Workers at 150 Starbucks locations including some in Kansas and Missouri will strike in the coming week over what their union says is a clash over decor supporting LGBTQ+ causes, but the company denies it's banned any such displays and accused the union of using misinformation as a tactic in labor talks.

Starbucks Workers United said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/SBWorkersUnited/status/1672186968707325952">tweet</a>&nbsp;Friday that 3,500 workers will be on strike over the next week, starting with the flagship location in Seattle.&nbsp;Starbucks locations in Topeka and the Kansas City metro are union locations, according to Starbucks Union United.

The union has tried to establish a foothold at Starbucks for some time and at least 358 Starbucks stores have petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to hold union elections. A Starbucks in Buffalo, New York, became the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-union-vote-buffalo-c7dc3c2ec8b838e9f4ed641f54fc9035">first to unionize</a>&nbsp;early last year.

But those efforts have slowed in recent months with pushback from some workers who have resisted organization efforts. Starbucks on Friday said Workers United is using misinformation about its support for LGBTQ+ causes as part of ongoing contract negotiations.

“Workers United continues to spread false information about our benefits, policies and negotiation efforts—a tactic used to seemingly divide our partners and deflect from their failure to respond to bargaining sessions for more than 200 stores,” Starbucks said in a written statement.

Starbucks, based in Seattle, said last week that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-pride-lgbtq-dcdb83d82b04d8be435fce1db172c087">there had been no change</a>&nbsp;to any policy on the matter and that its support for LGBTQ+ causes is “unwavering.” The company has been outspoken in its support for LGBTQ+ employees for decades. It extended full health benefits to same-sex partners in 1988 and added health coverage for gender reassignment surgery in 2013.

Starbucks Corp. is also currently selling Pride-themed tumblers in its stores designed by Toronto artist Tim Singleton, who is gay.

Workers United says that store managers around the country have curtailed or removed displays during a monthlong celebration of LGBTQ+ people. In some cases, the union said, managers told workers that Pride displays were a safety concern, citing recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-pride-lgbtq-4bc9de6339f86748bcb8a453d7b9acf0">incidents at Target</a>&nbsp;where some angry customers tipped over merchandise and confronted workers.

Starbucks said recent anti-LGBTQ+ social media campaigns against brands like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/disney-florida-campus-california-desantis-f68879e039ab85b3f027ddf91d84eb6a">Disney</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-pride-lgbtq-4bc9de6339f86748bcb8a453d7b9acf0">Target</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bud-light-beer-modelo-sales-35db706836ca38d5fe194c93a3f641ff">Bud Light</a>&nbsp;in some parts of the country have not changed it stance.

Brands like Chick-fil-A, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chick-fil-a.com/about/who-we-are">closes on Sundays</a>&nbsp;for a day of “rest and worship,” and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, have also been targeted online by anti-LGBTQ+ groups and individuals.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687547256334.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business WriterWorkers at 150 Starbucks locations including some in Kansas and Missouri will strike in the coming week over what their union says is a clash over decor supporting LGBTQ+ causes, but the company denies it's banned any such displays and accused the union of using misinformation as a tactic in labor talks.Starbucks Workers United said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/SBWorkersUnited/status/1672186968707325952">tweet</a>&nbsp;Friday that 3,500 workers will be on strike over the next week, starting with the flagship location in Seattle.&nbsp;Starbucks locations in Topeka and the Kansas City metro are union locations, according to Starbucks Union United.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687547419605.png" alt="Starbucks locations in Topeka and the Kansas City metro area are all union stores." />
 <figcaption>Starbucks locations in Topeka and the Kansas City metro area are all union stores.</figcaption>
 </figure>The union has tried to establish a foothold at Starbucks for some time and at least 358 Starbucks stores have petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to hold union elections. A Starbucks in Buffalo, New York, became the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-union-vote-buffalo-c7dc3c2ec8b838e9f4ed641f54fc9035">first to unionize</a>&nbsp;early last year.But those efforts have slowed in recent months with pushback from some workers who have resisted organization efforts. Starbucks on Friday said Workers United is using misinformation about its support for LGBTQ+ causes as part of ongoing contract negotiations.“Workers United continues to spread false information about our benefits, policies and negotiation efforts—a tactic used to seemingly divide our partners and deflect from their failure to respond to bargaining sessions for more than 200 stores,” Starbucks said in a written statement.Starbucks, based in Seattle, said last week that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-pride-lgbtq-dcdb83d82b04d8be435fce1db172c087">there had been no change</a>&nbsp;to any policy on the matter and that its support for LGBTQ+ causes is “unwavering.” The company has been outspoken in its support for LGBTQ+ employees for decades. It extended full health benefits to same-sex partners in 1988 and added health coverage for gender reassignment surgery in 2013.Starbucks Corp. is also currently selling Pride-themed tumblers in its stores designed by Toronto artist Tim Singleton, who is gay.Workers United says that store managers around the country have curtailed or removed displays during a monthlong celebration of LGBTQ+ people. In some cases, the union said, managers told workers that Pride displays were a safety concern, citing recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-pride-lgbtq-4bc9de6339f86748bcb8a453d7b9acf0">incidents at Target</a>&nbsp;where some angry customers tipped over merchandise and confronted workers.Starbucks said recent anti-LGBTQ+ social media campaigns against brands like&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/disney-florida-campus-california-desantis-f68879e039ab85b3f027ddf91d84eb6a">Disney</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/target-pride-lgbtq-4bc9de6339f86748bcb8a453d7b9acf0">Target</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bud-light-beer-modelo-sales-35db706836ca38d5fe194c93a3f641ff">Bud Light</a>&nbsp;in some parts of the country have not changed it stance.Brands like Chick-fil-A, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.chick-fil-a.com/about/who-we-are">closes on Sundays</a>&nbsp;for a day of “rest and worship,” and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, have also been targeted online by anti-LGBTQ+ groups and individuals.

Starbucks workers to strike over Pride displays

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting and crash that left a 49-year-old man dead.

Just before 2:30p.m. Friday, police in Wichita received a series of 911 calls about a vehicle collision and a shooting in the 7000 Block of East Lincoln in Wichita, according to&nbsp;Officer Aaron Moses.

First responders located a red GMC Yukon that struck a building and a victim inside the SUV with a gunshot wound.. Life-saving measures were attempted, but the victim would be pronounced deceased on the scene. 

Investigators at the scene learned from witnesses that someone involved in the crash had fled into one of the nearby buildings, according to Moses. A small group of the Wichita Police SWAT team responded to the scene.&nbsp;

Early Saturday, investigators continued working leads in the apprehension of those involved in crime.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687565978422.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting and crash that left a 49-year-old man dead.Just before 2:30p.m. Friday, police in Wichita received a series of 911 calls about a vehicle collision and a shooting in the 7000 Block of East Lincoln in Wichita, according to&nbsp;Officer Aaron Moses.First responders located a red GMC Yukon that struck a building and a victim inside the SUV with a gunshot wound.. Life-saving measures were attempted, but the victim would be pronounced deceased on the scene. Investigators at the scene learned from witnesses that someone involved in the crash had fled into one of the nearby buildings, according to Moses. A small group of the Wichita Police SWAT team responded to the scene.&nbsp;Early Saturday, investigators continued working leads in the apprehension of those involved in crime.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim or additional details.

Homicide: Kan. man found with gunshot wound, after crash into building

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Merrick Garland pushed back Friday against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-irs-justice-department-irs-congress-d242a84d4d6d8e90db68febab168fef7">claims</a>&nbsp;from IRS whistleblowers that the Justice Department interfered with the investigation into Hunter Biden, saying more broadly that attacks on the department’s independence are corrosive.

(Click below to watch a portion of the Friday White House press brief)

The Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday released a transcript of testimony from Gary Shapley, an IRS official who, among other things, claimed that Garland had denied a request from U.S. Attorney David Weiss of Delaware to be appointed special counsel. That designation would have would have given Weiss the same status as the prosecutor leading the investigation into former President Donald Trump.

Weiss never made such a request, Garland said Friday, and always had full authority to file charges wherever and however he saw fit against President Joe Biden's son. And Garland added that if Weiss — first appointed U.S. Attorney by Donald Trump — agrees to testify before Congress, the Justice Department will not stand in the way.

“He was given complete authority to make all decisions on his own,” Garland said. “I don’t know how it would be possible for anybody to block him for bringing a prosecution given that he has that authority.”

