still be in use.

Nissan said it has made numerous attempts to reach the owners with unrepaired Takata inflators.

The death was reported to NHTSA in 2018, the company said. The person killed was in a 2006 Sentra, according to Nissan.

The death is one of 27 in the U.S. caused by the faulty inflators,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/takata-air-bag-inflator-explosion-killed-ram-pickup-2003-571d22e2f6682f01f149f592d8c1c78b">which used volatile ammonium nitrate</a>&nbsp;to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash. The chemical can deteriorate over time when exposed to high temperatures and humidity. It can explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and spewing shrapnel. More than 400 people in the U.S. have been hurt.

Worldwide at least 35 people have been killed by Takata inflators in Malaysia, Australia and the U.S.

Potential for a dangerous malfunction led to the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 67 million Takata inflators involved. The U.S. government says many have not been repaired. About 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide. The exploding air bags sent Takata&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4e456cf44b454cf581e4fc06dc8ad338">into bankruptcy</a>.

Honda, Ford, BMW, Toyota and Stellantis and Mazda&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/toyota-takata-air-bag-explode-shrapnel-3c03be0d9454856cf52e48aaa6bda711">have issued similar “do not drive”</a>&nbsp;warnings for some of their vehicles equipped with Takata inflators.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1576782225717.png" alt="Photo&nbsp; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration" />
 <figcaption>Photo&nbsp; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — Nissan is urging the owners of about 84,000 older vehicles to stop driving them because their Takata air bag inflators have an increased risk of exploding in a crash and hurling dangerous metal fragments.Wednesday's urgent request comes after one person in a Nissan was killed by an exploding front-passenger inflator, and as many as 58 people were injured since 2015.“Due to the age of the vehicles equipped with defective Takata air bag inflators, there is an increased risk the inflator could explode during an air bag deployment, propelling sharp metal fragments which can cause serious injury or death,” Nissan said in a statement.Nissan said the “do not drive” warning covers certain 2002 through 2006 Sentra small cars, as well as some 2002 through 2004 Pathfinder SUVs, and 2002 and 2003 Infiniti QX4 SUVs. Owners can find out if their vehicles are affected by going to&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/X780800/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/HSWBL88K/nissanusa.com/takata-airbag-recall">nissanusa.com/takata-airbag-recall</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="file:///C:/Users/X780800/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/HSWBL88K/infinitiusa.com/takata-airbag-recall">infinitiusa.com/takata-airbag-recall</a>&nbsp;and keying in their 17-digit vehicle identification number.The company says owners should contact their dealer to set up an appointment to have inflators replaced for free. Nissan also is offering free towing to dealers, and in some locations mobile service and loaner cars are available.“Even minor crashes can result in exploding Takata air bags that can kill or produce life-altering, gruesome injuries," the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a statement. “Older model year vehicles put their occupants at higher risk, as the age of the air bag is one of the contributing factors.”Nissan originally recalled 736,422 of the vehicles in 2020 to replace the Takata inflators. The company said around 84,000 remain unrepaired and are believed to still be in use.Nissan said it has made numerous attempts to reach the owners with unrepaired Takata inflators.The death was reported to NHTSA in 2018, the company said. The person killed was in a 2006 Sentra, according to Nissan.The death is one of 27 in the U.S. caused by the faulty inflators,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/takata-air-bag-inflator-explosion-killed-ram-pickup-2003-571d22e2f6682f01f149f592d8c1c78b">which used volatile ammonium nitrate</a>&nbsp;to create a small explosion to inflate air bags in a crash. The chemical can deteriorate over time when exposed to high temperatures and humidity. It can explode with too much force, blowing apart a metal canister and spewing shrapnel. More than 400 people in the U.S. have been hurt.Worldwide at least 35 people have been killed by Takata inflators in Malaysia, Australia and the U.S.Potential for a dangerous malfunction led to the largest series of auto recalls in U.S. history, with at least 67 million Takata inflators involved. The U.S. government says many have not been repaired. About 100 million inflators have been recalled worldwide. The exploding air bags sent Takata&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/4e456cf44b454cf581e4fc06dc8ad338">into bankruptcy</a>.Honda, Ford, BMW, Toyota and Stellantis and Mazda&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/toyota-takata-air-bag-explode-shrapnel-3c03be0d9454856cf52e48aaa6bda711">have issued similar “do not drive”</a>&nbsp;warnings for some of their vehicles equipped with Takata inflators.

