JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting that left 15-year-old Brianna Rachelle Higgins of Lawrence dead have made an arrest.

On Tuesday, police reported they arrested&nbsp;A 17-year-old boy on requested charges of Second Degree Homicide in connection with her death, according to Olathe Police Sergeant John Moncayo.

A friend established <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/brianna-rachell-higgins">an online fundraiser</a> for the family.

Just before 11 p.m. Jan. 19, police were contacted at Olathe Medical Center about a 15-year-old girl who had been driven to the hospital with an apparent gunshot wound.

Police determined the shooting occurred near the 16900 block of West 127th&nbsp;Street.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706095295950.png" alt="Brianna Rachelle Higgins-photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Brianna Rachelle Higgins-photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting that left 15-year-old Brianna Rachelle Higgins of Lawrence dead have made an arrest.On Tuesday, police reported they arrested&nbsp;A 17-year-old boy on requested charges of Second Degree Homicide in connection with her death, according to Olathe Police Sergeant John Moncayo.A friend established <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/brianna-rachell-higgins">an online fundraiser</a> for the family.Just before 11 p.m. Jan. 19, police were contacted at Olathe Medical Center about a 15-year-old girl who had been driven to the hospital with an apparent gunshot wound.Police determined the shooting occurred near the 16900 block of West 127th&nbsp;Street.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have released no additional details.

Boy arrested for death of 15-year-old Kan. girl

The Associated Press story was first published on Jan. 22, 2024. It was published again on Jan. 31, 2024, to correct, based on revised accounts from military officials, that Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers fell into the water and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram jumped into the water to try to save him, not that Ingram fell into the water and then Chambers jumped in.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Under the darkness of night, in the roiling high seas off the coast of Somalia, members of the U.S. Navy's SEAL Team 3 began to climb aboard an unflagged ship that was carrying illicit Iranian-made weapons to Yemen.

As Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers began boarding the boat, he slipped, falling into a gap the waves had created between the vessel and the SEALs' combatant craft. As he went under, Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram jumped into the gap to try to save him, according to U.S. officials familiar with what happened.

It was an instinctive act, honed by years of training, one teammate going to another's aid. But weighed down by their body armor, weapons and heavy equipment, the two SEALs plunged into the depths of the Arabian Sea and died, said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details of the Jan. 11 raid.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-missiles-iran-seizure-us-8112fbadd3b0689c71a92890895a9368">mission came as the interdiction of weapons to Yemen</a>&nbsp;takes on new urgency. The Yemen-based Houthis have been conducting a campaign of missile and drone attacks against commercial and Navy ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden over Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. And U.S. retaliatory strikes have so far not deterred their assaults.

The 11-day search and rescue mission to locate the two SEALs was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seals-navy-deceased-weapons-seizure-yemen-0502e297a90ecc28431fc5b2cb49d033">called off on Sunday</a>&nbsp;and became a recovery effort. And on Monday, the Navy released their names, after their families were notified.

“Chris and Gage selflessly served their country with unwavering professionalism and exceptional capabilities,” said Capt. Blake Chaney, commander of Naval Special Warfare Group 1, which oversees SEAL Team 3. “This loss is devastating for NSW, our families, the special operations community, and across the nation.”

At the White House, President Joe Biden said in a statement that, “Jill and I are mourning the tragic deaths of two of America’s finest — Navy SEALs who were lost at sea while executing a mission off the coast of East Africa last week.” He said the SEALs represent “the very best of our country, pledging their lives to protect their fellow Americans. Our hearts go out to the family members, loved ones, friends, and shipmates who are grieving for these two brave Americans.”

The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet is conducting an investigation into what happened. That probe is expected to examine whether the SEALs were properly equipped and trained for the mission, whether procedures were followed, and any decisions regarding the timing and approval of the raid, including the weather and the state of the seas.

According to officials, the commandos launched from the USS Lewis B. Puller, a mobile sea base, and they were backed up by drones and helicopters. They loaded onto small special operations combat craft driven by naval special warfare crew to get to the boat. It was the type of boarding for which SEALs train routinely, and illegal weapons moving from Iran to Yemen-based Houthis have been a persistent concern, particularly as the rebels continue to target commercial vessels in the region.

The team boarding the dhow was facing more than a dozen crew members. They ultimately seized an array of Iranian-made weaponry, including cruise and ballistic missile components such as propulsion and guidance devices and warheads, as well as air defense parts, Central Command said.

The raid was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-iran-arms-seizure-us-uk-b38494c44e4477b177a7f878f4d8f6db">the latest seizure by the U.S. Navy and its allies</a>&nbsp;of weapon shipments bound for the rebels, who have launched a series of attacks now threatening global trade in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The seized missile components included types likely used in those attacks.

Chambers and Ingram, who were assigned to a West Coast-based SEAL unit, "were exceptional warriors, cherished teammates, and dear friends to many within the Naval Special Warfare community,” said Chaney.

Chambers, 37, of Maryland, enlisted in the Navy in 2012, and graduated from SEAL training in 2014. His awards include the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “C” and three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals. Ingram, 27, of Texas, enlisted in 2019, and graduated from SEAL training in 2021.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705958979801.png" alt="Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers -photo Department of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers -photo Department of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>The Associated Press story was first published on Jan. 22, 2024. It was published again on Jan. 31, 2024, to correct, based on revised accounts from military officials, that Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers fell into the water and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram jumped into the water to try to save him, not that Ingram fell into the water and then Chambers jumped in.BY LOLITA C. BALDORWASHINGTON (AP) — Under the darkness of night, in the roiling high seas off the coast of Somalia, members of the U.S. Navy's SEAL Team 3 began to climb aboard an unflagged ship that was carrying illicit Iranian-made weapons to Yemen.As Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers began boarding the boat, he slipped, falling into a gap the waves had created between the vessel and the SEALs' combatant craft. As he went under, Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram jumped into the gap to try to save him, according to U.S. officials familiar with what happened.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705959010427.png" alt="Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram-photo Dept. of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram-photo Dept. of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>It was an instinctive act, honed by years of training, one teammate going to another's aid. But weighed down by their body armor, weapons and heavy equipment, the two SEALs plunged into the depths of the Arabian Sea and died, said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details of the Jan. 11 raid.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-missiles-iran-seizure-us-8112fbadd3b0689c71a92890895a9368">mission came as the interdiction of weapons to Yemen</a>&nbsp;takes on new urgency. The Yemen-based Houthis have been conducting a campaign of missile and drone attacks against commercial and Navy ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden over Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. And U.S. retaliatory strikes have so far not deterred their assaults.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705405243920.png" alt="-The two SEALs went into water in mid-January during a nighttime boarding mission to interdict a dhow suspected of carrying Iranian-made weapons for Houthi militants in Yemen, according to the U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>-The two SEALs went into water in mid-January during a nighttime boarding mission to interdict a dhow suspected of carrying Iranian-made weapons for Houthi militants in Yemen, according to the U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>The 11-day search and rescue mission to locate the two SEALs was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seals-navy-deceased-weapons-seizure-yemen-0502e297a90ecc28431fc5b2cb49d033">called off on Sunday</a>&nbsp;and became a recovery effort. And on Monday, the Navy released their names, after their families were notified.“Chris and Gage selflessly served their country with unwavering professionalism and exceptional capabilities,” said Capt. Blake Chaney, commander of Naval Special Warfare Group 1, which oversees SEAL Team 3. “This loss is devastating for NSW, our families, the special operations community, and across the nation.”At the White House, President Joe Biden said in a statement that, “Jill and I are mourning the tragic deaths of two of America’s finest — Navy SEALs who were lost at sea while executing a mission off the coast of East Africa last week.” He said the SEALs represent “the very best of our country, pledging their lives to protect their fellow Americans. Our hearts go out to the family members, loved ones, friends, and shipmates who are grieving for these two brave Americans.”The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet is conducting an investigation into what happened. That probe is expected to examine whether the SEALs were properly equipped and trained for the mission, whether procedures were followed, and any decisions regarding the timing and approval of the raid, including the weather and the state of the seas.According to officials, the commandos launched from the USS Lewis B. Puller, a mobile sea base, and they were backed up by drones and helicopters. They loaded onto small special operations combat craft driven by naval special warfare crew to get to the boat. It was the type of boarding for which SEALs train routinely, and illegal weapons moving from Iran to Yemen-based Houthis have been a persistent concern, particularly as the rebels continue to target commercial vessels in the region.The team boarding the dhow was facing more than a dozen crew members. They ultimately seized an array of Iranian-made weaponry, including cruise and ballistic missile components such as propulsion and guidance devices and warheads, as well as air defense parts, Central Command said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705405198142.png" alt="Photo of the items seized -photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo of the items seized -photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>The raid was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-iran-arms-seizure-us-uk-b38494c44e4477b177a7f878f4d8f6db">the latest seizure by the U.S. Navy and its allies</a>&nbsp;of weapon shipments bound for the rebels, who have launched a series of attacks now threatening global trade in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The seized missile components included types likely used in those attacks.Chambers and Ingram, who were assigned to a West Coast-based SEAL unit, "were exceptional warriors, cherished teammates, and dear friends to many within the Naval Special Warfare community,” said Chaney.Chambers, 37, of Maryland, enlisted in the Navy in 2012, and graduated from SEAL training in 2014. His awards include the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “C” and three Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals. Ingram, 27, of Texas, enlisted in 2019, and graduated from SEAL training in 2021.---------

Correction: How 2 U.S. Navy SEALs died in raid to seize Iranian weapons

KANSAS CITY —A jury on Friday convicted a Kansas City man in the July 2022 fatal shooting of Marvin Yancey as the victim was driving his vehicle on Blue Ridge Boulevard, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Charles Miller Jr.,28, was convicted of Murder 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.&nbsp;

According to court records, police were dispatched July 16, 2022, to the area of 83rd and Blue Ridge Boulevard in Kansas City on the report of shots being fired. 

