BUTLER COUNTY —A toddler died from injuries in an accident Friday in rural Butler County. Friends <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/rip-baby-eden">established a GoFundMe</a> to assist the family.

Just after 4p.m., emergency crews responded to the report of an unresponsive child in the 500 block of S. Main in Leon, Kansas, according to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.

 The 21-month-old boy had been run over by a vehicle in the driveway of the home by a family member.&nbsp; Butler County EMS transported the child to Wesley Medical Center, in extremely critical condition, where he later died.

The incident is being investigated as accidental.&nbsp; The accident is not believed to be alcohol or drug related, according to Cundiff.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686966501599.png" alt="First responders on the scene Friday-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene Friday-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —A toddler died from injuries in an accident Friday in rural Butler County. Friends <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/rip-baby-eden">established a GoFundMe</a> to assist the family.Just after 4p.m., emergency crews responded to the report of an unresponsive child in the 500 block of S. Main in Leon, Kansas, according to Butler County Undersheriff Daimon Cundiff.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687048550064.png" alt="Photo of Eden from the <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/rip-baby-eden">GoFundMe page</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of Eden from the <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/rip-baby-eden">GoFundMe page</a></figcaption>
 </figure> The 21-month-old boy had been run over by a vehicle in the driveway of the home by a family member.&nbsp; Butler County EMS transported the child to Wesley Medical Center, in extremely critical condition, where he later died.The incident is being investigated as accidental.&nbsp; The accident is not believed to be alcohol or drug related, according to Cundiff.

Friends helping family of Kansas toddler who died in accident

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Americans in Kansas and across the country this weekend celebrated Juneteenth, marking the relatively&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/juneteenth-holiday-beginner-celebration-guide-460084b8008206febf23bd8d083170fa">new national holiday</a>&nbsp;with cookouts, parades and other gatherings as they commemorated the end of slavery after the Civil War.

While many have treated the long holiday weekend as a reason for a party, others urged quiet reflection on America's often violent and oppressive treatment of its Black citizens. And still others have remarked at the strangeness of celebrating a federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the nation while many Americans are trying to stop parts of that history from being taught in public schools.

“Is&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Juneteenth?src=hashtag_click">#Juneteenth</a>&nbsp;the only federal holiday that some states have banned the teaching of its history and significance?” Author Michelle Duster asked on Twitter this weekend, referring to measures in Florida, Oklahoma and Alabama prohibiting an Advancement Placement African American studies course or the teaching of certain concepts of race and racism.

Monday’s federal holiday commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued during the bloody Civil War.

On Juneteenth weekend, a Roman Catholic church in Detroit devoted its service to urging parishioners to take a deeper look at the lessons from the holiday.

“In order to have justice we must work for peace. And in order to have peace we must work for justice,” John Thorne, executive director of the Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance, said to the congregation at Gesu Catholic Church in Detroit.

Standing before paintings of a Black Jesus and Mary, Thorne said Juneteenth is a day of celebration, but it also “has to be much more.”

It was important to speak about Juneteenth during Sunday Mass, the Rev. Lorn Snow told a reporter as the service was ending.

“The struggle’s still not over with. There’s a lot of work to be done,” he said.

Most Black Americans agree, according to a recent poll. A full 70% of Black adults&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-george-floyd-only-on-ap-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-police-9a73b306d00aa423e330d26d99f973a1">queried in a AP-NORC poll</a>&nbsp;said “a lot” needs to be done to achieve equal treatment for African Americans in policing. And Black Americans suffer from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-americans-health-disparities-takeaways-434d87016d1e1e7ebd88752792be9acc">significantly worse health outcomes than their white peers</a>&nbsp;across a variety of measures, including rates of maternal mortality, asthma, high blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease.

Although end-of-slavery celebrations are new in many parts of the country, in Memphis, where the slave trade once thrived, the Juneteenth holiday has been celebrated since long before it became a designated federal holiday in 2021. The Tennessee Legislature passed a bill earlier this year making it a state holiday, as well.

Festivities there include a multi-day festival including food, music, arts and crafts, and cultural exhibitions in a tree-lined park in the city's medical district. The Memphis park once held an equestrian statue and the grave of slave trader and Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest. The statue and the body were moved in recent years.

Memphis is home to the National Civil Rights Museum located at the site of the old Lorraine Motel, the former Black-owned hotel where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in 1968. The museum is offering free admission on Monday to mark the holiday. At the museum, visitors can hear recorded speeches from civil rights leaders including King, Fannie Lou Hamer, Medgar Evers and others.

Ryan Jones, the museum’s associate curator, said Juneteenth should be celebrated in the U.S. with the same emphasis that July 4 receives as Independence Day.

“It is the independence of a people that were forced to endure oppression and discrimination based on the color of their skin,” Jones said.

The Juneteenth holiday, Jones said, should also be viewed as more than a day when people attend parties and cookouts. In fact, he said, it is a time to reflect on the past.

“It acknowledges the sacrifices of those early civil rights veterans between World War I and World War II, and of course in the modern society, the protests, the demonstrations, the non-violence, the marches,” Jones said.

As Americans gathered to mark the holiday, it wasn't without incident. In a Chicago suburb late Saturday night,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/willowbrook-illinois-party-shooting-a730bb6b0dbfbfd31b89f9784d469edc">one person was killed and 22 were injured</a>&nbsp;in a shooting still being investigated Sunday by police. One witness said the party in the parking lot of a Willowbrook, Illinois, strip-mall was a Juneteenth celebration.

The White House released a statement Sunday afternoon, saying: “The President and First Lady are thinking of those killed and injured in the shooting in Illinois last night. We have reached out to offer assistance to state and local leaders in the wake of this tragedy at a community Juneteenth celebration.”

The holiday observance continues Monday with Vice President Kamala Harris appearing on a CNN special with musical guests including Miguel and Charlie Wilson.