More broadly, Garland forcefully rebutted criticism from Republicans that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-charges-income-tax-weapon-ea6b78d4bac037da24b485985b99bc1c">a plea agreement for the president's son</a>&nbsp;on tax and gun charges made public this week reflects political influence in the American justice system. Republicans have denounced the deal as evidence of a “two-tiered system of justice.”

“Some have chosen to attack the integrity of the Justice Department … by claiming we do not treat like cases alike. This constitutes an attack on an institution that is essential to American democracy and essential to the safety of the American people,” Garland said. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”

In a separate statement Friday, Biden's lawyer denounced the idea that the investigation cut any corners, and said it would be “dangerously misleading” to make conclusions based on the Shapley transcript.

The transcript included a message Hunter sent to a business associate alluding to “sitting with his father,” seemingly suggesting that his father was aware of his business dealings. Shapley acknowledged the investigation didn’t turn up evidence to prove that, instead finding that it was likely untrue.

Joe Biden has said he’s never spoken to his son about his foreign business. Asked Friday if the president stands by those comments, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre replied: “What I will say is nothing has changed. Nothing has changed, and I will leave it there.”

Weiss' office referred request for comment about the whistleblower testimony to a June 7 letter he wrote to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan saying he had “ultimate authority” over the investigation.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-irs-justice-department-irs-congress-d242a84d4d6d8e90db68febab168fef7">testimony</a>&nbsp;from IRS agent Shapley and a second unnamed agent who worked on the case detailed what they called a pattern of “slow-walking investigative steps” and delaying enforcement actions in the Hunter Biden case, though it was unclear whether the conflict they described amounted to internal disagreement or a pattern of preferential treatment.

Shapley said Weiss told him and others during an October 2022 meeting that he had been denied special counsel status and didn’t have final authority on charging decisions. Transcripts released Thursday include an email with Shapley's notes from the meeting, and a response from a supervisor saying his notes “covered it all.”

A representative for Shapley called on Weiss and the Justice Department to explain the discrepancy.

Biden’s attorney, for his part, said claims the investigation wasn't thorough are “preposterous and deeply irresponsible.”

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-charges-what-to-know-31ad4a0df292754131e799de2c089fd1">Hunter Biden plea deal</a>&nbsp;came days after the special counsel on the Trump case filed a historic 37-count indictment alleging mishandling of classified documents, which the former president has denied. Trump has likened the Hunter Biden agreement to a “mere traffic ticket."

Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri and Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687609348018.png" alt="White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Karine Jean-Pierre during Friday's press brief." />
 <figcaption>White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Karine Jean-Pierre during Friday's press brief.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General Merrick Garland pushed back Friday against&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-irs-justice-department-irs-congress-d242a84d4d6d8e90db68febab168fef7">claims</a>&nbsp;from IRS whistleblowers that the Justice Department interfered with the investigation into Hunter Biden, saying more broadly that attacks on the department’s independence are corrosive.(Click below to watch a portion of the Friday White House press brief)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F289364610159840%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1958" 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>The Republican-led House Ways and Means Committee on Thursday released a transcript of testimony from Gary Shapley, an IRS official who, among other things, claimed that Garland had denied a request from U.S. Attorney David Weiss of Delaware to be appointed special counsel. That designation would have would have given Weiss the same status as the prosecutor leading the investigation into former President Donald Trump.Weiss never made such a request, Garland said Friday, and always had full authority to file charges wherever and however he saw fit against President Joe Biden's son. And Garland added that if Weiss — first appointed U.S. Attorney by Donald Trump — agrees to testify before Congress, the Justice Department will not stand in the way.“He was given complete authority to make all decisions on his own,” Garland said. “I don’t know how it would be possible for anybody to block him for bringing a prosecution given that he has that authority.”More broadly, Garland forcefully rebutted criticism from Republicans that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-charges-income-tax-weapon-ea6b78d4bac037da24b485985b99bc1c">a plea agreement for the president's son</a>&nbsp;on tax and gun charges made public this week reflects political influence in the American justice system. Republicans have denounced the deal as evidence of a “two-tiered system of justice.”“Some have chosen to attack the integrity of the Justice Department … by claiming we do not treat like cases alike. This constitutes an attack on an institution that is essential to American democracy and essential to the safety of the American people,” Garland said. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”In a separate statement Friday, Biden's lawyer denounced the idea that the investigation cut any corners, and said it would be “dangerously misleading” to make conclusions based on the Shapley transcript.The transcript included a message Hunter sent to a business associate alluding to “sitting with his father,” seemingly suggesting that his father was aware of his business dealings. Shapley acknowledged the investigation didn’t turn up evidence to prove that, instead finding that it was likely untrue.(Click below to watch a portion of the Friday White House press brief)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F289364610159840%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=2923" 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>Joe Biden has said he’s never spoken to his son about his foreign business. Asked Friday if the president stands by those comments, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre replied: “What I will say is nothing has changed. Nothing has changed, and I will leave it there.”Weiss' office referred request for comment about the whistleblower testimony to a June 7 letter he wrote to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan saying he had “ultimate authority” over the investigation.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-irs-justice-department-irs-congress-d242a84d4d6d8e90db68febab168fef7">testimony</a>&nbsp;from IRS agent Shapley and a second unnamed agent who worked on the case detailed what they called a pattern of “slow-walking investigative steps” and delaying enforcement actions in the Hunter Biden case, though it was unclear whether the conflict they described amounted to internal disagreement or a pattern of preferential treatment.Shapley said Weiss told him and others during an October 2022 meeting that he had been denied special counsel status and didn’t have final authority on charging decisions. Transcripts released Thursday include an email with Shapley's notes from the meeting, and a response from a supervisor saying his notes “covered it all.”A representative for Shapley called on Weiss and the Justice Department to explain the discrepancy.Biden’s attorney, for his part, said claims the investigation wasn't thorough are “preposterous and deeply irresponsible.”The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-charges-what-to-know-31ad4a0df292754131e799de2c089fd1">Hunter Biden plea deal</a>&nbsp;came days after the special counsel on the Trump case filed a historic 37-count indictment alleging mishandling of classified documents, which the former president has denied. Trump has likened the Hunter Biden agreement to a “mere traffic ticket."___Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri and Aamer Madhani contributed to this report.

🎥 AG, White House respond to latest in Hunter Biden investigation

BARRY COUNTY —Two people died in an accident during a chase by law enforcement just after 10p.m. Friday in Barry County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Lawrence County Missouri Sheriff's Deputy was in pursuit of 2006 Chevy Silverado driven by 19-year-old Rafae Conteras Maldonado of Monett northbound on MO 37 at U.S. 60.

Maldonado failed to stop at the red light and struck a westbound 2013 Hyundai Elantra driven by Larry A. Brock, 53, Crane.

Brock and a passenger in the Hyundai Lydia E. Shorey, 61, Crane, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.&nbsp;

Maldonado was not injured and arrested and is being held on requested charges of Felony DWI involving the deaths, possession of a controlled substance, Cocaine, resisting arrest, careless and imprudent driving, no valid license plates, no insurance, texting while driving and for no seat belt, according to the MSHP.

BARRY COUNTY —Two people died in an accident during a chase by law enforcement just after 10p.m. Friday in Barry County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a Lawrence County Missouri Sheriff's Deputy was in pursuit of 2006 Chevy Silverado driven by 19-year-old Rafae Conteras Maldonado of Monett northbound on MO 37 at U.S. 60.Maldonado failed to stop at the red light and struck a westbound 2013 Hyundai Elantra driven by Larry A. Brock, 53, Crane.Brock and a passenger in the Hyundai Lydia E. Shorey, 61, Crane, were pronounced dead at the scene and were transported to Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.&nbsp;Maldonado was not injured and arrested and is being held on requested charges of Felony DWI involving the deaths, possession of a controlled substance, Cocaine, resisting arrest, careless and imprudent driving, no valid license plates, no insurance, texting while driving and for no seat belt, according to the MSHP.

2 dead after Missouri crash during chase with DWI suspect

RENO COUNTY–&nbsp;A six-month investigation by Riley County detectives led to the arrest of Caleb Perry, 32, of Manhattan on Friday in connection to the murder of a 42-year-old woman in Manhattan, according to a media release from the RCPD.

On January 8, 2023, around 1:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of Flint Hills Pl. for a welfare check. After arriving, officers found Takeera Griffin dead in her apartment, and Perry on scene.

A meticulous investigation by detectives revealed Perry had lied about the circumstances leading up to and causing Griffin’s death. Further investigation determined Griffin’s cause of death, initially unclear, was a homicide. Perry is also reported to have accessed a financial account belonging to Griffin after her death.

