LANGLEY, VIRGINIA — U.S. Army Vessels (USAV SP4 James A. Loux (LSV-6), USAV Monterrey (LCU30), USAV Matamoros (LCU26), and USAV Wilson Warf (LCU11) from the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, XVIII Airborne Corps, departed Joint Base Langley-Eustis are en route to the Eastern Mediterranean to establish a roll-on, roll-off dock capability that allows ship to shore humanitarian assistance to Gaza, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

SP4 James A. Loux, Monterrey, Matamoros, and Wilson Warf are carrying equipment and supplies needed to establish a temporary pier to deliver vital humanitarian supplies.

The seaborne delivery will complement other means of getting essential supplies to Gazans. The United States is also air-dropping food and supplies to Gaza and the U.S. Agency for International Development is working to get land routes open to those who need the supplies. &nbsp;

A look at what’s known about the operation temporary pier.

In the five months since Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage, Israel's military has battered the territory, killing more than 30,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The result of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;is a devastating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">humanitarian catastrophe</a>.

The U.N. says virtually all of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are struggling to find food, and more than a half-million&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-malnutrition-famine-children-dying-israel-palestinians-2f938b1a82d7822c7da67cc162da1a37">currently face starvation.</a>&nbsp;Many people have been reduced to eating animal fodder to survive.

Getting in food, medical supplies and other aid has been difficult, if not impossible at times, due to the ongoing hostilities and struggles to coordinate with the Israeli military, which has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-rafah-aid-us-senators-2bc2a3c5e5f8af8e2d3f0b7242c1a885">blocked routes and slowed deliveries</a>&nbsp;due to inspections.

Trucks carrying humanitarian aid have to drive from the Rafah crossing with Egypt or the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel, both on the southern edge of Gaza, through the conflict zone to reach the largely cut-off areas in the north.

It's been frustrating for the Biden administration as its efforts to step up aid to Gaza have been impeded by the obstacles posed by Israel, its close ally.

Last week, the U.S. began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airdrops-israel-gaza-palestinians-biden-9e6cfb3a2c7d909ca2a8a2abd25793ca">airdrops</a>&nbsp;of aid for Gaza. But that can provide only a limited amount of aid and may not reach those who need it.

In his address Thursday, Biden directed the military to construct a temporary pier on Gaza's coast "that can receive large ships carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelters.”

Biden said the pier will “enable a massive increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza every day.”

According to defense officials, the 7th Transportation Brigade based at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia is already starting to pull together what's called the Joint Logistics Over The Shore (JLOTS) equipment and watercraft.

It's like a huge LEGO system — an array of 40-foot-long (12-meter-long) pieces of steel that can be locked together to form a pier and causeway. The causeway would be up to 1,800 feet (nearly 550 meters) long and two lanes wide.

And in the coming days, U.S. troops will begin loading the equipment onto a large Military Sealift Command vessel. The equipment will include the steel pieces and smaller tug vessels that can help move things into place.

That loading isn't likely to start until sometime next week, and once done the ship will set off across the Atlantic Ocean with members of the 7th Transportation Brigade aboard. A number of other military units from the U.S. and abroad will also be participating in the mission.

Ryder said the troops will build an offshore pier where large ships can offload food and supplies. Then smaller military vessels will transport that aid from the floating pier to the temporary causeway that will be driven into the ground at the shoreline.

Biden said Thursday that there will be no U.S. forces on the ground in Gaza for the mission, which will likely involve other allies, contractors and aid agencies.

A key question will be what Israel is prepared to do to support the aid delivery effort.

The U.S. airdrops have been an unusual workaround by the Biden administration, which for months has appealed to Israel to increase the delivery of aid to Gaza and provide access and protection for trucks carrying the goods.

According to Biden, the Israeli government will maintain security at the pier and protect it from any attacks by Hamas. And there may also be a need for crowd control, in case residents try to storm the pier to get the desperately needed food.

While officials said they don't likely need security on the sea route to Israel there will be a requirement for allies and private ships to deliver the aid along the maritime corridor.

It is also unclear who will be unloading the aid at the dock and moving it to shore.

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides offered the use of his country’s port in Larnaca months ago for a possible sea route for aid deliveries to Gaza, a 230-mile (370-kilometer) journey. Cyprus invited authorities from Israel, the U.S. and other European countries to join Cypriot agents in vetting all shipments so nothing could be used by Hamas against Israel. The offer received strong interest from the Americans, Europeans and others, and extended planning followed.

The European Commission said Friday that a ship bearing humanitarian aid was preparing to leave Cyprus and head for Gaza.

The vessel belonging to Spain’s Open Arms aid group will make a pilot voyage to test the maritime corridor in the coming days. The ship has been waiting at Larnaca for permission to deliver food aid from World Central Kitchen, a U.S. charity founded by celebrity chef José Andrés.

The UAE ambassador to the U.S., Yousef Al Otaiba, told the AP the exact timing of the pilot shipment by sea depended on conditions, but said Sunday looked favorable. The UAE funded the operation and worked directly with the Israelis in getting the shipment ready without issues, he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710291193776.png" alt="Photos U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photos U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>LANGLEY, VIRGINIA — U.S. Army Vessels (USAV SP4 James A. Loux (LSV-6), USAV Monterrey (LCU30), USAV Matamoros (LCU26), and USAV Wilson Warf (LCU11) from the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, XVIII Airborne Corps, departed Joint Base Langley-Eustis are en route to the Eastern Mediterranean to establish a roll-on, roll-off dock capability that allows ship to shore humanitarian assistance to Gaza, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.SP4 James A. Loux, Monterrey, Matamoros, and Wilson Warf are carrying equipment and supplies needed to establish a temporary pier to deliver vital humanitarian supplies.The seaborne delivery will complement other means of getting essential supplies to Gazans. The United States is also air-dropping food and supplies to Gaza and the U.S. Agency for International Development is working to get land routes open to those who need the supplies. &nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710291319858.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A look at what’s known about the operation temporary pier.WHY BUILD A FLOATING PIER?In the five months since Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage, Israel's military has battered the territory, killing more than 30,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The result of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;is a devastating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">humanitarian catastrophe</a>.The U.N. says virtually all of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are struggling to find food, and more than a half-million&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-malnutrition-famine-children-dying-israel-palestinians-2f938b1a82d7822c7da67cc162da1a37">currently face starvation.</a>&nbsp;Many people have been reduced to eating animal fodder to survive.Getting in food, medical supplies and other aid has been difficult, if not impossible at times, due to the ongoing hostilities and struggles to coordinate with the Israeli military, which has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-rafah-aid-us-senators-2bc2a3c5e5f8af8e2d3f0b7242c1a885">blocked routes and slowed deliveries</a>&nbsp;due to inspections.Trucks carrying humanitarian aid have to drive from the Rafah crossing with Egypt or the Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel, both on the southern edge of Gaza, through the conflict zone to reach the largely cut-off areas in the north.It's been frustrating for the Biden administration as its efforts to step up aid to Gaza have been impeded by the obstacles posed by Israel, its close ally.Last week, the U.S. began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airdrops-israel-gaza-palestinians-biden-9e6cfb3a2c7d909ca2a8a2abd25793ca">airdrops</a>&nbsp;of aid for Gaza. But that can provide only a limited amount of aid and may not reach those who need it.In his address Thursday, Biden directed the military to construct a temporary pier on Gaza's coast "that can receive large ships carrying food, water, medicine and temporary shelters.”Biden said the pier will “enable a massive increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance getting into Gaza every day.”ASSEMBLED LIKE LEGOSAccording to defense officials, the 7th Transportation Brigade based at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia is already starting to pull together what's called the Joint Logistics Over The Shore (JLOTS) equipment and watercraft.It's like a huge LEGO system — an array of 40-foot-long (12-meter-long) pieces of steel that can be locked together to form a pier and causeway. The causeway would be up to 1,800 feet (nearly 550 meters) long and two lanes wide.And in the coming days, U.S. troops will begin loading the equipment onto a large Military Sealift Command vessel. The equipment will include the steel pieces and smaller tug vessels that can help move things into place.That loading isn't likely to start until sometime next week, and once done the ship will set off across the Atlantic Ocean with members of the 7th Transportation Brigade aboard. A number of other military units from the U.S. and abroad will also be participating in the mission.Ryder said the troops will build an offshore pier where large ships can offload food and supplies. Then smaller military vessels will transport that aid from the floating pier to the temporary causeway that will be driven into the ground at the shoreline.Biden said Thursday that there will be no U.S. forces on the ground in Gaza for the mission, which will likely involve other allies, contractors and aid agencies.WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES?A key question will be what Israel is prepared to do to support the aid delivery effort.The U.S. airdrops have been an unusual workaround by the Biden administration, which for months has appealed to Israel to increase the delivery of aid to Gaza and provide access and protection for trucks carrying the goods.According to Biden, the Israeli government will maintain security at the pier and protect it from any attacks by Hamas. And there may also be a need for crowd control, in case residents try to storm the pier to get the desperately needed food.While officials said they don't likely need security on the sea route to Israel there will be a requirement for allies and private ships to deliver the aid along the maritime corridor.It is also unclear who will be unloading the aid at the dock and moving it to shore.WHAT ARE OTHER NATIONS AID GROUPS DOING?Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides offered the use of his country’s port in Larnaca months ago for a possible sea route for aid deliveries to Gaza, a 230-mile (370-kilometer) journey. Cyprus invited authorities from Israel, the U.S. and other European countries to join Cypriot agents in vetting all shipments so nothing could be used by Hamas against Israel. The offer received strong interest from the Americans, Europeans and others, and extended planning followed.The European Commission said Friday that a ship bearing humanitarian aid was preparing to leave Cyprus and head for Gaza.The vessel belonging to Spain’s Open Arms aid group will make a pilot voyage to test the maritime corridor in the coming days. The ship has been waiting at Larnaca for permission to deliver food aid from World Central Kitchen, a U.S. charity founded by celebrity chef José Andrés.The UAE ambassador to the U.S., Yousef Al Otaiba, told the AP the exact timing of the pilot shipment by sea depended on conditions, but said Sunday looked favorable. The UAE funded the operation and worked directly with the Israelis in getting the shipment ready without issues, he said.