Schools and federal buildings will be closed Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687139012959.png" alt="Juneteenth events over the weekend in Wichita-photos courtesy Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Juneteenth events over the weekend in Wichita-photos courtesy Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Americans in Kansas and across the country this weekend celebrated Juneteenth, marking the relatively&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/juneteenth-holiday-beginner-celebration-guide-460084b8008206febf23bd8d083170fa">new national holiday</a>&nbsp;with cookouts, parades and other gatherings as they commemorated the end of slavery after the Civil War.While many have treated the long holiday weekend as a reason for a party, others urged quiet reflection on America's often violent and oppressive treatment of its Black citizens. And still others have remarked at the strangeness of celebrating a federal holiday marking the end of slavery in the nation while many Americans are trying to stop parts of that history from being taught in public schools.“Is&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Juneteenth?src=hashtag_click">#Juneteenth</a>&nbsp;the only federal holiday that some states have banned the teaching of its history and significance?” Author Michelle Duster asked on Twitter this weekend, referring to measures in Florida, Oklahoma and Alabama prohibiting an Advancement Placement African American studies course or the teaching of certain concepts of race and racism.Monday’s federal holiday commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed — two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued during the bloody Civil War.On Juneteenth weekend, a Roman Catholic church in Detroit devoted its service to urging parishioners to take a deeper look at the lessons from the holiday.“In order to have justice we must work for peace. And in order to have peace we must work for justice,” John Thorne, executive director of the Detroit Catholic Pastoral Alliance, said to the congregation at Gesu Catholic Church in Detroit.Standing before paintings of a Black Jesus and Mary, Thorne said Juneteenth is a day of celebration, but it also “has to be much more.”It was important to speak about Juneteenth during Sunday Mass, the Rev. Lorn Snow told a reporter as the service was ending.“The struggle’s still not over with. There’s a lot of work to be done,” he said.Most Black Americans agree, according to a recent poll. A full 70% of Black adults&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-george-floyd-only-on-ap-race-and-ethnicity-racial-injustice-police-9a73b306d00aa423e330d26d99f973a1">queried in a AP-NORC poll</a>&nbsp;said “a lot” needs to be done to achieve equal treatment for African Americans in policing. And Black Americans suffer from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-americans-health-disparities-takeaways-434d87016d1e1e7ebd88752792be9acc">significantly worse health outcomes than their white peers</a>&nbsp;across a variety of measures, including rates of maternal mortality, asthma, high blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease.Although end-of-slavery celebrations are new in many parts of the country, in Memphis, where the slave trade once thrived, the Juneteenth holiday has been celebrated since long before it became a designated federal holiday in 2021. The Tennessee Legislature passed a bill earlier this year making it a state holiday, as well.Festivities there include a multi-day festival including food, music, arts and crafts, and cultural exhibitions in a tree-lined park in the city's medical district. The Memphis park once held an equestrian statue and the grave of slave trader and Confederate general Nathan Bedford Forrest. The statue and the body were moved in recent years.Memphis is home to the National Civil Rights Museum located at the site of the old Lorraine Motel, the former Black-owned hotel where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed in 1968. The museum is offering free admission on Monday to mark the holiday. At the museum, visitors can hear recorded speeches from civil rights leaders including King, Fannie Lou Hamer, Medgar Evers and others.Ryan Jones, the museum’s associate curator, said Juneteenth should be celebrated in the U.S. with the same emphasis that July 4 receives as Independence Day.“It is the independence of a people that were forced to endure oppression and discrimination based on the color of their skin,” Jones said.The Juneteenth holiday, Jones said, should also be viewed as more than a day when people attend parties and cookouts. In fact, he said, it is a time to reflect on the past.“It acknowledges the sacrifices of those early civil rights veterans between World War I and World War II, and of course in the modern society, the protests, the demonstrations, the non-violence, the marches,” Jones said.As Americans gathered to mark the holiday, it wasn't without incident. In a Chicago suburb late Saturday night,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/willowbrook-illinois-party-shooting-a730bb6b0dbfbfd31b89f9784d469edc">one person was killed and 22 were injured</a>&nbsp;in a shooting still being investigated Sunday by police. One witness said the party in the parking lot of a Willowbrook, Illinois, strip-mall was a Juneteenth celebration.The White House released a statement Sunday afternoon, saying: “The President and First Lady are thinking of those killed and injured in the shooting in Illinois last night. We have reached out to offer assistance to state and local leaders in the wake of this tragedy at a community Juneteenth celebration.”The holiday observance continues Monday with Vice President Kamala Harris appearing on a CNN special with musical guests including Miguel and Charlie Wilson.Schools and federal buildings will be closed Monday.

Americans mark Juneteenth with parties, events and quiet reflection on the end of slavery

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. —Two teens were injured in an accident just before 6:30p.mm. Friday at Lake of the Ozarks.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Seado jet ski driven by a 15-year-old from Derby, Kansas struck a 2021 Seado jet ski driven by a 16-year-old from Rose Hill near the 7-mile mark of the Big Niangua.

After impact, both teens were ejected into the water.&nbsp; Mid County ambulance transported both to Lake Regional Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.&nbsp; The MSHP reported no additional details.

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. —Two teens were injured in an accident just before 6:30p.mm. Friday at Lake of the Ozarks.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Seado jet ski driven by a 15-year-old from Derby, Kansas struck a 2021 Seado jet ski driven by a 16-year-old from Rose Hill near the 7-mile mark of the Big Niangua.After impact, both teens were ejected into the water.&nbsp; Mid County ambulance transported both to Lake Regional Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.&nbsp; The MSHP reported no additional details.

2 Kan. teens injured after jet ski crash at Lake of the Ozarks

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of shootings in Topeka that left one dead and two others with injuries.

Just after 10p.m. Sunday police responded to report of a disturbance in the 3100 Block of SW Clay in Topeka, according to Lt. Edward Stanley. First responders found a shooting victim who was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Just before 11:30p..m. Sunday police responded to 4100 Block of Southwest of Twilight in Topeka, according to Stanley.

First responders found one person with a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

Just after 1:30.a.m. on Monday, police responded to the 1300 Block&nbsp; of Western Avenue in Topeka on reports of multiple gunshots in the area.

Officers found one person with a&nbsp;non-life-threatening gunshot wound, according to Stanley.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police have not released any additional details or suspect information on these incidents.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687170616581.png" alt="Police were busy Sunday night and early Monday in Topeka" />
 <figcaption>Police were busy Sunday night and early Monday in Topeka</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of shootings in Topeka that left one dead and two others with injuries.Just after 10p.m. Sunday police responded to report of a disturbance in the 3100 Block of SW Clay in Topeka, according to Lt. Edward Stanley. First responders found a shooting victim who was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Just before 11:30p..m. Sunday police responded to 4100 Block of Southwest of Twilight in Topeka, according to Stanley.First responders found one person with a gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.Just after 1:30.a.m. on Monday, police responded to the 1300 Block&nbsp; of Western Avenue in Topeka on reports of multiple gunshots in the area.Officers found one person with a&nbsp;non-life-threatening gunshot wound, according to Stanley.&nbsp;&nbsp;Police have not released any additional details or suspect information on these incidents.

1 dead, two injured in series of shootings in Kansas

BEIJING (AP) — The United States and China have pledged to stabilize their badly deteriorated ties during a critical visit to Beijing by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who met Monday with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi pronounced himself satisfied with progress made during talks in Beijing. But, Blinken told media, China refused to resume military to military communications, a U.S. priority.

It remains to be seen whether the two countries can resolve their most important disagreements, many of which have international financial, security and stability implications.

The two sides expressed a willingness to hold more talks, but there was little indication that either is prepared to bend from its positions on issues including trade, Taiwan, human rights conditions in China and Hong Kong, Chinese military assertiveness in the South China Sea, and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Blinken said later that the U.S. set limited objectives for the trip, and achieved them. Blinken added that he had raised the issue of military to military communications “repeatedly."

“It is absolutely vital that we have these kinds of communications,” he said. “This is something we’re going to keep working on.”

The U.S. has said that, since 2021, China has declined or failed to respond to over a dozen requests from the Department of Defense for top-level dialogues.

According to a transcript of the meeting with Blinken, Xi pronounced himself pleased with the outcome of Blinken's earlier meetings with two top Chinese diplomats, and said the two countries had agreed to resume a program of understandings that he and President Joe Biden agreed to at a meeting in Bali last year.

“The Chinese side has made our position clear, and the two sides have agreed to follow through the common understandings President Biden and I had reached in Bali,” Xi said.

That agenda had been thrown into jeopardy in recent months, notably after the U.S. shot down a Chinese surveillance balloon over its airspace in February, and amid escalated military activity in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. Combined with disputes over human rights, trade and opiate production, the list of problem areas is daunting.

But Xi suggested the worst could be over.

“The two sides have also made progress and reached agreement on some specific issues,” Xi said without elaborating, according to a transcript of the remarks released by the State Department. “This is very good.”

“I hope that through this visit, Mr. Secretary, you will make more positive contributions to stabilizing China-U.S. relations,” Xi added.

In his remarks to Xi during the 35-minute session at the Great Hall of the People, which was not announced until an hour before it started, Blinken said “the United States and China have an obligation and responsibility to manage our relationship.”

“The United States is committed to doing that,” Blinken said. “It’s in the interest of the United States, in the interests of China, and in the interest of the world.”

Blinken described his earlier discussions with senior Chinese officials as “candid and constructive.”

Despite his presence in China, Blinken and other U.S. officials had played down the prospects for any significant breakthroughs on the most vexing issues facing the planet’s two largest economies.

Instead, these officials have emphasized the importance of the two countries establishing and maintaining better lines of communication.

