KANSAS CITY — Kansas woman charged with multiple felony counts in connection with a recent shooting at a hotel in Blue Springs, Missouri, is now in custody, according to the Blue Springs,&nbsp; Police Department.

Samantha J. Thrasher, 24, faces two counts of Assault 1st Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor's office.

According to court records, Blue Springs police officers were dispatched&nbsp; on May 20, to a hotel in the 700 block of NW South Outer Road in Blue Springs after a caller said a shot had been fired inside the hotel. 

Officers located two victims, one an adult who had been shot multiple times and the other, a juvenile, was wounded in the elbow. Video surveillance showed the defendant taking a gun from a vehicle. She went into the hotel lobby, where she earlier was involved in an altercation, and fired multiple shots, striking both victims.

The Blue Springs Police Department had an active arrest warrant&nbsp; Thrasher. She is being held in the Platte County Jail, according to online records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686151702739.png" alt="Thrasher-photo Platte Co." />
 <figcaption>Thrasher-photo Platte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — Kansas woman charged with multiple felony counts in connection with a recent shooting at a hotel in Blue Springs, Missouri, is now in custody, according to the Blue Springs,&nbsp; Police Department.Samantha J. Thrasher, 24, faces two counts of Assault 1st Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action, according to the Jackson County Prosecutor's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685702173582.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>According to court records, Blue Springs police officers were dispatched&nbsp; on May 20, to a hotel in the 700 block of NW South Outer Road in Blue Springs after a caller said a shot had been fired inside the hotel. Officers located two victims, one an adult who had been shot multiple times and the other, a juvenile, was wounded in the elbow. Video surveillance showed the defendant taking a gun from a vehicle. She went into the hotel lobby, where she earlier was involved in an altercation, and fired multiple shots, striking both victims.The Blue Springs Police Department had an active arrest warrant&nbsp; Thrasher. She is being held in the Platte County Jail, according to online records.

Police: Kan. woman who shot man, 7-year-old is in custody

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a hernia in his abdominal wall, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-hospital-health-intestine-64750f0392511ea6dc6824b8f8db4f5a">latest malady</a>&nbsp;to befall the 86-year-old pontiff who had part of his colon removed two years ago.

The Vatican said there were no complications during the three-hour surgery, which required Francis to be under general anesthesia. Soon after the procedure, the surgeon who performed the operation said the pope was awake and fine and that the hernia was fixed.

The pontiff was expected to remain at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for several days. As a precaution, all papal audiences were canceled through June 18, the Vatican said.

While hernia operations are rarely performed on an emergency basis, the procedure appeared somewhat urgent, scheduled just a day after Francis went to the hospital for tests. The pontiff's doctors no doubt also wanted to give him ample time for recovery ahead of a busy travel schedule later this summer.

The pope was suffering from a “painful and worsening” hernia that formed over a previous scar, presumably from his 2021 colon surgery. Experts said the formation of the hernia, called a laparocele, is a known complication from intestinal surgery. The concern is that a portion of his intestine may have bulged through the tear and become trapped.

At three hours, the pope’s procedure was considerably longer than the standard 60 to 90 minutes doctors say the operation usually takes.

Spending more time under anesthesia, coupled with being on a ventilator for so long — in someone who has lost part of one lung as a young man — could put the pontiff at risk of breathing complications or a longer-than-expected recovery time.

It was also unclear if doctors removed any more sections of the pope’s colon, which may have been made necessary by the hernia.

Francis went to the hospital for previously unannounced tests Tuesday, returned to the Vatican and presided over his audience Wednesday morning, but then went straight to Gemelli for the procedure afterward.

“When the intestines are trapped, the blood supply to the bowel is compromised. And if you don’t take care of it, the bowel will die, and you will have gangrenous intestines,” said Dr. Walter Longo, chief of colon and rectal surgery at Yale University School of Medicine.

He said Francis should be OK after a few weeks of recovery, but he noted that the aging pope is already frail. “There’s the risk of going through surgery, operating on a fragile individual, but if he can get through it, he will be fine,” he said.

Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-religion-21bf68ed6376f57cd9e0a0af631b11d7">remains in charge</a>&nbsp;of the Vatican and the 1.3-billion strong Catholic Church, even while unconscious and in the hospital, according to canon law.

In July 2021, Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-health-religion-pope-francis-bfb9d24c1f6c430dcd9312221a62fc5d">spent 10 days</a>&nbsp;at Gemelli to remove 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his large intestine.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-retirement-papacy-dcca464e7c1fd910568d07d6bf4d9994">In an interview with The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;in January, Francis said the diverticulosis, or bulges in his intestinal wall, that prompted that surgery had returned.

After that surgery, Francis lamented that he hadn’t responded well to the general anesthetic used in the longer-than-expected procedure. That reaction in part explained his refusal to have surgery to repair strained knee ligaments that have forced him to use a wheelchair and walker for over a year.

Dr. Manish Chand, a professor of surgery at University College London who specializes in colorectal surgery, said the surgery itself is usually straightforward — but it does require general anesthesia. In the procedure, a surgeon typically frees the trapped intestine and then repairs the hernia and implants a prosthetic, most likely a piece of mesh.

He said the greatest issue afterwards would be pain management and making sure the wound heals properly.

“In the first six weeks after this type of surgery, you’re at risk of getting a recurrence again,” he said. To avoid that, patients are advised not to do anything strenuous.

Dr. Robin Phillips, an emeritus professor of colorectal surgery at Imperial College London, pointed out that abdominal surgery can also compromise lung function.

The Argentine pope had part of one lung removed when he was a young man. In late March, Francis spent three days at Gemelli&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-hospital-26d91fdd7a880e9c309581110c00e8bd?0=utm_source=ground.news&amp;1=utm_medium=referral">for bronchitis</a>&nbsp;and was treated with intravenous antibiotics. He emerged April 1 saying “Still alive!”

“I suspect they are doing it now because they are worried it might become more complicated and result in an emergency operation, which would carry an even bigger risk than leaving it alone or operating now,” Phillips said.

After celebrating his weekly general audience, the pope was driven in his Fiat 500 out of the Vatican shortly after 11 a.m. and arrived at the Gemelli some 20 minutes later, escorted by police.

“The stay at the health facility will last several days to allow for the normal post-operative course and full functional recovery,” the Vatican said in a statement. An update was not expected until after the procedure.

The pope had appeared in good form Wednesday morning at his audience in St. Peter’s Square, zipping around the square in his popemobile greeting the faithful. He also had two meetings beforehand, the Vatican said.

Francis has had a packed schedule of late, with multiple audiences each day. The Vatican recently confirmed a travel-filled August, when the Holy See and Italy are usually on vacation, with a four-day visit to Portugal the first week of August and a similarly long trip to Mongolia starting Aug. 31.

In a sign that the trips were still on, the Vatican on Tuesday released the planned itinerary for Francis’ visit to Portugal for World Youth Day events from Aug. 2 to Aug. 6. The busy schedule includes all the protocol meetings of an official state visit plus multiple events with young people and a day trip to the Marian shrine at Fatima.