Assembled like legos: U.S. to build a temporary port in Gaza 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas teen accused in a December homicide made a court appearance this week.

Philip Walls, 18,&nbsp; pled guilty to second-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery, and aggravated kidnapping, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office.

Around 2:00 a.m. Dec. 6, the Blackwell, Oklahoma Police Department contacted Sedgwick County Dispatch, reporting a shooting investigation involving two individuals including Walls who had entered a Blackwell hospital, with one of them sustaining a gunshot wound, according to Officer Andrew Ford.

Following discussions with the subjects, Blackwell Police shared information with Sedgwick County Dispatch. Consequently, the Wichita Police Department was alerted to respond to the Hydraulic and MacArthur area based on information suggesting that the shooting victim, 34-year-old Daniel McPherson, would be found there.

Upon arrival, officers discovered McPherson with a gunshot wound to his head. He&nbsp;was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide investigators were dispatched to conduct the investigation and later traveled to Blackwell, Oklahoma where Walls and&nbsp;James Sawyer, 19, Wichita, were in custody.&nbsp;

On December 13, Walls was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. Sawyer was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail Jan. 16, according to online jail records. He has also been charged with murder.

in the December 2023 death of Daniel McPherson at a home near MacArthur and Hydraulic. He was shot in the head on December 5, according to court documents.

The Blackwell, Oklahoma Police Department contacted Sedgwick County dispatch early&nbsp;on the morning of December 6&nbsp;regarding a shooting investigation. Two people, one of whom suffered a gunshot wound, had shown up at a local hospital.

Walls and another teen, James Giovanni Lee Sawyer,<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/50344472/2nd-teen-extradited-from-oklahoma-jailed-for-shooting-death-of-wichita-man">were taken into custody</a>&nbsp;in Kay County, and&nbsp;Wichita homicide detectives traveled there to investigate. Deputies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/50226108/teen-extradited-from-oklahoma-charged-in-deadly-wichita-shooting">brought&nbsp;both back</a>from Oklahoma to face charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702588818825.png" alt="Walls photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Walls photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas teen accused in a December homicide made a court appearance this week.Philip Walls, 18,&nbsp; pled guilty to second-degree murder, attempted aggravated robbery, and aggravated kidnapping, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office.Around 2:00 a.m. Dec. 6, the Blackwell, Oklahoma Police Department contacted Sedgwick County Dispatch, reporting a shooting investigation involving two individuals including Walls who had entered a Blackwell hospital, with one of them sustaining a gunshot wound, according to Officer Andrew Ford.Following discussions with the subjects, Blackwell Police shared information with Sedgwick County Dispatch. Consequently, the Wichita Police Department was alerted to respond to the Hydraulic and MacArthur area based on information suggesting that the shooting victim, 34-year-old Daniel McPherson, would be found there.Upon arrival, officers discovered McPherson with a gunshot wound to his head. He&nbsp;was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide investigators were dispatched to conduct the investigation and later traveled to Blackwell, Oklahoma where Walls and&nbsp;James Sawyer, 19, Wichita, were in custody.&nbsp;On December 13, Walls was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail. Sawyer was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail Jan. 16, according to online jail records. He has also been charged with murder.in the December 2023 death of Daniel McPherson at a home near MacArthur and Hydraulic. He was shot in the head on December 5, according to court documents.The Blackwell, Oklahoma Police Department contacted Sedgwick County dispatch early&nbsp;on the morning of December 6&nbsp;regarding a shooting investigation. Two people, one of whom suffered a gunshot wound, had shown up at a local hospital.Walls and another teen, James Giovanni Lee Sawyer,<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/50344472/2nd-teen-extradited-from-oklahoma-jailed-for-shooting-death-of-wichita-man">were taken into custody</a>&nbsp;in Kay County, and&nbsp;Wichita homicide detectives traveled there to investigate. Deputies&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/50226108/teen-extradited-from-oklahoma-charged-in-deadly-wichita-shooting">brought&nbsp;both back</a>from Oklahoma to face charges.

Kansas teen captured in Okla. enters plea for murder

GREENE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 6p.m. Friday in Greene County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 300 driven by James W. King, 46, Monet, was southbound on MO 413 two miles west of Springield.

The motorcycle struck the drivers side of a southbound 2020 Jeep Wrangler driven by Kelsey J. Marler, 31, Springfield.

EMS transported King to Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Marler, who was properly restrained, refused treatment at the scene.&nbsp; King was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

GREENE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 6p.m. Friday in Greene County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2014 Kawasaki Ninja 300 driven by James W. King, 46, Monet, was southbound on MO 413 two miles west of Springield.The motorcycle struck the drivers side of a southbound 2020 Jeep Wrangler driven by Kelsey J. Marler, 31, Springfield.EMS transported King to Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Marler, who was properly restrained, refused treatment at the scene.&nbsp; King was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man dies after motorcycle strikes Jeep

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — If you're feeling some St. Patrick's Day magic, you might want to buy a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/largest-lottery-jackpots-mega-millions-powerball-cb473805c48cd3b74a84d7ee4127450d">lottery ticket</a>. Mega Millions and Powerball have racked up some massive jackpots after weeks of rollovers.

The Mega Millions jackpot is already estimated at a whopping $875 million for Tuesday night's drawing after no tickets matched all six numbers drawn on Friday night. Saturday night's Powerball jackpot is $600 million.

Just keep in mind that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-mega-millions-winning-odds-numbers-a3e5a8e8e7ed15d7500c1d6acdab6785">odds of winning any lottery jackpot are very slim</a>. Mega Millions players have a 1 in 302.6 million chance of taking home the top prize. And it's not much easier to win a Powerball jackpot with the odds near 1 in 292.2 million.

This is just the sixth time in the nearly 22-year history of the Mega Millions game that the jackpot has been this large, and five of those six jackpots exceeded $1 billion, according to a Mega Millions statement. The winning tickets were sold in South Carolina, Michigan, Illinois,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-hampshire-4e71682820c68ec218a93311769fca2b">Maine</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mega-millions-jackpot-lottery-8397543de852fc4c716cc2ce940d9eac">Florida</a>.

There was one big winner in Friday night's Mega Millions drawing. A ticket in New York matched all five white balls drawn, and will win $1 million.

The Mega Millions jackpot has rolled over 28 times since Dec. 8, when two winning tickets were drawn in California, lottery officials said. Mega Millions drawings occur every Tuesday and Friday night.

Mega Millions isn't the only current multi-million dollar jackpot. Saturday night's Powerball jackpot is estimated to be $600 million after no one matched all six numbers on Wednesday, officials said.

It was the 32nd rollover for Powerball since Jan. 1, when a ticket in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-winner-michigan-new-years-day-247f720c4248e9b0fa3bc73caaf9af9f">Michigan</a>&nbsp;won a prize worth $842.4 million. Powerball is drawn three times weekly, on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

If you are lucky enough to win either of the large jackpots, Robert Pagliarini, the president and chief financial adviser for Pacifica Wealth Advisors, Inc. in Irvine, California, offered some advice.

“Take a deep breath,” Pagliarini told The Associated Press. “You will be faced with numerous tax, legal, and financial decisions so I want you to stay grounded, because when you are calm you can make much better decisions.”

Pagliarini suggested building a team to help with decisions, including an attorney, tax expert and financial adviser experienced in handling windfalls.