Blinken is the highest-level U.S. official to visit China since President Joe Biden took office, and the first secretary of state to make the trip in five years. His visit is expected to usher in a new round of visits by senior U.S. and Chinese officials, possibly including a meeting between Xi and Biden in the coming months.

Blinken met earlier Monday with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi for about three hours, according to a U.S. official.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in a statement that Blinken's visit "coincides with a critical juncture in China-U.S. relations, and it is necessary to make a choice between dialogue or confrontation, cooperation or conflict,” and blamed the “U.S. side’s erroneous perception of China, leading to incorrect policies towards China” for the current “low point” in relations.

It said the U.S. had a responsibility to halt “the spiraling decline of China-U.S. relations to push it back to a healthy and stable track” and that Wang had "demanded that the U.S. stop hyping up the ‘China threat theory,’ lift illegal unilateral sanctions against China, abandon suppression of China’s technological development, and refrain from arbitrary interference in China’s internal affairs.”

The State Department said Blinken “underscored the importance of responsibly managing the competition between the United States and the PRC through open channels of communication to ensure competition does not veer into conflict."

In the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-relations-blinken-afb39654e07ff1022bf8a3bf8296c686">first round of talks</a>&nbsp;on Sunday, Blinken met for nearly six hours with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, after which both countries said they had agreed to continue high-level discussions. However, there was no sign that any of the most fractious issues between them were closer to resolution.

Both the U.S. and China said Qin had accepted an invitation from Blinken to visit Washington but Beijing made clear that “the China-U.S. relationship is at the lowest point since its establishment.” That sentiment is widely shared by U.S. officials.

Blinken's visit comes after his initial plans to travel to China were postponed in February after the shootdown of a Chinese surveillance balloon over the U.S.

A snub by the Chinese leader would have been a major setback to the effort to restore and maintain communications at senior levels.

And Biden said over the weekend that he hoped to be able to meet with Xi in the coming months to take up the plethora of differences that divide them.

In his meetings on Sunday, Blinken also pressed the Chinese to release detained American citizens and to take steps to curb the production and export of fentanyl precursors that are fueling the opioid crisis in the United States.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/xi-jinping-bill-gates-china-blinken-e015b97ad324bc2a6459837591711eee?utm_source=RecoReel&amp;utm_medium=articlePage&amp;utm_id=Taboola">Xi had offered a hint of a possible willingness to reduce tensions</a>&nbsp;on Friday, saying in a meeting with Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates that the United States and China can cooperate to “benefit our two countries.”

Since the cancellation of Blinken’s trip in February, there have been some high-level engagements. CIA chief William Burns&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-cia-william-burns-f4dc997405970bca1bc02e6f625fdaf6">traveled to China</a>&nbsp;in May, while China’s commerce minister traveled to the U.S. And Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-china-diplomacy-jake-sullivan-wang-yi-118132affe809b4fd99c627cb22f8878">met with senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Wang Yi in Vienna</a>&nbsp;in May.

But those have been punctuated by bursts of angry rhetoric from both countries over the Taiwan Strait, their broader intentions in the Indo-Pacific, China’s refusal to condemn Russia for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">its war against Ukraine</a>, and U.S. allegations from Washington that Beijing is attempting to boost&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-cuba-spy-base-us-intelligence-0f655b577ae4141bdbeabc35d628b18f">its worldwide surveillance capabilities</a>, including in Cuba.

And, earlier this month, China’s defense minister rebuffed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-lloyd-austin-defense-asia-de10a9233bf226288faf86676486eef3">a request from U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin</a>&nbsp;for a meeting on the sidelines of a security symposium in Singapore, a sign of continuing discontent.

BEIJING (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday, as the top U.S. diplomat wrapped up a high-stakes two-day visit to Beijing aimed at easing soaring tensions between the countries.

The 35-minute meeting at the Great Hall of the People had been expected and was seen as key to the success of the trip, but neither side confirmed it would happen until a State Department official announced it just an hour beforehand.

In footage of the meeting released by state broadcaster CCTV, Xi is heard to say “The two sides have agreed to follow through on the common understandings President Biden and I have reached in Bali.”

In earlier meetings between Blinken and senior Chinese officials, the two sides expressed willingness to talk but showed little inclination to bend from hardened positions on disagreements ranging from trade, to Taiwan, to human rights conditions in China and Hong Kong, to Chinese military assertiveness in the South China Sea, to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Xi said that they had made progress and reached agreements on “some specific issues” without elaborating. “This is very good,” Xi said.

“I hope that through this visit, Mr. Secretary, you will make more positive contributions to stabilizing China-US relation,” Xi added.

Despite Blinken’s presence in China, he and other U.S. officials had played down the prospects for any significant breakthroughs on the most vexing issues facing the planet’s two largest economies.

It said the U.S. had a responsibility to halt “the spiraling decline of China-U.S. relations to push it back to a healthy and stable track” and that Wang had "demanded that the U.S. stop hyping up the ‘China threat theory’, lift illegal unilateral sanctions against China, abandon suppression of China’s technological development, and refrain from arbitrary interference in China’s internal affairs.”

In the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-china-relations-blinken-afb39654e07ff1022bf8a3bf8296c686">first round of talks</a>&nbsp;on Sunday, Blinken met for nearly six hours with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang after which both countries said they had agreed to continue high-level discussions. However, there was no sign that any of the most fractious issues between them were closer to resolution.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-blinken-rivalry-spy-balloon-0657ee3d19fae34bf3102d62266aea12">Biden and Xi had made commitments to improve communications</a>&nbsp;“precisely so that we can make sure we are communicating as clearly as possible to avoid possible misunderstandings and miscommunications,” Blinken said before leaving for Beijing.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/xi-jinping-bill-gates-china-blinken-e015b97ad324bc2a6459837591711eee?utm_source=RecoReel&amp;utm_medium=articlePage&amp;utm_id=Taboola">Xi offered a hint of a possible willingness to reduce tensions</a>&nbsp;on Friday, saying in a meeting with Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates that the United States and China can cooperate to “benefit our two countries.”

BEIJING (AP) — The United States and China have failed to overcome their most serious disagreements but were able to discuss them in a potentially constructive way and have agreed to continue talks, U.S. and Chinese officials said Sunday.

U.S. officials said Secretary of State Antony Blinken was able during a nearly 6-hour meeting to secure a visit to Washington by Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. But both sides said advancement on the issues that divide them remains a work in progress while the Chinese foreign ministry said “the China-U.S. relationship is at the lowest point since its establishment.”

China confirmed that Qin had accepted the invitation at a “mutually convenient time” but no date was set.

The State Department said that Blinken had stressed “the importance of diplomacy and maintaining open channels of communication across the full range of issues to reduce the risk of misperception and miscalculation.”

The Chinese, meanwhile, restated their position that the current state of relations "does not serve the fundamental interests of the two peoples or meet the shared expectations of the international community,” according to the foreign ministry.

Blinken, the highest-level American official to visit China since President Joe Biden took office, will have more senior level contacts with the Chinese on Monday, including potentially with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

Despite Blinken’s presence in the Chinese capital, the prospects for any significant breakthrough on the most vexing issues facing the planet’s two largest economies was slim.

And neither side showed any inclination to back down on their entrenched positions.

Blinken’s trip followed his postponement of plans to visit China in February after the shootdown of a Chinese surveillance balloon over the U.S.

The talks could pave the way for a meeting in the coming months between Biden and Xi. Biden said Saturday that he hoped to be able to meet with Xi in the coming months to take up the plethora of differences that divide them.

That long list incudes disagreements ranging from trade to Taiwan, human rights conditions in China and Hong Kong to Chinese military assertiveness in the South China Sea and Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Blinken “made clear that the United States will always stand up for the interests and values of the American people and work with its allies and partners to advance our vision for a world that is free, open, and upholds the international rules-based order,” the State Department said.