The Vatican said there were no complications after the three-hour surgery, during which Francis was under general anesthesia. The 86-year-old pontiff was expected to remain at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for several days. As a precaution, all papal audiences were canceled through June 18, the Vatican said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603292366279.png" alt="Francis went to the hospital for previously unannounced tests Tuesday, returned to the Vatican and presided over his audience Wednesday morning, but then went straight to Gemelli for the procedure afterward.image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Francis went to the hospital for previously unannounced tests Tuesday, returned to the Vatican and presided over his audience Wednesday morning, but then went straight to Gemelli for the procedure afterward.image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) — Pope Francis underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a hernia in his abdominal wall, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-hospital-health-intestine-64750f0392511ea6dc6824b8f8db4f5a">latest malady</a>&nbsp;to befall the 86-year-old pontiff who had part of his colon removed two years ago.The Vatican said there were no complications during the three-hour surgery, which required Francis to be under general anesthesia. Soon after the procedure, the surgeon who performed the operation said the pope was awake and fine and that the hernia was fixed.The pontiff was expected to remain at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for several days. As a precaution, all papal audiences were canceled through June 18, the Vatican said.While hernia operations are rarely performed on an emergency basis, the procedure appeared somewhat urgent, scheduled just a day after Francis went to the hospital for tests. The pontiff's doctors no doubt also wanted to give him ample time for recovery ahead of a busy travel schedule later this summer.The pope was suffering from a “painful and worsening” hernia that formed over a previous scar, presumably from his 2021 colon surgery. Experts said the formation of the hernia, called a laparocele, is a known complication from intestinal surgery. The concern is that a portion of his intestine may have bulged through the tear and become trapped.At three hours, the pope’s procedure was considerably longer than the standard 60 to 90 minutes doctors say the operation usually takes.Spending more time under anesthesia, coupled with being on a ventilator for so long — in someone who has lost part of one lung as a young man — could put the pontiff at risk of breathing complications or a longer-than-expected recovery time.It was also unclear if doctors removed any more sections of the pope’s colon, which may have been made necessary by the hernia.Francis went to the hospital for previously unannounced tests Tuesday, returned to the Vatican and presided over his audience Wednesday morning, but then went straight to Gemelli for the procedure afterward.“When the intestines are trapped, the blood supply to the bowel is compromised. And if you don’t take care of it, the bowel will die, and you will have gangrenous intestines,” said Dr. Walter Longo, chief of colon and rectal surgery at Yale University School of Medicine.He said Francis should be OK after a few weeks of recovery, but he noted that the aging pope is already frail. “There’s the risk of going through surgery, operating on a fragile individual, but if he can get through it, he will be fine,” he said.Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-religion-21bf68ed6376f57cd9e0a0af631b11d7">remains in charge</a>&nbsp;of the Vatican and the 1.3-billion strong Catholic Church, even while unconscious and in the hospital, according to canon law.In July 2021, Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-health-religion-pope-francis-bfb9d24c1f6c430dcd9312221a62fc5d">spent 10 days</a>&nbsp;at Gemelli to remove 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his large intestine.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-retirement-papacy-dcca464e7c1fd910568d07d6bf4d9994">In an interview with The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;in January, Francis said the diverticulosis, or bulges in his intestinal wall, that prompted that surgery had returned.After that surgery, Francis lamented that he hadn’t responded well to the general anesthetic used in the longer-than-expected procedure. That reaction in part explained his refusal to have surgery to repair strained knee ligaments that have forced him to use a wheelchair and walker for over a year.Dr. Manish Chand, a professor of surgery at University College London who specializes in colorectal surgery, said the surgery itself is usually straightforward — but it does require general anesthesia. In the procedure, a surgeon typically frees the trapped intestine and then repairs the hernia and implants a prosthetic, most likely a piece of mesh.He said the greatest issue afterwards would be pain management and making sure the wound heals properly.“In the first six weeks after this type of surgery, you’re at risk of getting a recurrence again,” he said. To avoid that, patients are advised not to do anything strenuous.Dr. Robin Phillips, an emeritus professor of colorectal surgery at Imperial College London, pointed out that abdominal surgery can also compromise lung function.The Argentine pope had part of one lung removed when he was a young man. In late March, Francis spent three days at Gemelli&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-hospital-26d91fdd7a880e9c309581110c00e8bd?0=utm_source=ground.news&amp;1=utm_medium=referral">for bronchitis</a>&nbsp;and was treated with intravenous antibiotics. He emerged April 1 saying “Still alive!”“I suspect they are doing it now because they are worried it might become more complicated and result in an emergency operation, which would carry an even bigger risk than leaving it alone or operating now,” Phillips said.After celebrating his weekly general audience, the pope was driven in his Fiat 500 out of the Vatican shortly after 11 a.m. and arrived at the Gemelli some 20 minutes later, escorted by police.“The stay at the health facility will last several days to allow for the normal post-operative course and full functional recovery,” the Vatican said in a statement. An update was not expected until after the procedure.The pope had appeared in good form Wednesday morning at his audience in St. Peter’s Square, zipping around the square in his popemobile greeting the faithful. He also had two meetings beforehand, the Vatican said.Francis has had a packed schedule of late, with multiple audiences each day. The Vatican recently confirmed a travel-filled August, when the Holy See and Italy are usually on vacation, with a four-day visit to Portugal the first week of August and a similarly long trip to Mongolia starting Aug. 31.In a sign that the trips were still on, the Vatican on Tuesday released the planned itinerary for Francis’ visit to Portugal for World Youth Day events from Aug. 2 to Aug. 6. The busy schedule includes all the protocol meetings of an official state visit plus multiple events with young people and a day trip to the Marian shrine at Fatima.-------------ROME (AP) — Pope Francis underwent surgery Wednesday to repair a hernia in his abdominal wall, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-hospital-health-intestine-64750f0392511ea6dc6824b8f8db4f5a">latest malady</a>&nbsp;to befall the 86-year-old pontiff who had part of his colon removed two years ago.The Vatican said there were no complications after the three-hour surgery, during which Francis was under general anesthesia. The 86-year-old pontiff was expected to remain at Rome’s Gemelli hospital for several days. As a precaution, all papal audiences were canceled through June 18, the Vatican said.While hernia operations are rarely performed on an emergency basis, the procedure appeared somewhat urgent, scheduled just a day after Francis went to the hospital for tests. The pontiff's doctors no doubt also wanted to give him ample time for recovery ahead of a busy travel schedule later this summer.The pope was suffering from a “painful and worsening” hernia that formed over a previous scar, presumably from his 2021 colon surgery. Experts said the formation of the hernia, called a laparocele, is a known complication from intestinal surgery. The concern is that a portion of his intestine may have bulged through the tear and become trapped.Francis went to the hospital for previously unannounced tests Tuesday, returned to the Vatican and presided over his audience Wednesday morning, but then went straight to Gemelli for the procedure afterward.“When the intestines are trapped, the blood supply to the bowel is compromised. And if you don’t take care of it, the bowel will die, and you will have gangrenous intestines,” said Dr. Walter Longo, chief of colon and rectal surgery at Yale University School of Medicine.He said Francis should be OK after a few weeks of recovery, but he noted that the aging pope is already frail. “There’s the risk of going through surgery, operating on a fragile individual, but if he can get through it, he will be fine,” he said.Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-religion-21bf68ed6376f57cd9e0a0af631b11d7">remains in charge</a>&nbsp;of the Vatican and the 1.3-billion strong Catholic Church, even while unconscious and in the hospital, according to canon law.In July 2021, Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-health-religion-pope-francis-bfb9d24c1f6c430dcd9312221a62fc5d">spent 10 days</a>&nbsp;at Gemelli to remove 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his large intestine.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-retirement-papacy-dcca464e7c1fd910568d07d6bf4d9994">In an interview with The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;in January, Francis said the diverticulosis, or bulges in his intestinal wall, that prompted that surgery had returned.After that surgery, Francis lamented that he hadn’t responded well to the general anesthetic used in the longer-than-expected procedure. That reaction in part explained his refusal to have surgery to repair strained knee ligaments that have forced him to use a wheelchair and walker for over a year.Dr. Manish Chand, a professor of surgery at University College London who specializes in colorectal surgery, said the surgery itself is usually straightforward — but it does require general anesthesia. In the procedure, a surgeon typically frees the trapped intestine and then repairs the hernia and implants a prosthetic, most likely a piece of mesh.He said the greatest issue afterwards would be pain management and making sure the wound heals properly.“In the first six weeks after this type of surgery, you’re at risk of getting a recurrence again,” he said. To avoid that, patients are advised not to do anything strenuous.Dr. Robin Phillips, an emeritus professor of colorectal surgery at Imperial College London, pointed out that abdominal surgery can also compromise lung function.The Argentine pope had part of one lung removed when he was a young man. In late March, Francis spent three days at Gemelli&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-francis-hospital-26d91fdd7a880e9c309581110c00e8bd?0=utm_source=ground.news&amp;1=utm_medium=referral">for bronchitis</a>&nbsp;and was treated with intravenous antibiotics. He emerged April 1 saying “Still alive!”“I suspect they are doing it now because they are worried it might become more complicated and result in an emergency operation, which would carry an even bigger risk than leaving it alone or operating now,” Phillips said.After celebrating his weekly general audience, the pope was driven in his Fiat 500 out of the Vatican shortly after 11 a.m. and arrived at the Gemelli some 20 minutes later, escorted by police.“The stay at the health facility will last several days to allow for the normal post-operative course and full functional recovery,” the Vatican said in a statement. An update was not expected until after the procedure.The pope had appeared in good form Wednesday morning at his audience in St. Peter’s Square, zipping around the square in his popemobile greeting the faithful. He also had two meetings beforehand, the Vatican said.Francis has had a packed schedule of late, with multiple audiences each day. The Vatican recently confirmed a travel-filled August, when the Holy See and Italy are usually on vacation, with a four-day visit to Portugal the first week of August and a similarly long trip to Mongolia starting Aug. 31.In a sign that the trips were still on, the Vatican on Tuesday released the planned itinerary for Francis’ visit to Portugal for World Youth Day events from Aug. 2 to Aug. 6. The busy schedule includes all the protocol meetings of an official state visit plus multiple events with young people and a day trip to the Marian shrine at Fatima.