“Lastly, even though you have professionals guiding you, do not forget that this is your money and you are in charge — they work for you. Ask questions and make them explain things so you understand them. The goal is to turn your sudden wealth into lasting wealth,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690365684963.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — If you're feeling some St. Patrick's Day magic, you might want to buy a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/largest-lottery-jackpots-mega-millions-powerball-cb473805c48cd3b74a84d7ee4127450d">lottery ticket</a>. Mega Millions and Powerball have racked up some massive jackpots after weeks of rollovers.The Mega Millions jackpot is already estimated at a whopping $875 million for Tuesday night's drawing after no tickets matched all six numbers drawn on Friday night. Saturday night's Powerball jackpot is $600 million.Just keep in mind that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-mega-millions-winning-odds-numbers-a3e5a8e8e7ed15d7500c1d6acdab6785">odds of winning any lottery jackpot are very slim</a>. Mega Millions players have a 1 in 302.6 million chance of taking home the top prize. And it's not much easier to win a Powerball jackpot with the odds near 1 in 292.2 million.But the excitement remains.This is just the sixth time in the nearly 22-year history of the Mega Millions game that the jackpot has been this large, and five of those six jackpots exceeded $1 billion, according to a Mega Millions statement. The winning tickets were sold in South Carolina, Michigan, Illinois,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-hampshire-4e71682820c68ec218a93311769fca2b">Maine</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mega-millions-jackpot-lottery-8397543de852fc4c716cc2ce940d9eac">Florida</a>.There was one big winner in Friday night's Mega Millions drawing. A ticket in New York matched all five white balls drawn, and will win $1 million.The Mega Millions jackpot has rolled over 28 times since Dec. 8, when two winning tickets were drawn in California, lottery officials said. Mega Millions drawings occur every Tuesday and Friday night.Mega Millions isn't the only current multi-million dollar jackpot. Saturday night's Powerball jackpot is estimated to be $600 million after no one matched all six numbers on Wednesday, officials said.It was the 32nd rollover for Powerball since Jan. 1, when a ticket in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-winner-michigan-new-years-day-247f720c4248e9b0fa3bc73caaf9af9f">Michigan</a>&nbsp;won a prize worth $842.4 million. Powerball is drawn three times weekly, on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.If you are lucky enough to win either of the large jackpots, Robert Pagliarini, the president and chief financial adviser for Pacifica Wealth Advisors, Inc. in Irvine, California, offered some advice.“Take a deep breath,” Pagliarini told The Associated Press. “You will be faced with numerous tax, legal, and financial decisions so I want you to stay grounded, because when you are calm you can make much better decisions.”Pagliarini suggested building a team to help with decisions, including an attorney, tax expert and financial adviser experienced in handling windfalls.“Lastly, even though you have professionals guiding you, do not forget that this is your money and you are in charge — they work for you. Ask questions and make them explain things so you understand them. The goal is to turn your sudden wealth into lasting wealth,” he said.

Mega Millions jackpot soars to $875 million; Powerball $600 million

ATLANTA (AP) — Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can prosecute&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-georgia-election-investigation-grand-jury-willis-d39562cedfc60d64948708de1b011ed3">Donald Trump on charges that he interfered with Georgia's 2020 election</a>&nbsp;now that a special prosecutor with whom she had a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-willis-wade-georgia-election-5d76abb5578308317306e7b2e610ac91">romantic relationship</a>&nbsp;has withdrawn from the case.

But the long-term impacts of allegations of impropriety that have roiled the case for weeks remain to be seen, with Trump and his allies certain to continue to attack the legitimacy of the prosecution against the former president and 18 others.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled Friday that Willis could stay if special prosecutor Nathan Wade left. That was a partial victory for Willis, whom defense attorneys had pushed to have removed from the case over her relationship Wade.

But the judge also rebuked Willis for her “tremendous” lapse in judgment and questioned the truthfulness of Wade's and her testimony about the timing of their relationship.

It's an extraordinary decision in a case that in recent weeks has taken on a soap opera atmosphere as the prosecutors who pledged to hold Trump accountable had their own personal lives thrust into the spotlight.

Here are some major takeaways from the judge's ruling:

<a href="https://justthenews.com/sites/default/files/2024-03/JudgeRuling_0.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the full ruling

The judge's ruling threw it to Willis to decide whether she — and her entire office — would step aside or whether Wade would withdraw from the case. The judge said the prosecution couldn't move forward until one of those two actions was taken.

Several hours after the ruling came down, Wade offered his resignation and Willis accepted it.

If Willis had instead opted to step aside, the case would have been referred to the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council — a nonpartisan association of Georgia district attorneys — to be assigned to a different prosecutor.

That could have upended the entire prosecution. Another prosecutor could have continued on the track that Willis has taken, could have chosen to pursue only some charges or could have dropped the case altogether.

The defense attorney who first revealed the romantic relationship, Ashleigh Merchant, alleged that Willis paid Wade large sums for his work and then improperly benefited from the prosecution of the case when Wade used his earnings to pay for vacations for the two of them.

Willis and Wade argued that the district attorney received no financial benefit from the relationship and that she either paid for things herself or used cash to reimburse Wade for travel expenses.

Judge McAfee called it “concerning” that there were no documents to corroborate Willis' claim that she paid Wade back. But he said Willis' testimony “withstood direct contradiction” and was corroborated by other evidence, including her purchase of a flight for two in 2022. That led the judge to conclude that the claim “was not so incredible as to be inherently unbelievable.”

The judge said there was no way no know for sure that Willis and Wade's expenses were split evenly — and Willis “may well have received a net benefit of several hundred dollars.” But, McAfee said the defendants didn't provide sufficient evidence to prove that Willis financially benefited from hiring Wade.

Furthermore, McAfee concluded that enriching herself through her relationship with Wade was not a motivating factor in Willis' decision to bring the case.

The judge noted that Willis was not “financially destitute throughout this time or in any great need,” but was making more than $200,000 per year. He also said there was no indication she was trying to prolong the case to rake in more money, noting that prosecutors had initially wanted the case to go to trial less than six months after they brought the indictment.

Attorneys for Trump and others said Willis’ public statements about the case veered into the realm of misconduct, saying she expressed her belief in the guilt of the defendants.

McAfee noted that he had to consider whether the remarks were “part of a calculated plan” to prejudice the defendants in the minds of future jurors. He said the comments must be “egregiously” improper to justify disqualification.

The judge found that statements Willis made describing the charges in the indictment, her office’s conviction rates and personal anecdotes were not disqualifying. That extended to her “unorthodox decision” to speak on the record to authors of a book about the special grand jury investigation that preceded the indictment, he wrote.

A speech she gave at a historic Black church in Atlanta less than a week after the allegations of her relationship with Wade surfaced was a different matter, the judge wrote. Willis complained in those remarks that people had questioned her decision to hire Wade and questioned his qualifications, seeming to suggest the criticism arose from the fact that she and Wade are Black.

McAfee noted that the speech did not mention any defendant by name and did not address the merits of the charges in the case or disclose any sensitive or confidential evidence. He said he didn’t find that it crossed the line to the point that the defendants couldn’t have a fair trial.

“But it was still legally improper,” he wrote. “Providing this type of public comment creates dangerous waters for the District Attorney to wade further into.”

He noted that it may well be time for an order preventing prosecutors from mentioning a case in public to prevent prejudicial pretrial publicity, but he said that was not the issue currently before him.

McAfee has recently made his own public statements about the case.

He said in an interview on WSB Radio last week that he’d had a rough draft of his ruling ready before he knew that anyone planned to challenge him in a May election and that “the result is not going to change because of politics.” When a WSB-TV reporter snagged him on the sidelines of a Rotary Club lunch Thursday, McAfee said the ruling would be out Friday and that “no ruling of mine is ever going to be based on politics.”

McAfee was appointed to his seat by Georgia's Republican governor and faces two challengers in a May election. The race is nonpartisan, but Fulton County is a Democratic stronghold.

Wade was questioned on the stand about statements he had made in his divorce case that he hadn’t been romantically involved with anyone other than his wife during their marriage. His “patently unpersuasive explanation” for those inaccuracies “indicates a willingness on his part to wrongly conceal his relationship with the District Attorney,” McAfee wrote.

McAfee also found himself unable to determine the answer to a central question in the evidentiary hearing: whether Willis and Wade began their romantic relationship before she hired him. Neither side provided sufficient evidence to make a conclusive determination, he wrote.