The Chinese foreign ministry countered in its statement that “China hopes that the U.S. will adopt an objective and rational perception of China, work with China in the same direction, uphold the political foundation of China-U.S. relations, and handle unexpected and sporadic events in a calm, professional and rational manner.”

Shortly before leaving Washington, Blinken emphasized the importance of the U.S. and China establishing and maintaining better lines of communication.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-blinken-rivalry-spy-balloon-0657ee3d19fae34bf3102d62266aea12">Biden and Xi had made commitments to improve communications</a>&nbsp;“precisely so that we can make sure we are communicating as clearly as possible to avoid possible misunderstandings and miscommunications,” Blinken said Friday.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/xi-jinping-bill-gates-china-blinken-e015b97ad324bc2a6459837591711eee?utm_source=RecoReel&amp;utm_medium=articlePage&amp;utm_id=Taboola">Xi offered a hint of a possible willingness to reduce tensions</a>, saying in a meeting with Microsoft Corp. co-founder Bill Gates on Friday that the United States and China can cooperate to “benefit our two countries."

Since the cancellation of Blinken's trip in February, there have been some high-level engagements. CIA chief William Burns&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-cia-william-burns-f4dc997405970bca1bc02e6f625fdaf6">traveled to China</a>&nbsp;in May, while China’s commerce minister traveled to the U.S. And Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-china-diplomacy-jake-sullivan-wang-yi-118132affe809b4fd99c627cb22f8878">met with senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Wang Yi in Vienna</a>&nbsp;in May.

But those have been punctuated by bursts of angry rhetoric from both sides over the Taiwan Strait, their broader intentions in the Indo-Pacific, China’s refusal to condemn Russia for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">its war against Ukraine</a>, and U.S. allegations from Washington that Beijing is attempting to boost&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-cuba-spy-base-us-intelligence-0f655b577ae4141bdbeabc35d628b18f">its worldwide surveillance capabilities</a>, including in Cuba.

Underscoring the difficulties, China rejected a report by a U.S. security firm, that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/barracuda-mandiant-cybersecurity-china-hackers-a52d1595c9108d2c58df11e38756600d">blamed Chinese-linked hackers</a>&nbsp;for attacks on hundreds of public agencies, schools and other targets around the world,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-us-hacking-report-cyberattack-c08a9f52926c8524cf86131324c69fe6">as “far-fetched and unprofessional”</a>

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson repeated accusations that Washington carries out hacking attacks and complained the cybersecurity industry rarely reports on them.

Meanwhile, the national security advisers of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/japan-us-philippines-korea-security-talks-b4cdf9162563c60d89caa87bceb5ec26">the United States, Japan and the Philippines</a>&nbsp;held their first joint talks Friday and agreed to strengthen their defense cooperation, in part to counter China's growing influence and ambitions.

This coincides with the Biden administration inking an agreement with Australia and Britain to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-australia-united-kingdom-submarines-nuclear-cf330037f9e6befdec0f6c1658601462">provide the first with nuclear-powered submarines</a>, with China moving rapidly to expand its diplomatic presence, especially in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific island nations, where it has opened or has plans to open at least five new embassies over the next year.

The agreement is part of an 18-month-old nuclear partnership given the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/aukus">acronym AUKUS</a>&nbsp;— for Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

US-China pledge to stabilize deteriorating ties, resume high-level talks

TOPEKA – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with assistance from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and other partners, updated findings on the white powder found in letters sent to Kansas legislators and public officials, according to a media release from the agency.

As of Sunday evening June 18, approximately 100 letters containing suspicious white powder have been received across the state of Kansas.

A small sample of the letters containing powder was sent to a laboratory that specializes in testing biological samples. Preliminary tests have returned from this lab indicating the substance is presumptively negative for common biological agents of concern. 

Further and more complete testing will be conducted on this sample, as well as on additional letters that have been collected, in an effort to determine the components of the substance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686969013876.jpeg" alt="Photo -Courtesy Rep. Paul Waggoner" />
 <figcaption>Photo -Courtesy Rep. Paul Waggoner</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with assistance from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and other partners, updated findings on the white powder found in letters sent to Kansas legislators and public officials, according to a media release from the agency.As of Sunday evening June 18, approximately 100 letters containing suspicious white powder have been received across the state of Kansas.A small sample of the letters containing powder was sent to a laboratory that specializes in testing biological samples. Preliminary tests have returned from this lab indicating the substance is presumptively negative for common biological agents of concern. Further and more complete testing will be conducted on this sample, as well as on additional letters that have been collected, in an effort to determine the components of the substance.

KBI: Powder sent to legislators not a biological agent of concern

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting at a home in Kansas City.

Just&nbsp;11 p.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to 67th and Richmond Ave on a reported shooting, according Captain Corey Carlisle Upon arrival officers made entry to the residence and located an adult male suffering from apparent gun shot wounds.&nbsp; EMS arrived on scene and declared the victim deceased. An adult female victim arrived at a nearby fire station. She was suffering from apparent gun shot wounds. The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. There is no one in custody at this time. The circumstances surrounding the homicide are still being investigated. Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel have responded to the scene.&nbsp; They will be processing the scene to recover any evidence and speaking to any potential witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 816-234-5043. Or if you wish to remain anonymous you can do so by calling the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information provided to TIPS which leads to an arrest in the case. We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting at a home in Kansas City.Just&nbsp;11 p.m. Saturday, officers were dispatched to 67th and Richmond Ave on a reported shooting, according Captain Corey Carlisle Upon arrival officers made entry to the residence and located an adult male suffering from apparent gun shot wounds.&nbsp; EMS arrived on scene and declared the victim deceased. An adult female victim arrived at a nearby fire station. She was suffering from apparent gun shot wounds. The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. There is no one in custody at this time. The circumstances surrounding the homicide are still being investigated. Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Personnel have responded to the scene.&nbsp; They will be processing the scene to recover any evidence and speaking to any potential witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 816-234-5043. Or if you wish to remain anonymous you can do so by calling the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS. There is a reward of up to $25,000 for information provided to TIPS which leads to an arrest in the case. We are working with Partners for Peace in all our homicide investigations to monitor risks for retaliation and provide social services to affected residents.

KCPD: Man dead, woman with gunshot wounds ran to fire station

&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY —A former Kansas teacher&nbsp; of sex crimes involving a 13-year-old student has been sentenced to prison

On Thursday, 33-year-old Christin Covel was sentenced to&nbsp;34 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. Covel must also register for the rest of her life as a sex offender.

In February Covel pleaded no contest to two counts of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child involving the student.

In Jan. of 2022, police in Oklahoma arrested Covel, a teacher at Edison Preparatory Schools in Tulsa, on complaints out of Sedgewick County accusing her of having inappropriate relations with a boy while working at Mead Middle School 2601 E Skinner Street in Wichita, according to the Tulsa Police Department.&nbsp;

The incidents involving the boy happened between 2018 and 2019, according to police. Covel worked in the district from 2015 to 2020, according to USD 259.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1641428925404.png" alt="Covel-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Covel-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY —A former Kansas teacher&nbsp; of sex crimes involving a 13-year-old student has been sentenced to prisonOn Thursday, 33-year-old Christin Covel was sentenced to&nbsp;34 months in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. Covel must also register for the rest of her life as a sex offender.In February Covel pleaded no contest to two counts of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child involving the student.In Jan. of 2022, police in Oklahoma arrested Covel, a teacher at Edison Preparatory Schools in Tulsa, on complaints out of Sedgewick County accusing her of having inappropriate relations with a boy while working at Mead Middle School 2601 E Skinner Street in Wichita, according to the Tulsa Police Department.&nbsp;The incidents involving the boy happened between 2018 and 2019, according to police. Covel worked in the district from 2015 to 2020, according to USD 259.----------

Former Kan. teacher must register as a sex offender for life

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30a.m. Saturday in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Kia Forte driven by&nbsp; Caden Vossman, 22, Westwood, was eastbound on Interstate 70 just west of 38th Street in a closed off lane in a construction zone. The car struck a construction worker identified as David Edward Draper, 31, Kansas City, and fled the scene.

