BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>

WASHINGTON — As Democrats continue to ramp up their push against the oil industry, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and others on Thursday called out big oil companies and their executives for high gas prices heading into the heavily traveled Memorial Day weekend.

Republicans in turn have blamed President Joe Biden’s energy policies for high gas prices, with the potency of the issue for both parties illustrated by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/survey-research/2024-swing-state-project/unique-election-driven-traditional-issue">a new poll&nbsp;</a>in seven battleground states that shows the economy and cost of living at the top of voters’ minds in the 2024 campaign for the presidency.

The Biden administration earlier this week&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/21/biden-to-release-1-million-barrels-of-gasoline-to-reduce-prices-at-the-pump-ahead-of-july-4.html">said</a>&nbsp;1 million gallons of oil will be released from reserves in the northeastern United States, in an effort to curb prices ahead of summer driving. And officials with the Biden campaign pointed out Thursday a Wall Street Journal&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/business/energy-oil/gas-prices-memorial-day-weekend-2df1feab?mod=hp_lead_pos7">report</a>&nbsp;that prices are trending downward even before the weekend.

The national average price of a gallon of gas was $3.615 Thursday, according to automotive group&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/">AAA</a>, down from an all-time high of $5.016 in June 2022.

The Democratic lawmakers at Thursday’s press conference outside the U.S. Capitol included Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and U.S. Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island; House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse of Colorado; and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragán and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, both of California.

“Instead of working to lower gas prices for Americans ahead of a busy Memorial Day weekend, Big Oil companies, executives, are huddling to find ways to keep prices high and keep their profits soaring,” Schumer said. The press conference was co-hosted by Climate Power, a strategic communications organization in the climate space and the League of Conservation Voters, an environmental advocacy group.

Earlier in May, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/05/ftc-order-bans-former-pioneer-ceo-exxon-board-seat-exxon-pioneer-deal">Federal Trade Commission</a>&nbsp;alleged that Scott Sheffield, the CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources, “attempted to collude with the representatives of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and a related cartel of other oil-producing countries known as OPEC+ to reduce output of oil and gas, which would result in Americans paying higher prices at the pump, to inflate profits for his company.”

During Thursday’s event, Schumer said he would be sending a letter to the U.S. Justice Department next week “calling on them to investigate and prosecute collusion and price fixing that may have increased gasoline, fuel and energy costs, based on the report done by the FTC, when they unfortunately allowed (Exxon) Mobil to … merge with Pioneer (Natural Resources), which I thought was a bad idea.”

Schumer added that “the federal government must use every tool at our disposal to investigate the oil industry, hold accountable liable actors and illegal activities. There’s something wrong — very wrong — when big oil companies rake in the cash by polluting the atmosphere and at the expense of the American people.”

The Senate majority leader and his fellow Democratic lawmakers also called out former President Donald Trump over recent&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/09/trump-oil-industry-campaign-money/">media reports</a>&nbsp;saying Trump engaged in a quid pro quo offer with major oil companies’ CEOs in April.

Schumer said “one of the ways big oil companies spend their time these days is cozying up to Donald Trump, who, as we all know, is no enemy to big oil.”

Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee for president, setting him up for a rematch with Biden.

Separately on Thursday, Whitehouse, who chairs the Senate Budget Committee, and Oregon U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said their respective committees&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/chairman/newsroom/press/budget-finance-committees-launch-joint-investigation-into-donald-trumps-quid-pro-quo-offer-to-big-oil-">launched a joint investigation</a>&nbsp;into Trump’s “quid pro quo offer to big oil.”

The senators are asking nine oil and gas companies and their trade associations for information and documents pertaining to the purported quid pro quo proposed by Trump.

Neguse, a Colorado Democrat, said that for him, “all of this boils down to three words: polluters over people.” He noted that “over the last 16, 17 months, we have witnessed in the House an extreme MAGA Republican majority that has taken every opportunity to pass bill after bill to give giveaways to oil companies and to corporate polluters near and far.”

Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group, is seeking to turn the arguments back on Democrats. The group this week&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://americansforprosperity.org/press-release/with-the-start-of-summer-driving-season-afp-rolls-back-gas-prices-to-what-they-were-before-bidenomics/">announced</a>&nbsp;a series of events across the country where it will partner with local gas stations to roll back gasoline prices to what they were when Biden took office.

In March, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gop.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=766">House GOP Conference</a>&nbsp;said “the surging prices at the pump Americans are facing are a direct result from Joe Biden’s unprecedented war on American energy, which Biden launched on his first day in office in an attempt to appease his Far Left base by implementing his radical Green New Deal agenda.”

Republicans cited the U.S. Energy Department’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-administration-temporarily-halt-some-export-approvals-liquified-natural-gas">move</a>&nbsp;to pause approvals of new exports of liquified natural gas to all countries without a free trade agreement with the United States, as well as the decision early in Biden’s tenure to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dailymontanan.com/2021/01/21/biden-nixes-keystone-xl-pipeline/">kill</a>&nbsp;the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline.

Meanwhile, also Thursday, polling and analysis released by The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, in collaboration with Democratic polling firm BSG and Republican polling firm GS Strategy Group, found “the defining issue for this contest is a more traditional one: the economy.”

Over half of likely voters from swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, viewed inflation and the cost of living as the “worst/weakest” part of the economy, according to the report. In seven states combined, Trump led Biden 47% to 44% in a head-to-head matchup. Trump led in all states except Wisconsin.

Neither a spokesperson for the Trump Organization nor his 2024 presidential campaign immediately responded to a request for comment Thursday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716664294434.png" alt=" From left, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts; Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island; Lori Lodes, executive director of Climate Power; and U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, a Democrat from California, urge big oil companies be held accountable for high gas prices on Thursday, May 23, 2024, outside of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption> From left, U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts; Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat from Rhode Island; Lori Lodes, executive director of Climate Power; and U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, a Democrat from California, urge big oil companies be held accountable for high gas prices on Thursday, May 23, 2024, outside of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Shauneen Miranda/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a>WASHINGTON — As Democrats continue to ramp up their push against the oil industry, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and others on Thursday called out big oil companies and their executives for high gas prices heading into the heavily traveled Memorial Day weekend.Republicans in turn have blamed President Joe Biden’s energy policies for high gas prices, with the potency of the issue for both parties illustrated by&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cookpolitical.com/survey-research/2024-swing-state-project/unique-election-driven-traditional-issue">a new poll&nbsp;</a>in seven battleground states that shows the economy and cost of living at the top of voters’ minds in the 2024 campaign for the presidency.The Biden administration earlier this week&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/21/biden-to-release-1-million-barrels-of-gasoline-to-reduce-prices-at-the-pump-ahead-of-july-4.html">said</a>&nbsp;1 million gallons of oil will be released from reserves in the northeastern United States, in an effort to curb prices ahead of summer driving. And officials with the Biden campaign pointed out Thursday a Wall Street Journal&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/business/energy-oil/gas-prices-memorial-day-weekend-2df1feab?mod=hp_lead_pos7">report</a>&nbsp;that prices are trending downward even before the weekend.The national average price of a gallon of gas was $3.615 Thursday, according to automotive group&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://gasprices.aaa.com/">AAA</a>, down from an all-time high of $5.016 in June 2022.The Democratic lawmakers at Thursday’s press conference outside the U.S. Capitol included Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and U.S. Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island; House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse of Colorado; and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Nanette Barragán and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, both of California.“Instead of working to lower gas prices for Americans ahead of a busy Memorial Day weekend, Big Oil companies, executives, are huddling to find ways to keep prices high and keep their profits soaring,” Schumer said. The press conference was co-hosted by Climate Power, a strategic communications organization in the climate space and the League of Conservation Voters, an environmental advocacy group.Earlier in May, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/05/ftc-order-bans-former-pioneer-ceo-exxon-board-seat-exxon-pioneer-deal">Federal Trade Commission</a>&nbsp;alleged that Scott Sheffield, the CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources, “attempted to collude with the representatives of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and a related cartel of other oil-producing countries known as OPEC+ to reduce output of oil and gas, which would result in Americans paying higher prices at the pump, to inflate profits for his company.”During Thursday’s event, Schumer said he would be sending a letter to the U.S. Justice Department next week “calling on them to investigate and prosecute collusion and price fixing that may have increased gasoline, fuel and energy costs, based on the report done by the FTC, when they unfortunately allowed (Exxon) Mobil to … merge with Pioneer (Natural Resources), which I thought was a bad idea.”Schumer added that “the federal government must use every tool at our disposal to investigate the oil industry, hold accountable liable actors and illegal activities. There’s something wrong — very wrong — when big oil companies rake in the cash by polluting the atmosphere and at the expense of the American people.”<h2>Trump and oil companies</h2>The Senate majority leader and his fellow Democratic lawmakers also called out former President Donald Trump over recent&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/09/trump-oil-industry-campaign-money/">media reports</a>&nbsp;saying Trump engaged in a quid pro quo offer with major oil companies’ CEOs in April.Schumer said “one of the ways big oil companies spend their time these days is cozying up to Donald Trump, who, as we all know, is no enemy to big oil.”Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee for president, setting him up for a rematch with Biden.Separately on Thursday, Whitehouse, who chairs the Senate Budget Committee, and Oregon U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said their respective committees&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.budget.senate.gov/chairman/newsroom/press/budget-finance-committees-launch-joint-investigation-into-donald-trumps-quid-pro-quo-offer-to-big-oil-">launched a joint investigation</a>&nbsp;into Trump’s “quid pro quo offer to big oil.”The senators are asking nine oil and gas companies and their trade associations for information and documents pertaining to the purported quid pro quo proposed by Trump.Neguse, a Colorado Democrat, said that for him, “all of this boils down to three words: polluters over people.” He noted that “over the last 16, 17 months, we have witnessed in the House an extreme MAGA Republican majority that has taken every opportunity to pass bill after bill to give giveaways to oil companies and to corporate polluters near and far.”<h2>Republicans blame Biden</h2>Americans for Prosperity, a conservative group, is seeking to turn the arguments back on Democrats. The group this week&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://americansforprosperity.org/press-release/with-the-start-of-summer-driving-season-afp-rolls-back-gas-prices-to-what-they-were-before-bidenomics/">announced</a>&nbsp;a series of events across the country where it will partner with local gas stations to roll back gasoline prices to what they were when Biden took office.In March, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.gop.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=766">House GOP Conference</a>&nbsp;said “the surging prices at the pump Americans are facing are a direct result from Joe Biden’s unprecedented war on American energy, which Biden launched on his first day in office in an attempt to appease his Far Left base by implementing his radical Green New Deal agenda.”Republicans cited the U.S. Energy Department’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-administration-temporarily-halt-some-export-approvals-liquified-natural-gas">move</a>&nbsp;to pause approvals of new exports of liquified natural gas to all countries without a free trade agreement with the United States, as well as the decision early in Biden’s tenure to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://dailymontanan.com/2021/01/21/biden-nixes-keystone-xl-pipeline/">kill</a>&nbsp;the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline.Meanwhile, also Thursday, polling and analysis released by The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, in collaboration with Democratic polling firm BSG and Republican polling firm GS Strategy Group, found “the defining issue for this contest is a more traditional one: the economy.”Over half of likely voters from swing states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, viewed inflation and the cost of living as the “worst/weakest” part of the economy, according to the report. In seven states combined, Trump led Biden 47% to 44% in a head-to-head matchup. Trump led in all states except Wisconsin.Neither a spokesperson for the Trump Organization nor his 2024 presidential campaign immediately responded to a request for comment Thursday.