Perry was already confined in the Riley County Jail for unrelated charges when he was arrested around 5:15 p.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023, for first-degree murder, criminal use of a financial card, and three counts of interference with law enforcement.

He was issued a bond of $1 million for these charges and remains confined with a total bond of $1,016,000.&nbsp;Perry has previous convictions for aggravated battery and domestic battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687575710394.png" alt="Perry has previous convictions for aggravated battery and domestic battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Perry has previous convictions for aggravated battery and domestic battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY–&nbsp;A six-month investigation by Riley County detectives led to the arrest of Caleb Perry, 32, of Manhattan on Friday in connection to the murder of a 42-year-old woman in Manhattan, according to a media release from the RCPD.On January 8, 2023, around 1:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 1300 block of Flint Hills Pl. for a welfare check. After arriving, officers found Takeera Griffin dead in her apartment, and Perry on scene.A meticulous investigation by detectives revealed Perry had lied about the circumstances leading up to and causing Griffin’s death. Further investigation determined Griffin’s cause of death, initially unclear, was a homicide. Perry is also reported to have accessed a financial account belonging to Griffin after her death.Perry was already confined in the Riley County Jail for unrelated charges when he was arrested around 5:15 p.m. on Friday, June 23, 2023, for first-degree murder, criminal use of a financial card, and three counts of interference with law enforcement.He was issued a bond of $1 million for these charges and remains confined with a total bond of $1,016,000.&nbsp;Perry has previous convictions for aggravated battery and domestic battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

6-month Investigation: Kan. man accused of woman's murder

WASHINGTON —One year ago, the Supreme Court eliminated a constitutional right that it had previously recognized, overturning nearly fifty years of precedent.

According to a statement from the White House: 

Today, more than 23 million women of reproductive age—one in three—live in one of the 18 states with an abortion ban currently in effect. In the last year, women have been denied essential medical care to preserve their health and even save their lives. They have been turned away from emergency rooms, forced to delay care, and made to travel hundreds of miles and across state lines for needed medical care. Despite this devastating impact on women’s health, Republican elected officials continue to advance these bans at both the state and national level.

President Biden and Vice President Harris stand with the majority of Americans who believe the right to choose is fundamental—and who have made their voices heard at every opportunity since the Supreme Court’s decision in&nbsp;Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.&nbsp;As the President has made clear since the day of the&nbsp;Dobbs&nbsp;decision, the only way to ensure women in every state have access to abortion is for Congress to pass a law restoring the protections of&nbsp;Roe v. Wade.

While we continue to call on Congress to restore these protections, the Administration has taken executive action to protect access across the full spectrum of reproductive health care. In the wake of&nbsp;Dobbs, the President issued two Executive Orders directing a comprehensive slate of actions to protect access to reproductive health care services, including abortion. And today,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/06/23/fact-sheet-president-biden-issues-executive-order-on-strengthening-access-to-contraception/" target="_blank">the President is issuing a third Executive Order focused on strengthening access to affordable, high-quality contraception</a>, a critical aspect of reproductive health care. The Administration remains fully committed to implementing these Executive Orders and advancing access to reproductive health care through the leadership of the interagency Task Force on Reproductive Healthcare Access, co-chaired by the White House Gender Policy Council and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Today, the Biden-Harris Administration is providing an update on the work of the Task Force on Reproductive Healthcare Access and the Administration’s ongoing efforts to defend reproductive rights.

Protecting Access to Abortion, including Medication Abortion

Supporting Women’s Ability to Travel for Medical Care

Reinforcing Nondiscrimination Protections under Federal Law

Promoting Safety and Security of Patients, Providers, and Clinics

Safeguarding Privacy and Sensitive Health Information

Providing Access to Accurate Information and Legal Resources

 Biden signs 3rd reproductive health care Executive Order

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A suspect accused in a shooting outside a funeral last week made a first court appearance this week.

Demetrius Carter, 18 of Wichita, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated endangering a child, and criminal damage to property, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office..&nbsp;

Just after 2p.m. June 16, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 1100 block of North Oliver in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders encountered a chaotic scene and a crowd of more than 50 people running in different directions. During the initial response officers located an 18-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his right forearm and provided life-saving measures. The 18-year-old victim later identified as Carter was treated for his serious but not life-threatening injuries.

The investigation revealed that several suspects arrived at the parking lot of a local church and confronted a large group of people attending a funeral right outside the main door.

After a brief verbal altercation between both groups, an unknown number of people from both groups started to shoot at each other. After initial interviews, officers arrested Carter and transported him to investigations for further questioning before an arrest.

During the incident, several vehicles, and residences around and in front of the church’s parking lot were hit with gunfire. Police also recovered several firearms from the scene.&nbsp;

Carter's next court date is July 6. He is being held on a five-million dollar bond, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686967298655.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A suspect accused in a shooting outside a funeral last week made a first court appearance this week.Demetrius Carter, 18 of Wichita, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of aggravated endangering a child, and criminal damage to property, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office..&nbsp;Just after 2p.m. June 16, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 1100 block of North Oliver in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687431619099.png" alt="Carter-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Carter-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>First responders encountered a chaotic scene and a crowd of more than 50 people running in different directions. During the initial response officers located an 18-year-old victim with a gunshot wound to his right forearm and provided life-saving measures. The 18-year-old victim later identified as Carter was treated for his serious but not life-threatening injuries.The investigation revealed that several suspects arrived at the parking lot of a local church and confronted a large group of people attending a funeral right outside the main door.After a brief verbal altercation between both groups, an unknown number of people from both groups started to shoot at each other. After initial interviews, officers arrested Carter and transported him to investigations for further questioning before an arrest.During the incident, several vehicles, and residences around and in front of the church’s parking lot were hit with gunfire. Police also recovered several firearms from the scene.&nbsp;Carter's next court date is July 6. He is being held on a five-million dollar bond, according to the district attorney's office.

Kan. teen held on $5 million bond for shooting outside funeral

RILEY COUNTY —&nbsp;On Thursday, police took three individuals into custody on Pottawatomie County District Court warrants in connection to the suspected fentanyl-related death of an 18-year-old man at a hotel in Manhattan on March 11, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.

Noah Baker, 19, of Junction City; McKaine Farr, 21, of Wamego and Shawn Samuelson, 22, of Manhattan were all arrested on requested charges that include distribution of a controlled substance causing death.

Baker was arrested in Junction City with assistance from the Junction City Police Department. Farr was arrested in rural Wamego with assistance from the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office. Samuelson was already confined in the Riley County Jail on unrelated charges and is being held on detainer for the distribution charge.

During a subsequent search warrant at Farr’s location, additional suspected fentanyl was seized.

Baker and Farr are currently confined at the Pottawatomie County Jail, Farr is being held on no bond and Baker with a $25,000 bond. Samuelson remains confined in the Riley County Jail.

RILEY COUNTY —&nbsp;On Thursday, police took three individuals into custody on Pottawatomie County District Court warrants in connection to the suspected fentanyl-related death of an 18-year-old man at a hotel in Manhattan on March 11, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.Noah Baker, 19, of Junction City; McKaine Farr, 21, of Wamego and Shawn Samuelson, 22, of Manhattan were all arrested on requested charges that include distribution of a controlled substance causing death.Baker was arrested in Junction City with assistance from the Junction City Police Department. Farr was arrested in rural Wamego with assistance from the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office. Samuelson was already confined in the Riley County Jail on unrelated charges and is being held on detainer for the distribution charge.During a subsequent search warrant at Farr’s location, additional suspected fentanyl was seized.Baker and Farr are currently confined at the Pottawatomie County Jail, Farr is being held on no bond and Baker with a $25,000 bond. Samuelson remains confined in the Riley County Jail.

Police make 3 arrests in Kansas fentanyl-related death

PUXICO, Mo. (AP) — An invasive and fish that is voracious predator capable of surviving out of water for days was recently caught in southeastern Missouri, causing worry that the hard-to-contain species will spread and become a problem.

The northern snakehead was caught last month in a drainage pool at Duck Creek Conservation Area. The last time one showed up in Missouri was four years ago, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/state-regional/why-this-beast-of-a-fish-has-missouri-wildlife-officials-spooked/article_6846e576-104a-11ee-a56c-0fff076e3efb.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>&nbsp;reported.

Wildlife officials sounded the alarm, but many anglers say they're unaware of the fish, its potential impact and what to do if they catch one.

