KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Missouri Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the latest attempt by Republican state officials to block taxpayer dollars from going to Planned Parenthood, citing a failure in the state's legal appeal.

The high court's decision upholds a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-missouri-planned-parenthood-st-louis-1e54f2e9087e72e7ad65c8b1862e06c4?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">ruling by a trial judge</a>, who found that a 2022 funding bill violated the state constitution. The budget bill sought to bar Medicaid health care dollars from going to Planned Parenthood because its affiliates elsewhere performed abortions. But the Supreme Court's ruling was based on procedural grounds, not the merits of the claims.

The court said a trial judge had blocked the provisions in the funding bill for two reasons — because they violated the state constitution's requirement that legislation contain a single subject and because they infringed on equal protection rights. The Supreme Court said Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey's office failed to appeal the equal protection claim and it thus must stand. As a result, the court said there was no reason to address the single-subject claim.

Bailey's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

Planned Parenthood said in a statement that the court had reaffirmed patients' rights to receive its services for such things as cancer screenings and birth control.

“Over and over again, the courts have rejected politicians’ ongoing attempts to deprive patients of their health care by unconstitutionally kicking Planned Parenthood out of the Medicaid program,” the organization said in a joint statement from Yamelsie Rodriguez, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, and Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains.

Missouri's Republican-led Legislature has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-funding-planned-parenthood-530ec36d6e079f9ee3d25b3d7d95c449?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">tried for years to block</a>&nbsp;any health care funding from going to Planned Parenthood because of its association with abortion. That has continued even though Planned Parenthood no longer performs abortions in Missouri. A state law prohibiting most abortions took effect after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">U.S. Supreme Court overturned</a>&nbsp;a nationwide right to abortion in June 2022.

Lawmakers were able to stop money from going to Planned Parenthood in the 2019 fiscal year by forgoing some federal funding to avoid requirements that the clinics be reimbursed if low-income patients go there for birth control, cancer screenings and other preventative care. Missouri instead used state money to pay for those services.

But the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-f7b65c6c22d2def4f87962775022ad56?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">Missouri Supreme Court in 2020</a>&nbsp;ruled lawmakers violated the state constitution by making the policy change through the state budget instead of a separate bill, forcing the state to reimburse Planned Parenthood for health care provided to Medicaid patients.

Lawmakers have been trying since then to reinstate a ban on funding for Planned Parenthood. A bill to create such a prohibition, separate from the budget, faced Democratic opposition when it was brought up for Senate debate earlier this month.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — The Missouri Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the latest attempt by Republican state officials to block taxpayer dollars from going to Planned Parenthood, citing a failure in the state's legal appeal.The high court's decision upholds a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-missouri-planned-parenthood-st-louis-1e54f2e9087e72e7ad65c8b1862e06c4?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">ruling by a trial judge</a>, who found that a 2022 funding bill violated the state constitution. The budget bill sought to bar Medicaid health care dollars from going to Planned Parenthood because its affiliates elsewhere performed abortions. But the Supreme Court's ruling was based on procedural grounds, not the merits of the claims.The court said a trial judge had blocked the provisions in the funding bill for two reasons — because they violated the state constitution's requirement that legislation contain a single subject and because they infringed on equal protection rights. The Supreme Court said Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey's office failed to appeal the equal protection claim and it thus must stand. As a result, the court said there was no reason to address the single-subject claim.Bailey's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.Planned Parenthood said in a statement that the court had reaffirmed patients' rights to receive its services for such things as cancer screenings and birth control.“Over and over again, the courts have rejected politicians’ ongoing attempts to deprive patients of their health care by unconstitutionally kicking Planned Parenthood out of the Medicaid program,” the organization said in a joint statement from Yamelsie Rodriguez, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri, and Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains.Missouri's Republican-led Legislature has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-missouri-funding-planned-parenthood-530ec36d6e079f9ee3d25b3d7d95c449?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">tried for years to block</a>&nbsp;any health care funding from going to Planned Parenthood because of its association with abortion. That has continued even though Planned Parenthood no longer performs abortions in Missouri. A state law prohibiting most abortions took effect after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">U.S. Supreme Court overturned</a>&nbsp;a nationwide right to abortion in June 2022.Lawmakers were able to stop money from going to Planned Parenthood in the 2019 fiscal year by forgoing some federal funding to avoid requirements that the clinics be reimbursed if low-income patients go there for birth control, cancer screenings and other preventative care. Missouri instead used state money to pay for those services.But the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-f7b65c6c22d2def4f87962775022ad56?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">Missouri Supreme Court in 2020</a>&nbsp;ruled lawmakers violated the state constitution by making the policy change through the state budget instead of a separate bill, forcing the state to reimburse Planned Parenthood for health care provided to Medicaid patients.Lawmakers have been trying since then to reinstate a ban on funding for Planned Parenthood. A bill to create such a prohibition, separate from the budget, faced Democratic opposition when it was brought up for Senate debate earlier this month.

Mo. Supreme Court: State can't block funding from Planned Parenthood  

KANSAS CITY —Authorities say one person has died and 22 people have been wounded in the shooting after the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl rally outside of Union Station Wednesday.

Eight victims were said to have had 'immediately' life threatening wounds, according to Kansas City Police. Seven are said to have had life threatening wounds. Six suffered minor wounds.

Radio station KKFI said in a Facebook post Wednesday evening that Lisa Lopez-Galvan, host of “Taste of Tejano,” was killed in the shooting.

“This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community,” KKFI said in a statement.

Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City reported late Wednesday afternoon that they are treating 12 patients - 11 of whom are children, and eight of them are being treated for gunshot wounds.

A Children's spokesperson confirmed Wednesday evening, though, that none of the children being treated there are in critical condition and all are expected to recover.

University Health spokeswoman Nancy Lewis said the hospital was treating eight gunshot victims. Two were in critical condition and six were in stable condition, she said.

The hospital also was treating four people for other injuries resulting from the chaos after the shooting, Lewis said.

Police say three people had been taken into custody.

At the conclusion of the Chiefs' Super Bowl parade on Wednesday afternoon, shots were fired west of Union Station near the parking garage, where multiple people were struck, according to police.

“This is absolutely a tragedy, the likes of which we never would have expected in Kansas City, the likes of which we’ll remember for some time,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said.

Mayor Lucas confirmed that all Chiefs players, coaches and staff members are safe and accounted for.

“We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside of Union Station at the conclusion of today's parade and rally,” the Chiefs said in a&nbsp;statement. “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all of Kansas City.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

The NFL issued&nbsp;its own statement&nbsp;saying it was “deeply saddened” and adding that its ”thoughts are with the victims and everyone affected.”

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he was “heartbroken” by the shooting.

“KC, you mean the world to me,” he&nbsp;posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes said in a&nbsp;post on X, “Praying for Kansas City.” He included three emojis of hands in prayer.

Offensive tackle Donovan Smith, defensive tackle Mike Pennel and safety Justin Reid were among the Chiefs players offering similar statements of support on social media.

“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by today’s incidents — a huge thank you to the first responders who ran towards the sound of danger,” offensive guard&nbsp;Trey Smith&nbsp;posted on X. “You’re the ones who should be celebrated today.”

Mayor Lucas said around 800 law enforcement officers were part of the response, including 250 officers from outside agencies.

"I’m angry at what happened today. The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment," Kansas City Police Chiefs Stacey Graves said.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson were at the parade during the gunfire but were unhurt. “Thanks to the professionalism of our security officers and first responders, Teresa and I and our staff are safe and secure,” Parson said in a statement.

President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting in Kansas City and will continue to receive updates, a White House spokesperson said.

Biden said the shooting “cuts deep in the American soul” and called on people to press Congress to ban assault weapons, to limit high-capacity gun magazines and for other gun measures that have been rejected by Republicans.

“Today’s events should move us, shock us, shame us into acting. What are we waiting for?” he said.

White House officials have been in touch with state and local leaders, and federal law enforcement is on the scene supporting local law enforcement.

Social media users posted shocking video. One user’s video showed someone apparently performing chest compressions on a shooting victim as another person, seemingly writhing in pain, lay on the ground nearby. People screamed in the background.

Another video showed two people chase and tackle a person, holding them down until two police officers arrived.

Areas that had been filled with crowds were empty after the shooting, with police and firefighters standing and talking behind an area restricted by yellow tape.

Throngs had lined the route, with fans climbing trees and street poles, or standing on rooftops for a better view. Players rolled through the crowd on double-decker buses, DJs and drummers heralding their arrival. Owner Clark Hunt was on one of those buses, holding the Lombardi Trophy.