EMS transported Draper to KU Medical Center for treatment.&nbsp; The KHP did not report what possible charges Vossman faces.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 2:30a.m. Saturday in Wyandotte County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Kia Forte driven by&nbsp; Caden Vossman, 22, Westwood, was eastbound on Interstate 70 just west of 38th Street in a closed off lane in a construction zone. The car struck a construction worker identified as David Edward Draper, 31, Kansas City, and fled the scene.EMS transported Draper to KU Medical Center for treatment.&nbsp; The KHP did not report what possible charges Vossman faces.

Kan. driver flees after car strikes construction worker on I-70

PAWNEE COUNTY–A Kansas man was sentenced Thursday on a conviction of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, a severity level 3 drug felony, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

Mark Larson, 56 of Larned, was originally charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Marijuana with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of school property, felony drug paraphernalia suitable to distribute a control substance, No Kansas Drug Stamp, Criminal Possession of an Explosive Device and misdemeanor drug paraphernalia suitable to consume a controlled substance.&nbsp;

In February, Larson entered a guilty plea in exchange for the dismissal to the remaining charges.

The charge stems from an investigation following the execution of a search warrant by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department at the Larson's Larned residence on January 23, 2021. Also charged in the investigation were his wife Tammy Lee Smith, 54, and son Trapper Larson, 22.

As part of the plea agreement, Larson had the right to request a probationary sentence with the State reserving the right to oppose said request. Defense counsel argued the Court should grant his request for probation based on the defendant’s recent engagement in substance abuse treatment and ongoing health concerns.

The State requested the defendant be sentenced to the standard 59 month sentence in the custody of the department of corrections and argued the Court should deny the probation request due to the crime occurring within 1000 feet of the Fort Larned Elementary School, and that the co-defendant Trapper Larson received a 48 month prison sentence for his part in the crime. Both father and son are now listed as Registered Kansas Drug Offenders.

After hearing arguments of counsel, District Judge Bruce Gatterman sentenced Larson to a downward departure sentence of 30 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections. He is eligible to earn up to 15% good time credit. The defendant will be subject to 36 months post release and 15 years of registration as a drug offender. Following sentencing he was remanded to the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686932919600.png" alt="Larson-photo KBI Offender Registry" />
 <figcaption>Larson-photo KBI Offender Registry</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY–A Kansas man was sentenced Thursday on a conviction of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, a severity level 3 drug felony, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.Mark Larson, 56 of Larned, was originally charged with Possession of Methamphetamine and Marijuana with intent to distribute within 1000 feet of school property, felony drug paraphernalia suitable to distribute a control substance, No Kansas Drug Stamp, Criminal Possession of an Explosive Device and misdemeanor drug paraphernalia suitable to consume a controlled substance.&nbsp;In February, Larson entered a guilty plea in exchange for the dismissal to the remaining charges.The charge stems from an investigation following the execution of a search warrant by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department at the Larson's Larned residence on January 23, 2021. Also charged in the investigation were his wife Tammy Lee Smith, 54, and son Trapper Larson, 22.As part of the plea agreement, Larson had the right to request a probationary sentence with the State reserving the right to oppose said request. Defense counsel argued the Court should grant his request for probation based on the defendant’s recent engagement in substance abuse treatment and ongoing health concerns.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1611883981020.png" alt="Trapper Larson has been listed as a registered Kansas Drug offender since&nbsp; June of 2021, according to the KBI offender registry." />
 <figcaption>Trapper Larson has been listed as a registered Kansas Drug offender since&nbsp; June of 2021, according to the KBI offender registry.</figcaption>
 </figure>The State requested the defendant be sentenced to the standard 59 month sentence in the custody of the department of corrections and argued the Court should deny the probation request due to the crime occurring within 1000 feet of the Fort Larned Elementary School, and that the co-defendant Trapper Larson received a 48 month prison sentence for his part in the crime. Both father and son are now listed as Registered Kansas Drug Offenders.After hearing arguments of counsel, District Judge Bruce Gatterman sentenced Larson to a downward departure sentence of 30 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections. He is eligible to earn up to 15% good time credit. The defendant will be subject to 36 months post release and 15 years of registration as a drug offender. Following sentencing he was remanded to the custody of the Pawnee County Sheriff.

Father and son are now registered Kansas drug offenders

EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the amount of renewable energy generation Evergy plans to add by 2032. It has been updated.&nbsp;

By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/epa-estimates-more-than-54000-lead-pipes-remain-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Kansas’ largest electric utility has drastically scaled back its plans to add more clean energy over the next decade and will keep open its oldest coal plant for years longer.

Two years ago,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/30/evergy-to-shutter-lawrence-coal-plant-speed-transition-to-renewable-energy/">Evergy announced plans</a>&nbsp;to retire the Lawrence Energy Center by the end of this year and add 700 megawatts of solar power by the end of 2024.&nbsp;

Now, it doesn’t plan to add any solar power until 2026 and will keep the Lawrence coal plant open until 2028.&nbsp;

Evergy, which serves 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, revealed the plans in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://efis.psc.mo.gov/mpsc/DocketSheet.html">filings</a>&nbsp;with regulators in both states. By 2032,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://investors.evergy.com/static-files/5413d042-6f58-4b60-8bc0-60ff86467d14">Evergy plans to add 3,100 megawatts</a>&nbsp;of renewable energy, down from the 3,540 megawatts of renewable generation it planned to add as of last year’s filing.&nbsp;

In a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://newsroom.evergy.com/2023-06-15-Evergy-updates-long-term-plan-for-meeting-customer-energy-needs">news release</a>, the company says it will add more than 3,300 megawatts of renewable power by 2035.&nbsp;

It also plans to add more than 1,440 megawatts of natural gas power by 2028.

The company said the update reflects a plan “that will most effectively serve customers in both states and provide reliable and affordable power over a long-term planning horizon.”&nbsp;

“Evergy is committed to leading a responsible energy transition while keeping affordability and reliability at the forefront,” the company’s president and CEO David Campbell said in the release.&nbsp;

The Sierra Club, a major environmental nonprofit, decried the change.&nbsp;

Nancy Muma, a volunteer with the Wakarusa Group of the organization, said in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2023/06/evergy-s-energy-plan-more-fossil-fuels-less-clean-energy">news release</a>&nbsp;it was “maddening” that Evergy delayed retiring the Lawrence plant.&nbsp;

“That’s not a decision utility leaders make while proclaiming to care about climate change and the cost to its customers,” Muma said.&nbsp;

Billy Davies, conservation organizer for the Sierra Club, criticized Evergy for not moving more swiftly to close its Hawthorn Power Plant in Kansas City, Missouri, noting that City Hall and the surrounding community have called for its closure by 2025.&nbsp;

“Evergy has a plethora of tools to move more quickly to clean energy as its customers have demanded, but unfortunately it appears the utility is choosing not to use them, as we’re watching climate change impact our region through wildfire smoke from out west and drought locally,” Davies said.

He called the decision “unacceptable.”

Evergy’s plan says the city of Kansas City’s clean energy goals are “incredibly aggressive” and too expensive. The city wants Evergy to close Hawthorn and all other coal units by 2030 and replace them with clean energy. Doing so, the company’s plan says, would cost $3.5 billion more than its preferred energy transition.