Pope Francis emerges from 3-hour abdominal surgery without complications

RAWLINS COUNTY — The cause of Monday's fire at the Rawlins County/Atwood Jr. and Senior High has been determined to be arson, according to a media release from the Kansas State Fire Marshal.

On Tuesday night, two juveniles were taken into custody for this incident.

USD 105 Rawlins County Public Schools reported the Junior-Senior High School suffered significant damage from a fire Monday morning.

"Smoke was discovered when opening for the summer weight program," according to the post attributed to Superintendent Eric Stoddard. "Atwood, local, and area fire departments responded to the fire. It appears the building has sustained significant damage, but the extent is unknown."

The joint investigation with the State Fire Marshal also included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Atwood Police Department, and the Rawlins County Sheriff's Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686015953309.png" alt="Photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>RAWLINS COUNTY — The cause of Monday's fire at the Rawlins County/Atwood Jr. and Senior High has been determined to be arson, according to a media release from the Kansas State Fire Marshal.On Tuesday night, two juveniles were taken into custody for this incident.USD 105 Rawlins County Public Schools reported the Junior-Senior High School suffered significant damage from a fire Monday morning."Smoke was discovered when opening for the summer weight program," according to the post attributed to Superintendent Eric Stoddard. "Atwood, local, and area fire departments responded to the fire. It appears the building has sustained significant damage, but the extent is unknown."The joint investigation with the State Fire Marshal also included the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Atwood Police Department, and the Rawlins County Sheriff's Office.

Fire Marshal: Juveniles accused of setting fire at Kansas school

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Abortion providers sued Kansas on Tuesday, challenging a new law requiring them to tell patients that an abortion medication can be stopped but also existing restrictions that include a decades-old requirement that patients wait 24 hours to terminate their pregnancies.

The lawsuit filed in state district court in Shawnee County, home to the state capital of Topeka, argues that Kansas has created a “Biased Counseling Scheme” designed to discourage patients from getting abortions and to stigmatize patients who terminate their pregnancies. The lawsuit contends that the requirements have become “increasingly absurd and invasive” over time and spread medical misinformation.

Kansas voters in August 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">decisively affirmed abortion rights,</a>&nbsp;refusing to overturn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">a state Supreme Court decision</a>&nbsp;three years earlier that declared access to abortion a matter of bodily autonomy and a fundamental right under the state constitution. The providers hope the state courts will invalidate the entire state law that spells out what they must tell patients — in writing — and when, with a single, specific style of type mandate for the forms.

Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, one of the providers filing the lawsuit, said the Republican-controlled Legislature's approval of the new abortion medication law caused providers to look at the broader law and restrictions they have always found problematic. Under the new law, set to take effect July 1, providers would be required to tell patients about a regime for stopping medication abortions that major medical groups consider ineffective and potentially dangerous.

“We thought about the fact that the voters were very clear in the fact that they want providers able to speak directly and honestly to their patients,” Wales said in an interview. “This addition would really harm patients potentially, so we felt compelled to do something.”

Last year's vote and the 2019 state Supreme Court decision mean that Kansas lawmakers cannot greatly restrict or ban abortion, in sharp contrast to other states with Republican-controlled Legislatures following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision</a>&nbsp;against abortion rights in June 2022. The new Kansas law was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-reversal-culture-war-kansas-b4f1ab2b807eaa36fe11756248cc08ea">enacted over the veto</a>&nbsp;of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, an abortion rights supporter.

The medication abortion-reversal regime, touted for more than a decade by abortion opponents, uses doses of a hormone, progesterone, commonly used in attempts to prevent miscarriages. Supporters of the new law — and Kansas' entire Right to Know Act — argue that they are making sure that patients have the information they need to make informed decisions about ending their pregnancies.

Anti-abortion groups and lawmakers also are likely to be upset about the lawsuit because of the campaign leading up to the August 2022 vote. The measure on the ballot was a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would have declared that it does not grant a right to abortion. Abortion opponents pitched it as a way to preserve reasonable restrictions. But as written, the Legislature would have gained the power to ban abortion — and that point was emphasized by abortion rights supporters.

Abortion foes warned repeatedly that without a change in the state constitution, the state risked having even longstanding restrictions reversed. Parts of the law being challenged — including the 24-hour waiting period — were enacted in 1997.

“With today’s lawsuit, the profit-driven abortion industry has launched an unprecedented attack on a woman’s right to informed consent before an abortion is performed on her," Danielle Underwood, spokesperson for Kansans for Life, the state's most influential anti-abortion group, said in a statement.

Underwood added that with the attack on the waiting period, “they’re aggressively working to speed up the decision-making process, seemingly forcing women into abortion without discussion of alternatives.”

The lawsuit was filed by the Planned Parenthood affiliate, which operates two clinics in the Kansas City area and one in Wichita; another center offering abortion services in the Kansas City area; its owner and another doctor working there. The defendants are state Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Republican who has vowed to defend state abortion laws; district attorneys in the Kansas City and Wichita areas who would enforce the restrictions; and the top staffer and chairman of the state medical board.