But he said, “an odor of mendacity remains.” He wrote that “reasonable questions” about whether Willis and Wade testified truthfully about that timing “further underpin the finding of an appearance of impropriety and the need to make proportional efforts to cure it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708029546187.png" alt="-Fulton County DA Fani Willis during the hearing in February-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>-Fulton County DA Fani Willis during the hearing in February-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>ATLANTA (AP) — Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can prosecute&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-georgia-election-investigation-grand-jury-willis-d39562cedfc60d64948708de1b011ed3">Donald Trump on charges that he interfered with Georgia's 2020 election</a>&nbsp;now that a special prosecutor with whom she had a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-willis-wade-georgia-election-5d76abb5578308317306e7b2e610ac91">romantic relationship</a>&nbsp;has withdrawn from the case.But the long-term impacts of allegations of impropriety that have roiled the case for weeks remain to be seen, with Trump and his allies certain to continue to attack the legitimacy of the prosecution against the former president and 18 others.Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled Friday that Willis could stay if special prosecutor Nathan Wade left. That was a partial victory for Willis, whom defense attorneys had pushed to have removed from the case over her relationship Wade.But the judge also rebuked Willis for her “tremendous” lapse in judgment and questioned the truthfulness of Wade's and her testimony about the timing of their relationship.It's an extraordinary decision in a case that in recent weeks has taken on a soap opera atmosphere as the prosecutors who pledged to hold Trump accountable had their own personal lives thrust into the spotlight.Here are some major takeaways from the judge's ruling:<a href="https://justthenews.com/sites/default/files/2024-03/JudgeRuling_0.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the full ruling<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710529782555.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>THE JUDGE PUT THE BALL IN WILLIS' COURTThe judge's ruling threw it to Willis to decide whether she — and her entire office — would step aside or whether Wade would withdraw from the case. The judge said the prosecution couldn't move forward until one of those two actions was taken.Several hours after the ruling came down, Wade offered his resignation and Willis accepted it.If Willis had instead opted to step aside, the case would have been referred to the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council — a nonpartisan association of Georgia district attorneys — to be assigned to a different prosecutor.That could have upended the entire prosecution. Another prosecutor could have continued on the track that Willis has taken, could have chosen to pursue only some charges or could have dropped the case altogether.FINANCIAL CONCERNSThe defense attorney who first revealed the romantic relationship, Ashleigh Merchant, alleged that Willis paid Wade large sums for his work and then improperly benefited from the prosecution of the case when Wade used his earnings to pay for vacations for the two of them.Willis and Wade argued that the district attorney received no financial benefit from the relationship and that she either paid for things herself or used cash to reimburse Wade for travel expenses.Judge McAfee called it “concerning” that there were no documents to corroborate Willis' claim that she paid Wade back. But he said Willis' testimony “withstood direct contradiction” and was corroborated by other evidence, including her purchase of a flight for two in 2022. That led the judge to conclude that the claim “was not so incredible as to be inherently unbelievable.”The judge said there was no way no know for sure that Willis and Wade's expenses were split evenly — and Willis “may well have received a net benefit of several hundred dollars.” But, McAfee said the defendants didn't provide sufficient evidence to prove that Willis financially benefited from hiring Wade.Furthermore, McAfee concluded that enriching herself through her relationship with Wade was not a motivating factor in Willis' decision to bring the case.The judge noted that Willis was not “financially destitute throughout this time or in any great need,” but was making more than $200,000 per year. He also said there was no indication she was trying to prolong the case to rake in more money, noting that prosecutors had initially wanted the case to go to trial less than six months after they brought the indictment.WILLIS’ PUBLIC STATEMENTSAttorneys for Trump and others said Willis’ public statements about the case veered into the realm of misconduct, saying she expressed her belief in the guilt of the defendants.McAfee noted that he had to consider whether the remarks were “part of a calculated plan” to prejudice the defendants in the minds of future jurors. He said the comments must be “egregiously” improper to justify disqualification.The judge found that statements Willis made describing the charges in the indictment, her office’s conviction rates and personal anecdotes were not disqualifying. That extended to her “unorthodox decision” to speak on the record to authors of a book about the special grand jury investigation that preceded the indictment, he wrote.A speech she gave at a historic Black church in Atlanta less than a week after the allegations of her relationship with Wade surfaced was a different matter, the judge wrote. Willis complained in those remarks that people had questioned her decision to hire Wade and questioned his qualifications, seeming to suggest the criticism arose from the fact that she and Wade are Black.McAfee noted that the speech did not mention any defendant by name and did not address the merits of the charges in the case or disclose any sensitive or confidential evidence. He said he didn’t find that it crossed the line to the point that the defendants couldn’t have a fair trial.“But it was still legally improper,” he wrote. “Providing this type of public comment creates dangerous waters for the District Attorney to wade further into.”He noted that it may well be time for an order preventing prosecutors from mentioning a case in public to prevent prejudicial pretrial publicity, but he said that was not the issue currently before him.McAfee has recently made his own public statements about the case.He said in an interview on WSB Radio last week that he’d had a rough draft of his ruling ready before he knew that anyone planned to challenge him in a May election and that “the result is not going to change because of politics.” When a WSB-TV reporter snagged him on the sidelines of a Rotary Club lunch Thursday, McAfee said the ruling would be out Friday and that “no ruling of mine is ever going to be based on politics.”McAfee was appointed to his seat by Georgia's Republican governor and faces two challengers in a May election. The race is nonpartisan, but Fulton County is a Democratic stronghold.LACK OF CANDORWade was questioned on the stand about statements he had made in his divorce case that he hadn’t been romantically involved with anyone other than his wife during their marriage. His “patently unpersuasive explanation” for those inaccuracies “indicates a willingness on his part to wrongly conceal his relationship with the District Attorney,” McAfee wrote.McAfee also found himself unable to determine the answer to a central question in the evidentiary hearing: whether Willis and Wade began their romantic relationship before she hired him. Neither side provided sufficient evidence to make a conclusive determination, he wrote.But he said, “an odor of mendacity remains.” He wrote that “reasonable questions” about whether Willis and Wade testified truthfully about that timing “further underpin the finding of an appearance of impropriety and the need to make proportional efforts to cure it.”

Read Judge's explosive ruling on DA in Trump's election fraud case

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Police in Tennessee continue searching for a University of Missouri student who was last seen by friends at a Nashville bar over a week ago.

The search continues on the water and from the air, according to&nbsp;Sgt. Bob Nielsen, a supervisor of missing person investigations, with Nashville Police.

Metropolitan Nashville Police&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MNPDNashville/status/1767578348249559347">released video</a>&nbsp;Tuesday that shows Riley Strain, 22, crossing a downtown street. Police have said Strain was last seen just before 10 p.m. March 8, after drinking downtown. They searched the area, including the banks of the Cumberland River, by helicopter and on the ground, but did not find him.

University of Missouri officials said in a statement that they were alerted last weekend that Strain was missing after traveling to Nashville to attend a private event and that they have been in touch with family and authorities.

Strain’s mother, Michelle Whiteid, and his stepfather, Chris Whiteid, drove to Nashville from Springfield, Missouri, after they learned he disappeared while on a fraternity trip, news outlets reported.

“I just need to know where my son is,” Michelle Whiteid said. “We talk every day, multiple times a day. This is the longest I’ve ever gone without talking to him. It’s devastating. I just want to find him and hug him.”

After the bus ride from Columbia, Strain and some of his fraternity brothers went out, according to Chris Whiteid. Strain was asked to leave a bar, and they got separated, he said.

“The boys called him, and he said, ‘I’m walking back to my hotel,’" Chris Strain said. “They didn’t think anything about it.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710335346952.png" alt="Strain- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Strain- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Police in Tennessee continue searching for a University of Missouri student who was last seen by friends at a Nashville bar over a week ago.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710603357818.png" alt="Photo Metro Nashville Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Metro Nashville Police</figcaption>
 </figure>The search continues on the water and from the air, according to&nbsp;Sgt. Bob Nielsen, a supervisor of missing person investigations, with Nashville Police.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMetroNashvillePoliceDepartment%2Fvideos%2F941179284268997%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Metropolitan Nashville Police&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MNPDNashville/status/1767578348249559347">released video</a>&nbsp;Tuesday that shows Riley Strain, 22, crossing a downtown street. Police have said Strain was last seen just before 10 p.m. March 8, after drinking downtown. They searched the area, including the banks of the Cumberland River, by helicopter and on the ground, but did not find him.University of Missouri officials said in a statement that they were alerted last weekend that Strain was missing after traveling to Nashville to attend a private event and that they have been in touch with family and authorities.Strain’s mother, Michelle Whiteid, and his stepfather, Chris Whiteid, drove to Nashville from Springfield, Missouri, after they learned he disappeared while on a fraternity trip, news outlets reported.“I just need to know where my son is,” Michelle Whiteid said. “We talk every day, multiple times a day. This is the longest I’ve ever gone without talking to him. It’s devastating. I just want to find him and hug him.”After the bus ride from Columbia, Strain and some of his fraternity brothers went out, according to Chris Whiteid. Strain was asked to leave a bar, and they got separated, he said.“The boys called him, and he said, ‘I’m walking back to my hotel,’" Chris Strain said. “They didn’t think anything about it.”

Search continues on water, from the air for missing Mizzou student

KANSAS CITY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of an apartment fire in Kansas City.

Just after 4p.m. Friday, crews&nbsp;responded to the report of an apartment fire in the 4300 block of Mercier, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. 

First arriving crews observed heavy smoke coming from the building. The fire started in the basement of the structure and extended up the interior walls.

 Searches of the building came back all clear. Occupants were able to evacuate on their own. Eight units in total have been affected by this fire, either from fire or smoke damage. Power was shutoff to the entire building. There were no injuries were reported, according to Hopkins.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710550757013.png" alt="Photo KC Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo KC Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of an apartment fire in Kansas City.Just after 4p.m. Friday, crews&nbsp;responded to the report of an apartment fire in the 4300 block of Mercier, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. First arriving crews observed heavy smoke coming from the building. The fire started in the basement of the structure and extended up the interior walls. Searches of the building came back all clear. Occupants were able to evacuate on their own. Eight units in total have been affected by this fire, either from fire or smoke damage. Power was shutoff to the entire building. There were no injuries were reported, according to Hopkins.

8 KC apartment units impacted by fire that started in basement

ST. LOUIS – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Independence Police Department secured two additional arrest warrants for murder based on an investigation into the October 2023 shooting death of Jason York in Independence, Kansas. In late February, three other men&nbsp;Kevin A. Quinn, 37;  Aquan A. Quinn, 20, and  Kevin W. Martin, 23, all of St. Louis, were arrested on requested charges of first-degree murder and aggravated robbery.

The U.S. Marshals Service and the St. Louis County Police Department fugitive task force arrested Joshua B. Denton, 21, of St. Louis, and Kayvion D. Williams, 18, of St. Louis.

Both men were arrested on March 14, at around 10:35 a.m. at 10417 Count Dr. in St. Louis, Missouri, on warrants for first-degree murder and aggravated robbery, according to a media release from the KBI.

