BATES COUNTY —A Kansas&nbsp; City woman died in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Monday in Bates County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Suzuki Intruder driven by Jennifer N. Stanford, 37, Kansas City, was northbound on Interstate 49 just north of the Route 52 exit.

The motorcycle rear-ended a 2013 Chevy Traverse driven by Jason G. Wilkey, 39, Creston, Iowa, who was stopped in traffic.

Stanford was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Miullinax Funeral Home in Butler. Wilkey was properly restrained and not injured.&nbsp; Stanford was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

BATES COUNTY —A Kansas&nbsp; City woman died in an accident just after 2:30p.m. Monday in Bates County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Suzuki Intruder driven by Jennifer N. Stanford, 37, Kansas City, was northbound on Interstate 49 just north of the Route 52 exit.The motorcycle rear-ended a 2013 Chevy Traverse driven by Jason G. Wilkey, 39, Creston, Iowa, who was stopped in traffic.Stanford was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Miullinax Funeral Home in Butler. Wilkey was properly restrained and not injured.&nbsp; Stanford was wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Mo. woman dies after motorcycle rear-ends SUV

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday announced an additional $100 million to finance the deployment of a multinational force mission to Haiti following a meeting with Caribbean leaders in Jamaica to halt&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-us-embassy-security-gang-violence-1b720280fa85c87ccf0768d3156dbd23">the country’s violent crisis</a>.

Blinken also announced another $33 million in humanitarian aid and the creation of a joint proposal agreed on by Caribbean leaders and Haitian stakeholders that would expedite the creation of a “presidential college.”

He said the college would take “concrete steps” he did not identify to meet the needs of Haitian people and enable the pending deployment of the multinational force to be led by Kenya.

The joint proposal has the backing of members of Caricom, a regional trade bloc that held Monday’s urgent meeting.

“I think we can all agree: Haiti is on the brink of disaster,” said Guyanese President Irfaan Ali. “We must take quick and decisive action.”

He said that he is “very confident that we have found commonality” to support what he described as a Haitian-led and -owned solution.

Meanwhile, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the meeting was a work in progress.

“It is clear that Haiti is now at a tipping point,” he said. “We are deeply distressed that it is already too late for too many who have lost far too much at the hands of criminal gangs.”

Embattled Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who faces calls to resign or agree to a transitional council, did not attend the meeting. He has been locked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-prime-minister-gangs-resign-e583a191a2f800bc63752220a47dec0d">out of his own country</a>&nbsp;while traveling abroad, due to surging unrest and violence by criminal gangs who have overrun much of Haiti's capital and closed down its main international airports.

Henry remained in Puerto Rico and was taking steps to return to Haiti once feasible, according to a brief statement from the U.S. territory's Department of State.

While leaders met behind closed doors,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-puerto-rico-haiti-port-au-prince-gangs-24b02571972a676c3bcc3d9a24dfc77d">Jimmy Chérizier</a>, considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader, told reporters that if the international community continues down the current road, “it will plunge Haiti into further chaos.”

“We Haitians have to decide who is going to be the head of the country and what model of government we want,” said Chérizier, a former elite police officer known as Barbecue who leads a gang federation known as G9 Family and Allies. “We are also going to figure out how to get Haiti out of the misery it's in now.”

The meeting in Jamaica was organized by members of a regional trade bloc known as Caricom, which for months has pressed for a transitional government in Haiti while protests in the country have demanded Henry’s resignation.

“The international community must work together with Haitians towards a peaceful political transition,” U.S. Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Nichols will attend the meeting.

Concerns remain that a long-sought solution will remain elusive. Caricom said in a statement on Friday announcing the urgent meeting in Jamaica that while “we are making considerable progress, the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be.”

Mia Mottley, Barbados’ prime minister, said that up to 90% of proposals that Haitian stakeholders have “put on the table” are similar. These include an “urgent need” to create a presidential council to help identify a new prime minister to establish a government.

Her comments were briefly streamed by Caricom, in what appeared to have been a mistake, and then were abruptly cut off.

The meeting was held as powerful gangs continued to attack key government targets&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-gangs-violence-barbecue-police-prime-minister-c275da3b420f018a95099c9e6539e61f">across Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince</a>. Since Feb. 29, gunmen have burned police stations, closed the main international airports and raided the country’s two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.

Scores of people have been killed, and more than 15,000 are homeless after fleeing neighborhoods raided by gangs.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-violence-gangs-food-economy-092a20f037b48a8e1837a4e6424cf571">Food and water are dwindling</a>&nbsp;as stands and stores selling to impoverished Haitians run out of goods. The main port in Port-au-Prince remains closed, stranding dozens of containers with critical supplies.

Henry&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-violence-prison-break-curfew-0116d2ebac1b14a587baa176818055cb">landed in Puerto Rico</a>&nbsp;last week after being denied entry into the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.

When the attacks began, Henry was in Kenya&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kenya-haiti-un-police-force-gang-violence-30930ccf3cbc31c6969cabd6c9dacb2c">pushing for the U.N.-backed deployment of a police force</a>&nbsp;from the East African country that has been delayed by a court ruling.

A growing number of people are demanding Henry's resignation. He has not made any public comment since the attacks began.

The U.N. Security Council on Monday urged Haiti’s gangs “to immediately cease their destabilizing actions,” including sexual violence and the recruitment of children, and said it expects that a multinational force will deploy as soon as possible to help end the violence. It urged the international community to support the Haitian National Police by backing the force's deployment.

Council members also expressed concern at the limited political progress and urged all political actors to allow free and fair legislative and presidential elections.

A U.N. delegation attending Monday's meeting includes the secretary-general's chief of staff Courtenay Rattray, Undersecretary-General Atul Khare, who is in charge of U.N. logistics, and Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča, who is in charge of the Americas in the U.N. political office.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres is calling for the urgent deployment of the multinational force and that the mission be adequately funded, said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Currently, funding is at only $10.8 million, with officials in Kenya demanding more than $230 million.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710205558004.jpeg" alt="Monday in Jamaica, Prime Minister Holmes and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed crucial international support for the people of Haiti, including the Multinational Security Support mission. Grateful for Jamaica's continued leadership and partnership in strengthening security in the Caribbean.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Monday in Jamaica, Prime Minister Holmes and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed crucial international support for the people of Haiti, including the Multinational Security Support mission. Grateful for Jamaica's continued leadership and partnership in strengthening security in the Caribbean.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday announced an additional $100 million to finance the deployment of a multinational force mission to Haiti following a meeting with Caribbean leaders in Jamaica to halt&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-us-embassy-security-gang-violence-1b720280fa85c87ccf0768d3156dbd23">the country’s violent crisis</a>.Blinken also announced another $33 million in humanitarian aid and the creation of a joint proposal agreed on by Caribbean leaders and Haitian stakeholders that would expedite the creation of a “presidential college.”He said the college would take “concrete steps” he did not identify to meet the needs of Haitian people and enable the pending deployment of the multinational force to be led by Kenya.The joint proposal has the backing of members of Caricom, a regional trade bloc that held Monday’s urgent meeting.“I think we can all agree: Haiti is on the brink of disaster,” said Guyanese President Irfaan Ali. “We must take quick and decisive action.”He said that he is “very confident that we have found commonality” to support what he described as a Haitian-led and -owned solution.Meanwhile, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the meeting was a work in progress.“It is clear that Haiti is now at a tipping point,” he said. “We are deeply distressed that it is already too late for too many who have lost far too much at the hands of criminal gangs.”Embattled Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who faces calls to resign or agree to a transitional council, did not attend the meeting. He has been locked&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-prime-minister-gangs-resign-e583a191a2f800bc63752220a47dec0d">out of his own country</a>&nbsp;while traveling abroad, due to surging unrest and violence by criminal gangs who have overrun much of Haiti's capital and closed down its main international airports.Henry remained in Puerto Rico and was taking steps to return to Haiti once feasible, according to a brief statement from the U.S. territory's Department of State.While leaders met behind closed doors,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/caribbean-puerto-rico-haiti-port-au-prince-gangs-24b02571972a676c3bcc3d9a24dfc77d">Jimmy Chérizier</a>, considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader, told reporters that if the international community continues down the current road, “it will plunge Haiti into further chaos.”“We Haitians have to decide who is going to be the head of the country and what model of government we want,” said Chérizier, a former elite police officer known as Barbecue who leads a gang federation known as G9 Family and Allies. “We are also going to figure out how to get Haiti out of the misery it's in now.”The meeting in Jamaica was organized by members of a regional trade bloc known as Caricom, which for months has pressed for a transitional government in Haiti while protests in the country have demanded Henry’s resignation.“The international community must work together with Haitians towards a peaceful political transition,” U.S. Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Nichols will attend the meeting.Concerns remain that a long-sought solution will remain elusive. Caricom said in a statement on Friday announcing the urgent meeting in Jamaica that while “we are making considerable progress, the stakeholders are not yet where they need to be.”Mia Mottley, Barbados’ prime minister, said that up to 90% of proposals that Haitian stakeholders have “put on the table” are similar. These include an “urgent need” to create a presidential council to help identify a new prime minister to establish a government.Her comments were briefly streamed by Caricom, in what appeared to have been a mistake, and then were abruptly cut off.The meeting was held as powerful gangs continued to attack key government targets&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-gangs-violence-barbecue-police-prime-minister-c275da3b420f018a95099c9e6539e61f">across Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince</a>. Since Feb. 29, gunmen have burned police stations, closed the main international airports and raided the country’s two biggest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates.Scores of people have been killed, and more than 15,000 are homeless after fleeing neighborhoods raided by gangs.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-violence-gangs-food-economy-092a20f037b48a8e1837a4e6424cf571">Food and water are dwindling</a>&nbsp;as stands and stores selling to impoverished Haitians run out of goods. The main port in Port-au-Prince remains closed, stranding dozens of containers with critical supplies.Henry&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haiti-violence-prison-break-curfew-0116d2ebac1b14a587baa176818055cb">landed in Puerto Rico</a>&nbsp;last week after being denied entry into the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.When the attacks began, Henry was in Kenya&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kenya-haiti-un-police-force-gang-violence-30930ccf3cbc31c6969cabd6c9dacb2c">pushing for the U.N.-backed deployment of a police force</a>&nbsp;from the East African country that has been delayed by a court ruling.A growing number of people are demanding Henry's resignation. He has not made any public comment since the attacks began.The U.N. Security Council on Monday urged Haiti’s gangs “to immediately cease their destabilizing actions,” including sexual violence and the recruitment of children, and said it expects that a multinational force will deploy as soon as possible to help end the violence. It urged the international community to support the Haitian National Police by backing the force's deployment.Council members also expressed concern at the limited political progress and urged all political actors to allow free and fair legislative and presidential elections.A U.N. delegation attending Monday's meeting includes the secretary-general's chief of staff Courtenay Rattray, Undersecretary-General Atul Khare, who is in charge of U.N. logistics, and Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča, who is in charge of the Americas in the U.N. political office.U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres is calling for the urgent deployment of the multinational force and that the mission be adequately funded, said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.Currently, funding is at only $10.8 million, with officials in Kenya demanding more than $230 million.___

US pledges additional $100M for multinational force going to Haiti 

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City man was sentenced in federal court&nbsp; for selling methamphetamine and heroin on the dark web.

