KANSAS CITY —Funeral services for a Kansas City firefighter-paramedic will be held this week.

Visitation for Kyle Brinker will be from 12-2 PM on Wednesday September 25, 2024, at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church with the Celebration of Life to follow at 2p.m. with full firefighter honors. A procession will follow the services past Station 35, the KCFD Memorial Plaza, and Station 7 then back to White Chapel Funeral Home.

Brinker, 33, died Tuesday during a training exercise.&nbsp;

He graduated with the class of 2009 at Plum Borough Pennsylvania Senior High School. He would go on to graduate in 2013 at the University of Pittsburgh.

Kyle was proud to serve 11 years with Kansas City Fire Department most recently at Station 35 on Rescue 9. On August 31, 2019, Kyle married Becky Wilkerson.

Kyle was passionate about his BBQ and made an amazing brisket. He loved to travel with his wife, Becky and together they have been to Jamaica, St. Lucia, Mexico, and many smaller trips around the country. Kyle enjoyed his pet, Doug the Dog both walking him and playing fetch.

Survivors include his wife of 5 years, Becky Brinker; his parents, Bob and Susan (Rogers) Brinker; Scott Brinker; Doug the Dog.

Memorials are suggested to the Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment Fund (SAFE) 3100 Broadway Blvd Suite 1234 Kansas City, Missouri 64111&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kc-crime.org/safe." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.kc-crime.org/safe.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726704459151.png" alt="Kyle Brinker courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kyle Brinker courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Funeral services for a Kansas City firefighter-paramedic will be held this week.Visitation for Kyle Brinker will be from 12-2 PM on Wednesday September 25, 2024, at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church with the Celebration of Life to follow at 2p.m. with full firefighter honors. A procession will follow the services past Station 35, the KCFD Memorial Plaza, and Station 7 then back to White Chapel Funeral Home.Brinker, 33, died Tuesday during a training exercise.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727183122131.png" alt="Map of the procession provided by KCFD" />
 <figcaption>Map of the procession provided by KCFD</figcaption>
 </figure>He graduated with the class of 2009 at Plum Borough Pennsylvania Senior High School. He would go on to graduate in 2013 at the University of Pittsburgh.Kyle was proud to serve 11 years with Kansas City Fire Department most recently at Station 35 on Rescue 9. On August 31, 2019, Kyle married Becky Wilkerson.Kyle was passionate about his BBQ and made an amazing brisket. He loved to travel with his wife, Becky and together they have been to Jamaica, St. Lucia, Mexico, and many smaller trips around the country. Kyle enjoyed his pet, Doug the Dog both walking him and playing fetch.Survivors include his wife of 5 years, Becky Brinker; his parents, Bob and Susan (Rogers) Brinker; Scott Brinker; Doug the Dog.Memorials are suggested to the Surviving Spouse and Family Endowment Fund (SAFE) 3100 Broadway Blvd Suite 1234 Kansas City, Missouri 64111&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kc-crime.org/safe." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://www.kc-crime.org/safe.</a>

Services announced for fallen Kansas City firefighter 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/aaronsanderford/">AARON SANDERFORD</a>

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Republican push to change how Nebraska awards its Electoral College votes and boost former President Donald Trump ran into political reality Monday as a key lawmaker, State Sen. Mike McDonnell, announced he won’t support the change.

McDonnell, of Omaha, said he had heard from people passionate about the issue who live in the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District. But he said he did not hear enough to move him off his original position against the switch.

“Elections should be an opportunity for all voters to be heard, no matter who they are, where they live, or what party they support,” McDonnell said in a statement. “I&nbsp;have taken time to listen carefully to Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue. After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.”

McDonnell said he told Gov. Jim Pillen his stance and suggested that the Legislature put winner-take-all to a vote of the people, as a proposed constitutional amendment, so people can decide the issue “once and for all.”

Nebraska and Maine are the only states that award a single Electoral College vote to the winner in each congressional district, plus two votes to the statewide winner of the presidential popular vote. Nebraska has split off votes twice in four presidential elections.

President Joe Biden won the 2nd District in 2020. Trump won all five of the state’s electoral votes in 2016. Mitt Romney did the same in 2012. The 2nd District got its national name as “the blue dot” in 2008, when former President Barack Obama won it.

Nebraska Republicans have argued for years that Nebraska should award all five of its electoral votes to the statewide winner of the presidential popular vote, a process many call winner-take-all.

Republicans hold a 2-to-1 voter registration advantage over Democrats statewide, but the 2nd District cuts much more evenly between Republicans, Democrats and registered nonpartisans, a split that makes the 2nd District competitive in national elections.

Pillen had pledged to call a special session if he could secure the 33 votes needed to overcome a filibuster to change to winner-take-all. All five of Nebraska’s GOP congressional delegates wrote a letter urging state lawmakers to pass such a move.

The Nebraska Legislature has 33 Republicans, 15 Democrats and one progressive who is a registered nonpartisan. People whipping votes for Pillen and the Trump campaign have told others they expected the remaining GOP holdouts to join the push for the change if McDonnell did.

Pillen’s office had no immediate comment Monday, nor did the Trump or Harris campaigns.

McDonnell’s no on winner-take-all leaves Republicans in Nebraska’s officially nonpartisan Legislature with no path to overcoming a promised filibuster unless a Democrat or nonpartisan senator defects. Thus far, none has opposed the status quo. Nebraska Democrats tweeted the list of 17 pledged no votes, including McDonnell.

Part of the GOP urgency is wrapped in national polling that shows a close race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. Some political observers have argued the 2nd District could break a 269-269 Electoral College tie.

Few Democrats were surprised that the fate of winner-take-all largely swung on McDonnell, a former Omaha fire union president who switched to the GOP this spring after facing political pushback from Democrats for backing abortion restrictions and legislation restricting some health care for minors who are transgender.

Several said the abortion debate should have shown Republicans that McDonnell is largely immovable once he has made a controversial position clear. McDonnell said when he switched parties that he would not support winner-take-all. Others said he did what helped him most politically.

McDonnell’s stance&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/18/winner-take-all-push-gets-help-of-gov-jim-pillen-sen-lindsey-graham-trump/" target="_blank">softened in recent weeks</a>&nbsp;under pressure from local, state and national Republicans, including some with ties to the Trump campaign. He was one of two dozen GOP state senators who met Sept. 18 with Pillen and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

People in the room said McDonnell told GOP colleagues last week he was looking for a way to get to yes. McDonnell&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/19/sen-mike-mcdonnell-says-hes-a-no-on-winner-take-all-as-of-today/" target="_blank">told the Examiner on Thursday</a>, not long after the meeting discussion became public, that he remained a no on winner-take-all, “as of today.”

He kept meeting and talking with people on both sides of the issue, including people tied to Trump, after that statement. He also heard from national and local Democrats tied to Harris.

But on Monday, McDonnell seemed to want to put the issue to rest. And with it, he may have secured one more election where a small slice of Nebraska will matter to both presidential campaigns.

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., said he was “incredibly disappointed by Senator McDonnell’s opposition” to winner-take-all. Ricketts said Nebraskans should speak as one in the Electoral College and “elect a president for all Nebraskans.”

State Sen. Rob Dover, a Republican representing the Norfolk area, also expressed disappointment in McDonnell’s decision.

“There is too much at stake in this election for Nebraskans to spare an electoral vote,” Dover said in a statement. “We should speak as a unified voice.”

State Sen. Loren Lippincott, a Republican from Central City, said he has spoken with the Governor’s Office and they are now doubtful they would call a special session this year on winner-take-all. McDonnell’s vote was key, he said.

“That kind of closes the casket,” Lippincott said of his fellow senator’s announcement. “With Mike McDonnell being an absolute no, that kind of closes the lid. We’re going to have to reintroduce this bill in the next session.”