Congress, campaigns engage in tug-of-war over gas prices as summer travel begins

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a mass shooting in Kansas City that left one dead and multiple injured.

Just before 1:30a.m. Sunday, police in the Westport Entertainment District responded to the sound of gun fire near the intersection of Westport and Broadway, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'

First responders found multiple shooting victims. EMS responded and treated victims for non-life-threatening injuries. EMS and private vehicle transported six victims to area hospital where one man was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;

A preliminary investigation indicated the shooting was the result of a disturbance that escalated into gunfire, according to the KCPD.

Police believe there are many witnesses since a large crowd near the scene of the shooting dispersed when shots were fired.&nbsp;Detectives and crime scene investigators have processed the scene for evidence and also want to speak with anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting.

If anyone heard or saw anything or has any information, they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716725875459.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a mass shooting in Kansas City that left one dead and multiple injured.Just before 1:30a.m. Sunday, police in the Westport Entertainment District responded to the sound of gun fire near the intersection of Westport and Broadway, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'First responders found multiple shooting victims. EMS responded and treated victims for non-life-threatening injuries. EMS and private vehicle transported six victims to area hospital where one man was pronounced deceased.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716725854017.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>A preliminary investigation indicated the shooting was the result of a disturbance that escalated into gunfire, according to the KCPD.Police believe there are many witnesses since a large crowd near the scene of the shooting dispersed when shots were fired.&nbsp;Detectives and crime scene investigators have processed the scene for evidence and also want to speak with anyone who was in the area at the time of the shooting.If anyone heard or saw anything or has any information, they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline

Police: Deadly mass shooting near KC's Westport entertainment district

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

TOPEKA — Families that need food assistance during the summer could see relief through the state’s new student-geared program.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families on Thursday&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Documents/Food/Summer%20EBT%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf">announced Summer EBT</a>, a program meant to help families struggling with food costs for school-aged children during the summer.&nbsp;

DCF Secretary Laura Howard said families sometimes felt more strain during the summer months, when children no longer have access to school-provided free and reduced-price meals.&nbsp;

“Children and teens need healthy food year-round to play, grow and learn,” Howard said. “Summer EBT will help families stretch their grocery budget during the summer and provide their children with the nutrition they need to thrive.”

Families with a household income meeting the requirement for federal free or reduced-price school meals at Kansas schools can receive $120 per eligible child for grocery costs through Summer EBT.

The Kansas State Department of Education reported 49% of Kansas public school students, or 235,096 public school students, were approved for free and reduced-price lunch in the 2023-2024 school year. Other eligible children include any school-aged child who received food assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or foster care benefits during the school year.

The program is a partnership between DCF and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. Benefits are set to roll out in mid to late July. By the end of that month, benefits will be issued automatically to DCF-identified eligible children. For families who already receive EBT, the summer benefits will be automatically added to their EBT cards or loaded onto a card and mailed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716488547653.png" alt="The Kansas Department for Children and Families announced on Thursday a new program meant to help students during the summer, when free and reduced-price school lunches aren't available for Kansas students. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>The Kansas Department for Children and Families announced on Thursday a new program meant to help students during the summer, when free and reduced-price school lunches aren't available for Kansas students. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</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 — Families that need food assistance during the summer could see relief through the state’s new student-geared program.The Kansas Department for Children and Families on Thursday&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Documents/Food/Summer%20EBT%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf">announced Summer EBT</a>, a program meant to help families struggling with food costs for school-aged children during the summer.&nbsp;DCF Secretary Laura Howard said families sometimes felt more strain during the summer months, when children no longer have access to school-provided free and reduced-price meals.&nbsp;“Children and teens need healthy food year-round to play, grow and learn,” Howard said. “Summer EBT will help families stretch their grocery budget during the summer and provide their children with the nutrition they need to thrive.”Families with a household income meeting the requirement for federal free or reduced-price school meals at Kansas schools can receive $120 per eligible child for grocery costs through Summer EBT.The Kansas State Department of Education reported 49% of Kansas public school students, or 235,096 public school students, were approved for free and reduced-price lunch in the 2023-2024 school year. Other eligible children include any school-aged child who received food assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or foster care benefits during the school year.The program is a partnership between DCF and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. Benefits are set to roll out in mid to late July. By the end of that month, benefits will be issued automatically to DCF-identified eligible children. For families who already receive EBT, the summer benefits will be automatically added to their EBT cards or loaded onto a card and mailed.

Kansas DCF launches program offering $120 for hungry students over summer

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) —The local director of a mission group in Haiti and a young missionary couple from the U.S. were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-us-couple-missionaries-killed-gangs-a65a4515e0d8610d9acd006d24821efd">attacked and fatally shot by gang members</a>&nbsp;after leaving a youth group activity at a church, a family member told The Associated Press.

Thursday’s killings of Jude Montis, the local director of Missions in Haiti Inc., and Davy and Natalie Lloyd happened in the community of Lizon in northern&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/port-au-prince">Port-au-Prince</a>. Natalie Lloyd is the daughter of a Republican state representative in Missouri.

Haiti's capital has been crumbling under the relentless assault of violent gangs that control 80% of the city, while authorities await the arrival of a police force from Kenya as part of a U.N.-backed deployment aimed at quelling gang violence in the troubled Caribbean country.

Here are some things to know about the missionary work, which focused on helping the children of Haiti, and the gang attack that took three lives.

Missions in Haiti’s website says its goal is “to see the Gospel of Christ make a difference in the lives of Haiti’s young people.”

Davy Lloyd's parents, David and Alicia Lloyd, of Oklahoma, started the organization in 2000 with the aim of focusing on the children of Haiti. David and Alicia Lloyd are full-time missionaries in the country.

“Although the entire nation is steeped in poverty, the children suffer the worst,” they wrote on the website. “Thousands are malnourished, uneducated, and headed for hopeless lives apart from Christ.”

Hannah Cornett, Davy’s sister, told AP that they grew up in Haiti. Davy went to the U.S. to attend a Bible college and married Natalie in June 2022. After the wedding, the couple wasted little time moving to Haiti to do humanitarian work.

Cornett said Montis, a Haitian, worked at Missions in Haiti for 20 years.