The three men previously arrested are still being held in the St. Louis County Jail. The investigation is ongoing. The Montgomery County Attorney’s Office is expected to prosecute the case

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708640601662.png" alt="Martin-photo St. Louis Co." />
 <figcaption>Martin-photo St. Louis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. LOUIS – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Independence Police Department secured two additional arrest warrants for murder based on an investigation into the October 2023 shooting death of Jason York in Independence, Kansas. In late February, three other men&nbsp;Kevin A. Quinn, 37; Aquan A. Quinn, 20, and Kevin W. Martin, 23, all of St. Louis, were arrested on requested charges of first-degree murder and aggravated robbery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710536031637.png" alt="Denton-photo St. Louis Co." />
 <figcaption>Denton-photo St. Louis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The U.S. Marshals Service and the St. Louis County Police Department fugitive task force arrested Joshua B. Denton, 21, of St. Louis, and Kayvion D. Williams, 18, of St. Louis.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710536073097.png" alt="Williams-photo St. Louis Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams-photo St. Louis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Both men were arrested on March 14, at around 10:35 a.m. at 10417 Count Dr. in St. Louis, Missouri, on warrants for first-degree murder and aggravated robbery, according to a media release from the KBI.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708640489736.png" alt="Kevin Quinn -photo St. Louis Co." />
 <figcaption>Kevin Quinn -photo St. Louis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The three men previously arrested are still being held in the St. Louis County Jail. The investigation is ongoing. The Montgomery County Attorney’s Office is expected to prosecute the case<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708640546815.png" alt="Aquan Quinn-photo St. Louis Co." />
 <figcaption>Aquan Quinn-photo St. Louis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>

U.S. Marshals capture 2 more suspects for Kan. robbery, murder

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and allies warned Iran on Friday that major Western economies will pile new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-iran-missiles-biden-sanctions-7dfb927a055de1734108df8b8148ab9f">sanctions on Tehran</a>&nbsp;if it moves forward with an advancing plan to provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-iran-ballistic-missiles-f14501f6f9a6401af7f8835b2ddd01cf">ballistic missiles to Russia</a>&nbsp;for its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war with Ukraine</a>.

The Biden administration has raised alarms for months that Russia is seeking close-range ballistic missiles from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-iran-ballistic-missiles-f14501f6f9a6401af7f8835b2ddd01cf">Iran</a>&nbsp;as Moscow struggles to replenish its dwindling supplies.

The U.S. has yet to confirm that missiles have moved from Iran to Russia. But U.S. officials are alarmed by comments by Iranian officials that suggest that a deal is imminent.

One action that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/group-of-7">Group of Seven</a>&nbsp;countries are mulling is to prohibit Iran Air, the country's national air carrier, from flying to Europe, according to a senior Biden administration official. The official, who was not authorized to comment and insisted on anonymity, declined to preview other sanctions that the U.S. is mulling beyond describing the potential action as “significant measures.”

“Were Iran to proceed with providing ballistic missiles or related technology to Russia, we are prepared to respond swiftly and in a coordinated manner including with new and significant measures against Iran,” the G-7 leaders said in a statement.

Iran's U.N. Mission said last month that there are no legal restrictions to prevent it from making ballistic missile sales but that is “morally obligated to refrain from weapon transactions during the Russia-Ukraine conflict to prevent fueling the war.”

The U.S. and Europe already impose extensive sanctions against Iran targeting individuals as well as limiting the country's access to trade, financial services, energy, technology and other sectors. The sanctions on Iran are arguably the most extensive and comprehensive set of sanctions that the United States maintains on any country, with thousands of individuals and entities targeted.

The Democratic administration in January said that U.S. intelligence officials had determined a Russian-Iran deal had not been completed but that they were concerned that Russia’s negotiations to acquire missiles from Iran were actively advancing.

In September, according to the White House, Iran hosted Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to show off a range of ballistic missile systems — a moment that sparked U.S. concern that a deal could come together.

The U.S. and other countries have taken steps aimed at thwarting the supply, sale or transfer involving Iran and ballistic missile-related items, including issuing guidance to private companies about Iranian missile procurement practices to make sure they aren’t inadvertently supporting Iran’s development efforts.

"We’ve sent very clear messages to Iran not to do it, this is a subject of considerable conversation among a number of countries,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a news conference on Friday in Vienna.

The Biden administration has repeatedly sought to make the case that the Kremlin has become reliant on Iran and North Korea for the arms it needs to fight its war against Ukraine and has disclosed intelligence findings that it says show as much.

Russia has acquired and used North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine. Ukrainian officials, however, say that North Korean missiles when deployed by Russian forces have frequently missed targets.

Russia has received&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-iran-military-cooperation-d982dd3faf78fbb17dfc8b9c1cb9dae7">hundreds of one-way attack drones</a>, as well as drone production-related equipment, from Iran, according to the White House. The Biden administration also has accused Tehran of providing Russia with materials to build a drone manufacturing plant east of Moscow.

Iran initially denied supplying drones to Russia. Tehran later only acknowledged providing a small number before Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708444671000.png" alt="The Biden administration has repeatedly sought to make the case that the Kremlin has become reliant on Iran and North Korea for the arms it needs to fight its war against Ukraine and has disclosed intelligence findings that it says show as much.-White House File photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The Biden administration has repeatedly sought to make the case that the Kremlin has become reliant on Iran and North Korea for the arms it needs to fight its war against Ukraine and has disclosed intelligence findings that it says show as much.-White House File photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States and allies warned Iran on Friday that major Western economies will pile new&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-iran-missiles-biden-sanctions-7dfb927a055de1734108df8b8148ab9f">sanctions on Tehran</a>&nbsp;if it moves forward with an advancing plan to provide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-iran-ballistic-missiles-f14501f6f9a6401af7f8835b2ddd01cf">ballistic missiles to Russia</a>&nbsp;for its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">war with Ukraine</a>.The Biden administration has raised alarms for months that Russia is seeking close-range ballistic missiles from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-iran-ballistic-missiles-f14501f6f9a6401af7f8835b2ddd01cf">Iran</a>&nbsp;as Moscow struggles to replenish its dwindling supplies.The U.S. has yet to confirm that missiles have moved from Iran to Russia. But U.S. officials are alarmed by comments by Iranian officials that suggest that a deal is imminent.One action that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/group-of-7">Group of Seven</a>&nbsp;countries are mulling is to prohibit Iran Air, the country's national air carrier, from flying to Europe, according to a senior Biden administration official. The official, who was not authorized to comment and insisted on anonymity, declined to preview other sanctions that the U.S. is mulling beyond describing the potential action as “significant measures.”“Were Iran to proceed with providing ballistic missiles or related technology to Russia, we are prepared to respond swiftly and in a coordinated manner including with new and significant measures against Iran,” the G-7 leaders said in a statement.Iran's U.N. Mission said last month that there are no legal restrictions to prevent it from making ballistic missile sales but that is “morally obligated to refrain from weapon transactions during the Russia-Ukraine conflict to prevent fueling the war.”The U.S. and Europe already impose extensive sanctions against Iran targeting individuals as well as limiting the country's access to trade, financial services, energy, technology and other sectors. The sanctions on Iran are arguably the most extensive and comprehensive set of sanctions that the United States maintains on any country, with thousands of individuals and entities targeted.The Democratic administration in January said that U.S. intelligence officials had determined a Russian-Iran deal had not been completed but that they were concerned that Russia’s negotiations to acquire missiles from Iran were actively advancing.In September, according to the White House, Iran hosted Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu to show off a range of ballistic missile systems — a moment that sparked U.S. concern that a deal could come together.The U.S. and other countries have taken steps aimed at thwarting the supply, sale or transfer involving Iran and ballistic missile-related items, including issuing guidance to private companies about Iranian missile procurement practices to make sure they aren’t inadvertently supporting Iran’s development efforts."We’ve sent very clear messages to Iran not to do it, this is a subject of considerable conversation among a number of countries,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a news conference on Friday in Vienna.The Biden administration has repeatedly sought to make the case that the Kremlin has become reliant on Iran and North Korea for the arms it needs to fight its war against Ukraine and has disclosed intelligence findings that it says show as much.Russia has acquired and used North Korean ballistic missiles against Ukraine. Ukrainian officials, however, say that North Korean missiles when deployed by Russian forces have frequently missed targets.Russia has received&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-iran-military-cooperation-d982dd3faf78fbb17dfc8b9c1cb9dae7">hundreds of one-way attack drones</a>, as well as drone production-related equipment, from Iran, according to the White House. The Biden administration also has accused Tehran of providing Russia with materials to build a drone manufacturing plant east of Moscow.Iran initially denied supplying drones to Russia. Tehran later only acknowledged providing a small number before Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine—

US warns Iran to back off deal to provide Russia ballistic missiles

BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teacher on sex crime allegations.

Just after 10p.m. Thursday,&nbsp;39-year-old Jelinda Keeling was booked into the Butler County jail, according to online jail records.&nbsp; Keeling is being held on requested charges of unlawful sexual relations: Teacher with Student 16+, according to jail staff.