The northern snakehead is originally from east Asia, where they are a delicacy believed to have healing powers. They reproduce quickly, have sharp teeth, can wiggle across muddy land and grow to nearly 3 feet (nearly a meter) in length.

The federal government in 2002 banned the import and interstate transport of live northern snakeheads, but they are flourishing in some parts of the U.S.

“They are knocking on the door in Arkansas,” said Dave Knuth, a Missouri fisheries management biologist based in Cape Girardeau. “They are a beast.”

The catch in May was worrisome, Knuth said. “I didn’t expect them to be this far up the state already,” he said.

The first northern snakehead found in Missouri was caught in 2019 out of a ditch within the St. Francois River levee system in the Missouri Bootheel region.

On May 19, state workers using a net to catch bait for a youth jug-fishing clinic, pulled a 13-inch northern snakehead out of Duck Creek Conservation Area. Knuth said the fish was found in the same watershed as the first one, though about 70 river miles (113 river kilometers) north of the initial catch.

Wildlife officials spent two days searching for additional northern snakeheads in the conservation area and neighboring Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. No others were found, but they fear others are lurking, at least in low numbers.

Larry Underwood, 73, who lives near the conservation area, wished the state well in its efforts to keep out the northern snakehead. As he fished, he noted that the state also tries to control feral hogs, but with little luck.

“It’s kind of like the hogs,” he said. “You are going to eliminate that? Yeah, good luck.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687553409318.png" alt="Image Missouri Dept. of Conservation" />
 <figcaption>Image Missouri Dept. of Conservation</figcaption>
 </figure>PUXICO, Mo. (AP) — An invasive and fish that is voracious predator capable of surviving out of water for days was recently caught in southeastern Missouri, causing worry that the hard-to-contain species will spread and become a problem.The northern snakehead was caught last month in a drainage pool at Duck Creek Conservation Area. The last time one showed up in Missouri was four years ago, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/state-regional/why-this-beast-of-a-fish-has-missouri-wildlife-officials-spooked/article_6846e576-104a-11ee-a56c-0fff076e3efb.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">St. Louis Post-Dispatch</a>&nbsp;reported.Wildlife officials sounded the alarm, but many anglers say they're unaware of the fish, its potential impact and what to do if they catch one.The northern snakehead is originally from east Asia, where they are a delicacy believed to have healing powers. They reproduce quickly, have sharp teeth, can wiggle across muddy land and grow to nearly 3 feet (nearly a meter) in length.The federal government in 2002 banned the import and interstate transport of live northern snakeheads, but they are flourishing in some parts of the U.S.“They are knocking on the door in Arkansas,” said Dave Knuth, a Missouri fisheries management biologist based in Cape Girardeau. “They are a beast.”The catch in May was worrisome, Knuth said. “I didn’t expect them to be this far up the state already,” he said.The first northern snakehead found in Missouri was caught in 2019 out of a ditch within the St. Francois River levee system in the Missouri Bootheel region.On May 19, state workers using a net to catch bait for a youth jug-fishing clinic, pulled a 13-inch northern snakehead out of Duck Creek Conservation Area. Knuth said the fish was found in the same watershed as the first one, though about 70 river miles (113 river kilometers) north of the initial catch.Wildlife officials spent two days searching for additional northern snakeheads in the conservation area and neighboring Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. No others were found, but they fear others are lurking, at least in low numbers.Larry Underwood, 73, who lives near the conservation area, wished the state well in its efforts to keep out the northern snakehead. As he fished, he noted that the state also tries to control feral hogs, but with little luck.“It’s kind of like the hogs,” he said. “You are going to eliminate that? Yeah, good luck.”

Invasive northern snakehead fish found in Missouri for second time

NEW YORK (AP) — A law to protect doctors in New York who prescribe abortion pills to patients in states where the procedure is outlawed was signed Friday by Gov. Kathy Hochul, who said the measure would serve women living in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-status-list-state-protection-ban-4466aefe6141745b71c824522aac47b9">states with bans</a>.

Coming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-dobbs-anniversary-state-laws-51c2a83899f133556e715342abfcface">a year after</a>&nbsp;the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">struck down</a>&nbsp;the nationwide right to abortion, the law bars New York officials from cooperating with certain legal actions initiated in states where abortion is banned, such as arrests or extraditions. New York joins several other states with similar telehealth “shield laws.”

“Extremist lawmakers in other states can stop their health care providers from supplying abortion pills. If that’s your state, I feel sorry for your constituents. But they can’t stop us. They can’t stop our providers,” Hochul, a Democrat, said at a bill signing ceremony.

A year after the Dobbs ruling, 14 states have bans on abortion throughout pregnancy — with some exceptions. Other states have adopted deep restrictions. In all,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-dobbs-anniversary-state-laws-51c2a83899f133556e715342abfcface">25 million</a>&nbsp;women of childbearing age now live in states with abortion bans or tighter restrictions.

New York already adopted protections for medical professionals who provide abortion care for patients traveling from states with bans or restrictions. But Hochul and lawmakers expanded protections to telehealth services at a time when more than half of abortions in the U.S. are carried out with medication.

ACT Access co-founder Dr. Linda Prine said they will mail pills as soon as the legislation is signed.

The measure was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-new-york-providers-telehealth-e863ae1ab8771ec042e02da3e95e890c">given final approval in the Legislature</a>&nbsp;earlier this week as it ended its regular session.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680967457500.png" alt="ACT Access co-founder Dr. Linda Prine said they will mail pills as soon as the legislation is signed.-photo AP" />
 <figcaption>ACT Access co-founder Dr. Linda Prine said they will mail pills as soon as the legislation is signed.-photo AP</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — A law to protect doctors in New York who prescribe abortion pills to patients in states where the procedure is outlawed was signed Friday by Gov. Kathy Hochul, who said the measure would serve women living in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-status-list-state-protection-ban-4466aefe6141745b71c824522aac47b9">states with bans</a>.Coming&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-dobbs-anniversary-state-laws-51c2a83899f133556e715342abfcface">a year after</a>&nbsp;the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">struck down</a>&nbsp;the nationwide right to abortion, the law bars New York officials from cooperating with certain legal actions initiated in states where abortion is banned, such as arrests or extraditions. New York joins several other states with similar telehealth “shield laws.”“Extremist lawmakers in other states can stop their health care providers from supplying abortion pills. If that’s your state, I feel sorry for your constituents. But they can’t stop us. They can’t stop our providers,” Hochul, a Democrat, said at a bill signing ceremony.A year after the Dobbs ruling, 14 states have bans on abortion throughout pregnancy — with some exceptions. Other states have adopted deep restrictions. In all,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-dobbs-anniversary-state-laws-51c2a83899f133556e715342abfcface">25 million</a>&nbsp;women of childbearing age now live in states with abortion bans or tighter restrictions.New York already adopted protections for medical professionals who provide abortion care for patients traveling from states with bans or restrictions. But Hochul and lawmakers expanded protections to telehealth services at a time when more than half of abortions in the U.S. are carried out with medication.ACT Access co-founder Dr. Linda Prine said they will mail pills as soon as the legislation is signed.The measure was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-new-york-providers-telehealth-e863ae1ab8771ec042e02da3e95e890c">given final approval in the Legislature</a>&nbsp;earlier this week as it ended its regular session.

New York doctors get protection to mail abortion pills across state lines

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two early morning shootings in Topeka and have identified a suspect.

Just after 5 a.m. Friday, police responded to a shooting in the area of the 1800 Block of SW Gage Blvd. in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

First responders found two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.

Then at 5:44 a.m., police responded to a shooting in&nbsp; the 1000 Block. of SW Plass Avenue. First responders found one individual&nbsp; suffering from gunshot wounds.

All three individuals were transported to a local area hospital, with two of these individuals injuries to be considered non-life threatening and one considered to be life threatening.

At this time the two incidents appear to be related and police identified a suspect and that individual is currently in police custody, being treated at a local hospital. 

Upon medical clearance, police&nbsp; will publicly identify the suspect, make an arrest and they will be booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687547641510.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation early Friday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation early Friday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two early morning shootings in Topeka and have identified a suspect.Just after 5 a.m. Friday, police responded to a shooting in the area of the 1800 Block of SW Gage Blvd. in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.First responders found two individuals suffering from gunshot wounds.Then at 5:44 a.m., police responded to a shooting in&nbsp; the 1000 Block. of SW Plass Avenue. First responders found one individual&nbsp; suffering from gunshot wounds.All three individuals were transported to a local area hospital, with two of these individuals injuries to be considered non-life threatening and one considered to be life threatening.At this time the two incidents appear to be related and police identified a suspect and that individual is currently in police custody, being treated at a local hospital. Upon medical clearance, police&nbsp; will publicly identify the suspect, make an arrest and they will be booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Police: Kansas suspect in two shooting incidents hospitalized

NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon was sued Wednesday by the Federal Trade Commission for allegedly engaging in a yearslong effort to enroll consumers without consent into Amazon Prime and making it difficult for them to cancel their subscriptions.