John M. LeCoque, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered LeCoque to forfeit to the government $22,000, representing proceeds obtained from his illegal drug trafficking, according to the United State's Attorney.

On Aug. 16, 2023, LeCoque pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin.

LeCoque admitted that he sold illegal drugs over the dark web via an online marketplace called White House Market from May 15, 2020, to Aug. 6, 2021.

Federal agents used cryptocurrency to purchase methamphetamine and heroin from LeCoque through an undercover account on two occasions in 2021. Agents executed a search warrant at LeCoque’s residence on May 27, 2021. Agents seized methamphetamine and heroin from his apartment. Agents also found a Smith &amp; Wesson 9mm handgun and ammunition inside a locked safe.

Federal agents executed a search warrant of LeCoque’s online vendor account and located information for 279 orders of illegal drugs from May 2020 to May 2021, including a total of 604 grams of methamphetamine and 234 grams of heroin.

Several months later, in August 2021, LeCoque advertised a “final sale” on his dark web vendor account.

KANSAS CITY– A Kansas City man was sentenced in federal court&nbsp; for selling methamphetamine and heroin on the dark web.John M. LeCoque, 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered LeCoque to forfeit to the government $22,000, representing proceeds obtained from his illegal drug trafficking, according to the United State's Attorney.On Aug. 16, 2023, LeCoque pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and heroin.LeCoque admitted that he sold illegal drugs over the dark web via an online marketplace called White House Market from May 15, 2020, to Aug. 6, 2021.Federal agents used cryptocurrency to purchase methamphetamine and heroin from LeCoque through an undercover account on two occasions in 2021. Agents executed a search warrant at LeCoque’s residence on May 27, 2021. Agents seized methamphetamine and heroin from his apartment. Agents also found a Smith &amp; Wesson 9mm handgun and ammunition inside a locked safe.Federal agents executed a search warrant of LeCoque’s online vendor account and located information for 279 orders of illegal drugs from May 2020 to May 2021, including a total of 604 grams of methamphetamine and 234 grams of heroin.Several months later, in August 2021, LeCoque advertised a “final sale” on his dark web vendor account.

Federal agents purchased heroin from KC man on dark web

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Paul Lee Stotts, a 35 year old Hutchinson man, was sentenced to 172 months in prison on an aggravated battery charge and 36 months of post release supervision on a violate protection order on Friday, March 8, 2023. He will also be required to register as a lifetime violent offender.&nbsp;

On Jan. 11, 2024, Stotts pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and violate protection order charges connected with causing great bodily harm or disfigurement to another person, his father, Larry Stotts.

"Paul Stotts is a dangerous, dangerous individual, Reno County District Attorney Thomas Stanton said at the sentencing trial. "He has shown this over and over again."&nbsp;

Stotts was arrested on June 2, 2023, and was booked into Reno County Jail at the time on an attempted murder charge in the 1st degree; Intentional and Premeditated, Aggravated Battery; Knowingly Cause Great Bodily Harm or Disfigurement, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Burglary; Swelling for Felony, Theft, Sex and Violate Protection Order; Condition of Pre-Trial Orders.&nbsp;

At about 1:49 a.m. on June 2, 2023, the Reno County Sheriff's Office were sent to conduct a welfare check on Paul Stotts mother, Jane Stotts at 3503&nbsp;E. 95th Ave. The call was initiated by his father Larry Stotts who arrived at a Loves Gas Station in McPherson with stab wounds, including one in his chest. According to Stanton at the March 8 sentencing, Larry Stotts was stabbed just an 1/8 inch from his aorta.&nbsp;

"I'm going to live in a lifetime of guilt," Stotts said. "I would do anything to get it right with my dad."&nbsp;

The violate protection order was set by the court on Jan. 9, 2023.&nbsp; Stotts violated that order in addition to kidnapping and stabbing his father in the chest in June. The order was put into effect after an incident on Jan. 2, 2023, when deputies from the Reno County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to 30503 E. 95th Ave. in reference to a disturbance at the residence. It was reported that Stotts was yelling at his father Larry Stotts outside the house and threatening him. According to dispatch, Paul Stotts put Larry Stotts in a vehicle and left the area. Deputies found Larry Stotts on foot in the area of 95th Ave. and Tobacco Road. Larry Stotts said Paul let him out of the vehicle.&nbsp;

Paul Stotts stabbed his father in the chest just days before his preliminary hearing on June 5, 2023, for violating the protection order.&nbsp;

Paul Stotts defense attorney Charles C. Lindberg argued for probation under community supervision for Paul Stotts. Some statements from the defendants motion include,&nbsp; Stotts was suffering a major mental health episode at the time of the incident, defendant is willing to continue with treatment programs in the community by recommoned evaluators or supervising officers, the defendant has started mental health counseling and has a significant time period to get stabilized on medications and he has stable housing opportunities at an Oxford House in McPherson, Kansas.&nbsp;

DA Stanton strongly urged District Court Judge Daniel D. Gilligan to deny probation for Paul Stotts. Stanton said there was not sufficient mental health evidence brought before the court.&nbsp;

"Probation is not the place," Stanton said. "We can't take the next chance he won't miss by an 1/8 of an inch."

Larry Stotts spoke at his son's sentencing and also advocated on his behalf that Paul will be more successful on probation.&nbsp;

"There is a thin line between being an enabler and actual reliable help," Larry Stotts said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710181488366.jpeg" alt="Stotts has previous convictions for battery, robbery, aggravated battery and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Stotts has previous convictions for battery, robbery, aggravated battery and for drugs, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>EMMIE BOESE&nbsp;Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Paul Lee Stotts, a 35 year old Hutchinson man, was sentenced to 172 months in prison on an aggravated battery charge and 36 months of post release supervision on a violate protection order on Friday, March 8, 2023. He will also be required to register as a lifetime violent offender.&nbsp;On Jan. 11, 2024, Stotts pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and violate protection order charges connected with causing great bodily harm or disfigurement to another person, his father, Larry Stotts."Paul Stotts is a dangerous, dangerous individual, Reno County District Attorney Thomas Stanton said at the sentencing trial. "He has shown this over and over again."&nbsp;Stotts was arrested on June 2, 2023, and was booked into Reno County Jail at the time on an attempted murder charge in the 1st degree; Intentional and Premeditated, Aggravated Battery; Knowingly Cause Great Bodily Harm or Disfigurement, Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Burglary; Swelling for Felony, Theft, Sex and Violate Protection Order; Condition of Pre-Trial Orders.&nbsp;At about 1:49 a.m. on June 2, 2023, the Reno County Sheriff's Office were sent to conduct a welfare check on Paul Stotts mother, Jane Stotts at 3503&nbsp;E. 95th Ave. The call was initiated by his father Larry Stotts who arrived at a Loves Gas Station in McPherson with stab wounds, including one in his chest. According to Stanton at the March 8 sentencing, Larry Stotts was stabbed just an 1/8 inch from his aorta.&nbsp;"I'm going to live in a lifetime of guilt," Stotts said. "I would do anything to get it right with my dad."&nbsp;The violate protection order was set by the court on Jan. 9, 2023.&nbsp; Stotts violated that order in addition to kidnapping and stabbing his father in the chest in June. The order was put into effect after an incident on Jan. 2, 2023, when deputies from the Reno County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to 30503 E. 95th Ave. in reference to a disturbance at the residence. It was reported that Stotts was yelling at his father Larry Stotts outside the house and threatening him. According to dispatch, Paul Stotts put Larry Stotts in a vehicle and left the area. Deputies found Larry Stotts on foot in the area of 95th Ave. and Tobacco Road. Larry Stotts said Paul let him out of the vehicle.&nbsp;Paul Stotts stabbed his father in the chest just days before his preliminary hearing on June 5, 2023, for violating the protection order.&nbsp;Paul Stotts defense attorney Charles C. Lindberg argued for probation under community supervision for Paul Stotts. Some statements from the defendants motion include,&nbsp; Stotts was suffering a major mental health episode at the time of the incident, defendant is willing to continue with treatment programs in the community by recommoned evaluators or supervising officers, the defendant has started mental health counseling and has a significant time period to get stabilized on medications and he has stable housing opportunities at an Oxford House in McPherson, Kansas.&nbsp;DA Stanton strongly urged District Court Judge Daniel D. Gilligan to deny probation for Paul Stotts. Stanton said there was not sufficient mental health evidence brought before the court.&nbsp;"Probation is not the place," Stanton said. "We can't take the next chance he won't miss by an 1/8 of an inch."Larry Stotts spoke at his son's sentencing and also advocated on his behalf that Paul will be more successful on probation.&nbsp;"There is a thin line between being an enabler and actual reliable help," Larry Stotts said.&nbsp;

Kansas man sentenced for knife attack on his father

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge ruled Monday that the state isn't violating transgender residents' rights under the state constitution by refusing to change their driver's licenses to reflect their gender identities.

