JEFFERSON CITY (AP) —Kelly C. Broniec, chief judge of the Eastern District of the Missouri Court of Appeals in St. Louis, was named Tuesday to the Missouri Supreme Court.

Republican Gov. Mike Parson announced the choice during a news conference in Jefferson City. Broniec will replace the retiring George W. Draper III, who was appointed by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon in 2011. Parson appointed Broniec to the state appeals court in 2020.

“Her experience and perspective ensures that she will be a balanced and fair judge,” Parson said. “And we are confident that her appointment will help reshape and strengthen the Missouri Supreme Court and our judicial system as a whole.”

Broniec pledged that she "will not be attempting to make laws. I will interpret them and apply them to the facts in each case in determining if there were prejudicial legal errors made in the cases that come before us."

Parson will have another opportunity to shape the court soon — Judge Patricia Breckenridge is retiring effective Oct. 13. Breckenridge was appointed by Republican Gov. Matt Blunt in 2007. Both Draper and Breckenridge this year reached the court's mandatory retirement age of 70.

Once Parson appoints the replacement for Breckenridge, he will have named three of the seven members of the state's High Court. He also appointed Judge Robin Ransom in 2021.

The governor's appointment power is far more limited than the president's power to name someone to the U.S. Supreme Court. In Missouri, a seven-member commission nominates three candidates to fill state Supreme Court vacancies.

The commission is chaired by the state Supreme Court's chief justice, Mary Rhodes Russell, appointed by a Democrat. The commission also includes three lawyers elected by members of the Missouri Bar, and three appointees selected by the governor.

Michael Wolff, a former Missouri Supreme Court chief justice and a dean emeritus at the St. Louis University School of Law, said Broniec is well-regarded and isn’t an “idealogue.”

Wolfe said the Missouri system is set up to take the politics out of the process, and he believes it works well.

“The good thing about the Missouri plan is first of all, it’s not a wide-open choice,” Wolff said. “The governor has to take one of these three or else the commission will make the appointment.”

Once considered a swing state a decade ago, Missouri now has a supermajority of Republicans in the both houses of the General Assembly. Every statewide officeholder is a Republican.

Broniec, 52, lives in the small eastern Missouri town of Montgomery City. She has a bachelor's degree from William Woods University and a law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. She served as Montgomery County's prosecutor from 1999 to 2006.

Other finalists from the commission's list were Ginger K. Gooch, an appeals court judge in Springfield; and Michael E. Gardner, an appeals court judge in St. Louis.

JEFFERSON CITY (AP) —Kelly C. Broniec, chief judge of the Eastern District of the Missouri Court of Appeals in St. Louis, was named Tuesday to the Missouri Supreme Court.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovMikeParson%2Fvideos%2F703177711631416%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=288" 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>Republican Gov. Mike Parson announced the choice during a news conference in Jefferson City. Broniec will replace the retiring George W. Draper III, who was appointed by Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon in 2011. Parson appointed Broniec to the state appeals court in 2020.“Her experience and perspective ensures that she will be a balanced and fair judge,” Parson said. “And we are confident that her appointment will help reshape and strengthen the Missouri Supreme Court and our judicial system as a whole.”Broniec pledged that she "will not be attempting to make laws. I will interpret them and apply them to the facts in each case in determining if there were prejudicial legal errors made in the cases that come before us."Parson will have another opportunity to shape the court soon — Judge Patricia Breckenridge is retiring effective Oct. 13. Breckenridge was appointed by Republican Gov. Matt Blunt in 2007. Both Draper and Breckenridge this year reached the court's mandatory retirement age of 70.Once Parson appoints the replacement for Breckenridge, he will have named three of the seven members of the state's High Court. He also appointed Judge Robin Ransom in 2021.The governor's appointment power is far more limited than the president's power to name someone to the U.S. Supreme Court. In Missouri, a seven-member commission nominates three candidates to fill state Supreme Court vacancies.The commission is chaired by the state Supreme Court's chief justice, Mary Rhodes Russell, appointed by a Democrat. The commission also includes three lawyers elected by members of the Missouri Bar, and three appointees selected by the governor.Michael Wolff, a former Missouri Supreme Court chief justice and a dean emeritus at the St. Louis University School of Law, said Broniec is well-regarded and isn’t an “idealogue.”Wolfe said the Missouri system is set up to take the politics out of the process, and he believes it works well.“The good thing about the Missouri plan is first of all, it’s not a wide-open choice,” Wolff said. “The governor has to take one of these three or else the commission will make the appointment.”Once considered a swing state a decade ago, Missouri now has a supermajority of Republicans in the both houses of the General Assembly. Every statewide officeholder is a Republican.Broniec, 52, lives in the small eastern Missouri town of Montgomery City. She has a bachelor's degree from William Woods University and a law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law. She served as Montgomery County's prosecutor from 1999 to 2006.Other finalists from the commission's list were Ginger K. Gooch, an appeals court judge in Springfield; and Michael E. Gardner, an appeals court judge in St. Louis.

🎥Former prosecutor selected to fill Missouri Supreme Court vacancy

TOPEKA –Governor Laura Kelly sent a letter to President Joe Biden through the Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting a major federal disaster declaration for the state due to damages sustained in multiple Kansas counties by several rounds of severe weather, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Emergency Management.

From June 27 through August 8, Kansas was hit with multiple severe thunderstorms that included strong damaging winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, large hail, and tornadoes.&nbsp;

“Over that two-month period, many Kansas counties experienced some sort of severe weather,” Governor Kelly said. “The damages inflicted by these storms have severely affected the safety and livelihoods of Kansans across the state. I have ordered the adjutant general to activate the disaster response and recovery portions of the Kansas Response Plan and to use all available resources of the state to cope with the disaster, as necessary.”&nbsp;

The governor is seeking public assistance for the following counties to repair vital infrastructure: Allen, Barber, Barton, Chautauqua, Cheyenne, Clark, Comanche, Cowley, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Franklin, Graham, Gray, Greely, Jefferson, Jewell, Johnson, Kearney, Marshall, McPherson, Meade, Mitchell, Nemaha, Norton, Osborne, Pawnee, Phillips, Rawlins, Republic, Rice, Rush, Russell, Seward, Sherman, Stafford, Sumner, Thomas, Wallace, Washington, Wichita, Woodson, and Wyandotte.&nbsp;

Governor Kelly said the total federal expenditure is expected to meet or exceed $18,687,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683887984526.png" alt="The tornado damaged USD 242 Weskan, Kansas- Photo courtesy Wallace County Sheriff Marshall Unruh" />
 <figcaption>The tornado damaged USD 242 Weskan, Kansas- Photo courtesy Wallace County Sheriff Marshall Unruh</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA –Governor Laura Kelly sent a letter to President Joe Biden through the Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting a major federal disaster declaration for the state due to damages sustained in multiple Kansas counties by several rounds of severe weather, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Emergency Management.From June 27 through August 8, Kansas was hit with multiple severe thunderstorms that included strong damaging winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, large hail, and tornadoes.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694600149654.png" alt="The tornado damaged USD 242 Weskan, Kansas -Photo courtesy Wallace County Sheriff Marshall Unruh" />
 <figcaption>The tornado damaged USD 242 Weskan, Kansas -Photo courtesy Wallace County Sheriff Marshall Unruh</figcaption>
 </figure>“Over that two-month period, many Kansas counties experienced some sort of severe weather,” Governor Kelly said. “The damages inflicted by these storms have severely affected the safety and livelihoods of Kansans across the state. I have ordered the adjutant general to activate the disaster response and recovery portions of the Kansas Response Plan and to use all available resources of the state to cope with the disaster, as necessary.”&nbsp;The governor is seeking public assistance for the following counties to repair vital infrastructure: Allen, Barber, Barton, Chautauqua, Cheyenne, Clark, Comanche, Cowley, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Franklin, Graham, Gray, Greely, Jefferson, Jewell, Johnson, Kearney, Marshall, McPherson, Meade, Mitchell, Nemaha, Norton, Osborne, Pawnee, Phillips, Rawlins, Republic, Rice, Rush, Russell, Seward, Sherman, Stafford, Sumner, Thomas, Wallace, Washington, Wichita, Woodson, and Wyandotte.&nbsp;Governor Kelly said the total federal expenditure is expected to meet or exceed $18,687,000.