In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, the agency accused Amazon of using deceptive designs, known as “dark patterns,” to deceive consumers into enrolling in Prime, which provides subscribers with perks such as faster shipping for an fee of $139 annually, or $14.99 a month.

The FTC said Amazon made it difficult for customers to purchase an item without also subscribing to Prime. In some cases, consumers were presented with a button to complete their transactions — which didn’t clearly state it would also enroll them in Prime.

Getting out of a subscription was often too complicated, and Amazon leadership slowed or rejected changes that would have made canceling easier, the complaint said.

Internally, Amazon called the process “Iliad," a reference to the ancient Greek poem about lengthy siege of Troy during the Trojan war.

“Amazon tricked and trapped people into recurring subscriptions without their consent, not only frustrating users but also costing them significant money,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a prepared statement. “These manipulative tactics harm consumers and law-abiding businesses alike.”

The FTC argued that Amazon’s practices violated the FTC Act and another law called the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, which Amazon disputed.

“The FTC’s claims are false on the facts and the law," Amazon spokesperson Heather Layman said in a statement. “The truth is that customers love Prime, and by design we make it clear and simple for customers to both sign up for or cancel their Prime membership.”

Launched in 2005, Prime has more than 200 million members worldwide who are entitled to perks such as free delivery, returns and the streaming service Prime Video. In the first three months of this year, Amazon reported it made $9.6 billion from subscriptions, a 17% jump from the same period last year.

In a news release announcing the lawsuit, the FTC said though its complaint is significantly redacted, it contains “a number of allegations” that backs up its accusations against Amazon. It also accused the company of attempting to hinder the agency’s investigation into Prime, which began in 2021, in several instances.

In the past two years, the agency has been ramping up its enforcement against deceptive sign-up and cancellation tactics that could manipulate consumers into buying products or services they don't want. In December, it said Epic Games Inc., the maker of the popular Fortnite video game, would pay $245 million in customer refunds for deceptive payment methods. In November, the telecom company Vonage settled a similar case for $100 million.

Layman, the Amazon spokesperson, said the company found it “concerning” the FTC filed the lawsuit without notifying Amazon, which was in discussion with agency staffers about Prime.

“While the absence of that normal course engagement is extremely disappointing, we look forward to proving our case in court," she said.

The lawsuit also comes as Amazon is facing heightened regulatory scrutiny as it moves to expand its e-commerce dominance and dip its toes into other markets, including groceries and health care.

Some anti-monopoly groups celebrated the lawsuit shortly after the FTC’s announcement, while others called it absurd.

“The complaint is that Amazon encourages people to use Amazon Prime – this is like going after Kroger for promoting its rewards program or Costco for its membership club,” Carl Szabo, the vice president and general counsel of the tech industry group NetChoice, said in a statement. "It is abundantly clear that the FTC is a runaway agency in need of greater oversight. Congress must engage in robust oversight to rein in the FTC by cutting funding and investigating its ethical lapses and abuse of power.”

The group, which counts Amazon as one of its members, also pointed to Khan's prior criticism of the company, and accused her of using the lawsuit “to attack American businesses she doesn’t like.”

Khan, 34, burst onto the antitrust scene in 2017 with her massive scholarly work as a Yale law student, “Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox." In 2021, Amazon asked unsuccessfully that she remove herself from separate antitrust investigations into its business, arguing that her public criticism of the company’s market power before she joined the government makes it impossible for her to be impartial.

The U.S. and Amazon have traded barbs for over the investigation.

Last year, Amazon accused the FTC of harassing its executives, including founder Jeff Bezos, as the agency sought to get the company’s top brass to testify as part of the probe.

The tech giant has also faced other lawsuits accusing its Prime cancelation process of being too complicated. While under scrutiny from the FTC, the company in March provided consumers with instructions on how to cancel their Prime memberships in a blog post.

The lawsuit follows another Amazon-related win by the agency just a few weeks ago. Earlier this month, Amazon&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-alexa-ring-doorbell-privacy-violations-ftc-971419109d7af10203d7ccfd28fcd0ad">agreed to pay a $25 million civil penalty</a>&nbsp;to settle allegations it violated a child privacy law for storing kids’ voice and location data recorded by its popular Alexa voice assistant. It also agreed to pay $5.8 million in customer refunds for alleged privacy violations involving its doorbell camera Ring.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687370869736.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon was sued Wednesday by the Federal Trade Commission for allegedly engaging in a yearslong effort to enroll consumers without consent into Amazon Prime and making it difficult for them to cancel their subscriptions.In a complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, the agency accused Amazon of using deceptive designs, known as “dark patterns,” to deceive consumers into enrolling in Prime, which provides subscribers with perks such as faster shipping for an fee of $139 annually, or $14.99 a month.The FTC said Amazon made it difficult for customers to purchase an item without also subscribing to Prime. In some cases, consumers were presented with a button to complete their transactions — which didn’t clearly state it would also enroll them in Prime.Getting out of a subscription was often too complicated, and Amazon leadership slowed or rejected changes that would have made canceling easier, the complaint said.Internally, Amazon called the process “Iliad," a reference to the ancient Greek poem about lengthy siege of Troy during the Trojan war.“Amazon tricked and trapped people into recurring subscriptions without their consent, not only frustrating users but also costing them significant money,” FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a prepared statement. “These manipulative tactics harm consumers and law-abiding businesses alike.”The FTC argued that Amazon’s practices violated the FTC Act and another law called the Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, which Amazon disputed.“The FTC’s claims are false on the facts and the law," Amazon spokesperson Heather Layman said in a statement. “The truth is that customers love Prime, and by design we make it clear and simple for customers to both sign up for or cancel their Prime membership.”Launched in 2005, Prime has more than 200 million members worldwide who are entitled to perks such as free delivery, returns and the streaming service Prime Video. In the first three months of this year, Amazon reported it made $9.6 billion from subscriptions, a 17% jump from the same period last year.In a news release announcing the lawsuit, the FTC said though its complaint is significantly redacted, it contains “a number of allegations” that backs up its accusations against Amazon. It also accused the company of attempting to hinder the agency’s investigation into Prime, which began in 2021, in several instances.In the past two years, the agency has been ramping up its enforcement against deceptive sign-up and cancellation tactics that could manipulate consumers into buying products or services they don't want. In December, it said Epic Games Inc., the maker of the popular Fortnite video game, would pay $245 million in customer refunds for deceptive payment methods. In November, the telecom company Vonage settled a similar case for $100 million.Layman, the Amazon spokesperson, said the company found it “concerning” the FTC filed the lawsuit without notifying Amazon, which was in discussion with agency staffers about Prime.“While the absence of that normal course engagement is extremely disappointing, we look forward to proving our case in court," she said.The lawsuit also comes as Amazon is facing heightened regulatory scrutiny as it moves to expand its e-commerce dominance and dip its toes into other markets, including groceries and health care.Some anti-monopoly groups celebrated the lawsuit shortly after the FTC’s announcement, while others called it absurd.“The complaint is that Amazon encourages people to use Amazon Prime – this is like going after Kroger for promoting its rewards program or Costco for its membership club,” Carl Szabo, the vice president and general counsel of the tech industry group NetChoice, said in a statement. "It is abundantly clear that the FTC is a runaway agency in need of greater oversight. Congress must engage in robust oversight to rein in the FTC by cutting funding and investigating its ethical lapses and abuse of power.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687370941423.png" alt="(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)" />
 <figcaption>(AP Photo/Matt Rourke)</figcaption>
 </figure>The group, which counts Amazon as one of its members, also pointed to Khan's prior criticism of the company, and accused her of using the lawsuit “to attack American businesses she doesn’t like.”Khan, 34, burst onto the antitrust scene in 2017 with her massive scholarly work as a Yale law student, “Amazon’s Antitrust Paradox." In 2021, Amazon asked unsuccessfully that she remove herself from separate antitrust investigations into its business, arguing that her public criticism of the company’s market power before she joined the government makes it impossible for her to be impartial.The U.S. and Amazon have traded barbs for over the investigation.Last year, Amazon accused the FTC of harassing its executives, including founder Jeff Bezos, as the agency sought to get the company’s top brass to testify as part of the probe.The tech giant has also faced other lawsuits accusing its Prime cancelation process of being too complicated. While under scrutiny from the FTC, the company in March provided consumers with instructions on how to cancel their Prime memberships in a blog post.The lawsuit follows another Amazon-related win by the agency just a few weeks ago. Earlier this month, Amazon&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amazon-alexa-ring-doorbell-privacy-violations-ftc-971419109d7af10203d7ccfd28fcd0ad">agreed to pay a $25 million civil penalty</a>&nbsp;to settle allegations it violated a child privacy law for storing kids’ voice and location data recorded by its popular Alexa voice assistant. It also agreed to pay $5.8 million in customer refunds for alleged privacy violations involving its doorbell camera Ring.------------

Lawsuit: Amazon disputes deceptive sign-up, cancellation process 

MIAMI COUNTY, Kansas —Law enforcement authorities investigating a&nbsp;deadly shooting at a Kansas State Park campground have arrested a suspect

Early Tuesday, emergency personnel were dispatched to the Pintail Point campground at the Hillsdale State Park near Paola for a report of a stabbing and a shooting, according to the Miami County Sheriff's office.

