HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As part of the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, the tiebreaker was held for an election in a Reno County community.

"We have a tie vote in Langdon city, for the city council," said Reno County Deputy Elections Clerk Jenna Fager. "They each received three write in votes, and that was for Lathan Keener and Karen Fisher. Today, we do need to go ahead and break that tie."

The Board of Canvassers chose a coin toss to break the tie and they had Chaplain Richard Haley toss the coin. It came up heads, so Lathan Keener wins the city council seat.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700666822194.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL&nbsp;Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — As part of the Board of County Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, the tiebreaker was held for an election in a Reno County community."We have a tie vote in Langdon city, for the city council," said Reno County Deputy Elections Clerk Jenna Fager. "They each received three write in votes, and that was for Lathan Keener and Karen Fisher. Today, we do need to go ahead and break that tie."The Board of Canvassers chose a coin toss to break the tie and they had Chaplain Richard Haley toss the coin. It came up heads, so Lathan Keener wins the city council seat.

Coin toss decides city council race in Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused of killing a sheriff's K9 during an arrest in Wichita made his first court appearance in the case Tuesday.

Kaylon Kirkwood,24,&nbsp; was charged with one count of harming or killing a dog, battery against a law enforcement officer, domestic battery and battery, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.

Just before noon on Nov. 16 the Wichita Police Domestic intervention and Violence Reduction team was in the area of Pawnee and Rock attempting to locate a 24-year-old robbery suspect later identified as Kaylon Kirkwood according to Wichita Police Lt.&nbsp;Lieutenant Aaron Moses.

Just after noon, police located Kirkwood but he fled into a creek and barricaded himself in a storm drain and refused to come out.

Sheriff's deputies and police used extended leashes and sent K9 officers into the drain.&nbsp; There was an altercation between the Kirkwood and&nbsp; Sedgwick County Sheriff K9 Bane. The dog was pronounced deceased on scene, according to Moses.

Just after 2:30p.m. the Kirkwood was finally taken into custody and transported for treatment of minor injuries from the K9. After Kirwood was released, police booked him into the Sedgwick County Detention Center.

A necropsy will be performed on the K9 officer to determine the cause of death. Wichita Police are in charge of the investigation and will present the case to the district attorney's office, according Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.

A memorial service to recognize PSD Bane will take place on November 29 at 9:30 a.m., according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700174387964.png" alt="A memorial service to recognize PSD Bane will take place on November 29 at 9:30 a.m., according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>A memorial service to recognize PSD Bane will take place on November 29 at 9:30 a.m., according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused of killing a sheriff's K9 during an arrest in Wichita made his first court appearance in the case Tuesday.Kaylon Kirkwood,24,&nbsp; was charged with one count of harming or killing a dog, battery against a law enforcement officer, domestic battery and battery, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700237992193.png" alt="Kirkwood-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Kirkwood-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before noon on Nov. 16 the Wichita Police Domestic intervention and Violence Reduction team was in the area of Pawnee and Rock attempting to locate a 24-year-old robbery suspect later identified as Kaylon Kirkwood according to Wichita Police Lt.&nbsp;Lieutenant Aaron Moses.Just after noon, police located Kirkwood but he fled into a creek and barricaded himself in a storm drain and refused to come out.Sheriff's deputies and police used extended leashes and sent K9 officers into the drain.&nbsp; There was an altercation between the Kirkwood and&nbsp; Sedgwick County Sheriff K9 Bane. The dog was pronounced deceased on scene, according to Moses.Just after 2:30p.m. the Kirkwood was finally taken into custody and transported for treatment of minor injuries from the K9. After Kirwood was released, police booked him into the Sedgwick County Detention Center.A necropsy will be performed on the K9 officer to determine the cause of death. Wichita Police are in charge of the investigation and will present the case to the district attorney's office, according Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.A memorial service to recognize PSD Bane will take place on November 29 at 9:30 a.m., according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.&nbsp;

Man accused of killing Kan. sheriff's K9 appears in court

DALLAS (AP) — Just minutes after President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot as his motorcade rolled through downtown Dallas, Associated Press reporter Peggy Simpson rushed to the scene and immediately attached herself to the police officers who had converged on the building from which a sniper's bullets had been fired.

"I was sort of under their armpit," Simpson said, noting that every time she was able to get any information from them, she would rush to a pay phone to call her editors, and then "go back to the cops."

Simpson, now 84, is among the last surviving witnesses who are sharing their stories as the nation marks the 60th anniversary of the Nov. 22, 1963, assassination on Wednesday.

"A tangible link to the past is going to be lost when the last voices from that time period are gone," said Stephen Fagin, curator at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which tells the story of the assassination from the Texas School Book Depository, where Lee Harvey Oswald's sniper's perch was found.

"So many of the voices that were here, even 10 years ago, to share their memories — law enforcement officials, reporters, eyewitnesses — so many of those folks have passed away," he said.

Simpson, former U.S. Secret Service Agent Clint Hill and others are featured in "JFK: One Day in America," a three-part series from National Geographic released this month that pairs their recollections with archival footage, some of which has been colorized for the first time. Director Ella Wright said that hearing from those who were there helps tell the "behind the scenes" story that augments archival footage.

"We wanted people to really understand what it felt like to be back there and to experience the emotional impact of those events," Wright said.

People still flock to Dealey Plaza, which the presidential motorcade was passing through when Kennedy was killed.

"The assassination certainly defined a generation," Fagin said. "For those people who lived through it and came of age in the 1960s, it represented a significant shift in American culture."

On the day of the assassination, Simpson had originally been assigned to attend an evening fundraising dinner for Kennedy in Austin. With time on her hands before she needed to leave Dallas, she was sent to watch the presidential motorcade, but she wasn't near Dealey Plaza.

Simpson had no idea that anything out of the ordinary had happened until she arrived at The Dallas Times Herald's building where the AP's office was located. Stepping off an elevator, she heard a newspaper receptionist say, "All we know is that the president has been shot," and then heard the paper's editor briefing the staff.

She raced to the AP office in time to watch over the bureau chief's shoulder as he filed the news to the world, and then ran out to the Texas School Book Depository to track down more information.

Later, at police headquarters, she said, she witnessed "just a wild, crazy chaotic, unfathomable scene." Reporters had filled the hallways where an officer walked through with Lee Harvey Oswald 's rifle held aloft. The suspect's mother and wife arrived, and at one point authorities held a news conference where Oswald was asked questions by reporters.

"I was just with a great mass of other reporters, just trying to find any bit of information," she said.

Two days later, Simpson was covering Oswald's transfer from police headquarters to the county jail, when nightclub owner Jack Ruby burst forth from a gaggle of news reporters and shot the suspect dead.

As police officers wrestled with Ruby on the floor, Simpson rushed to a nearby bank of phones "and started dictating everything I saw to the AP editors," she said. In that moment, she was just thinking about getting out the news.

"As an AP reporter, you just go for the phone, you can't process anything at that point," she said.

Simpson said she must have heard the gunshot but she can't remember it.

"Probably Ruby was 2 or 3 feet away from me but I didn't know him, didn't see him, didn't see him come out from the crowd of reporters," she said.

Simpson's recollections are included in an oral history collection at the Sixth Floor Museum that now includes about 2,500 recordings, according to Fagin.

The museum curator said Simpson is "a terrific example of somebody who was just where the action was that weekend and got caught up in truly historic events while simply doing her job as a professional journalist."

Fagin said oral histories are still being recorded. Many of the more recent ones have been with people who were children in the '60s and remembered hearing about the assassination while at school.