District Judge Teresa Watson kept in place indefinitely an order she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trangender-drivers-licenses-birth-certificates-kansas-c06f487b05e3d0ba7f6222f64a08868e">first issued in July 2023</a>&nbsp;to prevent the Kansas Department of Revenue from changing the listing for “sex” on transgender people's driver's licenses. Attorney General Kris Kobach, a conservative Republican, sued Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's administration to stop such changes in line with a 2023 law that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-state-government-arkansas-health-8f2edaa40b962e5642e108b83bc14246">ended legal recognition</a>&nbsp;of transgender people's identities.

Watson allowed transgender Kansas residents to intervene in Kobach's lawsuit, and the American Civil Liberties Union argued on their behalf that the no-changes policy violated rights protected by the Kansas Constitution. The Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">declared in 2019</a>&nbsp;that the state constitution grants a right to bodily autonomy, though the decision dealt with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">abortion rights</a>, not LGBTQ+ rights.

Watson said invoking the right to bodily autonomy to require the state to change driver's licenses would be “an unreasonable stretch.” She said Kansas residents do not have a fundamental right under the state constitution to "control what information is displayed on a state-issued driver’s license.”

"Information recorded on a driver’s license does not interfere with transgender persons’ ability to control their own bodies or assert bodily integrity or self-determination," Watson wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/doc_99394829.pdf">her 31-page order</a>, issued in Shawnee County, home to the state capital of Topeka.

Kelly supports LGBTQ+ rights. After she took office in 2019, her administration allowed transgender people to change their driver’s licenses and birth certificates to reflect their gender identities.

The Republican-controlled Legislature overrode&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-transgender-bills-health-care-bathrooms-vetoes-66c5199b9aadc7273620f561441a8ade">her veto</a>&nbsp;to enact&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb180_enrolled.pdf">the 2023 law</a>, and transgender people can no longer change&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-birth-certificates-kansas-8424f36613c05d03b7d4eb8f82229ee6">either identity document</a>, thanks to Kobach's efforts.

It's not clear whether Kelly's administration or transgender Kansas residents will appeal Watson's ruling. D.C. Hiegert, an ACLU of Kansas LGBGQ+ legal fellow who is trans, predicted that Watson's ruling will lead to transgender people being harassed and denied services.

“What possible reason can we articulate to deny our transgender population peace of mind?” added Pedro Irigonegaray, a Topeka attorney representing the Kelly administration. “Why this vindictive attitude towards this class of individuals?”

The Kansas law was part of a wave of measures from GOP-controlled Legislatures across the U.S. to roll back transgender rights. Montana, North Dakota and Tennessee also enacted laws defining man and woman, and Republican governors issued executive orders in Nebraska and Oklahoma, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nonbinary-student-death-nex-owasso-oklahoma-vigils-fd7695afb780d09c00b823fa0618e79f">nonbinary teenager Nex Benedict</a>&nbsp;was bullied and died after a fight in a girls bathroom at a school. Similar measures have been proposed in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/states-define-sex-transgender-dc8c48669aef760c68d2fb7abde10e8c">at least 13 other states.</a>

The Kansas law doesn't mention driver's licenses or birth certificates but says for the purposes of any state law or regulation, a person's sex is “either male or female,” based on their “biological reproductive system” identified at birth. Watson ruled that the law's language is clear and “there are no exceptions."

Kobach said in a statement: “This decision is a victory for the rule of law and common sense."

Watson's ruling came the day before the Kansas House planned to debate a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_sb233_01_0000.pdf">proposed ban on gender-affirming care</a>&nbsp;for transgender minors, something at least 23 other states have done. A final House vote was expected Wednesday.

“We will continue working toward a vision of our state that allows all of us to live in peace, free from government persecution and impositions on our core identities,” Hiegert said in a statement.

By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas judge ruled Monday that the state isn't violating transgender residents' rights under the state constitution by refusing to change their driver's licenses to reflect their gender identities.District Judge Teresa Watson kept in place indefinitely an order she&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trangender-drivers-licenses-birth-certificates-kansas-c06f487b05e3d0ba7f6222f64a08868e">first issued in July 2023</a>&nbsp;to prevent the Kansas Department of Revenue from changing the listing for “sex” on transgender people's driver's licenses. Attorney General Kris Kobach, a conservative Republican, sued Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's administration to stop such changes in line with a 2023 law that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-kansas-state-government-arkansas-health-8f2edaa40b962e5642e108b83bc14246">ended legal recognition</a>&nbsp;of transgender people's identities.Watson allowed transgender Kansas residents to intervene in Kobach's lawsuit, and the American Civil Liberties Union argued on their behalf that the no-changes policy violated rights protected by the Kansas Constitution. The Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">declared in 2019</a>&nbsp;that the state constitution grants a right to bodily autonomy, though the decision dealt with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">abortion rights</a>, not LGBTQ+ rights.Watson said invoking the right to bodily autonomy to require the state to change driver's licenses would be “an unreasonable stretch.” She said Kansas residents do not have a fundamental right under the state constitution to "control what information is displayed on a state-issued driver’s license.”"Information recorded on a driver’s license does not interfere with transgender persons’ ability to control their own bodies or assert bodily integrity or self-determination," Watson wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/doc_99394829.pdf">her 31-page order</a>, issued in Shawnee County, home to the state capital of Topeka.Kelly supports LGBTQ+ rights. After she took office in 2019, her administration allowed transgender people to change their driver’s licenses and birth certificates to reflect their gender identities.The Republican-controlled Legislature overrode&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-transgender-bills-health-care-bathrooms-vetoes-66c5199b9aadc7273620f561441a8ade">her veto</a>&nbsp;to enact&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb180_enrolled.pdf">the 2023 law</a>, and transgender people can no longer change&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-birth-certificates-kansas-8424f36613c05d03b7d4eb8f82229ee6">either identity document</a>, thanks to Kobach's efforts.It's not clear whether Kelly's administration or transgender Kansas residents will appeal Watson's ruling. D.C. Hiegert, an ACLU of Kansas LGBGQ+ legal fellow who is trans, predicted that Watson's ruling will lead to transgender people being harassed and denied services.“What possible reason can we articulate to deny our transgender population peace of mind?” added Pedro Irigonegaray, a Topeka attorney representing the Kelly administration. “Why this vindictive attitude towards this class of individuals?”The Kansas law was part of a wave of measures from GOP-controlled Legislatures across the U.S. to roll back transgender rights. Montana, North Dakota and Tennessee also enacted laws defining man and woman, and Republican governors issued executive orders in Nebraska and Oklahoma, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nonbinary-student-death-nex-owasso-oklahoma-vigils-fd7695afb780d09c00b823fa0618e79f">nonbinary teenager Nex Benedict</a>&nbsp;was bullied and died after a fight in a girls bathroom at a school. Similar measures have been proposed in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/states-define-sex-transgender-dc8c48669aef760c68d2fb7abde10e8c">at least 13 other states.</a>The Kansas law doesn't mention driver's licenses or birth certificates but says for the purposes of any state law or regulation, a person's sex is “either male or female,” based on their “biological reproductive system” identified at birth. Watson ruled that the law's language is clear and “there are no exceptions."Kobach said in a statement: “This decision is a victory for the rule of law and common sense."Watson's ruling came the day before the Kansas House planned to debate a&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_sb233_01_0000.pdf">proposed ban on gender-affirming care</a>&nbsp;for transgender minors, something at least 23 other states have done. A final House vote was expected Wednesday.“We will continue working toward a vision of our state that allows all of us to live in peace, free from government persecution and impositions on our core identities,” Hiegert said in a statement.

Kansas judge: Barring driver's license changes doesn't violate trans people's rights

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Monday released a budget proposal aimed at getting voters' attention: It would offer tax breaks for families, lower health care costs, smaller deficits and higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/03/11/fact-sheet-the-presidents-budget-for-fiscal-year-2025/">Click here to read </a>details from the White House on the budget

Unlikely to pass the House and the Senate to become law, the proposal for fiscal 2025 is an election year blueprint about what the future could hold if Biden and enough of his fellow Democrats win in November. The president and his aides previewed parts of his budget going into last week's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-of-union-transcript-biden-2024-e84f5134e5201987eb441629aef5240c">State of the Union address</a>, and they provided the fine print on Monday.

If the Biden budget became law, deficits could be pruned $3 trillion over a decade. It would raise tax revenues by a total of $4.9 trillion over that period and use roughly $1.9 trillion to fund various programs, with the rest going to deficit reduction.

Biden aides said their budget was realistic and detailed while rival measures from Republicans were not financially viable.

“Congressional Republicans don’t tell you what they cut, who they harm," White House budget director Shalanda Young said. “The president is transparent, details every way he shows he values the America people.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, issued a joint statement with other GOP leaders calling the Biden proposal a “glaring reminder of this Administration’s insatiable appetite for reckless spending.”

“Biden’s budget doesn’t just miss the mark — it is a roadmap to accelerate America’s decline,” the House Republican leaders said.

Under the proposal, the government would spend $7.3 trillion next fiscal year and borrow $1.8 trillion to cover the shortfall from tax receipts. Biden's 188-page plan covers a decade's worth of spending, taxes and debt.

Parents could get an increased child tax credit in 2025, as payments would return briefly to the 2021 level funded by Biden's coronavirus pandemic relief package. Homebuyers could get a tax credit worth up to $10,000 and $10 billion in down payment aid for first-generation buyers. Corporate taxes would jump upward, while billionaires would be charged a minimum tax of 25%.

Biden said in his State of the Union that Medicare should have the ability to negotiate prices on 500 prescription drugs, which could save $200 billion over 10 years. Aides said his budget does not specify how many drug prices would be subject to negotiations.