Gov. requests $18M in federal aid for Kansas due to severe weather 

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Tuesday afternoon involving a deputy from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

Just after 2:30 p.m., deputies from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office initiated a car stop on a suspected stolen pickup truck near Andover. The driver of the white truck fled, prompting a vehicle pursuit.

Preliminary information indicates the pursuit ended at 159th&nbsp;Street and Bordeulac Street, near the Butler and Sedgwick county line, when the 21-year-old male driver wrecked the truck.

 He exited and fled on foot into a residential neighborhood. Multiple deputies pursued him on foot. The man then got into a large, white, unoccupied moving truck and attempted to drive southbound. The deputies approached the truck and a deputy deployed a taser with limited effect. He continued driving south a short distance in the direction of a deputy who fired one round, striking the subject. The shot was fired just before 3 p.m.

The truck continued forward crashing into a garage, and coming to rest on the front porch of a house. Deputies began life-saving measures. EMS responded and transported the man to a Wichita hospital with critical injuries. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.

The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into this incident. Once the investigation concludes, the findings will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for review.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694598739181.png" alt="Scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Tuesday afternoon involving a deputy from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.Just after 2:30 p.m., deputies from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office initiated a car stop on a suspected stolen pickup truck near Andover. The driver of the white truck fled, prompting a vehicle pursuit.Preliminary information indicates the pursuit ended at 159th&nbsp;Street and Bordeulac Street, near the Butler and Sedgwick county line, when the 21-year-old male driver wrecked the truck. He exited and fled on foot into a residential neighborhood. Multiple deputies pursued him on foot. The man then got into a large, white, unoccupied moving truck and attempted to drive southbound. The deputies approached the truck and a deputy deployed a taser with limited effect. He continued driving south a short distance in the direction of a deputy who fired one round, striking the subject. The shot was fired just before 3 p.m.The truck continued forward crashing into a garage, and coming to rest on the front porch of a house. Deputies began life-saving measures. EMS responded and transported the man to a Wichita hospital with critical injuries. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into this incident. Once the investigation concludes, the findings will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney for review.

KBI: Police chase ends in Kansas officer shooting 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Dariyland building on the Kansas State Fairgrounds is a place where Kansans can learn about where their milk comes from. Dairy farming is a growing part of animal agriculture in Kansas.&nbsp;

Kari Hamilton works as a mobile classroom instructor for Southwest Dairy Farm. She presents live cow milking demonstrations every day at the fair.&nbsp;

"It is so very important to let everyone know how good milk is for you and how well the animals are taken care of," said Hamilton. "Dairy cows are very happy, healthy animals and I just like to spread the awareness about how important milk is for us."

On Tuesday morning, Hamilton did a live milking demonstration of a Jersey dairy cow named Hazel Grace Blossom. She used a milking claw. The claw works by suctioning the milk out of a cow's udder.&nbsp;

Hamilton said Jersey cows are milked twice in the morning and evening, and can produce 6 gallons of milk per day.&nbsp;

She also talked to the crowd about why milk is an essential part of a daily diet, and the features of a dairy cow. Milk from Jersey cows is best used for butter, cheese and ice cream.

"When you are getting those 3-4 servings of dairy you are giving yourself healthy blood pressure," Hamilton said to the audience. "It's good for our body in so many ways, so remember to get those 3-4 or more servings of dairy every day."&nbsp;

More information about dairy cattle and Southwest Dairy Farmers is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southwestdairyfarmers.com/">southwestdairyfarmers.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694596882304.jpeg" alt="Kari Hamilton teaches about cow milking on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the Kansas State Fair-Photo by Emmie Boese" />
 <figcaption>Kari Hamilton teaches about cow milking on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the Kansas State Fair-Photo by Emmie Boese</figcaption>
 </figure>EMMIE BOESEHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Dariyland building on the Kansas State Fairgrounds is a place where Kansans can learn about where their milk comes from. Dairy farming is a growing part of animal agriculture in Kansas.&nbsp;Kari Hamilton works as a mobile classroom instructor for Southwest Dairy Farm. She presents live cow milking demonstrations every day at the fair.&nbsp;"It is so very important to let everyone know how good milk is for you and how well the animals are taken care of," said Hamilton. "Dairy cows are very happy, healthy animals and I just like to spread the awareness about how important milk is for us."On Tuesday morning, Hamilton did a live milking demonstration of a Jersey dairy cow named Hazel Grace Blossom. She used a milking claw. The claw works by suctioning the milk out of a cow's udder.&nbsp;Hamilton said Jersey cows are milked twice in the morning and evening, and can produce 6 gallons of milk per day.&nbsp;She also talked to the crowd about why milk is an essential part of a daily diet, and the features of a dairy cow. Milk from Jersey cows is best used for butter, cheese and ice cream."When you are getting those 3-4 servings of dairy you are giving yourself healthy blood pressure," Hamilton said to the audience. "It's good for our body in so many ways, so remember to get those 3-4 or more servings of dairy every day."&nbsp;More information about dairy cattle and Southwest Dairy Farmers is available at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southwestdairyfarmers.com/">southwestdairyfarmers.com</a>.

State Fair: Milking parlor teaches about growing Kansas industry

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a shooting that critically injured a man.

Just before 8p.m. September 9th, 2023, at approximately 7:48pm, Montgomery County Dispatch received a 911 call of a subject who had been shot 210 E. Bell Street in rural Wayside, Kansas thirteen miles southwest of Independence on US 75 highway, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

 Dispatch received information that the suspect had left the scene. 

 Independence City Fire and EMS along with Havana Rural Fire were also dispatched.  Upon Montgomery County Deputies arrival, they located a man later Identified as Nathaniel Rush of Caney, Kansas who had critical injuries and needed immediate medial attention. 

 Deputies started assisting with Rush’s injuries until Paramedics arrived on scene and took over.  Rush was life flighted to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries. 

 Detectives, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and MGSO crime scene unit began processing the scene.  Deputies along with the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) were tasked to search for the suspect. 

 Later KHP located the suspect vehicle at a residence in Independence, Kansas. Troopers and sheriff's deputies located the suspect later identified as 53-year-old Robert Darrow of Wayside, Kansas and took him into custody. 

Darrow is being held on requested charges of second degree attempted murder.&nbsp; Rush remained hospitalized Tuesday but is improving, according to Wade.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694541148406.png" alt="Darrow-photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Darrow-photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a shooting that critically injured a man.Just before 8p.m. September 9th, 2023, at approximately 7:48pm, Montgomery County Dispatch received a 911 call of a subject who had been shot 210 E. Bell Street in rural Wayside, Kansas thirteen miles southwest of Independence on US 75 highway, according to Sheriff Ron Wade. Dispatch received information that the suspect had left the scene. Independence City Fire and EMS along with Havana Rural Fire were also dispatched. Upon Montgomery County Deputies arrival, they located a man later Identified as Nathaniel Rush of Caney, Kansas who had critical injuries and needed immediate medial attention. Deputies started assisting with Rush’s injuries until Paramedics arrived on scene and took over. Rush was life flighted to an area hospital to be treated for his injuries. Detectives, Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and MGSO crime scene unit began processing the scene. Deputies along with the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) were tasked to search for the suspect. Later KHP located the suspect vehicle at a residence in Independence, Kansas. Troopers and sheriff's deputies located the suspect later identified as 53-year-old Robert Darrow of Wayside, Kansas and took him into custody. Darrow is being held on requested charges of second degree attempted murder.&nbsp; Rush remained hospitalized Tuesday but is improving, according to Wade.

Deputies, KHP track down Kansas shooting suspect

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

Just after 9 p.m. Sept. 9, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S.75 Highway, near Carbondale for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, illegal narcotics were located.

The driver of the vehicle, Mickey J. R. Mullican, 19, of Topeka, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Possession of cocaine, Minor in possession of alcohol andFail to appear arrest warrant

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694395720208.png" alt="Mullican-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Mullican-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just after 9 p.m. Sept. 9, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S.75 Highway, near Carbondale for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, illegal narcotics were located.The driver of the vehicle, Mickey J. R. Mullican, 19, of Topeka, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Possession of cocaine, Minor in possession of alcohol andFail to appear arrest warrant

Sheriff: Kansas teen was driving with alcohol and cocaine

OTOE COUNTY —The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating a crash that involved a school bus on Tuesday morning on Highway 2 east of Palmyra, according to a media release from the patrol. Several students were injured in the crash.