Eyewitness report (Cody Oshel of Weatherby Lake)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707945460107.jpeg" alt="Police cordon off the area around Union Station following a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Multiple people were injured, a fire official said. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)." />
 <figcaption>Police cordon off the area around Union Station following a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Multiple people were injured, a fire official said. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann).</figcaption>
 </figure>By TOMMY REZACSt. Joseph PostKANSAS CITY —Authorities say one person has died and 22 people have been wounded in the shooting after the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl rally outside of Union Station Wednesday.Eight victims were said to have had 'immediately' life threatening wounds, according to Kansas City Police. Seven are said to have had life threatening wounds. Six suffered minor wounds.Radio station KKFI said in a Facebook post Wednesday evening that Lisa Lopez-Galvan, host of “Taste of Tejano,” was killed in the shooting.“This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community,” KKFI said in a statement.Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City reported late Wednesday afternoon that they are treating 12 patients - 11 of whom are children, and eight of them are being treated for gunshot wounds.A Children's spokesperson confirmed Wednesday evening, though, that none of the children being treated there are in critical condition and all are expected to recover.University Health spokeswoman Nancy Lewis said the hospital was treating eight gunshot victims. Two were in critical condition and six were in stable condition, she said.The hospital also was treating four people for other injuries resulting from the chaos after the shooting, Lewis said.Police say three people had been taken into custody.At the conclusion of the Chiefs' Super Bowl parade on Wednesday afternoon, shots were fired west of Union Station near the parking garage, where multiple people were struck, according to police.“This is absolutely a tragedy, the likes of which we never would have expected in Kansas City, the likes of which we’ll remember for some time,” Mayor Quinton Lucas said.Mayor Lucas confirmed that all Chiefs players, coaches and staff members are safe and accounted for.“We are truly saddened by the senseless act of violence that occurred outside of Union Station at the conclusion of today's parade and rally,” the Chiefs said in a&nbsp;statement. “Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and all of Kansas City.”&nbsp;&nbsp;The NFL issued&nbsp;its own statement&nbsp;saying it was “deeply saddened” and adding that its ”thoughts are with the victims and everyone affected.”Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he was “heartbroken” by the shooting.“KC, you mean the world to me,” he&nbsp;posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.Quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes said in a&nbsp;post on X, “Praying for Kansas City.” He included three emojis of hands in prayer.Offensive tackle Donovan Smith, defensive tackle Mike Pennel and safety Justin Reid were among the Chiefs players offering similar statements of support on social media.“My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by today’s incidents — a huge thank you to the first responders who ran towards the sound of danger,” offensive guard&nbsp;Trey Smith&nbsp;posted on X. “You’re the ones who should be celebrated today.”Mayor Lucas said around 800 law enforcement officers were part of the response, including 250 officers from outside agencies."I’m angry at what happened today. The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment," Kansas City Police Chiefs Stacey Graves said.Missouri Gov. Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson were at the parade during the gunfire but were unhurt. “Thanks to the professionalism of our security officers and first responders, Teresa and I and our staff are safe and secure,” Parson said in a statement.President Joe Biden has been briefed on the shooting in Kansas City and will continue to receive updates, a White House spokesperson said.Biden said the shooting “cuts deep in the American soul” and called on people to press Congress to ban assault weapons, to limit high-capacity gun magazines and for other gun measures that have been rejected by Republicans.“Today’s events should move us, shock us, shame us into acting. What are we waiting for?” he said.White House officials have been in touch with state and local leaders, and federal law enforcement is on the scene supporting local law enforcement.Social media users posted shocking video. One user’s video showed someone apparently performing chest compressions on a shooting victim as another person, seemingly writhing in pain, lay on the ground nearby. People screamed in the background.Another video showed two people chase and tackle a person, holding them down until two police officers arrived.Areas that had been filled with crowds were empty after the shooting, with police and firefighters standing and talking behind an area restricted by yellow tape.Throngs had lined the route, with fans climbing trees and street poles, or standing on rooftops for a better view. Players rolled through the crowd on double-decker buses, DJs and drummers heralding their arrival. Owner Clark Hunt was on one of those buses, holding the Lombardi Trophy.Eyewitness report (Cody Oshel of Weatherby Lake)<div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-sports/embed/episodes/Cody-Oshel---Chiefs-parade-attendee-e2fpvs8" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707945570654.jpeg" alt="A woman is taken to an ambulance after an incident following the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers Sunday in the Super Bowl 58. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)." />
 <figcaption>A woman is taken to an ambulance after an incident following the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers Sunday in the Super Bowl 58. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann).</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707957880008.jpeg" alt="A person is taken to an ambulance after an incident following the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)." />
 <figcaption>A person is taken to an ambulance after an incident following the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel).</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707957914012.jpeg" alt="A law enforcement officer looks around the scene following a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Multiple people were injured, a fire official said.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)." />
 <figcaption>A law enforcement officer looks around the scene following a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Multiple people were injured, a fire official said.(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel).</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707958028584.jpeg" alt="Law enforcement personnel clear the area around Union Station following a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Multiple people were injured, a fire official said.. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)." />
 <figcaption>Law enforcement personnel clear the area around Union Station following a shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs NFL football Super Bowl celebration in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. Multiple people were injured, a fire official said.. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann).</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707957978033.jpeg" alt="A person is taken to an ambulance after an incident following the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)." />
 <figcaption>A person is taken to an ambulance after an incident following the Kansas City Chiefs victory parade in Kansas City, Mo., Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024. The Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers Sunday in the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel).</figcaption>
 </figure>

One person dead, 22 wounded in shooting after Chiefs parade Wednesday

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a pair of alleged school threats at two middle schools in Kansas and have made arrests.

Just after 11 a.m. Wednesday, police received the report of an alleged threat from a student at Robinson Middle School, 1125 SW 14th Street in Topeka, according to Topeka Police Lt. Donna Eubanks. The school went into a secure campus out of an abundance of caution.

Investigators responded and determined there was no threat to the school or the public. They also took a student into custody. Following the police investigation police arrested the 13-year-old boy and booked him into the Shawnee County Juvenile Detention Center on the following on a requested charge of Aggravated criminal threat, according to Eubanks.

Meanwhile in Salina, police on Wednesday afternon learned a Lakewood Middle School student had allegedly posted on social media that he was going to "shoot up the school" due to being suspended from school for a school related issue, according to a media release from Salina Police. School resource officers confirmed the information with the school and observed the victim, witness's social media information corroborating the initial report.

Just before 8p.m. officers contacted the student, took them into custody and made an arrest on a requested charge of criminal threat. The juvenile is being transferred to the Saline County Sheriff's office and juvenile intake and assessment&nbsp; with a recommendation of detention at the north Central Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Facility in Junction City.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a pair of alleged school threats at two middle schools in Kansas and have made arrests.Just after 11 a.m. Wednesday, police received the report of an alleged threat from a student at Robinson Middle School, 1125 SW 14th Street in Topeka, according to Topeka Police Lt. Donna Eubanks. The school went into a secure campus out of an abundance of caution.Investigators responded and determined there was no threat to the school or the public. They also took a student into custody. Following the police investigation police arrested the 13-year-old boy and booked him into the Shawnee County Juvenile Detention Center on the following on a requested charge of Aggravated criminal threat, according to Eubanks.Meanwhile in Salina, police on Wednesday afternon learned a Lakewood Middle School student had allegedly posted on social media that he was going to "shoot up the school" due to being suspended from school for a school related issue, according to a media release from Salina Police. School resource officers confirmed the information with the school and observed the victim, witness's social media information corroborating the initial report.Just before 8p.m. officers contacted the student, took them into custody and made an arrest on a requested charge of criminal threat. The juvenile is being transferred to the Saline County Sheriff's office and juvenile intake and assessment&nbsp; with a recommendation of detention at the north Central Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Facility in Junction City.

Juveniles arrested for alleged threats at Kansas middle schools

JERUSALEM —The U.S. Central Command announced Wednesday that the U.S. military conducted additional self-defense strikes

Just after 2:30p.m., U.S&gt; forces successfully conducted a strike against one mobile anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM), in Iranian-backed Houthi controlled areas of Yemen, that was prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.

Separately, at approximately 9:20 p.m.(Sanaa time), one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) was launched from Iranian-backed Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden.  U.S. Navy ships tracked the missile but took no action because the missile was not projected to impact near any ships. There were no reports of injuries or damage from ships in the area.

&nbsp;Meanwhile, explosions struck a natural gas pipeline in Iran early on Wednesday, with an official blaming the blasts on a “sabotage and terrorist action” in the country as tensions remain high in the Middle East amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip</a>.

Details were scarce, though the blasts hit a natural gas pipeline running from Iran's western Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province up north to cities on the Caspian Sea. The roughly 1,270-kilometer (790-mile) pipeline begins in Asaluyeh, a hub for Iran's offshore South Pars gas field.

Saeed Aghli, the manager of Iran's gas network control center, told Iranian state television that a “sabotage and terrorist” action caused explosions along several areas of the line.

There are no known insurgent groups operating in that province, home to the Bakhtiari, a branch of Iran's Lur ethnic group. Aghli did not name any suspects in the blasts.

Iran's Oil Minister Javad Owji, also speaking to state TV, compared the attack to a series of mysterious and unclaimed assaults on gas pipelines in 2011 — including around the anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-islamic-revolution-anniversary-tensions-us-israel-c8ebdc3f98fa23a67e570e45b8875bc9">Tehran marked the 45th anniversary</a>&nbsp;of the revolution on Sunday.

“The goal that the enemies were pursuing was to cut the gas in the major provinces of the country and it did not happen,” Owji said. “Except for the number of villages that were near the gas transmission lines, no province suffered a cut.”

In the past, Arab separatists in southwestern Iran have claimed attacks against oil pipelines. However, attacks elsewhere in Iran against such infrastructure are rare.

Since the revolution, Iran has faced low-level separatist unrest from Kurds in the country's northwest, the Baluch in the east and Arabs in the southwest.

However, tensions have risen in recent years as Iran faces an economy hobbled by international sanctions over its nuclear program. The country has faced years of mass demonstrations, most recently in 2022 over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-mahsa-amini-crackdown-f26a5f687d87785841241d266ca3e872">the death of Mahsa Amini</a>, a young woman who died in custody after her arrest allegedly over how she wore her mandatory headscarf.

Meanwhile, Israel has carried out attacks in Iran that have predominantly targeted its nuclear program. On Tuesday, the head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog warned that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-iaea-gross-israel-hamas-gaza-war-ee164aefb63a533548a54179c952b5e1">Iran is “not entirely transparent” regarding its atomic program</a>, particularly after an official who once led Tehran’s program announced the Islamic Republic has all the pieces for a weapon “in our hands.”