"It's a race against time really to try to capture these recollections," Fagin said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700660048156.png" alt="Peggy Simpson holds a photograph of law enforcement carrying Lee Harvey Oswald's gun through a hallway packed with reporters, Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at her home in Washington. Simpson, a former Associated Press reporter, is among the last surviving witnesses to the events surrounding the assassination of Kennedy are among those sharing their stories as the nation marks the 60th anniversary. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)" />
 <figcaption>Peggy Simpson holds a photograph of law enforcement carrying Lee Harvey Oswald's gun through a hallway packed with reporters, Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at her home in Washington. Simpson, a former Associated Press reporter, is among the last surviving witnesses to the events surrounding the assassination of Kennedy are among those sharing their stories as the nation marks the 60th anniversary. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMIE STENGLE&nbsp;&nbsp;DALLAS (AP) — Just minutes after President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot as his motorcade rolled through downtown Dallas, Associated Press reporter Peggy Simpson rushed to the scene and immediately attached herself to the police officers who had converged on the building from which a sniper's bullets had been fired."I was sort of under their armpit," Simpson said, noting that every time she was able to get any information from them, she would rush to a pay phone to call her editors, and then "go back to the cops."Simpson, now 84, is among the last surviving witnesses who are sharing their stories as the nation marks the 60th anniversary of the Nov. 22, 1963, assassination on Wednesday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700660678254.png" alt="FILE - In this Nov. 22, 1963 file photo, President John F. Kennedy waves from his car in a motorcade approximately one minute before he was shot in Dallas. Riding with Kennedy are First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, right, Nellie Connally, second from left, and her husband, Texas Gov. John Connally, far left. (AP Photo/Jim Altgens, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - In this Nov. 22, 1963 file photo, President John F. Kennedy waves from his car in a motorcade approximately one minute before he was shot in Dallas. Riding with Kennedy are First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, right, Nellie Connally, second from left, and her husband, Texas Gov. John Connally, far left. (AP Photo/Jim Altgens, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>"A tangible link to the past is going to be lost when the last voices from that time period are gone," said Stephen Fagin, curator at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which tells the story of the assassination from the Texas School Book Depository, where Lee Harvey Oswald's sniper's perch was found."So many of the voices that were here, even 10 years ago, to share their memories — law enforcement officials, reporters, eyewitnesses — so many of those folks have passed away," he said.Simpson, former U.S. Secret Service Agent Clint Hill and others are featured in "JFK: One Day in America," a three-part series from National Geographic released this month that pairs their recollections with archival footage, some of which has been colorized for the first time. Director Ella Wright said that hearing from those who were there helps tell the "behind the scenes" story that augments archival footage."We wanted people to really understand what it felt like to be back there and to experience the emotional impact of those events," Wright said.People still flock to Dealey Plaza, which the presidential motorcade was passing through when Kennedy was killed."The assassination certainly defined a generation," Fagin said. "For those people who lived through it and came of age in the 1960s, it represented a significant shift in American culture."On the day of the assassination, Simpson had originally been assigned to attend an evening fundraising dinner for Kennedy in Austin. With time on her hands before she needed to leave Dallas, she was sent to watch the presidential motorcade, but she wasn't near Dealey Plaza.Simpson had no idea that anything out of the ordinary had happened until she arrived at The Dallas Times Herald's building where the AP's office was located. Stepping off an elevator, she heard a newspaper receptionist say, "All we know is that the president has been shot," and then heard the paper's editor briefing the staff.She raced to the AP office in time to watch over the bureau chief's shoulder as he filed the news to the world, and then ran out to the Texas School Book Depository to track down more information.Later, at police headquarters, she said, she witnessed "just a wild, crazy chaotic, unfathomable scene." Reporters had filled the hallways where an officer walked through with Lee Harvey Oswald 's rifle held aloft. The suspect's mother and wife arrived, and at one point authorities held a news conference where Oswald was asked questions by reporters."I was just with a great mass of other reporters, just trying to find any bit of information," she said.Two days later, Simpson was covering Oswald's transfer from police headquarters to the county jail, when nightclub owner Jack Ruby burst forth from a gaggle of news reporters and shot the suspect dead.As police officers wrestled with Ruby on the floor, Simpson rushed to a nearby bank of phones "and started dictating everything I saw to the AP editors," she said. In that moment, she was just thinking about getting out the news."As an AP reporter, you just go for the phone, you can't process anything at that point," she said.Simpson said she must have heard the gunshot but she can't remember it."Probably Ruby was 2 or 3 feet away from me but I didn't know him, didn't see him, didn't see him come out from the crowd of reporters," she said.Simpson's recollections are included in an oral history collection at the Sixth Floor Museum that now includes about 2,500 recordings, according to Fagin.The museum curator said Simpson is "a terrific example of somebody who was just where the action was that weekend and got caught up in truly historic events while simply doing her job as a professional journalist."Fagin said oral histories are still being recorded. Many of the more recent ones have been with people who were children in the '60s and remembered hearing about the assassination while at school."It's a race against time really to try to capture these recollections," Fagin said.

JFK assassination remembered 60 years later by surviving witnesses to history

TOPEKA —The holiday spirit has arrived with the annual delivery of the Christmas Tree to Cedar Crest, the Kansas Governor's Residence.

The tree is from Memory Lane Christmas Tree Farm in the Franklin County community of Rantoul, Kansas.

Governor Kelly wrote on social media, "Well wishes to all Kansans as we begin this holiday season."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700588591499.png" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —The holiday spirit has arrived with the annual delivery of the Christmas Tree to Cedar Crest, the Kansas Governor's Residence.The tree is from Memory Lane Christmas Tree Farm in the Franklin County community of Rantoul, Kansas.Governor Kelly wrote on social media, "Well wishes to all Kansans as we begin this holiday season."

Governor welcomes Christmas tree to Cedar Crest

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting are asking the public for help to find a suspect identified as 29-year-old&nbsp;Tremale M. Serrano of Topeka.

Just after 9:30 a.m., October 15, police responded to a report of an individual laying in the front yard of an address in the 1600 block of SW 21st Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

First responders located Jackson E. Danner, 23, of Topeka, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The investigation has led police to believe that there is a second suspect, identified as Tremale Serrano was involved.&nbsp; Anyone with information on Serrano is asked to contact police.

On November 14, police booked 33-year-old Aaron Serrano into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections in connection with Danner's death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700082021069.png" alt="Serrano-photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Serrano-photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting are asking the public for help to find a suspect identified as 29-year-old&nbsp;Tremale M. Serrano of Topeka.Just after 9:30 a.m., October 15, police responded to a report of an individual laying in the front yard of an address in the 1600 block of SW 21st Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.First responders located Jackson E. Danner, 23, of Topeka, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.The investigation has led police to believe that there is a second suspect, identified as Tremale Serrano was involved.&nbsp; Anyone with information on Serrano is asked to contact police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700082583370.png" alt="Aaron Serrano-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Aaron Serrano-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On November 14, police booked 33-year-old Aaron Serrano into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections in connection with Danner's death.

Police: Search continues for Kan. suspect in October killing

BAGHDAD (AP)— The United States military said Wednesday that it has carried out strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq that have launched attacks on U.S. forces.

The U.S. Central Command said in a statement Wednesday that its forces had “conducted discrete, precision strikes against two facilities in Iraq … in direct response to the attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces by Iran and Iran-backed groups,” including one on Tuesday involving the use of close-range ballistic missiles.

Two officials with Iranian-backed militias in Iraq said the strikes hit three locations in the area of Jurf al-Sakhar south of Baghdad, killing eight members of the Kataeb Hezbollah militant group. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

Iranian-backed militants have launched dozens of attacks on bases and facilities housing U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17. While most of the more than five dozen attacks have been ineffective, at least 60 U.S. personnel have reported minor injuries. The militant groups have said the strikes are in retaliation for U.S. support of Israel in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

BAGHDAD (AP)— The United States military said Wednesday that it has carried out strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq that have launched attacks on U.S. forces.The U.S. Central Command said in a statement Wednesday that its forces had “conducted discrete, precision strikes against two facilities in Iraq … in direct response to the attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces by Iran and Iran-backed groups,” including one on Tuesday involving the use of close-range ballistic missiles.Two officials with Iranian-backed militias in Iraq said the strikes hit three locations in the area of Jurf al-Sakhar south of Baghdad, killing eight members of the Kataeb Hezbollah militant group. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.Iranian-backed militants have launched dozens of attacks on bases and facilities housing U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17. While most of the more than five dozen attacks have been ineffective, at least 60 U.S. personnel have reported minor injuries. The militant groups have said the strikes are in retaliation for U.S. support of Israel in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Swift, deadly: U.S. retaliates for missile strike attack in Iraq

ST. CLAIR COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Tuesday in St. Clair County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Chevy 2500 driven by a 16-year-old El Dorado Springs boy was northbound on Route H five miles north of El Dorado Springs.

The pickup and a southbound 2014 Ford Flex driven by Remi L. Johnson, 23, Rockville, collided near the center of the road.

Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Sheldon Funeral Home.

EMS transported to the teen driver to the hospital in El Dorado Springs and a 16-year-old male passenger in the pickup to Mercy Springfield. The teen passenger was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

ST. CLAIR COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Tuesday in St. Clair County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2001 Chevy 2500 driven by a 16-year-old El Dorado Springs boy was northbound on Route H five miles north of El Dorado Springs.The pickup and a southbound 2014 Ford Flex driven by Remi L. Johnson, 23, Rockville, collided near the center of the road.Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Sheldon Funeral Home.EMS transported to the teen driver to the hospital in El Dorado Springs and a 16-year-old male passenger in the pickup to Mercy Springfield. The teen passenger was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri woman dies, teens injured after 2-vehicle crash

TOPEKA (AP) —The Kansas Highway Patrol must stop using a tactic known as the “Kansas Two-Step” to detain out-of-state drivers long enough to find a reason to search their vehicles for illegal drugs, a federal judge has ruled.