 One person suffered a fatal gunshot wound. The victim has been identified as&nbsp;43-year-old Bryan Hendrickson from Edgerton. Deputies also found one person with a non-life-threatening stab wound. That individual was transported to an area hospital for treatment and released, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies took Brian Meysenburg, 53, Overland Park, into custody and booked him into the Miami County Jail on a requested charge of second-degree murder.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687477164803.png" alt="Meysenburg-photo Miami County" />
 <figcaption>Meysenburg-photo Miami County</figcaption>
 </figure>MIAMI COUNTY, Kansas —Law enforcement authorities investigating a&nbsp;deadly shooting at a Kansas State Park campground have arrested a suspectEarly Tuesday, emergency personnel were dispatched to the Pintail Point campground at the Hillsdale State Park near Paola for a report of a stabbing and a shooting, according to the Miami County Sheriff's office. One person suffered a fatal gunshot wound. The victim has been identified as&nbsp;43-year-old Bryan Hendrickson from Edgerton. Deputies also found one person with a non-life-threatening stab wound. That individual was transported to an area hospital for treatment and released, according to the sheriff's office.Deputies took Brian Meysenburg, 53, Overland Park, into custody and booked him into the Miami County Jail on a requested charge of second-degree murder.

Man accused of deadly Kansas Park campground attack

WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;said Friday it will&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/22-58_i425.pdf">no longer stand in the way</a>&nbsp;of a long-blocked Biden administration policy to prioritize the deportation of immigrants who are deemed to pose the greatest public safety risk or were picked up at the border.

The justices rejected a challenge from some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-louisiana-donald-trump-immigration-government-and-politics-0cca9ca72778e154da24ded403e8c415">Republican-led states</a>&nbsp;to a policy that, the administration said, recognizes that there is not enough money or manpower to deport all 11 million or so people who are in the United States illegally.

The states had argued that federal immigration law requires authorities to detain and deport even those who pose little or no risk.

At the center of the case is a September 2021 directive from the Department of Homeland Security that paused deportations unless individuals had committed acts of terrorism, espionage or “egregious threats to public safety.” The guidance, issued after Joe Biden became president, updated a Trump-era policy to remove people in the country illegally regardless of criminal history or community ties.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683898210525.png" alt="Migrants at the border as scene in photo from May 2023- Texas Dept. of Public Safety" />
 <figcaption>Migrants at the border as scene in photo from May 2023- Texas Dept. of Public Safety</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court</a>&nbsp;said Friday it will&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/22-58_i425.pdf">no longer stand in the way</a>&nbsp;of a long-blocked Biden administration policy to prioritize the deportation of immigrants who are deemed to pose the greatest public safety risk or were picked up at the border.The justices rejected a challenge from some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-supreme-court-louisiana-donald-trump-immigration-government-and-politics-0cca9ca72778e154da24ded403e8c415">Republican-led states</a>&nbsp;to a policy that, the administration said, recognizes that there is not enough money or manpower to deport all 11 million or so people who are in the United States illegally.The states had argued that federal immigration law requires authorities to detain and deport even those who pose little or no risk.At the center of the case is a September 2021 directive from the Department of Homeland Security that paused deportations unless individuals had committed acts of terrorism, espionage or “egregious threats to public safety.” The guidance, issued after Joe Biden became president, updated a Trump-era policy to remove people in the country illegally regardless of criminal history or community ties.

Supreme Court rejects challenge to Biden deportation plan

WASHINGTON (AP) — About 7.5 million singing and swimming “Baby Shark” bath toys are being recalled after multiple impalements, lacerations and puncture wounds were reported in children playing with them.

Zuru, an El Segundo, California-based toymaker, said it's recalling both full-size and mini versions of its robotic baby shark toys that have hard plastic top fins, which pose the injury risks.

Twelve injuries have already been reported with Zuru's full-sized Robo Alive Junior Baby Shark Sing &amp; Swim Bath Toys — after children sat or fell on the now-recalled products. Nine of these impalements, lacerations and puncture wounds required stitches or medical attention, according to <a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Zuru-Recalls-7-5-Million-Baby-Shark-and-Mini-Baby-Shark-Bath-Toys-With-Hard-Plastic-Top-Fins-Due-to-Risk-of-Impalement-Laceration-and-Puncture-Injuries-to-Children">a Thursday release from the U.S. Consumer Protect Safety Commission.</a>

While injuries have only been reported with these full-sized toys so far, Zuru is also recalling Robo Alive Junior Mini Baby Shark Swimming Bath Toys “out of an abundance of caution."

Consumers in possession of the recalled toys are instructed to stop using them immediately and contact Zuru for a full refund. To get the refund, customers are asked to cut off or bend the tail fin, write “recalled” and a registration code on the body of the baby shark and upload a photo on a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.recallrtr.com/bathshark">site</a>&nbsp;dedicated to the recall.

The recalled products can be identified by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Zuru-Recalls-7-5-Million-Baby-Shark-and-Mini-Baby-Shark-Bath-Toys-With-Hard-Plastic-Top-Fins-Due-to-Risk-of-Impalement-Laceration-and-Puncture-Injuries-to-Children">model numbers</a>&nbsp;and date codes. Zuru's Robo Alive Junior Baby Shark Sing &amp; Swim Bath Toys and Robo Alive Junior Mini Baby Shark Swimming Bath Toys were sold in-person and online at chains including Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens and TJX Companies from May 2019 through March 2023.

In a company announcement, Zuru noted that that the recall only impacts the versions of the baby shark toys with a hard plastic fin. The newest toys, which have a silicone fin, are not part of the recall, Zuru said.

“We want to assure our customers that we are committed to the highest levels of safety and quality of all our products, and we have implemented measures to prevent future incidents by working to promptly remove these products from retail and replace them with a newly designed product,” Zuru wrote.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687530371186.png" alt="Photo courtesy Consumer Product Safety Commission" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Consumer Product Safety Commission</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — About 7.5 million singing and swimming “Baby Shark” bath toys are being recalled after multiple impalements, lacerations and puncture wounds were reported in children playing with them.Zuru, an El Segundo, California-based toymaker, said it's recalling both full-size and mini versions of its robotic baby shark toys that have hard plastic top fins, which pose the injury risks.Twelve injuries have already been reported with Zuru's full-sized Robo Alive Junior Baby Shark Sing &amp; Swim Bath Toys — after children sat or fell on the now-recalled products. Nine of these impalements, lacerations and puncture wounds required stitches or medical attention, according to <a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Zuru-Recalls-7-5-Million-Baby-Shark-and-Mini-Baby-Shark-Bath-Toys-With-Hard-Plastic-Top-Fins-Due-to-Risk-of-Impalement-Laceration-and-Puncture-Injuries-to-Children">a Thursday release from the U.S. Consumer Protect Safety Commission.</a>While injuries have only been reported with these full-sized toys so far, Zuru is also recalling Robo Alive Junior Mini Baby Shark Swimming Bath Toys “out of an abundance of caution."Consumers in possession of the recalled toys are instructed to stop using them immediately and contact Zuru for a full refund. To get the refund, customers are asked to cut off or bend the tail fin, write “recalled” and a registration code on the body of the baby shark and upload a photo on a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.recallrtr.com/bathshark">site</a>&nbsp;dedicated to the recall.The recalled products can be identified by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Zuru-Recalls-7-5-Million-Baby-Shark-and-Mini-Baby-Shark-Bath-Toys-With-Hard-Plastic-Top-Fins-Due-to-Risk-of-Impalement-Laceration-and-Puncture-Injuries-to-Children">model numbers</a>&nbsp;and date codes. Zuru's Robo Alive Junior Baby Shark Sing &amp; Swim Bath Toys and Robo Alive Junior Mini Baby Shark Swimming Bath Toys were sold in-person and online at chains including Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens and TJX Companies from May 2019 through March 2023.In a company announcement, Zuru noted that that the recall only impacts the versions of the baby shark toys with a hard plastic fin. The newest toys, which have a silicone fin, are not part of the recall, Zuru said.“We want to assure our customers that we are committed to the highest levels of safety and quality of all our products, and we have implemented measures to prevent future incidents by working to promptly remove these products from retail and replace them with a newly designed product,” Zuru wrote.