The president is traveling Monday to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he’ll call on Congress to apply his $2,000 cap on drug costs and $35 insulin to everyone, not just people who have Medicare. He’ll also seek to make permanent some protections in the Affordable Care Act that are set to expire next year.

Biden's plan would permanently keep Medicare solvent, according to aides, but as noted by Maya MacGuineas, president of the fiscal group Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, it does not appear to fix Social Security, which projections say will be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-cost-of-living-adjustment-cola-ef9255c0da3c3d2391dadac4515db2e7">unable to pay full benefits starting in 2033</a>.

The proposal would provide about $900 billion for defense in fiscal 2025, about $16 billion more than the baseline.

The Biden administration is still seeking&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">money to help Ukraine</a>&nbsp;defend itself against Russia and aid for Israel. His budget plan reiterates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ukraine-israel-budget-3762a0bdf00653e3c8a38175d3c3d3cb">the supplemental funding request</a>&nbsp;made last October for Ukraine, Israel and humanitarian relief for Palestinians

It's also requesting funding to expand personnel and resources at the U.S. southern border. Still, military spending over 10 years would decline $146 billion to $9.57 trillion.

One key theme in the budget plan is an effort to help families afford their basic needs, as the impact of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-prices-consumer-74e1a5c9bced40460e4079f62e980095">inflation hitting a four-decade high</a>&nbsp;in 2022 continues to leave many voters feeling as though they're worse off under Biden.

The budget proposal includes $258 billion to help build or preserve 2 million homes, helping to address a national shortage that has kept housing prices high. Parents making under $200,000 annually would have access to child care, with most eligible families paying no more than $10 a day.

It would eliminate origination fees on government student loans, possibly saving borrowers $1,000 over the life of the debt. It also includes $12 billion to help universities develop strategies for reducing their costs.

All of this is a chance for Biden to try to define the race on his preferred terms, just as the all-but-certain Republican nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, wants to rally voters around his agenda.

“A fair tax code is how we invest in things that make this country great: health care, education, defense and so much more,” Biden said at Thursday’s State of the Union address, adding that his predecessor enacted a $2 trillion tax cut in 2017 that disproportionately benefited the top 1% of earners.

Trump, for his part, would like to increase tariffs and pump out gushers of oil. He called for a “second phase” of tax cuts as parts of his 2017 overhaul of the income tax code would expire after 2025. The Republican has also said he would slash government regulations. He has also pledged to pay down the national debt, though it's unclear how without him detailing severe spending cuts.

In a Monday interview with CNBC, Trump indicated that he would be willing to reduce spending for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, though he did not offer a full policy.

"There is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting,” Trump said.

House Republicans on Thursday voted their own&nbsp;<a href="https://budget.house.gov/imo/media/doc/executive_summary1.pdf">budget resolution</a>&nbsp;for the next fiscal year out of committee, saying it would trim deficits by $14 trillion over 10 years. But their measure would depend on rosy economic forecasts and sharp spending cuts, reducing $8.7 trillion in Medicare and Medicaid expenditures. Biden has pledged to stop any cuts to Medicare.

Meanwhile, Congress is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-shutdown-congress-budget-spending-853b90ae025108be4ee98b939facd913">still working on a budget for the current fiscal year</a>. On Saturday, Biden signed into law a $460 billion package to avoid a shutdown of several federal agencies, but lawmakers are only about halfway through addressing spending for this fiscal year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709686176810.png" alt="President Biden file photo White House" />
 <figcaption>President Biden file photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Monday released a budget proposal aimed at getting voters' attention: It would offer tax breaks for families, lower health care costs, smaller deficits and higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations.<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/03/11/fact-sheet-the-presidents-budget-for-fiscal-year-2025/">Click here to read </a>details from the White House on the budgetUnlikely to pass the House and the Senate to become law, the proposal for fiscal 2025 is an election year blueprint about what the future could hold if Biden and enough of his fellow Democrats win in November. The president and his aides previewed parts of his budget going into last week's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-of-union-transcript-biden-2024-e84f5134e5201987eb441629aef5240c">State of the Union address</a>, and they provided the fine print on Monday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">My joint statement with <a href="https://twitter.com/SteveScalise?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SteveScalise</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/GOPMajorityWhip?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GOPMajorityWhip</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/RepStefanik?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepStefanik</a> on Biden’s budget proposal: <a href="https://t.co/6StD9YAzMe">pic.twitter.com/6StD9YAzMe</a>&mdash; Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerJohnson/status/1767224516114051240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>If the Biden budget became law, deficits could be pruned $3 trillion over a decade. It would raise tax revenues by a total of $4.9 trillion over that period and use roughly $1.9 trillion to fund various programs, with the rest going to deficit reduction.Biden aides said their budget was realistic and detailed while rival measures from Republicans were not financially viable.“Congressional Republicans don’t tell you what they cut, who they harm," White House budget director Shalanda Young said. “The president is transparent, details every way he shows he values the America people.”House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, issued a joint statement with other GOP leaders calling the Biden proposal a “glaring reminder of this Administration’s insatiable appetite for reckless spending.”“Biden’s budget doesn’t just miss the mark — it is a roadmap to accelerate America’s decline,” the House Republican leaders said.Under the proposal, the government would spend $7.3 trillion next fiscal year and borrow $1.8 trillion to cover the shortfall from tax receipts. Biden's 188-page plan covers a decade's worth of spending, taxes and debt.Parents could get an increased child tax credit in 2025, as payments would return briefly to the 2021 level funded by Biden's coronavirus pandemic relief package. Homebuyers could get a tax credit worth up to $10,000 and $10 billion in down payment aid for first-generation buyers. Corporate taxes would jump upward, while billionaires would be charged a minimum tax of 25%.Biden said in his State of the Union that Medicare should have the ability to negotiate prices on 500 prescription drugs, which could save $200 billion over 10 years. Aides said his budget does not specify how many drug prices would be subject to negotiations.The president is traveling Monday to Manchester, New Hampshire, where he’ll call on Congress to apply his $2,000 cap on drug costs and $35 insulin to everyone, not just people who have Medicare. He’ll also seek to make permanent some protections in the Affordable Care Act that are set to expire next year.Biden's plan would permanently keep Medicare solvent, according to aides, but as noted by Maya MacGuineas, president of the fiscal group Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, it does not appear to fix Social Security, which projections say will be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/social-security-cost-of-living-adjustment-cola-ef9255c0da3c3d2391dadac4515db2e7">unable to pay full benefits starting in 2033</a>.The proposal would provide about $900 billion for defense in fiscal 2025, about $16 billion more than the baseline.The Biden administration is still seeking&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">money to help Ukraine</a>&nbsp;defend itself against Russia and aid for Israel. His budget plan reiterates&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ukraine-israel-budget-3762a0bdf00653e3c8a38175d3c3d3cb">the supplemental funding request</a>&nbsp;made last October for Ukraine, Israel and humanitarian relief for PalestiniansIt's also requesting funding to expand personnel and resources at the U.S. southern border. Still, military spending over 10 years would decline $146 billion to $9.57 trillion.One key theme in the budget plan is an effort to help families afford their basic needs, as the impact of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-prices-consumer-74e1a5c9bced40460e4079f62e980095">inflation hitting a four-decade high</a>&nbsp;in 2022 continues to leave many voters feeling as though they're worse off under Biden.The budget proposal includes $258 billion to help build or preserve 2 million homes, helping to address a national shortage that has kept housing prices high. Parents making under $200,000 annually would have access to child care, with most eligible families paying no more than $10 a day.It would eliminate origination fees on government student loans, possibly saving borrowers $1,000 over the life of the debt. It also includes $12 billion to help universities develop strategies for reducing their costs.All of this is a chance for Biden to try to define the race on his preferred terms, just as the all-but-certain Republican nominee,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, wants to rally voters around his agenda.“A fair tax code is how we invest in things that make this country great: health care, education, defense and so much more,” Biden said at Thursday’s State of the Union address, adding that his predecessor enacted a $2 trillion tax cut in 2017 that disproportionately benefited the top 1% of earners.Trump, for his part, would like to increase tariffs and pump out gushers of oil. He called for a “second phase” of tax cuts as parts of his 2017 overhaul of the income tax code would expire after 2025. The Republican has also said he would slash government regulations. He has also pledged to pay down the national debt, though it's unclear how without him detailing severe spending cuts.In a Monday interview with CNBC, Trump indicated that he would be willing to reduce spending for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, though he did not offer a full policy."There is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements, in terms of cutting,” Trump said.House Republicans on Thursday voted their own&nbsp;<a href="https://budget.house.gov/imo/media/doc/executive_summary1.pdf">budget resolution</a>&nbsp;for the next fiscal year out of committee, saying it would trim deficits by $14 trillion over 10 years. But their measure would depend on rosy economic forecasts and sharp spending cuts, reducing $8.7 trillion in Medicare and Medicaid expenditures. Biden has pledged to stop any cuts to Medicare.Meanwhile, Congress is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-government-shutdown-congress-budget-spending-853b90ae025108be4ee98b939facd913">still working on a budget for the current fiscal year</a>. On Saturday, Biden signed into law a $460 billion package to avoid a shutdown of several federal agencies, but lawmakers are only about halfway through addressing spending for this fiscal year.

Details on Biden's proposed $7.3 Trillion budget for 2025

RENO COUNTY — A woman accused of attempted murder was booked into the Reno County jail on Friday on charges connected with a January incident.

Cambi Leigh Colley, 55, Hutchinson, had a complaint filed against her in Reno County District Court on January 23 for an incident that occurred January 21 in Reno County, according to the complaint.

The complaint says Colley is being jailed for allegedly trying to kill Mavice L Reed-Butters on January 21.

Further, the state alleges that the crime in this case is connected with domestic violence and requests that any conviction, if it happens from the incident, be considered a domestic violence offense.