At approximately 7:35 a.m. Tuesday, the patrol received a report of a crash involving a school bus approximately one mile east of Palmyra. Troopers, Otoe County Sheriff’s Deputies, and rescue crews from Palmyra, Douglas, Syracuse, and Nebraska City all responded.

Upon arrival, several students were found with mostly minor injuries. All nine students aboard the bus were transported to Bryan Health Center West Campus with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. 

The students were all between ages 5 and 14. Parents were reunited with their kids at the hospital. Both drivers involved were also transported with non-life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary investigation shows that the bus was westbound on Highway 2 when it was slowing to turn onto a driveway. A westbound Ford F-150 then failed to slow down and rear-ended the bus causing it to roll onto its side.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694549876083.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH TV</figcaption>
 </figure>OTOE COUNTY —The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating a crash that involved a school bus on Tuesday morning on Highway 2 east of Palmyra, according to a media release from the patrol. Several students were injured in the crash.At approximately 7:35 a.m. Tuesday, the patrol received a report of a crash involving a school bus approximately one mile east of Palmyra. Troopers, Otoe County Sheriff’s Deputies, and rescue crews from Palmyra, Douglas, Syracuse, and Nebraska City all responded.Upon arrival, several students were found with mostly minor injuries. All nine students aboard the bus were transported to Bryan Health Center West Campus with what are believed to be non-life-threatening injuries. The students were all between ages 5 and 14. Parents were reunited with their kids at the hospital. Both drivers involved were also transported with non-life-threatening injuries.Preliminary investigation shows that the bus was westbound on Highway 2 when it was slowing to turn onto a driveway. A westbound Ford F-150 then failed to slow down and rear-ended the bus causing it to roll onto its side.&nbsp;

Students injured after pickup, Nebraska school bus crash 

BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident and asking the public for help to identify the victim.

Just after 9p.m. Monday, Butler County emergency crews responded to the report of a vehicle vs pedestrian accident on U.S. 54&nbsp;between SW Indianola Road and SW Tawakoni Road east of Andover, according to Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.

&nbsp;The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigation of the crash scene indicates that a westbound 2015 Honda According struck the pedestrian who was walking in the outside westbound lane of traffic of U.S. 54 

&nbsp;Driver impairment is not believed to be a factor but it will take time for test results for the pedestrian. 

The Sheriff’s Office has been unable to identify the pedestrian. He is described as a white or hispanic male believed to be in his twenties, with short black hair, a short beard, numerous tattoos and was dressed in black jeans and a gray tank top. 

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office is asking for anyone who may have seen this person, or may have any information as to his identity, to please contact our office at 316-322-4254.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694546710445.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the fatal pedestrian accident-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the fatal pedestrian accident-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident and asking the public for help to identify the victim.Just after 9p.m. Monday, Butler County emergency crews responded to the report of a vehicle vs pedestrian accident on U.S. 54&nbsp;between SW Indianola Road and SW Tawakoni Road east of Andover, according to Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.&nbsp;The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.Investigation of the crash scene indicates that a westbound 2015 Honda According struck the pedestrian who was walking in the outside westbound lane of traffic of U.S. 54 &nbsp;Driver impairment is not believed to be a factor but it will take time for test results for the pedestrian. The Sheriff’s Office has been unable to identify the pedestrian. He is described as a white or hispanic male believed to be in his twenties, with short black hair, a short beard, numerous tattoos and was dressed in black jeans and a gray tank top. The Butler County Sheriff’s Office is asking for anyone who may have seen this person, or may have any information as to his identity, to please contact our office at 316-322-4254.

Sheriff asks for help to ID victim in fatal Kan. pedestrian accident

By JENNIFER SHUTT&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice asked the Supreme Court to decide whether the abortion pill should remain on the market after two lower courts issued differing opinions about its use.

The case, Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will likely be the second time the conservative-leaning Supreme Court rules on access to abortion since former President Donald Trump nominated three new justices, shifting the balance of power.

“The loss of access to mifepristone would be damaging for women and healthcare providers around the Nation,” the DOJ wrote in the 42-page document. “For many patients, mifepristone is the best method to lawfully terminate their early pregnancies. They may choose mifepristone over surgical abortion because of medical necessity, a desire for privacy, or past trauma.”

“Surgical abortion is an invasive medical procedure that can have greater health risks for some patients, such as those who are allergic to anesthesia,” DOJ added.

The DOJ called on the Supreme Court to take up the case by arguing that lower courts erred in several ways, including by making “serious legal errors.”

“The court scarcely acknowledged FDA’s detailed analysis of the available scientific evidence,” DOJ wrote. “Instead, it faulted FDA for failing to cite studies that do not exist and for failing to explicitly respond to unfounded objections that were not raised during the administrative process.”

Alliance Defending Freedom, an anti-abortion legal organization,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-could-decide-soon-february-yank-abortion-pill-nationwide">filed the lawsuit in November</a>&nbsp;on behalf of four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors.

The case argued the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas should overturn the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 2000 approval of mifepristone, the first of two drugs used in medication abortion.

The original filing in the case said that if the judge didn’t end legal access to mifepristone, the court should revert prescribing and dosage to what was approved before 2016.

District Court Judge Matthew Joseph Kacsmaryk&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-administration-appeals-judges-ruling-ordering-abortion-pill-us-market">issued a ruling in April</a>&nbsp;that essentially overturned the FDA’s 2000 approval of mifepristone, which is also commonly used in miscarriage treatment.

The U.S. Supreme Court later&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-preserves-access-abortion-pill-lawsuit-continues">issued a temporary stay of that ruling,</a>&nbsp;keeping mifepristone on the market until the justices decide whether to take up the case as part of the appeals process.

The district court ruling from Kacsmaryk was appealed to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, which&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/three-judge-panel-us-appeals-court-hears-arguments-abortion-pill-case">heard oral arguments&nbsp;</a>in May and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/abortion-pill-stay-market-until-us-supreme-court-ruling-after-appeals-court-order-0">issued its ruling&nbsp;</a>in August.

The three-judge panel, made up of Republican-nominated judges, rejected the district judge’s decision to overturn the FDA’s 2000 approval of mifepristone. But the appeals court ruled the FDA should revert prescribing and dosage to what was in place before 2016.

The 5th Circuit wrote in its opinion that in “loosening mifepristone’s safety restrictions, FDA failed to address several important concerns about whether the drug would be safe for the women who use it.”

“It failed to consider the cumulative effect of removing several important safeguards at the same time. It failed to consider whether those ‘major’ and ‘interrelated’ changes might alter the risk profile, such that the agency should continue to mandate reporting of non-fatal adverse events,” the appeals judges wrote. “And it failed to gather evidence that affirmatively showed that mifepristone could be used safely without being prescribed and dispensed in person.”

That ruling remains on hold until the Supreme Court issues its own opinion, or refuses to hear the case. That means mifepristone remains an FDA-approved drug that health care providers can continue prescribing in line with current standards.

If the Supreme Court orders the FDA to revert to pre-2016 use and dosage of mifepristone, it would lead to several changes.

Mifepristone could only be used to end a pregnancy in patients up to seven weeks gestation, not the current 10-week benchmark.

Only doctors, not other healthcare providers with the authority to prescribe medications, would be able to administer mifepristone.

Patients would need to attend three in-person doctor’s office visits, removing the option to prescribe the drug via telehealth and send it to patients through the mail.

The dosage of mifepristone would revert to what was used before 2016, as would the timing of when patients take a second medication known as misoprostol.

A Department of Justice spokesperson said following the appeals court’s ruling in August that the “Department strongly disagrees with the Fifth Circuit’s decision in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA and will be seeking Supreme Court review of that decision.”

In the writ of certiorari the Department of Justice sent to the Supreme Court on Friday asking the justices to hear the case, its attorneys argued that the 5th Circuit decision could have “especially disruptive implications for the pharmaceutical industry and those who depend upon the drugs it supplies.”

“Indeed, a wide range of industry participants have warned that the lower courts’ approach would ‘result in a seismic shift in the clinical development and drug approval processes, erecting unnecessary and unscientific barriers to the approval of lifesaving medicines, chilling drug development and investment, threatening patient access, and destabilizing the rigorous, well-established, and long-standing drug approval process.’”

The Department of Justice lawyers also wrote the 5th Circuit decision “did not conclude that mifepristone is unsafe.”