Gina Penzig, a spokeswoman for Evergy, said in an email that the company had reduced its carbon emissions by 46% since 2005 and cut its sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by 98% and 88%. She said the Sierra Club hadn’t “acknowledged this progress.”

In its release, Evergy said it was facing increasing electricity demand and changes in requirements from the Southwest Power Pool, the regional grid to which Evergy belongs. The company said new renewable energy projects were set back by supply chain constraints and long approval processes with the SPP.

“Our service area is experiencing some of its most robust electricity demand growth in decades, including very large projects like the Panasonic electric vehicle battery manufacturing factory and the Meta datacenter, as well as broad-based economic development in both Kansas and Missouri,” Campbell said

Despite the proposed natural gas additions and cut in planned renewables, Evergy maintains the same goal to reduce its carbon emissions by 70% by 2030 compared with 2005 levels and reach net zero emissions by 2045.

Penzig said “how we operate our fleet is a large driver in achieving (carbon dioxide) reductions.”&nbsp;

“The planned natural gas generation produces significantly less carbon than the coal units they are replacing,” she said. “The new units would also be capable of converting to hydrogen in the future.”

Thursday’s plan filing is an annual update to Evergy’s long-range resource plan. It will file its full triennial plan next year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687004047927.png" alt=" Evergy headquarters in downtown Topeka, Kansas (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)." />
 <figcaption> Evergy headquarters in downtown Topeka, Kansas (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector).</figcaption>
 </figure>EDITOR'S NOTE: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the amount of renewable energy generation Evergy plans to add by 2032. It has been updated.&nbsp;By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/epa-estimates-more-than-54000-lead-pipes-remain-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>Kansas’ largest electric utility has drastically scaled back its plans to add more clean energy over the next decade and will keep open its oldest coal plant for years longer.Two years ago,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/30/evergy-to-shutter-lawrence-coal-plant-speed-transition-to-renewable-energy/">Evergy announced plans</a>&nbsp;to retire the Lawrence Energy Center by the end of this year and add 700 megawatts of solar power by the end of 2024.&nbsp;Now, it doesn’t plan to add any solar power until 2026 and will keep the Lawrence coal plant open until 2028.&nbsp;Evergy, which serves 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, revealed the plans in&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://efis.psc.mo.gov/mpsc/DocketSheet.html">filings</a>&nbsp;with regulators in both states. By 2032,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://investors.evergy.com/static-files/5413d042-6f58-4b60-8bc0-60ff86467d14">Evergy plans to add 3,100 megawatts</a>&nbsp;of renewable energy, down from the 3,540 megawatts of renewable generation it planned to add as of last year’s filing.&nbsp;In a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://newsroom.evergy.com/2023-06-15-Evergy-updates-long-term-plan-for-meeting-customer-energy-needs">news release</a>, the company says it will add more than 3,300 megawatts of renewable power by 2035.&nbsp;It also plans to add more than 1,440 megawatts of natural gas power by 2028.The company said the update reflects a plan “that will most effectively serve customers in both states and provide reliable and affordable power over a long-term planning horizon.”&nbsp;“Evergy is committed to leading a responsible energy transition while keeping affordability and reliability at the forefront,” the company’s president and CEO David Campbell said in the release.&nbsp;The Sierra Club, a major environmental nonprofit, decried the change.&nbsp;Nancy Muma, a volunteer with the Wakarusa Group of the organization, said in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2023/06/evergy-s-energy-plan-more-fossil-fuels-less-clean-energy">news release</a>&nbsp;it was “maddening” that Evergy delayed retiring the Lawrence plant.&nbsp;“That’s not a decision utility leaders make while proclaiming to care about climate change and the cost to its customers,” Muma said.&nbsp;Billy Davies, conservation organizer for the Sierra Club, criticized Evergy for not moving more swiftly to close its Hawthorn Power Plant in Kansas City, Missouri, noting that City Hall and the surrounding community have called for its closure by 2025.&nbsp;“Evergy has a plethora of tools to move more quickly to clean energy as its customers have demanded, but unfortunately it appears the utility is choosing not to use them, as we’re watching climate change impact our region through wildfire smoke from out west and drought locally,” Davies said.He called the decision “unacceptable.”Evergy’s plan says the city of Kansas City’s clean energy goals are “incredibly aggressive” and too expensive. The city wants Evergy to close Hawthorn and all other coal units by 2030 and replace them with clean energy. Doing so, the company’s plan says, would cost $3.5 billion more than its preferred energy transition.Gina Penzig, a spokeswoman for Evergy, said in an email that the company had reduced its carbon emissions by 46% since 2005 and cut its sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by 98% and 88%. She said the Sierra Club hadn’t “acknowledged this progress.”In its release, Evergy said it was facing increasing electricity demand and changes in requirements from the Southwest Power Pool, the regional grid to which Evergy belongs. The company said new renewable energy projects were set back by supply chain constraints and long approval processes with the SPP.“Our service area is experiencing some of its most robust electricity demand growth in decades, including very large projects like the Panasonic electric vehicle battery manufacturing factory and the Meta datacenter, as well as broad-based economic development in both Kansas and Missouri,” Campbell saidDespite the proposed natural gas additions and cut in planned renewables, Evergy maintains the same goal to reduce its carbon emissions by 70% by 2030 compared with 2005 levels and reach net zero emissions by 2045.Penzig said “how we operate our fleet is a large driver in achieving (carbon dioxide) reductions.”&nbsp;“The planned natural gas generation produces significantly less carbon than the coal units they are replacing,” she said. “The new units would also be capable of converting to hydrogen in the future.”Thursday’s plan filing is an annual update to Evergy’s long-range resource plan. It will file its full triennial plan next year.

Evergy slashes planned renewable energy additions, proposes more natural gas

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting at a funeral and have made an arrested as 18-year-old&nbsp;Demetrius Carter of Wichita.

Just after 2:00 pm, Friday, 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. He is being held requested charges of eight counts of aggravated assault.

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.

<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 — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting at a funeral and have made an arrested as 18-year-old&nbsp;Demetrius Carter of Wichita.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687013150860.png" alt="Blurry booking photo of Carter provided by Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Blurry booking photo of Carter provided by Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 2:00 pm, Friday, 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. He is being held requested charges of eight counts of aggravated assault.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.

Police ID Kan. teen arrested after gun fight outside funeral

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The United States deployed a nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying about 150 Tomahawk missiles to South Korea on Friday, a day after North Korea resumed missile tests in protest of the U.S.-South Korean live-fire drills.

The USS Michigan’s arrival in South Korea, the first of its kind in six years, is part of a recent bilateral agreement on enhancing “regular visibility” of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula in response to North Korea's advancing nuclear program, according to South Korean officials.

With the deployment of the USS Michigan, the U.S. and South Korean navies are to conduct drills on boosting their special operation capabilities and joint ability to cope with growing North Korean nuclear threats, the South Korean Defense Ministry said in a statement.

It said the U.S. submarine arrived at the southeastern port city of Busan but didn’t say how long it would stay in South Korean waters.

The USS Michigan is one of the biggest submarines in the world. The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine can be armed with 150 Tomahawk missiles with a range of about 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) and is capable of launching special forces missions, according to the South Korean statement.

The South Korean and U.S. militaries have been expanding their exercises in reaction to North Korea’s provocative run of missile tests since last year. North Korea has argued it was forced to ramp up testing activities to deal with its rivals’ expanded military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal, but experts say the North ultimately aims to modernize its arsenal and increase its leverage in eventual diplomacy.

In April, after their meeting in Washington, President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol agreed that the United States would enhance the “regular visibility of strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula.” Biden also stated that any North Korean nuclear attack on the U.S. or its allies would “result in the end of whatever regime” took such action.