However a district court judge rules, the case is likely eventually to go to the Kansas Supreme Court. The seven justices&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-restrictions-lawsuits-kansas-3eb09cbcdfb18e06aee024e557f9814c">already are reviewing</a>&nbsp;a ban enacted in 2015 on the most common second-trimester abortion procedure and a 2011 law setting special health and safety regulations for abortion providers. Neither has been enforced.

By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Abortion providers sued Kansas on Tuesday, challenging a new law requiring them to tell patients that an abortion medication can be stopped but also existing restrictions that include a decades-old requirement that patients wait 24 hours to terminate their pregnancies.The lawsuit filed in state district court in Shawnee County, home to the state capital of Topeka, argues that Kansas has created a “Biased Counseling Scheme” designed to discourage patients from getting abortions and to stigmatize patients who terminate their pregnancies. The lawsuit contends that the requirements have become “increasingly absurd and invasive” over time and spread medical misinformation.Kansas voters in August 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-primary-elections-kansas-abortion-b6d62a852c2ce4617f2c03589fbb523e">decisively affirmed abortion rights,</a>&nbsp;refusing to overturn&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3f479b218a6140719e1694fcfcdb8036">a state Supreme Court decision</a>&nbsp;three years earlier that declared access to abortion a matter of bodily autonomy and a fundamental right under the state constitution. The providers hope the state courts will invalidate the entire state law that spells out what they must tell patients — in writing — and when, with a single, specific style of type mandate for the forms.Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, one of the providers filing the lawsuit, said the Republican-controlled Legislature's approval of the new abortion medication law caused providers to look at the broader law and restrictions they have always found problematic. Under the new law, set to take effect July 1, providers would be required to tell patients about a regime for stopping medication abortions that major medical groups consider ineffective and potentially dangerous.“We thought about the fact that the voters were very clear in the fact that they want providers able to speak directly and honestly to their patients,” Wales said in an interview. “This addition would really harm patients potentially, so we felt compelled to do something.”Last year's vote and the 2019 state Supreme Court decision mean that Kansas lawmakers cannot greatly restrict or ban abortion, in sharp contrast to other states with Republican-controlled Legislatures following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision</a>&nbsp;against abortion rights in June 2022. The new Kansas law was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-reversal-culture-war-kansas-b4f1ab2b807eaa36fe11756248cc08ea">enacted over the veto</a>&nbsp;of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, an abortion rights supporter.The medication abortion-reversal regime, touted for more than a decade by abortion opponents, uses doses of a hormone, progesterone, commonly used in attempts to prevent miscarriages. Supporters of the new law — and Kansas' entire Right to Know Act — argue that they are making sure that patients have the information they need to make informed decisions about ending their pregnancies.Anti-abortion groups and lawmakers also are likely to be upset about the lawsuit because of the campaign leading up to the August 2022 vote. The measure on the ballot was a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would have declared that it does not grant a right to abortion. Abortion opponents pitched it as a way to preserve reasonable restrictions. But as written, the Legislature would have gained the power to ban abortion — and that point was emphasized by abortion rights supporters.Abortion foes warned repeatedly that without a change in the state constitution, the state risked having even longstanding restrictions reversed. Parts of the law being challenged — including the 24-hour waiting period — were enacted in 1997.“With today’s lawsuit, the profit-driven abortion industry has launched an unprecedented attack on a woman’s right to informed consent before an abortion is performed on her," Danielle Underwood, spokesperson for Kansans for Life, the state's most influential anti-abortion group, said in a statement.Underwood added that with the attack on the waiting period, “they’re aggressively working to speed up the decision-making process, seemingly forcing women into abortion without discussion of alternatives.”The lawsuit was filed by the Planned Parenthood affiliate, which operates two clinics in the Kansas City area and one in Wichita; another center offering abortion services in the Kansas City area; its owner and another doctor working there. The defendants are state Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Republican who has vowed to defend state abortion laws; district attorneys in the Kansas City and Wichita areas who would enforce the restrictions; and the top staffer and chairman of the state medical board.However a district court judge rules, the case is likely eventually to go to the Kansas Supreme Court. The seven justices&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-restrictions-lawsuits-kansas-3eb09cbcdfb18e06aee024e557f9814c">already are reviewing</a>&nbsp;a ban enacted in 2015 on the most common second-trimester abortion procedure and a 2011 law setting special health and safety regulations for abortion providers. Neither has been enforced.

Abortion providers sue Kansas over new medication rule, waiting period

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —A Kansas teen died from injuries in a accident that occurred just after 8:30a.m. Sunday in Montgomery County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Chevy Impala driven by 16-year-old Kendall, Mackenzie Marie Dezyrae Kendall of Coffeyville was southbound in the 2000 Block of Country Road 4300. 

The car crossed the center line and the driver overcorrected. The car then traveled off the road to the west struck a metal fence and came to rest in a field.

EMS transported Kendall to a hospital in Tulsa where she died. Two passengers identified as 18-year-old Jacob Palmer and 21-year-old Christian Jovani&nbsp;Rodrigue-Rodriguez of Coffeyville were not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —A Kansas teen died from injuries in a accident that occurred just after 8:30a.m. Sunday in Montgomery County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Chevy Impala driven by 16-year-old Kendall, Mackenzie Marie Dezyrae Kendall of Coffeyville was southbound in the 2000 Block of Country Road 4300. The car crossed the center line and the driver overcorrected. The car then traveled off the road to the west struck a metal fence and came to rest in a field.EMS transported Kendall to a hospital in Tulsa where she died. Two passengers identified as 18-year-old Jacob Palmer and 21-year-old Christian Jovani&nbsp;Rodrigue-Rodriguez of Coffeyville were not injured. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

KHP IDs Kansas teen who died after car struck metal fence

SEDGWICK COUNTY —After 17 days, a woman wanted for a fatal shooting is finally in custody.

On Tuesday, police arrested 19-year-old La’Niha Banks&nbsp; stemming from a shooting investigation that fatally injured 19-year-old Lationna Johnson of Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Just after 11 pm May 20, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1000 block of E 1st Street N. in Wichita. Upon arrival, officers located the Johnson with two gunshot wounds to her upper body. 

EMS transported her to an area hospital in critical condition and with life-threatening injuries. She died on May 23, according to Rebolledo. 

The investigation revealed that Johnson was trying to break up a physical altercation between an acquaintance of hers and Banks in a parking lot. After the victim managed to stop the fight, she started to drive away, but the Banks produced a handgun and started to shoot into the occupied vehicle.

Banks is being held on requested charges of one count of Felony Murder, two counts of Criminal Discharge into an Occupied Vehicle, one count of Attempted 1st Degree Murder and four counts of Aggravated Assault.

Police have not released details on the arrest.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a&nbsp; shooting that sent a 19-year-old from Wichita to the hospital where she died May 23, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Officers continue the search for a suspect identified as&nbsp; 19-year-old La’Niha Banks who is considered armed and dangerous.

Just after 11 p.m. May 20, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1000 block of E 1st Street N in Wichita.

First responders located a woman with two gunshot wounds to her upper body. The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition and with life-threatening injuries.

The investigation revealed that the victim was trying to break up a physical altercation between an acquaintance of hers and Banks in a parking lot. 

After the victim managed to stop the fight, she started to drive away, but&nbsp; Banks produced a handgun and started to shoot into the occupied vehicle.

During the investigation, detectives were able to confirm Banks as the suspect. She was last seen fleeing in a red 2014 Buick Lacrosse with a paper 60-day tag. The police have located the car.