“Instead, the court held that FDA did not adequately explain its 2016 and 2021 actions,” DOJ attorneys wrote. “Even if that were true, those asserted failures of explanation would at most have justified a direction to FDA to further consider the relevant issues, without additional relief that would bar distribution of mifepristone as presently approved.”

If the U.S. Supreme Court decides to take up the case, the justices could issue a ruling as soon as next summer, just months before the 2024 presidential election.

The Supreme Court&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-overturns-right-abortion-landmark-decision-16">ruled in June 2022</a>&nbsp;that Americans no longer had the constitutional right to abortion that was established nearly 50 years before in the landmark Roe v. Wade case.

The Supreme Court&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf">wrote</a>&nbsp;that “the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680967457500.png" alt="In 23 years, the FDA has reported out of more than 5 million medication-abortion patients, 28 deaths, but not all necessarily because of mifepristone. -AP photo" />
 <figcaption>In 23 years, the FDA has reported out of more than 5 million medication-abortion patients, 28 deaths, but not all necessarily because of mifepristone. -AP photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By JENNIFER SHUTT&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice asked the Supreme Court to decide whether the abortion pill should remain on the market after two lower courts issued differing opinions about its use.The case, Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, will likely be the second time the conservative-leaning Supreme Court rules on access to abortion since former President Donald Trump nominated three new justices, shifting the balance of power.“The loss of access to mifepristone would be damaging for women and healthcare providers around the Nation,” the DOJ wrote in the 42-page document. “For many patients, mifepristone is the best method to lawfully terminate their early pregnancies. They may choose mifepristone over surgical abortion because of medical necessity, a desire for privacy, or past trauma.”“Surgical abortion is an invasive medical procedure that can have greater health risks for some patients, such as those who are allergic to anesthesia,” DOJ added.The DOJ called on the Supreme Court to take up the case by arguing that lower courts erred in several ways, including by making “serious legal errors.”“The court scarcely acknowledged FDA’s detailed analysis of the available scientific evidence,” DOJ wrote. “Instead, it faulted FDA for failing to cite studies that do not exist and for failing to explicitly respond to unfounded objections that were not raised during the administrative process.”Alliance Defending Freedom, an anti-abortion legal organization,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-could-decide-soon-february-yank-abortion-pill-nationwide">filed the lawsuit in November</a>&nbsp;on behalf of four anti-abortion medical organizations and four anti-abortion doctors.The case argued the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas should overturn the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s 2000 approval of mifepristone, the first of two drugs used in medication abortion.The original filing in the case said that if the judge didn’t end legal access to mifepristone, the court should revert prescribing and dosage to what was approved before 2016.District Court Judge Matthew Joseph Kacsmaryk&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-administration-appeals-judges-ruling-ordering-abortion-pill-us-market">issued a ruling in April</a>&nbsp;that essentially overturned the FDA’s 2000 approval of mifepristone, which is also commonly used in miscarriage treatment.The U.S. Supreme Court later&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-preserves-access-abortion-pill-lawsuit-continues">issued a temporary stay of that ruling,</a>&nbsp;keeping mifepristone on the market until the justices decide whether to take up the case as part of the appeals process.The district court ruling from Kacsmaryk was appealed to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, which&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/three-judge-panel-us-appeals-court-hears-arguments-abortion-pill-case">heard oral arguments&nbsp;</a>in May and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/abortion-pill-stay-market-until-us-supreme-court-ruling-after-appeals-court-order-0">issued its ruling&nbsp;</a>in August.The three-judge panel, made up of Republican-nominated judges, rejected the district judge’s decision to overturn the FDA’s 2000 approval of mifepristone. But the appeals court ruled the FDA should revert prescribing and dosage to what was in place before 2016.The 5th Circuit wrote in its opinion that in “loosening mifepristone’s safety restrictions, FDA failed to address several important concerns about whether the drug would be safe for the women who use it.”“It failed to consider the cumulative effect of removing several important safeguards at the same time. It failed to consider whether those ‘major’ and ‘interrelated’ changes might alter the risk profile, such that the agency should continue to mandate reporting of non-fatal adverse events,” the appeals judges wrote. “And it failed to gather evidence that affirmatively showed that mifepristone could be used safely without being prescribed and dispensed in person.”That ruling remains on hold until the Supreme Court issues its own opinion, or refuses to hear the case. That means mifepristone remains an FDA-approved drug that health care providers can continue prescribing in line with current standards.If the Supreme Court orders the FDA to revert to pre-2016 use and dosage of mifepristone, it would lead to several changes.Mifepristone could only be used to end a pregnancy in patients up to seven weeks gestation, not the current 10-week benchmark.Only doctors, not other healthcare providers with the authority to prescribe medications, would be able to administer mifepristone.Patients would need to attend three in-person doctor’s office visits, removing the option to prescribe the drug via telehealth and send it to patients through the mail.The dosage of mifepristone would revert to what was used before 2016, as would the timing of when patients take a second medication known as misoprostol.A Department of Justice spokesperson said following the appeals court’s ruling in August that the “Department strongly disagrees with the Fifth Circuit’s decision in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA and will be seeking Supreme Court review of that decision.”In the writ of certiorari the Department of Justice sent to the Supreme Court on Friday asking the justices to hear the case, its attorneys argued that the 5th Circuit decision could have “especially disruptive implications for the pharmaceutical industry and those who depend upon the drugs it supplies.”“Indeed, a wide range of industry participants have warned that the lower courts’ approach would ‘result in a seismic shift in the clinical development and drug approval processes, erecting unnecessary and unscientific barriers to the approval of lifesaving medicines, chilling drug development and investment, threatening patient access, and destabilizing the rigorous, well-established, and long-standing drug approval process.’”The Department of Justice lawyers also wrote the 5th Circuit decision “did not conclude that mifepristone is unsafe.”“Instead, the court held that FDA did not adequately explain its 2016 and 2021 actions,” DOJ attorneys wrote. “Even if that were true, those asserted failures of explanation would at most have justified a direction to FDA to further consider the relevant issues, without additional relief that would bar distribution of mifepristone as presently approved.”If the U.S. Supreme Court decides to take up the case, the justices could issue a ruling as soon as next summer, just months before the 2024 presidential election.The Supreme Court&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-overturns-right-abortion-landmark-decision-16">ruled in June 2022</a>&nbsp;that Americans no longer had the constitutional right to abortion that was established nearly 50 years before in the landmark Roe v. Wade case.The Supreme Court&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf">wrote</a>&nbsp;that “the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.”<figure>
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Justice Department wants Supreme Court to take up abortion pill case

SALINA —Federal authorities seized property of a Salina Speedway promoter who allegedly used false information to obtain funding from a federal pandemic relief program.

According to a criminal complaint filed in August and a supporting&nbsp; affidavit,&nbsp; Tommy D. Hendrickson, whose LinkedIn profile lists him as a promoter of the Salina Speedway and was employed as a paramedic at Life Touch EMS, an ambulance service in Salina, Kansas and Bill R. Nissen a resident of Douglas County, Kansas worked together to apply for and receive over $230,000 in a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.

According to an FBI agent statement in the affidavit,&nbsp;"I have probable cause to believe that Hendrickson and Nissen, personally and through, two companies they formed including SSW Promotions, 2841 South Burma Road, Salina and Offender Monitoring Services, created and implemented a scheme to defraud the United States Government and SBA of approximately $237, 897 or wire fraud.

"Further, the agent wrote in the affidavit, "I have probable cause to believe that by transferring and withdrawing funds in transactions greater than $10,000.00 that contained the proceeds of wire fraud, Hendrickson engaged in financial transactions that were in violation of 18 U.S.C. $ 1957(a) or money laundering."

In the loan application, Nissen stated the purpose of the loan was to fund payroll, utilities, and covered operations expenditures.&nbsp;

The Kansas Department of Labor and did not report any wages for any employee of the two organizations for 2017 -2020, according to affidavit.

The funds derived from the wire fraud offenses, according to the affidavit were used to purchase a $48,000 John Deere motor grader and a new $19,000 Polaris.

Nissen, according to affidavit, also completed and submitted, electronically, a PPP Loan Forgiveness Application. As part of the submission of the application, Nissen certified the two companies had complied with all requirements in the PPP Rules, including rules related to eligible uses of PPP loan proceeds.