Police found no crime scene. Later police were dispatched to 8200 Blue Ridge Boulevard regarding an injury accident. Officers found the victim who had been shot. Detectives used video from city cameras to identify a suspect vehicle. 

That helped detectives determine the vehicle had a GPS tracker that led police to a witness who was with the defendant the night of the shooting. 

She said Miller had a weapon while he driving the night of the shooting. A shell casing taken from the vehicle he was driving that night matched the caliber of rounds recovered from a rifle found in the vehicle. In addition, a spent bullet that was collected from the victim was determined to have been fired by that rifle. Miller will be sentenced on April 30.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706368288902.png" alt="Miller-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Miller-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A jury on Friday convicted a Kansas City man in the July 2022 fatal shooting of Marvin Yancey as the victim was driving his vehicle on Blue Ridge Boulevard, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Charles Miller Jr.,28, was convicted of Murder 2nd Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.&nbsp;According to court records, police were dispatched July 16, 2022, to the area of 83rd and Blue Ridge Boulevard in Kansas City on the report of shots being fired. Police found no crime scene. Later police were dispatched to 8200 Blue Ridge Boulevard regarding an injury accident. Officers found the victim who had been shot. Detectives used video from city cameras to identify a suspect vehicle. That helped detectives determine the vehicle had a GPS tracker that led police to a witness who was with the defendant the night of the shooting. She said Miller had a weapon while he driving the night of the shooting. A shell casing taken from the vehicle he was driving that night matched the caliber of rounds recovered from a rifle found in the vehicle. In addition, a spent bullet that was collected from the victim was determined to have been fired by that rifle. Miller will be sentenced on April 30.

Murder: KC shooting victim found at scene of car crash

KANSAS CITY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a house fire in Kansas CIty.

Just after 7:30p.m. Tuesday, crews&nbsp;responded to the report of a house fire in the 500 block of Donnelly, in Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. 

First responders reported heavy fire from the occupied two and half-story home.&nbsp;Searches of the structure all came back clear. .

 The home suffered extensive damage. There were no injuries reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706670424540.png" alt="Photo KCFD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCFD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Authorities are working to determine the cause of a house fire in Kansas CIty.Just after 7:30p.m. Tuesday, crews&nbsp;responded to the report of a house fire in the 500 block of Donnelly, in Kansas City, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. First responders reported heavy fire from the occupied two and half-story home.&nbsp;Searches of the structure all came back clear. . The home suffered extensive damage. There were no injuries reported.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Battalion Chief: Extensive damage after fire at KC home

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan, who became the first female senator to represent Missouri after she was appointed to replace her husband following his death, died Tuesday. She was 90.

Carnahan, a Democrat, was appointed to the Senate in 2001 after the posthumous election of her husband, Gov. Mel Carnahan, and she served until 2002.

“Mom passed peacefully after a long and rich life. She was a fearless trailblazer. She was brilliant, creative, compassionate and dedicated to her family and her fellow Missourians,” her family said in a statement.

Her family did not specify the cause of death but said Carnahan died after a brief illness at a hospice facility in suburban St. Louis.

Carnahan was born Dec. 20, 1933, in Washington, D.C., and grew up in the nation’s capital. Her father worked as a plumber and her mother as a hairdresser.

She met Mel Carnahan, the son of a Missouri congressman, at a church event, and they became better acquainted after sitting next to each other at a class in high school, according to information provided by the family. They were married on June 12, 1954.

Jean Carnahan graduated a year later from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in business and public administration, and they later raised four children on a farm near Rolla, Missouri.

She served as first lady of Missouri after her husband’s election as governor in 1992 and through his two terms.

On Oct. 16, 2000, the governor, the couple’s son, Roger, and an aide died in a plane crash. After Mel Carnahan was elected posthumously three weeks later, acting Gov. Roger Wilson appointed Jean Carnahan to fill the seat left vacant by her husband’s death.

She served from Jan. 3, 2001, to Nov. 25, 2002.

After her appointment, Carnahan gave a speech in the Senate in which she noted her tragic path to the chamber.

“My name has never been on a ballot. On election night, there was no victory celebration,” she said. "You are here because of your win. I am here because of my loss. But we are all here to do the work of this great nation.”

Roy Temple, a longtime aide to the Carnahans and Jean Carnahan’s chief of staff, said he saw Carnahan at her 90th birthday celebration last year and told her, “Jean, you are like a flower that blooms wherever you are planted.”

“She just did everything with a boundless amount of smarts and wit and creativity,” Temple said. “Whatever she was doing -- if it was planning a party or it was pushing for legislation, it was just in her nature to do it all the way.”

Temple said that although Carnahan was only in the Senate for two years, she served at an extraordinary time. While there, she lost her house in a fire and was recovering from the loss of her husband and son. She was there during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and she was working in the Hart Senate Office Building during the anthrax scare – Temple remembers working with her in a hideaway in the basement of the Capitol at that time.

“It was an extraordinary and stressful time and she did the job well and with great dignity,” Temple said. “It was a privilege to work with her.”

Temple said Carnahan and then-Sen. Joe Biden had a bond because he was one of the few people who had suffered similar loss and could understand what she was going through.

Carnahan was the author of seven books, including two about the Missouri governor's mansion and an autobiography that focused on her years as first lady and as a senator.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706663656921.png" alt="Jean Carnahan -image from Carnahan campaign ad via CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Jean Carnahan -image from Carnahan campaign ad via CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Former U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan, who became the first female senator to represent Missouri after she was appointed to replace her husband following his death, died Tuesday. She was 90.Carnahan, a Democrat, was appointed to the Senate in 2001 after the posthumous election of her husband, Gov. Mel Carnahan, and she served until 2002.“Mom passed peacefully after a long and rich life. She was a fearless trailblazer. She was brilliant, creative, compassionate and dedicated to her family and her fellow Missourians,” her family said in a statement.Her family did not specify the cause of death but said Carnahan died after a brief illness at a hospice facility in suburban St. Louis.Carnahan was born Dec. 20, 1933, in Washington, D.C., and grew up in the nation’s capital. Her father worked as a plumber and her mother as a hairdresser.She met Mel Carnahan, the son of a Missouri congressman, at a church event, and they became better acquainted after sitting next to each other at a class in high school, according to information provided by the family. They were married on June 12, 1954.Jean Carnahan graduated a year later from George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in business and public administration, and they later raised four children on a farm near Rolla, Missouri.She served as first lady of Missouri after her husband’s election as governor in 1992 and through his two terms.On Oct. 16, 2000, the governor, the couple’s son, Roger, and an aide died in a plane crash. After Mel Carnahan was elected posthumously three weeks later, acting Gov. Roger Wilson appointed Jean Carnahan to fill the seat left vacant by her husband’s death.She served from Jan. 3, 2001, to Nov. 25, 2002.After her appointment, Carnahan gave a speech in the Senate in which she noted her tragic path to the chamber.“My name has never been on a ballot. On election night, there was no victory celebration,” she said. "You are here because of your win. I am here because of my loss. But we are all here to do the work of this great nation.”Roy Temple, a longtime aide to the Carnahans and Jean Carnahan’s chief of staff, said he saw Carnahan at her 90th birthday celebration last year and told her, “Jean, you are like a flower that blooms wherever you are planted.”“She just did everything with a boundless amount of smarts and wit and creativity,” Temple said. “Whatever she was doing -- if it was planning a party or it was pushing for legislation, it was just in her nature to do it all the way.”Temple said that although Carnahan was only in the Senate for two years, she served at an extraordinary time. While there, she lost her house in a fire and was recovering from the loss of her husband and son. She was there during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and she was working in the Hart Senate Office Building during the anthrax scare – Temple remembers working with her in a hideaway in the basement of the Capitol at that time.“It was an extraordinary and stressful time and she did the job well and with great dignity,” Temple said. “It was a privilege to work with her.”Temple said Carnahan and then-Sen. Joe Biden had a bond because he was one of the few people who had suffered similar loss and could understand what she was going through.Carnahan was the author of seven books, including two about the Missouri governor's mansion and an autobiography that focused on her years as first lady and as a senator.

