WASHINGTON —President Biden has long believed that college should be a ticket to the middle class, not a burden that weighs on families. That’s why from day one, his Administration has taken unprecedented steps to fix the broken student loan system, make college more affordable, and bring the promise of higher education in reach for more Americans, according to a statement from the White House.

Marking a key step forward in that effort, President Biden is announcing that an additional 125,000 Americans have been approved for $9 billion in debt relief through fixes his Administration has made to income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and by cancelling debt for borrowers with total and permanent disabilities.&nbsp;Today’s announcement brings the total approved debt cancellation by the Biden-Harris Administration to $127 billion for nearly 3.6 million Americans.

The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing it has approved:

The Department of Education is also releasing state-by-state totals of debt relief approved under the Biden-Harris Administration through fixes to IDR and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-announces-additional-9-billion-student-debt-relief">this link</a>&nbsp;to see the state-by-state breakdown.

Today’s announcement builds on all that the Biden-Harris Administration has done to make college more affordable and ensure that student loans aren’t a barrier to opportunity for students and families. The Biden-Harris Administration earlier this year launched the most affordable student loan repayment plan –&nbsp;<a href="http://www.studentaid.gov/SAVE">SAVE</a>&nbsp;– which makes many borrowers’ monthly payments as low as $0 and prevents balances from growing because of unpaid interest. The Administration secured the largest increase to Pell Grants in a decade, and finalized new rules to protect borrowers from career programs that leave graduates with unaffordable debts or insufficient earnings. And, in the wake of the Supreme Court decision on the Administration’s original student debt relief plan, President Biden announced his Administration was pursuing an alternative path to debt relief through negotiated rulemaking under the Higher Education Act.

The Administration took an important step forward in the negotiated rulemaking process last week as the Department of Education announced individuals who will serve on the negotiating committee and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-moves-forward-student-debt-relief-negotiated-rulemaking-deliver-support-many-borrowers-possible-quickly-possible">released</a>&nbsp;an issue paper to guide the first negotiating session. The paper asks the committee to consider how the Administration can help borrowers, including borrowers whose balances are greater than what they originally borrowed, those who would be eligible for relief under existing repayment plans but have not applied, and borrowers who have experienced financial hardship on their loans that the current loan system doesn’t address.

To date, the Biden-Harris Administration has approved $127 billion in debt cancellation for nearly 3.6 million borrowers, including:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696429291383.png" alt="White House image" />
 <figcaption>White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —President Biden has long believed that college should be a ticket to the middle class, not a burden that weighs on families. That’s why from day one, his Administration has taken unprecedented steps to fix the broken student loan system, make college more affordable, and bring the promise of higher education in reach for more Americans, according to a statement from the White House.(Click below to watch the announcement)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F644911331125814%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=8" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Marking a key step forward in that effort, President Biden is announcing that an additional 125,000 Americans have been approved for $9 billion in debt relief through fixes his Administration has made to income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and by cancelling debt for borrowers with total and permanent disabilities.&nbsp;Today’s announcement brings the total approved debt cancellation by the Biden-Harris Administration to $127 billion for nearly 3.6 million Americans.The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing it has approved:<ul>
 <li>$5.2 billion&nbsp;in additional debt relief for&nbsp;53,000 borrowers&nbsp;under Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.</li><li>Nearly&nbsp;$2.8 billion&nbsp;in new debt relief for nearly&nbsp;51,000 borrowers&nbsp;through fixes to income-driven repayment. These are borrowers who made 20 years or more of payments but never got the relief they were entitled to.</li><li>$1.2 billion&nbsp;for nearly&nbsp;22,000 borrowers&nbsp;who have a total or permanent disability who have been identified and approved for discharge through a data match with the Social Security Administration.</li>
 </ul>The Department of Education is also releasing state-by-state totals of debt relief approved under the Biden-Harris Administration through fixes to IDR and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-announces-additional-9-billion-student-debt-relief">this link</a>&nbsp;to see the state-by-state breakdown.Today’s announcement builds on all that the Biden-Harris Administration has done to make college more affordable and ensure that student loans aren’t a barrier to opportunity for students and families. The Biden-Harris Administration earlier this year launched the most affordable student loan repayment plan –&nbsp;<a href="http://www.studentaid.gov/SAVE">SAVE</a>&nbsp;– which makes many borrowers’ monthly payments as low as $0 and prevents balances from growing because of unpaid interest. The Administration secured the largest increase to Pell Grants in a decade, and finalized new rules to protect borrowers from career programs that leave graduates with unaffordable debts or insufficient earnings. And, in the wake of the Supreme Court decision on the Administration’s original student debt relief plan, President Biden announced his Administration was pursuing an alternative path to debt relief through negotiated rulemaking under the Higher Education Act.The Administration took an important step forward in the negotiated rulemaking process last week as the Department of Education announced individuals who will serve on the negotiating committee and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-moves-forward-student-debt-relief-negotiated-rulemaking-deliver-support-many-borrowers-possible-quickly-possible">released</a>&nbsp;an issue paper to guide the first negotiating session. The paper asks the committee to consider how the Administration can help borrowers, including borrowers whose balances are greater than what they originally borrowed, those who would be eligible for relief under existing repayment plans but have not applied, and borrowers who have experienced financial hardship on their loans that the current loan system doesn’t address.To date, the Biden-Harris Administration has approved $127 billion in debt cancellation for nearly 3.6 million borrowers, including:<ul>
 <li>Nearly $42 billion for almost 855,000 borrowers who are eligible for forgiveness through income-driven repayment by fixing historical inaccuracies in the count of payments that qualify toward forgiveness;</li><li>Almost $51 billion for 715,000 public servants through Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs;</li><li>$11.7 billion for almost 513,000 borrowers with a total and permanent disability; and</li><li>$22.5 billion for more than 1.3 million borrowers who were cheated by their schools, saw their institutions precipitously close, or are covered by related court settlements.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

🎥 Biden announces more student debt relief as payments resume

WASHINGTON (AP) —It's the end of an era for a once-critical pandemic document: The ubiquitous white COVID-19 vaccination cards are being phased out.

Now that COVID-19 vaccines are not being distributed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-delays-cdc-moderna-pfizer-ba66d06cbcc31ba4b22d60e93d3d5024">by the federal government</a>, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stopped printing new cards.

The federal government shipped more than 980 million cards between late 2020, when the first vaccines came out, through May 10, according to the latest available data from the CDC.

Federal and local health officials don't expect the discontinuation of the cards to be a particularly big change, since the days of keeping them tucked in purses and wallets to ensure entry into festivals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-6ae309aff77864cb108fbf9a2dbcf449">bars and restaurants</a>&nbsp;are largely over. If you’ve held on to your card, it’s still valid as proof of vaccination. Otherwise, people who need their COVID-19 immunization records will need to request them just like any other vaccine.

In many cases, the clinic, pharmacy or health department that provided the shot can provide those records. Every state and some cities have an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/contacts-locate-records.html">immunization registry</a>, though rules vary on when records are included and options for obtaining copies of your records.

For example, Texas requires patients' written consent to be included in the registry, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District spokesman David Andres Alegria said. Other places, including Wyoming and Philadelphia's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/get-vaccinated/request-your-immunization-record/">city-specific</a>&nbsp;record system, require vaccine providers to log all vaccinations.

Many states offer digital vaccination records for individuals either online or through an app. Users can save a certificate or a QR code that proves they are vaccinated. And some websites will even track and alert patients when they're due for another one.

“One of the positives (during the pandemic) was having increased autonomy on your patient record, especially the immunization record,” said Jeff Chorath, who manages the immunization information system in Washington state. Washington offers two digital options for obtaining vaccination records — a&nbsp;<a href="https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/immunization/access-your-familys-immunization-information">comprehensive</a>&nbsp;list of all of a person's vaccinations noted in the state database and&nbsp;<a href="https://waverify.doh.wa.gov/">one specific to COVID-19 vaccines.</a>

Other states don't have the same options, so it might take longer to get your records. There could also be gaps in state databases; for example, if you were vaccinated by a federal health provider, those records may be tracked in a separate system.

As for your old card — if you still have it — maybe don't&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e4b5dd577f75d4c012a3cecaf252d654">mail it off to the Smithsonian</a>&nbsp;quite yet. You should save it like any other health record, Wyoming Department of Health nurse consultant Heidi Gurov said.

“It's always good to keep those in a safe spot," she said.