In August of 2021, the SBA loan was forgiven in its entirety.

After an investigation, in June 2023, the FBI&nbsp; seized the John Deere motor grader and the Polaris in Salina.

The U.S. Small Business Administration inspector general's report in June indicated more than $200 billion may have been stolen nationwide from two large COVID-19 relief initiatives, according to new estimates from a federal watchdog investigating federally funded programs that helped small businesses survive the&nbsp;worst public health crisis in more than a hundred years.

<a href="https://www.sba.gov/document/report-23-09-covid-19-pandemic-eidl-ppp-loan-fraud-landscape">The numbers issued </a>by the U.S. Small Business Administration inspector general are much greater than the office's previous projections and underscore how vulnerable the Paycheck Protection and COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs were to fraudsters, particularly during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.

Federal officials continue to investigate&nbsp;Hendrickson and Nissen.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1588075781384.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SALINA —Federal authorities seized property of a Salina Speedway promoter who allegedly used false information to obtain funding from a federal pandemic relief program.According to a criminal complaint filed in August and a supporting&nbsp; affidavit,&nbsp; Tommy D. Hendrickson, whose LinkedIn profile lists him as a promoter of the Salina Speedway and was employed as a paramedic at Life Touch EMS, an ambulance service in Salina, Kansas and Bill R. Nissen a resident of Douglas County, Kansas worked together to apply for and receive over $230,000 in a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan.According to an FBI agent statement in the affidavit,&nbsp;"I have probable cause to believe that Hendrickson and Nissen, personally and through, two companies they formed including SSW Promotions, 2841 South Burma Road, Salina and Offender Monitoring Services, created and implemented a scheme to defraud the United States Government and SBA of approximately $237, 897 or wire fraud."Further, the agent wrote in the affidavit, "I have probable cause to believe that by transferring and withdrawing funds in transactions greater than $10,000.00 that contained the proceeds of wire fraud, Hendrickson engaged in financial transactions that were in violation of 18 U.S.C. $ 1957(a) or money laundering."In the loan application, Nissen stated the purpose of the loan was to fund payroll, utilities, and covered operations expenditures.&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Labor and did not report any wages for any employee of the two organizations for 2017 -2020, according to affidavit.The funds derived from the wire fraud offenses, according to the affidavit were used to purchase a $48,000 John Deere motor grader and a new $19,000 Polaris.Nissen, according to affidavit, also completed and submitted, electronically, a PPP Loan Forgiveness Application. As part of the submission of the application, Nissen certified the two companies had complied with all requirements in the PPP Rules, including rules related to eligible uses of PPP loan proceeds.In August of 2021, the SBA loan was forgiven in its entirety.After an investigation, in June 2023, the FBI&nbsp; seized the John Deere motor grader and the Polaris in Salina.The U.S. Small Business Administration inspector general's report in June indicated more than $200 billion may have been stolen nationwide from two large COVID-19 relief initiatives, according to new estimates from a federal watchdog investigating federally funded programs that helped small businesses survive the&nbsp;worst public health crisis in more than a hundred years.<a href="https://www.sba.gov/document/report-23-09-covid-19-pandemic-eidl-ppp-loan-fraud-landscape">The numbers issued </a>by the U.S. Small Business Administration inspector general are much greater than the office's previous projections and underscore how vulnerable the Paycheck Protection and COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs were to fraudsters, particularly during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic.Federal officials continue to investigate&nbsp;Hendrickson and Nissen.

Feds accuse Salina man in COVID relief fraud scheme

WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kevin-mccarthy">Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday he is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-speaker-biden-impeachment-republicans-shutdown-4d8c314763252429a6f87e7d13ad2b43">directing a House committee</a>&nbsp;to open an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden over his family's business dealings, launching historic proceedings ahead of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-2024-poll-old-corrupt-12b806876e2072790f9a67793761c688">2024 election.</a>

McCarthy said the House Oversight Committee's investigation so far has found a “culture of corruption” around the Biden family as Republicans probe the business dealings of Biden's son,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>, from before the Democratic president took office.

“These are allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption, and they warrant further investigation by the House of Representatives,” McCarthy, R-Calif., said outside the speaker's office at the Capitol. "That’s why today I am directing our House committee to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.”

The announcement comes as the Republican leader faces mounting pressure from his right flank to take action against Biden while he also is struggling to pass legislation needed to avoid a federal government shutdown at the end of the month.

An inquiry is step toward impeachment, and McCarthy essentially outlined potential charges. He is is planning to convene lawmakers behind closed doors multiple times this week, including for a meeting to discuss the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Biden</a>&nbsp;impeachment.

The Republican leader is once again at a political crossroads — trying to keep his most conservative lawmakers satisfied and prevent his own ouster. It’s a familiar political bind for McCarthy,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">who is juggling</a>&nbsp;the impeachment inquiry and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-impeachment-congress-funding-048dee639bb0dcb6604f05ba2f0782a8">government shutdown threat</a>&nbsp;with no clear end game.

Government funding is to run out on Sept. 30, which is the end of the federal fiscal year, and Congress must pass new funding bills or risk a shutdown and the interruption of government services.

Biden’s White House has dismissed the impeachment push as politically motivated.

“Speaker McCarthy shouldn’t cave to the extreme, far-right members who are threatening to shut down the government unless they get a baseless, evidence-free impeachment of President Biden. The consequences for the American people are too serious,” White House spokesman Ian Sams has said.

The impeachment push comes as Trump, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-impeachment-vote-capitol-siege-0a6f2a348a6e43f27d5e1dc486027860">twice impeached</a>&nbsp;by the House but acquitted by the Senate, faces more serious charges in court. Trump has been indicted four times this year, including for trying to overturn the 2020 election Biden won.

"This is a transparent effort to boost Donald Trump’s campaign by establishing a false moral equivalency between Trump — the four time-indicted former president" and Biden, who faces “zero evidence of wrongdoing whatsoever,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.

House Republicans are probing the business dealings of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;but so far have not produced hard evidence linking them and the president. They have shown a few instances largely during the time the elder Biden was Barack Obama's vice president when he spoke by phone with his son and stopped by dinners his son was hosting with business partners.

An impeachment inquiry would provide more heft to the House investigation, especially as it battles in court for access to Biden family financial records.

Republicans contend the Justice Department has not fully probed the allegations against Hunter Biden, and say he received preferential treatment in what they call a sweetheart plea deal that recently collapsed. The Department of Justice has appointed a special prosecutor in that probe.

"We will go wherever the evidence takes us,” McCarthy said.

The White House has insisted Biden was not involved in his son’s business dealings. And Democrats on the Oversight Committee are stepping up to fight against what they view as unfounded claims against him ahead of the 2024 election.

Rep. James Comer, the Republican chairman leading the Oversight Committee, is digging into the Biden family finances and is expected to seek banking records for Hunter Biden as the panel tries to follow the flow of money.

On Tuesday, Comer demanded the State Department produce documents about the work Biden did as vice president during the Obama administration to clean up corruption in Ukraine. Comer wants to understand the State Department's views of former Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin, whom Biden and many Western allies wanted removed from office because of allegations of corruption.

This comes as federal government funding is set to run out on Sept. 30, which is the end of the federal fiscal year, and Congress must pass new funding bills or risk a shutdown and the interruption of government services.

Conservatives who power McCarty's majority want to slash spending, and the hard right is unwilling to approve spending levels the speaker negotiated with Biden earlier this year.

McCarthy is trying to float a 30-day stopgap measure to keep government running to Nov. 1, but conservatives are balking at what's called a continuing resolution, or CR, as they pursue cuts.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said late Monday exiting McCarthy's office she has “red lines" against any new money being spent for COVID-19 vaccines or mandates or Russia's war in Ukraine.

Another Republican, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, a top Trump ally, is warning that McCarthy could face blowback from conservatives if he does not push hard for spending cuts.

At the start of the year, Gaetz and other Republicans secured agreements from McCarthy as he struggled to win their votes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-us-republican-party-0938c7358f41c83759246f8949ac7c15">become House speaker</a>.