The organization's efforts include House of Compassion, which provides housing for 36 children — 18 boys and 18 girls, the website says. “All are destined to stay at House of Compassion until they have finished school and are ready to be on their own.”

Good Hope Boys’ Home provides a home for 22 boys, according to the website. The organization also built a church, a bakery and a school with more than 240 students.

A Facebook posting on the Missions in Haiti page stated that Davy Lloyd, 23, and Natalie Lloyd, 21, along with some children, were leaving a church when gang members in three trucks ambushed them.

Davy Lloyd later called his family to tell them that gang members hit him on the head with the barrel of a gun, forced him upstairs, stole their belongings and left him tied up, Cornett said.

As people were helping untie Davy Lloyd, another group of armed gunmen showed up, Cornett said.

“No one understood what they were doing, not sure what took place but one was shot and killed and now this gang went into full attack mode,” Missions in Haiti's posting said.

The couple and Montis fled to a house connected to the mission.

“They tried to take cover in there, but the gang shot up the house,” Cornett said.

Ben Baker, Natalie Lloyd's father and a state representative in Missouri, said Friday on Facebook that the couple's bodies were safely transported to the U.S. Embassy.

Cassidy Anderson, a spokesperson for the family, said in a later Facebook post on Baker's page that they were working to retrieve the bodies.

“We have to obtain a waiver that will allow their bodies to be transported without being fully embalmed due to the lack of facilities that provide that service in Haiti,” the post said. "After that, we have to find an airline that will be willing to do the transport. Prayers that this will all go smoothly.”

Cornett said Montis left behind two children, ages 2 and 6.

Montis’ family could not be reached for comment Friday, and Missions in Haiti did not respond to an AP request for comment.

Missions in Haiti said in a Facebook post Saturday that they were “facing the most difficult time of our life.”

“The embassy is working on getting all the paper work done in order for them to be flown to the states and many more behind the scenes to make happen more quickly and safely,” the post said, adding that the children and staff of Missions in Haiti have been relocated to a safer location.

Baker wrote on Facebook that his heart was broken “in a thousand pieces.”

“I’ve never felt this kind of pain,” he said. “Most of you know my daughter and son-in-law Davy and Natalie Lloyd are full time missionaries in Haiti. They were attacked by gangs this evening and were both killed. They went to Heaven together. Please pray for my family we desperately need strength. And please pray for the Lloyd family as well. I have no other words for now.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716572749882.png" alt="Photos courtesy Missions in Haiti, Inc" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Missions in Haiti, Inc</figcaption>
 </figure>PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) —The local director of a mission group in Haiti and a young missionary couple from the U.S. were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-us-couple-missionaries-killed-gangs-a65a4515e0d8610d9acd006d24821efd">attacked and fatally shot by gang members</a>&nbsp;after leaving a youth group activity at a church, a family member told The Associated Press.Thursday’s killings of Jude Montis, the local director of Missions in Haiti Inc., and Davy and Natalie Lloyd happened in the community of Lizon in northern&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/port-au-prince">Port-au-Prince</a>. Natalie Lloyd is the daughter of a Republican state representative in Missouri.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpermalink.php%3Fstory_fbid%3Dpfbid02FpjhDdQz9pfRoVaBPddNXYGF5fqBR9yDstAVUBArRwo6u1awmTSEURCqegXV96uAl%26id%3D100064274396167&show_text=true&width=500&is_preview=true" width="500" height="286" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Haiti's capital has been crumbling under the relentless assault of violent gangs that control 80% of the city, while authorities await the arrival of a police force from Kenya as part of a U.N.-backed deployment aimed at quelling gang violence in the troubled Caribbean country.Here are some things to know about the missionary work, which focused on helping the children of Haiti, and the gang attack that took three lives.WORKING IN HAITIMissions in Haiti’s website says its goal is “to see the Gospel of Christ make a difference in the lives of Haiti’s young people.”Davy Lloyd's parents, David and Alicia Lloyd, of Oklahoma, started the organization in 2000 with the aim of focusing on the children of Haiti. David and Alicia Lloyd are full-time missionaries in the country.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716690985915.png" alt="Photo courtesy Missions in Haiti, Inc" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Missions in Haiti, Inc</figcaption>
 </figure>“Although the entire nation is steeped in poverty, the children suffer the worst,” they wrote on the website. “Thousands are malnourished, uneducated, and headed for hopeless lives apart from Christ.”Hannah Cornett, Davy’s sister, told AP that they grew up in Haiti. Davy went to the U.S. to attend a Bible college and married Natalie in June 2022. After the wedding, the couple wasted little time moving to Haiti to do humanitarian work.Cornett said Montis, a Haitian, worked at Missions in Haiti for 20 years.The organization's efforts include House of Compassion, which provides housing for 36 children — 18 boys and 18 girls, the website says. “All are destined to stay at House of Compassion until they have finished school and are ready to be on their own.”Good Hope Boys’ Home provides a home for 22 boys, according to the website. The organization also built a church, a bakery and a school with more than 240 students.THE ATTACKA Facebook posting on the Missions in Haiti page stated that Davy Lloyd, 23, and Natalie Lloyd, 21, along with some children, were leaving a church when gang members in three trucks ambushed them.Davy Lloyd later called his family to tell them that gang members hit him on the head with the barrel of a gun, forced him upstairs, stole their belongings and left him tied up, Cornett said.As people were helping untie Davy Lloyd, another group of armed gunmen showed up, Cornett said.“No one understood what they were doing, not sure what took place but one was shot and killed and now this gang went into full attack mode,” Missions in Haiti's posting said.The couple and Montis fled to a house connected to the mission.“They tried to take cover in there, but the gang shot up the house,” Cornett said.Ben Baker, Natalie Lloyd's father and a state representative in Missouri, said Friday on Facebook that the couple's bodies were safely transported to the U.S. Embassy.Cassidy Anderson, a spokesperson for the family, said in a later Facebook post on Baker's page that they were working to retrieve the bodies.“We have to obtain a waiver that will allow their bodies to be transported without being fully embalmed due to the lack of facilities that provide that service in Haiti,” the post said. "After that, we have to find an airline that will be willing to do the transport. Prayers that this will all go smoothly.”GRIEVING FAMILIESCornett said Montis left behind two children, ages 2 and 6.Montis’ family could not be reached for comment Friday, and Missions in Haiti did not respond to an AP request for comment.Missions in Haiti said in a Facebook post Saturday that they were “facing the most difficult time of our life.”“The embassy is working on getting all the paper work done in order for them to be flown to the states and many more behind the scenes to make happen more quickly and safely,” the post said, adding that the children and staff of Missions in Haiti have been relocated to a safer location.Baker wrote on Facebook that his heart was broken “in a thousand pieces.”“I’ve never felt this kind of pain,” he said. “Most of you know my daughter and son-in-law Davy and Natalie Lloyd are full time missionaries in Haiti. They were attacked by gangs this evening and were both killed. They went to Heaven together. Please pray for my family we desperately need strength. And please pray for the Lloyd family as well. I have no other words for now.”

Family working to retrieve bodies of missionary couple killed in Haiti

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide and have identified the victim as&nbsp;Charles Balocca, 61, of Topeka, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

Just before&nbsp;&nbsp;11:00 a.m. Friday, police were notified of an individual suffering from a gunshot wound in the 100 block of NW U.S. 24 Highway.

First responders located a man later identified as Balocca who was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the scene. Police have not released suspect information or additional details

This is Topeka’s sixth homicide investigation of the year, according to Connell.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716661795240.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide and have identified the victim as&nbsp;Charles Balocca, 61, of Topeka, according to Topeka Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.Just before&nbsp;&nbsp;11:00 a.m. Friday, police were notified of an individual suffering from a gunshot wound in the 100 block of NW U.S. 24 Highway.First responders located a man later identified as Balocca who was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the scene. Police have not released suspect information or additional detailsThis is Topeka’s sixth homicide investigation of the year, according to Connell.

Police ID 61-year-old Kansas homicide victim

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The bodies of three more hostages killed on Oct 7. were recovered overnight from Gaza, Israel's army said Friday, as the top United Nations court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-palestinians-court-ceasefire-01d093d21a1eadaa31af5708cf1cbf38">prepares to rule</a>&nbsp;on whether Israel must halt its military operations and withdraw from the enclave.

The bodies of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-unaccounted-people-095f64d06108416ff9c58ea7550b9a74">Hanan Yablonka</a>, Michel Nisenbaum, and Orion Hernandez Radoux were found and their families have been notified. The army said they were killed on the day of the attack at the Mefalsim intersection and their bodies were taken to Gaza.

The announcement comes less than a week after the army said it found&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-hostages-shani-louk-a37e4fd656b46be36c4c659a9c2aac7d">the bodies of three other Israeli hostages</a>&nbsp;killed on Oct. 7.

Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and abducted around 250 others in the Oct. 7 attack. Around half of those hostages&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-25-2023-7d83895eb736c09fab3eada4c31524b0">have since been freed</a>, most in swaps for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel during a weeklong cease-fire in November.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to both eliminate Hamas and bring all the hostages back, but he’s made little progress. He faces pressure to resign, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-weapons-shipment-us-eed365ebef0477ba74bf9848cacae4f4">U.S. has threatened to scale back</a>&nbsp;its support over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

On Friday Netanyahu said the country had a duty to do everything to return those abducted, both those killed and those who are alive.

Israel says around 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza, along with the bodies of at least 39 more, while 17 bodies of hostages have been recovered.

In a post on X Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron gave condolences to the family of Hernández-Radoux, a French-Mexican citizen, saying France remains committed to releasing the hostages.

The country is also expecting a ruling Friday afternoon by the International Court of Justice to decide on an urgent plea by South Africa to order Israel to cease operations. Israel is unlikely to comply with any such order. Even so, a cease-fire order by judges of the International Court of Justice would heap more pressure on an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norway-palestinian-state-ddfd774a23d39f77f5977b9c89c43dbc">increasingly isolated Israel</a>.

On the hostages, Israelis are divided into two main camps: those who want the government to put the war on hold and free the hostages, and others who think the hostages are an unfortunate price to pay for eradicating Hamas. On-and-off negotiations mediated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt have yielded little.

Anger is growing at home at the government’s handling of the hostage crisis.

Earlier this week a group representing the families of hostages&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-gaza-hostages-dcb39658d1afcd00341d2c1cd54c38b0">released new video footage</a>&nbsp;showing Hamas’ capture of five female Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border on Oct. 7.

The video shows several of the young soldiers bloody and wounded. In one scene, a militant tells one of the terrified women she is beautiful.

The video sparked more protests across the country calling for the hostages’ release.

The army said on Friday the hostages were found during an operation in Jabaliya. Military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a news conference that the army was able to retrieve the bodies based on “critical intelligence” uncovered last week by Israeli forces operating in Gaza.

The group representing the families of the hostages said the bodies had been returned to their families for burial.

Nisenbaum, 59, was a Brazilian-Israeli from the southern city of Sderot. He was taken hostage when he went to rescue his 4-year-old granddaughter.

Oryon Hernandez Radoux, 30, was taken from the Nova music festival, which he attended with his partner Shani Louk. Louk's body was one of those found by the army nearly a week ago.

Yablonka, 42, a father of two, was also taken from the music festival. His family in December told the AP that he loved music. Yablonka’s family had no news of him for nearly two months after he’d been taken, not knowing if he was alive or dead.

Israel’s offensive since the war began has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and has caused a humanitarian crisis and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-famine-world-food-program-israel-hamas-war-476941bf2dc259f85a706408b2a665ff">near-famine.</a>

While it has weakened Hamas' capabilities, after nearly eight months of war, militants are regrouping in some of the hardest-hit areas in northern Gaza and resuming rocket attacks into nearby Israeli communities. Israel says its troops are operating in Rafah in the south, in central Gaza and in Jabaliya in the north.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701204582165.png" alt="File photo -Israeli soldiers look at photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their violent rampage through the Nova music festival in southern Israel, which are displayed at the site of the event, as Israeli DJs spun music, to commemorate the October 7, massacre, near Kibbutz Re'im, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)" />
 <figcaption>File photo -Israeli soldiers look at photos of people killed and taken captive by Hamas militants during their violent rampage through the Nova music festival in southern Israel, which are displayed at the site of the event, as Israeli DJs spun music, to commemorate the October 7, massacre, near Kibbutz Re'im, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)</figcaption>
 </figure>TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The bodies of three more hostages killed on Oct 7. were recovered overnight from Gaza, Israel's army said Friday, as the top United Nations court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-palestinians-court-ceasefire-01d093d21a1eadaa31af5708cf1cbf38">prepares to rule</a>&nbsp;on whether Israel must halt its military operations and withdraw from the enclave.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716546463209.png" alt="L-R: Hostages Michel Nisenbaum, Orion Hernandez, Hanan Yablonka. Their bodies were recovered from northern Gaza's Jabaliya in an operation announced May 24, 2024. (Courtesy)" />
 <figcaption>L-R: Hostages Michel Nisenbaum, Orion Hernandez, Hanan Yablonka. Their bodies were recovered from northern Gaza's Jabaliya in an operation announced May 24, 2024. (Courtesy)</figcaption>
 </figure>The bodies of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-unaccounted-people-095f64d06108416ff9c58ea7550b9a74">Hanan Yablonka</a>, Michel Nisenbaum, and Orion Hernandez Radoux were found and their families have been notified. The army said they were killed on the day of the attack at the Mefalsim intersection and their bodies were taken to Gaza.The announcement comes less than a week after the army said it found&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-hostages-shani-louk-a37e4fd656b46be36c4c659a9c2aac7d">the bodies of three other Israeli hostages</a>&nbsp;killed on Oct. 7.Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and abducted around 250 others in the Oct. 7 attack. Around half of those hostages&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-25-2023-7d83895eb736c09fab3eada4c31524b0">have since been freed</a>, most in swaps for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel during a weeklong cease-fire in November.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to both eliminate Hamas and bring all the hostages back, but he’s made little progress. He faces pressure to resign, and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-weapons-shipment-us-eed365ebef0477ba74bf9848cacae4f4">U.S. has threatened to scale back</a>&nbsp;its support over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.On Friday Netanyahu said the country had a duty to do everything to return those abducted, both those killed and those who are alive.Israel says around 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza, along with the bodies of at least 39 more, while 17 bodies of hostages have been recovered.In a post on X Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron gave condolences to the family of Hernández-Radoux, a French-Mexican citizen, saying France remains committed to releasing the hostages.The country is also expecting a ruling Friday afternoon by the International Court of Justice to decide on an urgent plea by South Africa to order Israel to cease operations. Israel is unlikely to comply with any such order. Even so, a cease-fire order by judges of the International Court of Justice would heap more pressure on an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/norway-palestinian-state-ddfd774a23d39f77f5977b9c89c43dbc">increasingly isolated Israel</a>.On the hostages, Israelis are divided into two main camps: those who want the government to put the war on hold and free the hostages, and others who think the hostages are an unfortunate price to pay for eradicating Hamas. On-and-off negotiations mediated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt have yielded little.Anger is growing at home at the government’s handling of the hostage crisis.Earlier this week a group representing the families of hostages&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-gaza-hostages-dcb39658d1afcd00341d2c1cd54c38b0">released new video footage</a>&nbsp;showing Hamas’ capture of five female Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border on Oct. 7.The video shows several of the young soldiers bloody and wounded. In one scene, a militant tells one of the terrified women she is beautiful.The video sparked more protests across the country calling for the hostages’ release.The army said on Friday the hostages were found during an operation in Jabaliya. Military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a news conference that the army was able to retrieve the bodies based on “critical intelligence” uncovered last week by Israeli forces operating in Gaza.The group representing the families of the hostages said the bodies had been returned to their families for burial.Nisenbaum, 59, was a Brazilian-Israeli from the southern city of Sderot. He was taken hostage when he went to rescue his 4-year-old granddaughter.Oryon Hernandez Radoux, 30, was taken from the Nova music festival, which he attended with his partner Shani Louk. Louk's body was one of those found by the army nearly a week ago.Yablonka, 42, a father of two, was also taken from the music festival. His family in December told the AP that he loved music. Yablonka’s family had no news of him for nearly two months after he’d been taken, not knowing if he was alive or dead.Israel’s offensive since the war began has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and has caused a humanitarian crisis and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-famine-world-food-program-israel-hamas-war-476941bf2dc259f85a706408b2a665ff">near-famine.</a>While it has weakened Hamas' capabilities, after nearly eight months of war, militants are regrouping in some of the hardest-hit areas in northern Gaza and resuming rocket attacks into nearby Israeli communities. Israel says its troops are operating in Rafah in the south, in central Gaza and in Jabaliya in the north.

Israel: At least 100 hostages still being held in Gaza

BATES COUNTY —A pilot and six passengers survived a small plane crash that occurred just after 1p.m. Saturday near the Butler Memorial Airport, approximately one hour south of Kansas City.

First responders found the&nbsp;single-engine Cessna C206 in a hay field east of the airport runways, according to the Bates County, Missouri Sheriff.

The pilot had been able to parachute from the plane prior to the crash and was located at a hanger at the airport. EMS treated everyone involved at the scene and released them, according to the sheriff's office.

The plane is a total loss.    The Bates County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the NTSB and the FAA in their investigations.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details including the name of the pilot.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716691891540.png" alt="Photo Bates County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Bates County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>BATES COUNTY —A pilot and six passengers survived a small plane crash that occurred just after 1p.m. Saturday near the Butler Memorial Airport, approximately one hour south of Kansas City.First responders found the&nbsp;single-engine Cessna C206 in a hay field east of the airport runways, according to the Bates County, Missouri Sheriff.The pilot had been able to parachute from the plane prior to the crash and was located at a hanger at the airport. EMS treated everyone involved at the scene and released them, according to the sheriff's office.The plane is a total loss. The Bates County Sheriff’s Office is assisting the NTSB and the FAA in their investigations.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details including the name of the pilot.