Four million people in the U.S. have received the latest COVID-19 vaccine since it was approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccines-coronavirus-234f27c74438fb4812a014dbd98ddbde">last month</a>, CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen said Wednesday, and a total of 10 million doses have been shipped to providers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623442333610.png" alt="A Department of Health and Human Services employee holds a COVID-19 vaccine record card Nov. 13, 2020, at Operation Warp Speed headquarters in Washington, D.C..&nbsp; (EJ Hersom/U.S. Department of Defense)" />
 <figcaption>A Department of Health and Human Services employee holds a COVID-19 vaccine record card Nov. 13, 2020, at Operation Warp Speed headquarters in Washington, D.C..&nbsp; (EJ Hersom/U.S. Department of Defense)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —It's the end of an era for a once-critical pandemic document: The ubiquitous white COVID-19 vaccination cards are being phased out.Now that COVID-19 vaccines are not being distributed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-delays-cdc-moderna-pfizer-ba66d06cbcc31ba4b22d60e93d3d5024">by the federal government</a>, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stopped printing new cards.The federal government shipped more than 980 million cards between late 2020, when the first vaccines came out, through May 10, according to the latest available data from the CDC.Federal and local health officials don't expect the discontinuation of the cards to be a particularly big change, since the days of keeping them tucked in purses and wallets to ensure entry into festivals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-6ae309aff77864cb108fbf9a2dbcf449">bars and restaurants</a>&nbsp;are largely over. If you’ve held on to your card, it’s still valid as proof of vaccination. Otherwise, people who need their COVID-19 immunization records will need to request them just like any other vaccine.In many cases, the clinic, pharmacy or health department that provided the shot can provide those records. Every state and some cities have an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/contacts-locate-records.html">immunization registry</a>, though rules vary on when records are included and options for obtaining copies of your records.For example, Texas requires patients' written consent to be included in the registry, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District spokesman David Andres Alegria said. Other places, including Wyoming and Philadelphia's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/get-vaccinated/request-your-immunization-record/">city-specific</a>&nbsp;record system, require vaccine providers to log all vaccinations.Many states offer digital vaccination records for individuals either online or through an app. Users can save a certificate or a QR code that proves they are vaccinated. And some websites will even track and alert patients when they're due for another one.“One of the positives (during the pandemic) was having increased autonomy on your patient record, especially the immunization record,” said Jeff Chorath, who manages the immunization information system in Washington state. Washington offers two digital options for obtaining vaccination records — a&nbsp;<a href="https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/immunization/access-your-familys-immunization-information">comprehensive</a>&nbsp;list of all of a person's vaccinations noted in the state database and&nbsp;<a href="https://waverify.doh.wa.gov/">one specific to COVID-19 vaccines.</a>Other states don't have the same options, so it might take longer to get your records. There could also be gaps in state databases; for example, if you were vaccinated by a federal health provider, those records may be tracked in a separate system.As for your old card — if you still have it — maybe don't&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e4b5dd577f75d4c012a3cecaf252d654">mail it off to the Smithsonian</a>&nbsp;quite yet. You should save it like any other health record, Wyoming Department of Health nurse consultant Heidi Gurov said.“It's always good to keep those in a safe spot," she said.Four million people in the U.S. have received the latest COVID-19 vaccine since it was approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccines-coronavirus-234f27c74438fb4812a014dbd98ddbde">last month</a>, CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen said Wednesday, and a total of 10 million doses have been shipped to providers.___

Say goodbye to COVID-19 vaxx card; CDC has stopped printing them

WASHINGTON (AP) — “THIS IS A TEST": If you have a cellphone, were listening to the radio or watching television Wednesday, you should have seen that message flash across your screen as the federal government tested its emergency alert system used to tell people about emergencies.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system">Integrated Public Alert and Warning System</a>&nbsp;sends out messages via the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public/emergency-alert-system">Emergency Alert System</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public/wireless-emergency-alerts">Wireless Emergency Alerts</a>.

The Emergency Alert System is a national public warning system that's designed to allow the president to speak to the American people within 10 minutes during a national emergency via specific outlets such as radio and television. And Wireless Emergency Alerts are short messages — 360 characters or less — that go to mobile phones to alert their owner to important information.

While these types of alerts are frequently used in targeted areas to alert people in the area to thing like tornadoes, Wednesday's test was done across the country.

The test started at 2:20 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday. Wireless phone customers in the United States whose phones were on got a message saying: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” The incoming message also made a loud noise.

Customers whose phones were set to the Spanish language should have gotten the message in Spanish.

The test is conducted over a 30-minute window, although mobile phone owners should only get the message once. If their phones were turned off at 2:20 p.m. and then turned on in the next 30 minutes, they should have gotten the message when they turned their phones back on. If they turn their phones on after the 30 minutes have expired they should not get the message.

The message also went to people watching broadcast or cable television or listening to the radio. That messages said: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public."

<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1180">Federal law requires</a>&nbsp;the systems be tested at least once every three years. The last nationwide test was Aug. 11, 2021.

The test&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-fema-hydroxychloroquine-rand-paul-ukraine-cf1d1adb0f179593b64d92be0a5d5507">has spurred falsehoods on social media</a>&nbsp;that it's part of a plot to send a signal to cellphones nationwide to activate nanoparticles such as graphene oxide that have been introduced into people’s bodies. Experts and FEMA officials have dismissed those claims, but some social media users said they planned to shut off their cellphones Wednesday.

People also suggested turning off phones for other reasons, such as not disturbing students and teachers in classrooms or children during naptimes at day care. At the White House, messages taped to chairs in the press briefing room asked members of the media to turn off their cellphones.

Not everyone did. As alerts went off during the briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “There you go ... it works, every couple of years, folks.”

The test also sparked discussion about how it could affect people in abusive situations. Some people in abusive situations have secret cellphones — usually with notifications muted — hidden from their abuser that allow them to keep contact with the outside world. Organizations that work with abuse survivors recommended they turn off their phones entirely during the 30-minute-long test Wednesday so as to not have the blaring noise give away to their abuser the fact that they have a secret phone.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696445573397.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — “THIS IS A TEST": If you have a cellphone, were listening to the radio or watching television Wednesday, you should have seen that message flash across your screen as the federal government tested its emergency alert system used to tell people about emergencies.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system">Integrated Public Alert and Warning System</a>&nbsp;sends out messages via the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public/emergency-alert-system">Emergency Alert System</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public/wireless-emergency-alerts">Wireless Emergency Alerts</a>.The Emergency Alert System is a national public warning system that's designed to allow the president to speak to the American people within 10 minutes during a national emergency via specific outlets such as radio and television. And Wireless Emergency Alerts are short messages — 360 characters or less — that go to mobile phones to alert their owner to important information.While these types of alerts are frequently used in targeted areas to alert people in the area to thing like tornadoes, Wednesday's test was done across the country.The test started at 2:20 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday. Wireless phone customers in the United States whose phones were on got a message saying: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” The incoming message also made a loud noise.Customers whose phones were set to the Spanish language should have gotten the message in Spanish.The test is conducted over a 30-minute window, although mobile phone owners should only get the message once. If their phones were turned off at 2:20 p.m. and then turned on in the next 30 minutes, they should have gotten the message when they turned their phones back on. If they turn their phones on after the 30 minutes have expired they should not get the message.The message also went to people watching broadcast or cable television or listening to the radio. That messages said: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public."<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1180">Federal law requires</a>&nbsp;the systems be tested at least once every three years. The last nationwide test was Aug. 11, 2021.The test&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-fema-hydroxychloroquine-rand-paul-ukraine-cf1d1adb0f179593b64d92be0a5d5507">has spurred falsehoods on social media</a>&nbsp;that it's part of a plot to send a signal to cellphones nationwide to activate nanoparticles such as graphene oxide that have been introduced into people’s bodies. Experts and FEMA officials have dismissed those claims, but some social media users said they planned to shut off their cellphones Wednesday.People also suggested turning off phones for other reasons, such as not disturbing students and teachers in classrooms or children during naptimes at day care. At the White House, messages taped to chairs in the press briefing room asked members of the media to turn off their cellphones.Not everyone did. As alerts went off during the briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “There you go ... it works, every couple of years, folks.”The test also sparked discussion about how it could affect people in abusive situations. Some people in abusive situations have secret cellphones — usually with notifications muted — hidden from their abuser that allow them to keep contact with the outside world. Organizations that work with abuse survivors recommended they turn off their phones entirely during the 30-minute-long test Wednesday so as to not have the blaring noise give away to their abuser the fact that they have a secret phone.

The blaring noise was a test of the government's emergency alert system

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former union leader and Democratic insider Laphonza Butler was sworn in as the newest member of the Senate on Tuesday, replacing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dianne-feinstein-dead-c831f3228ac44faa9653234570bb8ce9">her death</a>&nbsp;and becoming only the third Black female senator in history.

Butler was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-feinstein-newsom-california-laphonza-butler-57823d2ff39f2a007640dce8e70045a8">appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom</a>&nbsp;on Sunday, just two days after Feinstein died at her home in Washington. Butler is a longtime fundraiser and strategist in the state’s Democratic circles and was the head of Emily’s List, a national organization that raises money for women candidates who support abortion rights.

The new senator was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris, who served as the second Black female senator until she resigned in 2021 to join President Joe Biden in the White House. The first was Democratic Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, who served one term in the 1990s.

With dozens of supporters and family members looking down from the gallery, Butler smiled broadly as she walked down the center aisle of the Senate alongside Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. After Harris administered the oath of office, members of the Senate from both parties crowded around her to shake her hand.

Schumer, D-N.Y., said that “today, the Senate takes another step towards fully reflecting our vibrant democracy.”

He said Butler has “dedicated her entire career to fighting for others - fighting for women, fighting for working families and fighting for the cause of justice.”

After she was sworn in, Biden called her to congratulate her, the White House said.

The Congressional Black Caucus also held a ceremonial swearing-in for Butler. "Her background and years of experience will bring a much-needed perspective to the Senate, which currently does not have any Black women,” CBC Chairman Steven Horsford, D-Nev., said in a statement after she was appointed.