Under the House rules, McCarthy's opponents are able to call a vote at any time to try to oust the speaker from office.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kevin-mccarthy">Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;said Tuesday he is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-speaker-biden-impeachment-republicans-shutdown-4d8c314763252429a6f87e7d13ad2b43">directing a House committee</a>&nbsp;to open an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden over his family's business dealings, launching historic proceedings ahead of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-2024-poll-old-corrupt-12b806876e2072790f9a67793761c688">2024 election.</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">House Speaker McCarthy: &quot;I am directing our House committee to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/ynjJXEZ5fT">pic.twitter.com/ynjJXEZ5fT</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1701626243404157141?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>McCarthy said the House Oversight Committee's investigation so far has found a “culture of corruption” around the Biden family as Republicans probe the business dealings of Biden's son,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>, from before the Democratic president took office.“These are allegations of abuse of power, obstruction and corruption, and they warrant further investigation by the House of Representatives,” McCarthy, R-Calif., said outside the speaker's office at the Capitol. "That’s why today I am directing our House committee to open a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Biden Crime Family, LLC.&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1701661375754322261?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The announcement comes as the Republican leader faces mounting pressure from his right flank to take action against Biden while he also is struggling to pass legislation needed to avoid a federal government shutdown at the end of the month.An inquiry is step toward impeachment, and McCarthy essentially outlined potential charges. He is is planning to convene lawmakers behind closed doors multiple times this week, including for a meeting to discuss the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Biden</a>&nbsp;impeachment.The Republican leader is once again at a political crossroads — trying to keep his most conservative lawmakers satisfied and prevent his own ouster. It’s a familiar political bind for McCarthy,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">who is juggling</a>&nbsp;the impeachment inquiry and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-impeachment-congress-funding-048dee639bb0dcb6604f05ba2f0782a8">government shutdown threat</a>&nbsp;with no clear end game.Government funding is to run out on Sept. 30, which is the end of the federal fiscal year, and Congress must pass new funding bills or risk a shutdown and the interruption of government services.Biden’s White House has dismissed the impeachment push as politically motivated.“Speaker McCarthy shouldn’t cave to the extreme, far-right members who are threatening to shut down the government unless they get a baseless, evidence-free impeachment of President Biden. The consequences for the American people are too serious,” White House spokesman Ian Sams has said.The impeachment push comes as Trump, who was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-impeachment-vote-capitol-siege-0a6f2a348a6e43f27d5e1dc486027860">twice impeached</a>&nbsp;by the House but acquitted by the Senate, faces more serious charges in court. Trump has been indicted four times this year, including for trying to overturn the 2020 election Biden won."This is a transparent effort to boost Donald Trump’s campaign by establishing a false moral equivalency between Trump — the four time-indicted former president" and Biden, who faces “zero evidence of wrongdoing whatsoever,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.House Republicans are probing the business dealings of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;but so far have not produced hard evidence linking them and the president. They have shown a few instances largely during the time the elder Biden was Barack Obama's vice president when he spoke by phone with his son and stopped by dinners his son was hosting with business partners.An impeachment inquiry would provide more heft to the House investigation, especially as it battles in court for access to Biden family financial records.Republicans contend the Justice Department has not fully probed the allegations against Hunter Biden, and say he received preferential treatment in what they call a sweetheart plea deal that recently collapsed. The Department of Justice has appointed a special prosecutor in that probe."We will go wherever the evidence takes us,” McCarthy said.The White House has insisted Biden was not involved in his son’s business dealings. And Democrats on the Oversight Committee are stepping up to fight against what they view as unfounded claims against him ahead of the 2024 election.Rep. James Comer, the Republican chairman leading the Oversight Committee, is digging into the Biden family finances and is expected to seek banking records for Hunter Biden as the panel tries to follow the flow of money.On Tuesday, Comer demanded the State Department produce documents about the work Biden did as vice president during the Obama administration to clean up corruption in Ukraine. Comer wants to understand the State Department's views of former Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin, whom Biden and many Western allies wanted removed from office because of allegations of corruption.This comes as federal government funding is set to run out on Sept. 30, which is the end of the federal fiscal year, and Congress must pass new funding bills or risk a shutdown and the interruption of government services.Conservatives who power McCarty's majority want to slash spending, and the hard right is unwilling to approve spending levels the speaker negotiated with Biden earlier this year.McCarthy is trying to float a 30-day stopgap measure to keep government running to Nov. 1, but conservatives are balking at what's called a continuing resolution, or CR, as they pursue cuts.Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said late Monday exiting McCarthy's office she has “red lines" against any new money being spent for COVID-19 vaccines or mandates or Russia's war in Ukraine.Another Republican, Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, a top Trump ally, is warning that McCarthy could face blowback from conservatives if he does not push hard for spending cuts.At the start of the year, Gaetz and other Republicans secured agreements from McCarthy as he struggled to win their votes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-us-republican-party-0938c7358f41c83759246f8949ac7c15">become House speaker</a>.Under the House rules, McCarthy's opponents are able to call a vote at any time to try to oust the speaker from office.

🎥House panel to open impeachment inquiry of President Biden

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged theft by deception in Manhattan.

Just after 3:00 p.m. Monday, a 58-year-old woman in the 100 Block of South Dartmouth Drive in Manhattan reported she was scammed into sending money to an unknown suspect she met online, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

 The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $120,000. 

Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged theft by deception in Manhattan.Just after 3:00 p.m. Monday, a 58-year-old woman in the 100 Block of South Dartmouth Drive in Manhattan reported she was scammed into sending money to an unknown suspect she met online, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $120,000. Anyone with information can contact&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rileycountypolice.org/287/Crime-Stoppers">Crime Stoppers</a>. Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Police: Kansas woman lost $120,000 in online scam

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has cleared the way for the release of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-iran-us-prisoners-swap-deal-billions-e17dc67521798a2836ab4a3213e9277b">five American citizens detained in Iran</a>&nbsp;by issuing a blanket waiver for international banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian money from South Korea to Qatar without fear of U.S. sanctions. In addition, as part of the deal, the administration has agreed to release five Iranian citizens held in the United States.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed off on the sanctions waivers late last week, a month after U.S. and Iranian officials said an agreement in principle was in place. Congress was not informed of the waiver decision until Monday, according to the notification, which was obtained by The Associated Press.

The outlines of the deal had been previously announced and the waiver was expected. But the notification marked the first time the administration said it was releasing five Iranian prisoners as part of the deal. The prisoners have not been named.

The waiver drew criticism of President Joe Biden from Republicans and others who say the deal will boost the Iranian economy at a time when Iran poses a growing threat to U.S. troops and Mideast allies.

On social media, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall criticized the decision and timing of the announcement. "Joe Biden releases 5 prisoners and $6 Billion to Iran, a leading state sponsor of terrorism."  "On the day we pay tribute and remember the victims of 9/11, one of the most horrific attacks on American soil, the Biden Admin brokered a deal with terrorists who openly shout ‘Death to America.'

On X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said “it’s ridiculous for US to be blackmailed into paying $6B for hostages which will help indirectly finance the number 1 foreign policy of Iran: terrorism.” Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas accused Biden of “paying ransom to the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism.”

The waiver means that European, Middle Eastern and Asian banks will not run afoul of U.S. sanctions in converting the money frozen in South Korea and transferring it to Qatar’s central bank, where it will be held for Iran to use for the purchase of humanitarian goods.

The transfer of the $6 billion was the critical element in the prisoner release deal, which saw four of the five American detainees transferred&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-prisoners-house-arrest-7be581f79f66636355600627dda3a5ae">from Iranian jails into house arrest</a>&nbsp;last month. The fifth detainee had already been under house arrest.

Due to numerous U.S. sanctions on foreign banks that engage in transactions aimed at benefitting Iran, several European countries had balked at participating in the transfer. Blinken’s waiver is aimed at easing their concerns about any risk of U.S. sanctions.

People familiar with negotiations said they expect the detainees will be released as early as next week.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-prisoners-ba31e3b9c145c0b4fe55d1a66f88b885">The American prisoners</a>&nbsp;include Siamak Namazi, who was detained in 2015 and was later sentenced to 10 years in prison on internationally criticized spying charges; Emad Sharghi, a venture capitalist sentenced to 10 years; and Morad Tahbaz, a British-American conservationist of Iranian descent who was arrested in 2018 and also received a 10-year sentence. The fourth and fifth prisoners were not identified.

“To facilitate their release, the United States has committed to release five Iranian nationals currently held in the United States and to permit the transfer of approximately $6 billion in restricted Iranian funds held in (South Korea) to restricted accounts in Qatar, where the funds will be available only for humanitarian trade,” Blinken wrote.