Tensions over Iran's nuclear program comes as groups that Tehran is arming in the region — Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels — have launched attacks targeting Israel over the war in Gaza.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-ship-missile-houthi-rebels-attack-bab-elmandeb-strait-999b911c916f9266c07a6d29cc020e9e">The Houthis continue to attack commercial shipping</a>&nbsp;in the region, sparking repeated airstrikes from the United States and the United Kingdom.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699124273212.png" alt="photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM —The U.S. Central Command announced Wednesday that the U.S. military conducted additional self-defense strikesJust after 2:30p.m., U.S&gt; forces successfully conducted a strike against one mobile anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM), in Iranian-backed Houthi controlled areas of Yemen, that was prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.Separately, at approximately 9:20 p.m.(Sanaa time), one anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM) was launched from Iranian-backed Houthi controlled areas of Yemen into the Gulf of Aden. U.S. Navy ships tracked the missile but took no action because the missile was not projected to impact near any ships. There were no reports of injuries or damage from ships in the area.&nbsp;Meanwhile, explosions struck a natural gas pipeline in Iran early on Wednesday, with an official blaming the blasts on a “sabotage and terrorist action” in the country as tensions remain high in the Middle East amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip</a>.Details were scarce, though the blasts hit a natural gas pipeline running from Iran's western Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province up north to cities on the Caspian Sea. The roughly 1,270-kilometer (790-mile) pipeline begins in Asaluyeh, a hub for Iran's offshore South Pars gas field.Saeed Aghli, the manager of Iran's gas network control center, told Iranian state television that a “sabotage and terrorist” action caused explosions along several areas of the line.There are no known insurgent groups operating in that province, home to the Bakhtiari, a branch of Iran's Lur ethnic group. Aghli did not name any suspects in the blasts.Iran's Oil Minister Javad Owji, also speaking to state TV, compared the attack to a series of mysterious and unclaimed assaults on gas pipelines in 2011 — including around the anniversary of Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-islamic-revolution-anniversary-tensions-us-israel-c8ebdc3f98fa23a67e570e45b8875bc9">Tehran marked the 45th anniversary</a>&nbsp;of the revolution on Sunday.“The goal that the enemies were pursuing was to cut the gas in the major provinces of the country and it did not happen,” Owji said. “Except for the number of villages that were near the gas transmission lines, no province suffered a cut.”In the past, Arab separatists in southwestern Iran have claimed attacks against oil pipelines. However, attacks elsewhere in Iran against such infrastructure are rare.Since the revolution, Iran has faced low-level separatist unrest from Kurds in the country's northwest, the Baluch in the east and Arabs in the southwest.However, tensions have risen in recent years as Iran faces an economy hobbled by international sanctions over its nuclear program. The country has faced years of mass demonstrations, most recently in 2022 over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-protests-mahsa-amini-crackdown-f26a5f687d87785841241d266ca3e872">the death of Mahsa Amini</a>, a young woman who died in custody after her arrest allegedly over how she wore her mandatory headscarf.Meanwhile, Israel has carried out attacks in Iran that have predominantly targeted its nuclear program. On Tuesday, the head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog warned that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-nuclear-program-iaea-gross-israel-hamas-gaza-war-ee164aefb63a533548a54179c952b5e1">Iran is “not entirely transparent” regarding its atomic program</a>, particularly after an official who once led Tehran’s program announced the Islamic Republic has all the pieces for a weapon “in our hands.”Tensions over Iran's nuclear program comes as groups that Tehran is arming in the region — Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthi rebels — have launched attacks targeting Israel over the war in Gaza.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-ship-missile-houthi-rebels-attack-bab-elmandeb-strait-999b911c916f9266c07a6d29cc020e9e">The Houthis continue to attack commercial shipping</a>&nbsp;in the region, sparking repeated airstrikes from the United States and the United Kingdom.

U.S. warships conduct more self defense strikes in Red Sea

JEFFERSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have a suspect in custody.

According to online jail records, On Feb. 10, deputies booked 49-year-old&nbsp;Billy Ketron of Topeka into the Jefferson County Jail on requested charges of burglary, criminal trespass, aggravated burglary, and aggravated escape from custody.

Ketron allegedly attempted to escape from a deputy during his arrest, according to the sheriff's office.&nbsp; Ketron remains jailed on a $1,500&nbsp; bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707836798942.png" alt="Ketron-photo Jefferson Co." />
 <figcaption>Ketron-photo Jefferson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have a suspect in custody.According to online jail records, On Feb. 10, deputies booked 49-year-old&nbsp;Billy Ketron of Topeka into the Jefferson County Jail on requested charges of burglary, criminal trespass, aggravated burglary, and aggravated escape from custody.Ketron allegedly attempted to escape from a deputy during his arrest, according to the sheriff's office.&nbsp; Ketron remains jailed on a $1,500&nbsp; bond.

Sheriff: Kan. burglary suspect tried to escape during arrest

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has gathered highly sensitive intelligence about Russian anti-satellite weapons that has been shared in recent weeks with the upper echelons of government, according to four people who have been briefed on the intelligence. The people, who were not authorized to comment publicly, said the capability was not yet operational.

The intelligence sparked an urgent but vague warning Wednesday from the Republican head of the House Intelligence Committee, who urged the Biden administration to declassify information about what he called a serious national security threat.

Rep. Mike Turner gave no details about the nature of the threat, and the Biden administration also declined to address it. But several leading lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, cautioned against being overly alarmed.

A congressional aide said he understood that the threat relates to a space-deployed Russian anti-satellite weapon. Such a weapon could pose a major danger to U.S. satellites that transmit billions of bytes of data each hour.

The aide, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said it was not yet clear if the Russian weapon has nuclear capability, but said that is the fear.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the claims about a new Russian military capability as a ruse intended to make the U.S. Congress support aid for Ukraine.

“It’s obvious that Washington is trying to force Congress to vote on the aid bill by hook or by crook,” Peskov said in remarks carried by Russian news agencies. “Let’s see what ruse the White House will use.”

The threat Turner raised concerns about is not an active capability, according to U.S. officials familiar with the intelligence. One added that intelligence officials consider the threat to be significant, but it should not cause panic.

Turner issued a statement urging the administration to declassify the information so the U.S. and its allies can openly discuss how to respond.

He also sent an email to members of Congress saying his committee had “identified an urgent matter with regard to a destabilizing foreign military capability” that should be known to all congressional policy makers. He encouraged them to come to a SCIF, a secure area, to review the intelligence.

Turner has been a voice for stronger U.S. national security, putting him at odds with some Republican colleagues who favor a more isolationist approach. He has called for the renewal of a key U.S. government surveillance tool while some fellow Republicans and liberal Democrats have raised privacy objections.

And he supports continuing U.S. military aid for Ukraine in its war against Russia at a time that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-ukraine-aid-06889e166a5417d5b4bc7795813e37ef">funding remains uncertain</a>&nbsp;because of opposition in the Republican-led House.

Johnson said he was not at liberty to disclose the classified information. “But we just want to assure everyone steady hands are at the wheel. We’re working on it and there’s no need for alarm,” he told reporters at the Capitol.

Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking member of the Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that the classified information is “significant” but “not a cause for panic.”

The Senate Intelligence Committee said it has been tracking the issue.

“We continue to take this matter seriously and are discussing an appropriate response with the administration,” Sen. Mark Warner, the Democratic committee chairman, and Sen. Marco Rubio, the Republican vice chairman, said in a statement. "In the meantime, we must be cautious about potentially disclosing sources and methods that may be key to preserving a range of options for U.S. action.”

The rapidly evolving threat in space was one of the primary reasons that the U.S. Space Force was established in 2019. A lot of that threat has to do with new capabilities that China and Russia have already developed that can interfere with critical satellite-based U.S. communications, such as GPS and the ability to quickly detect missile launches.

In recent years the U.S. has seen both China and Russia pursue new ways to jam satellites, intercept their feeds, blind them, shoot them down and even potentially grab them with a robotic arm to pull them out of their programmed orbits. One of the key missions of the Space Force is to train troops skilled in detecting and defending against those threats.

In its 2020 Defense Space Strategy, the Pentagon said China and Russia presented the greatest strategic threat in space due to their aggressive development of counterspace abilities, and their military doctrine calling for extending conflict to space.

The White House and lawmakers expressed frustration at how Turner raised his concerns. His announcement appeared to catch the Biden administration off-guard.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House that he already had been due to brief Turner and other senior congressional leaders on Thursday. Sullivan did not disclose the topic or provide any other details related to Turner’s statement.

“I’m focused on going to see him, sit with him as well as the other House members of the Gang of Eight, tomorrow,” Sullivan said. “And I’m not in a position to say anything further from this podium at this time.”

He acknowledged it was not standard practice to offer such a briefing.

“I’ll just say that I personally reached out to the Gang of Eight. It is highly unusual, in fact, for the national security adviser to do that," Sullivan said. He said he had reached out earlier this week.

Johnson said he sent a letter last month to the White House requesting a meeting with the president to discuss “the serious national security issue that is classified.” He said Sullivan's meeting was in response to his request.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican head of the House Intelligence Committee urged the Biden administration on Wednesday to declassify information about what he called a serious national security threat. A senior congressional aide speaking to The Associated Press pointed to concerns about Russian anti-satellite weapons.

The congressional aide said he understood that the threat relates to a space-deployed Russian anti-satellite weapon that may or may not already have been launched. Such a weapon could pose a major danger to U.S. satellites that transmit billions of bytes of data each hour.