Pilot parachutes, passengers survive plane crash near Kansas City

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has no regrets about expressing his beliefs in a recent commencement speech and he said he has received support as well as “a shocking level of hate” from others.

Butker spoke Friday night at the Regina Caeli Academy Courage Under Fire Gala in Nashville, Tennessee.

He made his first public comments since his controversial recent commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he said most women receiving degrees were probably more excited about getting married and having kids; argued some Catholic leaders were “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America;” referred to a “deadly sin sort of pride that has a month dedicated to it” in an oblique reference to Pride month; and took aim at President Joe Biden’s policies, including his condemnation of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Supreme Court’s reversal</a>&nbsp;of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

“It is now, over the past few days, my beliefs or what people think I believe have been the focus of countless discussions around the globe,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Jules31415/status/1794229640862572849">Butker said Friday</a>. “At the outset, many people expressed a shocking level of hate. But as the days went on, even those who disagreed with my viewpoints shared their support for my freedom of religion.”

Butker said he understands being criticized for his performance on the field. The 28-year-old said he values his religion more than football.

“It’s a decision I’ve consciously made and one I do not regret at all,” he said.

The NFL has distanced itself from Butker's comments. The league&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harrison-butker-chiefs-homemaker-nfl-5466d7b3560f640c825107df9694b07b">said the comments</a>&nbsp;and “views are not those of the NFL as an organization.”

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said the three-time Super Bowl winner is entitled to his beliefs, even though he doesn’t always agree with him.

Speaking about Butker on his "New Heights” podcast, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he cherishes Butker as a teammate.

“When it comes down to his views and what he said at (the) commencement speech, those are his,” Kelce said. “I can’t say I agree with the majority of it or just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and his kids. And I don’t think that I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views, of how to go about life, that's just not who I am.”

Kelce does the podcast with his brother Jason, who recently retired after an outstanding career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has no regrets about expressing his beliefs in a recent commencement speech and he said he has received support as well as “a shocking level of hate” from others.(click below to watch his comments)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9wJEsz2JdpI?si=TlfDPqsK2vBfsq5z&amp;start=1" 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>Butker spoke Friday night at the Regina Caeli Academy Courage Under Fire Gala in Nashville, Tennessee.He made his first public comments since his controversial recent commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he said most women receiving degrees were probably more excited about getting married and having kids; argued some Catholic leaders were “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America;” referred to a “deadly sin sort of pride that has a month dedicated to it” in an oblique reference to Pride month; and took aim at President Joe Biden’s policies, including his condemnation of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Supreme Court’s reversal</a>&nbsp;of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.“It is now, over the past few days, my beliefs or what people think I believe have been the focus of countless discussions around the globe,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/Jules31415/status/1794229640862572849">Butker said Friday</a>. “At the outset, many people expressed a shocking level of hate. But as the days went on, even those who disagreed with my viewpoints shared their support for my freedom of religion.”Butker said he understands being criticized for his performance on the field. The 28-year-old said he values his religion more than football.“It’s a decision I’ve consciously made and one I do not regret at all,” he said.The NFL has distanced itself from Butker's comments. The league&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harrison-butker-chiefs-homemaker-nfl-5466d7b3560f640c825107df9694b07b">said the comments</a>&nbsp;and “views are not those of the NFL as an organization.”Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said the three-time Super Bowl winner is entitled to his beliefs, even though he doesn’t always agree with him.Speaking about Butker on his "New Heights” podcast, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he cherishes Butker as a teammate.“When it comes down to his views and what he said at (the) commencement speech, those are his,” Kelce said. “I can’t say I agree with the majority of it or just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and his kids. And I don’t think that I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views, of how to go about life, that's just not who I am.”Kelce does the podcast with his brother Jason, who recently retired after an outstanding career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

🎥Butker: No regrets about expressing beliefs during commencement speech

KANSAS CITY —Three children were injured in a building fire early Saturday in Kansas City.

Just before 2a.m., crews&nbsp;responded to the report of a building fire at Truman and Park, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.&nbsp; Crews reported fire from the second story of a two-story structure with connected buildings to the east and the west. Crews made entry from the rear of the structure and got the fire under control quickly. 

Fire had extended to the building to the west through the roof line. Crews forced entry and made a search of this structure and discovered what appeared to be storage doors. Upon forcing these doors, they discovered it to be an illegal apartment. Inside the apartment three unattended children ages 9, 4 and 2 were found. The children were treated on scene and transported to Children's Mercy for smoke inhalation and CO exposure. 

All three children are stable and being cared for at the hospital, according to Hopkins. KCPD is investigating this issue and working to locate a responsible party. 

No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCFD.

"This was outstanding work by the men and women on this scene. Their diligence to ensure the entire structure was cleared during this search saved the lives of these three children." according to Hopkins.

"The CO levels were between 300 and 400 parts per million due to the smoke. These levels are deadly if continuous exposure occurs."

KANSAS CITY —Three children were injured in a building fire early Saturday in Kansas City.Just before 2a.m., crews&nbsp;responded to the report of a building fire at Truman and Park, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.&nbsp; Crews reported fire from the second story of a two-story structure with connected buildings to the east and the west. Crews made entry from the rear of the structure and got the fire under control quickly. Fire had extended to the building to the west through the roof line. Crews forced entry and made a search of this structure and discovered what appeared to be storage doors. Upon forcing these doors, they discovered it to be an illegal apartment. Inside the apartment three unattended children ages 9, 4 and 2 were found. The children were treated on scene and transported to Children's Mercy for smoke inhalation and CO exposure. All three children are stable and being cared for at the hospital, according to Hopkins. KCPD is investigating this issue and working to locate a responsible party. No other injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation by KCFD."This was outstanding work by the men and women on this scene. Their diligence to ensure the entire structure was cleared during this search saved the lives of these three children." according to Hopkins."The CO levels were between 300 and 400 parts per million due to the smoke. These levels are deadly if continuous exposure occurs."

3 children injured in KC fire that spread to illegal apartment

KANSAS CITY (AP) — After failing in several U.S. states this year, global chemical manufacturer Bayer said Tuesday that it plans to amplify efforts to create a legal shield against a proliferation of lawsuits alleging it failed to warn that its popular weedkiller could cause cancer.

Bayer, which disputes the cancer claims, has been hit with about 170,000 lawsuits involving its Roundup weedkiller and has set aside $16 billion to settle cases. But the company contends the legal fight “is not sustainable” and is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bayer-legislation-glyphosate-roundup-lawsuits-cancer-warning-4fa2e6662479f3e60a409ce4439a40ed">looking to state lawmakers</a>&nbsp;for relief.

Bayer lobbied for legislation that could have blocked a central legal argument this year in Missouri, Iowa and Idaho — home, respectively, to its North America crop science division, a Roundup manufacturing facility and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-phosphate-mine-bayer-roundup-1d15250044d8894f347f3094c20c2c66">the mines</a>&nbsp;from which its key ingredient is derived. Though bills passed at least one chamber in Iowa and Missouri, they ultimately failed in all three states.

But Bayer plans a renewed push during next year's legislative sessions and may expand efforts elsewhere.

“This is bigger than just those states, and it’s bigger than just Bayer," said Jess Christiansen, head of Bayer's crop science and sustainability communications. “This is really about the crop protection tools that farmers need to secure production.”

Many U.S. farmers rely on Roundup, which was introduced 50 years ago as a more efficient way to control weeds and reduce tilling and soil erosion. For crops including corn, soybeans and cotton, it’s designed to work with genetically modified seeds that resist Roundup’s deadly effect.

The lawsuits allege Roundup's key ingredient, glyphosate, causes a cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Though some studies associate glyphosate with cancer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said it is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans when used as directed.

The legislation backed by Bayer would protect pesticide companies from claims they failed to warn their products could cause cancer if their labels otherwise comply with EPA regulations.

Some lawmakers have raised concerns that if the lawsuits persist, Bayer could pull Roundup from the U.S. market, forcing famers to turn to alternatives from China.

Christiansen said Bayer has made no decisions about Roundup's future but "will eventually have to do something different if we can’t get some consistency and some path forward around the litigation industry.”

Bayer's most recent quarterly report shows that it shed more than 1,500 employees, reducing its worldwide employment to about 98,000. Bayer submitted a notice to Iowa that 28 people would be laid off starting Wednesday at its facility in Muscatine.

The Iowa layoffs are not a direct result of the failure of the protective legislation, Christiansen said, but are part of a global restructuring amid “multiple headwinds,” which include litigation.