&nbsp;Banks is wanted on requested charges of aggravated battery, five counts of Aggravated Assault, two counts of discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and one count of&nbsp; murder.&nbsp; If you see Banks or know where she is, call 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686138861430.png" alt="Banks photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Banks photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —After 17 days, a woman wanted for a fatal shooting is finally in custody.On Tuesday, police arrested 19-year-old La’Niha Banks&nbsp; stemming from a shooting investigation that fatally injured 19-year-old Lationna Johnson of Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Just after 11 pm May 20, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1000 block of E 1st Street N. in Wichita. Upon arrival, officers located the Johnson with two gunshot wounds to her upper body. EMS transported her to an area hospital in critical condition and with life-threatening injuries. She died on May 23, according to Rebolledo. The investigation revealed that Johnson was trying to break up a physical altercation between an acquaintance of hers and Banks in a parking lot. After the victim managed to stop the fight, she started to drive away, but the Banks produced a handgun and started to shoot into the occupied vehicle.Banks is being held on requested charges of one count of Felony Murder, two counts of Criminal Discharge into an Occupied Vehicle, one count of Attempted 1st Degree Murder and four counts of Aggravated Assault.Police have not released details on the arrest.----------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a&nbsp; shooting that sent a 19-year-old from Wichita to the hospital where she died May 23, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Officers continue the search for a suspect identified as&nbsp; 19-year-old La’Niha Banks who is considered armed and dangerous.Just after 11 p.m. May 20, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1000 block of E 1st Street N in Wichita.First responders located a woman with two gunshot wounds to her upper body. The victim was transported to an area hospital in critical condition and with life-threatening injuries.The investigation revealed that the victim was trying to break up a physical altercation between an acquaintance of hers and Banks in a parking lot. After the victim managed to stop the fight, she started to drive away, but&nbsp; Banks produced a handgun and started to shoot into the occupied vehicle.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684688157483.png" alt="Police reported on May 23 they had recovered Banks' car -photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Police reported on May 23 they had recovered Banks' car -photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>During the investigation, detectives were able to confirm Banks as the suspect. She was last seen fleeing in a red 2014 Buick Lacrosse with a paper 60-day tag. The police have located the car.&nbsp;Banks is wanted on requested charges of aggravated battery, five counts of Aggravated Assault, two counts of discharge of a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and one count of&nbsp; murder.&nbsp; If you see Banks or know where she is, call 911.

After 17 days, police capture Kansas murder suspect

WEBSTER COUNTY—One person died from injuries in an accident just after 5p.m. Tuesday in Webster County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Mercedes 320 driven by Julia M. Young, 38, Seymour, was southbound on Highway C two miles north of Seymour.

The car was passing and rear-ended an Amish buggy driven by Sammy W. Schwartz, 23, Seymour. Schwartz and two passengers of the buggy were ejected.

EMS transported Schwartz, Barbara Schwartz, 24, and a baby all from Seymour, to Cox South in Springfield. The baby was pronounced deceased just before 8p.m., according to the MSHP. Young was not injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686146756144.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>WEBSTER COUNTY—One person died from injuries in an accident just after 5p.m. Tuesday in Webster County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Mercedes 320 driven by Julia M. Young, 38, Seymour, was southbound on Highway C two miles north of Seymour.The car was passing and rear-ended an Amish buggy driven by Sammy W. Schwartz, 23, Seymour. Schwartz and two passengers of the buggy were ejected.EMS transported Schwartz, Barbara Schwartz, 24, and a baby all from Seymour, to Cox South in Springfield. The baby was pronounced deceased just before 8p.m., according to the MSHP. Young was not injured.

Baby dies after car rear-ends buggy on Mo. highway

LANE COUNTY —On Tuesday, Kansas Game Warden Angie Reisch asked the Lane County Sheriff's office for help with a Great Horned Owl chick, according to a social media report.

The owl had decided to leave the tree a little early, and was at risk of being injured by dogs or vehicles.

The rehab facility advised her to try to put the owl back in the tree by the nest.  Because of the height,  Kansas Municipal Energy Agency was called. Steven Porter put on the animal gloves and secured the Apex Predator (cute baby wrapped in it's blanket). 

He maneuvered the bucket hight up into the nesting tree and gently placed the Owl chick as close to the nest as possible. The Lane County Sheriff's office thanked KMEA, and Steven Porter for their assistance with this Owl family.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686088721783.png" alt="Photo Lane Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Lane Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>LANE COUNTY —On Tuesday, Kansas Game Warden Angie Reisch asked the Lane County Sheriff's office for help with a Great Horned Owl chick, according to a social media report.The owl had decided to leave the tree a little early, and was at risk of being injured by dogs or vehicles.The rehab facility advised her to try to put the owl back in the tree by the nest. Because of the height, Kansas Municipal Energy Agency was called. Steven Porter put on the animal gloves and secured the Apex Predator (cute baby wrapped in it's blanket). He maneuvered the bucket hight up into the nesting tree and gently placed the Owl chick as close to the nest as possible. The Lane County Sheriff's office thanked KMEA, and Steven Porter for their assistance with this Owl family.

Kansas game warden, sheriff rescue Great Horned Owl chick

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that took place Monday evening just before 9:30 p.m. in the 500 block of Elizabeth Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas.

The victim has been identified as 35-year-old&nbsp; Thomas Wheeler of Kansas City, Missouri.

He was transported to an area hospital where police reported Tuesday afternoon that he died.

Police have not released any possible suspect details.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting that took place Monday evening just before 9:30 p.m. in the 500 block of Elizabeth Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas.The victim has been identified as 35-year-old&nbsp; Thomas Wheeler of Kansas City, Missouri.He was transported to an area hospital where police reported Tuesday afternoon that he died.Police have not released any possible suspect details.

Police: Victim in Kansas shooting has died

WASHINGTON&nbsp; COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 8a.m. Tuesday in Washington County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Kia Telluride driven by Jenna&nbsp;Tormondson, 30, Hanover, was northbound on Kansas 148 just north of 24th Road. 

The KIA struck the front driver's side of a northbound 2011 Holland T5070 KDOT mower driven by Scott Braddy, 37, Clay Center, who was mowing in the east ditch.&nbsp;

EMS transported&nbsp;Tormondson to the hospital in Hanover. Braddy was not injured. Tormondson was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

WASHINGTON&nbsp; COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 8a.m. Tuesday in Washington County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Kia Telluride driven by Jenna&nbsp;Tormondson, 30, Hanover, was northbound on Kansas 148 just north of 24th Road. The KIA struck the front driver's side of a northbound 2011 Holland T5070 KDOT mower driven by Scott Braddy, 37, Clay Center, who was mowing in the east ditch.&nbsp;EMS transported&nbsp;Tormondson to the hospital in Hanover. Braddy was not injured. Tormondson was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman hospitalized after SUV strikes KDOT mower

BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) — A man who shot and killed two jailers nearly 23 years ago during a failed bid to help an acquaintance escape from a rural jail was executed Tuesday evening.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tisius-execution-death-penalty-missouri-e801aa9774bf6f613eacbc80c784d8ea">Michael Tisius</a>, 42, received a lethal injection of pentobarbital at the state prison in Bonne Terre and was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m., authorities said. He was convicted of the June 22, 2000,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-michael-tisius-e4a26eebace4f63ac5da75b6e07a6a16">killings of Leon Egley and Jason Acton</a>&nbsp;at the small Randolph County Jail.