Both Trump and Harris have campaign staff in Nebraska, and both have sent surrogates to campaign here. Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Nebraska native, held a rally here. Trump’s running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, came to Nebraska to fundraise and meet with local Republicans.

For McDonnell, the calculus could be partly political. He has openly flirted with running for mayor of Omaha as early as 2025. His likely opponent, Republican incumbent Jean Stothert, has said she supports the switch to winner-take-all.

Statewide support leans toward winner-take-all, but polling over several years indicates broad, bipartisan support in the 2nd District for keeping the state’s unusual system, which brings attention and money to the Omaha area.

McDonnell’s statement acknowledged the impact on the district.

“For Omaha … it brings tremendous national attention, is impactful on our local economy and forces Presidential candidates to make their case to all Nebraskans, instead of just flying over and disregarding us,” he said.

Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, praised McDonnell for “standing strong against tremendous pressure from out-of-state interests to protect Nebraskans’ voice in our democracy.”

“Nebraska has a long and proud tradition of independence, and our electoral system reflects that by ensuring that the outcome of our elections truly represents the will of the people without interference,” Kleeb said.

Kleeb also said the party would support leaders “who stand up for the people,” which some interpreted as a hint that the door might be cracked open for McDonnell to return or to secure some form of support from the party if he runs for office in the future.

The Nebraska Republican Party had no immediate comment.

This article originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/" target="_blank">Nebraska Examiner</a>, a part of States Newsroom.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727142059244.png" alt="State Sen. Mike McDonnell announces leaving the Democratic Party after he was censured by the state and Douglas County Democrats. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)" />
 <figcaption>State Sen. Mike McDonnell announces leaving the Democratic Party after he was censured by the state and Douglas County Democrats. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/aaronsanderford/">AARON SANDERFORD</a>LINCOLN, Neb. — The Republican push to change how Nebraska awards its Electoral College votes and boost former President Donald Trump ran into political reality Monday as a key lawmaker, State Sen. Mike McDonnell, announced he won’t support the change.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725133509171.png" alt="File photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>McDonnell, of Omaha, said he had heard from people passionate about the issue who live in the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District. But he said he did not hear enough to move him off his original position against the switch.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727142619266.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“Elections should be an opportunity for all voters to be heard, no matter who they are, where they live, or what party they support,” McDonnell said in a statement. “I&nbsp;have taken time to listen carefully to Nebraskans and national leaders on both sides of the issue. After deep consideration, it is clear to me that right now, 43 days from Election Day, is not the moment to make this change.”McDonnell said he told Gov. Jim Pillen his stance and suggested that the Legislature put winner-take-all to a vote of the people, as a proposed constitutional amendment, so people can decide the issue “once and for all.”Nebraska and Maine are the only states that award a single Electoral College vote to the winner in each congressional district, plus two votes to the statewide winner of the presidential popular vote. Nebraska has split off votes twice in four presidential elections.President Joe Biden won the 2nd District in 2020. Trump won all five of the state’s electoral votes in 2016. Mitt Romney did the same in 2012. The 2nd District got its national name as “the blue dot” in 2008, when former President Barack Obama won it.<h2>2nd District split</h2>Nebraska Republicans have argued for years that Nebraska should award all five of its electoral votes to the statewide winner of the presidential popular vote, a process many call winner-take-all.Republicans hold a 2-to-1 voter registration advantage over Democrats statewide, but the 2nd District cuts much more evenly between Republicans, Democrats and registered nonpartisans, a split that makes the 2nd District competitive in national elections.Pillen had pledged to call a special session if he could secure the 33 votes needed to overcome a filibuster to change to winner-take-all. All five of Nebraska’s GOP congressional delegates wrote a letter urging state lawmakers to pass such a move.The Nebraska Legislature has 33 Republicans, 15 Democrats and one progressive who is a registered nonpartisan. People whipping votes for Pillen and the Trump campaign have told others they expected the remaining GOP holdouts to join the push for the change if McDonnell did.Pillen’s office had no immediate comment Monday, nor did the Trump or Harris campaigns.McDonnell’s no on winner-take-all leaves Republicans in Nebraska’s officially nonpartisan Legislature with no path to overcoming a promised filibuster unless a Democrat or nonpartisan senator defects. Thus far, none has opposed the status quo. Nebraska Democrats tweeted the list of 17 pledged no votes, including McDonnell.Part of the GOP urgency is wrapped in national polling that shows a close race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. Some political observers have argued the 2nd District could break a 269-269 Electoral College tie.Few Democrats were surprised that the fate of winner-take-all largely swung on McDonnell, a former Omaha fire union president who switched to the GOP this spring after facing political pushback from Democrats for backing abortion restrictions and legislation restricting some health care for minors who are transgender.Several said the abortion debate should have shown Republicans that McDonnell is largely immovable once he has made a controversial position clear. McDonnell said when he switched parties that he would not support winner-take-all. Others said he did what helped him most politically.McDonnell’s stance&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/18/winner-take-all-push-gets-help-of-gov-jim-pillen-sen-lindsey-graham-trump/" target="_blank">softened in recent weeks</a>&nbsp;under pressure from local, state and national Republicans, including some with ties to the Trump campaign. He was one of two dozen GOP state senators who met Sept. 18 with Pillen and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.<h2>Both sides heard from</h2>People in the room said McDonnell told GOP colleagues last week he was looking for a way to get to yes. McDonnell&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/09/19/sen-mike-mcdonnell-says-hes-a-no-on-winner-take-all-as-of-today/" target="_blank">told the Examiner on Thursday</a>, not long after the meeting discussion became public, that he remained a no on winner-take-all, “as of today.”He kept meeting and talking with people on both sides of the issue, including people tied to Trump, after that statement. He also heard from national and local Democrats tied to Harris.But on Monday, McDonnell seemed to want to put the issue to rest. And with it, he may have secured one more election where a small slice of Nebraska will matter to both presidential campaigns.U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, R-Neb., said he was “incredibly disappointed by Senator McDonnell’s opposition” to winner-take-all. Ricketts said Nebraskans should speak as one in the Electoral College and “elect a president for all Nebraskans.”State Sen. Rob Dover, a Republican representing the Norfolk area, also expressed disappointment in McDonnell’s decision.“There is too much at stake in this election for Nebraskans to spare an electoral vote,” Dover said in a statement. “We should speak as a unified voice.”State Sen. Loren Lippincott, a Republican from Central City, said he has spoken with the Governor’s Office and they are now doubtful they would call a special session this year on winner-take-all. McDonnell’s vote was key, he said.“That kind of closes the casket,” Lippincott said of his fellow senator’s announcement. “With Mike McDonnell being an absolute no, that kind of closes the lid. We’re going to have to reintroduce this bill in the next session.”Both Trump and Harris have campaign staff in Nebraska, and both have sent surrogates to campaign here. Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Nebraska native, held a rally here. Trump’s running mate, Ohio U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance, came to Nebraska to fundraise and meet with local Republicans.For McDonnell, the calculus could be partly political. He has openly flirted with running for mayor of Omaha as early as 2025. His likely opponent, Republican incumbent Jean Stothert, has said she supports the switch to winner-take-all.Statewide support leans toward winner-take-all, but polling over several years indicates broad, bipartisan support in the 2nd District for keeping the state’s unusual system, which brings attention and money to the Omaha area.McDonnell’s statement acknowledged the impact on the district.“For Omaha … it brings tremendous national attention, is impactful on our local economy and forces Presidential candidates to make their case to all Nebraskans, instead of just flying over and disregarding us,” he said.<h2>Praised for ‘standing strong’</h2>Jane Kleeb, chair of the Nebraska Democratic Party, praised McDonnell for “standing strong against tremendous pressure from out-of-state interests to protect Nebraskans’ voice in our democracy.”“Nebraska has a long and proud tradition of independence, and our electoral system reflects that by ensuring that the outcome of our elections truly represents the will of the people without interference,” Kleeb said.Kleeb also said the party would support leaders “who stand up for the people,” which some interpreted as a hint that the door might be cracked open for McDonnell to return or to secure some form of support from the party if he runs for office in the future.The Nebraska Republican Party had no immediate comment.This article originally appeared in the&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/" target="_blank">Nebraska Examiner</a>, a part of States Newsroom.