Jean Carnahan, the first woman to represent Mo. in U.S. Senate, has died 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jaredstrong/">JARED STRONG</a>&nbsp;

A northwest Iowa man who cut down and stole dozens of trees from state property — including one of the oldest bur oaks in the state — was ordered Friday to pay a fine of nearly $25,000, according to court records.

Jason Levant Ferguson, 41, of Rolfe, was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/11/20/northwest-iowa-tree-thief-found-guilty-of-51-charges/">found guilty</a>&nbsp;of felony theft and 50 timber violations in November&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/11/10/tree-thefts-an-uncommon-crime-on-the-rise-in-iowa/">for stealing</a>&nbsp;trees from the Stoddard Wildlife Management Area.

He faced up to five years in prison for the theft charge and one year each for the timber violations when he was sentenced Friday. But a judge suspended the five-year sentence and did not impose any incarceration for the timber violations, court records show.

District Court Judge Derek Johnson wrote that the sentence “provides for (Ferguson’s) rehabilitation and the protection of the community.”

Instead, the judge ordered Ferguson to pay a $430 fine for each of the timber violations, which when combined with a court surcharge totaled $24,725.

It’s possible Ferguson might be ordered to pay more for restitution at some point, the judge’s order said.

A forestry consultant estimated that the values of the stolen trees and the cost to restore the site — by replanting 55 trees — totals about $38,000, court records show.

The giant bur oak accounts for more than half of that total because it “cannot be replaced and has historical significance,” wrote Kevin Oetken, of Woodland Forestry of Monmouth, who estimated the values.

The tree was about 175 years old, Oetken determined. It was six feet wide at its base, about 95 feet tall, and was of comparable stature to the state record bur oak.

“The stump was sound with very little rot and could have lived even longer,” Oetken wrote.

Ferguson had claimed he was harvesting dead or dying trees from the public area — which is not far from his acreage — and that he would use the pilfered trees to build a new house.

His attorney unsuccessfully argued that Ferguson’s right&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/01/02/convicted-tree-thiefs-right-to-survive-trumps-iowa-law-his-lawyer-argues/">to preserve his life</a>&nbsp;by using the trees for shelter and heat is paramount to Iowa’s laws that restrict taking trees from public areas without state approval. He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/12/11/alleged-tree-thief-claims-protection-by-englands-charter-of-the-forest/">also argued</a>&nbsp;that the 800-year-old English Charter of the Forest protected Ferguson from prosecution. The judge&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/12/20/judge-800-year-old-english-charter-doesnt-protect-tree-thief/">disagreed</a>.

However, Ferguson was successful at fighting numerous felony drug charges that resulted from the tree theft investigation. Searches of his property uncovered evidence that someone was producing marijuana and methamphetamine, and Ferguson faced decades in prison.

But the judge determined that the search warrants were improperly approved and that the evidence obtained during the searches could not be used to prosecute him. Those charges were dropped.

This article first appeared in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/01/26/tree-thief-fined-25k-but-gets-no-prison-time/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>,&nbsp;a sister&nbsp;site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706539720192.png" alt="Ferguson-photo&nbsp;Pocahontas County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Ferguson-photo&nbsp;Pocahontas County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jaredstrong/">JARED STRONG</a>&nbsp;A northwest Iowa man who cut down and stole dozens of trees from state property — including one of the oldest bur oaks in the state — was ordered Friday to pay a fine of nearly $25,000, according to court records.Jason Levant Ferguson, 41, of Rolfe, was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/11/20/northwest-iowa-tree-thief-found-guilty-of-51-charges/">found guilty</a>&nbsp;of felony theft and 50 timber violations in November&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/11/10/tree-thefts-an-uncommon-crime-on-the-rise-in-iowa/">for stealing</a>&nbsp;trees from the Stoddard Wildlife Management Area.He faced up to five years in prison for the theft charge and one year each for the timber violations when he was sentenced Friday. But a judge suspended the five-year sentence and did not impose any incarceration for the timber violations, court records show.District Court Judge Derek Johnson wrote that the sentence “provides for (Ferguson’s) rehabilitation and the protection of the community.”Instead, the judge ordered Ferguson to pay a $430 fine for each of the timber violations, which when combined with a court surcharge totaled $24,725.It’s possible Ferguson might be ordered to pay more for restitution at some point, the judge’s order said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706539803252.png" alt="Jason Ferguson allegedly admitted to taking a massive bur oak from state property. (Courtesy of Iowa Courts Online)" />
 <figcaption>Jason Ferguson allegedly admitted to taking a massive bur oak from state property. (Courtesy of Iowa Courts Online)</figcaption>
 </figure>A forestry consultant estimated that the values of the stolen trees and the cost to restore the site — by replanting 55 trees — totals about $38,000, court records show.The giant bur oak accounts for more than half of that total because it “cannot be replaced and has historical significance,” wrote Kevin Oetken, of Woodland Forestry of Monmouth, who estimated the values.The tree was about 175 years old, Oetken determined. It was six feet wide at its base, about 95 feet tall, and was of comparable stature to the state record bur oak.“The stump was sound with very little rot and could have lived even longer,” Oetken wrote.Ferguson had claimed he was harvesting dead or dying trees from the public area — which is not far from his acreage — and that he would use the pilfered trees to build a new house.His attorney unsuccessfully argued that Ferguson’s right&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/01/02/convicted-tree-thiefs-right-to-survive-trumps-iowa-law-his-lawyer-argues/">to preserve his life</a>&nbsp;by using the trees for shelter and heat is paramount to Iowa’s laws that restrict taking trees from public areas without state approval. He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/12/11/alleged-tree-thief-claims-protection-by-englands-charter-of-the-forest/">also argued</a>&nbsp;that the 800-year-old English Charter of the Forest protected Ferguson from prosecution. The judge&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/12/20/judge-800-year-old-english-charter-doesnt-protect-tree-thief/">disagreed</a>.However, Ferguson was successful at fighting numerous felony drug charges that resulted from the tree theft investigation. Searches of his property uncovered evidence that someone was producing marijuana and methamphetamine, and Ferguson faced decades in prison.But the judge determined that the search warrants were improperly approved and that the evidence obtained during the searches could not be used to prosecute him. Those charges were dropped.This article first appeared in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/01/26/tree-thief-fined-25k-but-gets-no-prison-time/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>,&nbsp;a sister&nbsp;site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network.

Tree thief fined $25K but gets no prison time

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday indicated he had decided how to respond after the killing of three American service members Sunday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jordan-drone-attack-attack-confusion-f175962e058b9b6f668303faf248d8e6">drone attack in Jordan</a>&nbsp;that his administration has pinned on Iran-backed militia groups, saying he does not want to expand the war in the Middle East but demurring on specifics.

U.S. officials said they are still determining which of several Iran-backed groups was responsible for the first killing of American troops in a wave of attacks against U.S. forces in the region since the Oct. 7 Hamas assault on Israel. Biden plans to attend the dignified transfer to mark the fallen troops' return to American soil on Friday and answered in the affirmative when asked by reporters if he'd decided on a response, as he indicated he was aiming to prevent further escalation.

“I don’t think we need a wider war in the Middle East," Biden said at the White House before departing for a fundraising trip to Florida. “That’s not what I’m looking for.”

It was not immediately clear whether Biden meant he had decided on a specific retaliatory plan. A U.S. official told The Associated Press that the Pentagon is still assessing options to respond to the attack in Jordan.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters traveling with Biden aboard Air Force One that he would not preview the U.S. response, but indicated it would come in phases.

“It’s very possible that what you’ll see is a tiered approach here, not just a single action, but potentially multiple actions over a period of time," he said.

Meanwhile, the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iraq-airstrike-military-iran-d93d861feeef90cfeac3ba85f1f2f36d">Kataib Hezbollah</a>, one of several groups eyed by U.S. officials, announced Tuesday in a statement “the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces in order to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government.”

The attacks on U.S. forces by Iraqi militias over the past four months have placed the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in an awkward position. Sudani was brought to power by Iranian-allied factions but has also attempted to stay in Washington’s good graces and has condemned the attacks on U.S. forces serving in Iraq as part of an international commission to fight the Islamic State. Iraqi and U.S. officials on Saturday opened talks aimed at winding down the commission’s presence.

Kirby said that Biden spoke with the soldiers' families Tuesday morning and extended his condolences, pledging full assistance to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drone-attack-soldier-killed-jordan-sanders-georgia-947c5c440e149154b06bc1bc29d84a19">families as they grieve</a>.

In separate calls with the families, Biden also gauged their feelings about his attendance at Friday's dignified transfer of the fallen service members' remains at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Friday, and “all of them supported his presence there,” Kirby said.

“He was grateful for their time. He expressed to them how proud we all are of their service," Kirby said of Biden's calls with the families. “How we mourn and feel sorrow over their loss.”

Kirby added: “The president will be going to the dignified transfer on Friday.”