U.S. District Judge Kathryn H. Vratil on Monday granted a permanent injunction. The injunction was not unexpected. It follows Vratil's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-highway-patrol-two-step-improper-searches-5dbe23e2db8d855ed49f94fe25bbb23e">ruling in July</a>&nbsp;that determined that the tactic violated drivers' constitutional rights against unreasonable searches.

KHP spokeswoman Candice Breshears said the order is being reviewed by the state attorney general's office and declined further comment. A message left Tuesday with the office of Attorney General Kris Kobach was not immediately returned.

The injunction has several requirements, including cameras and audio for all marked and unmarked patrol cars. It also says troopers must inform drivers that they can refuse or revoke consent for a search at any time. The injunction also requires better training and documentation.

With&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-us-news-mo-state-wire-michael-brown-marijuana-5772282bc60e6b66466dae5ae1368a9c">the “Two-Step,”</a>&nbsp;troopers finish the initial traffic stop, issuing a ticket or a warning, and start to walk away, then turn back to talk more to the driver. That allows them to keep looking for grounds for a vehicle search or to buy time for drug-sniffing dogs to arrive.

The American Civil Liberties Union sued on behalf of three drivers and two passengers traveling in 2017, 2018 and 2019 from neighboring Colorado, which has legalized recreational marijuana use. The judge concluded that the patrol targeted drivers traveling along Interstate 70 to or from states that have legalized either the medical or recreational use of marijuana. Kansas has authorized neither.

“The Kansas Highway Patrol is not above the law,” Sharon Brett, legal director for the ACLU of Kansas, said in a statement Tuesday. “While KHP made various attempts to side-step accountability for its practices and put off this injunction, the Constitution has prevailed.”

The patrol previously defended its tactics as a response to I-70 serving as a major “corridor” for drug traffickers. But Vratil said in the July ruling that the patrol “waged war on motorists.”

“The war is basically a question of numbers: stop enough cars, and you’re bound to discover drugs. And what’s the harm if a few constitutional rights are trampled along the way?” she wrote.

Questions about the patrol’s tactics became more visible after Colorado legalized recreational marijuana almost a decade ago. Missouri did the same in 2022, and Oklahoma allows the medical use of marijuana. Only a handful of states don’t allow at least medical use.

TOPEKA (AP) —The Kansas Highway Patrol must stop using a tactic known as the “Kansas Two-Step” to detain out-of-state drivers long enough to find a reason to search their vehicles for illegal drugs, a federal judge has ruled.U.S. District Judge Kathryn H. Vratil on Monday granted a permanent injunction. The injunction was not unexpected. It follows Vratil's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-highway-patrol-two-step-improper-searches-5dbe23e2db8d855ed49f94fe25bbb23e">ruling in July</a>&nbsp;that determined that the tactic violated drivers' constitutional rights against unreasonable searches.KHP spokeswoman Candice Breshears said the order is being reviewed by the state attorney general's office and declined further comment. A message left Tuesday with the office of Attorney General Kris Kobach was not immediately returned.The injunction has several requirements, including cameras and audio for all marked and unmarked patrol cars. It also says troopers must inform drivers that they can refuse or revoke consent for a search at any time. The injunction also requires better training and documentation.With&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lawsuits-us-news-mo-state-wire-michael-brown-marijuana-5772282bc60e6b66466dae5ae1368a9c">the “Two-Step,”</a>&nbsp;troopers finish the initial traffic stop, issuing a ticket or a warning, and start to walk away, then turn back to talk more to the driver. That allows them to keep looking for grounds for a vehicle search or to buy time for drug-sniffing dogs to arrive.The American Civil Liberties Union sued on behalf of three drivers and two passengers traveling in 2017, 2018 and 2019 from neighboring Colorado, which has legalized recreational marijuana use. The judge concluded that the patrol targeted drivers traveling along Interstate 70 to or from states that have legalized either the medical or recreational use of marijuana. Kansas has authorized neither.“The Kansas Highway Patrol is not above the law,” Sharon Brett, legal director for the ACLU of Kansas, said in a statement Tuesday. “While KHP made various attempts to side-step accountability for its practices and put off this injunction, the Constitution has prevailed.”The patrol previously defended its tactics as a response to I-70 serving as a major “corridor” for drug traffickers. But Vratil said in the July ruling that the patrol “waged war on motorists.”“The war is basically a question of numbers: stop enough cars, and you’re bound to discover drugs. And what’s the harm if a few constitutional rights are trampled along the way?” she wrote.Questions about the patrol’s tactics became more visible after Colorado legalized recreational marijuana almost a decade ago. Missouri did the same in 2022, and Oklahoma allows the medical use of marijuana. Only a handful of states don’t allow at least medical use.

Federal judge grants injunction banning 'Kan. Two-Step' KHP tactic

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair Board on Tuesday talked to their legal counsel and after their advice, decided that it would be best to hold off a decision on any potential racetrack proposals until their January meeting.

Answers had yet to come from the Department of Administration on whether a full-year track proposal like the one laid out by Phil Nightingale would require a formal RFP process.&nbsp;

While they await those answers, they want to learn more about what the proposal with Mel Hambleton Ford in charge might look like, so Nightingale and Save Our Track leader William Nusser will be serving on a committee during December.

The commitee is to be chaired by Fair Board member Dylan Evans and to include Fair Board members John Leslie and Bob Atkisson representing the board and Fair Board member Kayla Savage serving in her capacity with the Department of Commerce.

Also, there are plans to ask a member of the Chamber or CVB to serve and to have a member from the Hutchinson City Council.

Those committee meetings will be public. Evans asked that in light of the Christmas holiday, that the committee not meet between Dec. 16 and Dec. 26.

The intent is for that committee to come back with a report for the board on Jan. 9, 2024 and for a decision to be made then.

There are issues that waiting until January creates. Sanctioning bodies want to be able to give racers an idea of which tracks will be racing when and so they usually try to get deals for the next spring done the previous fall or winter.

If the Department of Administration decides that there needs to be a lengthy RFP period of 30 or 60 days, depending on when they let the Fair Board's lawyers know, that could make it impossible to race in the spring, not to mention giving the Fair Board more potential proposals to need to look through.&nbsp;

Also, there are still the five wall panels that need to be replaced and the dirt work that needs to be done on the track itself that now likely can't happen until the ground thaws out, presuming we have freezing weather between now and the Jan. 9 meeting.

NICK GOSNELL&nbsp;Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas State Fair Board on Tuesday talked to their legal counsel and after their advice, decided that it would be best to hold off a decision on any potential racetrack proposals until their January meeting.Answers had yet to come from the Department of Administration on whether a full-year track proposal like the one laid out by Phil Nightingale would require a formal RFP process.&nbsp;While they await those answers, they want to learn more about what the proposal with Mel Hambleton Ford in charge might look like, so Nightingale and Save Our Track leader William Nusser will be serving on a committee during December.The commitee is to be chaired by Fair Board member Dylan Evans and to include Fair Board members John Leslie and Bob Atkisson representing the board and Fair Board member Kayla Savage serving in her capacity with the Department of Commerce.Also, there are plans to ask a member of the Chamber or CVB to serve and to have a member from the Hutchinson City Council.Those committee meetings will be public. Evans asked that in light of the Christmas holiday, that the committee not meet between Dec. 16 and Dec. 26.The intent is for that committee to come back with a report for the board on Jan. 9, 2024 and for a decision to be made then.There are issues that waiting until January creates. Sanctioning bodies want to be able to give racers an idea of which tracks will be racing when and so they usually try to get deals for the next spring done the previous fall or winter.If the Department of Administration decides that there needs to be a lengthy RFP period of 30 or 60 days, depending on when they let the Fair Board's lawyers know, that could make it impossible to race in the spring, not to mention giving the Fair Board more potential proposals to need to look through.&nbsp;Also, there are still the five wall panels that need to be replaced and the dirt work that needs to be done on the track itself that now likely can't happen until the ground thaws out, presuming we have freezing weather between now and the Jan. 9 meeting.

Future still uncertain for Kansas State Fair race track

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT&nbsp;Hays Post

A Hays man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing his wife and trying to cover it up as a suicide.

Colby Alan Trickle, 29, was&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b6c032e6-536c-4ad8-b646-fea6b6b293bf">found guilty</a>&nbsp;by a jury in September of first degree premeditated murder and interference with law enforcement.

On the morning of Oct. 31, 2019, 26-year-old Kristen Trickle&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/dc229296-d187-4557-9cd4-e18e936e0994">was found dead&nbsp;</a>of a gunshot wound to the head at her home. The 911 caller reported the incident as a suicide.