'Baby Shark' bath toy recall: Multiple laceration and impalement injuries

HUTCHINSON — Though gas prices are creeping up, they are doing so much more slowly than 2022, according to AAA Kansas.

"Things have been relatively stable," Steward said. "We may be in a bit of a gasoline demand lull between Memorial Day weekend and the upcoming July 4 travel weekend. That, coupled with a fairly low and stable crude oil cost have kept prices at the pump pretty manageable."

"We are about $1.40 less per gallon now than we were one year ago," Steward said. "That's significantly cheaper to take those summer road trips."

The spring storms we have had across Oklahoma and Texas do not have the same effect on supply as other weather conditions could that are more common as we get closer to fall.

"Supply really hasn't been interrupted by any hurricanes in the Gulf, for example," Steward said. "We always look this time of year. As we head toward September or even October, hurricane season can certainly interrupt gasoline production in those oil refineries along the Gulf, especially. We've been pretty lucky and haven't seen any of that."

Kansas is still in the ten lowest states for gas prices overall and no county in the state is even up to the national average.

NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON — Though gas prices are creeping up, they are doing so much more slowly than 2022, according to AAA Kansas."Things have been relatively stable," Steward said. "We may be in a bit of a gasoline demand lull between Memorial Day weekend and the upcoming July 4 travel weekend. That, coupled with a fairly low and stable crude oil cost have kept prices at the pump pretty manageable.""We are about $1.40 less per gallon now than we were one year ago," Steward said. "That's significantly cheaper to take those summer road trips."The spring storms we have had across Oklahoma and Texas do not have the same effect on supply as other weather conditions could that are more common as we get closer to fall."Supply really hasn't been interrupted by any hurricanes in the Gulf, for example," Steward said. "We always look this time of year. As we head toward September or even October, hurricane season can certainly interrupt gasoline production in those oil refineries along the Gulf, especially. We've been pretty lucky and haven't seen any of that."Kansas is still in the ten lowest states for gas prices overall and no county in the state is even up to the national average.

AAA: Gas prices still lower and fairly stable

By SAM BAILEY <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A new Medicaid report finds more than $1.3 million may have been overpaid to managed care organizations due to slow information provision, causing Kansas Medicaid programs to pay members after they left the state.

The attorney general’s office issued a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ag.ks.gov/media-center/news-releases/2023/06/21/medicaid-inspector-general-releases-eligibility-audit">news release</a>&nbsp;Wednesday announcing the findings. The performance audit of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment was done by Medicaid inspector general Steven Anderson and covered Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2021.

“It’s clear from our audit that the federal government and the state can do more to recapture these overpayments by quickly identifying and verifying Medicaid beneficiaries who move out of state and then by removing them from the program,” Anderson said in the news release. “Kansas taxpayers deserve to know that our Medicaid resources are being used efficiently.”

Currently, states contribute information on individuals enrolled in Medicaid to the Public Assistance Reporting Information System program. A report is then compiled quarterly to notify states whether an individual is enrolled in Medicaid and receiving benefits in another state.

KDHE would like to have the reports from the federal government on a monthly basis to aid in faster decisions, as “quarterly’s not very efficient,” Anderson said.

The report said while the department’s system has improved since 2019, “internal and external deficiencies that hinder KDHE’s ability to identify, verify and terminate Medicaid eligibility on a timely basis” still exist.

“For example,” it read. “A group of beneficiaries that were identified as moving out of Kansas were not properly processed, resulting in an estimated overpayment of $1,370,376.68 in capitation payment to MCOs.”

The news release also said the audit reported “some control weaknesses, policy issues, and gaps in guidance or protocols for coordinating the assessment and collection of any overpayments related to out-of-state residency that Kansas needs to improve.”&nbsp;

KDHE secretary Janet Stanek said in the news release that she and Gov. Laura Kelly appreciate the partnership with the attorney general’s office to increase the efficiency of Medicaid.

“We agree that with the limited state and federal information sources available to the Medicaid program, challenges remain in the timely determination of whether or not a Medicaid beneficiary has moved out of state is very difficult with the information sources available to us,” Stanek said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687430554556.jpeg" alt="Janet Stanek, KDHE secretary, said challenges remain in quickly determining if an individual has moved out of state and if still on Kansas Medicaid. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Janet Stanek, KDHE secretary, said challenges remain in quickly determining if an individual has moved out of state and if still on Kansas Medicaid. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SAM BAILEY <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A new Medicaid report finds more than $1.3 million may have been overpaid to managed care organizations due to slow information provision, causing Kansas Medicaid programs to pay members after they left the state.The attorney general’s office issued a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://ag.ks.gov/media-center/news-releases/2023/06/21/medicaid-inspector-general-releases-eligibility-audit">news release</a>&nbsp;Wednesday announcing the findings. The performance audit of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment was done by Medicaid inspector general Steven Anderson and covered Jan. 1, 2019 to Dec. 31, 2021.“It’s clear from our audit that the federal government and the state can do more to recapture these overpayments by quickly identifying and verifying Medicaid beneficiaries who move out of state and then by removing them from the program,” Anderson said in the news release. “Kansas taxpayers deserve to know that our Medicaid resources are being used efficiently.”Currently, states contribute information on individuals enrolled in Medicaid to the Public Assistance Reporting Information System program. A report is then compiled quarterly to notify states whether an individual is enrolled in Medicaid and receiving benefits in another state.KDHE would like to have the reports from the federal government on a monthly basis to aid in faster decisions, as “quarterly’s not very efficient,” Anderson said.The report said while the department’s system has improved since 2019, “internal and external deficiencies that hinder KDHE’s ability to identify, verify and terminate Medicaid eligibility on a timely basis” still exist.“For example,” it read. “A group of beneficiaries that were identified as moving out of Kansas were not properly processed, resulting in an estimated overpayment of $1,370,376.68 in capitation payment to MCOs.”The news release also said the audit reported “some control weaknesses, policy issues, and gaps in guidance or protocols for coordinating the assessment and collection of any overpayments related to out-of-state residency that Kansas needs to improve.”&nbsp;KDHE secretary Janet Stanek said in the news release that she and Gov. Laura Kelly appreciate the partnership with the attorney general’s office to increase the efficiency of Medicaid.“We agree that with the limited state and federal information sources available to the Medicaid program, challenges remain in the timely determination of whether or not a Medicaid beneficiary has moved out of state is very difficult with the information sources available to us,” Stanek said.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/plugins/states-newsroom/republisher/assets/img/ccwhite.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Report estimates $1.3 million overpaid by Kansas Medicaid

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting and carjacking and continue to search for a suspect.