The two leaders also announced other steps to reinforce joint deterrence capabilities such as the docking a U.S. nuclear ballistic missile submarine in South Korea periodically; bolstering joint training exercises; and the establishment of a new nuclear consultative group. The nuclear ballistic missile submarine hasn't come to South Korea.

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, slammed the Biden-Yoon summit agreements, saying they revealed the two countries’ “most hostile and aggressive will of action” against the North. She threatened to further bolster her country’s nuclear forces.

On Thursday, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast, shortly after it vowed responses to the just-ended South Korea-U.S. firing drills near the Koreas’ heavily armed border.

They were the North’s first weapons launches since it tried to put its first spy satellite into orbit in late May. The launch failed as the rocket carrying the spy satellite crashed into the waters off the Korean Peninsula’s west coast.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry said Friday that military search crews have salvaged what it believes is part of the crashed North Korean rocket. The ministry released photos of the white, metal cylinder, which some experts said would have been the rocket’s fuel tank.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687048191258.png" alt="The nuclear-powered submarine USS Michigan approaches a naval base in Busan, South Korea, Friday, June 16, 2023. The United States deployed the nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying about 150 Tomahawk missiles to South Korea on Friday, a day after North Korea resumed missile tests in protest of the U.S.-South Korean live-fire drills. (Gang Duck-chul/Yonhap via AP)" />
 <figcaption>The nuclear-powered submarine USS Michigan approaches a naval base in Busan, South Korea, Friday, June 16, 2023. The United States deployed the nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying about 150 Tomahawk missiles to South Korea on Friday, a day after North Korea resumed missile tests in protest of the U.S.-South Korean live-fire drills. (Gang Duck-chul/Yonhap via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The United States deployed a nuclear-powered submarine capable of carrying about 150 Tomahawk missiles to South Korea on Friday, a day after North Korea resumed missile tests in protest of the U.S.-South Korean live-fire drills.The USS Michigan’s arrival in South Korea, the first of its kind in six years, is part of a recent bilateral agreement on enhancing “regular visibility” of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula in response to North Korea's advancing nuclear program, according to South Korean officials.With the deployment of the USS Michigan, the U.S. and South Korean navies are to conduct drills on boosting their special operation capabilities and joint ability to cope with growing North Korean nuclear threats, the South Korean Defense Ministry said in a statement.It said the U.S. submarine arrived at the southeastern port city of Busan but didn’t say how long it would stay in South Korean waters.The USS Michigan is one of the biggest submarines in the world. The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine can be armed with 150 Tomahawk missiles with a range of about 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) and is capable of launching special forces missions, according to the South Korean statement.The South Korean and U.S. militaries have been expanding their exercises in reaction to North Korea’s provocative run of missile tests since last year. North Korea has argued it was forced to ramp up testing activities to deal with its rivals’ expanded military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal, but experts say the North ultimately aims to modernize its arsenal and increase its leverage in eventual diplomacy.In April, after their meeting in Washington, President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol agreed that the United States would enhance the “regular visibility of strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula.” Biden also stated that any North Korean nuclear attack on the U.S. or its allies would “result in the end of whatever regime” took such action.The two leaders also announced other steps to reinforce joint deterrence capabilities such as the docking a U.S. nuclear ballistic missile submarine in South Korea periodically; bolstering joint training exercises; and the establishment of a new nuclear consultative group. The nuclear ballistic missile submarine hasn't come to South Korea.Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, slammed the Biden-Yoon summit agreements, saying they revealed the two countries’ “most hostile and aggressive will of action” against the North. She threatened to further bolster her country’s nuclear forces.On Thursday, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast, shortly after it vowed responses to the just-ended South Korea-U.S. firing drills near the Koreas’ heavily armed border.They were the North’s first weapons launches since it tried to put its first spy satellite into orbit in late May. The launch failed as the rocket carrying the spy satellite crashed into the waters off the Korean Peninsula’s west coast.South Korea’s Defense Ministry said Friday that military search crews have salvaged what it believes is part of the crashed North Korean rocket. The ministry released photos of the white, metal cylinder, which some experts said would have been the rocket’s fuel tank.

US deploys nuclear sub after North Korea resumes missile tests

WEBSTER COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 10a.m. Friday in Webster County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a John Deere Gator driven by James O. Burgess, 91, Conway, was southbound on private property off of Starvey Creek Road three miles south of Conway.

The vehicle struck a rope hanging between trees. EMS transported Burgess to Cox South where he was pronounced dead.&nbsp;

WEBSTER COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 10a.m. Friday in Webster County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a John Deere Gator driven by James O. Burgess, 91, Conway, was southbound on private property off of Starvey Creek Road three miles south of Conway.The vehicle struck a rope hanging between trees. EMS transported Burgess to Cox South where he was pronounced dead.&nbsp;

91-year-old Missouri man dies after UTV accident

NEW YORK (AP) — To its members, it’s a grassroots army of “joyful warriors” who “don’t co-parent with the government.”

To anti-hate researchers, it’s a well-connected extremist group that attacks inclusion in schools.

And to Republicans vying for the presidency, it has become a potential key partner in the fight for the 2024 nomination.

Moms for Liberty didn't exist during the last presidential campaign, but the Florida-based nonprofit that champions “parental rights” in education has rapidly become a major player for 2024, boosted in part by GOP operatives, politicians and donors.

The group that has been at the forefront of the conservative movement targeting books that reference race and gender identity and electing right-wing candidates to local school boards nationwide is hosting one of the next major gatherings for Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2023">presidential primary contenders</a>. At least four are listed as speakers at the Moms for Liberty annual summit in Philadelphia later this month.

Former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-2024-updates-cd5339d48064a149527e8f9a1aa7614e">Donald Trump</a>, Florida Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ron-desantis-2024-presidential-election-live-updates-0495d567326db1e760179d01f1f7c45e">Ron DeSantis</a>, former U.N. Ambassador&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-2024-presidential-campaign-formal-launch-bb059ae113e39152f5007864b4d139ae">Nikki Haley</a>&nbsp;and biotech entrepreneur and “anti-woke” activist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-and-politics-united-states-government-2022-midterm-elections-ohio-e1c1cbe47763bd979b6b47557aee043d">Vivek Ramaswamy</a>&nbsp;have announced they will speak at the meeting at the end of June.