Nissan warns owners of older vehicles of exploding air bag inflators

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s campaign on Tuesday showed up outside former President Donald Trump’s New York City&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-jury-hush-money-stormy-daniels-e262d1fe4a9ca624f2f983ca1000eb55">criminal hush money trial</a>&nbsp;with actor Robert De Niro and a pair of former police officers in an effort to refocus the presidential race on the former president’s role in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection</a>.

On his social media account, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall criticized what he called "the stunt by the Biden Campaign to host a political event outside the courthouse tells you everything you need to know. This is a sham trial manufactured by liars, George Soros-backed political pawns, and the radical Left in order to prop up 'The Big Guy' whose campaign is in free fall."

De Niro's appearance was a sharp about-face for Biden’s team, which had largely ignored the trial since it began six weeks ago and is now looking to capitalize on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-cohen-a1984e2353de3df5d0520e4f0705f7f8">its drama-filled closing moments</a>, sending the “Goodfellas” actor and the first responders who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Biden’s campaign had been wary about feeding into Trump’s argument that his criminal trials were the result of politically motivated prosecutions, but ultimately it decided to engage because its message about the stakes of the election was struggling to break through the intense focus on the trial.

A top Biden adviser said they weren’t there to talk about the trial — and De Niro and the officers didn’t reference the sordid criminal case directly — rather to exploit the large media focus on the legal proceedings. But Trump advisers argued in a dueling press conference that the Biden team’s presence validated the Republican former president’s claims that his prosecutions are being driven by politics.