Turner earlier Wednesday sent an email to members of Congress saying his committee had “identified an urgent matter with regard to a destabilizing foreign military capability” that should be known to all congressional policy makers. He encouraged them to come to a SCIF, a secure area, to review the intelligence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707937254112.png" alt="File Rep. Mike Turner image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File Rep. Mike Turner image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. has gathered highly sensitive intelligence about Russian anti-satellite weapons that has been shared in recent weeks with the upper echelons of government, according to four people who have been briefed on the intelligence. The people, who were not authorized to comment publicly, said the capability was not yet operational.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Statement from Chairman <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMikeTurner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepMikeTurner</a>: <a href="https://t.co/OA9yJuEPlf">pic.twitter.com/OA9yJuEPlf</a>&mdash; House Intelligence Committee (@HouseIntel) <a href="https://twitter.com/HouseIntel/status/1757805804885823775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The intelligence sparked an urgent but vague warning Wednesday from the Republican head of the House Intelligence Committee, who urged the Biden administration to declassify information about what he called a serious national security threat.Rep. Mike Turner gave no details about the nature of the threat, and the Biden administration also declined to address it. But several leading lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, cautioned against being overly alarmed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707936857850.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>A congressional aide said he understood that the threat relates to a space-deployed Russian anti-satellite weapon. Such a weapon could pose a major danger to U.S. satellites that transmit billions of bytes of data each hour.The aide, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said it was not yet clear if the Russian weapon has nuclear capability, but said that is the fear.In Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the claims about a new Russian military capability as a ruse intended to make the U.S. Congress support aid for Ukraine.“It’s obvious that Washington is trying to force Congress to vote on the aid bill by hook or by crook,” Peskov said in remarks carried by Russian news agencies. “Let’s see what ruse the White House will use.”The threat Turner raised concerns about is not an active capability, according to U.S. officials familiar with the intelligence. One added that intelligence officials consider the threat to be significant, but it should not cause panic.Turner issued a statement urging the administration to declassify the information so the U.S. and its allies can openly discuss how to respond.He also sent an email to members of Congress saying his committee had “identified an urgent matter with regard to a destabilizing foreign military capability” that should be known to all congressional policy makers. He encouraged them to come to a SCIF, a secure area, to review the intelligence.Turner has been a voice for stronger U.S. national security, putting him at odds with some Republican colleagues who favor a more isolationist approach. He has called for the renewal of a key U.S. government surveillance tool while some fellow Republicans and liberal Democrats have raised privacy objections.And he supports continuing U.S. military aid for Ukraine in its war against Russia at a time that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-ukraine-aid-06889e166a5417d5b4bc7795813e37ef">funding remains uncertain</a>&nbsp;because of opposition in the Republican-led House.Johnson said he was not at liberty to disclose the classified information. “But we just want to assure everyone steady hands are at the wheel. We’re working on it and there’s no need for alarm,” he told reporters at the Capitol.Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking member of the Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that the classified information is “significant” but “not a cause for panic.”The Senate Intelligence Committee said it has been tracking the issue.“We continue to take this matter seriously and are discussing an appropriate response with the administration,” Sen. Mark Warner, the Democratic committee chairman, and Sen. Marco Rubio, the Republican vice chairman, said in a statement. "In the meantime, we must be cautious about potentially disclosing sources and methods that may be key to preserving a range of options for U.S. action.”The rapidly evolving threat in space was one of the primary reasons that the U.S. Space Force was established in 2019. A lot of that threat has to do with new capabilities that China and Russia have already developed that can interfere with critical satellite-based U.S. communications, such as GPS and the ability to quickly detect missile launches.In recent years the U.S. has seen both China and Russia pursue new ways to jam satellites, intercept their feeds, blind them, shoot them down and even potentially grab them with a robotic arm to pull them out of their programmed orbits. One of the key missions of the Space Force is to train troops skilled in detecting and defending against those threats.In its 2020 Defense Space Strategy, the Pentagon said China and Russia presented the greatest strategic threat in space due to their aggressive development of counterspace abilities, and their military doctrine calling for extending conflict to space.The White House and lawmakers expressed frustration at how Turner raised his concerns. His announcement appeared to catch the Biden administration off-guard.National security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House that he already had been due to brief Turner and other senior congressional leaders on Thursday. Sullivan did not disclose the topic or provide any other details related to Turner’s statement.“I’m focused on going to see him, sit with him as well as the other House members of the Gang of Eight, tomorrow,” Sullivan said. “And I’m not in a position to say anything further from this podium at this time.”He acknowledged it was not standard practice to offer such a briefing.“I’ll just say that I personally reached out to the Gang of Eight. It is highly unusual, in fact, for the national security adviser to do that," Sullivan said. He said he had reached out earlier this week.Johnson said he sent a letter last month to the White House requesting a meeting with the president to discuss “the serious national security issue that is classified.” He said Sullivan's meeting was in response to his request.---------WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican head of the House Intelligence Committee urged the Biden administration on Wednesday to declassify information about what he called a serious national security threat. A senior congressional aide speaking to The Associated Press pointed to concerns about Russian anti-satellite weapons.Rep. Mike Turner gave no details about the nature of the threat, and the Biden administration also declined to address it. But several leading lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, cautioned against being overly alarmed.The congressional aide said he understood that the threat relates to a space-deployed Russian anti-satellite weapon that may or may not already have been launched. Such a weapon could pose a major danger to U.S. satellites that transmit billions of bytes of data each hour.The aide, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, said it was not yet clear if the Russian weapon has nuclear capability, but said that is the fear.Turner earlier Wednesday sent an email to members of Congress saying his committee had “identified an urgent matter with regard to a destabilizing foreign military capability” that should be known to all congressional policy makers. He encouraged them to come to a SCIF, a secure area, to review the intelligence.Turner has been a voice for stronger U.S. national security, putting him at odds with some Republican colleagues who favor a more isolationist approach. He has called for the renewal of a key U.S. government surveillance tool while some fellow Republicans and liberal Democrats have raised privacy objections.And he supports continuing U.S. military aid for Ukraine in its war against Russia at a time that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-johnson-ukraine-aid-06889e166a5417d5b4bc7795813e37ef">funding remains uncertain</a>&nbsp;because of opposition in the Republican-led House.Johnson said he was not at liberty to disclose the classified information. “But we just want to assure everyone steady hands are at the wheel. We’re working on it and there’s no need for alarm,” he told reporters at the Capitol.Democratic Rep. Jim Himes, the ranking member of the Intelligence Committee, said in a statement that the classified information is “significant” but “not a cause for panic.”The Senate Intelligence Committee said it has been tracking the issue.“We continue to take this matter seriously and are discussing an appropriate response with the administration,” Sen. Mark Warner, the Democratic committee chairman, and Sen. Marco Rubio, the Republican vice chairman, said in a statement. "In the meantime, we must be cautious about potentially disclosing sources and methods that may be key to preserving a range of options for U.S. action.”The rapidly evolving threat in space was one of the primary reasons that the U.S. Space Force was established in 2019. A lot of that threat has to do with new capabilities that China and Russia have already developed that can interfere with critical satellite-based U.S. communications, such as GPS and the ability to quickly detect missile launches.In recent years the U.S. has seen both China and Russia pursue new ways to jam satellites, intercept their feeds, blind them, shoot them down and even potentially grab them with a robotic arm to pull them out of their programmed orbits. One of the key missions of the Space Force is to train troops skilled in detecting and defending against those threats.In its 2020 Defense Space Strategy, the Pentagon said China and Russia presented the greatest strategic threat in space due to their aggressive development of counterspace abilities, and their military doctrine calling for extending conflict to space.The White House and lawmakers expressed frustration at how Turner raised his concerns. His announcement appeared to catch the Biden administration off-guard.National security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the White House that he already had been due to brief Turner and other senior congressional leaders on Thursday. Sullivan did not disclose the topic or provide any other details related to Turner’s statement.“I’m focused on going to see him, sit with him as well as the other House members of the Gang of Eight, tomorrow,” Sullivan said. “And I’m not in a position to say anything further from this podium at this time.”He acknowledged it was not standard practice to offer such a briefing.“I’ll just say that I personally reached out to the Gang of Eight. It is highly unusual, in fact, for the national security adviser to do that," Sullivan said. He said he had reached out earlier this week.Johnson said he sent a letter last month to the White House requesting a meeting with the president to discuss “the serious national security issue that is classified.” He said Sullivan's meeting was in response to his request.___

Read GOP chairman's warning of serious national security threat

By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post

An event that combined ashes and glitter for the celebration of Ash Wednesday has sparked a backlash in the Hays community.

Fort Hays State University students or members of the public were able to be blessed with the traditional ashes or ashes mixed with glitter at the Memorial Union.

Organizers billed the event as a means to foster inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.

More than 200 people commented on a Facebook posting on the event. Some comments were supportive.

However, other community members expressed outrage about the event calling it "disgusting," sacrilege" and "evil."&nbsp;

The event was sponsored by the FHSU group US4U. This is the fifth year that the group has hosted the event since 2017.

"There is a tradition of exclusion, and we don't feel it really reflects what Jesus was about," Cheryl Duffy, Us4U adviser, said. "Jesus was about love and inclusion, and we want to open up that tradition to everyone.

"Ash Wednesday is a meaningful, inflective day. We want everyone to be able to experience that."

The Us4U information cards given at the event said, "Glitter is a sign of hope, which does not despair. It signals our promise to repent, to show up, to witness, to work. Glitter never gives up — and neither do we. Glitter+Ash captures the relationship between death and new life."

Jaelyn Sutter, group president, said people of any orientation can be religious.&nbsp;

"I feel that community has felt left out and excluded from religion," she said. "It is important to make sure they feel safe and they have an opportunity like everyone else."

In response to the backlash, Sutter said, "We stand for love and supporting the community. We are not going to let that affect us or influence us or change us."

Anna Towns, group member, said, "We are continuing a tradition our religious practice has always done; adding the glitter is just an option. It's not the only thing. We also have traditional ashes people can get. This was not meant in any way to be a mockery of other religions."&nbsp;

In years past, the event, which lasted two hours, drew about 30 people split fairly evenly between people who wished to receive traditional ashes and the glitter ashes, Towns said.

You can learn more about US4U on Facebook at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/Us4U.fhsu">www.facebook.com/Us4U.fhsu</a>.

Ben Houchen of the St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Hays delivered the ashes.&nbsp;

"This is a day that requires all of us to remember where we come from and where we end up," he said. "That is a thing that should bring us unity. We all experience that.&nbsp;

"Specifically being able to bring in the unity of the LGBTQ+ community that has so often been excluded from church spaces is a very important thing for us to be able to do."

Houchen suggested those who feel anger and offense would turn to scripture.&nbsp;

"Romans 12 is pretty clear that if someone offends them, you feed them and clothe them and you care for them. That's our response as Christians, regardless of how we feel about a situation. Our response has to be one of love."

Brenda Rodger, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, was also present as a supporter.

Troy Miller, a pastor at the United Methodist Church in Hays, was originally slated to participate in the event. However, he canceled.