NEW YORK (AP) — To its members, it’s a grassroots army of “joyful warriors” who “don’t co-parent with the government.”To anti-hate researchers, it’s a well-connected extremist group that attacks inclusion in schools.And to Republicans vying for the presidency, it has become a potential key partner in the fight for the 2024 nomination.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMoms4Liberty%2Fvideos%2F131447996588665%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" 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>Moms for Liberty didn't exist during the last presidential campaign, but the Florida-based nonprofit that champions “parental rights” in education has rapidly become a major player for 2024, boosted in part by GOP operatives, politicians and donors.The group that has been at the forefront of the conservative movement targeting books that reference race and gender identity and electing right-wing candidates to local school boards nationwide is hosting one of the next major gatherings for Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2023">presidential primary contenders</a>. At least four are listed as speakers at the Moms for Liberty annual summit in Philadelphia later this month.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMoms4Liberty%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02bzcnSBgW6nxrGvrq1UyASLhrsXqwcERjw2tF245CmWyrgmEy8L45j4wYikGPgFuCl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="672" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>Former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-2024-updates-cd5339d48064a149527e8f9a1aa7614e">Donald Trump</a>, Florida Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ron-desantis-2024-presidential-election-live-updates-0495d567326db1e760179d01f1f7c45e">Ron DeSantis</a>, former U.N. Ambassador&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nikki-haley-2024-presidential-campaign-formal-launch-bb059ae113e39152f5007864b4d139ae">Nikki Haley</a>&nbsp;and biotech entrepreneur and “anti-woke” activist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-and-politics-united-states-government-2022-midterm-elections-ohio-e1c1cbe47763bd979b6b47557aee043d">Vivek Ramaswamy</a>&nbsp;have announced they will speak at the meeting at the end of June.The group said it is in talks to bring others to the conference, including Republican Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-scott-2024-presidential-race-4a73e00db2295afbc4b07d1c6bb64811">Tim Scott</a>&nbsp;of South Carolina and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kennedy-biden-president-2024-democrat-dd9d6ecf17b54f4b32e7b17778540431">Robert F. Kennedy Jr</a>., a fringe Democrat known for pushing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-kennedy-jr-presidential-campaign-9fb5ed5c8e1fd31d2a4458d44b086593">anti-vaccine conspiracy theories</a>.The high interest in the event underscores how fights surrounding&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-texas-pennsylvania-campaigns-elections-5bb0f7fb8c162d9f4da5c935271bc255">gender</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-critical-race-theory-08f5d0a0489c7d6eab7d9a238365d2c1">race</a>&nbsp;have become core issues for Republican voters. It also spotlights Republicans' eagerness to embrace a group that has drawn backlash for spreading anti-LGBTQ+ ideas and stripping&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/book-bans-american-library-association-f84ac6fe3f8e3238fc54931bc1a5e054">libraries</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lgbtq-book-bans-91b2d4c086eb082cbecfdda2800ef29a">classrooms</a>&nbsp;of diverse material.The group was founded in 2021 by Tiffany Justice, Tina Descovich and Bridget Ziegler, all current and former school board members in Florida who were unhappy with student mask and quarantine policies during the pandemic.In two years, the organization has ballooned to 285 chapters across 44 states, Justice said. The group claims 120,000 active members.It has expanded its activism in local school districts to target&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lgbtq-book-bans-91b2d4c086eb082cbecfdda2800ef29a">books it says are inappropriate</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/16W9grkwSFsIPRQOSpQfnAHNJzvDH5Bkk/view">“anti-American,”</a>&nbsp;ban instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, require teachers to disclose students’ pronouns to parents, and remove diversity, equity and inclusion programs from schools.The group also has sought to elect like-minded candidates to school boards. In 2022, just over half the 500 candidates it endorsed for school boards nationwide won their races, Justice said.Moms for Liberty pitches itself as a nonpartisan, grassroots effort started by passionate parents who call themselves “joyful warriors." Yet the group's close ties to Republican organizations, donors and politicians raise questions about partisanship and doubts over how grassroots it really is.Co-founder Ziegler, who stepped down from the board in late 2021 but remains supportive of the group, is married to the chairman of the Florida Republican Party. Still a school board member in Sarasota County, she also is a&nbsp;<a href="https://leadershipinstitute.org/contactUS/staff/?staff=7000711">director</a>&nbsp;at the Leadership Institute, a conservative organization that regularly trains Moms for Liberty members.Marie Rogerson, who took Ziegler's place on the Moms for Liberty board, is an experienced political strategist who had previously managed the 2018 campaign of Florida state Rep. Randy Fine, a Republican.The group also has quickly gained a close ally in DeSantis. In 2021, he signed Florida’s “Parents Bill of Rights,” which identified parents' rights to direct their kids' education and health care and was used to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-florida-coronavirus-pandemic-tallahassee-78a7d4b5117369eb37e8cb19c5ead0b2">fight local student mask mandates</a>. In 2022, he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-lifestyle-education-florida-ron-desantis-322e0a40da909f48954b8b1bd9190750">signed a law</a>&nbsp;barring instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through the third grade, a ban opponents had labeled the “Don't Say Gay” bill and which has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dont-say-gay-desantis-florida-gender-d3a9c91f4b5383a5bf6df6f7d8ff65b6">since been extended</a>&nbsp;through 12th grade. Moms for Liberty had loudly advocated both pieces of legislation.Ziegler appeared behind DeSantis in photographs of the latter bill's signing ceremony. When the group held its inaugural summit in Tampa last year, it hosted speeches by DeSantis and his wife, Casey, presenting the governor with a “liberty sword.”And though the group is a 501(c)4 nonprofit that doesn’t have to disclose its donors, there are other glimpses of how powerful Republicans have helped fuel its rise.Its summit sponsors, which&nbsp;<a href="https://www.momsforliberty.org/summit-23-sponsorship-opportunities/">paid tens of thousands of dollars</a>&nbsp;for those slots, include the Leadership Institute, the conservative Heritage Foundation and Patriot Mobile, a far-right Christian cellphone company whose PAC&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-elections-education-school-boards-teaching-059f2465829ab009394469b95c8cc94a">has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars</a>&nbsp;in an effort to take over Texas school boards.Maurice Cunningham, a former political science professor at the University of Massachusetts-Boston who has tracked Moms for Liberty's growth and relationships, said its ability to draw so many top Republican candidates to its second annual summit is a testament to its establishment support.“Yes, there are certainly moms that live in their communities and so forth who are active,” Cunningham said. “But this is a top down, centrally controlled operation with big-money people at the top and political professionals working for them.”Justice said the group's work with conservative organizations and DeSantis shows they take interest in the group's cause, but doesn't mean it isn't grassroots.Even as Moms for Liberty has aligned with establishment Republicans, researchers say its activism is part of a new wave of far-right anti-student inclusion efforts around the country.The Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate and extremism around the country, designated Moms for Liberty as an “anti-government extremist” group in its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.splcenter.org/year-hate-extremism-2022">annual report</a>&nbsp;released last week, along with 11 other groups it said use&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-education-gender-identity-0e2ca2cf0ef7d7bc6ef5b125f1ee0969">parents' rights</a>&nbsp;as a vehicle to attack public education and make schools less welcoming for minority and LGBTQ+ students.The label comes after some of the group's leaders and chapter chairs have been accused of&nbsp;<a href="https://ujsportal.pacourts.us/Report/MdjDocketSheet?docketNumber=MJ-60302-NT-0000079-2023&amp;dnh=S1aGVy3jfcq%2FBom1A%2BLguw%3D%3D">harassing community members</a>&nbsp;and amplifying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-target-swimsuits-transgender-pride-collection-892500330955">false claims related to gender controversies</a>.Justice said calling Moms for Liberty's activities extremist is “alarming” and that the group’s efforts to fund and endorse school board races show it is not anti-government.She said the group removes chapter chairs who break its code of conduct and that it has members and leaders who are gay, including one member of its national leadership team.A growing coalition of local organizations that promote inclusivity in education has begun to mobilize against Moms for Liberty and are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.change.org/p/help-me-stop-marriott-pennsylvania-from-hosting-a-hate-group-conference">petitioning Marriott</a>&nbsp;to stop the upcoming conference. Defense of Democracy, a New York organization founded in direct opposition to Moms for Liberty, plans to bring members to Philadelphia to protest in person.“They’re so loud and so aggressive that people are kind of scared into silence,” Defense of Democracy founder Karen Svoboda said of Moms for Liberty. "You know, if you see bigotry and homophobia, there is a civic responsibility to speak out against it."Moms for Liberty, in turn, said it will increase security for its meeting. Marriott hasn't responded to the petition, and the Southern Poverty Law Center's “extremist” designation hasn't deterred any Republican candidate who plans to speak.Haley responded by tweeting, “If @Moms4Liberty is a ‘hate group,’ add me to the list.” Ramaswamy went onstage for a Thursday town hall with Justice and tweeted that SPLC stands for “Selling Political Lies to Corporations.”Those responses are unsurprising to Cunningham, who said in today's climate, the “extremist” label is “almost a badge of honor” within the GOP.Moms for Liberty, for its part, is fundraising off it. After the SPLC report was public, Justice said the group quickly raised $45,000, an amount a larger donor has agreed to match.