Keeling is an algebra, geometry teacher in USD 490 El Dorado, according to her online profile. In 2022 she was named district teacher of the year and in 2024 she was nominated for Kansas Teacher of the year, according to the El Dorado High School web site.&nbsp; The school wrote,"It has been an honor to celebrate EHS Teacher Jelinda Keeling as USD 490's nominee for 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year. Thank you for being such an amazing teacher and #PartOfThePride!"&nbsp; No bond is listed for her, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710527141514.png" alt="Keeling is being held in the Butler County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Keeling is being held in the Butler County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teacher on sex crime allegations.Just after 10p.m. Thursday,&nbsp;39-year-old Jelinda Keeling was booked into the Butler County jail, according to online jail records.&nbsp; Keeling is being held on requested charges of unlawful sexual relations: Teacher with Student 16+, according to jail staff.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710535339183.png" alt="Image USD 490" />
 <figcaption>Image USD 490</figcaption>
 </figure>Keeling is an algebra, geometry teacher in USD 490 El Dorado, according to her online profile. In 2022 she was named district teacher of the year and in 2024 she was nominated for Kansas Teacher of the year, according to the El Dorado High School web site.&nbsp; The school wrote,"It has been an honor to celebrate EHS Teacher Jelinda Keeling as USD 490's nominee for 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year. Thank you for being such an amazing teacher and #PartOfThePride!"&nbsp; No bond is listed for her, according to online jail records.

Kan. teacher of the year nominee accused of sex with student

By RACHEL MIPRO&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/14/kansas-lawmakers-dig-into-pandemic-relief-spending-report/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Late Thursday, following fiery speeches on both sides of the aisle and lengthy debate, Kansas senators approved a new iteration of a flat tax plan that&nbsp;favors the state’s top earners and would cost the state nearly $650 million annually once phased in.

Passed 29-11, the new bill would have a veto-proof majority in the chamber if lawmakers continue to vote along the same lines. The bill now goes to the House for debate.&nbsp;

Sen. David Haley, a Kansas Democrat, broke with party lines to vote with Republicans, and Sen. Rob Olson split from fellow Republicans to vote against the plan Thursday.&nbsp;

Olson urged his colleagues to think of their constituents despite potential repercussions. Republican leadership stripped Olson of a committee chairmanship last year, when he voted against a similar flat tax proposal.

“We’re giving money away here like candy…You guys have got to vote your district,” Olson said. “There’s not one leader in here that controls us. This is not a dictatorship. You might lose your committee chair, you might lose your committee position, but you work for the people in your district. That’s who you work for.”&nbsp;

The flat tax marks the second Republican-driven attempt to pass a flat tax proposal in recent weeks. An initial version was shot down by Gov. Laura Kelly earlier in the session and an attempt to override her veto failed in the House.&nbsp;

Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, applauded the new bill.&nbsp;

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb539/">Senate Bill 539</a>&nbsp;would change income tax rates over six years, starting with a universal income tax rate of 5.7% in 2024, and reduced by .05% each year until 2029, which would set the rate at 5.45%.&nbsp;

“A bipartisan supermajority of the Kansas Senate took a significant step towards reducing taxes for every Kansan and implementing significant and sustainable tax reform by passing Senate Bill 539,” Masterson said. “I am thankful to those senators who demonstrated their commitment to working towards a compromise that delivers meaningful property, sales, and income tax relief to every Kansan and puts our state on a glidepath to real economic growth.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

While Masterson characterized a single rate flat tax as one where “everybody benefits, identically,” SB 539 would cost the state nearly $650 million annually once phased in and give 40% of the benefits to the state’s top 20%, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/03/13/new-kansas-flat-tax-proposal-would-mainly-benefit-states-top-20-of-earners-analysis-shows/">an independent analysis</a>.&nbsp;

Kelly has voiced disapproval for all flat tax plans. Kansas Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, called the plan too extreme, and one set up for failure.

“The flat tax failed last year and once already this year for one reason: Kansans and members of this body do not support reckless tax experiments that hurt our schools, roads, and economy,” Sykes said. “I hope that once the governor vetoes a flat tax for the second time this session, Republican leadership will take irresponsible flat tax proposals off the table and join me in having honest conversations about passing tax cuts that we can afford that will support working families.”&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710536587614.png" alt=" Senate President Ty Masterson said the flat tax proposal would reduce taxes for all Kansans. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Senate President Ty Masterson said the flat tax proposal would reduce taxes for all Kansans. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/14/kansas-lawmakers-dig-into-pandemic-relief-spending-report/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Late Thursday, following fiery speeches on both sides of the aisle and lengthy debate, Kansas senators approved a new iteration of a flat tax plan that&nbsp;favors the state’s top earners and would cost the state nearly $650 million annually once phased in.Passed 29-11, the new bill would have a veto-proof majority in the chamber if lawmakers continue to vote along the same lines. The bill now goes to the House for debate.&nbsp;Sen. David Haley, a Kansas Democrat, broke with party lines to vote with Republicans, and Sen. Rob Olson split from fellow Republicans to vote against the plan Thursday.&nbsp;Olson urged his colleagues to think of their constituents despite potential repercussions. Republican leadership stripped Olson of a committee chairmanship last year, when he voted against a similar flat tax proposal.“We’re giving money away here like candy…You guys have got to vote your district,” Olson said. “There’s not one leader in here that controls us. This is not a dictatorship. You might lose your committee chair, you might lose your committee position, but you work for the people in your district. That’s who you work for.”&nbsp;The flat tax marks the second Republican-driven attempt to pass a flat tax proposal in recent weeks. An initial version was shot down by Gov. Laura Kelly earlier in the session and an attempt to override her veto failed in the House.&nbsp;Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, applauded the new bill.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb539/">Senate Bill 539</a>&nbsp;would change income tax rates over six years, starting with a universal income tax rate of 5.7% in 2024, and reduced by .05% each year until 2029, which would set the rate at 5.45%.&nbsp;“A bipartisan supermajority of the Kansas Senate took a significant step towards reducing taxes for every Kansan and implementing significant and sustainable tax reform by passing Senate Bill 539,” Masterson said. “I am thankful to those senators who demonstrated their commitment to working towards a compromise that delivers meaningful property, sales, and income tax relief to every Kansan and puts our state on a glidepath to real economic growth.”&nbsp;&nbsp;While Masterson characterized a single rate flat tax as one where “everybody benefits, identically,” SB 539 would cost the state nearly $650 million annually once phased in and give 40% of the benefits to the state’s top 20%, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/03/13/new-kansas-flat-tax-proposal-would-mainly-benefit-states-top-20-of-earners-analysis-shows/">an independent analysis</a>.&nbsp;Kelly has voiced disapproval for all flat tax plans. Kansas Senate Democratic Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, called the plan too extreme, and one set up for failure.“The flat tax failed last year and once already this year for one reason: Kansans and members of this body do not support reckless tax experiments that hurt our schools, roads, and economy,” Sykes said. “I hope that once the governor vetoes a flat tax for the second time this session, Republican leadership will take irresponsible flat tax proposals off the table and join me in having honest conversations about passing tax cuts that we can afford that will support working families.”&nbsp;

Kansas Senate clears flat tax plan after heated discussion

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for allegedly shooting at cars in Wichita.

Just after 1:30a.m. Friday, police&nbsp;responded to reports of a suspicious individual wielding a weapon in the vicinity of Interstate 235 and Central in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Lt. Aaron Moses.

Callers reported gunshots and observed a man walking along the median of the highway shooting a gun.

Simultaneously, officers were dispatched to an undisclosed accident scene near 1900 N Westdale, where they discovered a Gray Jeep Grand Cherokee involved in a single-vehicle collision, abandoned at the scene.

Upon arrival in the area, officers apprehended a 20-year-old man later identified as Kamil Lweno of&nbsp;&nbsp;Wichita, according to jail booking records, in the 1800 block of N. Interstate 235, matching the description of the suspected shooter. 

Police took him into custody without resistance. Subsequent investigation revealed the shooting suspect as the registered owner of the abandoned vehicle. 

Law enforcement officers recovered a firearm and multiple spent cartridge casings. During the investigation, officers identified three individuals who reported their vehicles being targets of gunfire during the incident. The victims, a 28-year-old man, an 18-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman, were unrelated to each other or the suspect. There were no reported injuries.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=746886">Lweno was booked</a> into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Assault, three counts of Criminal Discharge of a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle, and one count of Possession of Marijuana.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710522260952.png" alt="The highway was temporarily blocked early Friday while police investigated the shooting -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>The highway was temporarily blocked early Friday while police investigated the shooting -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for allegedly shooting at cars in Wichita.Just after 1:30a.m. Friday, police&nbsp;responded to reports of a suspicious individual wielding a weapon in the vicinity of Interstate 235 and Central in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Lt. Aaron Moses.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710528928816.png" alt="Lweno-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Lweno-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Callers reported gunshots and observed a man walking along the median of the highway shooting a gun.Simultaneously, officers were dispatched to an undisclosed accident scene near 1900 N Westdale, where they discovered a Gray Jeep Grand Cherokee involved in a single-vehicle collision, abandoned at the scene.Upon arrival in the area, officers apprehended a 20-year-old man later identified as Kamil Lweno of&nbsp;&nbsp;Wichita, according to jail booking records, in the 1800 block of N. Interstate 235, matching the description of the suspected shooter. Police took him into custody without resistance. Subsequent investigation revealed the shooting suspect as the registered owner of the abandoned vehicle. Law enforcement officers recovered a firearm and multiple spent cartridge casings. During the investigation, officers identified three individuals who reported their vehicles being targets of gunfire during the incident. The victims, a 28-year-old man, an 18-year-old man and a 56-year-old woman, were unrelated to each other or the suspect. There were no reported injuries.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=746886">Lweno was booked</a> into the Sedgwick County Jail on requested charges of Aggravated Assault, three counts of Criminal Discharge of a Firearm into an Occupied Vehicle, and one count of Possession of Marijuana.