Butler is also the first openly LGBTQ+ senator from California.

Though she has never held elective office, Newsom praised her “deep knowledge” of the legislative process and said she was the kind of candidate he would build “if I had to literally design from my imagination.”

“She’s the only choice,” Newsom added.

Butler is well known inside California’s Democratic party apparatus. Her credentials include working for nearly two years with a consulting firm tied closely to Newsom and founded by his top political lieutenants. She also served as a senior adviser to Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign.

It is unclear if Butler will run to hold the seat when Feinstein’s term ends next year. A competitive race for Feinstein’s seat is already underway among three prominent House Democrats, Reps. Katie Porter, Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee, who is Black. The governor has said he didn’t want to tip the scales in the 2024 race by choosing among those candidates.

Newsom said he told Butler to “do what you think is best for you and the state of California, and you make that judgment completely independent of any expectations from me.”

Butler, 44, comes from a working-class family. Her father, a small-business owner, died from a terminal illness when she was 16. Her mother worked as a classroom aide, a home care provider, a security guard and a bookkeeper while caring for Butler and her two siblings, the governor’s office said. She was elected president of the state’s largest labor union in the early 2010s, back when the nation was reeling from the Great Recession.

Butler has also worked for corporate clients, including Airbnb and Uber.

In a statement released by Emily’s List after her appointment, Butler said she was honored and ready to get to work.

"For women and girls, for workers and unions, for struggling parents waiting for our leaders to bring opportunity back to their homes, for all of California, I’m ready to serve.”

Newsom, who was elected governor in 2018, has now chosen both of the state’s U.S. senators. The selection of Butler bears resemblance to the last time, when he tapped his close friend and confidant Padilla for Harris’ seat when she resigned in 2021.

Feinstein, who died after months of declining health, had held the seat since 1992, when she was elected alongside California Sen. Barbara Boxer, Moseley Braun and others in what became known as “the year of the woman.” She was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dianne-feinstein-death-photos-career-senate-e4b725c69545e422ce6ca981c697d468">giant in California politics</a>, having been the first female mayor of San Francisco and a force in the state’s Democratic circles.

In the Senate, Feinstein was the first female chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the first female top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Her Senate colleagues gathered on the floor Friday to remember her impact and her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dianne-feinstein-death-legacy-senate-women-tributes-37e8ba38f4cac4ebbe25d31a49e29c75">personal friendships</a>.

When Newsom announced Butler as his pick, he said the priorities Feinstein fought for in Congress — reproductive freedom, equal protection and safety from gun violence — were under assault in the nation.

“Laphonza will carry the baton left by Sen. Feinstein (and) continue to break glass ceilings and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C.,” Newsom said.

After Butler was sworn in, Schumer said that Feinstein “is looking down at this moment with pride now that her seat is in good hands."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696436558810.png" alt="Vice President Kamala Harris, right, swears in Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., left, to the Senate to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Butler's wife, Neneki Lee, center, holds the Bible.&nbsp; White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Vice President Kamala Harris, right, swears in Laphonza Butler, D-Calif., left, to the Senate to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Butler's wife, Neneki Lee, center, holds the Bible.&nbsp; White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Former union leader and Democratic insider Laphonza Butler was sworn in as the newest member of the Senate on Tuesday, replacing California Sen. Dianne Feinstein after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dianne-feinstein-dead-c831f3228ac44faa9653234570bb8ce9">her death</a>&nbsp;and becoming only the third Black female senator in history.Butler was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/senate-feinstein-newsom-california-laphonza-butler-57823d2ff39f2a007640dce8e70045a8">appointed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom</a>&nbsp;on Sunday, just two days after Feinstein died at her home in Washington. Butler is a longtime fundraiser and strategist in the state’s Democratic circles and was the head of Emily’s List, a national organization that raises money for women candidates who support abortion rights.The new senator was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris, who served as the second Black female senator until she resigned in 2021 to join President Joe Biden in the White House. The first was Democratic Sen. Carol Moseley Braun of Illinois, who served one term in the 1990s.With dozens of supporters and family members looking down from the gallery, Butler smiled broadly as she walked down the center aisle of the Senate alongside Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. After Harris administered the oath of office, members of the Senate from both parties crowded around her to shake her hand.Schumer, D-N.Y., said that “today, the Senate takes another step towards fully reflecting our vibrant democracy.”He said Butler has “dedicated her entire career to fighting for others - fighting for women, fighting for working families and fighting for the cause of justice.”After she was sworn in, Biden called her to congratulate her, the White House said.The Congressional Black Caucus also held a ceremonial swearing-in for Butler. "Her background and years of experience will bring a much-needed perspective to the Senate, which currently does not have any Black women,” CBC Chairman Steven Horsford, D-Nev., said in a statement after she was appointed.Butler is also the first openly LGBTQ+ senator from California.Though she has never held elective office, Newsom praised her “deep knowledge” of the legislative process and said she was the kind of candidate he would build “if I had to literally design from my imagination.”“She’s the only choice,” Newsom added.Butler is well known inside California’s Democratic party apparatus. Her credentials include working for nearly two years with a consulting firm tied closely to Newsom and founded by his top political lieutenants. She also served as a senior adviser to Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign.It is unclear if Butler will run to hold the seat when Feinstein’s term ends next year. A competitive race for Feinstein’s seat is already underway among three prominent House Democrats, Reps. Katie Porter, Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee, who is Black. The governor has said he didn’t want to tip the scales in the 2024 race by choosing among those candidates.Newsom said he told Butler to “do what you think is best for you and the state of California, and you make that judgment completely independent of any expectations from me.”Butler, 44, comes from a working-class family. Her father, a small-business owner, died from a terminal illness when she was 16. Her mother worked as a classroom aide, a home care provider, a security guard and a bookkeeper while caring for Butler and her two siblings, the governor’s office said. She was elected president of the state’s largest labor union in the early 2010s, back when the nation was reeling from the Great Recession.Butler has also worked for corporate clients, including Airbnb and Uber.In a statement released by Emily’s List after her appointment, Butler said she was honored and ready to get to work."For women and girls, for workers and unions, for struggling parents waiting for our leaders to bring opportunity back to their homes, for all of California, I’m ready to serve.”Newsom, who was elected governor in 2018, has now chosen both of the state’s U.S. senators. The selection of Butler bears resemblance to the last time, when he tapped his close friend and confidant Padilla for Harris’ seat when she resigned in 2021.Feinstein, who died after months of declining health, had held the seat since 1992, when she was elected alongside California Sen. Barbara Boxer, Moseley Braun and others in what became known as “the year of the woman.” She was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dianne-feinstein-death-photos-career-senate-e4b725c69545e422ce6ca981c697d468">giant in California politics</a>, having been the first female mayor of San Francisco and a force in the state’s Democratic circles.In the Senate, Feinstein was the first female chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and the first female top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Her Senate colleagues gathered on the floor Friday to remember her impact and her&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dianne-feinstein-death-legacy-senate-women-tributes-37e8ba38f4cac4ebbe25d31a49e29c75">personal friendships</a>.When Newsom announced Butler as his pick, he said the priorities Feinstein fought for in Congress — reproductive freedom, equal protection and safety from gun violence — were under assault in the nation.“Laphonza will carry the baton left by Sen. Feinstein (and) continue to break glass ceilings and fight for all Californians in Washington D.C.,” Newsom said.After Butler was sworn in, Schumer said that Feinstein “is looking down at this moment with pride now that her seat is in good hands."___

Butler sworn in as third Black female senator in US history

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Twelve junior high school students riding a USD 231 Gardner-Edgerton school bus on the way home from a volleyball game avoided injury in an accident just before 7p.m. Tuesday in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Honda Accord driven by William Andrew Mathes, 31, Independence, was northbound U.S. 73 at Parallel Parkway.

The car traveled left of center and sideswiped a southbound school bus driven by Whitney Lee Wheeler, 33, Gardner.&nbsp; After impact, the car traveled off the road and struck a ditch.&nbsp; Wheeler and the student volleyball players were not injured.&nbsp; 

Mathes and a passenger in the car were not wearing seat belts and not injured, according to the KHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Twelve junior high school students riding a USD 231 Gardner-Edgerton school bus on the way home from a volleyball game avoided injury in an accident just before 7p.m. Tuesday in Wyandotte County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Honda Accord driven by William Andrew Mathes, 31, Independence, was northbound U.S. 73 at Parallel Parkway.The car traveled left of center and sideswiped a southbound school bus driven by Whitney Lee Wheeler, 33, Gardner.&nbsp; After impact, the car traveled off the road and struck a ditch.&nbsp; Wheeler and the student volleyball players were not injured.&nbsp; Mathes and a passenger in the car were not wearing seat belts and not injured, according to the KHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Volleyball team avoids injury after car sideswiped Kan. school bus

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspect in connection with a business burglary.

Just after 2 p.m. Oct. 1, police&nbsp;responded to report of a business burglary at Berry's Arctic Ice 200 N. Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to&nbsp; Berry’s Arctic Ice, in reference to a burglary to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

At the scene, officers located two individuals at the business that were believed to be involved with the burglary. These individuals were found to have items in their possession that were related to the burglary and they were taken into custody.