Reno County Sheriff Darrian Campbell told Hutch Post that the booking was after transferring Colley back from Larned State Hospital. The Hutchinson Police Department is now in charge of the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710169798216.png" alt="Colley-photo Reno Co." />
 <figcaption>Colley-photo Reno Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY — A woman accused of attempted murder was booked into the Reno County jail on Friday on charges connected with a January incident.Cambi Leigh Colley, 55, Hutchinson, had a complaint filed against her in Reno County District Court on January 23 for an incident that occurred January 21 in Reno County, according to the complaint.The complaint says Colley is being jailed for allegedly trying to kill Mavice L Reed-Butters on January 21.Further, the state alleges that the crime in this case is connected with domestic violence and requests that any conviction, if it happens from the incident, be considered a domestic violence offense.Reno County Sheriff Darrian Campbell told Hutch Post that the booking was after transferring Colley back from Larned State Hospital. The Hutchinson Police Department is now in charge of the investigation.

Kansas woman accused in violent domestic assault

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a couple of fentanyl overdose cases in Barton County.

In the past two weeks, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office responded to two separate suspected fentanyl overdoses that required emergency medical treatment, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

 In both incidents the individuals became unresponsive and EMS, as well as law enforcement, were called. In both cases, law enforcement authorities have reason to believe suspected fentanyl had been ingested shortly prior to the individual becoming unconscious. In both cases, the patient has survived.

Kansas, as well as most of the United States, has seen an increase in the presence fentanyl in the last two or three years. In many cases the drug is disguised as pharmaceutical pain medication.

The precursor chemicals are being shipped from China to Mexico where they are synthesized into fentanyl. The drug is then smuggled across the border.

According to the sheriff, "we have seen far more fentanyl in the last two years than ever before. All patrol units, as well as the jail, are equipped with Narcan in the event an officer is accidentally exposed or we need to render aid to a citizen.We are currently investigating the local sources of these two overdose cases."

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a couple of fentanyl overdose cases in Barton County.In the past two weeks, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office responded to two separate suspected fentanyl overdoses that required emergency medical treatment, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir. In both incidents the individuals became unresponsive and EMS, as well as law enforcement, were called. In both cases, law enforcement authorities have reason to believe suspected fentanyl had been ingested shortly prior to the individual becoming unconscious. In both cases, the patient has survived.Kansas, as well as most of the United States, has seen an increase in the presence fentanyl in the last two or three years. In many cases the drug is disguised as pharmaceutical pain medication.The precursor chemicals are being shipped from China to Mexico where they are synthesized into fentanyl. The drug is then smuggled across the border.According to the sheriff, "we have seen far more fentanyl in the last two years than ever before. All patrol units, as well as the jail, are equipped with Narcan in the event an officer is accidentally exposed or we need to render aid to a citizen.We are currently investigating the local sources of these two overdose cases."

Sheriff investigating source of 2 Kan. fentanyl overdose cases

HOUSTON (AP) — The Biden administration can keep operating a program that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-biden-haiti-cuba-nicaragua-venezuela-trial-982e96527e266b46dc95388f31a93824">allows a limited number of migrants</a>&nbsp;from four countries to enter the U.S. on humanitarian grounds after a federal judge on Friday dismissed a challenge from Republican-led states.

U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton said Texas and 20 other states had not shown they had suffered financial harm because of the humanitarian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-parole-trump-biden-latin-america-hungary-vietnam-cuba-venezuela-6deab463a9cc596b2cd1adc6443da787">parole program</a>&nbsp;that allows up to 30,000 asylum-seekers into the U.S. each month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela combined. That was something the states needed to prove to have legal standing to bring the lawsuit.

“In reaching this conclusion, the Court does not address the lawfulness of the Program,” Tipton wrote.

Eliminating the program would undercut a broader policy that seeks to encourage migrants to use the Biden administration’s preferred pathways into the U.S. or face stiff consequences.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-biden-haiti-cuba-nicaragua-venezuela-e8a59f78e4b674d45a7dc0b546158336">The states</a>, led by Texas, had argued the program is forcing them to spend millions on health care, education, and public safety for the migrants. An attorney working with the Texas attorney general’s office in the legal challenge said that the program “created a shadow immigration system.”

Advocates for the federal government countered that migrants admitted through the policy helped with a U.S. farm labor shortage.

The Texas Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which defended the program, didn't immediately reply to messages seeking comment.

An appeal by Texas and the other states seemed likely.

Since the program was launched in fall 2022, more than 357,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela have been granted parole and allowed to enter the country through January. Haitians have been far been the biggest group to use the program with 138,000 people from that country arriving, followed by 86,000 Venezuelans, 74,000 Cubans and 58,000 Nicaraguans.

Migrants must apply online, arrive at an airport and have a financial sponsor in the U.S. If approved, they can stay for two years and get a work permit.

President Joe Biden has made unprecedented use of parole authority, which has been in effect since 1952 and allows presidents to let people in for “urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.”

Esther Sung, an attorney for Justice Action Center, which represented seven people who were sponsoring migrants as part of the program, said she was looking forward to calling her clients to let them know of the court's decision.

"It’s a popular program. People want to welcome other people to this country,” she said.

During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-humanitarian-parole-trial-biden-border-080faf3d3d756bb5fb91b2175742c383">an August trial</a>&nbsp;in Victoria, Texas, Tipton declined to issue any temporary order that would halt the parole program nationwide. Tipton is an appointee of former President Donald Trump who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-arrests-boston-immigration-migration-62c2cdf752b8301a726aca3974ae80b2">ruled against</a>&nbsp;the Biden administration in 2022 on an order that determined who to prioritize for deportation.

Some states said the initiative has benefited them. One Nicaraguan migrant admitted into the country through the process filled a position at a farm in Washington state that was struggling to find workers.

Tipton questioned how Texas could be claiming financial losses if data showed that the parole program actually reduced the number of migrants coming into the U.S.

“The Court has before it a case in which Plaintiffs claim that they have been injured by a program that has actually lowered their out-of-pocket costs,” Tipton said in Friday's ruling.

When the policy took effect, the Biden administration had been preparing to end a pandemic-era policy at the border known as Title 42 that barred migrants from seeking asylum at ports of entry and immediately expelled many who entered illegally.

Proponents of the policy also faced scrutiny from Tipton, who questioned whether living in poverty was enough for migrants to qualify. Elissa Fudim, a lawyer with the U.S. Department of Justice, responded: “I think probably not.”

Federal government attorneys and immigrant rights groups said that in many cases, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans are also fleeing oppressive regimes, escalating violence and worsening political conditions that have endangered their lives.

The lawsuit did not challenge the use of humanitarian parole for tens of thousands of Ukrainians who came after Russia’s invasion. It is among several legal challenges the Biden administration has faced over its immigration policies.

The program’s supporters said each case is individually reviewed and some people who had made it to the final approval step after arriving in the U.S. have been rejected, though they did not provide the number of rejections that have occurred.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632317817548.png" alt="Photo Rep. Tony Gonzales" />
 <figcaption>Photo Rep. Tony Gonzales</figcaption>
 </figure>HOUSTON (AP) — The Biden administration can keep operating a program that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-biden-haiti-cuba-nicaragua-venezuela-trial-982e96527e266b46dc95388f31a93824">allows a limited number of migrants</a>&nbsp;from four countries to enter the U.S. on humanitarian grounds after a federal judge on Friday dismissed a challenge from Republican-led states.U.S. District Judge Drew B. Tipton said Texas and 20 other states had not shown they had suffered financial harm because of the humanitarian&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-parole-trump-biden-latin-america-hungary-vietnam-cuba-venezuela-6deab463a9cc596b2cd1adc6443da787">parole program</a>&nbsp;that allows up to 30,000 asylum-seekers into the U.S. each month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela combined. That was something the states needed to prove to have legal standing to bring the lawsuit.“In reaching this conclusion, the Court does not address the lawfulness of the Program,” Tipton wrote.Eliminating the program would undercut a broader policy that seeks to encourage migrants to use the Biden administration’s preferred pathways into the U.S. or face stiff consequences.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-biden-haiti-cuba-nicaragua-venezuela-e8a59f78e4b674d45a7dc0b546158336">The states</a>, led by Texas, had argued the program is forcing them to spend millions on health care, education, and public safety for the migrants. An attorney working with the Texas attorney general’s office in the legal challenge said that the program “created a shadow immigration system.”Advocates for the federal government countered that migrants admitted through the policy helped with a U.S. farm labor shortage.The Texas Attorney General’s Office, the U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which defended the program, didn't immediately reply to messages seeking comment.An appeal by Texas and the other states seemed likely.Since the program was launched in fall 2022, more than 357,000 people from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela have been granted parole and allowed to enter the country through January. Haitians have been far been the biggest group to use the program with 138,000 people from that country arriving, followed by 86,000 Venezuelans, 74,000 Cubans and 58,000 Nicaraguans.Migrants must apply online, arrive at an airport and have a financial sponsor in the U.S. If approved, they can stay for two years and get a work permit.President Joe Biden has made unprecedented use of parole authority, which has been in effect since 1952 and allows presidents to let people in for “urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.”Esther Sung, an attorney for Justice Action Center, which represented seven people who were sponsoring migrants as part of the program, said she was looking forward to calling her clients to let them know of the court's decision."It’s a popular program. People want to welcome other people to this country,” she said.During&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-humanitarian-parole-trial-biden-border-080faf3d3d756bb5fb91b2175742c383">an August trial</a>&nbsp;in Victoria, Texas, Tipton declined to issue any temporary order that would halt the parole program nationwide. Tipton is an appointee of former President Donald Trump who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-arrests-boston-immigration-migration-62c2cdf752b8301a726aca3974ae80b2">ruled against</a>&nbsp;the Biden administration in 2022 on an order that determined who to prioritize for deportation.Some states said the initiative has benefited them. One Nicaraguan migrant admitted into the country through the process filled a position at a farm in Washington state that was struggling to find workers.Tipton questioned how Texas could be claiming financial losses if data showed that the parole program actually reduced the number of migrants coming into the U.S.“The Court has before it a case in which Plaintiffs claim that they have been injured by a program that has actually lowered their out-of-pocket costs,” Tipton said in Friday's ruling.When the policy took effect, the Biden administration had been preparing to end a pandemic-era policy at the border known as Title 42 that barred migrants from seeking asylum at ports of entry and immediately expelled many who entered illegally.Proponents of the policy also faced scrutiny from Tipton, who questioned whether living in poverty was enough for migrants to qualify. Elissa Fudim, a lawyer with the U.S. Department of Justice, responded: “I think probably not.”Federal government attorneys and immigrant rights groups said that in many cases, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans are also fleeing oppressive regimes, escalating violence and worsening political conditions that have endangered their lives.The lawsuit did not challenge the use of humanitarian parole for tens of thousands of Ukrainians who came after Russia’s invasion. It is among several legal challenges the Biden administration has faced over its immigration policies.The program’s supporters said each case is individually reviewed and some people who had made it to the final approval step after arriving in the U.S. have been rejected, though they did not provide the number of rejections that have occurred.