Key GOP Senator deflates GOP hopes for Nebraska winner-take-all in 2024

KANSAS CITY —A suspect faces felony charges in connection with a drug store burglary, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

George Carter, 23, Kansas City faces Burglary in the 2nd Degree and Property Damage in the 1st Degree.

On September 10, Kansas City police officers responded to the area of 75th and Wornall Road on a reported prowler, according to court records.

Officers arriving on the scene saw a black pickup truck facing north in the pharmacy drive of the store. 

The pickup then fled at a high rate of speed through the parking lot. Individuals reportedly were climbing through the drive-thru window. The window glass had been broken. Witnesses also saw them carrying trash bags filled with what they presumed were prescription drugs. 

While conducting an area canvass, officers encountered and detained Carter. Officers obtained video from another incident on Sept 10, 2024, which showed a man in the same clothing Carter was observed to be wearing in the drug store burglary. A black truck was the suspect vehicle in both incidents.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726764366918.png" alt="Carter photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Carter photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A suspect faces felony charges in connection with a drug store burglary, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.George Carter, 23, Kansas City faces Burglary in the 2nd Degree and Property Damage in the 1st Degree.On September 10, Kansas City police officers responded to the area of 75th and Wornall Road on a reported prowler, according to court records.Officers arriving on the scene saw a black pickup truck facing north in the pharmacy drive of the store. The pickup then fled at a high rate of speed through the parking lot. Individuals reportedly were climbing through the drive-thru window. The window glass had been broken. Witnesses also saw them carrying trash bags filled with what they presumed were prescription drugs. While conducting an area canvass, officers encountered and detained Carter. Officers obtained video from another incident on Sept 10, 2024, which showed a man in the same clothing Carter was observed to be wearing in the drug store burglary. A black truck was the suspect vehicle in both incidents.&nbsp;Carter remains jailed on a $50,000 bond.

Suspect climbed through window of KC drive through pharmacy

BARRY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 2p.m. Monday in Barry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 GMC Yukon driven by Melissa R. Hollie, 46, Shell Knob, was northbound on Highway 39 one mile north of Shell Knob.&nbsp;

The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The SUV traveled off the right side of the road, overturned and struck a fence.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A passenger James D. Larson, 57, Shell. Knob, was pronounced dead ata the scene. Mercy Ambulance transported Hollie to Mercy Springfield. Larson was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

BARRY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 2p.m. Monday in Barry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 GMC Yukon driven by Melissa R. Hollie, 46, Shell Knob, was northbound on Highway 39 one mile north of Shell Knob.&nbsp;The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The SUV traveled off the right side of the road, overturned and struck a fence.&nbsp;&nbsp;A passenger James D. Larson, 57, Shell. Knob, was pronounced dead ata the scene. Mercy Ambulance transported Hollie to Mercy Springfield. Larson was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man dies after SUV overturns, strikes fence

OSAGE COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 3:30p.m. September 19, an Osage County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit conducted a traffic stop at Main Street and Topeka Avenue in Carbondale for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

During the stop, a K-9 was deployed, and illegal narcotics were located.

Christopher J. Clinton, 42, of Topeka was taken into custody and transported to the Osage  County Jail Facility on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of a stolen firearm, Possession of a weapon by a felon, Possession of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726840010004.png" alt="Clinton-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Clinton-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just before 3:30p.m. September 19, an Osage County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit conducted a traffic stop at Main Street and Topeka Avenue in Carbondale for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.During the stop, a K-9 was deployed, and illegal narcotics were located.Christopher J. Clinton, 42, of Topeka was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of a stolen firearm, Possession of a weapon by a felon, Possession of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kan. sheriff's K9 helped find drugs, stolen gun

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/">Missouri Independent</a>

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors Monday said the man accused of trying to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his private golf club in Florida stalked the GOP presidential nominee for a month and in a note offered $150,000 to anyone who could “finish the job,” according to a new court filing.

Federal prosecutors detailed how Ryan Routh left a handwritten note that criticized Trump’s policy in the Middle East, specifically ending U.S. involvement in the Iran nuclear deal.

“This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you,” read the note, according to the court filing. “I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.”

Prosecutors said cell phone records showed Routh was located near “Trump International and the former President’s residence at Mar-a-Lago” from Aug. 18 until Sept. 15 — the day of the attempted assassination.

<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/fbi-investigates-apparent-assassination-attempt-against-trump-florida-former-president-safe" target="_blank">The FBI is investigating the incident&nbsp;</a>as an apparent assassination attempt, following the&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/campaigns-elections/trump-campaigns-in-western-pennsylvania-with-rally-in-butler-county/" target="_blank">first assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump sustained an injury to his ear. Trump was not injured at his Florida golf club and the U.S. Secret Service&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/man-arrested-after-poking-rifle-trump-golf-course-charged-federal-gun-crimes" target="_blank">confirmed that Routh did not fire his weapon.&nbsp;</a>

Law enforcement officers also found in their search of Routh’s car, after he was detained, a “handwritten list of dates in August, September, and October 2024 and venues where the former President had appeared or was expected to be present,” according to the court filing.

The new court filing came in advance of Routh’s Monday court appearance in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/man-arrested-after-poking-rifle-trump-golf-course-charged-federal-gun-crimes" target="_blank">Routh was charged</a>&nbsp;with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and with obliterating the serial number on a firearm, according to court records. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726536262473.png" alt="Routh during his arrest by Martin County deputies on Sept. 15" />
 <figcaption>Routh during his arrest by Martin County deputies on Sept. 15</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/">Missouri Independent</a>WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors Monday said the man accused of trying to assassinate former President Donald Trump at his private golf club in Florida stalked the GOP presidential nominee for a month and in a note offered $150,000 to anyone who could “finish the job,” according to a new court filing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727103871883.png" alt="Photo U.S. Department of Justice" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Department of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>Federal prosecutors detailed how Ryan Routh left a handwritten note that criticized Trump’s policy in the Middle East, specifically ending U.S. involvement in the Iran nuclear deal.“This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I failed you,” read the note, according to the court filing. “I tried my best and gave it all the gumption I could muster. It is up to you now to finish the job; and I will offer $150,000 to whomever can complete the job.”Prosecutors said cell phone records showed Routh was located near “Trump International and the former President’s residence at Mar-a-Lago” from Aug. 18 until Sept. 15 — the day of the attempted assassination.<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/fbi-investigates-apparent-assassination-attempt-against-trump-florida-former-president-safe" target="_blank">The FBI is investigating the incident&nbsp;</a>as an apparent assassination attempt, following the&nbsp;<a href="https://penncapital-star.com/campaigns-elections/trump-campaigns-in-western-pennsylvania-with-rally-in-butler-county/" target="_blank">first assassination attempt</a>&nbsp;in Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump sustained an injury to his ear. Trump was not injured at his Florida golf club and the U.S. Secret Service&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/man-arrested-after-poking-rifle-trump-golf-course-charged-federal-gun-crimes" target="_blank">confirmed that Routh did not fire his weapon.&nbsp;</a>Law enforcement officers also found in their search of Routh’s car, after he was detained, a “handwritten list of dates in August, September, and October 2024 and venues where the former President had appeared or was expected to be present,” according to the court filing.The new court filing came in advance of Routh’s Monday court appearance in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/man-arrested-after-poking-rifle-trump-golf-course-charged-federal-gun-crimes" target="_blank">Routh was charged</a>&nbsp;with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and with obliterating the serial number on a firearm, according to court records. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

Gunman who allegedly targeted Trump offered $150K to anyone who could ‘finish the job’

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal shooting and have made an arrest.