The solemn ceremony marks the return of fallen service members to American soil as they journey to their final resting place, with silent honor guards carrying flag-draped transfer cases holding the remains from transport aircraft to military vehicles.

The Pentagon identified those killed in the attack as Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia; Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia; and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia. The Army Reserve announced on Tuesday that it had posthumously promoted Sanders and Moffett to the rank of sergeant.

There have been a total of 166 attacks on U.S. military installations since Oct. 18, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and now one in Jordan, a U.S. military official said. On Tuesday, Al-Asad Air Base in Western Iraq was targeted again by a single rocket, but there was no damage and no injuries in that attack, a U.S. military official said. The three soldiers killed in the Jordan strike were the first U.S. military fatalities in the Middle East since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out. One contractor has also died as the result of a heart attack after a strike on Al-Asad in December.

In 2021, Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-biden-troops-killed-509f29aaca012ee8e83871d2c03384bf">attended the dignified transfer</a>&nbsp;of the remains of 13 troops killed in a suicide attack during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Separately, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany said it expected to receive 3 U.S. service members who were injured in the drone attack, including one listed in critical, but stable, condition. The Pentagon has said at least 40 troops were injured alongside the three killed in action.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday indicated he had decided how to respond after the killing of three American service members Sunday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jordan-drone-attack-attack-confusion-f175962e058b9b6f668303faf248d8e6">drone attack in Jordan</a>&nbsp;that his administration has pinned on Iran-backed militia groups, saying he does not want to expand the war in the Middle East but demurring on specifics.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on Iran: &quot;I do hold them responsible in a sense that they&#39;re supplying the weapons to the people who did it...I don&#39;t think we need a wider war in the Middle East. That&#39;s not what I&#39;m looking for.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/mcviToXzgJ">pic.twitter.com/mcviToXzgJ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1752363083987575127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>U.S. officials said they are still determining which of several Iran-backed groups was responsible for the first killing of American troops in a wave of attacks against U.S. forces in the region since the Oct. 7 Hamas assault on Israel. Biden plans to attend the dignified transfer to mark the fallen troops' return to American soil on Friday and answered in the affirmative when asked by reporters if he'd decided on a response, as he indicated he was aiming to prevent further escalation.“I don’t think we need a wider war in the Middle East," Biden said at the White House before departing for a fundraising trip to Florida. “That’s not what I’m looking for.”It was not immediately clear whether Biden meant he had decided on a specific retaliatory plan. A U.S. official told The Associated Press that the Pentagon is still assessing options to respond to the attack in Jordan.National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters traveling with Biden aboard Air Force One that he would not preview the U.S. response, but indicated it would come in phases.“It’s very possible that what you’ll see is a tiered approach here, not just a single action, but potentially multiple actions over a period of time," he said.Meanwhile, the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iraq-airstrike-military-iran-d93d861feeef90cfeac3ba85f1f2f36d">Kataib Hezbollah</a>, one of several groups eyed by U.S. officials, announced Tuesday in a statement “the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces in order to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government.”The attacks on U.S. forces by Iraqi militias over the past four months have placed the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in an awkward position. Sudani was brought to power by Iranian-allied factions but has also attempted to stay in Washington’s good graces and has condemned the attacks on U.S. forces serving in Iraq as part of an international commission to fight the Islamic State. Iraqi and U.S. officials on Saturday opened talks aimed at winding down the commission’s presence.Kirby said that Biden spoke with the soldiers' families Tuesday morning and extended his condolences, pledging full assistance to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drone-attack-soldier-killed-jordan-sanders-georgia-947c5c440e149154b06bc1bc29d84a19">families as they grieve</a>.In separate calls with the families, Biden also gauged their feelings about his attendance at Friday's dignified transfer of the fallen service members' remains at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware on Friday, and “all of them supported his presence there,” Kirby said.“He was grateful for their time. He expressed to them how proud we all are of their service," Kirby said of Biden's calls with the families. “How we mourn and feel sorrow over their loss.”Kirby added: “The president will be going to the dignified transfer on Friday.”The solemn ceremony marks the return of fallen service members to American soil as they journey to their final resting place, with silent honor guards carrying flag-draped transfer cases holding the remains from transport aircraft to military vehicles.The Pentagon identified those killed in the attack as Sgt. William Jerome Rivers, 46, of Carrollton, Georgia; Spc. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Georgia; and Spc. Breonna Alexsondria Moffett, 23, of Savannah, Georgia. The Army Reserve announced on Tuesday that it had posthumously promoted Sanders and Moffett to the rank of sergeant.There have been a total of 166 attacks on U.S. military installations since Oct. 18, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and now one in Jordan, a U.S. military official said. On Tuesday, Al-Asad Air Base in Western Iraq was targeted again by a single rocket, but there was no damage and no injuries in that attack, a U.S. military official said. The three soldiers killed in the Jordan strike were the first U.S. military fatalities in the Middle East since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out. One contractor has also died as the result of a heart attack after a strike on Al-Asad in December.In 2021, Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-biden-troops-killed-509f29aaca012ee8e83871d2c03384bf">attended the dignified transfer</a>&nbsp;of the remains of 13 troops killed in a suicide attack during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.Separately, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany said it expected to receive 3 U.S. service members who were injured in the drone attack, including one listed in critical, but stable, condition. The Pentagon has said at least 40 troops were injured alongside the three killed in action.—

🎥Biden decides how to respond to deadly attack by Iran-backed terrorists 

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-department-of-justice">The Justice Department</a>&nbsp;is investigating whether Democratic Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri misused campaign funds for her personal security, the progressive lawmaker confirmed in a statement Tuesday.

Bush, a second-term lawmaker, denied any wrongdoing and said she is “fully cooperating” with federal prosecutors.

“As a rank-and-file member of Congress I am not entitled to personal protection by the House, and instead have used campaign funds as permissible to retain security services,” Bush said. “I have not used any federal tax dollars for personal security services.”

Her statement came a day after the Justice Department subpoenaed the office of the House Sergeant at Arms for related documents. The Justice Department declined to comment.

Since being elected to the House in 2021, Bush, a Black woman with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8d71b1b8d25edd627b441fa7f21d23af">activist roots</a>, has been the target of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-capitol-siege-travel-race-and-ethnicity-aa746cffd76d6465a7adc1ec4ed54659">right-wing attacks</a>. As a result, she has spent a substantial amount of money on private security while she's on Capitol Hill and back home in her district in St. Louis.

Federal prosecutors have been asking questions about Bush’s security expenses, the threats she received and her decision to pay her now-husband Cortney Merritts with campaign funds to provide security, a person familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press. The questions have been similar to those asked by congressional investigators conducting an ethics inquiry, the person said. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

The issue of how Bush has been funding her security is currently under investigation by the Federal Election Commission and the House Committee on Ethics. The FEC has stated that it is not technically against the rules for a member of Congress to use campaign funds for private security as there has been a striking increase of violent threats against lawmakers in recent years. The Office of Congressional Ethics unanimously determined in October to clear Bush of any wrongdoing in their investigation.

“I look forward to this same outcome from all pending investigations,” Bush said Tuesday.

“I’m going to make sure I have security because I know I have had attempts on my life and I have too much work to do,” the former Black Lives Matter activist told CBS News in August 2021. “So, if I end up spending $200,000, if I spend … 10 more dollars on it, you know what? I get to be here to do the work.

A spokesperson for Democratic Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hakeem-jeffries">Hakeem Jeffries</a>&nbsp;said that Bush is entitled to the presumption of innocence as the investigation moves forward.

“It is our expectation that the investigation will follow the facts, apply the law and be conducted in a professional manner,” Christie Stephenson said.

Punchbowl News first reported the news about the investigation into Bush.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634911816533.png" alt="U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-Missouri, courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Rep. Cori Bush, D-Missouri, courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-department-of-justice">The Justice Department</a>&nbsp;is investigating whether Democratic Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri misused campaign funds for her personal security, the progressive lawmaker confirmed in a statement Tuesday.Bush, a second-term lawmaker, denied any wrongdoing and said she is “fully cooperating” with federal prosecutors.“As a rank-and-file member of Congress I am not entitled to personal protection by the House, and instead have used campaign funds as permissible to retain security services,” Bush said. “I have not used any federal tax dollars for personal security services.”Her statement came a day after the Justice Department subpoenaed the office of the House Sergeant at Arms for related documents. The Justice Department declined to comment.Since being elected to the House in 2021, Bush, a Black woman with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/8d71b1b8d25edd627b441fa7f21d23af">activist roots</a>, has been the target of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-capitol-siege-travel-race-and-ethnicity-aa746cffd76d6465a7adc1ec4ed54659">right-wing attacks</a>. As a result, she has spent a substantial amount of money on private security while she's on Capitol Hill and back home in her district in St. Louis.Federal prosecutors have been asking questions about Bush’s security expenses, the threats she received and her decision to pay her now-husband Cortney Merritts with campaign funds to provide security, a person familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press. The questions have been similar to those asked by congressional investigators conducting an ethics inquiry, the person said. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.The issue of how Bush has been funding her security is currently under investigation by the Federal Election Commission and the House Committee on Ethics. The FEC has stated that it is not technically against the rules for a member of Congress to use campaign funds for private security as there has been a striking increase of violent threats against lawmakers in recent years. The Office of Congressional Ethics unanimously determined in October to clear Bush of any wrongdoing in their investigation.“I look forward to this same outcome from all pending investigations,” Bush said Tuesday.“I’m going to make sure I have security because I know I have had attempts on my life and I have too much work to do,” the former Black Lives Matter activist told CBS News in August 2021. “So, if I end up spending $200,000, if I spend … 10 more dollars on it, you know what? I get to be here to do the work.A spokesperson for Democratic Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hakeem-jeffries">Hakeem Jeffries</a>&nbsp;said that Bush is entitled to the presumption of innocence as the investigation moves forward.“It is our expectation that the investigation will follow the facts, apply the law and be conducted in a professional manner,” Christie Stephenson said.Punchbowl News first reported the news about the investigation into Bush.