Bayer has bankrolled a new coalition of agriculture groups that has run TV, radio, newspaper and billboard ads backing protective legislation for pesticide producers. The campaign has especially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bayer-glyphosate-roundup-lawsuits-cancer-db7fc5e0ce1584e45ff18aa76f23df25">targeted Missouri</a>, where most of the roughly 57,000 still active legal claims are pending. Missouri was the headquarters of Roundup's original manufacturer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/87401fb0464a40e7877b20389a4c083d">Monsanto</a>, which Bayer acquired in 2018.

Legal experts say protective legislation is unlikely to affect existing lawsuits. But it could limit future claims.

The annual deadline to pass legislation in Missouri expired last Friday. Though a Bayer-backed bill cleared the Republican-led House and a Senate committee, it never got debated by the full GOP-led Senate, which was mired in unrelated tensions.

If the legislation is revived next year, it could face resistance from senators concerned about limiting people’s constitutional right to a jury trial to resolve disputes.

“I support farmers, but I also think they need due process,” said Republican state Sen. Jill Carter, who voted against the legislation this year in the Senate agriculture committee.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — After failing in several U.S. states this year, global chemical manufacturer Bayer said Tuesday that it plans to amplify efforts to create a legal shield against a proliferation of lawsuits alleging it failed to warn that its popular weedkiller could cause cancer.Bayer, which disputes the cancer claims, has been hit with about 170,000 lawsuits involving its Roundup weedkiller and has set aside $16 billion to settle cases. But the company contends the legal fight “is not sustainable” and is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bayer-legislation-glyphosate-roundup-lawsuits-cancer-warning-4fa2e6662479f3e60a409ce4439a40ed">looking to state lawmakers</a>&nbsp;for relief.Bayer lobbied for legislation that could have blocked a central legal argument this year in Missouri, Iowa and Idaho — home, respectively, to its North America crop science division, a Roundup manufacturing facility and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/idaho-phosphate-mine-bayer-roundup-1d15250044d8894f347f3094c20c2c66">the mines</a>&nbsp;from which its key ingredient is derived. Though bills passed at least one chamber in Iowa and Missouri, they ultimately failed in all three states.But Bayer plans a renewed push during next year's legislative sessions and may expand efforts elsewhere.“This is bigger than just those states, and it’s bigger than just Bayer," said Jess Christiansen, head of Bayer's crop science and sustainability communications. “This is really about the crop protection tools that farmers need to secure production.”Many U.S. farmers rely on Roundup, which was introduced 50 years ago as a more efficient way to control weeds and reduce tilling and soil erosion. For crops including corn, soybeans and cotton, it’s designed to work with genetically modified seeds that resist Roundup’s deadly effect.The lawsuits allege Roundup's key ingredient, glyphosate, causes a cancer called non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Though some studies associate glyphosate with cancer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has said it is not likely to be carcinogenic to humans when used as directed.The legislation backed by Bayer would protect pesticide companies from claims they failed to warn their products could cause cancer if their labels otherwise comply with EPA regulations.Some lawmakers have raised concerns that if the lawsuits persist, Bayer could pull Roundup from the U.S. market, forcing famers to turn to alternatives from China.Christiansen said Bayer has made no decisions about Roundup's future but "will eventually have to do something different if we can’t get some consistency and some path forward around the litigation industry.”Bayer's most recent quarterly report shows that it shed more than 1,500 employees, reducing its worldwide employment to about 98,000. Bayer submitted a notice to Iowa that 28 people would be laid off starting Wednesday at its facility in Muscatine.The Iowa layoffs are not a direct result of the failure of the protective legislation, Christiansen said, but are part of a global restructuring amid “multiple headwinds,” which include litigation.Bayer has bankrolled a new coalition of agriculture groups that has run TV, radio, newspaper and billboard ads backing protective legislation for pesticide producers. The campaign has especially&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bayer-glyphosate-roundup-lawsuits-cancer-db7fc5e0ce1584e45ff18aa76f23df25">targeted Missouri</a>, where most of the roughly 57,000 still active legal claims are pending. Missouri was the headquarters of Roundup's original manufacturer,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/87401fb0464a40e7877b20389a4c083d">Monsanto</a>, which Bayer acquired in 2018.Legal experts say protective legislation is unlikely to affect existing lawsuits. But it could limit future claims.The annual deadline to pass legislation in Missouri expired last Friday. Though a Bayer-backed bill cleared the Republican-led House and a Senate committee, it never got debated by the full GOP-led Senate, which was mired in unrelated tensions.If the legislation is revived next year, it could face resistance from senators concerned about limiting people’s constitutional right to a jury trial to resolve disputes.“I support farmers, but I also think they need due process,” said Republican state Sen. Jill Carter, who voted against the legislation this year in the Senate agriculture committee.

Maker of popular weedkiller amplifies fight against cancer-related lawsuits

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky police officer who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scheffler-pga-police-fatality-a421bfdb346f00dec95c95a0ab04e4d9">arrested top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler</a>&nbsp;outside the PGA Championship is receiving “corrective action” for not having his body-worn camera activated when he approached the golfer's vehicle — an interaction that allegedly resulted in the officer being dragged to the ground, authorities said Thursday.

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

Louisville officials said during a news conference that they are not aware of any video footage of the initial interaction last Friday between Scheffler and Louisville Detective Bryan Gillis outside the gates of Valhalla Golf Club on a dark and rainy morning. But Gillis wrote in a report on his failure to turn on the camera that Scheffler “demanded to be let in and proceeded forward ... I was dragged/knocked down by the driver."

Police did release video Thursday from a street pole camera that appears to show Scheffler's SUV turning into the golf club entrance, prompting an officer to run toward the vehicle and seemingly strike it as it comes to a stop. The camera is too far away to capture the full details of the encounter.

Another video released by authorities comes from a police vehicle dashcam and shows Scheffler in handcuffs as he is escorted by officers.

The local prosecutor handling the case has requested that any additional video or evidence related to the case not be released “until the conclusion of the legal process,” the mayor said.

Scheffler was arrested on charges that he injured Gillis and disobeyed commands, but the golfer said “he never intended to disregard any of the instructions,” and the incident was caused by a misunderstanding.

After the news conference, Scheffler's attorney Steve Romines said his client was not at fault.

“Our position is the same as it was last Friday, Scottie Scheffler didn’t do anything wrong, we’re not interested in settling the case," Romines said. "We’ll either try it or it will be dismissed.”

The city's police chief noted that the department's officers are expected to maintain their body-worn cameras in a “constant state of operational readiness.”

“Detective Gillis should have turned on his body-worn camera but did not," Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said. "His failure to do so is a violation of LMPD policy on uniforms and equipment.”

The report on the internal investigation said Gillis should have at least had his camera on in standby mode while directing traffic before the incident with Scheffler.

Gwinn-Villaroel said he "received corrective action" for the violation. The document released Thursday said Gillis completed a "failure to record" form as required by policy, and was “counseled by a member of his command” and a “performance observation” was completed.

Gillis wrote in the document that he was requested to respond to a fatal accident at Valhalla when he saw Scheffler's vehicle "traveling in the opposing lanes coming at me."

Scheffler was driving before dawn to Valhalla Golf Club to play in the second round of the tournament when he encountered Gillis.

Gillis, who approached Scheffler’s car on foot, wrote in an arrest report that Scheffler “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 few hours later, after a trip to jail, Scheffler returned to the golf course in time for his 10:08 a.m. tee time. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scottie-scheffler-pga-championship-15f6041dc4d9fd00ab65f742737f0f34">finished the tournament Sunday tied for eighth place</a>, enough for a tournament payout of about $520,000.

He is scheduled to return to Louisville on June 3 to be arraigned on four charges, including second-degree felony assault of a police officer.

Louisville police’s current body camera policy was enacted amid controversy in 2020 after officers shot&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/breonna-taylor">Breonna Taylor</a>, a 26-year-old Black woman who was killed during a botched drug raid. At the time, the plain-clothes officers who served the warrant and fired at Taylor were not required to wear body cameras.

The new policy required all officers to turn on the camera “prior to engaging in all law enforcement activities and encounters.”

The police chief at the time of Taylor’s death was later fired when officers at the scene of another fatal shooting failed to turn on their body-worn cameras.