“We’re not here today because of what’s going on over there,” Biden campaign communication director Michael Tyler told reporters, gesturing toward the courthouse. “We’re here today because you all are here.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s campaign on Tuesday showed up outside former President Donald Trump’s New York City&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-jury-hush-money-stormy-daniels-e262d1fe4a9ca624f2f983ca1000eb55">criminal hush money trial</a>&nbsp;with actor Robert De Niro and a pair of former police officers in an effort to refocus the presidential race on the former president’s role in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection</a>.On his social media account, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall criticized what he called "the stunt by the Biden Campaign to host a political event outside the courthouse tells you everything you need to know. This is a sham trial manufactured by liars, George Soros-backed political pawns, and the radical Left in order to prop up 'The Big Guy' whose campaign is in free fall."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today&#39;s stunt by the Biden Campaign to host a political event outside the courthouse tells you everything you need to know. This is a sham trial manufactured by liars, George Soros-backed political pawns, and the radical Left in order to prop up &#39;The Big Guy&#39; whose campaign is in…&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1795526861830623611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>De Niro's appearance was a sharp about-face for Biden’s team, which had largely ignored the trial since it began six weeks ago and is now looking to capitalize on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-stormy-daniels-cohen-a1984e2353de3df5d0520e4f0705f7f8">its drama-filled closing moments</a>, sending the “Goodfellas” actor and the first responders who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Biden’s campaign had been wary about feeding into Trump’s argument that his criminal trials were the result of politically motivated prosecutions, but ultimately it decided to engage because its message about the stakes of the election was struggling to break through the intense focus on the trial.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Actor Robert De Niro in New York City: &quot;I love this city. I don&#39;t want to destroy it. Donald Trump wants to destroy not only the city, but the country and eventually he could destroy the world.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/FxiEdPeKHI">pic.twitter.com/FxiEdPeKHI</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1795479989799854330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A top Biden adviser said they weren’t there to talk about the trial — and De Niro and the officers didn’t reference the sordid criminal case directly — rather to exploit the large media focus on the legal proceedings. But Trump advisers argued in a dueling press conference that the Biden team’s presence validated the Republican former president’s claims that his prosecutions are being driven by politics.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716995762781.png" alt="Trump" />
 <figcaption>Trump</figcaption>
 </figure>“We’re not here today because of what’s going on over there,” Biden campaign communication director Michael Tyler told reporters, gesturing toward the courthouse. “We’re here today because you all are here.”The back-to-back press conferences were a sideshow to the main event playing out inside the courthouse, where closing arguments were underway in the only Trump trial likely to surface before the November election. There are two others directly related to the Republican’s efforts to undo his 2020 loss to Biden, a Democrat: A federal case in Washington is related to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, and a state case in Georgia accuses him of election interference. He has pleaded not guilty in those cases. The last case involves accusations he willfully retained classified documents after he left office.The Biden campaign last week released a new ad that was narrated by De Niro sharply criticizing Trump’s presidency and plans if he’s reelected. On Tuesday, he said he’d joined the campaign because it was the only way to “preserve our freedoms. ”“I don’t mean to scare you. No, wait, maybe I do mean to scare you,” De Niro told reporters. “If Trump returns to the White House, you can kiss these freedoms goodbye that we all take for granted.”The actor cast himself as the true New Yorker and mocked Trump’s history of sometimes-unsuccessful business ventures and self-promotion, saying Trump was looking to “destroy” the city.“We New Yorkers used to tolerate him when he was just another crappy real estate hustler masquerading as a big shot,” De Niro said. “I love this city. I don’t want to destroy it. Donald Trump wants to destroy not only the city but the country, and, eventually, he could destroy the world.”Former Washington, D.C., police officer Michael Fanone and former Capitol police officer Harry Dunn spoke of their personal experiences on Jan. 6, with Fanone describing his injuries suffered at the hands of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;seeking to halt Congress’ certification of Biden’s 2020 presidential victory.“I came here today to remind Americans of what Donald Trump is capable of and the violence that he unleashed on all of Americans on Jan. 6, 2021,” Fanone said.The two former officers were also witnesses during a congressional investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Hundreds of law enforcement officers were beaten and bloodied in the attack by Trump supporters, who descended after a rally and smashed into the Capitol while Trump remained silent for hours.“Americans need to wake up. This is not a drill,” said Dunn, a former Capitol police officer who ran unsuccessfully for office in Maryland.“We can’t count on these institutions to stop Donald Trump,” he added. “It’s going to take us Americans at the ballot box to defeat him once and for all.”Trump’s campaign staffers held their own news conference at the same spot outside the courthouse to respond to De Niro, the Jan. 6 officers and the Biden campaign.Trump’s senior campaign adviser, Jason Miller, called De Niro — who won Oscars for his roles in “The Godfather: Part II” and “Raging Bull” — “a washed-up actor” and said the Biden news conference proved Trump’s arguments that the trial, like the others the former president is facing, was motivated by politics.“After months of saying politics had nothing to do with this trial, they showed up and made a campaign event out of a lower Manhattan trial day for President Trump,” Miller said.Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign’s press secretary, called the Biden campaign “desperate and failing” and “pathetic” and said its event outside the trial was “a full-blown concession that this trial is a witch hunt that comes from the top.”Yet even as Trump and his aides denounce the trial as politically motivated, he has been working to turn the proceedings into an offshoot of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-new-york-hush-money-trial-56fd4f4bb7562772c701a2acab76e9fd">presidential campaign</a>. He’s capitalized on the proceedings as a fundraising pitch, and has used his time in front of the cameras outside the courtroom to criticize Biden and showcase a parade of his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-speaker-mike-johnson-court-09aef3de395fa77843f2600f40da6ac3">own political supporters</a>.