Just before 9 p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the McDonalds at 8326 Wornall in Kansas City on a reported attempted robbery and shots fired, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle. No employees were injured in the shooting. The suspect fled the scene at which time he shot at another vehicle before fleeing. The occupant of the vehicle was not injured. Follow up investigation brought officers to the area of Brookside and Meyer around 10:10 p.m. Officers found the suspect vehicle. The shooting suspect then fired gunshots at the officers at which time an officer returned fire. The suspect fled on foot to the parking lot area behind the local business, where he carjacked an unsuspecting victim.&nbsp; Officers engaged the suspect again. The suspect fired gun shots at officers at which time an officer returned fire. The suspect fled the scene in the victim's vehicle.&nbsp; The car jacking victims were not injured and no officers were injured. Law enforcement found the vehicle abandoned in the area of 73rd and Cherokee at which time they began searching for the suspect. The suspect is still at large and poses a threat to the public. The suspect is described as a white male in his early 30’s, thin build, patchy black beard, shoulder length black hair and wearing a Black T-shirt. Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to the multiple crime scenes and were processing the scenes to recover any evidence and speaking to any potential witnesses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687516133882.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation late Thursday-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation late Thursday-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting and carjacking and continue to search for a suspect.Just before 9 p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to the McDonalds at 8326 Wornall in Kansas City on a reported attempted robbery and shots fired, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle. No employees were injured in the shooting. The suspect fled the scene at which time he shot at another vehicle before fleeing. The occupant of the vehicle was not injured. Follow up investigation brought officers to the area of Brookside and Meyer around 10:10 p.m. Officers found the suspect vehicle. The shooting suspect then fired gunshots at the officers at which time an officer returned fire. The suspect fled on foot to the parking lot area behind the local business, where he carjacked an unsuspecting victim.&nbsp; Officers engaged the suspect again. The suspect fired gun shots at officers at which time an officer returned fire. The suspect fled the scene in the victim's vehicle.&nbsp; The car jacking victims were not injured and no officers were injured. Law enforcement found the vehicle abandoned in the area of 73rd and Cherokee at which time they began searching for the suspect. The suspect is still at large and poses a threat to the public. The suspect is described as a white male in his early 30’s, thin build, patchy black beard, shoulder length black hair and wearing a Black T-shirt. Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel responded to the multiple crime scenes and were processing the scenes to recover any evidence and speaking to any potential witnesses.

KCPD search for carjacking suspect after exchange of gunfire 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday defended his harsh public comments on China, including calling President Xi Jinping a dictator, saying his words would have no negative impact on U.S.-China relations and that he still expects to meet with Xi sometime soon.

Biden said his blunt statements regarding China are "just not something I’m going to change very much.”

(Click below to watch the President's comments)

The remarks, which drew a formal protest from China, opened a new rift just days after Secretary of State Antony&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-blinken-beijing-rivalry-0b08a809f12b1bcdee92afa5491a9fbf">Blinken concluded a visit to Beijing</a>&nbsp;that was meant as a step toward stabilizing ties and improving communications.

“I expect to be meeting with President Xi sometime in the future, near-term. And I don’t think it’s had any real consequence," he said.

His latest rebuff to China came on the same afternoon he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-modi-india-state-visit-human-rights-5e4bc32e679ad6bae7225a28f7f6334d">welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a>&nbsp;to the White House in an alliance-strengthening move against their shared rival, China.

Just hours earlier, China's embassy in Washington said it had delivered a formal protest, with Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng telling senior White House and State Department officials Wednesday that Washington “should take earnest actions to undo the negative impact” of what Biden said or “bear all the consequences."

“With the latest irresponsible remarks about China’s political system and its top leader, people cannot help but question the sincerity of the U.S. side” in seeking to stabilize relations, the embassy said in a statement. “The Chinese government and people do not accept any political provocation against China’s top leader and will resolutely respond.”

At a campaign fundraiser on Tuesday, Biden had called the Chinese president a dictator, depicted him as out-of-touch during last winter’s tumult over a Chinese spy balloon, and dismissed China as having “real economic difficulties.”

As an official government-to-government communication, the ambassador’s message to the Biden administration carries more weight than the critical comments made a day earlier by a Chinese government spokesperson to reporters. China gave no further details of how the ambassador delivered his message, whether it was seeking an apology from the Biden administration, or what the consequences would be.

China and the U.S. in recent years have been cycling in and out of diplomatic flare-ups. China has used measures ranging from cutting diplomatic ties to staging military maneuvers off Taiwan to show its displeasure.

Biden administration officials on Wednesday defended Biden's remarks, saying the president has made a point of drawing distinctions between the world's democracies and autocracies. The State Department said Thursday that it does not comment on private diplomatic discussions.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen addressed the latest rift Thursday at an unrelated news conference in Paris, saying, “with respect to the comments, I think President Biden and I both believe it’s critical to maintain communication ... to clear up misperceptions, miscalculations. We need to work together where possible."

“But we have disagreements, and we are also forthright in recognizing we do have disagreements,” she added.

Yellen has recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yellen-china-tensions-spy-balloon-taiwan-russia-edcb0077d45a3ffabbe4b9dbbf9fe29c">advocated for improving relations</a>&nbsp;between the U.S. and China, arguing cooperation is needed for the sake of maintaining global stability.

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry, at the same global finance and climate event as Yellen, expressed the urgency of resuming climate discussions between China and the U.S., the No. 1 and No. 2 emitters of climate-damaging fumes from fossil fuels.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday defended his harsh public comments on China, including calling President Xi Jinping a dictator, saying his words would have no negative impact on U.S.-China relations and that he still expects to meet with Xi sometime soon.Biden said his blunt statements regarding China are "just not something I’m going to change very much.”(Click below to watch the President's comments)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F3585103548384794%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1056" 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>The remarks, which drew a formal protest from China, opened a new rift just days after Secretary of State Antony&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-blinken-beijing-rivalry-0b08a809f12b1bcdee92afa5491a9fbf">Blinken concluded a visit to Beijing</a>&nbsp;that was meant as a step toward stabilizing ties and improving communications.But Biden was undeterred.“I expect to be meeting with President Xi sometime in the future, near-term. And I don’t think it’s had any real consequence," he said.His latest rebuff to China came on the same afternoon he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-modi-india-state-visit-human-rights-5e4bc32e679ad6bae7225a28f7f6334d">welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a>&nbsp;to the White House in an alliance-strengthening move against their shared rival, China.Just hours earlier, China's embassy in Washington said it had delivered a formal protest, with Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng telling senior White House and State Department officials Wednesday that Washington “should take earnest actions to undo the negative impact” of what Biden said or “bear all the consequences."“With the latest irresponsible remarks about China’s political system and its top leader, people cannot help but question the sincerity of the U.S. side” in seeking to stabilize relations, the embassy said in a statement. “The Chinese government and people do not accept any political provocation against China’s top leader and will resolutely respond.”At a campaign fundraiser on Tuesday, Biden had called the Chinese president a dictator, depicted him as out-of-touch during last winter’s tumult over a Chinese spy balloon, and dismissed China as having “real economic difficulties.”As an official government-to-government communication, the ambassador’s message to the Biden administration carries more weight than the critical comments made a day earlier by a Chinese government spokesperson to reporters. China gave no further details of how the ambassador delivered his message, whether it was seeking an apology from the Biden administration, or what the consequences would be.China and the U.S. in recent years have been cycling in and out of diplomatic flare-ups. China has used measures ranging from cutting diplomatic ties to staging military maneuvers off Taiwan to show its displeasure.Biden administration officials on Wednesday defended Biden's remarks, saying the president has made a point of drawing distinctions between the world's democracies and autocracies. The State Department said Thursday that it does not comment on private diplomatic discussions.Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen addressed the latest rift Thursday at an unrelated news conference in Paris, saying, “with respect to the comments, I think President Biden and I both believe it’s critical to maintain communication ... to clear up misperceptions, miscalculations. We need to work together where possible."“But we have disagreements, and we are also forthright in recognizing we do have disagreements,” she added.Yellen has recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yellen-china-tensions-spy-balloon-taiwan-russia-edcb0077d45a3ffabbe4b9dbbf9fe29c">advocated for improving relations</a>&nbsp;between the U.S. and China, arguing cooperation is needed for the sake of maintaining global stability.U.S. climate envoy John Kerry, at the same global finance and climate event as Yellen, expressed the urgency of resuming climate discussions between China and the U.S., the No. 1 and No. 2 emitters of climate-damaging fumes from fossil fuels.Talks between the two countries were vital in the breakthrough that led to the 2015 Paris climate accord. But climate discussions between the two have stalled in the past couple of years over the governments’ diplomatic disputes and other issues.When it comes to slowing climate change, it “should be China and the United States working together on a global threat in a way that can build some confidence and change the dynamics of the relationship. That’s the hope,” Kerry told a small group of reporters.He said Xi and Biden understood the urgency of the emissions talks. “Every day that goes by without them is a day for mischief," Kerry said.Chinese Premier Li Qiang was among the dozens of heads of state and government, world finance officials and activists who converged on the French capital to discuss ways of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-funding-imf-world-bank-paris-5adddd32452f548a71a55f802191b04d">reforming the global financial system</a>&nbsp;and addressing the debt, climate change and poverty crises, especially for developing nations.“I believe it’s important, as President Biden does, that the world’s two largest economies are … working together in addressing global challenges,” Yellen said.