Just after 5:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting at an apartment complex in 3500 block of Inwood in Wichita, according to Police Department spokesman Andrew Ford.

Officers learned that a verbal altercation had taken place between the 38-year-old male victim and a female suspect. The argument escalated when the suspect reportedly began physically assaulting the victim.

The situation further escalated when the suspect brandished a handgun and fired one shot, striking the victim in the chest.&nbsp; The victim was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 6:22 p.m., according to Ford.

The suspect,<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=415507"> identified according to Sedgwick Count</a>y booking records as 35-year-old Mercedes Muldrew, was taken into custody at the scene without further incident. She is being held on a requested charge of first degree murder, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727111287181.png" alt="MULDREW photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>MULDREW photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a fatal shooting and have made an arrest.Just after 5:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting at an apartment complex in 3500 block of Inwood in Wichita, according to Police Department spokesman Andrew Ford.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727129407850.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers learned that a verbal altercation had taken place between the 38-year-old male victim and a female suspect. The argument escalated when the suspect reportedly began physically assaulting the victim.The situation further escalated when the suspect brandished a handgun and fired one shot, striking the victim in the chest.&nbsp; The victim was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 6:22 p.m., according to Ford.The suspect,<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=415507"> identified according to Sedgwick Count</a>y booking records as 35-year-old Mercedes Muldrew, was taken into custody at the scene without further incident. She is being held on a requested charge of first degree murder, according to online jail records.

Kansas woman jailed after man shot at apartment complex

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating another gift card scam that cost a woman thousands of dollars.

On Sept. 20, a 76-year-old woman contacted Salina Police to report she had received an email from someone posing as a representative of the Federal Trade Commission's Department of Investigations. 

The scammer told her that her checking account and credit cards were tied to money laundering, and to resolve the issue, she needed to buy gift cards.

A store clerk team told her it was a scam, but she believed that it had occurred, and so she went through with two purchases of gift cards totaling $9,000 and $7,000 charged to a credit card, according to Feldman.

The scammer then had her provide the card numbers, allowing them to steal the funds.

Police emphasized the importance of being mindful of ongoing scams.

“No government agency, including the FTC, will ever ask for gift cards as a form of payment."

As the holiday season approaches, police urge you to stay alert and report any suspicious activity immediately. Be cautious of unsolicited requests for money or gift cards, as they are common tactics used by scammers.

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating another gift card scam that cost a woman thousands of dollars.On Sept. 20, a 76-year-old woman contacted Salina Police to report she had received an email from someone posing as a representative of the Federal Trade Commission's Department of Investigations. The scammer told her that her checking account and credit cards were tied to money laundering, and to resolve the issue, she needed to buy gift cards.A store clerk team told her it was a scam, but she believed that it had occurred, and so she went through with two purchases of gift cards totaling $9,000 and $7,000 charged to a credit card, according to Feldman.The scammer then had her provide the card numbers, allowing them to steal the funds.Police emphasized the importance of being mindful of ongoing scams.“No government agency, including the FTC, will ever ask for gift cards as a form of payment."As the holiday season approaches, police urge you to stay alert and report any suspicious activity immediately. Be cautious of unsolicited requests for money or gift cards, as they are common tactics used by scammers.

Police: Kansas woman lost $16,000 in gift card scam

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a> State's Newsroom

WASHINGTON — Amid persistent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/despite-opt-outs-gop-states-debut-kids-summer-food-program-seen-success" target="_blank">child hunger and food insecurity</a>&nbsp;in the United States, lawmakers and advocates on Wednesday stressed the importance of school meal programs during a U.S. Senate Agriculture subcommittee hearing.

Hunger severely impacts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nokidhungry.org/blog/effects-of-hunger-on-the-body" target="_blank">kids’ emotional and physical well-being</a>&nbsp;and can lead to negative outcomes in school,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.academicpedsjnl.net/article/S1876-2859(20)30426-5/fulltext" target="_blank">research has shown</a>. Last year, 47.4 million people lived in food-insecure households, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/key-statistics-graphics/" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>.

Federally funded efforts, such as the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, provide free and reduced-cost meals to students across the country.

Advocates say these programs play a crucial role in helping to reduce child hunger and urged the panel to expand them.

“School lunch should always be free and definitely free of judgment,” said Sen. John Fetterman, who chairs the Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research.

“Honestly, it shouldn’t be a conversation — it would be like asking the kids to pay for the school bus every morning or to pay for their own textbooks at school,” Fetterman said.

Fetterman and fellow Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. Bob Casey&nbsp;<a href="https://www.casey.senate.gov/news/releases/casey-fetterman-introduce-legislation-to-combat-student-hunger-expand-access-to-free-or-reduced-price-school-meals" target="_blank">introduced two bills</a>&nbsp;in June aiming to expand free or reduced-price meals access for kids. Part of the initiatives also call for amending the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows schools and school districts in low-income areas to offer free meal options to all students.

Fetterman also sponsored the Universal School Meals Program Act, an effort introduced by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1568/text" target="_blank">independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders</a>&nbsp;last May, which would “provide free breakfast, lunch, and dinner to every student — without demanding they prove they are poor enough to deserve help getting three meals a day,” according to Sanders’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Universal-School-Meals-Program-Act-of-2023_Bill-Summary.pdf" target="_blank">summary</a>&nbsp;of the bill. U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, introduced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3204/text" target="_blank">a companion bill</a>.

Subcommittee ranking member Mike Braun of Indiana said he introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.braun.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-braun-brown-introduce-senate-version-american-food-american-schools-act/" target="_blank">American Food for American Schools Act</a>&nbsp;last July with Ohio Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown in an effort “to better prioritize and support the use of American food in school meal programs.”

That bipartisan bill would increase requirements for school meals to include U.S. products.

Crystal FitzSimons, interim president of the Food Research &amp; Action Center, pointed out that eight states&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/08/29/usda-celebrates-new-school-meals-options-new-school-year-begins#:~:text=Eight%20states%20have%20taken%20permanent,Minnesota%2C%20New%20Mexico%20and%20Vermont" target="_blank">have implemented policies</a>&nbsp;that offer school meals to all students, regardless of one’s household income. Those states are California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont.

The national nonprofit aims to reduce poverty-related hunger in the U.S. through research, advocacy and policy solutions.

“While those eight states are showing us what is possible, there are critical steps the subcommittee and Congress should take to enhance the reach and impact of school meals nationwide,” FitzSimons said.

As one piece of the puzzle, FitzSimons said Congress can “ensure that all children nationwide are hunger-free and ready to learn while they are at school by allowing all schools to offer meals to all their students at no charge” and the Universal School Meals Program Act “creates that path.”

Meg Bruening, professor and department head at Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Nutritional Sciences, said “the school meal programs in the U.S. provide a critical safety net for almost 30 million children with meals each year” — comprising 60% of children in the country.

Bruening said these school meal programs align closely with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/" target="_blank">Dietary Guidelines for Americans</a>, “ensuring a variety of healthy foods are offered to children while at school, where children spend most of their waking and eating hours.”

The guidelines, developed by the USDA and the Health and Human Services Department, are&nbsp;<a href="https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/dietary-guidelines" target="_blank">updated every five years</a>.