But according to Assistant Ellis County Attorney Aaron Cunningham, investigators worked through the evidence and determined that Kristen was murdered, and they identified her husband, Colby, as the main suspect.

In front of a standing room only courtroom, at Monday’s hearing in Ellis County District Court, Cunningham said investigators determined that 10 days before Kristen was found dead, Colby Trickle searched the internet for information on how to collect on her life insurance policy.

Trickle was also engaged in an online affair at the time, according to investigators. Investigators also learned that Colby collected on Kristen’s life insurance policies, and he spent all of the money in just a few months after her death.

Cunningham said during Monday’s sentencing that Colby, “murdered his wife for insurance money and then wasted it.”

During his allocution Colby apologized for being a bad husband and son but continued to claim that he did not shoot his wife and that he was being “wrongfully persecuted.”

Chief Judge of the 23rd Judicial District Court, Glenn Braun oversaw the trial and Monday’s sentencing and said that Colby, Trickle’s mother, who testified on his behalf, and two family members of Kristen’s who spoke on her behalf all talked about family.

But there is only one person that won’t be involved with her family again and that is Kristen.

Braun added there was clear evidence her murder was connected to money. “There is clear evidence that this crime was committed for financial gain,” Braun said. And that Trickle has, “refused to take one iota of responsibility.”

Cunningham applauded the work of all those involved in the prosecution, including the investigators with he Hays Police Department and Kansas Bureau of Investigation, court and the county attorney’s staff and Kristen’s family.

He also apologized for a nearly year and a half delay in the case.

According to County Attorney Robert Anderson, Kristen’s case was among dozens that were caught in a backlog at the county attorney’s office when he took office.

Anderson said that investigators urged his office to take another look at the case and that Cunningham was eager to take the lead in the case and bring justice for Kristen and her family.

Monday, just three days before his 30th birthday, Colby was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for 50 years for first degree, premeditated murder. Braun also sentenced Colby to six months for interfering with law enforcement.

Kristen’s remains are still in the possession of Colby’s mother and the county attorney’s office filed a motion to get her ashes back for her family.

The defense argued the motion should go before a civil court judge to determine what is ultimately done with her ashes.

County Attorney Robert Anderson asked that while the case moves forward in civil court, that the Hays Police Department be allowed to house them for safe keeping. Colby refused.

Braun ordered Colby’s mother to hand over the remains to the police when they ask while the civil case is decided.

Colby was remanded to the care of the Ellis County Sheriff’s department and will be transported to Kansas Department of Corrections custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714143945539.png" alt="Trickle is being held in the Ellsworth Correctional Facility" />
 <figcaption>Trickle is being held in the Ellsworth Correctional Facility</figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT&nbsp;Hays PostA Hays man has been sentenced to life in prison for killing his wife and trying to cover it up as a suicide.Colby Alan Trickle, 29, was&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/b6c032e6-536c-4ad8-b646-fea6b6b293bf">found guilty</a>&nbsp;by a jury in September of first degree premeditated murder and interference with law enforcement.On the morning of Oct. 31, 2019, 26-year-old Kristen Trickle&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/dc229296-d187-4557-9cd4-e18e936e0994">was found dead&nbsp;</a>of a gunshot wound to the head at her home. The 911 caller reported the incident as a suicide.But according to Assistant Ellis County Attorney Aaron Cunningham, investigators worked through the evidence and determined that Kristen was murdered, and they identified her husband, Colby, as the main suspect.In front of a standing room only courtroom, at Monday’s hearing in Ellis County District Court, Cunningham said investigators determined that 10 days before Kristen was found dead, Colby Trickle searched the internet for information on how to collect on her life insurance policy.Trickle was also engaged in an online affair at the time, according to investigators. Investigators also learned that Colby collected on Kristen’s life insurance policies, and he spent all of the money in just a few months after her death.Cunningham said during Monday’s sentencing that Colby, “murdered his wife for insurance money and then wasted it.”During his allocution Colby apologized for being a bad husband and son but continued to claim that he did not shoot his wife and that he was being “wrongfully persecuted.”Chief Judge of the 23rd Judicial District Court, Glenn Braun oversaw the trial and Monday’s sentencing and said that Colby, Trickle’s mother, who testified on his behalf, and two family members of Kristen’s who spoke on her behalf all talked about family.But there is only one person that won’t be involved with her family again and that is Kristen.Braun added there was clear evidence her murder was connected to money. “There is clear evidence that this crime was committed for financial gain,” Braun said. And that Trickle has, “refused to take one iota of responsibility.”Cunningham applauded the work of all those involved in the prosecution, including the investigators with he Hays Police Department and Kansas Bureau of Investigation, court and the county attorney’s staff and Kristen’s family.He also apologized for a nearly year and a half delay in the case.According to County Attorney Robert Anderson, Kristen’s case was among dozens that were caught in a backlog at the county attorney’s office when he took office.Anderson said that investigators urged his office to take another look at the case and that Cunningham was eager to take the lead in the case and bring justice for Kristen and her family.Monday, just three days before his 30th birthday, Colby was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for 50 years for first degree, premeditated murder. Braun also sentenced Colby to six months for interfering with law enforcement.Kristen’s remains are still in the possession of Colby’s mother and the county attorney’s office filed a motion to get her ashes back for her family.The defense argued the motion should go before a civil court judge to determine what is ultimately done with her ashes.County Attorney Robert Anderson asked that while the case moves forward in civil court, that the Hays Police Department be allowed to house them for safe keeping. Colby refused.Braun ordered Colby’s mother to hand over the remains to the police when they ask while the civil case is decided.Colby was remanded to the care of the Ellis County Sheriff’s department and will be transported to Kansas Department of Corrections custody.

NW Kan. man killed his wife to collect life insurance

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved a cease-fire deal with the Hamas militant group that would bring a temporary halt to a devastating war that has stretched on for over six weeks and release dozens of hostages being held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli prisons.

Under the deal, Hamas is to free 50 of the roughly 240 hostages it is holding in the Gaza Strip over a four-day period, the Israeli government said Wednesday. It said it would extend the lull by an additional day for every 10 hostages released.

The government said the first hostages to be released would be women and children.

Ahead of Wednesday morning’s Cabinet vote, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would resume its offensive against Hamas after the cease-fire expires.

It was not immediately clear when the truce would go into effect.

Netanyahu convened his Cabinet for the vote late Tuesday. The meeting stretched well into the early hours Wednesday, underscoring the sensitivity of a proposal that would suspend an Israeli offensive against Hamas before it has reached its goals.

Ahead of the vote, Netanyahu sought to assure the government ministers that the break was only tactical, vowing to resume the offensive after the truce expires. Top security officials also attended the meeting.

“We are at war, and we will continue the war,” Netanyahu said. “We will continue until we achieve all our goals.”

Israel has vowed to continue the war until it destroys Hamas’ military capabilities and returns all hostages.

Netanyahu said that during the lull, intelligence efforts will be maintained, allowing the army to prepare for the next stages of battle. He said the battle would continue until “Gaza will not threaten Israel.”

The announcement came as Israeli troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">battled Palestinian militants</a>&nbsp;in an urban refugee camp in northern Gaza and around hospitals overcrowded with patients and sheltering families.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696679013332.png" alt="File photo -Palestinians wave their national flag and celebrate by a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis southern Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Yousef Masoud)" />
 <figcaption>File photo -Palestinians wave their national flag and celebrate by a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis southern Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Yousef Masoud)</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved a cease-fire deal with the Hamas militant group that would bring a temporary halt to a devastating war that has stretched on for over six weeks and release dozens of hostages being held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli prisons.Under the deal, Hamas is to free 50 of the roughly 240 hostages it is holding in the Gaza Strip over a four-day period, the Israeli government said Wednesday. It said it would extend the lull by an additional day for every 10 hostages released.The government said the first hostages to be released would be women and children.Ahead of Wednesday morning’s Cabinet vote, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would resume its offensive against Hamas after the cease-fire expires.It was not immediately clear when the truce would go into effect.Netanyahu convened his Cabinet for the vote late Tuesday. The meeting stretched well into the early hours Wednesday, underscoring the sensitivity of a proposal that would suspend an Israeli offensive against Hamas before it has reached its goals.Ahead of the vote, Netanyahu sought to assure the government ministers that the break was only tactical, vowing to resume the offensive after the truce expires. Top security officials also attended the meeting.“We are at war, and we will continue the war,” Netanyahu said. “We will continue until we achieve all our goals.”Israel has vowed to continue the war until it destroys Hamas’ military capabilities and returns all hostages.Netanyahu said that during the lull, intelligence efforts will be maintained, allowing the army to prepare for the next stages of battle. He said the battle would continue until “Gaza will not threaten Israel.”The announcement came as Israeli troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">battled Palestinian militants</a>&nbsp;in an urban refugee camp in northern Gaza and around hospitals overcrowded with patients and sheltering families.