As a result of the investigation, Dawn M. Gilley, 38, and Shannon D. Maness, 39 were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Burglary, Criminal Damage to Property and Theft from building.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696273112107.png" alt="Maness-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Maness-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspect in connection with a business burglary.Just after 2 p.m. Oct. 1, police&nbsp;responded to report of a business burglary at Berry's Arctic Ice 200 N. Kansas Avenue in Topeka, according to&nbsp; Berry’s Arctic Ice, in reference to a burglary to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696273054342.png" alt="Gilley-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Gilley-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>At the scene, officers located two individuals at the business that were believed to be involved with the burglary. These individuals were found to have items in their possession that were related to the burglary and they were taken into custody.As a result of the investigation, Dawn M. Gilley, 38, and Shannon D. Maness, 39 were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Burglary, Criminal Damage to Property and Theft from building.

Kansas couple caught at scene of business burglary

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Republicans in Missouri and Idaho will have to attend caucuses to make their presidential picks next year after the two states' GOP-led legislatures canceled their presidential primaries and then missed a deadline to reinstate them.

Presidential caucuses in both states are planned March 2, putting them near the front of the national&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-republican-presidential-primary-delegates-trump-e573d5d9840572b05906268d49f9a3cd">presidential selection process</a>. Both states would have been scheduled to hold March 12 primaries, had lawmakers not eliminated them.

Members of Idaho's Republican-led Legislature had talked about calling themselves into a special session to reinstate a primary but failed to agree on a proposal before Sunday's deadline, imposed by the Republican National Committee, for states to submit their 2024 presidential nominating plans.

Idaho lawmakers this year passed cost-saving legislation backed by Republican Secretary of State Phil McGrane that was intended to push the presidential primary to May 21 to coincide with other state primary elections. But&nbsp;<a href="https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2023/legislation/H0138.pdf">the bill</a>&nbsp;inadvertently canceled the March presidential primary without reinstating it at a later date.

In another cost-saving move, Missouri lawmakers last year intentionally canceled the state's presidential primary as part of a broader&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/hlrbillspdf/4557S.05T.pdf">elections bill</a>&nbsp;backed by Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft that also imposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-missouri-government-and-politics-342663e72a921cb9a5f55657d87a0910">photo identification requirements</a>&nbsp;for voting. Though leaders of the state Republican and Democratic parties both testified in favor of reinstating a presidential primary, lawmakers this year failed to pass legislation doing so.

Instead of voting in a Tuesday primary at traditional polling places, people wanting to participate in the caucuses will need to attend a Saturday meeting of local Republicans. In Idaho, the GOP caucuses will have a single round of voting for presidential candidates.

“We're trying to not make it overwhelming on people — not make it too long — so people can come and vote and leave if they wish,” said Kiira Turnbow, Idaho Republican Party executive director.

In Missouri, polling places normally are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election days, with a period of absentee voting leading up to then. But participants in the GOP county caucuses must attend a 10 a.m. meeting and be prepared to stay for a while.

“The timetable makes it harder,” acknowledged Missouri Republican Party Chairman Nick Myers, who had urged lawmakers to reinstate a primary. “Let's say you’re a nurse, a first responder, you’re on shift that day, you cannot get off at 10 a.m. to go to your local caucus, then you’re not going to be able to participate."

The Missouri Democratic Party plans to run its own presidential primary using mail-in voting and a March 23 in-person election. Idaho Democrats plan to hold presidential caucuses May 25.

The vast majority of states use primary elections to allocate party delegates to presidential candidates. Iowa, which is traditionally one of the first states to pick presidential candidates, is perhaps the most prominent to use a caucus system.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nevada-gop-donald-trump-caucus-066ce2bc1a272650d944c61f1d73cdc2">Republicans in Nevada</a>, another early presidential state, also are planning to use a Feb. 8 caucus system instead of relying on a state-run primary scheduled for two days earlier. The GOP caucuses call for voter identification requirements, paper ballots and same-day voting whereas Nevada election laws used in a state-run primary require universal mail-in ballots, allow early voting and do not require a voter ID at the polls.

While some states shift away from presidential primaries,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-presidential-primary-election-2024-70896fc199653cb96e5c835d29f3d1cd">Kansas is moving toward them</a>. A state&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2053_enrolled.pdf">law enacted this year</a>&nbsp;sets a March 19 election for presidential primaries. In 2020, the state left it to political parties to decide what to do. Democrats funded and ran their own primary by mail ballot while Republican leaders committed to supporting Donald Trump, then the president, without a vote or any caucuses.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Republicans in Missouri and Idaho will have to attend caucuses to make their presidential picks next year after the two states' GOP-led legislatures canceled their presidential primaries and then missed a deadline to reinstate them.Presidential caucuses in both states are planned March 2, putting them near the front of the national&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-republican-presidential-primary-delegates-trump-e573d5d9840572b05906268d49f9a3cd">presidential selection process</a>. Both states would have been scheduled to hold March 12 primaries, had lawmakers not eliminated them.Members of Idaho's Republican-led Legislature had talked about calling themselves into a special session to reinstate a primary but failed to agree on a proposal before Sunday's deadline, imposed by the Republican National Committee, for states to submit their 2024 presidential nominating plans.Idaho lawmakers this year passed cost-saving legislation backed by Republican Secretary of State Phil McGrane that was intended to push the presidential primary to May 21 to coincide with other state primary elections. But&nbsp;<a href="https://legislature.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sessioninfo/2023/legislation/H0138.pdf">the bill</a>&nbsp;inadvertently canceled the March presidential primary without reinstating it at a later date.In another cost-saving move, Missouri lawmakers last year intentionally canceled the state's presidential primary as part of a broader&nbsp;<a href="https://house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/hlrbillspdf/4557S.05T.pdf">elections bill</a>&nbsp;backed by Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft that also imposed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-voting-missouri-government-and-politics-342663e72a921cb9a5f55657d87a0910">photo identification requirements</a>&nbsp;for voting. Though leaders of the state Republican and Democratic parties both testified in favor of reinstating a presidential primary, lawmakers this year failed to pass legislation doing so.Instead of voting in a Tuesday primary at traditional polling places, people wanting to participate in the caucuses will need to attend a Saturday meeting of local Republicans. In Idaho, the GOP caucuses will have a single round of voting for presidential candidates.“We're trying to not make it overwhelming on people — not make it too long — so people can come and vote and leave if they wish,” said Kiira Turnbow, Idaho Republican Party executive director.In Missouri, polling places normally are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election days, with a period of absentee voting leading up to then. But participants in the GOP county caucuses must attend a 10 a.m. meeting and be prepared to stay for a while.“The timetable makes it harder,” acknowledged Missouri Republican Party Chairman Nick Myers, who had urged lawmakers to reinstate a primary. “Let's say you’re a nurse, a first responder, you’re on shift that day, you cannot get off at 10 a.m. to go to your local caucus, then you’re not going to be able to participate."The Missouri Democratic Party plans to run its own presidential primary using mail-in voting and a March 23 in-person election. Idaho Democrats plan to hold presidential caucuses May 25.The vast majority of states use primary elections to allocate party delegates to presidential candidates. Iowa, which is traditionally one of the first states to pick presidential candidates, is perhaps the most prominent to use a caucus system.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nevada-gop-donald-trump-caucus-066ce2bc1a272650d944c61f1d73cdc2">Republicans in Nevada</a>, another early presidential state, also are planning to use a Feb. 8 caucus system instead of relying on a state-run primary scheduled for two days earlier. The GOP caucuses call for voter identification requirements, paper ballots and same-day voting whereas Nevada election laws used in a state-run primary require universal mail-in ballots, allow early voting and do not require a voter ID at the polls.While some states shift away from presidential primaries,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-presidential-primary-election-2024-70896fc199653cb96e5c835d29f3d1cd">Kansas is moving toward them</a>. A state&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2053_enrolled.pdf">law enacted this year</a>&nbsp;sets a March 19 election for presidential primaries. In 2020, the state left it to political parties to decide what to do. Democrats funded and ran their own primary by mail ballot while Republican leaders committed to supporting Donald Trump, then the president, without a vote or any caucuses.

Missouri shifts to GOP presidential caucuses after lawmakers cancel primaries

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer shooting during a standoff in Johnson County.

&nbsp;Just after 2 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to the 6100 block of Marty reference a physical altercation, according to a media release.

 Officers determined the altercation between man and woman acquaintances resulted in serious bodily harm to a woman.

 The victim was able to exit the apartment, called 911 and informed police the man was armed. EMS transported her a local hospital with serious non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers formed a perimeter outside the apartment.  At one point, the suspect exited the apartment building, and when ordered to stop, he reached into his waistband and displayed what appeared to be a firearm. 

 An officer fired one round at the suspect, who retreated into the apartment building through a second door. 

 After several hours of negotiations, the suspect exited the apartment and was taken into custody without incident.  The suspect was uninjured. A firearm was recovered on the premises. Police have not released the suspect's name or possible charges.