He said on Facebook, "Please know that after this advertisement came out, which I had no part in producing, I respectfully withdrew my participation. Being a local United Methodist pastor, I was asked by this student group to join other local pastors to impose ashes at the Union. I was not expecting this."

Critics of the event not only had issues with the nature of the event, but also how it was publicized.

The event was announced over the daily calendar system for FHSU. See the full announcement below.

Some of the critics were offended about the tone of the announcement, including the phrase, "Get your ash on campus!"

Laura Cune said she did not condemn the LGBTQ+ community as whole but was upset by this event.

In a lengthy Facebook post, she said, "I felt like my faith was not important to someone else. Not just someone else, a lot of someone elses. In fact, I felt like my faith was a joke. The first two sentences of the announcement are alarming, yes. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of “getting ashes to-go” on Ash Wednesday, because, to me, Ash Wednesday is a holy day that is celebrated within a church. There is no drive-thru, no to-go — you attend mass/service and celebrate the beginning of the Lenten period leading up to Easter, the most important time within our faith."

Kamryn Summers said on Facebook, "This is so saddening. I pray for everyone’s souls. Let yourself be saved by Jesus. Do as Jesus did. He left us a book on how to worship him. As tomorrow we worship him with his ashes, not glitter."

"God’s people better rise up. ... Not just here but across our nation and world. This is spiritual warfare and there is no other correct description. PERIOD!" said&nbsp;Ruby Goldman McGuill&nbsp;on Facebook.

Some also took aim directly at the university for allowing the club to announce the event on a university-wide system. Some community members even threatened to stop donating to the university.

President Tisa Mason made a statement about the posting of the event through the university calendar system on Facebook Wednesday morning.

"The inclusion of the university brand mark in the header is not intended to serve as an affirmed or implied endorsement of the beliefs and views held or expressed by any Student Organization," the statement said. "In the interest of ensuring that the First Amendment right of every individual is respected, FHSU remains viewpoint-neutral on this and other Student Organization-led events."

The “Glitter + Ash” event scheduled for today (February 14) on campus is sponsored by Us4U and the United Methodist Campus Ministry. Both are recognized Student Organizations at Fort Hays State University, and both followed established protocols for creating, announcing, and holding this event. As with any Student Organization-led event, email communications about this event included an FHSU-branded header graphic. The inclusion of the university brand mark in the header is not intended to serve as an affirmed or implied endorsement of the beliefs and views held or expressed by any Student Organization. In the interest of ensuring that the First Amendment right of every individual is respected, FHSU remains viewpoint-neutral on this and other Student Organization-led events. We are in the process of updating our student organization event announcement procedures to clarify that these are announcements from the Student Organizations, not the university, and the content of the emails and the events themselves may not reflect the opinions/beliefs of the university or university leadership. The Kansas Board of Regents and Fort Hays State University are committed to the free expression of ideas and beliefs, and we are united in our commitment to full and open inquiry and discourse and the robust exchange of ideas and perspectives. The principles of freedom of speech and freedom of expression are fundamental rights guaranteed under the U.S. and Kansas Constitutions. To read the Kansas Board of Regents statement on freedom of expression, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasregents.org/about/news-releases/2021-news-releases/797-regents-commit-to-safeguarding-the-rights-of-students-to-free-expression?fbclid=IwAR3pajpEXzce-Qin3zvmWw4QG-2k6c82GIrKggPOVySfax8G-NVXRB7IKPA">https://www.kansasregents.org/about/news-releases/2021-news-releases/797-regents-commit-to-safeguarding-the-rights-of-students-to-free-expression?fbclid=IwAR3pajpEXzce-Qin3zvmWw4QG-2k6c82GIrKggPOVySfax8G-NVXRB7IKPA</a>.

For additional questions or comments, please contact Scott Cason at 785-628-4208 or sacason@fhsu.edu.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707944312858.jpeg" alt="Jaelyn Sutter, FHSU student and member of Us4U, receives ashes on Ash Wednesday from Pastor Ben Houchen of the St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Hays during a Glitter+Ash event at the FHSU Memorial Union. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Jaelyn Sutter, FHSU student and member of Us4U, receives ashes on Ash Wednesday from Pastor Ben Houchen of the St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Hays during a Glitter+Ash event at the FHSU Memorial Union. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays PostAn event that combined ashes and glitter for the celebration of Ash Wednesday has sparked a backlash in the Hays community.Fort Hays State University students or members of the public were able to be blessed with the traditional ashes or ashes mixed with glitter at the Memorial Union.Organizers billed the event as a means to foster inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community.More than 200 people commented on a Facebook posting on the event. Some comments were supportive.However, other community members expressed outrage about the event calling it "disgusting," sacrilege" and "evil."&nbsp;The event was sponsored by the FHSU group US4U. This is the fifth year that the group has hosted the event since 2017."There is a tradition of exclusion, and we don't feel it really reflects what Jesus was about," Cheryl Duffy, Us4U adviser, said. "Jesus was about love and inclusion, and we want to open up that tradition to everyone."Ash Wednesday is a meaningful, inflective day. We want everyone to be able to experience that."The Us4U information cards given at the event said, "Glitter is a sign of hope, which does not despair. It signals our promise to repent, to show up, to witness, to work. Glitter never gives up — and neither do we. Glitter+Ash captures the relationship between death and new life."Jaelyn Sutter, group president, said people of any orientation can be religious.&nbsp;"I feel that community has felt left out and excluded from religion," she said. "It is important to make sure they feel safe and they have an opportunity like everyone else."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707944717786.jpeg" alt="Members of Us4U and pastors Brenda Rodger and Ben Houchen, far right. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>Members of Us4U and pastors Brenda Rodger and Ben Houchen, far right. Photo by Cristina Janney/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>In response to the backlash, Sutter said, "We stand for love and supporting the community. We are not going to let that affect us or influence us or change us."Anna Towns, group member, said, "We are continuing a tradition our religious practice has always done; adding the glitter is just an option. It's not the only thing. We also have traditional ashes people can get. This was not meant in any way to be a mockery of other religions."&nbsp;In years past, the event, which lasted two hours, drew about 30 people split fairly evenly between people who wished to receive traditional ashes and the glitter ashes, Towns said.You can learn more about US4U on Facebook at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/Us4U.fhsu">www.facebook.com/Us4U.fhsu</a>.Ben Houchen of the St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Hays delivered the ashes.&nbsp;"This is a day that requires all of us to remember where we come from and where we end up," he said. "That is a thing that should bring us unity. We all experience that.&nbsp;"Specifically being able to bring in the unity of the LGBTQ+ community that has so often been excluded from church spaces is a very important thing for us to be able to do."Houchen suggested those who feel anger and offense would turn to scripture.&nbsp;"Romans 12 is pretty clear that if someone offends them, you feed them and clothe them and you care for them. That's our response as Christians, regardless of how we feel about a situation. Our response has to be one of love."Brenda Rodger, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, was also present as a supporter.Troy Miller, a pastor at the United Methodist Church in Hays, was originally slated to participate in the event. However, he canceled.He said on Facebook, "Please know that after this advertisement came out, which I had no part in producing, I respectfully withdrew my participation. Being a local United Methodist pastor, I was asked by this student group to join other local pastors to impose ashes at the Union. I was not expecting this."Critics of the event not only had issues with the nature of the event, but also how it was publicized.The event was announced over the daily calendar system for FHSU. See the full announcement below.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707940794820.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Some of the critics were offended about the tone of the announcement, including the phrase, "Get your ash on campus!"Laura Cune said she did not condemn the LGBTQ+ community as whole but was upset by this event.In a lengthy Facebook post, she said, "I felt like my faith was not important to someone else. Not just someone else, a lot of someone elses. In fact, I felt like my faith was a joke. The first two sentences of the announcement are alarming, yes. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of “getting ashes to-go” on Ash Wednesday, because, to me, Ash Wednesday is a holy day that is celebrated within a church. There is no drive-thru, no to-go — you attend mass/service and celebrate the beginning of the Lenten period leading up to Easter, the most important time within our faith."Kamryn Summers said on Facebook, "This is so saddening. I pray for everyone’s souls. Let yourself be saved by Jesus. Do as Jesus did. He left us a book on how to worship him. As tomorrow we worship him with his ashes, not glitter."Others took a harder line."God’s people better rise up. ... Not just here but across our nation and world. This is spiritual warfare and there is no other correct description. PERIOD!" said&nbsp;Ruby Goldman McGuill&nbsp;on Facebook.Some also took aim directly at the university for allowing the club to announce the event on a university-wide system. Some community members even threatened to stop donating to the university.President Tisa Mason made a statement about the posting of the event through the university calendar system on Facebook Wednesday morning."The inclusion of the university brand mark in the header is not intended to serve as an affirmed or implied endorsement of the beliefs and views held or expressed by any Student Organization," the statement said. "In the interest of ensuring that the First Amendment right of every individual is respected, FHSU remains viewpoint-neutral on this and other Student Organization-led events."See her complete statement below:The “Glitter + Ash” event scheduled for today (February 14) on campus is sponsored by Us4U and the United Methodist Campus Ministry. Both are recognized Student Organizations at Fort Hays State University, and both followed established protocols for creating, announcing, and holding this event. As with any Student Organization-led event, email communications about this event included an FHSU-branded header graphic. The inclusion of the university brand mark in the header is not intended to serve as an affirmed or implied endorsement of the beliefs and views held or expressed by any Student Organization. In the interest of ensuring that the First Amendment right of every individual is respected, FHSU remains viewpoint-neutral on this and other Student Organization-led events. We are in the process of updating our student organization event announcement procedures to clarify that these are announcements from the Student Organizations, not the university, and the content of the emails and the events themselves may not reflect the opinions/beliefs of the university or university leadership. The Kansas Board of Regents and Fort Hays State University are committed to the free expression of ideas and beliefs, and we are united in our commitment to full and open inquiry and discourse and the robust exchange of ideas and perspectives. The principles of freedom of speech and freedom of expression are fundamental rights guaranteed under the U.S. and Kansas Constitutions. To read the Kansas Board of Regents statement on freedom of expression, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansasregents.org/about/news-releases/2021-news-releases/797-regents-commit-to-safeguarding-the-rights-of-students-to-free-expression?fbclid=IwAR3pajpEXzce-Qin3zvmWw4QG-2k6c82GIrKggPOVySfax8G-NVXRB7IKPA">https://www.kansasregents.org/about/news-releases/2021-news-releases/797-regents-commit-to-safeguarding-the-rights-of-students-to-free-expression?fbclid=IwAR3pajpEXzce-Qin3zvmWw4QG-2k6c82GIrKggPOVySfax8G-NVXRB7IKPA</a>.For additional questions or comments, please contact Scott Cason at 785-628-4208 or sacason@fhsu.edu.