Judge OKs plan that allows 30,000 migrants from 4 countries into the US each month 

OLIVETTE, Mo. (AP) — A 25-year-old Missouri man has been charged with shooting and killing his mother as she tried to enter the back door of their home.

Jaylen Johnson's attorney, William Goldstein,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-courts/olivette-man-shoots-mother-thought-she-was-an-intruder-lawyer-says/article_4be5d19c-dccf-11ee-acc8-b72d7b156422.html#tracking-source=mp-homepage">told</a>&nbsp;the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Johnson believed his mother was an intruder when she tried to enter the home in the St. Louis suburb of Olivette around 7:30 a.m. Thursday.

Olivette police&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=310266068739884&amp;set=a.115223818244111">said</a>&nbsp;56-year-old Monica McNichols-Johnson died at the house even though Johnson's girlfriend tried to help her after she was shot.

Goldstein said the 25-year-old Johnson immediately called 911 after he shot his mother, and he has been distraught ever since.

“He hasn’t stopped crying,” Goldstein said.

Prosecutors charged Johnson with manslaughter and armed criminal action, and his bail was set at $100,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710170652467.png" alt="Johnson photo St. Louis County Justice Center" />
 <figcaption>Johnson photo St. Louis County Justice Center</figcaption>
 </figure>OLIVETTE, Mo. (AP) — A 25-year-old Missouri man has been charged with shooting and killing his mother as she tried to enter the back door of their home.Jaylen Johnson's attorney, William Goldstein,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-courts/olivette-man-shoots-mother-thought-she-was-an-intruder-lawyer-says/article_4be5d19c-dccf-11ee-acc8-b72d7b156422.html#tracking-source=mp-homepage">told</a>&nbsp;the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Johnson believed his mother was an intruder when she tried to enter the home in the St. Louis suburb of Olivette around 7:30 a.m. Thursday.Olivette police&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=310266068739884&amp;set=a.115223818244111">said</a>&nbsp;56-year-old Monica McNichols-Johnson died at the house even though Johnson's girlfriend tried to help her after she was shot.Goldstein said the 25-year-old Johnson immediately called 911 after he shot his mother, and he has been distraught ever since.“He hasn’t stopped crying,” Goldstein said.Prosecutors charged Johnson with manslaughter and armed criminal action, and his bail was set at $100,000.

Lawyer: Man fatally shot his mother, thought she was an intruder

KANSAS CITY—Late Saturday, a Missouri State Trooper was  on a traffic stop in Clay County when his patrol car was struck. 

The driver of the vehicle, later identified as&nbsp; Shalonda L. Williams, 42, Kansas City, who struck the Trooper's patrol vehicle was found to be intoxicated.

Williams was arrested on requested charges that include driving while intoxicated, carless and imprudent driving involving an accident, failure to drive in a single lane resulting in an accident and three misdemeanor Jackson County warrants, according to online records.

The were no injuries in the crash. The MSHP took the opportunity remind the public to driver sober and move over for emergency vehicles.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710168598791.png" alt="Photos MSHP" />
 <figcaption>Photos MSHP</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Late Saturday, a Missouri State Trooper was on a traffic stop in Clay County when his patrol car was struck. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as&nbsp; Shalonda L. Williams, 42, Kansas City, who struck the Trooper's patrol vehicle was found to be intoxicated.Williams was arrested on requested charges that include driving while intoxicated, carless and imprudent driving involving an accident, failure to drive in a single lane resulting in an accident and three misdemeanor Jackson County warrants, according to online records.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710168577760.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The were no injuries in the crash. The MSHP took the opportunity remind the public to driver sober and move over for emergency vehicles.&nbsp;

Driver accused of DWI struck State Trooper's vehicle

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

Just after 10p.m. March 4, a sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75 Highway at the U.S. 56 for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, the deputy found illegal narcotics.&nbsp;

Nicole L. Bailey, 41, of Topeka was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges on Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709663706694.png" alt="Bailey-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Bailey-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.&nbsp;Just after 10p.m. March 4, a sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75 Highway at the U.S. 56 for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, the deputy found illegal narcotics.&nbsp;Nicole L. Bailey, 41, of Topeka was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges on Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Kansas woman had meth she intended to sell

TOPEKA — Kansas Republicans have condemned a fundraiser Friday night where attendees paid to kick and beat an effigy of President Joe Biden, distancing themselves from extremists who have seized control of the party.

The Biden-bashing antics were part of a Kansas GOP event in Johnson County, where rocker Ted Nugent and disgraced former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline were the main attractions.

A video posted by “MolonLabeTruth” to the far-right social media platform Rumble shows “highlights” from the event, which also included karate chops to blocks that read “Let’s Go, Brandon,” code for a profane insult of Biden. The video shows several people at the event attempting a roundhouse kick to a mannequin bust with a Biden mask and “Let’s Go, Brandon” T-shirt. Another woman is seen beating the president’s face with a foam bat.

Kansas GOP chairman Mike Brown, an election denier who narrowly won the leadership position a year ago, touted the fundraiser event for weeks in official GOP emails — with no mention of the Biden effigy. General admission tickets were listed at $100, with premier seats for $300.

Brown didn’t respond to an email seeking comment for this story.

On Saturday, former GOP chairman Mike Kuckelman condemned the Biden bashing in a post on Kuckelman’s personal Facebook page. Other Republicans joined him in comments on the post.

Kuckelman said guests at the event were invited to beat the Biden effigy in exchange for a donation. He called for the resignations of Brown and Johnson County Republican Party chairwoman Maria Holiday.

“This conduct is shameful, and it is WRONG. Brown and Holiday must resign,” Kuckelman wrote. “Republicans, especially elected Republicans, must demand the resignations of Brown and Holiday. Silence is complicity in this case.”

Kuckelman said Republicans “rightfully demanded” that Kathy Griffin be canceled after a photo emerged with her holding a bloody, severed replica of then-President Donald Trump’s head. Republicans “must speak equally as loudly” about the bashing of Biden’s effigy, Kuckelman wrote.

“I don’t agree with President Biden’s policies, but he is a fellow human being,” Kuckelman wrote. “No one should condone or defend this horrific and shameful conduct.”

John Altevogt, a conservative social media commentator, said the event shows how far the party’s leadership has drifted from mainstream politics. He described Brown’s supporters as QAnon and white supremacists who have “no place in legitimate Republican political discourse.”

“What should become brazenly obvious from this post is the wide range of Republicans who are disgusted by this behavior,” Altevogt wrote in a comment on Kuckelman’s post. “There are Trump people here and Principles First people here. And yet, here we are, joined together to rid the party of this embarrassing scourge.”

Former state Sen. Michael O’Donnell called the event “sad.”

Others described it as “disturbing,” “disgusting,” “shocking,” “enraging,” and “despicable.” Several people said they were lifelong Republicans who were considering leaving the party.

Julie Roller Weeks, vice chairwoman of the Dickinson County Republicans, wrote: “We fight with our votes, NOT fists and bats. This is disgraceful!”

Brandon Kenig, who described himself as a former chairman of the Kansas Young Republicans and campaign volunteer, said the Republican Party “that supported democracy and fought autocracy has faded into history, and the only core tenant of the party that remains is full, undying loyalty to one man,” referencing the party’s presumed nominee for president.

“Sadly, this isn’t surprising at all,” Kenig wrote. “It’s the logical extension of a a cult-like mentality. When a majority of the party base sees the opposition as inherently evil and dehumanizes them repeatedly over policy disagreements, it’s only a small step to simulated political violence and then actual political violence. Due to the lack of courage from party leaders, most base voters embrace deep-seated lies such as 2020 election denialism, vaccine conspiracy theories, QAnon nonsense about politicians being pedos, the deep state, and worse, why wouldn’t those insane beliefs justify a response like this?”

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Democrat from Lenexa, in Johnson County, encouraged GOP elected officials to condemn the beating of Biden’s effigy.