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer shooting during a standoff in Johnson County.&nbsp;Just after 2 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to the 6100 block of Marty reference a physical altercation, according to a media release. Officers determined the altercation between man and woman acquaintances resulted in serious bodily harm to a woman. The victim was able to exit the apartment, called 911 and informed police the man was armed. EMS transported her a local hospital with serious non-life-threatening injuries.Officers formed a perimeter outside the apartment. At one point, the suspect exited the apartment building, and when ordered to stop, he reached into his waistband and displayed what appeared to be a firearm. An officer fired one round at the suspect, who retreated into the apartment building through a second door. After several hours of negotiations, the suspect exited the apartment and was taken into custody without incident. The suspect was uninjured. A firearm was recovered on the premises. Police have not released the suspect's name or possible charges.

Kan. officer fired shot after assault suspect reached for a gun

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are working to identify a suspect who robbed a bank in Springfield, Missouri on Sept. 29.

Just before 1p.m. the suspect entered the Legacyi Bank and Trust, 4108 South Nation Avenue, approached a teller and presented a demand note, according to the FBI in Kansas City.

The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5-foot-10 and weighing 300 pounds. He was wearing a blue Superman t-shirt and blue shorts. He fled the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. He did not display a weapon.

Call 816-512-8200 or local law enforcement if you have any inforomation on the suspect.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696370723850.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are working to identify a suspect who robbed a bank in Springfield, Missouri on Sept. 29.Just before 1p.m. the suspect entered the Legacyi Bank and Trust, 4108 South Nation Avenue, approached a teller and presented a demand note, according to the FBI in Kansas City.The suspect is described as a white male, approximately 5-foot-10 and weighing 300 pounds. He was wearing a blue Superman t-shirt and blue shorts. He fled the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash. He did not display a weapon.Call 816-512-8200 or local law enforcement if you have any inforomation on the suspect.

FBI: Bank robbery suspect wore a Superman t-shirt

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Some 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers walked off the job Wednesday in multiple states, kicking off a major health care strike in an extraordinary year for U.S. labor organizing and work stoppages.

Kaiser Permanente is one of the country’s larger insurers and health care system operators, serving nearly 13 million people. The nonprofit company, based in Oakland, California, said its 39 hospitals, including emergency rooms, will remain open during the picketing, though appointments and non-urgent procedures could be delayed.

The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, representing about 85,000 of the health system's employees nationally, approved a strike for three days in California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington, and for one day in Virginia and Washington, D.C.

“They’re not listening to the frontline health care workers,” said Mikki Fletchall, a licensed vocational nurse based in a Kaiser medical office in Camarillo, California. “We’re striking because of our patients.”

Early Wednesday, workers at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center cheered as the strike deadline arrived. The strikers include licensed vocational nurses, home health aides and ultrasound sonographers, as well as technicians in the radiology, X-ray, surgical, pharmacy and emergency departments.

Brittany Everidge, a ward clerk transcriber in the medical center's maternal child health department, was among those on the picket line. She said because of staffing shortages, pregnant people in active labor can be stuck waiting for hours to be checked in. Other times, too few transcribers can lead to delays in creating and updating charts for new babies.

“We don’t ever want to be in a situation where the nurses have to do our job," she said.

Doctors are not participating in the strike, and Kaiser said it was bringing in thousands of temporary workers.

The strike comes in a year when there have been work stoppages within multiple industries, including,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ups-strike-union-contract-negotiations-deadline-7be8c3d04e043d6b653f563075a6a39f">transportation</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/writers-strike-deal-hollywood-vote-actors-d3119d670a4fd3449773bf8f4026fb2b">entertainment</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-hotel-workers-strike-unite-here-0858937937766b75a1bfd10e9e41525f">hospitality</a>.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-new-york-city-nursing-care-strikes-covid-4c1c337dbd9727118be6975cf868a626">health care</a>&nbsp;industry alone has been hit by several strikes this year as it confronts burnout from heavy workloads — problems that were exacerbated greatly by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unions representing Kaiser workers in August asked for a $25 hourly minimum wage, as well as increases of 7% each year in the first two years and 6.25% each year in the two years afterward.

Union members say understaffing is boosting the hospital system’s profits but hurting patients, and executives have been bargaining in bad faith during negotiations.

Tonya Harris, who was on the picket line in Irvine, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Los Angeles in Orange County, said medical assistants like her are often asked to double up with doctors – each of whom has up to 20 patients – instead of working one-to-one.

“You’re running around and you’re trying to basically keep up with the flow,” she said, wearing her strike captain vest over her scrubs.

The single mother with two kids going into college said she also can’t afford to live in Orange County on her current pay.

Kaiser has proposed minimum hourly wages of between $21 and $23 next year depending on the location.

Since 2022, the hospital system has hired 51,000 workers and has plans to add 10,000 more people by the end of the month.

Kaiser Permanente reported $2.1 billion in net income for this year’s second quarter on more than $25 billion in operating revenue. But the company said it still was dealing with cost headwinds and challenges from inflation and labor shortages.

Kaiser executive Michelle Gaskill-Hames defended the company and said its practices, compensation and retention are better than its competitors, even as the entire sector faces the same challenges.

“Our focus, for the dollars that we bring in, are to keep them invested in value-based care,” said Gaskill-Hames, president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of Southern California and Hawaii.

She added that Kaiser only faces 7% turnover compared to the industry standard of 21%, despite the effects of the pandemic.

“I think coming out of the pandemic, health care workers have been completely burned out," she said. "The trauma that was felt caring for so many COVID patients, and patients that died, was just difficult.”

The workers’ last contract was negotiated in 2019, before the pandemic.

Hospitals generally have struggled in recent years with high labor costs, staffing shortages and rising levels of uncompensated care, according to Rick Gundling, a senior vice president with the Healthcare Financial Management Association, a nonprofit that works with health care finance executives.

Most of their revenue is fixed, coming from government-funded programs like Medicare and Medicaid, Gundling noted. He said that means revenue growth is “only possible by increasing volumes, which is difficult even under the best of circumstances.”

Meanwhile, workers calling for higher wages, better working conditions and job security, especially since the end of the pandemic, have been increasingly willing to walk out on the job as employers face a greater need for workers.

The California legislature has sent Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom a bill that would increase the minimum wage for the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-fast-food-health-care-workers-wage-increase-3c1e3b2815523816b5e5d1ffc535aaad">455,000 health care workers to $25 per hour</a>&nbsp;over the next decade. The governor has until Oct. 14 to decide whether to sign or veto it.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696442008096.png" alt="photo courtesy SEIU" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy SEIU</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — Some 75,000 Kaiser Permanente workers walked off the job Wednesday in multiple states, kicking off a major health care strike in an extraordinary year for U.S. labor organizing and work stoppages.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">To all healthcare workers on ULP strike to demand Kaiser bargain in good faith: we have your backs! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SolidaritySeason?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SolidaritySeason</a> ✊ <a href="https://t.co/seL2vCsehE">pic.twitter.com/seL2vCsehE</a>&mdash; Mary Kay Henry (@MaryKayHenry) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryKayHenry/status/1709556729191731327?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Kaiser Permanente is one of the country’s larger insurers and health care system operators, serving nearly 13 million people. The nonprofit company, based in Oakland, California, said its 39 hospitals, including emergency rooms, will remain open during the picketing, though appointments and non-urgent procedures could be delayed.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">“Today, we stand in solidarity with the 75,000 members of our union family who are on strike at Kaiser. Whether you work in a hospital, or behind a desk, or on an assembly line, your fight is our fight. We all deserve dignity on and off the job. We all deserve a future for our… <a href="https://t.co/Fd5MiLzNBN">pic.twitter.com/Fd5MiLzNBN</a>&mdash; UAW (@UAW) <a href="https://twitter.com/UAW/status/1709620453365465594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, representing about 85,000 of the health system's employees nationally, approved a strike for three days in California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington, and for one day in Virginia and Washington, D.C.“They’re not listening to the frontline health care workers,” said Mikki Fletchall, a licensed vocational nurse based in a Kaiser medical office in Camarillo, California. “We’re striking because of our patients.”Early Wednesday, workers at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center cheered as the strike deadline arrived. The strikers include licensed vocational nurses, home health aides and ultrasound sonographers, as well as technicians in the radiology, X-ray, surgical, pharmacy and emergency departments.Brittany Everidge, a ward clerk transcriber in the medical center's maternal child health department, was among those on the picket line. She said because of staffing shortages, pregnant people in active labor can be stuck waiting for hours to be checked in. Other times, too few transcribers can lead to delays in creating and updating charts for new babies.“We don’t ever want to be in a situation where the nurses have to do our job," she said.Doctors are not participating in the strike, and Kaiser said it was bringing in thousands of temporary workers.The strike comes in a year when there have been work stoppages within multiple industries, including,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ups-strike-union-contract-negotiations-deadline-7be8c3d04e043d6b653f563075a6a39f">transportation</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/writers-strike-deal-hollywood-vote-actors-d3119d670a4fd3449773bf8f4026fb2b">entertainment</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-hotel-workers-strike-unite-here-0858937937766b75a1bfd10e9e41525f">hospitality</a>.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-new-york-city-nursing-care-strikes-covid-4c1c337dbd9727118be6975cf868a626">health care</a>&nbsp;industry alone has been hit by several strikes this year as it confronts burnout from heavy workloads — problems that were exacerbated greatly by the COVID-19 pandemic.Unions representing Kaiser workers in August asked for a $25 hourly minimum wage, as well as increases of 7% each year in the first two years and 6.25% each year in the two years afterward.Union members say understaffing is boosting the hospital system’s profits but hurting patients, and executives have been bargaining in bad faith during negotiations.Tonya Harris, who was on the picket line in Irvine, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) south of Los Angeles in Orange County, said medical assistants like her are often asked to double up with doctors – each of whom has up to 20 patients – instead of working one-to-one.“You’re running around and you’re trying to basically keep up with the flow,” she said, wearing her strike captain vest over her scrubs.The single mother with two kids going into college said she also can’t afford to live in Orange County on her current pay.Kaiser has proposed minimum hourly wages of between $21 and $23 next year depending on the location.Since 2022, the hospital system has hired 51,000 workers and has plans to add 10,000 more people by the end of the month.Kaiser Permanente reported $2.1 billion in net income for this year’s second quarter on more than $25 billion in operating revenue. But the company said it still was dealing with cost headwinds and challenges from inflation and labor shortages.Kaiser executive Michelle Gaskill-Hames defended the company and said its practices, compensation and retention are better than its competitors, even as the entire sector faces the same challenges.“Our focus, for the dollars that we bring in, are to keep them invested in value-based care,” said Gaskill-Hames, president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of Southern California and Hawaii.She added that Kaiser only faces 7% turnover compared to the industry standard of 21%, despite the effects of the pandemic.“I think coming out of the pandemic, health care workers have been completely burned out," she said. "The trauma that was felt caring for so many COVID patients, and patients that died, was just difficult.”The workers’ last contract was negotiated in 2019, before the pandemic.Hospitals generally have struggled in recent years with high labor costs, staffing shortages and rising levels of uncompensated care, according to Rick Gundling, a senior vice president with the Healthcare Financial Management Association, a nonprofit that works with health care finance executives.Most of their revenue is fixed, coming from government-funded programs like Medicare and Medicaid, Gundling noted. He said that means revenue growth is “only possible by increasing volumes, which is difficult even under the best of circumstances.”Meanwhile, workers calling for higher wages, better working conditions and job security, especially since the end of the pandemic, have been increasingly willing to walk out on the job as employers face a greater need for workers.The California legislature has sent Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom a bill that would increase the minimum wage for the state’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/california-fast-food-health-care-workers-wage-increase-3c1e3b2815523816b5e5d1ffc535aaad">455,000 health care workers to $25 per hour</a>&nbsp;over the next decade. The governor has until Oct. 14 to decide whether to sign or veto it.___