Police: Kansas man was randomly shooting at cars on the highway 

By BECKY GOFF Little Apple Post

MANHATTAN - The City of Manhattan is asking for help to find who damaged freshly poured concrete at the intersection of Browning and Dickens Avenues.

The freshly poured concrete was still curing when an unknown driver drove around barricades and through the concrete.

A pedestrian also walked through the concrete leaving footprints, damaging other sections of the concrete as well.

City workers will be tearing out these damaged areas of concrete before having it repoured.

The city hopes to have the intersection reopened early Monday morning, provided no additional damage occurs between now and then.

If you have any information related to this incident, please share it with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RileyCountyPD?__cft__[0]=AZUV2N1_f_uS1V3mGcpPJrB2tDxXQksCxVpzWx47UjaVusDak2wL5wkXb7m_VkbNJ3GmNVXMM8U_Fgc50V7-GlOZe6k5HM9ErMN2_tSRCycz0PHztZYbp-yIVNiK8PDBZdKUSeq1xDO15p20T8RqsdAXzHN6wqx6pdocskCOfLSQDs4uVyhLD5jmAD3CgKsGUyc&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">RileyCountyPD</a> at (785) 537-2112 to assist in their investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710520376904.jpeg" alt="Concrete damaged in Manhattan" />
 <figcaption>Concrete damaged in Manhattan</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY GOFF Little Apple PostMANHATTAN - The City of Manhattan is asking for help to find who damaged freshly poured concrete at the intersection of Browning and Dickens Avenues.<div><iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3136.3335519016364!2d-96.6074815!3d39.1963917!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x87bdcdc77776cb4d%3A0x11877ba1c79eceea!2sBrowning%20Ave%20%26%20Dickens%20Ave%2C%20Manhattan%2C%20KS%2066502!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1710520860388!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>The freshly poured concrete was still curing when an unknown driver drove around barricades and through the concrete.A pedestrian also walked through the concrete leaving footprints, damaging other sections of the concrete as well.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710523221837.jpeg" alt="Concrete damage -photo city of Manhattan" />
 <figcaption>Concrete damage -photo city of Manhattan</figcaption>
 </figure>City workers will be tearing out these damaged areas of concrete before having it repoured.The city hopes to have the intersection reopened early Monday morning, provided no additional damage occurs between now and then.If you have any information related to this incident, please share it with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RileyCountyPD?__cft__[0]=AZUV2N1_f_uS1V3mGcpPJrB2tDxXQksCxVpzWx47UjaVusDak2wL5wkXb7m_VkbNJ3GmNVXMM8U_Fgc50V7-GlOZe6k5HM9ErMN2_tSRCycz0PHztZYbp-yIVNiK8PDBZdKUSeq1xDO15p20T8RqsdAXzHN6wqx6pdocskCOfLSQDs4uVyhLD5jmAD3CgKsGUyc&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">RileyCountyPD</a> at (785) 537-2112 to assist in their investigation.

Driver damages concrete, delays reopening of Kan. intersection

KANSAS CITY (AP)—A powerful real estate trade group has agreed to do away with policies that for decades helped set agent commissions, moving to resolve lawsuits that claim the rules have forced people to pay artificially inflated costs to sell their homes.

Under the terms of the agreement announced Friday, the National Association of Realtors also agreed to pay $418 million to help compensate home sellers across the U.S.

Home sellers behind multiple lawsuits against the NAR and several major brokerages argued that the trade group's rules governing homes listed for sale on its affiliated Multiple Listing Services unfairly propped up agent commissions. The rules also incentivized agents representing buyers to avoid showing their clients listings where the seller’s broker was offering a lower commission to the buyer’s agent, they argued.

As part of the settlement, the NAR agreed to no longer require a broker advertising a home for sale on MLS to offer any upfront compensation to a buyer’s agent. The rule change leaves it open for individual home sellers to negotiate such offers with a buyer’s agent outside of the MLS platforms, though the home seller’s broker has to disclose any such compensation arrangements.

The trade group also agreed to require agents or others working with a homebuyer to enter into a written agreement with them. That is meant to ensure homebuyers know going in what their agent will charge them for their services.

The rule changes, which are set to go into effect in mid-July, represent a major change to the way real estate agents have operated going back to the 1990s, and could lead to homebuyers and sellers negotiating lower agent commissions.

Currently, agents working with a buyer and seller typically split a commission of around 5% to 6% that's paid by the seller. This practice essentially became customary as home listings included built-in offers of “cooperative compensation” between agents on both sides of the transaction.

But the rule changes the NAR agreed to as part of the settlement could give home sellers and buyers more impetus to negotiate lower agent commissions.

“It may take some time for the changes to impact the marketplace, but our hope and expectation is that this will put a downward pressure on the cost of hiring a real estate broker,” said Robby Braun, an attorney in a federal lawsuit brought in 2019 in Chicago on behalf of millions of home sellers.

Analysts with Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods also anticipate that the NAR rule changes will lead to lower agent commissions and could persuade some homebuyers to skip using an agent altogether.

“In our view, the combination of mandated buyer representation agreements and the prohibition of blanket compensation offers made by listing agents and sellers should result in significant price competition for buyer agent commissions,” the analysts wrote in a research note Friday.

The NAR faced multiple lawsuits over the way agent commissions are set. In late October, a federal jury in Missouri found that the NAR and several large real estate brokerages conspired to require that home sellers pay homebuyers’ agent commissions in violation of federal antitrust law.

The jury&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nar-real-estate-commission-real-estate-agent-6dadde0d51cc63b9fd568a58f95610d8">ordered the defendants</a>&nbsp;to pay almost $1.8 billion in damages — and potentially more than $5 billion if the court ended up awarding the plaintiffs treble damages.

The settlement, if approved by the court, resolves that and similar suits faced by the NAR. It covers over one million of the NAR's members, its affiliated Multiple Listing Services and all brokerages with a NAR member as a principal that had a residential transaction volume in 2022 of $2 billion or less.

“Ultimately, continuing to litigate would have hurt members and their small businesses,” Nykia Wright, NAR’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-association-of-realtors-housing-market-dc0c40eaea800de3acfcd3b3b3997208">interim CEO</a>, said in a statement. “While there could be no perfect outcome, this agreement is the best outcome we could achieve in the circumstances.”

The settlement does not include real estate agents affiliated with HomeServices of America and its related companies.

Last month, Keller Williams Realty, one of the nation’s largest real estate brokerages,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/keller-williams-real-estate-agent-commissions-lawsuits-657a285857a77a6618d65499c69985b5">agreed to pay $70 million</a>&nbsp;and change some of of its agent guidelines to settle agent commission lawsuits.

Two other large real estate brokerages agreed to similar settlement terms last year. In their respective pacts, Anywhere Real Estate Inc. agreed to pay $83.5 million, while Re/Max agreed to pay $55 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659001075252.jpeg" alt="Photo AP" />
 <figcaption>Photo AP</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP)—A powerful real estate trade group has agreed to do away with policies that for decades helped set agent commissions, moving to resolve lawsuits that claim the rules have forced people to pay artificially inflated costs to sell their homes.Under the terms of the agreement announced Friday, the National Association of Realtors also agreed to pay $418 million to help compensate home sellers across the U.S.Home sellers behind multiple lawsuits against the NAR and several major brokerages argued that the trade group's rules governing homes listed for sale on its affiliated Multiple Listing Services unfairly propped up agent commissions. The rules also incentivized agents representing buyers to avoid showing their clients listings where the seller’s broker was offering a lower commission to the buyer’s agent, they argued.As part of the settlement, the NAR agreed to no longer require a broker advertising a home for sale on MLS to offer any upfront compensation to a buyer’s agent. The rule change leaves it open for individual home sellers to negotiate such offers with a buyer’s agent outside of the MLS platforms, though the home seller’s broker has to disclose any such compensation arrangements.The trade group also agreed to require agents or others working with a homebuyer to enter into a written agreement with them. That is meant to ensure homebuyers know going in what their agent will charge them for their services.The rule changes, which are set to go into effect in mid-July, represent a major change to the way real estate agents have operated going back to the 1990s, and could lead to homebuyers and sellers negotiating lower agent commissions.Currently, agents working with a buyer and seller typically split a commission of around 5% to 6% that's paid by the seller. This practice essentially became customary as home listings included built-in offers of “cooperative compensation” between agents on both sides of the transaction.But the rule changes the NAR agreed to as part of the settlement could give home sellers and buyers more impetus to negotiate lower agent commissions.“It may take some time for the changes to impact the marketplace, but our hope and expectation is that this will put a downward pressure on the cost of hiring a real estate broker,” said Robby Braun, an attorney in a federal lawsuit brought in 2019 in Chicago on behalf of millions of home sellers.Analysts with Keefe, Bruyette &amp; Woods also anticipate that the NAR rule changes will lead to lower agent commissions and could persuade some homebuyers to skip using an agent altogether.“In our view, the combination of mandated buyer representation agreements and the prohibition of blanket compensation offers made by listing agents and sellers should result in significant price competition for buyer agent commissions,” the analysts wrote in a research note Friday.The NAR faced multiple lawsuits over the way agent commissions are set. In late October, a federal jury in Missouri found that the NAR and several large real estate brokerages conspired to require that home sellers pay homebuyers’ agent commissions in violation of federal antitrust law.The jury&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nar-real-estate-commission-real-estate-agent-6dadde0d51cc63b9fd568a58f95610d8">ordered the defendants</a>&nbsp;to pay almost $1.8 billion in damages — and potentially more than $5 billion if the court ended up awarding the plaintiffs treble damages.The settlement, if approved by the court, resolves that and similar suits faced by the NAR. It covers over one million of the NAR's members, its affiliated Multiple Listing Services and all brokerages with a NAR member as a principal that had a residential transaction volume in 2022 of $2 billion or less.“Ultimately, continuing to litigate would have hurt members and their small businesses,” Nykia Wright, NAR’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-association-of-realtors-housing-market-dc0c40eaea800de3acfcd3b3b3997208">interim CEO</a>, said in a statement. “While there could be no perfect outcome, this agreement is the best outcome we could achieve in the circumstances.”The settlement does not include real estate agents affiliated with HomeServices of America and its related companies.Last month, Keller Williams Realty, one of the nation’s largest real estate brokerages,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/keller-williams-real-estate-agent-commissions-lawsuits-657a285857a77a6618d65499c69985b5">agreed to pay $70 million</a>&nbsp;and change some of of its agent guidelines to settle agent commission lawsuits.Two other large real estate brokerages agreed to similar settlement terms last year. In their respective pacts, Anywhere Real Estate Inc. agreed to pay $83.5 million, while Re/Max agreed to pay $55 million.\