Israel approves cease-fire hostage deal with Hamas

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating&nbsp; a&nbsp; shooting that sent a child to the hospital have a suspect in custody.

On Monday police asked for help to locate 16-year-old&nbsp;&nbsp;Anthony Rocky Guerrero III for the Sunday evening gunfire near the 6700 Block of SW Greencastle Drive in Topeka, according to Sheriff's Lieutenant Scott Wanamaker.&nbsp;

A 9-year-old&nbsp; had been struck by the gunfire. He was inside a home and was struck in his left leg. EMS transported the boy to a local hospital for treatment. There were 3 adults and 5 juveniles in the home at the time of the shooting, according to Wanamaker.

After shooting at the residence the two suspects fled the area on foot, entered a silver passenger car in the 6800 Block SW Rockpost Road and fled the scene.&nbsp; &nbsp;Guerrero turned himself in and was booked into the Shawnee County Juvenile Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, Criminal Discharge of a Firearm at an occupied dwelling and Felony Criminal Damage to Property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700520416350.png" alt="Guerrero III photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Guerrero III photo Shawnee Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating&nbsp; a&nbsp; shooting that sent a child to the hospital have a suspect in custody.On Monday police asked for help to locate 16-year-old&nbsp;&nbsp;Anthony Rocky Guerrero III for the Sunday evening gunfire near the 6700 Block of SW Greencastle Drive in Topeka, according to Sheriff's Lieutenant Scott Wanamaker.&nbsp;A 9-year-old&nbsp; had been struck by the gunfire. He was inside a home and was struck in his left leg. EMS transported the boy to a local hospital for treatment. There were 3 adults and 5 juveniles in the home at the time of the shooting, according to Wanamaker.After shooting at the residence the two suspects fled the area on foot, entered a silver passenger car in the 6800 Block SW Rockpost Road and fled the scene.&nbsp; &nbsp;Guerrero turned himself in and was booked into the Shawnee County Juvenile Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Battery, Aggravated Assault, Criminal Discharge of a Firearm at an occupied dwelling and Felony Criminal Damage to Property.

Suspect in shooting that injured 9-year-old turns himself in

KANSAS CITY (AP) —The Missouri Supreme Court has turned away an appeal about how to word a ballot question on access to abortion in the state.

Missouri lawmakers have already banned abortion except in cases of medical emergency, but proponents of broader access to the procedure are seeking to put a question about it directly before voters next year. In all seven states where abortion has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-us-supreme-court-health-michigan-23bfba4a07de57b175d9de1281ecace6">on the ballot</a>&nbsp;since the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">struck down Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;last year, voters have either supported protecting abortion rights or rejected attempts to erode them.

In Missouri, officials and advocates on both sides are grappling with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-abortion-68362de7c0c0f6344543308ec4569b5b">how to word the question</a>&nbsp;that could go on the ballot. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has proposed asking voters whether they are in favor of allowing “dangerous and unregulated abortions until live birth.”

A state appeals court in October&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-ballot-constitution-ruling-edb5f44fc0f9799d01cda22cd1f70b40">said the wording was politically partisan</a>. Ashcroft appealed the decision, but on Monday the Missouri Supreme Court declined to hear his argument.

Summaries are used on Missouri ballots to help voters understand sometimes lengthy and complex constitutional amendments and other ballot proposals. Ashcroft, who is running for governor in 2024, said his wording “fairly and accurately reflects the scope and magnitude" of each of the six proposed abortion rights ballot measures.

“My responsibility as secretary of state is to make sure the people of Missouri have ballot language that they can understand and trust," Ashcroft said in a news release. "If these petitions make it to the ballot, the people will decide. I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure Missourians know the truth.”

A statement from the ACLU of Missouri said the “repeated rejection of the Secretary of State’s arguments verify that his case has no legal bearing."

Ashcroft is the son of John Ashcroft, a former governor, U.S. senator and U.S. attorney general under President George W. Bush. Jay Ashcroft is among four Republicans who have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/governor-missouri-ashcroft-election-republican-cceea45c2a7369a9ec37ea85ec6998c6">announced their candidacies</a>&nbsp;for governor next year.

Ashcroft’s original description of the proposed abortion amendments, which could go on the ballot in 2024 if supporters gather enough voter signatures, would have asked voters whether they want to “allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth, without requiring a medical license or potentially being subject to medical malpractice.”

In October, an appeals court panel wrote that allowing unrestricted abortion “during all nine months of pregnancy is not a probable effect of initiatives.” The panel largely upheld summaries that were written by a lower court judge to be more impartial.

Those summaries would tell voters the amendments would “establish a right to make decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives” and “remove Missouri’s ban on abortion.”

Missouri's current law makes most abortion a felony punishable by five to 15 years in prison for anyone who performs or induces one. Medical professionals who do so also could lose their licenses. The law prohibits women who undergo abortions from being prosecuted.

Earlier this month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-amendment-election-2023-fe3e06747b616507d8ca21ea26485270">Ohio voters approved</a>&nbsp;a constitutional amendment that ensures access to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care.

Measures to protect abortion access will be on 2024 ballots in Maryland and New York. Legislative efforts or petition drives are underway in a variety of other states. There are efforts to protect or expand access in Arizona, Florida, Nevada and South Dakota; and to restrict it in Iowa, Nebraska and Pennsylvania. Drives are on for both kinds of measures in Colorado.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695984365207.png" alt="Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft photo Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft photo Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —The Missouri Supreme Court has turned away an appeal about how to word a ballot question on access to abortion in the state.Missouri lawmakers have already banned abortion except in cases of medical emergency, but proponents of broader access to the procedure are seeking to put a question about it directly before voters next year. In all seven states where abortion has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-us-supreme-court-health-michigan-23bfba4a07de57b175d9de1281ecace6">on the ballot</a>&nbsp;since the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">struck down Roe v. Wade</a>&nbsp;last year, voters have either supported protecting abortion rights or rejected attempts to erode them.In Missouri, officials and advocates on both sides are grappling with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-abortion-68362de7c0c0f6344543308ec4569b5b">how to word the question</a>&nbsp;that could go on the ballot. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has proposed asking voters whether they are in favor of allowing “dangerous and unregulated abortions until live birth.”A state appeals court in October&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-ballot-constitution-ruling-edb5f44fc0f9799d01cda22cd1f70b40">said the wording was politically partisan</a>. Ashcroft appealed the decision, but on Monday the Missouri Supreme Court declined to hear his argument.Summaries are used on Missouri ballots to help voters understand sometimes lengthy and complex constitutional amendments and other ballot proposals. Ashcroft, who is running for governor in 2024, said his wording “fairly and accurately reflects the scope and magnitude" of each of the six proposed abortion rights ballot measures.“My responsibility as secretary of state is to make sure the people of Missouri have ballot language that they can understand and trust," Ashcroft said in a news release. "If these petitions make it to the ballot, the people will decide. I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure Missourians know the truth.”A statement from the ACLU of Missouri said the “repeated rejection of the Secretary of State’s arguments verify that his case has no legal bearing."Ashcroft is the son of John Ashcroft, a former governor, U.S. senator and U.S. attorney general under President George W. Bush. Jay Ashcroft is among four Republicans who have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/governor-missouri-ashcroft-election-republican-cceea45c2a7369a9ec37ea85ec6998c6">announced their candidacies</a>&nbsp;for governor next year.Ashcroft’s original description of the proposed abortion amendments, which could go on the ballot in 2024 if supporters gather enough voter signatures, would have asked voters whether they want to “allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth, without requiring a medical license or potentially being subject to medical malpractice.”In October, an appeals court panel wrote that allowing unrestricted abortion “during all nine months of pregnancy is not a probable effect of initiatives.” The panel largely upheld summaries that were written by a lower court judge to be more impartial.Those summaries would tell voters the amendments would “establish a right to make decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion and contraceptives” and “remove Missouri’s ban on abortion.”Missouri's current law makes most abortion a felony punishable by five to 15 years in prison for anyone who performs or induces one. Medical professionals who do so also could lose their licenses. The law prohibits women who undergo abortions from being prosecuted.Earlier this month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-abortion-amendment-election-2023-fe3e06747b616507d8ca21ea26485270">Ohio voters approved</a>&nbsp;a constitutional amendment that ensures access to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care.Measures to protect abortion access will be on 2024 ballots in Maryland and New York. Legislative efforts or petition drives are underway in a variety of other states. There are efforts to protect or expand access in Arizona, Florida, Nevada and South Dakota; and to restrict it in Iowa, Nebraska and Pennsylvania. Drives are on for both kinds of measures in Colorado.