Georgia Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock underscored how child hunger increases in the summer months when kids lack access to regular meals at school.

Thirty-seven states, the District of Columbia and multiple territories and tribal nations opted in this year to a new effort, known as Summer EBT, to feed kids during the long summer months.

Also called Sun Bucks, the USDA initiative provides low-income families with school-aged children a grocery-buying benefit of $120 per child for the summer.

But 13 states,&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2024/08/13/georgia-dems-press-governor-to-participate-for-federal-2025-summer-feeding-program/" target="_blank">including Georgia</a>, chose not to participate in the program in 2024. The USDA said states have until Jan. 1 to submit a notice of intent if they plan to participate in the program next year.

Warnock said he hopes&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2024/08/13/georgia-dems-press-governor-to-participate-for-federal-2025-summer-feeding-program/" target="_blank">state leaders reverse their position</a>&nbsp;on Summer EBT.

“Unfortunately, my home state — the state of Georgia — has not opted in to Sun Bucks, with some officials saying it does not result in higher nutritional outcomes for students, and that existing programs are ‘effective,’” he said.

“I heard our state leadership say: ‘We don’t need it,’” he added. “I’m still trying to figure out who this ‘we’ is — for whom are you speaking when you say: ‘We don’t need it?’”

A spokesperson for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has said the governor has concerns about the program’s dietary standards and cost.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727007674307.png" alt="Students eat lunch at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in South Salt Lake, Utah, on March 12 (Spenser Heaps/Utah News Dispatch)." />
 <figcaption>Students eat lunch at Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in South Salt Lake, Utah, on March 12 (Spenser Heaps/Utah News Dispatch).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/shauneen-miranda/">SHAUNEEN MIRANDA</a> State's Newsroom WASHINGTON — Amid persistent&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/despite-opt-outs-gop-states-debut-kids-summer-food-program-seen-success" target="_blank">child hunger and food insecurity</a>&nbsp;in the United States, lawmakers and advocates on Wednesday stressed the importance of school meal programs during a U.S. Senate Agriculture subcommittee hearing.Hunger severely impacts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nokidhungry.org/blog/effects-of-hunger-on-the-body" target="_blank">kids’ emotional and physical well-being</a>&nbsp;and can lead to negative outcomes in school,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.academicpedsjnl.net/article/S1876-2859(20)30426-5/fulltext" target="_blank">research has shown</a>. Last year, 47.4 million people lived in food-insecure households, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/key-statistics-graphics/" target="_blank">U.S. Department of Agriculture</a>.Federally funded efforts, such as the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, provide free and reduced-cost meals to students across the country.Advocates say these programs play a crucial role in helping to reduce child hunger and urged the panel to expand them.“School lunch should always be free and definitely free of judgment,” said Sen. John Fetterman, who chairs the Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research.“Honestly, it shouldn’t be a conversation — it would be like asking the kids to pay for the school bus every morning or to pay for their own textbooks at school,” Fetterman said.Fetterman and fellow Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. Bob Casey&nbsp;<a href="https://www.casey.senate.gov/news/releases/casey-fetterman-introduce-legislation-to-combat-student-hunger-expand-access-to-free-or-reduced-price-school-meals" target="_blank">introduced two bills</a>&nbsp;in June aiming to expand free or reduced-price meals access for kids. Part of the initiatives also call for amending the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows schools and school districts in low-income areas to offer free meal options to all students.Fetterman also sponsored the Universal School Meals Program Act, an effort introduced by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1568/text" target="_blank">independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders</a>&nbsp;last May, which would “provide free breakfast, lunch, and dinner to every student — without demanding they prove they are poor enough to deserve help getting three meals a day,” according to Sanders’&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sanders.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/Universal-School-Meals-Program-Act-of-2023_Bill-Summary.pdf" target="_blank">summary</a>&nbsp;of the bill. U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Minnesota Democrat, introduced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3204/text" target="_blank">a companion bill</a>.Subcommittee ranking member Mike Braun of Indiana said he introduced the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.braun.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senators-braun-brown-introduce-senate-version-american-food-american-schools-act/" target="_blank">American Food for American Schools Act</a>&nbsp;last July with Ohio Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown in an effort “to better prioritize and support the use of American food in school meal programs.”That bipartisan bill would increase requirements for school meals to include U.S. products.<h2>States a model</h2>Crystal FitzSimons, interim president of the Food Research &amp; Action Center, pointed out that eight states&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/08/29/usda-celebrates-new-school-meals-options-new-school-year-begins#:~:text=Eight%20states%20have%20taken%20permanent,Minnesota%2C%20New%20Mexico%20and%20Vermont" target="_blank">have implemented policies</a>&nbsp;that offer school meals to all students, regardless of one’s household income. Those states are California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont.The national nonprofit aims to reduce poverty-related hunger in the U.S. through research, advocacy and policy solutions.“While those eight states are showing us what is possible, there are critical steps the subcommittee and Congress should take to enhance the reach and impact of school meals nationwide,” FitzSimons said.As one piece of the puzzle, FitzSimons said Congress can “ensure that all children nationwide are hunger-free and ready to learn while they are at school by allowing all schools to offer meals to all their students at no charge” and the Universal School Meals Program Act “creates that path.”Meg Bruening, professor and department head at Pennsylvania State University’s Department of Nutritional Sciences, said “the school meal programs in the U.S. provide a critical safety net for almost 30 million children with meals each year” — comprising 60% of children in the country.Bruening said these school meal programs align closely with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov/" target="_blank">Dietary Guidelines for Americans</a>, “ensuring a variety of healthy foods are offered to children while at school, where children spend most of their waking and eating hours.”The guidelines, developed by the USDA and the Health and Human Services Department, are&nbsp;<a href="https://health.gov/our-work/nutrition-physical-activity/dietary-guidelines" target="_blank">updated every five years</a>.<h2>Summer EBT&nbsp;</h2>Georgia Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock underscored how child hunger increases in the summer months when kids lack access to regular meals at school.Thirty-seven states, the District of Columbia and multiple territories and tribal nations opted in this year to a new effort, known as Summer EBT, to feed kids during the long summer months.Also called Sun Bucks, the USDA initiative provides low-income families with school-aged children a grocery-buying benefit of $120 per child for the summer.But 13 states,&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2024/08/13/georgia-dems-press-governor-to-participate-for-federal-2025-summer-feeding-program/" target="_blank">including Georgia</a>, chose not to participate in the program in 2024. The USDA said states have until Jan. 1 to submit a notice of intent if they plan to participate in the program next year.Warnock said he hopes&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2024/08/13/georgia-dems-press-governor-to-participate-for-federal-2025-summer-feeding-program/" target="_blank">state leaders reverse their position</a>&nbsp;on Summer EBT.“Unfortunately, my home state — the state of Georgia — has not opted in to Sun Bucks, with some officials saying it does not result in higher nutritional outcomes for students, and that existing programs are ‘effective,’” he said.“I heard our state leadership say: ‘We don’t need it,’” he added. “I’m still trying to figure out who this ‘we’ is — for whom are you speaking when you say: ‘We don’t need it?’”A spokesperson for Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has said the governor has concerns about the program’s dietary standards and cost.

Advocates call for expanding free school meals at U.S. Senate hearing

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating six suspects including three juveniles on multiple allegations that started with a gun incident.

Just after 6:00 p.m. Sept. 14, police responded to the report of gunshots near 19th Street and SW Buchanan Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

Police found that no one had been injured, but property in the area had been damaged by gunfire.

Just before 6p.m. on September 20, as the result of this ongoing investigation, members of the Topeka Police Department served a search warrant at a home in the 1800 Block of SW Lincoln Street. During the search warrant, Individuals were taken into custody and transported to the Law Enforcement center to speak with Detectives.