“Political violence of any kind is vile and wrong, and we cannot afford to brush it under the rug when others encourage it,” Sykes said. “The focus now has to be on Republican leadership of the Kansas Senate and House. If my colleagues in the Legislature agree that this conduct is shameful and dangerous, they cannot turn a blind eye to this behavior. Their silence is consent.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710156632753.jpeg" alt=" Kansas Republicans have called for the resignation of state GOP chairman Mike Brown, seen at the state GOP convention in February 2023. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Republicans have called for the resignation of state GOP chairman Mike Brown, seen at the state GOP convention in February 2023. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA — Kansas Republicans have condemned a fundraiser Friday night where attendees paid to kick and beat an effigy of President Joe Biden, distancing themselves from extremists who have seized control of the party.The Biden-bashing antics were part of a Kansas GOP event in Johnson County, where rocker Ted Nugent and disgraced former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline were the main attractions.A video posted by “MolonLabeTruth” to the far-right social media platform Rumble shows “highlights” from the event, which also included karate chops to blocks that read “Let’s Go, Brandon,” code for a profane insult of Biden. The video shows several people at the event attempting a roundhouse kick to a mannequin bust with a Biden mask and “Let’s Go, Brandon” T-shirt. Another woman is seen beating the president’s face with a foam bat.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710156462660.png" alt="Image from the video" />
 <figcaption>Image from the video</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansas GOP chairman Mike Brown, an election denier who narrowly won the leadership position a year ago, touted the fundraiser event for weeks in official GOP emails — with no mention of the Biden effigy. General admission tickets were listed at $100, with premier seats for $300.Brown didn’t respond to an email seeking comment for this story.On Saturday, former GOP chairman Mike Kuckelman condemned the Biden bashing in a post on Kuckelman’s personal Facebook page. Other Republicans joined him in comments on the post.Kuckelman said guests at the event were invited to beat the Biden effigy in exchange for a donation. He called for the resignations of Brown and Johnson County Republican Party chairwoman Maria Holiday.“This conduct is shameful, and it is WRONG. Brown and Holiday must resign,” Kuckelman wrote. “Republicans, especially elected Republicans, must demand the resignations of Brown and Holiday. Silence is complicity in this case.”Kuckelman said Republicans “rightfully demanded” that Kathy Griffin be canceled after a photo emerged with her holding a bloody, severed replica of then-President Donald Trump’s head. Republicans “must speak equally as loudly” about the bashing of Biden’s effigy, Kuckelman wrote.“I don’t agree with President Biden’s policies, but he is a fellow human being,” Kuckelman wrote. “No one should condone or defend this horrific and shameful conduct.”John Altevogt, a conservative social media commentator, said the event shows how far the party’s leadership has drifted from mainstream politics. He described Brown’s supporters as QAnon and white supremacists who have “no place in legitimate Republican political discourse.”“What should become brazenly obvious from this post is the wide range of Republicans who are disgusted by this behavior,” Altevogt wrote in a comment on Kuckelman’s post. “There are Trump people here and Principles First people here. And yet, here we are, joined together to rid the party of this embarrassing scourge.”Former state Sen. Michael O’Donnell called the event “sad.”Others described it as “disturbing,” “disgusting,” “shocking,” “enraging,” and “despicable.” Several people said they were lifelong Republicans who were considering leaving the party.Julie Roller Weeks, vice chairwoman of the Dickinson County Republicans, wrote: “We fight with our votes, NOT fists and bats. This is disgraceful!”Brandon Kenig, who described himself as a former chairman of the Kansas Young Republicans and campaign volunteer, said the Republican Party “that supported democracy and fought autocracy has faded into history, and the only core tenant of the party that remains is full, undying loyalty to one man,” referencing the party’s presumed nominee for president.“Sadly, this isn’t surprising at all,” Kenig wrote. “It’s the logical extension of a a cult-like mentality. When a majority of the party base sees the opposition as inherently evil and dehumanizes them repeatedly over policy disagreements, it’s only a small step to simulated political violence and then actual political violence. Due to the lack of courage from party leaders, most base voters embrace deep-seated lies such as 2020 election denialism, vaccine conspiracy theories, QAnon nonsense about politicians being pedos, the deep state, and worse, why wouldn’t those insane beliefs justify a response like this?”Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Democrat from Lenexa, in Johnson County, encouraged GOP elected officials to condemn the beating of Biden’s effigy.“Political violence of any kind is vile and wrong, and we cannot afford to brush it under the rug when others encourage it,” Sykes said. “The focus now has to be on Republican leadership of the Kansas Senate and House. If my colleagues in the Legislature agree that this conduct is shameful and dangerous, they cannot turn a blind eye to this behavior. Their silence is consent.”

Biden beaten in effigy at Kan. GOP fundraiser, drawing condemnation from fellow Republicans

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three weekend shooting deaths in Kansas City.

Around 5:30.m. Saturday, police officers responded to a residence in 7300 block of Park Road, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

First responders found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Steven Mentzer, 29, was pronounced dead at the scene and another male victim was transported to hospital.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

At 4:30a.m. Sunday, police responded to a shooting in the 4800 block of Independence Avenue in Kansas City, according to Forte

First responders found a man dead in a parking lot and another man located inside business suffering from gunshot trauma. He was pronounced dead at a hospital, according to Forte'.&nbsp; The men who died are identified as&nbsp; 34-year-old Reginald McGee and&nbsp; 37-year-old Nicholas Lewis, according to KCPD.

Police have not reported additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710009419001.png" alt="Investigation in the 7300 Block of Park Road-Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Investigation in the 7300 Block of Park Road-Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three weekend shooting deaths in Kansas City.Around 5:30.m. Saturday, police officers responded to a residence in 7300 block of Park Road, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.First responders found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. Steven Mentzer, 29, was pronounced dead at the scene and another male victim was transported to hospital.&nbsp; Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710117979268.png" alt="Investigators in the 4800 Block of Independence Ave. -Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte" />
 <figcaption>Investigators in the 4800 Block of Independence Ave. -Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte</figcaption>
 </figure>At 4:30a.m. Sunday, police responded to a shooting in the 4800 block of Independence Avenue in Kansas City, according to ForteFirst responders found a man dead in a parking lot and another man located inside business suffering from gunshot trauma. He was pronounced dead at a hospital, according to Forte'.&nbsp; The men who died are identified as&nbsp; 34-year-old Reginald McGee and&nbsp; 37-year-old Nicholas Lewis, according to KCPD.Police have not reported additional details.

Police investigating 3 weekend homicides in Kansas City

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A list of winners at the<a href="https://apnews.com/live/2024-Oscars-updates-winners">&nbsp;Academy Awards on Sunda</a>y:

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oppenheimer-oppenheimer-movie-review-christopher-nolan-c708d52c230a0574712ebe1298af070d" target="_blank">“Oppenheimer”</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/emma-stone" target="_blank">Emma Stone, “Poor Things”</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-downey-jr-oppenheimer-interview-b6d9c38b3735906940d86a6e8aa8bc27" target="_blank">Robert Downey Jr., “Oppenheimer”</a>

Da’Vine Joy Randolph,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/holdovers-alexander-payne-e45036178a7ce23c0bd045ccc1dd4ae1" target="_blank">“The Holdovers”</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/christopher-nolan-oppenheimer-oscars-academy-awards-595ceb713efb026e2bcf3814b0cfa48a" target="_blank">Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer”</a>

“The Zone of Interest,” Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/soundtracks-2024-oscars-academy-awards-barbie-8d7f562b3c642362dfd90b8db3154458" target="_blank">“What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie”</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/godzilla-minus-one-2d1c07f947a298c9c972b5f026344b71" target="_blank">“Godzilla Minus One”</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/20-days-mariupol-oscar-nominations-documentary-d1256ee3cd3bf1a69787108513a7a761" target="_blank">“20 Days in Mariupol”</a>

“WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John &amp; Yoko”