Missouri Rep. under federal investigation for misuse of campaign funds

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of two Kansas teen have made a second arrest.

Just after 11:45p.m. Friday the Wichita Police Department responded to reports of shots being fired in the area of 5200 E Kensington in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Around the same time, officers were dispatched to an area hospital for the report of two walk-in shooting victims.Pol

Emoni Shears, 14, and Jhiquez Roberts, 19, both of Wichita were later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Detectives and patrol officers immediately began investigating this case and following up on leads. Later Saturday, police&nbsp;arrested a 14-year-old from Wichita on requested charges of felony murder and one count of juvenile in possession of a firearm.

Just after 4p.m. Tuesday, the Wichita Police Department Violent Crimes Team successfully located and apprehended an 18-year-old suspect in the case identified as Hayden Rydell Williams of Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County arrest report. He is being held on requested charges of First Degree murder and parole violations, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=745809">according to online jail records.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706626647886.png" alt="Williams photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of two Kansas teen have made a second arrest.Just after 11:45p.m. Friday the Wichita Police Department responded to reports of shots being fired in the area of 5200 E Kensington in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Around the same time, officers were dispatched to an area hospital for the report of two walk-in shooting victims.Pol<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706389022620.png" alt="Police on the scene of the homicide investigation-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the homicide investigation-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Emoni Shears, 14, and Jhiquez Roberts, 19, both of Wichita were later pronounced deceased at the hospital.Detectives and patrol officers immediately began investigating this case and following up on leads. Later Saturday, police&nbsp;arrested a 14-year-old from Wichita on requested charges of felony murder and one count of juvenile in possession of a firearm.Just after 4p.m. Tuesday, the Wichita Police Department Violent Crimes Team successfully located and apprehended an 18-year-old suspect in the case identified as Hayden Rydell Williams of Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County arrest report. He is being held on requested charges of First Degree murder and parole violations, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=745809">according to online jail records.</a>

Police arrest 18-year-old in killing of two Kansas teens

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Republican leaders of the Kansas Legislature said a two-thirds majority of House members were committed to overriding Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a tax reduction bill but a supermajority hadn’t crystalized in the Senate to complete the maneuver.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins of Wichita and Senate President Ty Masterson of Andover participated in a telephone town hall Monday hosted by the state director of Americans for Prosperity. The format was designed to promote advantages of tax legislation vetoed Friday by Kelly. The host repeatedly urged listeners to hit “1” on their telephone if they wanted to send a message the governor’s veto should be overridden.

“We knew the governor was probably going to veto it,” Hawkins told participants. “You need to contact your representative. Same thing on the Senate side. Let them know how important this override is.”

Masterson and Hawkins answered a handful of questions from callers, including futile inquiries about how the Legislature might lower local property taxes that were beyond reach of the Legislature. There were a cluster of calls from people convinced the state’s budget was bloated.

Kelly said the centerpiece of the GOP tax legislation, replacement of a three-tier state income tax structure with a single-rate state income tax of 5.25%, should be viewed as reckless and irresponsible. It would weaken the state’s financial future and “do nothing for the middle class,” the governor said.

“I am dead set on making sure working Kansans get a tax cut this year,” Kelly said. “That’s why I’ve brought together Republican, Democratic and independent legislators to champion a $1 billion tax cut over three years, all while maintaining our state’s strong fiscal foundation.”

On Jan. 18, the Senate approved House Bill 2284 on a vote of 25-11, which was two votes shy of the supermajority. The House adopted the bill 81-37, a margin three short of the override benchmark. Hawkins and Masterson said behind-the-scenes wrangling over the weekend narrowed their deficit.

“We are literally one vote short of a supermajority,” said Masterson, who indicated Hawkins was in possession of a supermajority with one vote to spare.

Hawkins predicted the House would override Kelly, most likely next week, before passing the bill over to the Senate.

“A little more problematic in the Senate,” the House speaker said. “We’re going to work very, very hard.”

During the 2023 legislative session, Kelly veto a 5.15% flat income tax bill. The GOP’s override bid on that veto stalled in the Senate. In anticipation the House and Senate would return to the flat tax during the 2024 legislative session, Kelly conducted a preemptive news conference to tout her own tax proposal.

Her $1.1 billion tax reduction plan, which hasn’t been voted on by the Legislature, was endorsed by two Senate Republicans and one independent conservative in the Senate. Assuming 11 Senate Democrats align with the governor, Masterson wouldn’t find the 27th vote necessary to complete an override of Kelly.

The House and Senate legislation would reduce state revenue by $1.58 billion over three years, Masterson said. Aside from the approach to state income taxation, he said, the strategies offered by Kelly and GOP leadership had common elements.

Both included accelerating phaseout of the state sales tax on groceries to April 1. The reform blueprints would exempt Social Security benefits from state income tax retroactive to start of 2024. Both packages would increase to $100,000 the amount of residential property’s appraised value exempt from the state’s property tax levy for schools and state building maintenance.

Masterson said the GOP’s plan should be viewed as a compromise with the governor’s perspective on tax policy. He said Kelly was wrong to frame the Republican outline as financially unsustainable.

“It’s nothing short of a misinformation campaign going around about this bill,” Masterson said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706640223012.png" alt=" House Speaker Dan Hawkins, seen during an April 6, 2023, session of the House, joined with Senate President Ty Masterson to urger listeners on a telephone town hall to rally around a tax reform bill lauded by GOP lawmakers but vetoed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> House Speaker Dan Hawkins, seen during an April 6, 2023, session of the House, joined with Senate President Ty Masterson to urger listeners on a telephone town hall to rally around a tax reform bill lauded by GOP lawmakers but vetoed by Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Republican leaders of the Kansas Legislature said a two-thirds majority of House members were committed to overriding Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of a tax reduction bill but a supermajority hadn’t crystalized in the Senate to complete the maneuver.House Speaker Dan Hawkins of Wichita and Senate President Ty Masterson of Andover participated in a telephone town hall Monday hosted by the state director of Americans for Prosperity. The format was designed to promote advantages of tax legislation vetoed Friday by Kelly. The host repeatedly urged listeners to hit “1” on their telephone if they wanted to send a message the governor’s veto should be overridden.“We knew the governor was probably going to veto it,” Hawkins told participants. “You need to contact your representative. Same thing on the Senate side. Let them know how important this override is.”Masterson and Hawkins answered a handful of questions from callers, including futile inquiries about how the Legislature might lower local property taxes that were beyond reach of the Legislature. There were a cluster of calls from people convinced the state’s budget was bloated.Kelly said the centerpiece of the GOP tax legislation, replacement of a three-tier state income tax structure with a single-rate state income tax of 5.25%, should be viewed as reckless and irresponsible. It would weaken the state’s financial future and “do nothing for the middle class,” the governor said.“I am dead set on making sure working Kansans get a tax cut this year,” Kelly said. “That’s why I’ve brought together Republican, Democratic and independent legislators to champion a $1 billion tax cut over three years, all while maintaining our state’s strong fiscal foundation.”On Jan. 18, the Senate approved House Bill 2284 on a vote of 25-11, which was two votes shy of the supermajority. The House adopted the bill 81-37, a margin three short of the override benchmark. Hawkins and Masterson said behind-the-scenes wrangling over the weekend narrowed their deficit.“We are literally one vote short of a supermajority,” said Masterson, who indicated Hawkins was in possession of a supermajority with one vote to spare.Hawkins predicted the House would override Kelly, most likely next week, before passing the bill over to the Senate.“A little more problematic in the Senate,” the House speaker said. “We’re going to work very, very hard.”During the 2023 legislative session, Kelly veto a 5.15% flat income tax bill. The GOP’s override bid on that veto stalled in the Senate. In anticipation the House and Senate would return to the flat tax during the 2024 legislative session, Kelly conducted a preemptive news conference to tout her own tax proposal.Her $1.1 billion tax reduction plan, which hasn’t been voted on by the Legislature, was endorsed by two Senate Republicans and one independent conservative in the Senate. Assuming 11 Senate Democrats align with the governor, Masterson wouldn’t find the 27th vote necessary to complete an override of Kelly.The House and Senate legislation would reduce state revenue by $1.58 billion over three years, Masterson said. Aside from the approach to state income taxation, he said, the strategies offered by Kelly and GOP leadership had common elements.Both included accelerating phaseout of the state sales tax on groceries to April 1. The reform blueprints would exempt Social Security benefits from state income tax retroactive to start of 2024. Both packages would increase to $100,000 the amount of residential property’s appraised value exempt from the state’s property tax levy for schools and state building maintenance.Masterson said the GOP’s plan should be viewed as a compromise with the governor’s perspective on tax policy. He said Kelly was wrong to frame the Republican outline as financially unsustainable.“It’s nothing short of a misinformation campaign going around about this bill,” Masterson said.