Mo. high court deals blow to secretary of state's ballot language on abortion

TOPEKA—The seven justices of the Kansas Supreme Court released&nbsp; statement Tuesday regarding the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascourts.org/l/YfC9KYIruu6U4lwgZ_7uY8aGO8DWUAUpM0srItPWdHE" target="_blank">October 12 security incident</a>&nbsp;that disrupted access to information systems used by courts statewide.

The disruption left attorneys unable to search online records and forced them to file motions the old fashioned way — on paper. Courts limped along, although the growing piles of paper are a mess that will have to be sorted and scanned eventually.

According to the statement from Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert and Justices Eric Rosen, Dan Biles, Caleb Stegall, Evelyn Wilson, K.J. Wall, and Melissa Standridge:

“A few weeks ago, the Kansas judicial branch was a victim of a sophisticated foreign cyberattack that impacted the information systems used by the Kansas judicial branch. This attack has temporarily incapacitated Kansas Office of Judicial Administration information systems, affecting daily operations of the state’s appellate courts and district courts in 104 counties.

“When we discovered the attack, we quickly disconnected our information systems from external access. We notified state authorities, and since that time have benefited from the continued support provided by the governor’s office, legislative leadership, and state and federal law enforcement. This attack—on one of our three branches of government—was made against all Kansans.

“While the impact on our information systems is temporary, the cybercriminals also stole data and threatened to post it to a dark web site if their demands were not met. We are working with cybersecurity experts to identify the data quickly and securely so we can conduct a comprehensive review to determine the full scope of what personal information the cybercriminals may have stolen. Based on our preliminary review, it appears the stolen information includes Office of Judicial Administration files, district court case records on appeal, and other data, some of which may be confidential under law. A full review of what may have been stolen is a high priority to us but it will take time. Once this review is complete, we will notify those affected. As we respond to this criminal attack, we will continue to update our incident response page.

“Cyberattacks on government entities are rampant. According to the 2022 FBI IC3 Internet Crime report, government is the third most-targeted sector for such attacks. Cybercrime is a persistent and serious threat to our democratic institutions. With the help of cybersecurity experts, we are buttressing our systems to guard against future attacks. It will likely take several weeks to return safely to normal operations, including electronic filing, but we will do so.

“This assault on the Kansas system of justice is evil and criminal. Today, we express our deep sorrow that Kansans will suffer at the hands of these cybercriminals.

“Throughout this incident, our decisions have been guided by our foundational values. Chief among those is our dedication to upholding and abiding by the rule of law. By adhering to those values at this profoundly trying time, we seek to demonstrate that no malicious element is more powerful than the rule of law and the institutions that abide by it.”

TOPEKA—The seven justices of the Kansas Supreme Court released&nbsp; statement Tuesday regarding the&nbsp;<a href="https://kansascourts.org/l/YfC9KYIruu6U4lwgZ_7uY8aGO8DWUAUpM0srItPWdHE" target="_blank">October 12 security incident</a>&nbsp;that disrupted access to information systems used by courts statewide.The disruption left attorneys unable to search online records and forced them to file motions the old fashioned way — on paper. Courts limped along, although the growing piles of paper are a mess that will have to be sorted and scanned eventually.According to the statement from Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert and Justices Eric Rosen, Dan Biles, Caleb Stegall, Evelyn Wilson, K.J. Wall, and Melissa Standridge:“A few weeks ago, the Kansas judicial branch was a victim of a sophisticated foreign cyberattack that impacted the information systems used by the Kansas judicial branch. This attack has temporarily incapacitated Kansas Office of Judicial Administration information systems, affecting daily operations of the state’s appellate courts and district courts in 104 counties.“When we discovered the attack, we quickly disconnected our information systems from external access. We notified state authorities, and since that time have benefited from the continued support provided by the governor’s office, legislative leadership, and state and federal law enforcement. This attack—on one of our three branches of government—was made against all Kansans.“While the impact on our information systems is temporary, the cybercriminals also stole data and threatened to post it to a dark web site if their demands were not met. We are working with cybersecurity experts to identify the data quickly and securely so we can conduct a comprehensive review to determine the full scope of what personal information the cybercriminals may have stolen. Based on our preliminary review, it appears the stolen information includes Office of Judicial Administration files, district court case records on appeal, and other data, some of which may be confidential under law. A full review of what may have been stolen is a high priority to us but it will take time. Once this review is complete, we will notify those affected. As we respond to this criminal attack, we will continue to update our incident response page.“Cyberattacks on government entities are rampant. According to the 2022 FBI IC3 Internet Crime report, government is the third most-targeted sector for such attacks. Cybercrime is a persistent and serious threat to our democratic institutions. With the help of cybersecurity experts, we are buttressing our systems to guard against future attacks. It will likely take several weeks to return safely to normal operations, including electronic filing, but we will do so.“This assault on the Kansas system of justice is evil and criminal. Today, we express our deep sorrow that Kansans will suffer at the hands of these cybercriminals.“Throughout this incident, our decisions have been guided by our foundational values. Chief among those is our dedication to upholding and abiding by the rule of law. By adhering to those values at this profoundly trying time, we seek to demonstrate that no malicious element is more powerful than the rule of law and the institutions that abide by it.”

Kan. court system suffered a sophisticated foreign cyber-attack

WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden" target="_blank">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;celebrated his 81st birthday on Monday by joking repeatedly about his advanced age, even as the White House strongly defended his stamina and batted away polling — and one prominent Democrat — suggesting that the issue could cost him votes in next year’s election.

(click below to watch the President's birthday comments)

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president’s age should not be a primary focus.

“Our perspective is, it’s not about age, it’s about the president’s experience,” she said while highlighting that Biden had successfully championed through Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gun-violence-biden-covid-health-d604eede16665ee38b8113aa897a321d" target="_blank">several major pieces of legislation</a>&nbsp;— including a sweeping public works package and initiative on public health and combating climate change — and visited active war zones not controlled by the U.S. military in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-biden-f00af220669457d5ba07127c7e57a27b" target="_blank">Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-israel-hamas-gaza-palestinians-a85cb682fdc61b80285cf4ab354354ce" target="_blank">Israel</a>.

“What we say is we have to judge him by what he’s done, not by his numbers,” Jean-Pierre said. “I would put the president’s stamina, the president’s wisdom, ability to get this done on behalf of the American people, against anyone. Anyone, any day of the week.”

“By the way, it’s my birthday today,” Biden told a crowd on the White House South Lawn as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-turkey-pardon-liberty-bell-thanksgiving-014375a236ba6a5995f6ed3d32c540c3" target="_blank">pardoned</a>&nbsp;Thanksgiving turkeys Liberty and Bell.

“I just want you to know, it’s difficult turning 60,” the president added with a chuckle. “Difficult.”&nbsp;On Instagram the President wrote, "Thanks for the birthday well-wishes today, everyone. Turns out on your 146th birthday, you run out of space for candles!"

Noting that the pre-Thanksgiving pardoning ceremony dated back 76 years, Biden also said, “I want you to know I wasn’t there — for the first one.”

The oldest president in U.S. history, Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-age-2024-campaign-oldest-president-voters-92d4f3daee6e12cb1cd6f119c7f6053a" target="_blank">for months has used humor to try to defuse the issue</a>&nbsp;— even as polls suggest it’s no laughing matter. An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-age-poll-trump-2024-620e0a5cfa0039a6448f607c17c7f23e" target="_blank">August poll</a>&nbsp;from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 77% of U.S. adults, including 69% of Democrats, viewed Biden as too old to be effective for four more years.