As a result of the investigation, a 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy were transported to the Shawnee County Juvenile Detention center where they were booked on requested charges of Aggravated Assault; use of a deadly weapon, Interference with a Law Enforcement officer – Felony

A 17-year-old girl was also transported to the Shawnee County Juvenile Detention center where she was booked on requested charges of Aggravated Assault; use of a deadly weapon,&nbsp;Interference with a Law Enforcement officer – Felony and a violation of the&nbsp;Cigarette and tabaco products act.

Police also arrested three adults identified as Shannon L. Bailey, 44; Sarah E. Flynn, 40; and Baileah N. Flynn, 26; all of Topeka.

Shannon Bailey is being held on requested charges of Aggravated endangering a child, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug paraphernalia and Interference with a Law Enforcement officer – Felony.

Sarah Flynn remains jailed on requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;Aggravated Assault; use of a deadly weapon, Aggravated endangering a child, Criminal Damage to property – Felony, Criminal Discharge of a firearm and Interference with a Law Enforcement officer – Felony

Baileah Flynn is jailed on requested charges of Aggravated endangering a child and&nbsp;&nbsp;Possession of Methamphetamine.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726949969240.png" alt="Baileah Flynn-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Baileah Flynn-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating six suspects including three juveniles on multiple allegations that started with a gun incident.Just after 6:00 p.m. Sept. 14, police responded to the report of gunshots near 19th Street and SW Buchanan Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.Police found that no one had been injured, but property in the area had been damaged by gunfire.Just before 6p.m. on September 20, as the result of this ongoing investigation, members of the Topeka Police Department served a search warrant at a home in the 1800 Block of SW Lincoln Street. During the search warrant, Individuals were taken into custody and transported to the Law Enforcement center to speak with Detectives.As a result of the investigation, a 12-year-old boy and a 13-year-old boy were transported to the Shawnee County Juvenile Detention center where they were booked on requested charges of Aggravated Assault; use of a deadly weapon, Interference with a Law Enforcement officer – FelonyA 17-year-old girl was also transported to the Shawnee County Juvenile Detention center where she was booked on requested charges of Aggravated Assault; use of a deadly weapon,&nbsp;Interference with a Law Enforcement officer – Felony and a violation of the&nbsp;Cigarette and tabaco products act.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726949856683.png" alt="Sarah Flynn photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Sarah Flynn photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Police also arrested three adults identified as Shannon L. Bailey, 44; Sarah E. Flynn, 40; and Baileah N. Flynn, 26; all of Topeka.Shannon Bailey is being held on requested charges of Aggravated endangering a child, Possession of Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug paraphernalia and Interference with a Law Enforcement officer – Felony.Sarah Flynn remains jailed on requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;Aggravated Assault; use of a deadly weapon, Aggravated endangering a child, Criminal Damage to property – Felony, Criminal Discharge of a firearm and Interference with a Law Enforcement officer – FelonyBaileah Flynn is jailed on requested charges of Aggravated endangering a child and&nbsp;&nbsp;Possession of Methamphetamine.

3 Kan. women, 3 teens jailed after gunfire incident

ARTHUR COUNTY, Nebraska — Three people died in A crash just after 12:30p.m Saturday during a poker run fundraiser in a Arthur County.

The Nebraska State Patrol reported the crash involved two motorcycles. First responders located two deceased individuals and a third person with life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary investigation has shown that the two motorcycles were traveling southbound together when one lost control and struck the other motorcycle. The rider of the first motorcycle, Jacob Byrd, 36, of Brownlee, and the passenger of the second motorcycle, Stephanie Rodriquez, 45, of North Platte, were pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The rider of the second motorcycle, Michael Laack, 52, of North Platte, was transported to Ogallala Community Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The crash occured during the Kal-Kan and Scooter Memorial Poker Run.&nbsp;

The Nebraska State Patrol is conducting a full crash reconstruction investigation. Highway 61 was closed for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727092078309.png" alt="Highway 61 was closed for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation-image from Nebraska Dept. of Transportation" />
 <figcaption>Highway 61 was closed for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation-image from Nebraska Dept. of Transportation</figcaption>
 </figure>ARTHUR COUNTY, Nebraska — Three people died in A crash just after 12:30p.m Saturday during a poker run fundraiser in a Arthur County.The Nebraska State Patrol reported the crash involved two motorcycles. First responders located two deceased individuals and a third person with life-threatening injuries.Preliminary investigation has shown that the two motorcycles were traveling southbound together when one lost control and struck the other motorcycle. The rider of the first motorcycle, Jacob Byrd, 36, of Brownlee, and the passenger of the second motorcycle, Stephanie Rodriquez, 45, of North Platte, were pronounced deceased at the scene. The rider of the second motorcycle, Michael Laack, 52, of North Platte, was transported to Ogallala Community Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.The crash occured during the Kal-Kan and Scooter Memorial Poker Run.&nbsp;The Nebraska State Patrol is conducting a full crash reconstruction investigation. Highway 61 was closed for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation.

3 dead after motorcycles collide during poker run

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating&nbsp; a weekend homicide in Wichita.

Just before 8p.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a report of a shooting in the 600 block of N. Topeka in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. 

First responders located a 50-year-old man&nbsp;lying in a parking lot, who sustained a fatal gunshot wound. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Investigators are actively pursuing leads to establish the sequence of events leading to the shooting and to identify the suspect involved. Police did not release the name of the victim.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating&nbsp; a weekend homicide in Wichita.Just before 8p.m. Saturday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a report of a shooting in the 600 block of N. Topeka in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. First responders located a 50-year-old man&nbsp;lying in a parking lot, who sustained a fatal gunshot wound. The victim was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.Investigators are actively pursuing leads to establish the sequence of events leading to the shooting and to identify the suspect involved. Police did not release the name of the victim.

Homicide: Kansas man found lying in parking lot

COWLEY COUNTY —The City of Arkansas City encountered a cybersecurity issue early Sunday involving the city Water Treatment Facilit, according to a media release from the city.

Authorities were promptly notified, and precautionary measures were taken to ensure plant operations remained secure. City Manager Randy Frazer assured residents that the water supply remains completely safe and there has been no disruption to service.

Out of caution, the Water Treatment Facility has switched to manual operations while the situation is being resolved. "Residents can rest assured that their drinking water is safe, and the City is operating under full control during this period, according to Frazer.&nbsp; 

Cybersecurity experts and government authorities are working to resolve the situation and return the facility to normal operations. Enhanced security measures are currently in place to protect the water supply, and no changes to water quality or service are expected.

COWLEY COUNTY —The City of Arkansas City encountered a cybersecurity issue early Sunday involving the city Water Treatment Facilit, according to a media release from the city.Authorities were promptly notified, and precautionary measures were taken to ensure plant operations remained secure. City Manager Randy Frazer assured residents that the water supply remains completely safe and there has been no disruption to service.Out of caution, the Water Treatment Facility has switched to manual operations while the situation is being resolved. "Residents can rest assured that their drinking water is safe, and the City is operating under full control during this period, according to Frazer.&nbsp; Cybersecurity experts and government authorities are working to resolve the situation and return the facility to normal operations. Enhanced security measures are currently in place to protect the water supply, and no changes to water quality or service are expected.

Cybersecurity incident at water treatment plant in Kansas

JOHNSON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a duplex fire in Johnson County.

On Sunday evening, crews responded to the fire in a duplex at&nbsp;&nbsp;174th and Pflumm in Overland Park, according to a social media report.&nbsp;

The fire significantly damaged one side of the duplex. There were no injuries reported.&nbsp; Officials have not released a damage estimate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727091108081.png" alt="Image from video provided by Overland Park Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Image from video provided by Overland Park Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a duplex fire in Johnson County.On Sunday evening, crews responded to the fire in a duplex at&nbsp;&nbsp;174th and Pflumm in Overland Park, according to a social media report.&nbsp;The fire significantly damaged one side of the duplex. There were no injuries reported.&nbsp; Officials have not released a damage estimate.