Tisius breathed hard a few times as the drug was administered, then fell silent. His spiritual adviser, Melissa Potts-Bowers, was in the room with him. Because the execution chamber is surrounded by soundproof glass, it's not known what they were saying to each other.

In a final written statement, Tisius said he tried hard “to become a better man,” and he expressed remorse for his crimes.

“I am sorry,” he wrote. “And not because I am at the end. But because I truly am sorry.”

Tisius’ lawyers had urged the U.S. Supreme Court to block the execution, alleging in appeals that a juror at a sentencing hearing was illiterate, in violation of Missouri law. The court rejected that motion Tuesday afternoon.

The Supreme Court previously turned aside another argument — that Tisius should be spared because he was just 19 at the time of the killings. A 2005 Supreme Court ruling bars executions of those under 18 when their crime occurred, but attorneys for Tisius had argued that even at 19, when the killings occurred, Tisius should have had his sentence commuted to life in prison without parole.

Advocates for Tisius had said he was largely neglected as a child and was homeless by his early teens. His path to the death chamber began in 1999 when, as an 18-year-old, he was jailed on a misdemeanor charge of pawning a rented stereo system.

In June 2000, Tisius was housed on that charge at the same county jail in Huntsville with inmate Roy Vance. Tisius was about to be released, and court records show the men discussed a plan in which Tisius, once he was out, would help Vance escape.

Just after midnight on June 22, 2000, Tisius went to the jail accompanied by Vance’s girlfriend, Tracie Bulington. They told Egley and Acton that they were there to deliver cigarettes to Vance. The jailers didn’t know that Tisius had a pistol.

At trial, Bulington testified that she looked up and saw Tisius with the gun drawn, then watched as he shot and killed Acton. When Egley approached, Tisius shot him, too. Both officers were unarmed.

Tisius found keys at the dispatch area and tried to open Vance’s cell, but couldn’t. When Egley grabbed Bulington’s leg, Tisius shot him several more times.

Tisius and Bulington fled but their car broke down later that day in Kansas. They were arrested in Wathena, Kansas, about 130 miles (210 kilometers) west of Huntsville. Tisius confessed to the crimes.

Sid Conklin, now presiding commissioner of Randolph County, was a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer who investigated the killings in 2000. Conklin said the deaths of the two young jailers — both in their 30s — still haunt the community.

“I hope this brings closure for all citizens of Randolph County,” said Conklin, who witnessed the execution.

Another now-retired highway patrol investigator, Randy King, described the jailers as “good, everyday people trying to make a living.”

“I pray for the guy's (Tisius') soul, but it's been 23 years and it's time for justice to be served,” King said. He also witnessed the execution.

Bulington and Vance are serving life sentences on murder convictions.

Defense attorneys have argued that the killings were not premeditated. Tisius, they said, intended to order the jailers into a holding cell and free Vance and other inmates. Tisius’ defense team issued a video last week in which Vance said he planned the escape attempt and manipulated Tisius into participating.

A statement from Tisius' legal team questioned the value of the death penalty.

“We teach our preschoolers that two wrongs don’t make a right. Today, we watch our adults casually dismiss such eternal guidance,” the statement read, in part.

The execution was the 12th in the U.S. this year, and the third in Missouri. Only Texas, with four, has executed more people than Missouri this year.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-legal-proceedings-missouri-st-louis-capital-punishment-b45a31029fa42d9eb67b5b4e1f6a6ffe">Amber McLaughlin</a>, 49, who killed a woman and dumped the body near the Mississippi River in St. Louis, was put to death in January. The execution was believed to be the first of a transgender woman in the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-state-government-california-homicide-94fe2fefa47faa618d3826c7f32e6f1d">Raheem Taylor</a>, 58, was executed in February for killing his live-in girlfriend and her three children in 2004 in St. Louis County.

Another Missouri execution is scheduled for Aug. 1.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-august-06f474f368dfd5ff5c4145164b222a3b">Johnny Johnson</a>&nbsp;was convicted of sexually assaulting and killing a 6-year-old girl in St. Louis County in 2002.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677790581061.png" alt="Tisius-photo MODOC" />
 <figcaption>Tisius-photo MODOC</figcaption>
 </figure>BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) — A man who shot and killed two jailers nearly 23 years ago during a failed bid to help an acquaintance escape from a rural jail was executed Tuesday evening.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tisius-execution-death-penalty-missouri-e801aa9774bf6f613eacbc80c784d8ea">Michael Tisius</a>, 42, received a lethal injection of pentobarbital at the state prison in Bonne Terre and was pronounced dead at 6:10 p.m., authorities said. He was convicted of the June 22, 2000,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-michael-tisius-e4a26eebace4f63ac5da75b6e07a6a16">killings of Leon Egley and Jason Acton</a>&nbsp;at the small Randolph County Jail.Tisius breathed hard a few times as the drug was administered, then fell silent. His spiritual adviser, Melissa Potts-Bowers, was in the room with him. Because the execution chamber is surrounded by soundproof glass, it's not known what they were saying to each other.In a final written statement, Tisius said he tried hard “to become a better man,” and he expressed remorse for his crimes.“I am sorry,” he wrote. “And not because I am at the end. But because I truly am sorry.”Tisius’ lawyers had urged the U.S. Supreme Court to block the execution, alleging in appeals that a juror at a sentencing hearing was illiterate, in violation of Missouri law. The court rejected that motion Tuesday afternoon.The Supreme Court previously turned aside another argument — that Tisius should be spared because he was just 19 at the time of the killings. A 2005 Supreme Court ruling bars executions of those under 18 when their crime occurred, but attorneys for Tisius had argued that even at 19, when the killings occurred, Tisius should have had his sentence commuted to life in prison without parole.Advocates for Tisius had said he was largely neglected as a child and was homeless by his early teens. His path to the death chamber began in 1999 when, as an 18-year-old, he was jailed on a misdemeanor charge of pawning a rented stereo system.In June 2000, Tisius was housed on that charge at the same county jail in Huntsville with inmate Roy Vance. Tisius was about to be released, and court records show the men discussed a plan in which Tisius, once he was out, would help Vance escape.Just after midnight on June 22, 2000, Tisius went to the jail accompanied by Vance’s girlfriend, Tracie Bulington. They told Egley and Acton that they were there to deliver cigarettes to Vance. The jailers didn’t know that Tisius had a pistol.At trial, Bulington testified that she looked up and saw Tisius with the gun drawn, then watched as he shot and killed Acton. When Egley approached, Tisius shot him, too. Both officers were unarmed.Tisius found keys at the dispatch area and tried to open Vance’s cell, but couldn’t. When Egley grabbed Bulington’s leg, Tisius shot him several more times.Tisius and Bulington fled but their car broke down later that day in Kansas. They were arrested in Wathena, Kansas, about 130 miles (210 kilometers) west of Huntsville. Tisius confessed to the crimes.Sid Conklin, now presiding commissioner of Randolph County, was a Missouri State Highway Patrol officer who investigated the killings in 2000. Conklin said the deaths of the two young jailers — both in their 30s — still haunt the community.“I hope this brings closure for all citizens of Randolph County,” said Conklin, who witnessed the execution.Another now-retired highway patrol investigator, Randy King, described the jailers as “good, everyday people trying to make a living.”“I pray for the guy's (Tisius') soul, but it's been 23 years and it's time for justice to be served,” King said. He also witnessed the execution.Bulington and Vance are serving life sentences on murder convictions.Defense attorneys have argued that the killings were not premeditated. Tisius, they said, intended to order the jailers into a holding cell and free Vance and other inmates. Tisius’ defense team issued a video last week in which Vance said he planned the escape attempt and manipulated Tisius into participating.A statement from Tisius' legal team questioned the value of the death penalty.“We teach our preschoolers that two wrongs don’t make a right. Today, we watch our adults casually dismiss such eternal guidance,” the statement read, in part.The execution was the 12th in the U.S. this year, and the third in Missouri. Only Texas, with four, has executed more people than Missouri this year.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-legal-proceedings-missouri-st-louis-capital-punishment-b45a31029fa42d9eb67b5b4e1f6a6ffe">Amber McLaughlin</a>, 49, who killed a woman and dumped the body near the Mississippi River in St. Louis, was put to death in January. The execution was believed to be the first of a transgender woman in the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-state-government-california-homicide-94fe2fefa47faa618d3826c7f32e6f1d">Raheem Taylor</a>, 58, was executed in February for killing his live-in girlfriend and her three children in 2004 in St. Louis County.Another Missouri execution is scheduled for Aug. 1.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-execution-august-06f474f368dfd5ff5c4145164b222a3b">Johnny Johnson</a>&nbsp;was convicted of sexually assaulting and killing a 6-year-old girl in St. Louis County in 2002.