Kan. GOP leaders: House — not Senate — possesses votes to override Kelly’s tax veto

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A prized statue of&nbsp;Jackie Robinson&nbsp;stolen from a public park in Wichita last week has been found dismantled and burned, according League 42 founder Bob Lutz.

Early Tuesday, fire crews responded to a fire in a trash can at Garvey Park 3501 South Washington in Wichita, according to Wichita Police spokesperson Andrew Ford. The dumpster contained remaining pieces of the statue.&nbsp;

The statue was cut at the ankles to be removed. All that remained of the statue were Robinson's feet.  On Monday police reported they had recovered the truck believed to be used in the theft of the statue.

The statue honors the first player to break Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947. Surveillance video was released of two people hauling the sculpture away in the dark.&nbsp;

The Wichita Metro Crime Commission offered a reward Friday of up to $2,500 for tips leading to arrests in the case.

Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, paving the way for generations of Black American ballplayers. He's considered not only a sports legend but also a civil rights icon.

Wichita City Council member Brandon Johnson called the theft “horrendous” and “disgusting,” and said that residents are feeling hurt and angry, and demanding justice. During the Tuesday news conference Johnson said the statue will be replaced.

Police have not reported an arrest in the crime. Police Chief Joe Sullivan asked those involved to turn themselves in.&nbsp; Sullivan said he expects to make arrests in the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706214116336.png" alt="Photos Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A prized statue of&nbsp;Jackie Robinson&nbsp;stolen from a public park in Wichita last week has been found dismantled and burned, according League 42 founder Bob Lutz.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Our statue was found, dismantled and burned, at Garvey Park in Wichita. A news conference will begin shortly.&mdash; Bob Lutz (@boblutz) <a href="https://twitter.com/boblutz/status/1752368603771347375?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Early Tuesday, fire crews responded to a fire in a trash can at Garvey Park 3501 South Washington in Wichita, according to Wichita Police spokesperson Andrew Ford. The dumpster contained remaining pieces of the statue.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706641670170.png" alt="Remains of the burned statue found in the trash-photo courtesy KAKE" />
 <figcaption>Remains of the burned statue found in the trash-photo courtesy KAKE</figcaption>
 </figure>The statue was cut at the ankles to be removed. All that remained of the statue were Robinson's feet. On Monday police reported they had recovered the truck believed to be used in the theft of the statue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706641737439.png" alt="Pieces of the statue found in the trash -photo courtesy KAKE" />
 <figcaption>Pieces of the statue found in the trash -photo courtesy KAKE</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706562468247.png" alt="photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>The statue honors the first player to break Major League Baseball's color barrier in 1947. Surveillance video was released of two people hauling the sculpture away in the dark.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706281113254.png" alt="Security camera show two suspects load the statue into a pickup-Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera show two suspects load the statue into a pickup-Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>The Wichita Metro Crime Commission offered a reward Friday of up to $2,500 for tips leading to arrests in the case.Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, paving the way for generations of Black American ballplayers. He's considered not only a sports legend but also a civil rights icon.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FLeague42Wichita%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02oC16MLBENBmbr1e1F8qPTJfpxLMXJD7AGSVzjSoR5payVR6LVdobfkmuTFiCX6FYl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="500" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Wichita City Council member Brandon Johnson called the theft “horrendous” and “disgusting,” and said that residents are feeling hurt and angry, and demanding justice. During the Tuesday news conference Johnson said the statue will be replaced.Police have not reported an arrest in the crime. Police Chief Joe Sullivan asked those involved to turn themselves in.&nbsp; Sullivan said he expects to make arrests in the case.

Dismantled, burned: Statue stolen from Kan. park found in trash

NEW YORK (AP) — Chita Rivera, the dynamic dancer, singer and actress who garnered 10 Tony nominations, winning twice, in a long Broadway career that forged a path for Latina artists and shrugged off a near-fatal car accident, died Tuesday. She was 91.

Rivera's death was announced by her daughter, Lisa Mordente, who said she died in New York after a brief illness.

Rivera first gained wide notice in 1957 as Anita in the original production of "West Side Story" and was still dancing on Broadway with her trademark energy a half-century later in 2015’s “The Visit.”

"I wouldn't know what to do if I wasn't moving or telling a story to you or singing a song," she told The Associated Press then. "That's the spirit of my life, and I'm really so lucky to be able to do what I love, even at this time in my life."

In August 2009, Rivera was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor the U.S. can give a civilian. Rivera put her hand over her heart and shook her head in wonderment as President Barack Obama presented the medal. In 2013, she was the marshal at the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City.

“She was a true Broadway legend,” playwright Paul Rudnick said on X, formerly Twitter. “She always delivered and audiences adored her. The moment she stepped onstage, the world became more exciting and glorious.”

Rivera rose from chorus girl to star, collaborating along the way with many of Broadway’s greatest talents, including Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Bob Fosse, Gower Champion, Michael Kidd, Harold Prince, Jack Cole, Peter Gennaro and John Kander and Fred Ebb.

She rebounded from a car accident in 1988 that crushed her right leg and became an indefatigable star on the road. She was on Broadway in a raucous production of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” in 2012 and the chilly “The Visit” in 2014, earning another best actress Tony nomination.

“She can’t rehearse except for full-out,” said playwright Terrence McNally in 2005. “She can’t perform except for full-out, no matter what the size of the house. She’s going to be there 101% for that audience.”

She won Tonys for “The Rink” in 1984 and “Kiss of the Spider Woman” in 1993. When accepting a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2018, she said “I wouldn’t trade my life in the theater for anything, because theater is life.”

She was nominated for the award seven other times, for “Bye Bye Birdie,” which opened in 1960; “Chicago,” 1975; "Bring Back Birdie,” 1981; “Merlin,” 1983; “Jerry’s Girls,” 1985; “Nine,” 2003; and “Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life,” 2005.

“I don’t think we have enough original musicals,” she told The Associated Press in 2012. “I know I’m being old fashioned, but the theater is the place where music, lyrics, words, scenery and stories come together. And I’ve been blessed enough to have done several shows when they really did. They take you places and they’re daring. That’s what we need.”

Her albums include 16 tracks pulled from her original cast recordings and put out as part of Sony’s Legends of Broadway series and two solo CDs — “And Now I Sing” for a tiny record label in the 1960s and “And Now I Swing” in 2009 for Yellow Sound Label.

In the 1993 musical “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” Rivera played the title role, a glamorous movie star at the center of the fantasy life of an inmate in a South American prison. The story, from a novel by Manuel Puig, had already been made into an Oscar-winning 1985 movie.

In his review, then-Associated Press drama critic Michael Kuchwara wrote that Rivera “is more than a musical theater star. She’s a force of nature — which is exactly what is needed for the role of the Spider Woman. With her Louise Brooks haircut, brassy voice and lithe dancer’s body, Rivera dominates the stage whenever she appears.”

In 1975, she originated the role of Velma Kelly (to Gwen Verdon’s Roxie Hart) in the original Broadway production of “Chicago.” Rivera had a small role in the 2002 film version, while Catherine Zeta-Jones won the best supporting actress Oscar as Velma — just as Rita Moreno had picked up an Oscar for her portrayal of Anita in “West Side Story.”

The songwriters for “Chicago,” Kander and Ebb, also wrote Rivera’s first Tony-winning performance, for “The Rink.” In winning the Tony for best actress in a musical, Rivera topped the show’s top star, Liza Minnelli, who also had been nominated. The two played a mother and daughter who struggle to rebuild their relationship after a long estrangement; the setting is an old-fashioned roller rink that has seen better days.

“Spider Woman” had been her first Broadway show since 1986, when she suffered a broken leg in the traffic accident while she was appearing in “Jerry’s Girls,” a Broadway tribute to the songs of Jerry Herman.

At the Tony awards a few weeks later, she flashed her cast and belted out “Put on a Happy Face” from the musical “Bye, Bye, Birdie.”

It took months of physical therapy to bring back her dancing skills. She told The Associated Press: “It never entered my mind that I wouldn’t dance again. Never. I can’t explain to you why. It’s hard work getting back but that’s what I’m doing.”

Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero was born Jan. 23, 1933, in Washington, D.C. Her Puerto Rican father, Pedro del Rivero, was a musician who played in the United States Navy Band, who died when she was 7. Her mother was Scottish and Italian descent.

She took dance classes and then entered the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York. Her first theater gig, at age 17, was in the touring company of “Call Me Madam.” That led to chorus stints in such shows as “Guys and Dolls” and “Can-Can.”

In her 2023 memoir, “Chita: A Memoir,” another woman steals scene after scene: her self-proclaimed alter ego, Dolores. Unapologetic and fiery, Dolores was the unfiltered version of Chita and served as motivation in times of self-doubt. In one chapter, Rivera writes that she doesn’t read reviews “or Dolores just might invest in a dozen voodoo dolls.”

“I consist of — and I think we all do — I consist of two people: Dolores and Conchita,” Rivera sain in an interview with the AP that year. “Conchita, she’s the one that has been taking all the glory, you know. She’s been doing all the shows, but Dolores is the one that’s pushed her into it. And she’s been keeping me on track, so I listen to Dolores. I listen to her. She’s growing in my head now as we speak.”

Among other early appearances on the New York stage were roles in “The Shoestring Revue,” 1955; a 1955 musical version of “Seventh Heaven” starring Ricardo Montalban; and “Mr. Wonderful,” a 1956 show starring Sammy Davis Jr.

“I can’t believe that I’ve been given the gift to look back and relive my life,” she told The Associated Press shortly before “The Dancer’s Life” opened on Broadway in late 2005. “It’s about how anybody can do it — if you really believe it, you have the good fortune, you do all the right things and you really work hard.”

Rivera, who had a relationship with the now-deceased Davis, married fellow “West Side Story” performer Tony Mordente in 1957. The marriage ended in divorce. Their daughter, Lisa Mordente, also became a performer who occasionally appeared on Broadway, garnering a Tony nomination in 1982 for “Marlowe.”

“Our hearts go out to everyone who loved her,” GLAAD said in a statement. “Rivera spent much of her long career advocating for LGBTQ people and people living with HIV and AIDS.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706643832440.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Chita Rivera, the dynamic dancer, singer and actress who garnered 10 Tony nominations, winning twice, in a long Broadway career that forged a path for Latina artists and shrugged off a near-fatal car accident, died Tuesday. She was 91.Rivera's death was announced by her daughter, Lisa Mordente, who said she died in New York after a brief illness.Rivera first gained wide notice in 1957 as Anita in the original production of "West Side Story" and was still dancing on Broadway with her trademark energy a half-century later in 2015’s “The Visit.”"I wouldn't know what to do if I wasn't moving or telling a story to you or singing a song," she told The Associated Press then. "That's the spirit of my life, and I'm really so lucky to be able to do what I love, even at this time in my life."In August 2009, Rivera was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor the U.S. can give a civilian. Rivera put her hand over her heart and shook her head in wonderment as President Barack Obama presented the medal. In 2013, she was the marshal at the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City.“She was a true Broadway legend,” playwright Paul Rudnick said on X, formerly Twitter. “She always delivered and audiences adored her. The moment she stepped onstage, the world became more exciting and glorious.”Rivera rose from chorus girl to star, collaborating along the way with many of Broadway’s greatest talents, including Jerome Robbins, Leonard Bernstein, Bob Fosse, Gower Champion, Michael Kidd, Harold Prince, Jack Cole, Peter Gennaro and John Kander and Fred Ebb.She rebounded from a car accident in 1988 that crushed her right leg and became an indefatigable star on the road. She was on Broadway in a raucous production of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” in 2012 and the chilly “The Visit” in 2014, earning another best actress Tony nomination.“She can’t rehearse except for full-out,” said playwright Terrence McNally in 2005. “She can’t perform except for full-out, no matter what the size of the house. She’s going to be there 101% for that audience.”She won Tonys for “The Rink” in 1984 and “Kiss of the Spider Woman” in 1993. When accepting a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2018, she said “I wouldn’t trade my life in the theater for anything, because theater is life.”She was nominated for the award seven other times, for “Bye Bye Birdie,” which opened in 1960; “Chicago,” 1975; "Bring Back Birdie,” 1981; “Merlin,” 1983; “Jerry’s Girls,” 1985; “Nine,” 2003; and “Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life,” 2005.“I don’t think we have enough original musicals,” she told The Associated Press in 2012. “I know I’m being old fashioned, but the theater is the place where music, lyrics, words, scenery and stories come together. And I’ve been blessed enough to have done several shows when they really did. They take you places and they’re daring. That’s what we need.”Her albums include 16 tracks pulled from her original cast recordings and put out as part of Sony’s Legends of Broadway series and two solo CDs — “And Now I Sing” for a tiny record label in the 1960s and “And Now I Swing” in 2009 for Yellow Sound Label.In the 1993 musical “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” Rivera played the title role, a glamorous movie star at the center of the fantasy life of an inmate in a South American prison. The story, from a novel by Manuel Puig, had already been made into an Oscar-winning 1985 movie.In his review, then-Associated Press drama critic Michael Kuchwara wrote that Rivera “is more than a musical theater star. She’s a force of nature — which is exactly what is needed for the role of the Spider Woman. With her Louise Brooks haircut, brassy voice and lithe dancer’s body, Rivera dominates the stage whenever she appears.”In 1975, she originated the role of Velma Kelly (to Gwen Verdon’s Roxie Hart) in the original Broadway production of “Chicago.” Rivera had a small role in the 2002 film version, while Catherine Zeta-Jones won the best supporting actress Oscar as Velma — just as Rita Moreno had picked up an Oscar for her portrayal of Anita in “West Side Story.”The songwriters for “Chicago,” Kander and Ebb, also wrote Rivera’s first Tony-winning performance, for “The Rink.” In winning the Tony for best actress in a musical, Rivera topped the show’s top star, Liza Minnelli, who also had been nominated. The two played a mother and daughter who struggle to rebuild their relationship after a long estrangement; the setting is an old-fashioned roller rink that has seen better days.“Spider Woman” had been her first Broadway show since 1986, when she suffered a broken leg in the traffic accident while she was appearing in “Jerry’s Girls,” a Broadway tribute to the songs of Jerry Herman.At the Tony awards a few weeks later, she flashed her cast and belted out “Put on a Happy Face” from the musical “Bye, Bye, Birdie.”It took months of physical therapy to bring back her dancing skills. She told The Associated Press: “It never entered my mind that I wouldn’t dance again. Never. I can’t explain to you why. It’s hard work getting back but that’s what I’m doing.”“My spirit is still there.”Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero was born Jan. 23, 1933, in Washington, D.C. Her Puerto Rican father, Pedro del Rivero, was a musician who played in the United States Navy Band, who died when she was 7. Her mother was Scottish and Italian descent.She took dance classes and then entered the prestigious School of American Ballet in New York. Her first theater gig, at age 17, was in the touring company of “Call Me Madam.” That led to chorus stints in such shows as “Guys and Dolls” and “Can-Can.”In her 2023 memoir, “Chita: A Memoir,” another woman steals scene after scene: her self-proclaimed alter ego, Dolores. Unapologetic and fiery, Dolores was the unfiltered version of Chita and served as motivation in times of self-doubt. In one chapter, Rivera writes that she doesn’t read reviews “or Dolores just might invest in a dozen voodoo dolls.”“I consist of — and I think we all do — I consist of two people: Dolores and Conchita,” Rivera sain in an interview with the AP that year. “Conchita, she’s the one that has been taking all the glory, you know. She’s been doing all the shows, but Dolores is the one that’s pushed her into it. And she’s been keeping me on track, so I listen to Dolores. I listen to her. She’s growing in my head now as we speak.”Among other early appearances on the New York stage were roles in “The Shoestring Revue,” 1955; a 1955 musical version of “Seventh Heaven” starring Ricardo Montalban; and “Mr. Wonderful,” a 1956 show starring Sammy Davis Jr.“I can’t believe that I’ve been given the gift to look back and relive my life,” she told The Associated Press shortly before “The Dancer’s Life” opened on Broadway in late 2005. “It’s about how anybody can do it — if you really believe it, you have the good fortune, you do all the right things and you really work hard.”Rivera, who had a relationship with the now-deceased Davis, married fellow “West Side Story” performer Tony Mordente in 1957. The marriage ended in divorce. Their daughter, Lisa Mordente, also became a performer who occasionally appeared on Broadway, garnering a Tony nomination in 1982 for “Marlowe.”“Our hearts go out to everyone who loved her,” GLAAD said in a statement. “Rivera spent much of her long career advocating for LGBTQ people and people living with HIV and AIDS.”

Chita Rivera, revered Tony-winning dancer and singer, dead at 91

SEDGWICK COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation&nbsp; is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred early Monday morning at an apartment in Wichita, according to a media release from the agency.

At around 6:20 p.m. Sunday, police arrived at an apartment at 8405 W. Central in Wichita, to check on 14-year-old Claude Hodges after his father called concerned for his welfare. 