LGBTQ+ inclusion Glitter+Ash event at FHSU sparks backlash

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Downtown Kansas City was a sea of red Wednesday for Valentine's Day as Chiefs fans celebrate their third Super Bowl title in five seasons with a parade.

“We are stacking up trophies," linebacker Drue Tranquill said as he grabbed a reporter's mic during Wednesday’s festivities to mark the Chiefs’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2024-score-chiefs-49ers-49b5dca51c05ab0f259cef0d7da76c2d">come-from-behind, 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers</a>.

(click below to watch a replay of the parade and rally)

Confetti canons exploded from double-decker buses as players rolled through the crowd, DJs and drummers heralding their arrival. Throngs lined the route, with fans climbing trees and street poles, or standing on rooftops for a better view. Owner Clark Hunt was on one of those buses, holding the Lombardi Trophy. Former “Modern Family” star Eric Stonestreet was part of the mob.

“Best fans in the world,” exclaimed wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who caught the winning touchdown pass, as he walked along the route, with the players signing jerseys and at least one person’s head.

“Never stop," running back Isiah Pacheco added from the route.

Key on the minds of many fans is whether pop superstar Taylor Swift would join her boyfriend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/travis-kelce">Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;for the parade and victory speeches. Swift has not commented. She has a show in Melbourne, Australia, on Friday night, the first of three scheduled concerts on her Eras Tour.

She was nowhere to be seen early in the parade. Instead, Kelce was joined by his mom,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-kelce-vs-kelce-19a9a9ec7957b4647e48398a2d056acb">Donna Kelce,</a>&nbsp;the superstar of NFL moms (her oldest son,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eagles-jason-kelce-retires-2a5cff3398a6413a52d0bb3fdc2eef22">Jason Kelce</a>, is a center for the Philadelphia Eagles).

Unseasonably warm temperatures in the 60s Fahrenheit (15-20 Celsius) had players stripping off shirts. The weather also helped generate a crowd that city officials estimate could top 1 million.

“I missed last year. I said, ‘I’m not missing this year,’” said longtime fan Charles Smith Sr., who flew from his home in Sicklerville, New Jersey, for the parade.

Known by friends as Kansas City Smitty, the 52-year-old first became a Chiefs fan when Christian Okoye played fullback for the team starting in the late 1980s.

“I got a history with this team,” he said, adding that he ran out of his home with a giant flag, screaming “Kansas City," when the Chiefs clinched the victory in overtime.

The city and the team each chipped in around $1 million for the event commemorating Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs becoming the first team since Tom Brady and the New England Patriots two decades ago to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/super-bowl-2024-updates">defend their title</a>.

Some fans camped overnight and others began to stake out spots before dawn to catch prime viewing spots. Bailey McDermott, 17, and Gracie Gilby, 16, of Lebanon, Missouri, got up at 3 a.m. to make the three-hour drive to the parade. They had a party to watch the game, confetti poppers erupting when the Chiefs won.

“Kind of freaking out at the end,” said Gilby, who wore a sequined Chiefs jerseys with Kelce's No. 87 on it. McDermott also had a sequined jersey, hers bearing Mahomes' No. 15.

Many of the largest school districts in the area canceled classes, and businesses along the parade path are turning the day into a viewing party for their workers. At least 600 Kansas City police officers will be stationed along the the 2-mile (3.22-kilometer) route, police Chief Stacey Graves said.

Teens and younger kids were everywhere, some tossing footballs, others watching replays of game highlights on giant TV screens.

Among them was Elysseah Buford and her friend, Devaun Burns, who watched the game in between taking orders at McDonald's. “We’re losing. We’re losing,” Buford recalled saying. But Burns scolded her, even as a manager declared that the game was a lost cause: “I said, ’Don’t speak it. Believe it.”

The 18-year-old high school seniors from Raymore joined the festivities with another friend, 17-year-old Mekiyzeion Williams, who dared to ask what would have happened if Hardman missed the TD catch. “Shut up,” Burns said.

After decades without a championship, the city is gaining experience with victory parades. Five seasons ago, the Chiefs defeated the 49ers for the team’s first Super Bowl championship in 50 years. That followed the Kansas City Royals winning the World Series in 2015, the city’s first baseball championship in 30 years. That year, fans abandoned their cars on the side of the highway so they could walk to the celebration.

Then, last year, the Chiefs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2023-kansas-city-chiefs-philadelphia-eagles-43a1fb387f63438c1eea23b6a4244d95">defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 and prophetically vowed they would be back for more</a>.

One big change this year is that the parade is getting started one hour earlier at 11 a.m. so the crowd will dissipate before the Valentine’s Day dinner crowd shows up.

After the massive cleanup, the team gets ready to try it again.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707939414094.png" alt="Patrick Mahomes addressed the crowd during the rally image Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>Patrick Mahomes addressed the crowd during the rally image Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Downtown Kansas City was a sea of red Wednesday for Valentine's Day as Chiefs fans celebrate their third Super Bowl title in five seasons with a parade.“We are stacking up trophies," linebacker Drue Tranquill said as he grabbed a reporter's mic during Wednesday’s festivities to mark the Chiefs’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2024-score-chiefs-49ers-49b5dca51c05ab0f259cef0d7da76c2d">come-from-behind, 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers</a>.(click below to watch a replay of the parade and rally)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SKuLC7xf8ao?si=tZbip6qDq3MwONDR" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707930907471.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707938753210.png" alt="Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt addressed the crowd&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs Chairman and CEO Clark Hunt addressed the crowd&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707940091899.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707939847272.png" alt="photo courtesy Diane-Gasper O-Brien" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy Diane-Gasper O-Brien</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707933598609.png" alt="Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes interacts with fans" />
 <figcaption>Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes interacts with fans</figcaption>
 </figure>Confetti canons exploded from double-decker buses as players rolled through the crowd, DJs and drummers heralding their arrival. Throngs lined the route, with fans climbing trees and street poles, or standing on rooftops for a better view. Owner Clark Hunt was on one of those buses, holding the Lombardi Trophy. Former “Modern Family” star Eric Stonestreet was part of the mob.“Best fans in the world,” exclaimed wide receiver Mecole Hardman, who caught the winning touchdown pass, as he walked along the route, with the players signing jerseys and at least one person’s head.“Never stop," running back Isiah Pacheco added from the route.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707933256880.png" alt="Patrick Mahomes waves to the crowd during the parade" />
 <figcaption>Patrick Mahomes waves to the crowd during the parade</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707939472271.png" alt="Head coach Andy Reid during the pep rally" />
 <figcaption>Head coach Andy Reid during the pep rally</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707930082830.png" alt="The crowd near Union Station at 11a.m. -image Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>The crowd near Union Station at 11a.m. -image Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>Key on the minds of many fans is whether pop superstar Taylor Swift would join her boyfriend&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/travis-kelce">Travis Kelce</a>&nbsp;for the parade and victory speeches. Swift has not commented. She has a show in Melbourne, Australia, on Friday night, the first of three scheduled concerts on her Eras Tour.She was nowhere to be seen early in the parade. Instead, Kelce was joined by his mom,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-kelce-vs-kelce-19a9a9ec7957b4647e48398a2d056acb">Donna Kelce,</a>&nbsp;the superstar of NFL moms (her oldest son,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eagles-jason-kelce-retires-2a5cff3398a6413a52d0bb3fdc2eef22">Jason Kelce</a>, is a center for the Philadelphia Eagles).Unseasonably warm temperatures in the 60s Fahrenheit (15-20 Celsius) had players stripping off shirts. The weather also helped generate a crowd that city officials estimate could top 1 million.“I missed last year. I said, ‘I’m not missing this year,’” said longtime fan Charles Smith Sr., who flew from his home in Sicklerville, New Jersey, for the parade.Known by friends as Kansas City Smitty, the 52-year-old first became a Chiefs fan when Christian Okoye played fullback for the team starting in the late 1980s.“I got a history with this team,” he said, adding that he ran out of his home with a giant flag, screaming “Kansas City," when the Chiefs clinched the victory in overtime.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707931652512.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The city and the team each chipped in around $1 million for the event commemorating Kelce, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs becoming the first team since Tom Brady and the New England Patriots two decades ago to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/super-bowl-2024-updates">defend their title</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707938954950.png" alt="&nbsp;Diane-Gasper O-Brien of Hays with her grandson at the victory parade" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Diane-Gasper O-Brien of Hays with her grandson at the victory parade</figcaption>
 </figure>Some fans camped overnight and others began to stake out spots before dawn to catch prime viewing spots. Bailey McDermott, 17, and Gracie Gilby, 16, of Lebanon, Missouri, got up at 3 a.m. to make the three-hour drive to the parade. They had a party to watch the game, confetti poppers erupting when the Chiefs won.“Kind of freaking out at the end,” said Gilby, who wore a sequined Chiefs jerseys with Kelce's No. 87 on it. McDermott also had a sequined jersey, hers bearing Mahomes' No. 15.Many of the largest school districts in the area canceled classes, and businesses along the parade path are turning the day into a viewing party for their workers. At least 600 Kansas City police officers will be stationed along the the 2-mile (3.22-kilometer) route, police Chief Stacey Graves said.Teens and younger kids were everywhere, some tossing footballs, others watching replays of game highlights on giant TV screens.Among them was Elysseah Buford and her friend, Devaun Burns, who watched the game in between taking orders at McDonald's. “We’re losing. We’re losing,” Buford recalled saying. But Burns scolded her, even as a manager declared that the game was a lost cause: “I said, ’Don’t speak it. Believe it.”The 18-year-old high school seniors from Raymore joined the festivities with another friend, 17-year-old Mekiyzeion Williams, who dared to ask what would have happened if Hardman missed the TD catch. “Shut up,” Burns said.After decades without a championship, the city is gaining experience with victory parades. Five seasons ago, the Chiefs defeated the 49ers for the team’s first Super Bowl championship in 50 years. That followed the Kansas City Royals winning the World Series in 2015, the city’s first baseball championship in 30 years. That year, fans abandoned their cars on the side of the highway so they could walk to the celebration.Then, last year, the Chiefs&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2023-kansas-city-chiefs-philadelphia-eagles-43a1fb387f63438c1eea23b6a4244d95">defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 and prophetically vowed they would be back for more</a>.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707932865765.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>One big change this year is that the parade is getting started one hour earlier at 11 a.m. so the crowd will dissipate before the Valentine’s Day dinner crowd shows up.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707939677982.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>After the massive cleanup, the team gets ready to try it again.