Missouri killer offers apology before his execution 

COOPER COUNTY—One person was injured in a multi-vehicle crash just after 10a.m. Tuesday in Cooper County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported six vehicle were westbound on Interstate 70 over the Rocheport Bridge. Traffic was slowing ahead due to construction which restricted traffic to one lane. 

An unknown vehicle swerved and braked abruptly in front of a 2011 GMC van driven by Tom E. Schipp, 37, Russelleville, Missouri, causing a chain reaction crash. All six vehicles came to rest blocking both west bound lanes. 

Cooper County EMS transported the driver of a 2015 Ford F150 identified as Randall P. Jostes, 61, St. Charles, to University Hospital. There were no other injuries reported..

COOPER COUNTY —Interstate 70 westbound at the Rocheport Bridge was temporarily closed Tuesday afternoon while first responders worked a multi-vehicle crash injury crash.

One truck carrying 57 head of cattle was off loaded on the bridge and cows moved to stock trailers. One patient was extricated and transported, according to Boone County Fire.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686087997051.png" alt="Photos courtesy Boone Co. Fire and MSHP" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Boone Co. Fire and MSHP</figcaption>
 </figure>COOPER COUNTY—One person was injured in a multi-vehicle crash just after 10a.m. Tuesday in Cooper County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported six vehicle were westbound on Interstate 70 over the Rocheport Bridge. Traffic was slowing ahead due to construction which restricted traffic to one lane. An unknown vehicle swerved and braked abruptly in front of a 2011 GMC van driven by Tom E. Schipp, 37, Russelleville, Missouri, causing a chain reaction crash. All six vehicles came to rest blocking both west bound lanes. Cooper County EMS transported the driver of a 2015 Ford F150 identified as Randall P. Jostes, 61, St. Charles, to University Hospital. There were no other injuries reported..COOPER COUNTY —Interstate 70 westbound at the Rocheport Bridge was temporarily closed Tuesday afternoon while first responders worked a multi-vehicle crash injury crash.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This is the other tractor trailer involved, which is being unloaded so it can be towed away. <a href="https://t.co/gJiO6jOf4m">pic.twitter.com/gJiO6jOf4m</a>&mdash; MSHP Troop F (@MSHPTrooperF) <a href="https://twitter.com/MSHPTrooperF/status/1666170928533762050?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">While on scene of the accident, Boone County Firefighters responded with a brush truck to cool other cows that were overheating in the traffic jam. The truck had been stopped in traffic for several hours. <a href="https://t.co/UetRRnLhDD">pic.twitter.com/UetRRnLhDD</a>&mdash; Boone County Fire (@BooneCountyFire) <a href="https://twitter.com/BooneCountyFire/status/1666174070164004864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>One truck carrying 57 head of cattle was off loaded on the bridge and cows moved to stock trailers. One patient was extricated and transported, according to Boone County Fire.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

1 injured after 5-vehicle crash that temporarily shut down I-70 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating continue their investigation of the Amber Alert issued on Monday and the suspect involved.

Just after 10:30 a.m., police responded to a domestic disturbance the area of the 2100 Block of SE Swygart Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

During the investigation, it was reported that four juveniles related to the incident were in imminent danger, and an Amber Alert was issued.

At approximately 3:19 p.m. the four juveniles were located, unharmed, in the 1300 block of NE Winfield Avenue in Topeka. Police also took the children's mother identified as 30-year-old Dontresha Shabree Thomas into custody. She remains jailed without bond on requested charges of Aggravated Assault, Criminal Threat, Endangering a child and Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer.

TOPEKA—According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, at 3:22p.m Monday, authorities located&nbsp;the children in Topeka, according to a statement from the agency.

 The children are safe and the the suspect identified as their mother, Dontresha Thomas, is in custody.  The KBI and the Topeka Police Department thanked the public for their response and vigilance.

TOPEKA —The state of Kansas issued an Amber Alert Monday afternoon.

According to the KBI, at 10:34 a.m. Monday. Au'Vae Riley, Da"avien Riley JR, Ty'rell Riley, and Aunila Riley were taken by their mother Dontresha Shabree Thomas. 

The suspect's statements to the father indicate that all of the children are in imminent danger. 

The suspect left from 2105 SE Swygart in Topeka, KS traveling in a unknown direction in a silver 2009 GMC Acadia bearing KS temporary license plate number C953627. Call 911 immediately if you have seen a missing child, suspect, or suspects vehicle. If you have other information on a missing child, call 911 or the Topeka Police Department at 785-368-9200.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686059590919.png" alt="Thomas-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Thomas-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating continue their investigation of the Amber Alert issued on Monday and the suspect involved.Just after 10:30 a.m., police responded to a domestic disturbance the area of the 2100 Block of SE Swygart Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.During the investigation, it was reported that four juveniles related to the incident were in imminent danger, and an Amber Alert was issued.At approximately 3:19 p.m. the four juveniles were located, unharmed, in the 1300 block of NE Winfield Avenue in Topeka. Police also took the children's mother identified as 30-year-old Dontresha Shabree Thomas into custody. She remains jailed without bond on requested charges of Aggravated Assault, Criminal Threat, Endangering a child and Interference with a Law Enforcement Officer.-------------TOPEKA—According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, at 3:22p.m Monday, authorities located&nbsp;the children in Topeka, according to a statement from the agency. The children are safe and the the suspect identified as their mother, Dontresha Thomas, is in custody. The KBI and the Topeka Police Department thanked the public for their response and vigilance.---------------------TOPEKA —The state of Kansas issued an Amber Alert Monday afternoon.According to the KBI, at 10:34 a.m. Monday. Au'Vae Riley, Da"avien Riley JR, Ty'rell Riley, and Aunila Riley were taken by their mother Dontresha Shabree Thomas. The suspect's statements to the father indicate that all of the children are in imminent danger. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685991210086.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685991167022.png" alt="Actual suspect vehicle is a 2009 GMC Acadia with KS Temporary tag C953627. Tag in picture is not on the vehicle. Note dent in the rear gate below the handle." />
 <figcaption>Actual suspect vehicle is a 2009 GMC Acadia with KS Temporary tag C953627. Tag in picture is not on the vehicle. Note dent in the rear gate below the handle.</figcaption>
 </figure>The suspect left from 2105 SE Swygart in Topeka, KS traveling in a unknown direction in a silver 2009 GMC Acadia bearing KS temporary license plate number C953627. Call 911 immediately if you have seen a missing child, suspect, or suspects vehicle. If you have other information on a missing child, call 911 or the Topeka Police Department at 785-368-9200.