<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) — The Kentucky police officer who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scheffler-pga-police-fatality-a421bfdb346f00dec95c95a0ab04e4d9">arrested top-ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler</a>&nbsp;outside the PGA Championship is receiving “corrective action” for not having his body-worn camera activated when he approached the golfer's vehicle — an interaction that allegedly resulted in the officer being dragged to the ground, authorities said Thursday.(Click below to watch videos from a street pole camera of encounter)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1zsHN_SohUU?si=M9tws8PAAkSUcFJM" 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>Louisville officials said during a news conference that they are not aware of any video footage of the initial interaction last Friday between Scheffler and Louisville Detective Bryan Gillis outside the gates of Valhalla Golf Club on a dark and rainy morning. But Gillis wrote in a report on his failure to turn on the camera that Scheffler “demanded to be let in and proceeded forward ... I was dragged/knocked down by the driver."Police did release video Thursday from a street pole camera that appears to show Scheffler's SUV turning into the golf club entrance, prompting an officer to run toward the vehicle and seemingly strike it as it comes to a stop. The camera is too far away to capture the full details of the encounter.Another video released by authorities comes from a police vehicle dashcam and shows Scheffler in handcuffs as he is escorted by officers.The local prosecutor handling the case has requested that any additional video or evidence related to the case not be released “until the conclusion of the legal process,” the mayor said.Scheffler was arrested on charges that he injured Gillis and disobeyed commands, but the golfer said “he never intended to disregard any of the instructions,” and the incident was caused by a misunderstanding.After the news conference, Scheffler's attorney Steve Romines said his client was not at fault.“Our position is the same as it was last Friday, Scottie Scheffler didn’t do anything wrong, we’re not interested in settling the case," Romines said. "We’ll either try it or it will be dismissed.”The city's police chief noted that the department's officers are expected to maintain their body-worn cameras in a “constant state of operational readiness.”“Detective Gillis should have turned on his body-worn camera but did not," Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said. "His failure to do so is a violation of LMPD policy on uniforms and equipment.”The report on the internal investigation said Gillis should have at least had his camera on in standby mode while directing traffic before the incident with Scheffler.Gwinn-Villaroel said he "received corrective action" for the violation. The document released Thursday said Gillis completed a "failure to record" form as required by policy, and was “counseled by a member of his command” and a “performance observation” was completed.Gillis wrote in the document that he was requested to respond to a fatal accident at Valhalla when he saw Scheffler's vehicle "traveling in the opposing lanes coming at me."Scheffler was driving before dawn to Valhalla Golf Club to play in the second round of the tournament when he encountered Gillis.Gillis, who approached Scheffler’s car on foot, wrote in an arrest report that Scheffler “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 few hours later, after a trip to jail, Scheffler returned to the golf course in time for his 10:08 a.m. tee time. He&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/scottie-scheffler-pga-championship-15f6041dc4d9fd00ab65f742737f0f34">finished the tournament Sunday tied for eighth place</a>, enough for a tournament payout of about $520,000.He is scheduled to return to Louisville on June 3 to be arraigned on four charges, including second-degree felony assault of a police officer.Louisville police’s current body camera policy was enacted amid controversy in 2020 after officers shot&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/breonna-taylor">Breonna Taylor</a>, a 26-year-old Black woman who was killed during a botched drug raid. At the time, the plain-clothes officers who served the warrant and fired at Taylor were not required to wear body cameras.The new policy required all officers to turn on the camera “prior to engaging in all law enforcement activities and encounters.”The police chief at the time of Taylor’s death was later fired when officers at the scene of another fatal shooting failed to turn on their body-worn cameras.

🎥 Why the officer who arrested No. 1 golfer in the world was disciplined 

KANSAS CITY —Residents in portions of north Kansas continue to watch out for a missing alligator.

On Thursday, staff with the Kansas City Pet Project were on the scene at Lakeview Middle School,&nbsp;6720 NW 64th Street in Kansas City,&nbsp; working to locate a missing alligator that was brought to the school by a petting zoo, according to a social media report from the Pet Project.

Officers were notified of the missing alligator, who is approximately 14-inches long and had its mouth taped shut.&nbsp; The alligator was part of a petting zoo exhibit by an external company that was brought to the school as part of an end-of-year celebration and was last seen on the site around 11:00am Thursday&nbsp; morning.

Lakeview Middle School did not obtain an animal shows permit from the Animal Services Division for the petting zoo, which is required per Chapter 14 of the city code.

 Officers searched the school and surrounding grounds for the animal for several hours, but were unable to locate the animal. 

Any information regarding the missing alligator can be called in to the Animal Services Division at 816-683-1373 or <a href="https://kcpetproject.org/animal-services-division/animal-services-report-form/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1HiJYif7mgE6zEuYlulNeqpbfgWsuf4ije4TSmCYkR-c4eZ5-8hcRBbOI_aem_AY_-IcQEh6D3cBDwI8FoEZMVhXB9bpw9e_5m6kWGEZ5JDXIvK-tGO6x9vTy8_JHWCDU_ya4n3wfjzAKbEF_Omg4d">click here</a> to submit information online&nbsp;

<a href="https://kcpetproject.org/animal-services-division/animal-services-report-form/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2rmvMuZP-6RFnKJJqvapb_GOwi9cQzBseP-IHVME7V4B6OJpQ7vziZHs0_aem_AY9OhqoJ9iB7sMvlczeuXkRjaLk-Ej36g_5z5QFBXwaTwUe83RAUVxiJwAin6WV0LHCbRkg3rRlbEczBNZvuWvUr" target="_blank"></a>Alligators are not allowed in Kansas City, MO per Chapter 14 of the city code. Animal Services plans to issue citations for violations of Chapter 14 of the city code to the appropriate parties.

The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansascityfire?__cft__[0]=AZXD0L62CuyPfvYXiHg8LRhOS9KiFs0AJxUH9464Jqth3WEpQr7iUIobrDMP1VBVXE72T77WgVDrI9DTo4kOhK4kb5Y02rROH_ZjfnzO2MnJLnKrhxg17uvrPfdVOvMhlroZkH7YArG9pvWw7Xsua5bwHv1F7F9WG3yXgDuGHzVGDANIZMf9M9MaFL7u-eSBHMzmiI0ooKoO5sZSINao3sTQ&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas City Fire Department</a>&nbsp;assisted in working to locate the animal.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716547280279.png" alt="Photos KC Pet Project" />
 <figcaption>Photos KC Pet Project</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Residents in portions of north Kansas continue to watch out for a missing alligator.On Thursday, staff with the Kansas City Pet Project were on the scene at Lakeview Middle School,&nbsp;6720 NW 64th Street in Kansas City,&nbsp; working to locate a missing alligator that was brought to the school by a petting zoo, according to a social media report from the Pet Project.Officers were notified of the missing alligator, who is approximately 14-inches long and had its mouth taped shut.&nbsp; The alligator was part of a petting zoo exhibit by an external company that was brought to the school as part of an end-of-year celebration and was last seen on the site around 11:00am Thursday&nbsp; morning.Lakeview Middle School did not obtain an animal shows permit from the Animal Services Division for the petting zoo, which is required per Chapter 14 of the city code.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716547613281.png" alt="KC Pet Project Animal Services on the scene at the school Thursday-photo KC Pet Project" />
 <figcaption>KC Pet Project Animal Services on the scene at the school Thursday-photo KC Pet Project</figcaption>
 </figure> Officers searched the school and surrounding grounds for the animal for several hours, but were unable to locate the animal. Any information regarding the missing alligator can be called in to the Animal Services Division at 816-683-1373 or <a href="https://kcpetproject.org/animal-services-division/animal-services-report-form/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1HiJYif7mgE6zEuYlulNeqpbfgWsuf4ije4TSmCYkR-c4eZ5-8hcRBbOI_aem_AY_-IcQEh6D3cBDwI8FoEZMVhXB9bpw9e_5m6kWGEZ5JDXIvK-tGO6x9vTy8_JHWCDU_ya4n3wfjzAKbEF_Omg4d">click here</a> to submit information online&nbsp;<a href="https://kcpetproject.org/animal-services-division/animal-services-report-form/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2rmvMuZP-6RFnKJJqvapb_GOwi9cQzBseP-IHVME7V4B6OJpQ7vziZHs0_aem_AY9OhqoJ9iB7sMvlczeuXkRjaLk-Ej36g_5z5QFBXwaTwUe83RAUVxiJwAin6WV0LHCbRkg3rRlbEczBNZvuWvUr" target="_blank"></a>Alligators are not allowed in Kansas City, MO per Chapter 14 of the city code. Animal Services plans to issue citations for violations of Chapter 14 of the city code to the appropriate parties.The <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kansascityfire?__cft__[0]=AZXD0L62CuyPfvYXiHg8LRhOS9KiFs0AJxUH9464Jqth3WEpQr7iUIobrDMP1VBVXE72T77WgVDrI9DTo4kOhK4kb5Y02rROH_ZjfnzO2MnJLnKrhxg17uvrPfdVOvMhlroZkH7YArG9pvWw7Xsua5bwHv1F7F9WG3yXgDuGHzVGDANIZMf9M9MaFL7u-eSBHMzmiI0ooKoO5sZSINao3sTQ&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Kansas City Fire Department</a>&nbsp;assisted in working to locate the animal.