The sanctions waiver applies to banks and other financial institutions in South Korea, Germany, Ireland, Qatar and Switzerland.

“I determine that it is in the national security interest of the United States to waive the imposition of sanctions ... with respect to foreign financial institutions under the primary jurisdiction of Germany, Ireland, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, and Switzerland that are notified directly in writing by the U.S. government, to the extent necessary for such institutions to engage in transactions occurring on or after August 9, 2023,” Blinken wrote.

Sanctions waivers apply to transactions involving previously penalized entities such as the National Iranian Oil Company and Central Bank of Iran “ to transfer funds from accounts in the Republic of Korea to accounts in Switzerland and Germany and from accounts in Switzerland and Germany to accounts in Qatar, and to use the transferred funds for further humanitarian transactions in accordance with written guidance from the U.S. Government,” he wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694481015909.png" alt="Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed off on the sanctions waivers late last week, a month after U.S. and Iranian officials said an agreement in principle was in place.-photo U.S. Dept. of State" />
 <figcaption>Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed off on the sanctions waivers late last week, a month after U.S. and Iranian officials said an agreement in principle was in place.-photo U.S. Dept. of State</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration has cleared the way for the release of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-iran-us-prisoners-swap-deal-billions-e17dc67521798a2836ab4a3213e9277b">five American citizens detained in Iran</a>&nbsp;by issuing a blanket waiver for international banks to transfer $6 billion in frozen Iranian money from South Korea to Qatar without fear of U.S. sanctions. In addition, as part of the deal, the administration has agreed to release five Iranian citizens held in the United States.Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed off on the sanctions waivers late last week, a month after U.S. and Iranian officials said an agreement in principle was in place. Congress was not informed of the waiver decision until Monday, according to the notification, which was obtained by The Associated Press.The outlines of the deal had been previously announced and the waiver was expected. But the notification marked the first time the administration said it was releasing five Iranian prisoners as part of the deal. The prisoners have not been named.The waiver drew criticism of President Joe Biden from Republicans and others who say the deal will boost the Iranian economy at a time when Iran poses a growing threat to U.S. troops and Mideast allies.On social media, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall criticized the decision and timing of the announcement. "Joe Biden releases 5 prisoners and $6 Billion to Iran, a leading state sponsor of terrorism." "On the day we pay tribute and remember the victims of 9/11, one of the most horrific attacks on American soil, the Biden Admin brokered a deal with terrorists who openly shout ‘Death to America.'On X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa said “it’s ridiculous for US to be blackmailed into paying $6B for hostages which will help indirectly finance the number 1 foreign policy of Iran: terrorism.” Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas accused Biden of “paying ransom to the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism.”The waiver means that European, Middle Eastern and Asian banks will not run afoul of U.S. sanctions in converting the money frozen in South Korea and transferring it to Qatar’s central bank, where it will be held for Iran to use for the purchase of humanitarian goods.The transfer of the $6 billion was the critical element in the prisoner release deal, which saw four of the five American detainees transferred&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-prisoners-house-arrest-7be581f79f66636355600627dda3a5ae">from Iranian jails into house arrest</a>&nbsp;last month. The fifth detainee had already been under house arrest.Due to numerous U.S. sanctions on foreign banks that engage in transactions aimed at benefitting Iran, several European countries had balked at participating in the transfer. Blinken’s waiver is aimed at easing their concerns about any risk of U.S. sanctions.People familiar with negotiations said they expect the detainees will be released as early as next week.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-prisoners-ba31e3b9c145c0b4fe55d1a66f88b885">The American prisoners</a>&nbsp;include Siamak Namazi, who was detained in 2015 and was later sentenced to 10 years in prison on internationally criticized spying charges; Emad Sharghi, a venture capitalist sentenced to 10 years; and Morad Tahbaz, a British-American conservationist of Iranian descent who was arrested in 2018 and also received a 10-year sentence. The fourth and fifth prisoners were not identified.“To facilitate their release, the United States has committed to release five Iranian nationals currently held in the United States and to permit the transfer of approximately $6 billion in restricted Iranian funds held in (South Korea) to restricted accounts in Qatar, where the funds will be available only for humanitarian trade,” Blinken wrote.The sanctions waiver applies to banks and other financial institutions in South Korea, Germany, Ireland, Qatar and Switzerland.“I determine that it is in the national security interest of the United States to waive the imposition of sanctions ... with respect to foreign financial institutions under the primary jurisdiction of Germany, Ireland, Qatar, the Republic of Korea, and Switzerland that are notified directly in writing by the U.S. government, to the extent necessary for such institutions to engage in transactions occurring on or after August 9, 2023,” Blinken wrote.Sanctions waivers apply to transactions involving previously penalized entities such as the National Iranian Oil Company and Central Bank of Iran “ to transfer funds from accounts in the Republic of Korea to accounts in Switzerland and Germany and from accounts in Switzerland and Germany to accounts in Qatar, and to use the transferred funds for further humanitarian transactions in accordance with written guidance from the U.S. Government,” he wrote.

Kan. Senator critical of Biden transfer of $6 Billion to Iran in prisoner swap

JEFFERSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for an alleged violent attack on his father.

Just after 8:30a.m. September 9, deputies responded to 6956 Shawnee Lane, Lake Ridge Estates in Ozawkie, according to a media release. The victim reported that he had been hit by a blunt object several times.

First responders found 59-year-old Michael J. West with life-threatening injuries. EMS transported him to&nbsp;Stormont Vail Hospital&nbsp;in Topeka.

Just before noon, investigators found the suspect identified as 30-year-old Michael T. West, who lives with the victim and is his son, in Leavenworth. Deputies arrested and booked him into the Jefferson County Jail on requested charges of attempted murder in the first degree. He his being held without bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694482143536.png" alt="West-photo Jefferson County." />
 <figcaption>West-photo Jefferson County.</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man for an alleged violent attack on his father.Just after 8:30a.m. September 9, deputies responded to 6956 Shawnee Lane, Lake Ridge Estates in Ozawkie, according to a media release. The victim reported that he had been hit by a blunt object several times.First responders found 59-year-old Michael J. West with life-threatening injuries. EMS transported him to&nbsp;Stormont Vail Hospital&nbsp;in Topeka.Just before noon, investigators found the suspect identified as 30-year-old Michael T. West, who lives with the victim and is his son, in Leavenworth. Deputies arrested and booked him into the Jefferson County Jail on requested charges of attempted murder in the first degree. He his being held without bond, according to online jail records.

Kansas man accused of violent attack on his father

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. approved updated COVID-19 vaccines Monday, hoping to rev up protection against the latest coronavirus strains and blunt any surge this fall and winter.

The Food and Drug Administration decision opens the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-flu-rsv-vaccines-tripledemic-2a55728638c1c0879ce58deeeb0196bf">newest shots</a>&nbsp;from Moderna and Pfizer and its partner BioNTech to most Americans even if they’ve never had a coronavirus vaccination. It’s part of a shift to treat fall updates of the COVID-19 vaccine much like getting a yearly flu shot.

There’s still another step: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must sign off. A CDC advisory panel is set to issue recommendations Tuesday on who most needs the updated shots. Vaccinations could begin later this week, and both the COVID-19 and flu shot can be given at the same visit.

A third vaccine maker, Novavax, said its updated shot is still being reviewed by the FDA.

COVID-19 hospitalizations have been rising since late summer although –- thanks to lasting immunity from prior vaccinations and infections –- not nearly as much as this time last year.

But protection wanes over time and the coronavirus continually churns out new variants that can dodge prior immunity. It’s been a year since the last time the vaccines were tweaked, and only about 20% of adults ever received that earlier update.

“Vaccination remains critical to public health and continued protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death,” FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks said in a statement. “We very much encourage those who are eligible to consider getting vaccinated.”

Just like earlier vaccinations, the fall round is cleared for adults and children as young as age 6 months. FDA said starting at age 5, most people can get a single dose even if they’ve never had a prior COVID-19 shot. Younger children might need additional doses depending on their history of COVID-19 infections and vaccinations.

The FDA pointedly isn’t calling this latest round a “booster” but instead a vaccine updated to better match the currently circulating virus. The new recipe targets an omicron variant named XBB.1.5 — replacing outdated combination vaccines that mixed protection against the original coronavirus strain and an older version of omicron.