🎥US health care workers on strike in multiple states over wages, staff shortages

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the brutal death of a child have identified the victim as 5-year-old Zoey Felix of Topeka, according to a statement of Topeka Police.

Just before 6 p.m. Monday, police responded to a medical call at the Dillon’s fuel pumps located at 2010 SE 29th Street in Topeka.

Upon arrival, police found Topeka Fire Department crews working to save the girl.&nbsp; She was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased.

Investigators determined that circumstances around the death were suspicious and quickly identified a suspect and arrested 25-year-old Mickel W. Cherry, 25, Topeka, who is known to the victim.

Mickel is being held on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree; In the commission of a felony, and rape; offender is 18 or older and victim is under the age of 14.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not released details on the girl's cause of death or how the suspect knew her.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696342029742.png" alt="Cherry-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Cherry-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the brutal death of a child have identified the victim as 5-year-old Zoey Felix of Topeka, according to a statement of Topeka Police.Just before 6 p.m. Monday, police responded to a medical call at the Dillon’s fuel pumps located at 2010 SE 29th Street in Topeka.Upon arrival, police found Topeka Fire Department crews working to save the girl.&nbsp; She was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased.Investigators determined that circumstances around the death were suspicious and quickly identified a suspect and arrested 25-year-old Mickel W. Cherry, 25, Topeka, who is known to the victim.Mickel is being held on requested charges of Murder in the 1st degree; In the commission of a felony, and rape; offender is 18 or older and victim is under the age of 14.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police have not released details on the girl's cause of death or how the suspect knew her.

Police ID 5-year-old Kan. girl who died in alleged violent assault

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 2a.m. September 30, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a black 2009 Mercury Milan without an operable tag lamp and with an obscured license plate in the 3800 block of NE Seward Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, illegal narcotics and open containers of alcohol were located. The driver, Jessica D. Orange, 42, of Topeka, was arrested, booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of possession of a stimulant, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated endangering a child, driving under the influence while child present, driving while license revoked, transporting an open container of liquor, license plate cover clear or opaque and defective tag lamps.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696272865938.png" alt="Orange-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Orange-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 2a.m. September 30, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a black 2009 Mercury Milan without an operable tag lamp and with an obscured license plate in the 3800 block of NE Seward Avenue, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the investigation, illegal narcotics and open containers of alcohol were located. The driver, Jessica D. Orange, 42, of Topeka, was arrested, booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of possession of a stimulant, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated endangering a child, driving under the influence while child present, driving while license revoked, transporting an open container of liquor, license plate cover clear or opaque and defective tag lamps.

Kansas woman caught driving with drugs, kids in the car

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue&nbsp; investigating a suspect in connection with Sept. 24,&nbsp; hit-and-run accident that left a bicyclist in critical condition.

Montez Glasgow, 30, Wichita, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, no valid driver’s license and fail to yield right of way on a left turn.  The license crime is a misdemeanor, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 7p.m. Sept. 24, police were dispatched to a hit-and-run involving a car and a bicyclist at the intersection of McCormick and Meridian, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders located the bicyclist lying on the street with critical injuries. EMS transported the bicyclist to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries. Police had no update on the victim Monday.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect later identified as 30-year-old&nbsp; Montrez Glasgow was driving west on McCormick and turned south onto Meridian striking the bicyclist.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=260277"> Glasgow </a>left the scene prior to the officer’s arrival.

While officers and detectives were on the scene investigating, Glasgow returned and was arrested. He is no longer in custody but is scheduled for a preliminary hearing&nbsp; October 10, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695671550419.png" alt="Glasgow-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Glasgow-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities continue&nbsp; investigating a suspect in connection with Sept. 24,&nbsp; hit-and-run accident that left a bicyclist in critical condition.Montez Glasgow, 30, Wichita, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident, no valid driver’s license and fail to yield right of way on a left turn. The license crime is a misdemeanor, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 7p.m. Sept. 24, police were dispatched to a hit-and-run involving a car and a bicyclist at the intersection of McCormick and Meridian, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695724649977.png" alt="Police on the scene of the crash -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the crash -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located the bicyclist lying on the street with critical injuries. EMS transported the bicyclist to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries. Police had no update on the victim Monday.Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect later identified as 30-year-old&nbsp; Montrez Glasgow was driving west on McCormick and turned south onto Meridian striking the bicyclist.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=260277"> Glasgow </a>left the scene prior to the officer’s arrival.While officers and detectives were on the scene investigating, Glasgow returned and was arrested. He is no longer in custody but is scheduled for a preliminary hearing&nbsp; October 10, according to the district attorney's office.

Police: Kan. driver who struck bicyclist did not have driver's license

WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown, a first in U.S. history, The 216-210 vote, forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives, throws the House and its Republican leadership into chaos.

Missouri Republican members of the House all voted against the resolution to oust McCarthy. Missouri 5th District representative Emmanuel Cleaver, a democrat, voted for the motion.&nbsp;First District Rep. Cori Bush did not cast a vote.

Kansas Republican members of the House all voted against the resolution to oust McCarthy. Kansas 3rd District representative Sharice Davids, a democrat, voted for the motion.&nbsp;

McCarthy’s chief rival, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, forced the vote on the “motion to vacate,” drawing together more than a handful of conservative Republican critics of the speaker and many Democrats who say he is unworthy of leadership.

Next steps are uncertain, but there is no obvious successor to lead the House Republican majority.

Stillness fell as the presiding officer gaveled the vote closed, 216-210, saying the office of the speaker "is hereby declared vacant.”

Moments later, a top McCarthy ally, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., took the gavel and, according to House rules, was named speaker pro tempore, to serve in the office until a new speaker is chosen.

The House then briskly recessed so lawmakers could meet and discuss the path forward.

It was a stunning moment for the battle-tested McCarthy, a punishment fueled by growing grievances but sparked by his weekend decision&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-congress-republicans-732baaa19c91f981e492fd0e6a76aba8">to work with Democrats to keep the federal government open</a>&nbsp;rather than risk a shutdown.

An earlier vote was 218-208 against tabling the motion, with 11 Republicans allowing it to advance.

The House then opened a floor debate, unseen in modern times, ahead of the next round of voting.

McCarthy, of California, insisted he would not cut a deal with Democrats to remain in power — not that he could have relied on their help even if he had asked.

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a letter to colleagues that he wants to work with Republicans, but he was unwilling to provide the votes needed to save McCarthy.

“It is now the responsibility of the GOP members to end the House Republican Civil War,” Jeffries said, announcing the Democratic leadership would vote for the motion to oust the speaker.

As the House fell silent, Gaetz, a top ally of Donald Trump, rose to offer his motion. Gaetz is a leader of the hard-right Republicans who fought in January against McCarthy in his prolonged battle to gain the gavel.

“It's a sad day,” Republican Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma said as debate got underway, urging his colleagues not to plunge the House Republican majority "into chaos."

But Gaetz shot back during the debate, "Chaos is Speaker McCarthy."