🎥Chiefs Kingdom Champions Victory Parade, Rally 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators are moving to impose tougher prison sentences for harming or killing police dogs, and the measure has bipartisan support despite questions elsewhere over how the animals are used in law enforcement.

The state House expected to take a final vote Wednesday on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2583_01_0000.pdf">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would allow judges to sentence first-time offenders to five years in prison for killing a police, arson, game warden or search and rescue dog, or a police horse, and mandate a fine of at least $10,000. Killing the dogs already is a felony in Kansas, but the maximum prison sentence&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_064_0000_article/021_064_0016_section/021_064_0016_k/">is one year</a>; the maximum fine is $5,000, and the law does not specifically cover horses.

Approval by the Republican-controlled House would send the measure to the GOP-led Senate. When the House took a preliminary voice vote Tuesday after a short debate, only a few members voted no.

The measure is a response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-dog-strangled-memorial-kansas-833d090ca3d030f3e0b83a321ec5fd29">the death in November</a>&nbsp;of Bane, an 8-year-old dog used by the Sedgwick County sheriff in Wichita, the state's largest city. Authorities say a suspect in a domestic violence case took refuge in a storm drain and strangled Bane when a deputy sent the dog in to flush out the suspect.

“These animals are not only tools. They are considered family,” said Rep. Adam Turk, a Kansas City-area Republican. “These animals are of great import to the protection and security of our citizens.”

The bill is sponsored by two prominent Republicans, House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Rep. Stephen Owens, chair of the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee. But it also has the backing of Rep. John Carmichael, the committee's top Democrat. Hawkins and Carmichael are from Wichita.

The federal government and some states already allow longer prison sentences than Kansas. Under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/1791/text/pl?overview=closed">a 2000 federal law,</a>&nbsp;a person who kills a police dog can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. In 2019, the possible penalty&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/state/2019/04/27/killing-police-k-9s-in-florida-will-earn-longer-prison-term/5329805007/">in Florida</a>&nbsp;increased from up to five years in prison to up to 15 years.&nbsp;<a href="https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB2013&amp;GA=112">Tennessee</a>&nbsp;increased its penalties in 2022, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/acts/23RS/documents/0169.pdf">Kentucky</a>&nbsp;did so last year.

But injuries caused by police dogs also have made headlines.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/k9-dog-attack-circleville-black-trucker-4fd3d4806a71cca6f1667d8dbe58ded0">In rural Ohio in July 2023,</a>&nbsp;a police dog bit a Black truck driver severely enough that he needed hospital treatment after the man was on his knees with his hands in the air.

The Salt Lake City police department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f3b7d0a9d4787e5b2126ac739a0a5e7b">suspended its dog apprehension program</a>&nbsp;in 2020 after a Black man was bitten and an audit found 27 dog bite cases during the previous two years. And the same year, a Black man in Lafayette, Indiana, was placed in a medically induced coma after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-dogs-366bcb7b4433a62fe4bb8af39b042ea4">police dogs mauled him</a>&nbsp;as he was arrested in a battery case.

During Tuesday’s debate in the Kansas House, Democratic Rep. Ford Carr, of Wichita, one of six Black members, mentioned the Ohio case and recalled how during the Civil Rights Movement, authorities turned dogs on peaceful Black protesters.

Carr also suggested the Wichita suspect was defending himself.

“I don't think that there's any one of us here who would sit idly by and let an animal maul you without fighting back," Carr said.

Carmichael, who is white, acknowledged the fraught history surrounding police dogs, but he urged Carr to review testimony during the House committee's hearing on the bill earlier this month. Four law enforcement officers backed the measure, and no one spoke against it.

Bane's handler, Sedgwick County Deputy Tyler Brooks, told the committee that Bane became important to his family.

“It's kind of funny to me that this very large dog who frequently broke things and knocked everything over during a training session would be the one that would be the one that would break my 7-year-old autistic son of his crippling fear of dogs,” Brooks told the committee.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701304894824.png" alt="Members of law enforcement K9 units from across Kansas traveled to Wichita in November to pay their respects to Sedgwick County Sheriff K9 Bane." />
 <figcaption>Members of law enforcement K9 units from across Kansas traveled to Wichita in November to pay their respects to Sedgwick County Sheriff K9 Bane.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators are moving to impose tougher prison sentences for harming or killing police dogs, and the measure has bipartisan support despite questions elsewhere over how the animals are used in law enforcement.The state House expected to take a final vote Wednesday on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2583_01_0000.pdf">a bill</a>&nbsp;that would allow judges to sentence first-time offenders to five years in prison for killing a police, arson, game warden or search and rescue dog, or a police horse, and mandate a fine of at least $10,000. Killing the dogs already is a felony in Kansas, but the maximum prison sentence&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_064_0000_article/021_064_0016_section/021_064_0016_k/">is one year</a>; the maximum fine is $5,000, and the law does not specifically cover horses.Approval by the Republican-controlled House would send the measure to the GOP-led Senate. When the House took a preliminary voice vote Tuesday after a short debate, only a few members voted no.The measure is a response to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/police-dog-strangled-memorial-kansas-833d090ca3d030f3e0b83a321ec5fd29">the death in November</a>&nbsp;of Bane, an 8-year-old dog used by the Sedgwick County sheriff in Wichita, the state's largest city. Authorities say a suspect in a domestic violence case took refuge in a storm drain and strangled Bane when a deputy sent the dog in to flush out the suspect.“These animals are not only tools. They are considered family,” said Rep. Adam Turk, a Kansas City-area Republican. “These animals are of great import to the protection and security of our citizens.”The bill is sponsored by two prominent Republicans, House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Rep. Stephen Owens, chair of the House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee. But it also has the backing of Rep. John Carmichael, the committee's top Democrat. Hawkins and Carmichael are from Wichita.The federal government and some states already allow longer prison sentences than Kansas. Under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house-bill/1791/text/pl?overview=closed">a 2000 federal law,</a>&nbsp;a person who kills a police dog can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison. In 2019, the possible penalty&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/state/2019/04/27/killing-police-k-9s-in-florida-will-earn-longer-prison-term/5329805007/">in Florida</a>&nbsp;increased from up to five years in prison to up to 15 years.&nbsp;<a href="https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB2013&amp;GA=112">Tennessee</a>&nbsp;increased its penalties in 2022, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/acts/23RS/documents/0169.pdf">Kentucky</a>&nbsp;did so last year.But injuries caused by police dogs also have made headlines.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/k9-dog-attack-circleville-black-trucker-4fd3d4806a71cca6f1667d8dbe58ded0">In rural Ohio in July 2023,</a>&nbsp;a police dog bit a Black truck driver severely enough that he needed hospital treatment after the man was on his knees with his hands in the air.The Salt Lake City police department&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f3b7d0a9d4787e5b2126ac739a0a5e7b">suspended its dog apprehension program</a>&nbsp;in 2020 after a Black man was bitten and an audit found 27 dog bite cases during the previous two years. And the same year, a Black man in Lafayette, Indiana, was placed in a medically induced coma after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-dogs-366bcb7b4433a62fe4bb8af39b042ea4">police dogs mauled him</a>&nbsp;as he was arrested in a battery case.During Tuesday’s debate in the Kansas House, Democratic Rep. Ford Carr, of Wichita, one of six Black members, mentioned the Ohio case and recalled how during the Civil Rights Movement, authorities turned dogs on peaceful Black protesters.Carr also suggested the Wichita suspect was defending himself.“I don't think that there's any one of us here who would sit idly by and let an animal maul you without fighting back," Carr said.Carmichael, who is white, acknowledged the fraught history surrounding police dogs, but he urged Carr to review testimony during the House committee's hearing on the bill earlier this month. Four law enforcement officers backed the measure, and no one spoke against it.Bane's handler, Sedgwick County Deputy Tyler Brooks, told the committee that Bane became important to his family.“It's kind of funny to me that this very large dog who frequently broke things and knocked everything over during a training session would be the one that would be the one that would break my 7-year-old autistic son of his crippling fear of dogs,” Brooks told the committee.

Kansas lawmakers look to increase penalties for harming police dogs

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged sex crimes.

On February 1,&nbsp; detectives with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division began an investigation into sexual offenses involving a minor child, occurring at a residence in southwest Shawnee County, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.

&nbsp;Aaron M. Kraemer, 36, of Topeka remains jailed in Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a&nbsp;$1,000,000.00 bond on requested charges of rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1707527131770.png" alt="Kraemer-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Kraemer-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged sex crimes.On February 1,&nbsp; detectives with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division began an investigation into sexual offenses involving a minor child, occurring at a residence in southwest Shawnee County, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.&nbsp;Aaron M. Kraemer, 36, of Topeka remains jailed in Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a&nbsp;$1,000,000.00 bond on requested charges of rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child.