Alligator that escaped petting zoo at school is still missing

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– McConnell Air Force Base’s aircraft are departing Saturday to relocate away from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NWSWichita/posts/pfbid02b5JPaUBfxthEDsoTAaAZfozDk2w2HBrjYkVkjUC7zwsMbLSUk7sWpVjLhYV5Hre9l" target="_blank">severe weather</a>&nbsp;which is forecasted for the Wichita area Saturday night tonight Sunday morning.&nbsp;This is the fourth relocation of McConnell aircraft in the past six weeks, due to severe weather

The potential for severe weather has increased over the past 48 hours, calling for an increased chance of high winds, the possibility of large hail and a chance for tornadoes.&nbsp; Therefore, McConnell’s KC-135R Stratotanker and KC-46A Pegasus aircraft are being relocated to other military bases outside the local area. This is being done to protect the aircraft from potential damage, but also preserve the 22nd&nbsp;Air Refueling Wing’s capability to support its worldwide aerial refueling and airlift mission.

The remaining aircraft, undergoing various phases of maintenance, along with a range of flightline vehicles and equipment, are being stored in hangars.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716646459018.png" alt="Image from video provided by McConnell Air Force Base" />
 <figcaption>Image from video provided by McConnell Air Force Base</figcaption>
 </figure>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– McConnell Air Force Base’s aircraft are departing Saturday to relocate away from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/NWSWichita/posts/pfbid02b5JPaUBfxthEDsoTAaAZfozDk2w2HBrjYkVkjUC7zwsMbLSUk7sWpVjLhYV5Hre9l" target="_blank">severe weather</a>&nbsp;which is forecasted for the Wichita area Saturday night tonight Sunday morning.&nbsp;This is the fourth relocation of McConnell aircraft in the past six weeks, due to severe weatherThe potential for severe weather has increased over the past 48 hours, calling for an increased chance of high winds, the possibility of large hail and a chance for tornadoes.&nbsp; Therefore, McConnell’s KC-135R Stratotanker and KC-46A Pegasus aircraft are being relocated to other military bases outside the local area. This is being done to protect the aircraft from potential damage, but also preserve the 22nd&nbsp;Air Refueling Wing’s capability to support its worldwide aerial refueling and airlift mission.The remaining aircraft, undergoing various phases of maintenance, along with a range of flightline vehicles and equipment, are being stored in hangars.

Kan. Air Force Base forced again to relocate aircraft ahead of severe weather 

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the latest homicide in Kansas City.

Just before 6:30pm Friday, police officers were on patrol in the area of 31st and Van Brunt when they heard the sound of gunshots, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchins.

 They immediately moved into the area to investigate further and were directed to the car wash just south of Interstate 70 on Van Brunt. Police located a vehicle with an adult male shooting victim inside unresponsive. 

Officers rendered aid and called EMS to the scene. EMS took over treatment and declared the victim deceased at the scene. Detectives and Crime Scene investigators canvassed for witnesses and processed for evidence to hopefully get a better idea of what led up to the shooting and any leads on the identification of suspect(s).

Preliminary investigation indicates the shooting occurred in the area of the exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 70 down onto Van Brunt Boulevard.

If anyone heard or saw anything in this area or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. 

There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716604680772.png" alt="Police on the scene Friday evening -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene Friday evening -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the latest homicide in Kansas City.Just before 6:30pm Friday, police officers were on patrol in the area of 31st and Van Brunt when they heard the sound of gunshots, according to KCPD Captain Jake Becchins. They immediately moved into the area to investigate further and were directed to the car wash just south of Interstate 70 on Van Brunt. Police located a vehicle with an adult male shooting victim inside unresponsive. Officers rendered aid and called EMS to the scene. EMS took over treatment and declared the victim deceased at the scene. Detectives and Crime Scene investigators canvassed for witnesses and processed for evidence to hopefully get a better idea of what led up to the shooting and any leads on the identification of suspect(s).Preliminary investigation indicates the shooting occurred in the area of the exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 70 down onto Van Brunt Boulevard.If anyone heard or saw anything in this area or has any information they are asked to contact Homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information submitted anonymously to the TIPS hotline.

Homicide: Shooting victim found in vehicle at KC car wash

WICHITA (AP) —A Kansas women's health clinic that has often served as an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-clinic-demonstration-canceled-kansas-ad52ceefb092cba1062b028c3f863e64">epicenter of conflict</a>&nbsp;over abortion rights has temporarily stopped offering the procedure, exasperating a strain on services in one of the few states in the region still allowing abortions.

The move this week at the Trust Women clinic in Wichita followed a leadership shakeup that was outlined in an article published Thursday by the reproductive rights-focused publication Rewire News Group.

Trust Women's board acknowledged what it described as a “leadership transition” in a statement but said it wouldn’t discuss the details for privacy reasons. The statement said it also was making changes in medical protocols.

“These were not decisions that were made because of anything nefarious,” said Sapphire Garcia, who was elected president of Trust Women’s board of directors last week, in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday. “These are things that, are in line with our evolution and our growth as an organization and any responsible organization that offers clinical care in a moment of transition like this must take a pause.”

She declined to discuss whether physicians had resigned and estimated that the pause in abortions would last days to maybe a couple of weeks.

Trust Women opened the Wichita clinic in 2013 in the same facility where Dr. George Tiller, a Wichita abortion provider, practiced before an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/81cec18a40c94f808a315d005625e644">anti-abortion extremist</a>&nbsp;murdered him in 2009. Tiller and the Wichita clinic where he had performed late-term abortions had been a target for decades; it was bombed in 1985, and Tiller was shot in both arms in 1993.

Julie Burkhart, a former employee of Tiller, said she is distraught over what is happening at the clinic she founded before leaving to to run clinics in Wyoming and Illinois. “Heartbroken, upset, tied in knots. It’s hard to watch that,” she said.

Danielle Underwood, the director of communications for Kansans for Life, said the leadership issues were "extremely concerning and raises a lot of questions.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716602099631.png" alt="Trust Women,&nbsp;5107 E Kellogg Drive in Wichita. Google image" />
 <figcaption>Trust Women,&nbsp;5107 E Kellogg Drive in Wichita. Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH&nbsp;WICHITA (AP) —A Kansas women's health clinic that has often served as an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-clinic-demonstration-canceled-kansas-ad52ceefb092cba1062b028c3f863e64">epicenter of conflict</a>&nbsp;over abortion rights has temporarily stopped offering the procedure, exasperating a strain on services in one of the few states in the region still allowing abortions.The move this week at the Trust Women clinic in Wichita followed a leadership shakeup that was outlined in an article published Thursday by the reproductive rights-focused publication Rewire News Group.Trust Women's board acknowledged what it described as a “leadership transition” in a statement but said it wouldn’t discuss the details for privacy reasons. The statement said it also was making changes in medical protocols.“These were not decisions that were made because of anything nefarious,” said Sapphire Garcia, who was elected president of Trust Women’s board of directors last week, in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday. “These are things that, are in line with our evolution and our growth as an organization and any responsible organization that offers clinical care in a moment of transition like this must take a pause.”She declined to discuss whether physicians had resigned and estimated that the pause in abortions would last days to maybe a couple of weeks.Trust Women opened the Wichita clinic in 2013 in the same facility where Dr. George Tiller, a Wichita abortion provider, practiced before an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/81cec18a40c94f808a315d005625e644">anti-abortion extremist</a>&nbsp;murdered him in 2009. Tiller and the Wichita clinic where he had performed late-term abortions had been a target for decades; it was bombed in 1985, and Tiller was shot in both arms in 1993.Julie Burkhart, a former employee of Tiller, said she is distraught over what is happening at the clinic she founded before leaving to to run clinics in Wyoming and Illinois. “Heartbroken, upset, tied in knots. It’s hard to watch that,” she said.Danielle Underwood, the director of communications for Kansans for Life, said the leadership issues were "extremely concerning and raises a lot of questions.”Garcia said Trust Women was able to reschedule its abortion patients. Two other clinics in the city also offer abortions.After Roe v. Wade was reversed, Kansas was the first state where voters weighed in on abortion at the ballot box,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">resoundingly rejecting</a>&nbsp;a constitutional amendment that could have led to an abortion ban in August 2022. Since then, the state — which now prohibits abortions after 21 weeks of pregnancy — has become a destination for people from more restrictive nearby states seeking abortion.“Kansas providers are already strained to meet an overwhelming need, and any further disruption will affect patients’ ability to access critical and time-sensitive care,” said Hanna Sumpter, director of communications and marketing at Planned Parenthood Great Plains.Trust Women, whose Oklahoma clinic stopped providing abortions because of a state ban, typically receives between 3,000 and 4,000 phone calls each day — most from patients requesting abortion appointments — at a time when it’s only able to see 40 to 50 patients per day, a spokesperson told the Kansas News Service in December.Garcia said she didn't think there had been any changes since then in the numbers.“We’re grateful to be moving forward together in a direction that considers how we can expand services," she said. "But to do that, we have to make responsible, measured decisions. And that is what this reflects, that we have proactively moved to pause abortion services very temporarily.”