When they arrived at the apartment they knocked and received no response. They observed a bullet hole in the apartment's exterior wall and also found a fired bullet on the ground near the entrance.

WPD officers quickly obtained a key and entered the apartment. Upon entering they found a woman, later identified as 43-year-old Kylee R. Hodges, of Wichita, holding a handgun. A shotgun was also nearby. Officers quickly withdrew from the apartment and notified negotiators.

Preliminary information indicates negotiators began talking with Hodges at around 8:20 p.m. A tactical team, comprised of both polie and deputies from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office were called to the apartment at around 9:45 p.m. 

Discussions with Hodges continued for several hours in an effort to convince her to disarm and exit peacefully. At one point they convinced Hodges to come out of the apartment and leave her handgun on the ground outside, but she remained close to the gun.

At around 1:40 a.m., Hodges quickly picked up the handgun again, and advanced toward officers while pointing the firearm in their direction. Two SWAT officers from Wichita police each fired one shot toward Hodges, striking her.

Medical aid was rendered, and EMS transported Hodges to a local hospital. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident. Once officers reentered the apartment, they discovered Claude Hodges in a bedroom deceased from a gunshot wound. Kylee Hodges underwent surgery and is expected to survive her injuries.

Police will continue to investigate the homicide of 14-year-old Claude Hodges. The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Once completed the findings will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for review.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706532733268.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation early Monday -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation early Monday -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation&nbsp; is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred early Monday morning at an apartment in Wichita, according to a media release from the agency.At around 6:20 p.m. Sunday, police arrived at an apartment at 8405 W. Central in Wichita, to check on 14-year-old Claude Hodges after his father called concerned for his welfare. When they arrived at the apartment they knocked and received no response. They observed a bullet hole in the apartment's exterior wall and also found a fired bullet on the ground near the entrance.WPD officers quickly obtained a key and entered the apartment. Upon entering they found a woman, later identified as 43-year-old Kylee R. Hodges, of Wichita, holding a handgun. A shotgun was also nearby. Officers quickly withdrew from the apartment and notified negotiators.Preliminary information indicates negotiators began talking with Hodges at around 8:20 p.m. A tactical team, comprised of both polie and deputies from the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office were called to the apartment at around 9:45 p.m. Discussions with Hodges continued for several hours in an effort to convince her to disarm and exit peacefully. At one point they convinced Hodges to come out of the apartment and leave her handgun on the ground outside, but she remained close to the gun.At around 1:40 a.m., Hodges quickly picked up the handgun again, and advanced toward officers while pointing the firearm in their direction. Two SWAT officers from Wichita police each fired one shot toward Hodges, striking her.Medical aid was rendered, and EMS transported Hodges to a local hospital. No law enforcement officers were injured in the incident. Once officers reentered the apartment, they discovered Claude Hodges in a bedroom deceased from a gunshot wound. Kylee Hodges underwent surgery and is expected to survive her injuries.Police will continue to investigate the homicide of 14-year-old Claude Hodges. The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Once completed the findings will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for review.&nbsp;

Kan. mother shot by police after she killed teen son is expected to recover

NEW YORK (AP) — According to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>, the first human received an implant from his computer-brain interface company Neuralink over the weekend.

In a Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1752098683024220632">post on X</a>, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Musk said that the patient received the implant the day prior and was “recovering well.” He added that “initial results show promising neuron spike detection.”

The billionaire, who co-founded Neuralink, did not provide additional details about the patient. When Neuralink announced in September that it would begin recruiting people, the company said it was searching for individuals with quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Neuralink is one of many groups working on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pain-management-pittsburgh-stroke-health-198f8bdfc5803ef3594e9916685fe739">linking the nervous system to computers</a>, efforts aimed at helping treat brain disorders, overcoming brain injuries and other applications. There are more than&nbsp;<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=brain+computer+interface&amp;Search=Apply&amp;recrs=b&amp;recrs=a&amp;recrs=f&amp;recrs=d&amp;age_v=&amp;gndr=&amp;type=&amp;rslt=">40 brain computer interface trials</a>&nbsp;underway, according to clinicaltrials.gov.

Neuralink reposted Musk's Monday post on X, but did not publish any additional statements acknowledging the human implant. The company did not immediately respond to The Associated Press' requests for comment Tuesday.

Neuralink&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-neuralink-brain-computer-interface-7e80956022b1d8f31ee24ed7c1fe1138">previously announced</a>&nbsp;that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had approved its “investigational device exemption,” which generally allows a sponsor to begin a clinical study “in patients who fit the inclusion criteria,” the FDA said Tuesday. The agency pointed out that it can’t confirm or disclose information about a particular study of this kind.

Neuralink’s device is about the size of a large coin and is designed to be implanted in the skull, with ultra-thin wires going directly into the brain. In its September announcement, Neuralink said the wires would be surgically placed in a region of the brain that controls movement intention. The initial goal of the so-called brain computer interface is to give people the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone.

In a separate Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1752118131579867417">post on X</a>, Musk said that the first Neuralink product is called “Telepathy” — which, he said, will enable users to control their phones or computers “just by thinking.” He added that intial users would be those who have lost use of their limbs.

It’s unclear how well this device or similar interfaces will ultimately work, or how safe they might be. Clinical trials are designed to collect data on safety and effectiveness.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706630950527.png" alt="In September Elon Musk met with U.S. Senators on artificial Intelligence-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>In September Elon Musk met with U.S. Senators on artificial Intelligence-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — According to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a>, the first human received an implant from his computer-brain interface company Neuralink over the weekend.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The first human received an implant from <a href="https://twitter.com/neuralink?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Neuralink</a> yesterday and is recovering well. Initial results show promising neuron spike detection.&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1752098683024220632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1752098683024220632">post on X</a>, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Musk said that the patient received the implant the day prior and was “recovering well.” He added that “initial results show promising neuron spike detection.”The billionaire, who co-founded Neuralink, did not provide additional details about the patient. When Neuralink announced in September that it would begin recruiting people, the company said it was searching for individuals with quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.Neuralink is one of many groups working on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pain-management-pittsburgh-stroke-health-198f8bdfc5803ef3594e9916685fe739">linking the nervous system to computers</a>, efforts aimed at helping treat brain disorders, overcoming brain injuries and other applications. There are more than&nbsp;<a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=brain+computer+interface&amp;Search=Apply&amp;recrs=b&amp;recrs=a&amp;recrs=f&amp;recrs=d&amp;age_v=&amp;gndr=&amp;type=&amp;rslt=">40 brain computer interface trials</a>&nbsp;underway, according to clinicaltrials.gov.Neuralink reposted Musk's Monday post on X, but did not publish any additional statements acknowledging the human implant. The company did not immediately respond to The Associated Press' requests for comment Tuesday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The first <a href="https://twitter.com/neuralink?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Neuralink</a> product is called Telepathy&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1752118131579867417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Neuralink&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-neuralink-brain-computer-interface-7e80956022b1d8f31ee24ed7c1fe1138">previously announced</a>&nbsp;that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had approved its “investigational device exemption,” which generally allows a sponsor to begin a clinical study “in patients who fit the inclusion criteria,” the FDA said Tuesday. The agency pointed out that it can’t confirm or disclose information about a particular study of this kind.Neuralink’s device is about the size of a large coin and is designed to be implanted in the skull, with ultra-thin wires going directly into the brain. In its September announcement, Neuralink said the wires would be surgically placed in a region of the brain that controls movement intention. The initial goal of the so-called brain computer interface is to give people the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone.In a separate Monday&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1752118131579867417">post on X</a>, Musk said that the first Neuralink product is called “Telepathy” — which, he said, will enable users to control their phones or computers “just by thinking.” He added that intial users would be those who have lost use of their limbs.It’s unclear how well this device or similar interfaces will ultimately work, or how safe they might be. Clinical trials are designed to collect data on safety and effectiveness.

Elon Musk: Neuralink implants computer brain chip in first human

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the cause of a house fire have made an arrest.

Just after 10 a.m. Sunday, crews&nbsp;responded to a house fire at 1401 NE Quincy Street in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

First responders found smoke and flames coming from the one-and-a-half story house. All occupants were able to exit the house prior to the arrival of the fire department.

Investigators determined the cause and origin of the fire as intentionally set.&nbsp; As a result of the investigation police arrested 27-year-old Esther J. Blair of Topeka on requested charges of Arson.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706578397421.png" alt="Blair-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Blair-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the cause of a house fire have made an arrest.Just after 10 a.m. Sunday, crews&nbsp;responded to a house fire at 1401 NE Quincy Street in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.First responders found smoke and flames coming from the one-and-a-half story house. All occupants were able to exit the house prior to the arrival of the fire department.Investigators determined the cause and origin of the fire as intentionally set.&nbsp; As a result of the investigation police arrested 27-year-old Esther J. Blair of Topeka on requested charges of Arson.The total dollar loss from the incident was approximately $30,000. There were no injuries reported. The home did not have working smoke detectors, according to Nichols.