And while even the XBB.1.5 variant is no longer dominant, FDA determined that it’s close enough to coronavirus strains causing most COVID-19 illnesses today to offer good cross-protection. Like earlier versions, they're expected to be most protective against COVID-19's worst consequences rather than mild infection.

But while the FDA's decision allows for wide use of the updated shots, the CDC will decide how strongly different groups are urged to get them.

Federal officials have said the shots still will be free to most Americans through private insurance or Medicare. But&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/index.html">for the uninsured or underinsured,</a>&nbsp;the CDC is working with health departments, clinics and certain pharmacies to temporarily provide free shots.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694460878166.png" alt="This photo provided by Pfizer in September 2023 shows single-dose vials of the company's updated COVID vaccine for adults. U.S. regulators have approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, shots aimed at revving up protection this fall and winter. The Food and Drug Administration's decision Monday, Sept. 11, 2023 is part of a shift to treat fall COVID-19 vaccine updates much like getting a yearly flu shot. (Pfizer via AP)" />
 <figcaption>This photo provided by Pfizer in September 2023 shows single-dose vials of the company's updated COVID vaccine for adults. U.S. regulators have approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna, shots aimed at revving up protection this fall and winter. The Food and Drug Administration's decision Monday, Sept. 11, 2023 is part of a shift to treat fall COVID-19 vaccine updates much like getting a yearly flu shot. (Pfizer via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. approved updated COVID-19 vaccines Monday, hoping to rev up protection against the latest coronavirus strains and blunt any surge this fall and winter.The Food and Drug Administration decision opens the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-flu-rsv-vaccines-tripledemic-2a55728638c1c0879ce58deeeb0196bf">newest shots</a>&nbsp;from Moderna and Pfizer and its partner BioNTech to most Americans even if they’ve never had a coronavirus vaccination. It’s part of a shift to treat fall updates of the COVID-19 vaccine much like getting a yearly flu shot.There’s still another step: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must sign off. A CDC advisory panel is set to issue recommendations Tuesday on who most needs the updated shots. Vaccinations could begin later this week, and both the COVID-19 and flu shot can be given at the same visit.A third vaccine maker, Novavax, said its updated shot is still being reviewed by the FDA.COVID-19 hospitalizations have been rising since late summer although –- thanks to lasting immunity from prior vaccinations and infections –- not nearly as much as this time last year.But protection wanes over time and the coronavirus continually churns out new variants that can dodge prior immunity. It’s been a year since the last time the vaccines were tweaked, and only about 20% of adults ever received that earlier update.“Vaccination remains critical to public health and continued protection against serious consequences of COVID-19, including hospitalization and death,” FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks said in a statement. “We very much encourage those who are eligible to consider getting vaccinated.”Just like earlier vaccinations, the fall round is cleared for adults and children as young as age 6 months. FDA said starting at age 5, most people can get a single dose even if they’ve never had a prior COVID-19 shot. Younger children might need additional doses depending on their history of COVID-19 infections and vaccinations.The FDA pointedly isn’t calling this latest round a “booster” but instead a vaccine updated to better match the currently circulating virus. The new recipe targets an omicron variant named XBB.1.5 — replacing outdated combination vaccines that mixed protection against the original coronavirus strain and an older version of omicron.And while even the XBB.1.5 variant is no longer dominant, FDA determined that it’s close enough to coronavirus strains causing most COVID-19 illnesses today to offer good cross-protection. Like earlier versions, they're expected to be most protective against COVID-19's worst consequences rather than mild infection.But while the FDA's decision allows for wide use of the updated shots, the CDC will decide how strongly different groups are urged to get them.Federal officials have said the shots still will be free to most Americans through private insurance or Medicare. But&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/bridge/index.html">for the uninsured or underinsured,</a>&nbsp;the CDC is working with health departments, clinics and certain pharmacies to temporarily provide free shots.

2 new COVID vaccines approved for your protection this fall

MIAMI COUNTY, Kansas —One person died in an accident just before 3a.m. Sunday in Miami County.

A 2004 Ford Explorer driven by 18-year-old&nbsp;Breann Nicole Bowley of Pleasanton, Kansas, was eastbound on 311 Street just west of Spring Valley Road, according to the Miami County Sheriff's office reported Monday evening.

The SUV left the road on the right, returned to the road and rolled multiple times before coming to rest in the ditch. Deputies provided CPR to the driver until Miami County EMS arrived. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The accident remains under investigation, according to the sheriff's office.

MIAMI COUNTY, Kansas —One person died in an accident just before 3a.m. Sunday in Miami County.A 2004 Ford Explorer driven by 18-year-old&nbsp;Breann Nicole Bowley of Pleasanton, Kansas, was eastbound on 311 Street just west of Spring Valley Road, according to the Miami County Sheriff's office reported Monday evening.The SUV left the road on the right, returned to the road and rolled multiple times before coming to rest in the ditch. Deputies provided CPR to the driver until Miami County EMS arrived. She was pronounced dead at the scene.The accident remains under investigation, according to the sheriff's office.

Kansas teen dies in SUV rollover crash

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann said at the Kansas State Fair over the weekend, even though the federal fiscal year ends at the end of the month, the Farm Bill is not done.

"I'm frustrated with how slowly it's going," Mann said. "That said, I think we are making progress. I think the committee's done a good job listening to producers. We're working our tail off to make sure that this is a Farm Bill that works for our Kansas ag producers, which is the most important thing."

U.S. Senator Dr. Roger Marshall used an analogy from his days in obstetric practice.

"This is my second farm bill," Marshall said. "I know a little bit more about obstetrics than I do a farm bill, as a matter of fact, I saw two kids I delivered over in the sheep showing program, as well. If the farm bill was a pregnant mom, I'd say, we're a week overdue and it's time to induce her."

Marshall would rather see the farm bill finished than just an extension, but an extension is what appears most likely at this point in the process.

"As agriculture goes, so goes Kansas," Marshall said. "What a farm bill does is give us a great amount of certainty. It allows our producers to make a five year plan, rather than a one year plan. When you're an ag lender, it helps you understand, are we going to be able to make this payment year three, year four, year five, as well. I think that's the struggle before us. I think the biggest impediment to getting a farm bill done is our $33 trillion national debt. This country is spending $700 billion on interest."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694426842459.png" alt="Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann and Congressman Roger Marshall participated in an Ag Forum at the Kansas State Fair on September 9, 2023-photo courtesy Renew Kansas Biofuels Association" />
 <figcaption>Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann and Congressman Roger Marshall participated in an Ag Forum at the Kansas State Fair on September 9, 2023-photo courtesy Renew Kansas Biofuels Association</figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas First District Congressman Tracey Mann said at the Kansas State Fair over the weekend, even though the federal fiscal year ends at the end of the month, the Farm Bill is not done."I'm frustrated with how slowly it's going," Mann said. "That said, I think we are making progress. I think the committee's done a good job listening to producers. We're working our tail off to make sure that this is a Farm Bill that works for our Kansas ag producers, which is the most important thing."U.S. Senator Dr. Roger Marshall used an analogy from his days in obstetric practice."This is my second farm bill," Marshall said. "I know a little bit more about obstetrics than I do a farm bill, as a matter of fact, I saw two kids I delivered over in the sheep showing program, as well. If the farm bill was a pregnant mom, I'd say, we're a week overdue and it's time to induce her."Marshall would rather see the farm bill finished than just an extension, but an extension is what appears most likely at this point in the process."As agriculture goes, so goes Kansas," Marshall said. "What a farm bill does is give us a great amount of certainty. It allows our producers to make a five year plan, rather than a one year plan. When you're an ag lender, it helps you understand, are we going to be able to make this payment year three, year four, year five, as well. I think that's the struggle before us. I think the biggest impediment to getting a farm bill done is our $33 trillion national debt. This country is spending $700 billion on interest."The other problem is that in an inflationary economy, more people in poverty need to use the food programs that are actually now the majority of the funds disbursed within a farm bill and the underlying food costs more."In 2018, we budgeted, we'd be spending $65 billion for food stamps, for the nutrition programs, $65 billion. The last two years, we're spending $180 billion a year, almost triple. We could dive down to why that's happening, but nevertheless, we've went from $65 billion to $180 billion and as we look at a budget for this farm bill, they are saying it's going to go down to $120 billion. It's hard for me, as a former business owner, to square all that."It's likely that full language for the farm bill won't even be finalized to be hashed over until at least November.