Kansas man held on $1 million bond for alleged child sex crimes

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. House voted Tuesday to impeach Homeland Security Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-impeachment-mayorkas-border-congress-homeland-security-33c952f97b12ceffacb20ceaaa531adf">Alejandro Mayorkas</a>, with the Republican majority determined to punish the Biden administration over its handling of the U.S-Mexico border after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-republicans-impeach-homeland-security-secretary-mayorkas-8209736501ed4fe12e4b164443d6a8a9">failing last week</a>&nbsp;in a politically embarrassing setback.

Missouri lawmakers used social media to share their thoughts on the first impeachment of a cabinet secretary since 1876.

The evening roll call proved tight, with Speaker Mike Johnson’s threadbare GOP majority unable to handle many defectors or absences in the face of staunch Democratic opposition to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mayorkas-border-impeachment-immigration-d5f6a7d91ea725768e27b9b2bc5391a4">impeaching Mayorkas</a>, the first Cabinet secretary charged in nearly 150 years.

In a historic rebuke, the House impeached Mayorkas 214-213. With the return of Majority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/steve-scalise">Steve Scalise</a>&nbsp;to bolster the GOP's numbers after being away from Washington for cancer care and a Northeastern storm impacting some others, Republicans recouped — despite dissent from their own ranks.

<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;called it a "blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship that has targeted an honorable public servant in order to play petty political games.”

The charges against Mayorkas next go to the Senate for a trial, but neither Democratic nor even some Republican senators have shown interest in the matter and it may be indefinitely shelved to a committee. The Senate is expected to receive the articles of impeachment from the House after returning to session Feb. 26.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the case against Mayorkas a “sham impeachment” and a "new low for House Republicans.”

In a frantic scene of vote-tallying on the House floor, the GOP effort to impeach Mayorkas over his handling of the southern border took on an air of political desperation as Republicans struggle to make good on their priorities.

Mayorkas faced two articles of impeachment filed by the Homeland Security Committee arguing that he “willfully and systematically” refused to enforce existing immigration laws and that he breached the public trust by lying to Congress and saying the border was secure.

But critics of the impeachment effort said the charges against Mayorkas amount to a policy dispute over Biden's border strategy, hardly rising to the Constitution's bar of high crimes and misdemeanors.

The House had initially launched an impeachment inquiry into Biden over his son’s business dealings, but instead turned its attention to Mayorkas after Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, an ally of former President Donald Trump, pushed the debate forward following the panel’s months-long investigation.

Greene, who will serve as an impeachment manager in a potential Senate trial, hugged Scalise afterward and posed for photos with other lawmakers. She said senators “better pay attention to the American people and how they feel, and then they need to read our articles of impeachment.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. House voted Tuesday to impeach Homeland Security Secretary&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-impeachment-mayorkas-border-congress-homeland-security-33c952f97b12ceffacb20ceaaa531adf">Alejandro Mayorkas</a>, with the Republican majority determined to punish the Biden administration over its handling of the U.S-Mexico border after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-republicans-impeach-homeland-security-secretary-mayorkas-8209736501ed4fe12e4b164443d6a8a9">failing last week</a>&nbsp;in a politically embarrassing setback.Missouri lawmakers used social media to share their thoughts on the first impeachment of a cabinet secretary since 1876.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Saddle up! <a href="https://t.co/PuX8Hg2JZ6">https://t.co/PuX8Hg2JZ6</a>&mdash; Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_Schmitt/status/1757570995223675064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/bJ51Fb0Rln">pic.twitter.com/bJ51Fb0Rln</a>&mdash; Rep. Eric Burlison (@RepEricBurlison) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepEricBurlison/status/1757560631488602309?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Tonight, I voted to impeach Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. It is unfortunate that matters have come to this, but we could no longer sit idly by. Since this Administration took office, we have seen an unprecedented flow of illegal immigration. Mr. Mayorkas is at the source of…&mdash; Mark Alford (@RepMarkAlford) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMarkAlford/status/1757566748226671016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Secretary Mayorkas has refused to comply with the laws on the books that the American people passed via their elected representatives. We have a crisis of unprecedented proportion at our southern border and Secretary Mayorkas has lost the public’s trust to solve this problem.&mdash; Rep. Jason Smith (@RepJasonSmith) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepJasonSmith/status/1757547778622849127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The evening roll call proved tight, with Speaker Mike Johnson’s threadbare GOP majority unable to handle many defectors or absences in the face of staunch Democratic opposition to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mayorkas-border-impeachment-immigration-d5f6a7d91ea725768e27b9b2bc5391a4">impeaching Mayorkas</a>, the first Cabinet secretary charged in nearly 150 years.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We are living in unprecedented times; our sovereignty is at stake, and our security is compromised by the Biden Admin&#39;s historic border crisis. The House has taken the appropriate steps to hold DHS accountable for their failure to do their most basic job: secure our homeland. By…&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1757561474552152482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 14, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a historic rebuke, the House impeached Mayorkas 214-213. With the return of Majority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/steve-scalise">Steve Scalise</a>&nbsp;to bolster the GOP's numbers after being away from Washington for cancer care and a Northeastern storm impacting some others, Republicans recouped — despite dissent from their own ranks.<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;called it a "blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship that has targeted an honorable public servant in order to play petty political games.”The charges against Mayorkas next go to the Senate for a trial, but neither Democratic nor even some Republican senators have shown interest in the matter and it may be indefinitely shelved to a committee. The Senate is expected to receive the articles of impeachment from the House after returning to session Feb. 26.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the case against Mayorkas a “sham impeachment” and a "new low for House Republicans.”In a frantic scene of vote-tallying on the House floor, the GOP effort to impeach Mayorkas over his handling of the southern border took on an air of political desperation as Republicans struggle to make good on their priorities.Mayorkas faced two articles of impeachment filed by the Homeland Security Committee arguing that he “willfully and systematically” refused to enforce existing immigration laws and that he breached the public trust by lying to Congress and saying the border was secure.But critics of the impeachment effort said the charges against Mayorkas amount to a policy dispute over Biden's border strategy, hardly rising to the Constitution's bar of high crimes and misdemeanors.The House had initially launched an impeachment inquiry into Biden over his son’s business dealings, but instead turned its attention to Mayorkas after Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, an ally of former President Donald Trump, pushed the debate forward following the panel’s months-long investigation.Greene, who will serve as an impeachment manager in a potential Senate trial, hugged Scalise afterward and posed for photos with other lawmakers. She said senators “better pay attention to the American people and how they feel, and then they need to read our articles of impeachment.”Border security has shot to the top of campaign issues, with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Trump, the Republican front-runner</a>&nbsp;for the presidential nomination, insisting he will launch “the largest domestic deportation operation in American history” if he retakes the White House.Various House Republicans have prepared legislation to begin deporting migrants who were temporarily allowed into the U.S. under the Biden administration’s policies, many as they await adjudication of asylum claims.“We have no choice,” Trump said in stark language at a weekend rally in South Carolina.At the same time, Johnson rejected a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-ukraine-aid-border-security-386dcc54b29a5491f8bd87b727a284f8">bipartisan Senate border security package</a>&nbsp;Mayorkas had spent weeks negotiating. But the speaker has been unable to advance his Republicans’ own proposal, which is a nonstarter in the Senate.“Congress needs to act,” Biden said in a statement after the vote, “to give me, Secretary Mayorkas, and my administration the tools and resources needed to address the situation at the border.”Three Republican representatives who broke ranks last week over the Mayorkas impeachment — Ken Buck of Colorado, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin and Tom McClintock of California — all did so again Tuesday. With a 219-212 majority, Johnson had few votes to spare. His margin got even smaller later Tuesday night when New York Democrat Thomas Suozzi won a special election to the seat once held by Republican George Santos before his expulsion from Congress.Several leading conservative scholars along with former Homeland Security secretaries from both Republican and Democratic administrations have dismissed the Mayorkas impeachment as unwarranted or a waste of time.Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland said what the Republicans “have succeeded in doing is degrading and tarnishing the constitutional meaning of impeachment.”But Scalise told reporters after the vote, “It sends a message that we’re not just going to sit by while the secretary of homeland security fails to do his job at keeping our homeland safe.”Mayorkas is not the only Biden administration official the House Republicans want to impeach. They have filed legislation to impeach a long list including Vice President Kamala Harris, Attorney General Merrick Garland, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.Never before has a sitting Cabinet secretary been impeached, and it was nearly 150 years ago that the House voted to impeach President Ulysses S. Grant’s secretary of war, William Belknap, over a kickback scheme in government contracts. He resigned before the vote.Mayorkas, who did not appear to testify before the impeachment proceedings, put the border crisis squarely on Congress for failing to update immigration laws during a time of global migration.“There is no question that we have a challenge, a crisis at the border,” Mayorkas said over the weekend on NBC. “And there is no question that Congress needs to fix it.”Johnson and the Republicans have pushed back, arguing that the Biden administration could take executive actions, as Trump did, to stop the number of crossings — though the courts have questioned and turned back some of those efforts.“We always explore what options are available to us that are permissible under the law,” Mayorkas said.Last week's failed vote to impeach Mayorkas — a surprise outcome rarely seen on such a high-profile issue — was a stunning display in the chamber that has been churning through months of GOP chaos since the ouster of the previous House speaker.At the time, Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, who had been hospitalized for emergency abdominal surgery, made a surprise arrival, wheeled into the chamber in scrubs and socks to vote against it — leaving the vote tied and leading to its failure.“Obviously, you feel good when you can make a difference,” said Green, describing his painstaking route from hospital bed to the House floor. “All I did was what I was elected to do, and that was to cast my vote on the issues of our time, using the best judgment available to me.”Republican holdout Gallagher, who had served as a Marine,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-gallagher-retirement-impeachment-mayorkas-wisconsin-a125c50142905225ae58f7f36f9bd1e1">announced over the weekend</a>&nbsp;he would not be seeking reelection in the fall, joining a growing list of serious-minded Republican lawmakers heading for the exits.__