As he seeks a second term, Biden could be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-trump-biden-rematch-labor-day-c84d0905fd5d238e088618c5ed41c2e7" target="_blank">headed for a rematch</a>&nbsp;with former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a>, who is 77 and was the oldest person elected to a first term until Biden was. Trump has himself&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-age-biden-trump-gaffes-flubs-c46427d30471f79ee695d3e76f4d17f4" target="_blank">made some recent, notable gaffes</a>. Yet the same AP-NROC poll found that 51% of adults — and just 28% of Republicans — said Trump was too old for a second term.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700577671457.png" alt="On Instagram the President wrote, "Thanks for the birthday well-wishes today, everyone. Turns out on your 146th birthday, you run out of space for candles!"" />
 <figcaption>On Instagram the President wrote, "Thanks for the birthday well-wishes today, everyone. Turns out on your 146th birthday, you run out of space for candles!"</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden" target="_blank">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;celebrated his 81st birthday on Monday by joking repeatedly about his advanced age, even as the White House strongly defended his stamina and batted away polling — and one prominent Democrat — suggesting that the issue could cost him votes in next year’s election.(click below to watch the President's birthday comments)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FPOTUS%2Fvideos%2F1077715389929484%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=232" 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>White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president’s age should not be a primary focus.“Our perspective is, it’s not about age, it’s about the president’s experience,” she said while highlighting that Biden had successfully championed through Congress&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gun-violence-biden-covid-health-d604eede16665ee38b8113aa897a321d" target="_blank">several major pieces of legislation</a>&nbsp;— including a sweeping public works package and initiative on public health and combating climate change — and visited active war zones not controlled by the U.S. military in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-biden-f00af220669457d5ba07127c7e57a27b" target="_blank">Ukraine</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-israel-hamas-gaza-palestinians-a85cb682fdc61b80285cf4ab354354ce" target="_blank">Israel</a>.“What we say is we have to judge him by what he’s done, not by his numbers,” Jean-Pierre said. “I would put the president’s stamina, the president’s wisdom, ability to get this done on behalf of the American people, against anyone. Anyone, any day of the week.”Biden, for his part, went for humor.“By the way, it’s my birthday today,” Biden told a crowd on the White House South Lawn as he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-turkey-pardon-liberty-bell-thanksgiving-014375a236ba6a5995f6ed3d32c540c3" target="_blank">pardoned</a>&nbsp;Thanksgiving turkeys Liberty and Bell.“I just want you to know, it’s difficult turning 60,” the president added with a chuckle. “Difficult.”&nbsp;On Instagram the President wrote, "Thanks for the birthday well-wishes today, everyone. Turns out on your 146th birthday, you run out of space for candles!"Noting that the pre-Thanksgiving pardoning ceremony dated back 76 years, Biden also said, “I want you to know I wasn’t there — for the first one.”The oldest president in U.S. history, Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-age-2024-campaign-oldest-president-voters-92d4f3daee6e12cb1cd6f119c7f6053a" target="_blank">for months has used humor to try to defuse the issue</a>&nbsp;— even as polls suggest it’s no laughing matter. An&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-age-poll-trump-2024-620e0a5cfa0039a6448f607c17c7f23e" target="_blank">August poll</a>&nbsp;from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 77% of U.S. adults, including 69% of Democrats, viewed Biden as too old to be effective for four more years.As he seeks a second term, Biden could be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-trump-biden-rematch-labor-day-c84d0905fd5d238e088618c5ed41c2e7" target="_blank">headed for a rematch</a>&nbsp;with former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump" target="_blank">Donald Trump</a>, who is 77 and was the oldest person elected to a first term until Biden was. Trump has himself&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-age-biden-trump-gaffes-flubs-c46427d30471f79ee695d3e76f4d17f4" target="_blank">made some recent, notable gaffes</a>. Yet the same AP-NROC poll found that 51% of adults — and just 28% of Republicans — said Trump was too old for a second term.

Biden marks '146th birthday' with flaming cake

BAGHDAD (AP)— A strike hit a base housing U.S. troops in Iraq early Tuesday, causing “minor injuries to U.S. personnel and damage to infrastructure,” a U.S. military official in the country said.

The official said U.S. forces “responded in self-defense against those who carried out the strike” on al-Asad military base in western Iraq. A second defense official confirmed that a U.S. gunship was used in a retaliatory strike Tuesday after militants hit the base. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Also early Tuesday, a drone strike on a highway west of Baghdad targeted two pickup trucks linked to the Kataeb Hezbollah militia, killing one militia member and injuring at least three others, two militia officials said.

The militia officials, who also spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said the strike hit a convoy traveling from Anbar to Baghdad. Later on Tuesday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed militias, issued a statement announcing the death of one of its members in Iraq in what it said was a U.S. airstrike.

It was not immediately clear if the strike that killed the Kataeb Hezbollah member was the same one launched in retaliation to the attack on the al-Assad base.

The two incidents come as Iranian-backed militants have launched dozens of attacks on bases and facilities housing U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17. While most of the more than five dozen attacks have been ineffective, at least 60 U.S. personnel have reported minor injuries. The militant groups have said that the strikes are in retaliation for U.S. support of Israel in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

BAGHDAD (AP)— A strike hit a base housing U.S. troops in Iraq early Tuesday, causing “minor injuries to U.S. personnel and damage to infrastructure,” a U.S. military official in the country said.The official said U.S. forces “responded in self-defense against those who carried out the strike” on al-Asad military base in western Iraq. A second defense official confirmed that a U.S. gunship was used in a retaliatory strike Tuesday after militants hit the base. Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.Also early Tuesday, a drone strike on a highway west of Baghdad targeted two pickup trucks linked to the Kataeb Hezbollah militia, killing one militia member and injuring at least three others, two militia officials said.The militia officials, who also spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said the strike hit a convoy traveling from Anbar to Baghdad. Later on Tuesday, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-backed militias, issued a statement announcing the death of one of its members in Iraq in what it said was a U.S. airstrike.It was not immediately clear if the strike that killed the Kataeb Hezbollah member was the same one launched in retaliation to the attack on the al-Assad base.The two incidents come as Iranian-backed militants have launched dozens of attacks on bases and facilities housing U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17. While most of the more than five dozen attacks have been ineffective, at least 60 U.S. personnel have reported minor injuries. The militant groups have said that the strikes are in retaliation for U.S. support of Israel in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Injuries reported after strike hits base with U.S. troops 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authoriites investigating a homicide that occurred in the 2000 Block of N. 18th Street in Kansas City, Kansas have identified the victim as 32-year-old Darrius Fant of Kansas City, Kansas, according to police detectives.

Shortly after midnight Saturday, police were dispatched to a shots fired call, according to a media release from the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department

First responders found Fant who had been struck by gunfire in a parking lot and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A second&nbsp; man was also found struck by gunfire. He was transported to an area hospital and he remains in critical condition.

This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit. Police have not released the names of the victims or reported an arrest.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement authoriites investigating a homicide that occurred in the 2000 Block of N. 18th Street in Kansas City, Kansas have identified the victim as 32-year-old Darrius Fant of Kansas City, Kansas, according to police detectives.Shortly after midnight Saturday, police were dispatched to a shots fired call, according to a media release from the Kansas City, Kansas Police DepartmentFirst responders found Fant who had been struck by gunfire in a parking lot and was pronounced deceased at the scene.A second&nbsp; man was also found struck by gunfire. He was transported to an area hospital and he remains in critical condition.This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit. Police have not released the names of the victims or reported an arrest.

Police ID man who died after Kan. parking lot shooting

By CASEY QUINLAN,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/19/rural-hospitals-gird-for-unwinding-of-pandemic-medicaid-coverage/">States Newsroom</a>

Black Friday shoppers may notice longer lines and fewer retail associates in some of their favorite stores than in past holiday seasons as retailers scale back seasonal hiring over concerns about consumer spending.

JCPenney is hiring 12,000 fewer workers than last year. Macy’s 3,000 fewer. Meanwhile a Walmart executive&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7117257057619087360/">said</a>&nbsp;the retail giant has been hiring “throughout the year” and plans to serve customers with the workers it has. And Challenger, Gray, and Christmas, which tracks employment trends, reported that so far, this year has had the fewest announcements of large-scale seasonal hiring plans since 2013.

“Hiring is a really good indication of retailers’ sentiment of the expectation of holiday (sales) and when they’re kind of ho-hum about increasing the numbers, that really does demonstrate their number one concern for less than gangbuster sales,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at the NPD Group, a market research company.

The careful approach to hiring reflects the mixed messages in the economy. The labor market has remained resilient with an unemployment rate below 4% for the 21st straight month, inflation has fallen and wages have risen. Since 2021, inflation-adjusted&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PCEDGC96">consumer spending</a>&nbsp;on retail goods has remained fairly high. But the personal savings rate has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PSAVERT">fallen</a>&nbsp;since May and credit card delinquency rates&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newyorkfed.org/newsevents/news/research/2023/20231107#:~:text=NEW%20YORK%E2%80%94The%20Federal%20Reserve,of%202023%2C%20to%20%2417.29%20trillion.">are up</a>.

<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/01/borrowers-weigh-personal-professional-options-as-student-loan-payments-resume/">Economists</a>, as well as retailers, have signaled that they are worried about the effects of the return of student loan payments on the health of the economy, since consumer spending&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.usbank.com/investing/financial-perspectives/market-news/consumer-spending.html#:~:text=Consumer%20spending%20plays%20the%20most,the%20nation%27s%20Gross%20Domestic%20Product.">represents</a>&nbsp;so much of the U.S.’s economic activity. The Fed’s long campaign to raise interest rates, although paused at the moment, has also affected consumers.