Significant damage after Kansas duplex fire

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with robbing a bank in Lawrence, Kansas.

According to court documents, Alfonzo Cole, 41, of Lawrence is charged with one count of bank robbery.

Cole is accused of using force, violence, and intimidation on July 2, 2024, to take U.S. currency from an employee at a Bank of America branch on Ohio Street.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting the case

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726863160188.png" alt="Photo Lawrence Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Lawrence Police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Kansas City returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with robbing a bank in Lawrence, Kansas.According to court documents, Alfonzo Cole, 41, of Lawrence is charged with one count of bank robbery.Cole is accused of using force, violence, and intimidation on July 2, 2024, to take U.S. currency from an employee at a Bank of America branch on Ohio Street.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting the case

Man accused of Kansas bank robbery

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man accused in deadly incident with a gun that left his roommate dead has accepted a plea deal.

On Thursday,&nbsp;Peter McKinney, 22, of Wichita, was sentenced to nearly 5-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On July 1, McKinney accidentally shot and killed his roommate 25-year-old Sebastion Crawford while handling a loaded handgun in a bedroom of their apartment on North Rock Road in Wichita.

Just after 11a.m. July 1, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a call reporting a shooting at the&nbsp;Rockborough apartment complex, 202 N Rock Road in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.

First responders located&nbsp; Crawford of Wichita with a single gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.

McKinney was originally was charged with second-degree reckless murder. On July 23,&nbsp; he changed his plea to voluntary manslaughter. As part of the plea agreement, McKinney must also register as a violent offender for 15 years after his release.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719921077048.png" alt="McKinney photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>McKinney photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man accused in deadly incident with a gun that left his roommate dead has accepted a plea deal.On Thursday,&nbsp;Peter McKinney, 22, of Wichita, was sentenced to nearly 5-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.On July 1, McKinney accidentally shot and killed his roommate 25-year-old Sebastion Crawford while handling a loaded handgun in a bedroom of their apartment on North Rock Road in Wichita.Just after 11a.m. July 1, Sedgwick County Emergency Communications received a call reporting a shooting at the&nbsp;Rockborough apartment complex, 202 N Rock Road in Wichita, according to police spokesman Andrew Ford.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1719885319829.png" alt="-Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>-Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located&nbsp; Crawford of Wichita with a single gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.McKinney was originally was charged with second-degree reckless murder. On July 23,&nbsp; he changed his plea to voluntary manslaughter. As part of the plea agreement, McKinney must also register as a violent offender for 15 years after his release.

Kan. man takes plea deal for mishandling gun that killed his roommate

CALLAWAY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 7a.m. Sunday in Callaway County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Freightliner Box Truck driven by Trevor A. Wheeler, 21, Columbia, was southbound on U.S. 63 just south of Renz Farm Road.

The truck traveled off the right side of the road, down an embankment and crossed Renz Farm Road. The driver overcorrected. The vehicle traveled back across Renz Farm Road, continued off the left side of the road and overturned. 

Wheeler was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Houser-Millard Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

CALLAWAY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 7a.m. Sunday in Callaway County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Freightliner Box Truck driven by Trevor A. Wheeler, 21, Columbia, was southbound on U.S. 63 just south of Renz Farm Road.The truck traveled off the right side of the road, down an embankment and crossed Renz Farm Road. The driver overcorrected. The vehicle traveled back across Renz Farm Road, continued off the left side of the road and overturned. Wheeler was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Houser-Millard Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man dies after truck overturns

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Kansans are uninsured at a rate higher than the rest of the country for a third-straight year, but the effects of Medicaid “unwinding” have yet to be seen, recent U.S. Census Bureau data shows.

More than 240,000 Kansas residents are without health insurance, which translates to an uninsured rate of 8.4%, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2023.S2701?q=Kansas%20uninsured" target="_blank">American Community Survey data</a>, which was released Sept. 12.

The national uninsured rate is just below 8%, and 2023 is the third year in a row Kansas’ rate has exceeded the national one, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.khi.org/articles/kansas-uninsured-rate-holds-steady-but-remains-higher-than-the-u-s-rate/" target="_blank">Kansas Health Institute</a>, a Topeka-based nonpartisan research organization. However, the 2023 Kansas uninsured rate is an improvement from 2022, when it was at 8.6%.

“While the effects of policies such as the unwinding of the continuous enrollment provisions in Medicaid and the continuation of enhanced subsidies for the federally facilitated marketplace may have combined with other trends in 2023 to keep the uninsured rate steady for Kansans, we expect that those policy effects may not be fully seen until at least next year’s release,” said Kari Bruffett, KHI president and chief executive officer, in a news release.

COVID-19 policies required Medicaid programs to keep people continuously enrolled in their health insurance until the end of the public health emergency unless the person moved away, died or requested to end coverage. During that time, enrollment in KanCare, as Medicaid is known in Kansas, increased from 410,000 to 540,000 people.

Beginning in April 2023, states began “unwinding” these pandemic-era protections, which, in Kansas, resulted in roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/08/28/114k-kansans-lost-medicaid-coverage-in-post-pandemic-unwinding-review/">114,000 people losing coverage</a>&nbsp;as of August. Kansas completed its unwinding in May.

“In addition, the data tell us that wide disparities in insurance coverage continued in 2023, and data that will be released this fall will allow us to describe more completely the experiences of Kansans across the state,” Buffett said.

Latino Kansans were uninsured in 2023 at a rate of 20%, which was four percentage points higher than the national uninsured rate among Latinos. Nearly 11% of Black Kansans were uninsured in 2023 while white Kansans were uninsured at a rate of nearly 6%. People with incomes below the federal poverty threshold, which was about $30,000 annually for a family of four in 2023, were uninsured at a rate of nearly 17%, according to the survey data.

Kansas is one of 10 U.S. states that have not expanded Medicaid eligibility requirements to include most adults who make up to 138% of the federal poverty threshold. That’s $20,783 or less for an individual and no more than $43,056 for a family of four. In Kansas, the eligibility requirements to qualify for KanCare are much more stringent. Children, their parents, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities qualify for KanCare if their household income falls within&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/national-medicaid-chip-program-information/medicaid-childrens-health-insurance-program-basic-health-program-eligibility-levels/index.html" target="_blank">varying levels of the poverty threshold</a>. Parents qualify for coverage if their yearly earnings are less than 38% of the federal poverty threshold, which is about $11,900 or less for a family of four in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/federal-poverty-level-fpl/" target="_blank">2024</a>.&nbsp;

Nationally, the uninsured rate for those making less than 138% of the poverty threshold “significantly decreased” in 2023, but Kansas’ decrease wasn’t significant, KHI said.

In February,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/22/new-estimate-predicts-medicaid-expansion-would-serve-152k-at-no-cost-to-state/">KHI estimated</a>&nbsp;a Medicaid expansion plan proposed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly would provide coverage to 152,000 low-income Kansans, including 45,000 children, with no net cost to the state for eight years. The GOP-led Legislature blocked the plan from advancing.