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A list of winners at the<a href="https://apnews.com/live/2024-Oscars-updates-winners">&nbsp;Academy Awards on Sunda</a>y:<h2>BEST PICTURE</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/article/oppenheimer-oppenheimer-movie-review-christopher-nolan-c708d52c230a0574712ebe1298af070d" target="_blank">“Oppenheimer”</a><h2>BEST ACTRESS</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/emma-stone" target="_blank">Emma Stone, “Poor Things”</a><h2>BEST ACTOR</h2>Cillian Murphy, “Oppenheimer”<h2>SUPPORTING ACTOR</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-downey-jr-oppenheimer-interview-b6d9c38b3735906940d86a6e8aa8bc27" target="_blank">Robert Downey Jr., “Oppenheimer”</a><h2>SUPPORTING ACTRESS</h2>Da’Vine Joy Randolph,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/holdovers-alexander-payne-e45036178a7ce23c0bd045ccc1dd4ae1" target="_blank">“The Holdovers”</a><h2>DIRECTOR</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/article/christopher-nolan-oppenheimer-oscars-academy-awards-595ceb713efb026e2bcf3814b0cfa48a" target="_blank">Christopher Nolan, “Oppenheimer”</a><h2>LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM</h2>“The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar”<h2>SOUND</h2>“The Zone of Interest,” Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn<h2>ORIGINAL SCORE</h2>“Oppenheimer,” Ludwig Göransson<h2>ORIGINAL SONG</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/article/soundtracks-2024-oscars-academy-awards-barbie-8d7f562b3c642362dfd90b8db3154458" target="_blank">“What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie”</a><h2>VISUAL EFFECTS</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/article/godzilla-minus-one-2d1c07f947a298c9c972b5f026344b71" target="_blank">“Godzilla Minus One”</a><h2>FILM EDITING</h2>“Oppenheimer,” Jennifer Lame<h2>DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM</h2>“The Last Repair Shop”<h2>DOCUMENTARY FEATURE</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/article/20-days-mariupol-oscar-nominations-documentary-d1256ee3cd3bf1a69787108513a7a761" target="_blank">“20 Days in Mariupol”</a><h2>CINEMATOGRAPHY</h2>“Oppenheimer,” Hoyte Van Hoytema<h2>ANIMATED SHORT FILM</h2>“WAR IS OVER! Inspired by the Music of John &amp; Yoko”<h2>ANIMATED FILM</h2><a href="https://apnews.com/article/boy-heron-miyazaki-movie-review-a38c35485066682e2c5026c69fef82be" target="_blank">“The Boy and the Heron”</a><h2>ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY</h2>“Anatomy of a Fall,” Justine Triet and Arthur Harari<h2>ADAPTED SCREENPLAY</h2>“American Fiction,” Cord Jefferson<h2>MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING</h2>“Poor Things,” Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston<h2>PRODUCTION DESIGN</h2>“Poor Things,” James Price, Shona Heath and Zsuzsa Mihalek<h2>COSTUME DESIGN</h2>“Poor Things,” Holly Waddington<h2>INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM</h2>“The Zone of Interest” (United Kingdom)-----------LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Oppenheimer,” a solemn three-hour biopic that became an unlikely billion-dollar box-office sensation, was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/2024-oscars-updates-winners#0000018e-2b4d-d7d8-a7ee-bfdfe5f30000">crowned best picture at a 96th Academy Awards</a>&nbsp;that doubled as a coronation for Christopher Nolan.After passing over arguably Hollywood’s foremost big-screen auteur for years, the Oscars made up for lost time by heaping seven awards on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oppenheimer-christopher-nolan-469cc81e0989f414a20db5508c7630a0">Nolan’s blockbuster biopic</a>, including best actor for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-actor-2024-oscars-e43fa9f19d0ebe413014e22a8bcbfe34">Cillian Murphy</a>, best supporting actor for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supporting-actor-2024-oscars-5320c80b0206acddf8cc0698ad70a4b7">Robert Downey Jr.</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-director-2024-oscars-7dbd4334dfbdef442d7e1a358520ec52">best director for Nolan</a>.In anointing “Oppenheimer,” the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences did something it hasn’t done for more than a decade:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oscars-academy-awards-oppenheimer-barbie-blockbusters-5dd72660915a7aad6fe8e358172dad69">hand its top prize to a widely seen, big-budget studio film</a>. In a film industry where a cape, dinosaur or Tom Cruise has often been a requirement for such box office, “Oppenheimer” brought droves of moviegoers to theaters with a complex, fission-filled drama about J. Robert Oppenheimer and the creation of the atomic bomb.“For better or worse, we’re all living in Oppenheimer’s world," said Murphy in his acceptance speech. "I’d like to dedicate this to the peacemakers.”As a film heavy with unease for human capacity for mass destruction, “Oppenheimer” also emerged — even over its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/barbenheimer-barbie-oppenheimer-double-feature-3f2cebb6720fb79b8584976f9e97eca0">partner in cultural phenomenon, “Barbie”</a>&nbsp;– as a fittingly foreboding film for times rife with cataclysm, man-made or not.Sunday’s Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles unfolded against the backdrop of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">wars in Gaza</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">Ukraine</a>, and with a potentially momentous U.S. election on the horizon. Awards for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-documentary-2024-oscars-61eadff6af5bb91d53737776c1a60ff8">documentary winner, “20 Days in Mariupol,”</a>&nbsp;and best&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-international-film-2024-oscars-winner-3bfe76af4d45930520d6ec143c2b33bc">international film, “The Zone of Interest,”</a>&nbsp;brought geopolitics into the Oscar spotlight.The most closely watched contest went to Emma Stone, who won best actress for her performance as Bella Baxter in “Poor Things.” In what was seen as the night’s most nail-biting category, Stone won over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lily-gladstone-ap-breakthrough-entertainer-2023-905692b843b38751ad4e57705949e3ab">Lily Gladstone</a>&nbsp;of “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Gladstone would have become the first Native American to win an Academy Award.Instead, Oscar voters couldn’t resist the full-bodied extremes of Stone’s “Poor Things” performance. The win for Stone, her second best actress Oscar following her 2017 win for “La La Land,” confirmed the 35-year-old as arguably the preeminent big-screen actress of her generation. The list of women to win best actress two or more times is illustrious, including Katharine Hepburn, Frances McDormand, Ingrid Bergman and Bette Davis.“Oh, boy, this is really overwhelming,” said Stone, who fought back tears and a broken dress during her speech.Sunday’s broadcast had razzle dazzle, including a sprawling song-and-dance rendition of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/barbie-soundtrack-mark-ronson-f7b8ef9faf406a30576392197e72d237">“Barbie” hit “I’m Just Ken”</a>&nbsp;by Ryan Gosling, with an assist on guitar by Slash and a sea of Kens who swarmed the stage.But protest and politics intruded on an election-year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/2024-oscars-updates-winners">Academy Awards</a>. Late during the show, host Jimmy Kimmel read a critical social media post from former president Donald Trump.“Thank you for watching,” said Kimmel. “Isn’t it past your jail time?”Nolan has had many movies in the Oscar mix before, including “Inception,” “Dunkirk” and “The Dark Knight.” But his win Sunday for direction is the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-director-2024-oscars-7dbd4334dfbdef442d7e1a358520ec52">first Academy Award for the 53-year-old filmmaker</a>. Addressing the crowd, Nolan noted cinema is just over a hundred years old.“Imagine being there 100 years into painting or theater,” said Nolan, who shared the best-picture award with Emma Thomas, his wife and producer. “We don’t know where this incredible journey is going from here. But to know that you think that I’m a meaningful part of it means the world to me.”Downey, nominated twice before (for “Chaplin” and “Tropic Thunder”), also notched his first Oscar, crowning the illustrious second act of his up-and-down career.“I’d like to thank my terrible childhood and the academy, in that order,” said Downey,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-movies-robert-downey-jr-c28d5b1dc4bc197cc0beea2803f0955e">the son of filmmaker Robert Downey Sr.</a>“Barbie,” last year’s biggest box-office hit with more than $1.4 billion in ticket sales, ultimately won just one award: best song (sorry, Ken) for Billie Eilish and Finneas’ “What Was I Made For?” It’s their second Oscar, two years after winning for their James Bond theme, “No Time to Die.”Protests over Israel’s war in Gaza snarled traffic around the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, slowing stars’ arrival on the red carpet and turning the Oscar’ attention toward the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">ongoing conflict</a>. Some protesters shouted “Shame!” at those trying to reach the awards.Jonathan Glazer, the British filmmaker whose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zone-of-interest-cannes-jonathan-glazer-auschwitz-0e5665079c18a37762cc4de19ddba4a1">chilling Auschwitz drama “The Zone of Interest”</a>&nbsp;won best international film, drew connections between the dehumanization depicted in his film and today.“Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people, whether the victims of October the 7th in Israel, or the the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims, this dehumanization, how do we resist?”A year after “Navalny” won the same award, Mstyslav Chernov’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-war-documentary-20-days-mariupol-82fadffb60f225d753203df3e16db56b">“20 Days in Mariupol,”</a>&nbsp;a harrowing chronicle of the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, won best documentary. The win, a first for The Associated Press and PBS’ “Frontline,” came as the war in Ukraine passed the two-year mark with no signs of abating.Chernov, the Ukrainian filmmaker and AP journalist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/movies-documentaries-academy-awards-public-broadcasting-service-bobi-wine-01e000a048404c09a04710735b9ceaa8">whose hometown was bombed the day he learned of his Oscar nomination</a>, spoke forcefully about Russia’s invasion.“This is the first Oscar in Ukrainian history, and I'm honored,” said Chernov. “Probably I will be the first director on this stage to say I wish I’d never made this film. I wish to be able to exchange this (for) Russia never attacking Ukraine.”In the early going, Yorgos Lanthimos’ Frankenstein-riff “Poor Things” ran away with three prizes for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poor-things-costumes-sets-yorgos-lanthimos-7b226f3941bf08c23a2bf2da1c7f3c1f">its sumptuous craft,</a>&nbsp;including awards for production design, makeup and hairstyling and costume design. “Poor Things” fared second best to “Oppenheimer,” with a total of four awards.Kimmel, hosting the ABC telecast for the fourth time, opened the awards with an monologue that emphasized Hollywood as “a union town” following 2023's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hollywood-strikes/">actor and writer strikes</a>, drew a standing ovation for bringing out teamsters and behind-the-scenes workers — who are now entering their own labor negotiations.The night's first award was one of its most predictable:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/oscars-2024-supporting-actress-104c12c3cd5483e7baa685e6ac78f16b">Da'Vine Joy Randolph for best supporting actress</a>, for her performance in Alexander Payne's “The Holdovers.” An emotional Randolph was accompanied to the stage by her “Holdovers” co-star Paul Giamatti.“For so long I've always wanted to be different,” said Randolph. "And now I realize I just need to be myself."Though Randolph’s win was widely expected, an upset quickly followed. Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/best-animated-film-2024-oscars-346ebe9c9392126031969ff51044a4a2">won for best animated feature</a>, a surprise over the slightly favored “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.” Miyazaki, the 83-year-old Japanese anime master who came out of retirement to make&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boy-heron-miyazaki-movie-review-a38c35485066682e2c5026c69fef82be">“The Boy and the Heron,”</a>&nbsp;didn’t attend the ceremony. He also didn’t attend the 2003 Oscars when his “Spirited Away” won the same award.Best original screenplay went to “Anatomy of a Fall,” which, like “Barbie," was penned by a couple: director Justine Triet and Arthur Harari. “This will help me through my midlife crisis, I think," said Triet.In adapted screenplay, where “Barbie” was nominated — and where some suspected Greta Gerwig would win after being overlooked for director — the Oscar went to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cord-jefferson-american-fiction-tiff-toronto-film-festival-f16d5df808a6d7117c07442b9ad7ce02">Cord Jefferson</a>, who wrote and directed his feature film debut “American Fiction.” He pleaded for executives to take risks on young filmmakers like himself.“Instead of making a $200 million movie, try making 20 $10 million movies,” said Jefferson, previously an award-winning TV writer.The Oscars belonged largely to theatrical-first films. Though it came into the awards with 19 nominations, Netflix was a bit player. Its lone win came for live action short: Wes Anderson's “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” based on the story by Roald Dahl.The win for “Oppenheimer” offered Hollywood a chance to celebrate despite swirling storm clouds in the film industry. Nolan’s film debuted last year just as actors joined screenwriters in a prolonged strike over streaming economics and artificial intelligence. The actors’ strike ended in November, but little of Hollywood’s unease subsided. Streaming has proved less lucrative for most studios not named Netflix.But “Barbenheimer” was the kind of unplanned phenomenon Hollywood needs more of. The two films could also give a lift to the Oscar telecast, which has historically benefitted from having big movies in contention. The Academy Awards’ largest audience ever came when James Cameron’s “Titanic” swept the 1998 Oscars.