Adrian Mitchell, chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Macy’s Inc.,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=kxbMP5Rp">said</a>&nbsp;in the second quarter earnings call in August that Macy’s is thinking about “consumers’ ability to pay debt using their disposable income.”

“This is about credit card balances, this is about student loans, which we know is going to come into focus in the next month or two, auto loans, mortgages,” he said. “So we just believe the customer is coming under pressure because of these new realities that they have to continue to deal with as we get through the back half of this year and move into next year.”

Cohen said retailers are basically trying to protect their margins. “The retailer this year is basically saying we’re going to do what we have to do to get the volume, but we’re also going to protect the margin and what that means is hire and have less than what we need, but we are better off than having more than what we need,” he said. “And that’s the same for merchandise … Instead of chasing one sale by buying more merchandise, I’m better off as a retailer, saying, ‘OK, I’ve sold out. Maybe you should buy something else and this way I don’t have to discount it all that much.’ ”

More customers — 79% compared to 74% last year — said that they will either look for cheaper alternatives this holiday shopping season or not make the purchases at all, according to a Nov. 6 McKinsey&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/us-holiday-shopping-2023-consumer-caution-and-retailer-resilience">report</a>. A smaller percentage of customers said they were willing to “splurge” on gifts this year and fewer people plan to shop at traditional stores.

Still, holiday sales are expected to grow, just less than the past three years. The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/2023-holiday-reach-record-spending-levels#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20%E2%80%93%20The%20National%20Retail%20Federation,returning%20to%20pre%2Dpandemic%20levels.">National Retail Federation estimates</a>&nbsp;that retail sales during November and December will increase 3 to 4%, down from a 5.4% increase last year. But what people are buying may be different. “Service spending growth is strong and is growing faster than goods spending,” said the NRF’s Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz.

The NRF also pointed out that online sales are expected to increase between 7% and 9%, an increase reflected in Amazon’s plans to fill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/amazon-hiring-seasonal-holiday-employees">250,000</a>&nbsp;positions, 100,000 more than the past two&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://press.aboutamazon.com/2022/10/amazon-is-hiring-150-000-employees-to-help-deliver-great-holiday-experiences">years</a>. UPS plans to hire 100,000 people, as it did in 2022. FedEx would not disclose a specific number.

Overall, the retail industry appears to be healthy with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/USTRADE">employment</a>&nbsp;having remained steady since January though softer than last year. Elise Gould, senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, said, “We have recovered more than the number of jobs that were lost in the pandemic when millions of people lost their jobs.”

Gould said one explanation for the hiring this year may be that employers, particularly in retail, are&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-businesses-hoarding-workers-even-economy-cools-2023-08-04/">more likely to keep staff on</a>&nbsp;in this tighter labor market because it has been harder to attract and retain employees.

“It’s possible that employers over the last few months and over the last year are holding on to workers because they don’t want to have that business of trying to find workers when they need them. And so it’s possible that you’re not seeing that same pickup because they’re already staffed up to some extent in some of those jobs,” she said. “… It’s too early to tell really.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700515582767.png" alt="Retailers, worried that shoppers are cutting back their holiday spending this year, are hiring fewer seasonal workers. -photo courtesy Oak Park Mall in Overland Park" />
 <figcaption>Retailers, worried that shoppers are cutting back their holiday spending this year, are hiring fewer seasonal workers. -photo courtesy Oak Park Mall in Overland Park</figcaption>
 </figure>By CASEY QUINLAN,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/19/rural-hospitals-gird-for-unwinding-of-pandemic-medicaid-coverage/">States Newsroom</a>Black Friday shoppers may notice longer lines and fewer retail associates in some of their favorite stores than in past holiday seasons as retailers scale back seasonal hiring over concerns about consumer spending.JCPenney is hiring 12,000 fewer workers than last year. Macy’s 3,000 fewer. Meanwhile a Walmart executive&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7117257057619087360/">said</a>&nbsp;the retail giant has been hiring “throughout the year” and plans to serve customers with the workers it has. And Challenger, Gray, and Christmas, which tracks employment trends, reported that so far, this year has had the fewest announcements of large-scale seasonal hiring plans since 2013.“Hiring is a really good indication of retailers’ sentiment of the expectation of holiday (sales) and when they’re kind of ho-hum about increasing the numbers, that really does demonstrate their number one concern for less than gangbuster sales,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst at the NPD Group, a market research company.The careful approach to hiring reflects the mixed messages in the economy. The labor market has remained resilient with an unemployment rate below 4% for the 21st straight month, inflation has fallen and wages have risen. Since 2021, inflation-adjusted&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PCEDGC96">consumer spending</a>&nbsp;on retail goods has remained fairly high. But the personal savings rate has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PSAVERT">fallen</a>&nbsp;since May and credit card delinquency rates&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newyorkfed.org/newsevents/news/research/2023/20231107#:~:text=NEW%20YORK%E2%80%94The%20Federal%20Reserve,of%202023%2C%20to%20%2417.29%20trillion.">are up</a>.<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/01/borrowers-weigh-personal-professional-options-as-student-loan-payments-resume/">Economists</a>, as well as retailers, have signaled that they are worried about the effects of the return of student loan payments on the health of the economy, since consumer spending&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.usbank.com/investing/financial-perspectives/market-news/consumer-spending.html#:~:text=Consumer%20spending%20plays%20the%20most,the%20nation%27s%20Gross%20Domestic%20Product.">represents</a>&nbsp;so much of the U.S.’s economic activity. The Fed’s long campaign to raise interest rates, although paused at the moment, has also affected consumers.Adrian Mitchell, chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Macy’s Inc.,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=kxbMP5Rp">said</a>&nbsp;in the second quarter earnings call in August that Macy’s is thinking about “consumers’ ability to pay debt using their disposable income.”“This is about credit card balances, this is about student loans, which we know is going to come into focus in the next month or two, auto loans, mortgages,” he said. “So we just believe the customer is coming under pressure because of these new realities that they have to continue to deal with as we get through the back half of this year and move into next year.”Cohen said retailers are basically trying to protect their margins. “The retailer this year is basically saying we’re going to do what we have to do to get the volume, but we’re also going to protect the margin and what that means is hire and have less than what we need, but we are better off than having more than what we need,” he said. “And that’s the same for merchandise … Instead of chasing one sale by buying more merchandise, I’m better off as a retailer, saying, ‘OK, I’ve sold out. Maybe you should buy something else and this way I don’t have to discount it all that much.’ ”<h2>Sales growth slow but steady</h2>More customers — 79% compared to 74% last year — said that they will either look for cheaper alternatives this holiday shopping season or not make the purchases at all, according to a Nov. 6 McKinsey&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/retail/our-insights/us-holiday-shopping-2023-consumer-caution-and-retailer-resilience">report</a>. A smaller percentage of customers said they were willing to “splurge” on gifts this year and fewer people plan to shop at traditional stores.Still, holiday sales are expected to grow, just less than the past three years. The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/2023-holiday-reach-record-spending-levels#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20%E2%80%93%20The%20National%20Retail%20Federation,returning%20to%20pre%2Dpandemic%20levels.">National Retail Federation estimates</a>&nbsp;that retail sales during November and December will increase 3 to 4%, down from a 5.4% increase last year. But what people are buying may be different. “Service spending growth is strong and is growing faster than goods spending,” said the NRF’s Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz.The NRF also pointed out that online sales are expected to increase between 7% and 9%, an increase reflected in Amazon’s plans to fill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/workplace/amazon-hiring-seasonal-holiday-employees">250,000</a>&nbsp;positions, 100,000 more than the past two&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://press.aboutamazon.com/2022/10/amazon-is-hiring-150-000-employees-to-help-deliver-great-holiday-experiences">years</a>. UPS plans to hire 100,000 people, as it did in 2022. FedEx would not disclose a specific number.<h2>Retail recovery</h2>Overall, the retail industry appears to be healthy with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/USTRADE">employment</a>&nbsp;having remained steady since January though softer than last year. Elise Gould, senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute, said, “We have recovered more than the number of jobs that were lost in the pandemic when millions of people lost their jobs.”Gould said one explanation for the hiring this year may be that employers, particularly in retail, are&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-businesses-hoarding-workers-even-economy-cools-2023-08-04/">more likely to keep staff on</a>&nbsp;in this tighter labor market because it has been harder to attract and retain employees.“It’s possible that employers over the last few months and over the last year are holding on to workers because they don’t want to have that business of trying to find workers when they need them. And so it’s possible that you’re not seeing that same pickup because they’re already staffed up to some extent in some of those jobs,” she said. “… It’s too early to tell really.”