McCarthy's fate was deeply uncertain as the fiery debate unfolded, with much of the complaints against the speaker revolving around his truthfulness and his ability to keep the promises he has made since January to win the gavel.

But a long line of McCarthy supporters, including Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a founding leader of the conservative Freedom Caucus, stood up for him: “I think he has kept his word.” And some did so passionately. Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., waved his cellphone, saying it was “disgusting” that hard-right colleagues were fundraising off the move in text messages seeking donations.

At the Capitol, both Republicans and Democrats met privately ahead of the historic afternoon vote.

Behind closed doors, McCarthy told fellow Republicans: Let’s get on with it.

“If I counted how many times someone wanted to knock me out, I would have been gone a long time ago,” McCarthy said at the Capitol after the morning meeting.

McCarthy insisted he had not reached across the aisle to the Democratic leader Jeffries for help with votes to stay in the job, nor had they demanded anything in return.

During the hourlong meeting in the Capitol basement, McCarthy invoked Republican Speaker Joseph Cannon, who more than 100 years ago confronted his critics head-on by calling their bluff and setting the vote himself on his ouster. Cannon survived that takedown attempt, which was the first time the House had actually voted to consider removing its speaker. A more recent threat, in 2015, didn't make it to a vote.

McCarthy received three standing ovations during the private meeting — one when he came to the microphone to speak, again during his remarks and finally when he was done, according a Republican at the meeting who was granted anonymity to discuss it.

At one point, there was a show of hands in support of McCarthy and it was “overwhelming,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a member of the House Freedom Caucus.

Gaetz was in attendance, but he did not address the room.

Across the way in the Capitol, Democrats lined up for a long discussion and unified around one common point: McCarthy cannot be trusted, several lawmakers in the room said.

“I think it’s safe to say there’s not a lot of good will in that room for Kevin McCarthy,” said Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass.

“At the end of the day, the country needs a speaker that can be relied upon,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. "We don’t trust him. Their members don’t trust him. And you need a certain degree of trust to be the speaker.”

Removing the speaker launches the House Republicans into chaos, as they try to find a new leader. It took McCarthy himself 15 rounds in January over multiple days of voting before he secured the support from his colleagues to gain the gavel. There is no obvious GOP successor.

Trump, the former president who is the Republican front-runner in the 2024 race to challenge Biden, weighed in to complain about the chaos. “Why is it that Republicans are always fighting among themselves," he asked on social media.

One key McCarthy ally, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., took to social media urging support for “our speaker” and an end to the chaos that has roiled the Republican majority.

Republicans were upset that McCarthy relied on Democratic votes Saturday to approve the temporary measure to keep the government running until Nov. 17. Some would have preferred a government shutdown as they fight for deeper spending cuts.

But Democrats were also upset with McCarthy for walking away from the debt deal that he made with Biden earlier this year that already set federal spending levels, as he emboldened his right flank to push for steep spending reductions.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696366148194.png" alt="View of members of the House during the historic vote-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>View of members of the House during the historic vote-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown, a first in U.S. history, The 216-210 vote, forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives, throws the House and its Republican leadership into chaos.Missouri Republican members of the House all voted against the resolution to oust McCarthy. Missouri 5th District representative Emmanuel Cleaver, a democrat, voted for the motion.&nbsp;First District Rep. Cori Bush did not cast a vote.Kansas Republican members of the House all voted against the resolution to oust McCarthy. Kansas 3rd District representative Sharice Davids, a democrat, voted for the motion.&nbsp;McCarthy’s chief rival, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, forced the vote on the “motion to vacate,” drawing together more than a handful of conservative Republican critics of the speaker and many Democrats who say he is unworthy of leadership.Next steps are uncertain, but there is no obvious successor to lead the House Republican majority.Stillness fell as the presiding officer gaveled the vote closed, 216-210, saying the office of the speaker "is hereby declared vacant.”Moments later, a top McCarthy ally, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., took the gavel and, according to House rules, was named speaker pro tempore, to serve in the office until a new speaker is chosen.The House then briskly recessed so lawmakers could meet and discuss the path forward.It was a stunning moment for the battle-tested McCarthy, a punishment fueled by growing grievances but sparked by his weekend decision&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-congress-republicans-732baaa19c91f981e492fd0e6a76aba8">to work with Democrats to keep the federal government open</a>&nbsp;rather than risk a shutdown.An earlier vote was 218-208 against tabling the motion, with 11 Republicans allowing it to advance.The House then opened a floor debate, unseen in modern times, ahead of the next round of voting.McCarthy, of California, insisted he would not cut a deal with Democrats to remain in power — not that he could have relied on their help even if he had asked.Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a letter to colleagues that he wants to work with Republicans, but he was unwilling to provide the votes needed to save McCarthy.“It is now the responsibility of the GOP members to end the House Republican Civil War,” Jeffries said, announcing the Democratic leadership would vote for the motion to oust the speaker.As the House fell silent, Gaetz, a top ally of Donald Trump, rose to offer his motion. Gaetz is a leader of the hard-right Republicans who fought in January against McCarthy in his prolonged battle to gain the gavel.“It's a sad day,” Republican Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma said as debate got underway, urging his colleagues not to plunge the House Republican majority "into chaos."But Gaetz shot back during the debate, "Chaos is Speaker McCarthy."McCarthy's fate was deeply uncertain as the fiery debate unfolded, with much of the complaints against the speaker revolving around his truthfulness and his ability to keep the promises he has made since January to win the gavel.But a long line of McCarthy supporters, including Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a founding leader of the conservative Freedom Caucus, stood up for him: “I think he has kept his word.” And some did so passionately. Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., waved his cellphone, saying it was “disgusting” that hard-right colleagues were fundraising off the move in text messages seeking donations.At the Capitol, both Republicans and Democrats met privately ahead of the historic afternoon vote.Behind closed doors, McCarthy told fellow Republicans: Let’s get on with it.“If I counted how many times someone wanted to knock me out, I would have been gone a long time ago,” McCarthy said at the Capitol after the morning meeting.McCarthy insisted he had not reached across the aisle to the Democratic leader Jeffries for help with votes to stay in the job, nor had they demanded anything in return.During the hourlong meeting in the Capitol basement, McCarthy invoked Republican Speaker Joseph Cannon, who more than 100 years ago confronted his critics head-on by calling their bluff and setting the vote himself on his ouster. Cannon survived that takedown attempt, which was the first time the House had actually voted to consider removing its speaker. A more recent threat, in 2015, didn't make it to a vote.McCarthy received three standing ovations during the private meeting — one when he came to the microphone to speak, again during his remarks and finally when he was done, according a Republican at the meeting who was granted anonymity to discuss it.At one point, there was a show of hands in support of McCarthy and it was “overwhelming,” said Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., a member of the House Freedom Caucus.Gaetz was in attendance, but he did not address the room.Across the way in the Capitol, Democrats lined up for a long discussion and unified around one common point: McCarthy cannot be trusted, several lawmakers in the room said.“I think it’s safe to say there’s not a lot of good will in that room for Kevin McCarthy,” said Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass.“At the end of the day, the country needs a speaker that can be relied upon,” said Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. "We don’t trust him. Their members don’t trust him. And you need a certain degree of trust to be the speaker.”Removing the speaker launches the House Republicans into chaos, as they try to find a new leader. It took McCarthy himself 15 rounds in January over multiple days of voting before he secured the support from his colleagues to gain the gavel. There is no obvious GOP successor.Trump, the former president who is the Republican front-runner in the 2024 race to challenge Biden, weighed in to complain about the chaos. “Why is it that Republicans are always fighting among themselves," he asked on social media.One key McCarthy ally, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., took to social media urging support for “our speaker” and an end to the chaos that has roiled the Republican majority.Republicans were upset that McCarthy relied on Democratic votes Saturday to approve the temporary measure to keep the government running until Nov. 17. Some would have preferred a government shutdown as they fight for deeper spending cuts.But Democrats were also upset with McCarthy for walking away from the debt deal that he made with Biden earlier this year that already set federal spending levels, as he emboldened his right flank to push for steep spending reductions.

History: McCarthy ousted as House Speaker; Mo. GOP lawmakers vote no

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting and have made an arrest.

Just before 3:30 p.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a shooting call at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and 3rd Street in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebilledo. 

The calling party reported seeing a slow-moving vehicle hit a pole and several people exiting the vehicle and running in different directions.

First responders located&nbsp; 18-year-old Jaqualen Dupree of Wichita.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;inside the vehicle he was driving unconscious and with an apparent gunshot wound to his upper body. Officers and EMS personnel began providing life-saving efforts. Dupree was transported to a local hospital in critical condition where he was later pronounced deceased by medical staff.