The Kansas and national uninsured rates are both at their lowest since 2009, according to the survey data. Uninsured rates in Kansas and the rest of the country peaked in 2010 at nearly 14% and 15.5% respectively.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1726771908515.jpeg" alt=" A sign held at a KanCare Medicaid expansion rally on March 15, 2023, highlights the coverage gap that makes health insurance unaffordable for many in the state. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> A sign held at a KanCare Medicaid expansion rally on March 15, 2023, highlights the coverage gap that makes health insurance unaffordable for many in the state. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a> TOPEKA — Kansans are uninsured at a rate higher than the rest of the country for a third-straight year, but the effects of Medicaid “unwinding” have yet to be seen, recent U.S. Census Bureau data shows.More than 240,000 Kansas residents are without health insurance, which translates to an uninsured rate of 8.4%, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST1Y2023.S2701?q=Kansas%20uninsured" target="_blank">American Community Survey data</a>, which was released Sept. 12.The national uninsured rate is just below 8%, and 2023 is the third year in a row Kansas’ rate has exceeded the national one, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.khi.org/articles/kansas-uninsured-rate-holds-steady-but-remains-higher-than-the-u-s-rate/" target="_blank">Kansas Health Institute</a>, a Topeka-based nonpartisan research organization. However, the 2023 Kansas uninsured rate is an improvement from 2022, when it was at 8.6%.“While the effects of policies such as the unwinding of the continuous enrollment provisions in Medicaid and the continuation of enhanced subsidies for the federally facilitated marketplace may have combined with other trends in 2023 to keep the uninsured rate steady for Kansans, we expect that those policy effects may not be fully seen until at least next year’s release,” said Kari Bruffett, KHI president and chief executive officer, in a news release.COVID-19 policies required Medicaid programs to keep people continuously enrolled in their health insurance until the end of the public health emergency unless the person moved away, died or requested to end coverage. During that time, enrollment in KanCare, as Medicaid is known in Kansas, increased from 410,000 to 540,000 people.Beginning in April 2023, states began “unwinding” these pandemic-era protections, which, in Kansas, resulted in roughly&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/08/28/114k-kansans-lost-medicaid-coverage-in-post-pandemic-unwinding-review/">114,000 people losing coverage</a>&nbsp;as of August. Kansas completed its unwinding in May.“In addition, the data tell us that wide disparities in insurance coverage continued in 2023, and data that will be released this fall will allow us to describe more completely the experiences of Kansans across the state,” Buffett said.Latino Kansans were uninsured in 2023 at a rate of 20%, which was four percentage points higher than the national uninsured rate among Latinos. Nearly 11% of Black Kansans were uninsured in 2023 while white Kansans were uninsured at a rate of nearly 6%. People with incomes below the federal poverty threshold, which was about $30,000 annually for a family of four in 2023, were uninsured at a rate of nearly 17%, according to the survey data.Kansas is one of 10 U.S. states that have not expanded Medicaid eligibility requirements to include most adults who make up to 138% of the federal poverty threshold. That’s $20,783 or less for an individual and no more than $43,056 for a family of four. In Kansas, the eligibility requirements to qualify for KanCare are much more stringent. Children, their parents, pregnant women, seniors and people with disabilities qualify for KanCare if their household income falls within&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/national-medicaid-chip-program-information/medicaid-childrens-health-insurance-program-basic-health-program-eligibility-levels/index.html" target="_blank">varying levels of the poverty threshold</a>. Parents qualify for coverage if their yearly earnings are less than 38% of the federal poverty threshold, which is about $11,900 or less for a family of four in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/glossary/federal-poverty-level-fpl/" target="_blank">2024</a>.&nbsp;Nationally, the uninsured rate for those making less than 138% of the poverty threshold “significantly decreased” in 2023, but Kansas’ decrease wasn’t significant, KHI said.In February,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/02/22/new-estimate-predicts-medicaid-expansion-would-serve-152k-at-no-cost-to-state/">KHI estimated</a>&nbsp;a Medicaid expansion plan proposed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly would provide coverage to 152,000 low-income Kansans, including 45,000 children, with no net cost to the state for eight years. The GOP-led Legislature blocked the plan from advancing.The Kansas and national uninsured rates are both at their lowest since 2009, according to the survey data. Uninsured rates in Kansas and the rest of the country peaked in 2010 at nearly 14% and 15.5% respectively.

Kansas uninsured rate remains worse than national average; 240K without health coverage

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Democrat Nancy Boyda says failure to say who paid for advertisements was result of ‘clerical errors’

TOPEKA — Democratic congressional candidate Nancy Boyda failed to disclose who paid for her advertisements as required by federal election rules, according to a complaint filed by Kansas Republican Party chairman Mike Brown.

Boyda admitted to “clerical errors” but she said Republicans were trying to distract voters from the impact of her opponent’s anti-abortion views. She faces Republican Derek Schmidt in the November election for the 2nd District seat being vacated by Republican U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner.

Schmidt is a former Kansas Senate Majority Leader and three-term attorney general, and was the GOP nominee for governor in 2022. Boyda held the 2nd District seat for one term after winning a race in 2006.

Brown, who rose to GOP chairman by promoting false claims about election integrity, said he filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission alleging Boyda failed to include “paid for by” disclosures on billboards, videos, yard signs, campaign communications, and her campaign website. He questioned whether Boyda was trying to hide dark money interests.

“It’s shocking that Nancy Boyda, who previously served in Congress, wants to go back to writing laws for the rest of us while Boyda is unable or unwilling to follow federal rules herself,” Brown said. “The law is clear.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727015582485.png" alt="Nancy Boyda says she will fix a “printing error” after the Kanas Republican Party chairman filed a complaint over her failure to disclose who paid for campaign advertisements. (Grace Hills / Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Nancy Boyda says she will fix a “printing error” after the Kanas Republican Party chairman filed a complaint over her failure to disclose who paid for campaign advertisements. (Grace Hills / Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>Democrat Nancy Boyda says failure to say who paid for advertisements was result of ‘clerical errors’</h2>TOPEKA — Democratic congressional candidate Nancy Boyda failed to disclose who paid for her advertisements as required by federal election rules, according to a complaint filed by Kansas Republican Party chairman Mike Brown.Boyda admitted to “clerical errors” but she said Republicans were trying to distract voters from the impact of her opponent’s anti-abortion views. She faces Republican Derek Schmidt in the November election for the 2nd District seat being vacated by Republican U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner.Schmidt is a former Kansas Senate Majority Leader and three-term attorney general, and was the GOP nominee for governor in 2022. Boyda held the 2nd District seat for one term after winning a race in 2006.Brown, who rose to GOP chairman by promoting false claims about election integrity, said he filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission alleging Boyda failed to include “paid for by” disclosures on billboards, videos, yard signs, campaign communications, and her campaign website. He questioned whether Boyda was trying to hide dark money interests.“It’s shocking that Nancy Boyda, who previously served in Congress, wants to go back to writing laws for the rest of us while Boyda is unable or unwilling to follow federal rules herself,” Brown said. “The law is clear.”Under FEC rules, candidates are to include legible disclaimers on printed communications.Boyda’s campaign, responding to an inquiry for this story, faulted Republicans for talking about “clerical errors” after reports linked Georgia’s strict abortion ban to the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/09/20/stories-of-pregnant-womens-deaths-after-georgias-strict-abortion-ban-reignite-debate-over-law/">deaths of two pregnant women</a>.“When you run a small grass-roots campaign for Congress, mistakes happen,” Boyda said. “But I refuse to let them change the subject.”Schmidt has said he opposes a federal abortion ban. But he supported an attempt to remove reproductive rights from the Kansas Constitution, which voters overwhelmingly rejected in August 2022, and as attorney general he was responsible for defending unconstitutional restrictions on reproductive health care that were passed by the Kansas Legislature. His campaign declined to comment for this story.“We will fix the printing error in our signs, but we won’t stop working to ensure every Kansan knows the truth about Schmidt’s extremism,” Boyda said. “Schmidt wants to impose his extreme views on reproductive rights, even after Kansas voters resoundingly voted to trust women, not the government, to make their own health care decisions.”