National realtor group agrees to slash commissions to settle lawsuits

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a late night law enforcement chase.

Just after 1:30a.m. Wednesday, a K9 unit with the Shawnee County sheriff's office attempted to make a traffic stop on a Nissan Altima that had a license plate that did not belong to that car, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The driver, later identified as 55-year-old Mark L. Ware, refused to stop and that initiated a pursuit near SW 17th and SW McAlister Avenue in Topeka. The pursuit ended in the 2400 Block of SW Huntoon Street when the car spun out, struck a curb and stopped in the grass.

Deputies found a loaded handgun and an open container of alcohol in the car.&nbsp; Deputies arrested Ware on requested charges of felony flee and elude, felon in possession of a handgun, DUI, transporting an open container of liquor, tag not assigned, driving the wrong-way on a one-way road, failure to stop at a stop sign and a city of Topeka warrant.&nbsp;

Ware has previous convictions for theft, flee or attempt to elude and DUI, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710337982402.png" alt="Ware-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Ware-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a late night law enforcement chase.Just after 1:30a.m. Wednesday, a K9 unit with the Shawnee County sheriff's office attempted to make a traffic stop on a Nissan Altima that had a license plate that did not belong to that car, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The driver, later identified as 55-year-old Mark L. Ware, refused to stop and that initiated a pursuit near SW 17th and SW McAlister Avenue in Topeka. The pursuit ended in the 2400 Block of SW Huntoon Street when the car spun out, struck a curb and stopped in the grass.Deputies found a loaded handgun and an open container of alcohol in the car.&nbsp; Deputies arrested Ware on requested charges of felony flee and elude, felon in possession of a handgun, DUI, transporting an open container of liquor, tag not assigned, driving the wrong-way on a one-way road, failure to stop at a stop sign and a city of Topeka warrant.&nbsp;Ware has previous convictions for theft, flee or attempt to elude and DUI, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Wanted Kansas felon captured after police chase, crash

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of people are expected this weekend's St. Patrick’s Day parade in Kansas City, where they should expect much tighter security measures than in past years due to last month's deadly mass&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-super-bowl-parade-shooting-kansas-city-62e69a17b469b854afd7bcc3f548d1fc">shooting at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration</a>.

The parade in Missouri's largest city on Sunday will be the first mass gathering since the Feb. 14 victory parade.

Officers will be placed strategically along the St. Patrick's Day parade route, police Sgt. Phil DiMartino said, though he declined to say how many would be deployed.

“There will also be an abundance of work conducted prior to the parade beginning to ensure it’s a safe environment for everyone,” DiMartino said in an email. “There will be many technology assets deployed and there will be officers among the crowd in plainclothes, as well.”

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of people are expected this weekend's St. Patrick’s Day parade in Kansas City, where they should expect much tighter security measures than in past years due to last month's deadly mass&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-super-bowl-parade-shooting-kansas-city-62e69a17b469b854afd7bcc3f548d1fc">shooting at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration</a>.The parade in Missouri's largest city on Sunday will be the first mass gathering since the Feb. 14 victory parade.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=469&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fkcirishparade%2Fvideos%2F712894154376298%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="469" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Officers will be placed strategically along the St. Patrick's Day parade route, police Sgt. Phil DiMartino said, though he declined to say how many would be deployed.“There will also be an abundance of work conducted prior to the parade beginning to ensure it’s a safe environment for everyone,” DiMartino said in an email. “There will be many technology assets deployed and there will be officers among the crowd in plainclothes, as well.”About 800 officers were working at the Super Bowl celebration. Gunfire erupted near the end of the event, wounding nearly two dozen people, including children, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-chiefs-parade-shooting-dj-victim-d96b8631a92af6682b77577c2c4e98c8">killing a mother of two</a>.Two men have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-super-bowl-celebration-shooting-charges-7cb29dc9956d325103df9bf766a0c407">charged with second-degree murder</a>&nbsp;and other crimes in the victory parade shootings. According to police, they were in separate groups that became agitated because they thought the other group was staring at them. Three other people were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-super-bowl-shooting-kansas-city-parade-57662b493b2d987288dabca4bc5fd6f1">charged this week</a>&nbsp;in the shootings, accused of illegally purchasing high-powered rifles and guns with extended magazines. And two juveniles are in custody&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/chiefs-super-bowl-parade-shooting-kansas-city-278e2d3e2cfece1cbe958511e54127ad">on gun-related and resisting arrest charges</a>.The victory parade shootings raised questions about whether such gatherings are worth the risk, especially in Kansas City, which has one of the nation’s highest homicide rates. Mayor Quinton Lucas wondered aloud if a scaled-down celebration inside metal detector-protected Arrowhead Stadium might be the best option if the Chiefs win again.Although the mayor supported going ahead with the St. Patrick’s Day parade, he acknowledged that it might be hard for some to attend.“I think a lot of us, particularly those of us who are thinking about bringing our children somewhere, may ask, at least for a little while, ‘Is this the sort of thing that we want to risk?’ ” Lucas, a Democrat, said. “It’s a shame that this is what we’ve come to today in America and in our city.”Other cities planning big parades, including St. Louis across the state, are also taking a closer look at security after what happened in Kansas City last month.Patrick J. McCarthy, a retired St. Louis police sergeant who has worked in security for 51 years, is in charge of making sure that both of the city's big St. Patrick’s Day parades are safe. Intensified discussions about security “began about an hour after we learned of the Kansas City shooting,” McCarthy said.Both St. Louis parades — one is downtown on Saturday and the other is Sunday in the traditionally Irish area known as Dogtown — typically draw tens of thousands of people. “Why do we let a couple of people ruin what should be a celebration?" McCarthy asked. "We’re not going to stop that because some people might act a fool.”Kansas City’s St. Patrick's Day parade is one of the nation's biggest, typically drawing up to 400,000 people. The event's organizers and people involved in other big area parades met shortly after last month's shootings to compare emergency plans and discuss best practices to deal with potential problems.Although police wouldn't say how many more officers would work Sunday's event, Erin Gabert, a member of the parade committee, said there will be more than in past years. Organizers are also urging people to leave their guns at home. And alcohol is prohibited along the route.Parade leaders also are urging families and groups to arrive with a plan for where to park, and where to meet if people get separated. Families are encouraged to have kids wear something that identifies them.Perhaps most importantly, people are urged to alert an officer or parade volunteer if they see anything that worries them.“It's way better to be safe than sorry,” Gabert said.DiMartino declined to specify how police will try to prevent violence before it happens. McCarthy, who helped lead security when Pope John Paul II visited St. Louis in 1999, said some likely steps would be stationing officers on rooftops and among the crowds, and using mobile and security cameras to help spot potential danger.“You’re looking for precursors to the violence, if possible," McCarthy said.There's only so much police can do to prevent violence at parades and other large public events.At the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-chicago-4b266791802b8d5154efb1bacff3fb38">2022 Fourth of July parade</a>&nbsp;in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, police say the gunman climbed a fire escape to perch atop a row of specialty stores and then opened fire on the crowds below, killing seven people and wounding more than 30 others.Last year, seven people were injured in a shooting during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boston-shooting-dorchester-seven-wounded-dfef790ac9cca766d04cc1af63492a24">parade that was part of Boston’s annual Caribbean festival</a>. Just as in Kansas City, police blamed the shooting on an altercation between two groups.Organizers of the Kansas City St. Patrick's Day parade are eager to show that their community can rise above the violence of a month ago."We are absolutely bigger and better than that horrific tragedy that happened at the Super Bowl celebration,” Gabert said. “We are not going to let that define who we are as a city.”