On Tuesday, police reported the arrest of an 18-year-old man on requested charges of second-degree murder, according to Rebolledo. The investigators are still working to fully determine what led up to the fatal shoot

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696349576450.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting and have made an arrest.Just before 3:30 p.m. Monday, police were dispatched to a shooting call at the intersection of Broadway Avenue and 3rd Street in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebilledo. The calling party reported seeing a slow-moving vehicle hit a pole and several people exiting the vehicle and running in different directions.First responders located&nbsp; 18-year-old Jaqualen Dupree of Wichita.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;inside the vehicle he was driving unconscious and with an apparent gunshot wound to his upper body. Officers and EMS personnel began providing life-saving efforts. Dupree was transported to a local hospital in critical condition where he was later pronounced deceased by medical staff.On Tuesday, police reported the arrest of an 18-year-old man on requested charges of second-degree murder, according to Rebolledo. The investigators are still working to fully determine what led up to the fatal shoot

Suspect arrested for deadly shooting of Kan. 16-year-old

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

Complaints about student debt relief scams are increasing as the date approaches for borrowers to restart payment on their student loans after more than a three-year pause.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677600500744.png" alt="Student debt relief advocates gather outside the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023.&nbsp;The Supreme Court’s decision that the Biden administration didn’t have the authority to cancel student debt helped sow confusion that scammers are using to their advantage. -White House image" />
 <figcaption>Student debt relief advocates gather outside the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023.&nbsp;The Supreme Court’s decision that the Biden administration didn’t have the authority to cancel student debt helped sow confusion that scammers are using to their advantage. -White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>By CASEY QUINLAN,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/19/rural-hospitals-gird-for-unwinding-of-pandemic-medicaid-coverage/">States Newsroom</a>Complaints about student debt relief scams are increasing as the date approaches for borrowers to restart payment on their student loans after more than a three-year pause.Consumer protection advocates say that the Biden administration’s student debt relief efforts, the subsequent halting of those policies by the courts, and the restart of student loan payments have bred confusion that allow companies to take advantage of borrowers.“There is sort of this perfect storm out there that I think is allowing these fraudsters to prey on people,” said Dan Zibel, vice president, chief counsel, and co-founder of Student Defense, a nonprofit focused on student rights.Zibel said that there has been a lot of policy and legal news on student debt relief for borrowers to absorb in a couple years.“There is news about repayment plans, news about cancellation, different types of cancellation, whether it’s public service loan forgiveness or fraud-based cancellation, the COVID pause, and then the courts get involved. Debt forgiveness is happening. Debt forgiveness is not happening. There’s new debt forgiveness,” he said. “ … I think that sows confusion for a lot of people.”And with 44 million owing more than $1.7 trillion — the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/pro-take-auto-loans-pass-student-loans-in-consumer-debt-load-fed-data-shows-b3a4a53#:~:text=Auto%20loans%20have%20squeaked%20past,the%20largest%20debt%20for%20consumers.">third highest consumer debt</a>&nbsp;in the U.S.&nbsp;— the appetite for relief is great and makes many easy prey for scammers.Many of the debt relief scams often start with a telemarketing call where borrowers are promised debt relief if they pay a regular fee. The callers ask for sensitive personal information, and mislead borrowers about being affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education and student loan servicers. Some mention “Biden Loan Forgiveness.”The number of complaints coming to the FTC about student debt relief scams has steadily risen in the past few months as the restart of student loan payments approaches, from 385 in June to 562 in July and 610 in August. And the FTC and Department of Justice&nbsp; have been cracking down on the scammers. In August, the agencies returned $9 million to people who paid up to $800 in upfront fees to Ameritech Financial, to take part in what they thought was a federal loan assistance program. The scam also led borrowers to believe that their membership fees would help pay their student loan balance. Arete Financial Group, which said it was affiliated with the Department of Education, had a similar scam that convinced people to make upfront payments. The FTC sent $3.3 million to those consumers in June.The FTC also has started working with law enforcement agencies and attorneys general to stop illegal telemarketing calls. Some telemarketing campaigns have included scammers pretending to be the government or businesses, luring unsuspecting student loan borrowers.<h2>How we got here</h2>The Biden administration has undertaken a number of policy efforts in the past few years to reduce the burden of student loan debt, including a program announced in August 2022 that borrowers who qualified could have up to $20,000 of federal student loans canceled.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/01/27/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-releases-new-data-showing-26-million-people-in-all-50-states-applied-or-were-automatically-eligible-for-one-time-student-debt-relief/">Twenty-six million people</a>&nbsp;applied or sent enough information to the U.S. Department of Education applying for the relief. However, the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/30/us/student-loan-forgiveness-supreme-court-biden.html">ruled against</a>&nbsp;the plan in June of this year, finding that the administration did not have the authority to cancel the debt. Since then, the administration returned with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/08/22/fact-sheet-the-biden-harris-administration-launches-the-save-plan-the-most-affordable-student-loan-repayment-plan-ever-to-lower-monthly-payments-for-millions-of-borrowers/#:~:text=Bring%20many%20borrowers%27%20loan%20payments%20to%20%240%20per%20month.&amp;text=The%20Department%20of%20Education%20estimates,needs%20instead%20of%20loan%20payments.">SAVE Plan</a>, a new income-driven repayment plan that allows some lower-income borrowers to pay nothing each month and lets some receive early student loan cancellation, among other benefits. Students who have been defrauded by for-profit colleges are also continuing to receive&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-admin-canceling-130m-students-ripped-off-colorado/story?id=101643434">student loan cancellation</a>.Zibel said that student debt relief scams tend to target borrowers who are the most vulnerable, whether they’re struggling economically or have language barriers that could make people less able to identify fraud.But anyone could potentially be tricked by these schemes, said Kyra Taylor, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. She said scammers are getting more sophisticated.“I’ve heard reports from borrowers that scammers spoofed their student loan servicers email. And the only way you could tell that it was a spoof was by rolling your mouse over the links,” she said. “The scammers are so sophisticated and because the student loan system is so complicated, anyone could be vulnerable, especially if you’re getting an email that looks like it’s from your (student loan) servicer on its face. I think it’s getting harder and harder to tell.”<h2>How to spot a scam</h2>Taylor offers some advice to borrowers who may find themselves wondering whether they’re being scammed. For example, she tells borrowers not to provide sensitive information such as a Social Security number to someone they believe is a student loan servicer.“We’re getting closer to restarting payment and people are expecting that their servicer is going to reach out to them. The servicer could be calling you but if they’re asking for personally identifiable information, I would hang up and call them back just to make sure that you’re talking to the right person,” she said. “The other piece is that it’s very unusual for the Department of Education to call folks. Any time you’re getting a call from someone saying they’re from the Department of Education, I think folks should be more skeptical.”Mark Kantrowitz, an expert on financial aid and author of “How to Appeal for More College Financial Aid” told States Newsroom in an email that it’s a bad idea to share your financial student aid ID, which is your username and password, with a third party, because they can make changes you may not be aware of and will end up being responsible for. When borrowers log in, the federal student aid website makes it clear that the use of this information by a third party “for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain” is prohibited and subject to criminal prosecution, he added.Taylor and Zibel said there are things the government can do to reduce the damage done by student debt relief scams. Taylor said that if the government automated relief to borrowers, scammers would have fewer opportunities to insert themselves into the process. Zibel said that the government should continue to educate people as return to payment begins on where to find legitimate sources of information on their student loans.The FTC also offers&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/08/dont-pay-help-your-federal-student-loans">advice</a>&nbsp;on how to spot scams. The agency says it’s a red flag if someone tries to charge you for debt relief services before they have done anything for you as a borrower. Ari Lazarus, a consumer education specialist at the FTC,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/08/dont-pay-help-your-federal-student-loans">explained in</a>&nbsp;an August&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/08/dont-pay-help-your-federal-student-loans">blog</a>, “ …Nobody but a scammer will ever offer you quick loan forgiveness.” Experts on these scams also remind borrowers that no one has to pay for help with student loan relief and advise borrowers to look at the federal student loan website.Janet Yuen learned too late that she did not have to pay for help. In 2019, after receiving a phone call from A Better Solution Student Loans, or ABS Student Loans, she agreed to pay the company $33 a month to lower her debt.Yuen, a social worker in Southern California, told States Newsroom that she quit making payments on her student loans because she thought ABS Student Loans was doing so on her behalf. Yuen said she paid $33 a month from October 2019 to November 2021 to ABS Student Loans and provided the company with the username and password to her student loan website.She has about $263,600 in student loan debt and is out almost $900 —&nbsp; the money she paid ABS Student Loans that she said would have otherwise been spent on financial needs such as paying medical bills.Yuen said she has contacted the FTC but the agency could not tell States Newsroom whether it is investigating the company because it does not make investigations public.There is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ag.state.mn.us/Office/Communications/2023/09/06_StudentLoanDebt.asp#:~:text=Attorney%20General%20Ellison%20opens%20investigation,student%2Dloan%20debt%2Drelief%20companies&amp;text=September%206%2C%202023%20(SAINT%20PAUL,suspected%20of%20violating%20Minnesota%20law.">at least one</a>&nbsp;government investigation into ABS Student Loans through Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office. On Sept. 6, Ellison announced that 52 student debt relief companies are suspected of violating state law by not registering before offering debt settlement services and possibly misrepresenting fees and services, including ABS Student Loans. Deputy chief of staff for the attorney general, John Stiles, told States Newsroom that the office has asked ABS Student Loans how many customers it has in the state but the company has not yet responded.ABS Student Loans’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://absstudentloans.com/privacy.html">website</a>&nbsp;includes information that it is not affiliated with a government agency and that borrowers do not have to use a third party to apply for student debt relief under a link to its privacy policy at the bottom of its website. The California-based company did not respond to States Newsroom’s multiple requests for information.