Kansas Amber Alert suspect remains jailed without bond

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent attack by an inmate on a detention deputy.

The attack occurred just after 1 p.m. Monday in the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility. The deputy was transported by EMS to the hospital for treatment.

The inmate identified as 33-year-old Denzel Cooper is currently housed in Restrictive Housing and was out of his cell during his allotted time out. 

When the inmate's time was up, the deputy directed the inmate to return to his cell. Cooper struck the deputy, knocking the deputy to the ground and continued striking the deputy until he was unconscious.

 A second attack occurred when the deputy regained consciousness and tried to stand up. Another inmate came to the deputy's assistance and helped carry the deputy to a more secure area until assistance arrived. The attack was unprovoked.

The deputy involved received 7 stitches and sustained multiple facial fractures. After receiving treatment at the hospital, the deputy is expected to return home.

&nbsp;Cooper has been in custody since December 29, 2021, for Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, Rape, and several counts of Battery Against Law Enforcement Officers. He has been listed as a registered violent offender since 2012 for an aggravated battery conviction, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

After the investigation into this incident is completed, this case will be presented to the District Attorney for review.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686049545804.png" alt="Cooper-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Cooper-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent attack by an inmate on a detention deputy.The attack occurred just after 1 p.m. Monday in the Sedgwick County Adult Detention Facility. The deputy was transported by EMS to the hospital for treatment.The inmate identified as 33-year-old Denzel Cooper is currently housed in Restrictive Housing and was out of his cell during his allotted time out. When the inmate's time was up, the deputy directed the inmate to return to his cell. Cooper struck the deputy, knocking the deputy to the ground and continued striking the deputy until he was unconscious. A second attack occurred when the deputy regained consciousness and tried to stand up. Another inmate came to the deputy's assistance and helped carry the deputy to a more secure area until assistance arrived. The attack was unprovoked.The deputy involved received 7 stitches and sustained multiple facial fractures. After receiving treatment at the hospital, the deputy is expected to return home.&nbsp;Cooper has been in custody since December 29, 2021, for Aggravated Criminal Sodomy, Rape, and several counts of Battery Against Law Enforcement Officers. He has been listed as a registered violent offender since 2012 for an aggravated battery conviction, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.After the investigation into this incident is completed, this case will be presented to the District Attorney for review.

Kansas jail deputy injured after violent attack by inmate

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A doctor in the Missouri went missing for over a week until his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-arkansas-doctor-dead-john-forsyth-b83096df7165871cdc65e430ad88bd88">body was found</a>&nbsp;in an Arkansas lake. But the case remains shrouded in mystery as investigators have released few details to his family or the public.

Dr. John Forsyth, 49, was last seen alive on May 21, when security cameras in the parking lot of a public pool in Cassville show him getting into a vehicle, after leaving his own car unlocked with his wallet, two phones, a laptop and other items inside. That's according to his brother, Richard Forsyth, who said the doctor had texted his new fiancee that morning saying he would see her soon.

His car was found later that day. Investigators haven't said who was driving the other vehicle.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-doctor-missing-ozarks-f7f68205ec6db1f866e99ec4707443af">A search began</a>&nbsp;after the emergency room physician didn't show up for his May 21 shift at Mercy Hospital in Cassville. There was no sign of Forsyth until a kayaker noticed his body in Arkansas on May 30, at a spot on Beaver Lake some 20 miles (32 kilometers) away from his last known location.

His body had an apparent gunshot wound, authorities in Arkansas say. Although Benton County Coroner Daniel Oxford said an autopsy was completed Thursday, the results won't be released until the investigation is over.

His brother, Richard Forsyth, and other family members say John Forsyth was a devoted father to his eight kids and seemed happier than he'd been in a long time. They say he never missed a day of work, and would often sleep in an RV outside the hospital when he was on call.

His family rejects any suggestion he took his own life.

Newly engaged, Forsyth was also recently divorced.

On May 10 of this year, a judge ordered Forsyth to pay his ex-wife $3,999 in child support a month, plus another $15,000 a month.

Missouri court records show he was married and divorced twice to the same woman between 1995 and 2022. Both his brother and Ryan Ricketts, the ex-wife's divorce attorney, say the split was amicable.

The pair initially married in Clark County, Nevada. He filed for divorce in April 2019 but the couple remarried in July 2020 in Greene County, Missouri. Court records show that the woman filed a second divorce petition in April 2022, in Lawrence County, Missouri.

Authorities have not said whether they believe Forsyth was killed or took his own life. Initially, when Forsyth’s empty car was found, investigators said there were no signs of foul play. But that was before the body was found.

Shannon Jenkins, spokesperson for the Benton County Sheriff's Department, said Friday that “there is no immediate threat to the public,” but declined to provide more details. She said no further information would be released until the investigation is completed.

It's also unclear what Forsyth's connection might be to the second vehicle seen on pool surveillance video. Authorities have not confirmed any information about the video, including if it was taken before or after Forsyth may have texted his fiancee.

There's also no information on how Forsyth got from Cassville to Beaver Lake, when and where he died, or if investigators have found a weapon.

Forsyth was born in Idaho in 1974, according to online records. He was the third of seven children, his sister Gina Forsyth-Farlaino said. He was the father of eight children.

His former wife, who lives in Idaho, was given custody of the couple's minor children, but John Forsyth continued to have a strong relationship with them, his brother and the woman's divorce attorney said.

Forsyth's ex-wife did not wish to be interviewed, Ricketts said.

“She is just devastated and — I mean, just shocked,” Ricketts said. “She never saw any of this kind of thing coming.”

Online records for the state of Missouri show that Forsyth was licensed as a doctor and surgeon in the state since July 1, 2005 and that his license was active.

He'd been an emergency physician at Mercy Hospital in Cassville for nearly 15 years.

He received his medical degree from Ross University, which is headquartered in Barbados.

Online court records show Forsyth settled a wrongful death lawsuit against him Lawrence County, Missouri, in March 2022, but the settlement terms were confidential.

He was initially named as a defendant in a wrongful death case, also in Lawrence County, in 2006. But he and another doctor were dismissed from the case before a local hospital settled the case for $100,000.

Records show that in August 2015, he agreed to a public reprimand from the state Board of Registration for the Medical Arts for not adequately and completely maintaining records for two patients.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685465277680.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A doctor in the Missouri went missing for over a week until his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-arkansas-doctor-dead-john-forsyth-b83096df7165871cdc65e430ad88bd88">body was found</a>&nbsp;in an Arkansas lake. But the case remains shrouded in mystery as investigators have released few details to his family or the public.WHAT’S KNOWN SO FARDr. John Forsyth, 49, was last seen alive on May 21, when security cameras in the parking lot of a public pool in Cassville show him getting into a vehicle, after leaving his own car unlocked with his wallet, two phones, a laptop and other items inside. That's according to his brother, Richard Forsyth, who said the doctor had texted his new fiancee that morning saying he would see her soon.His car was found later that day. Investigators haven't said who was driving the other vehicle.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-doctor-missing-ozarks-f7f68205ec6db1f866e99ec4707443af">A search began</a>&nbsp;after the emergency room physician didn't show up for his May 21 shift at Mercy Hospital in Cassville. There was no sign of Forsyth until a kayaker noticed his body in Arkansas on May 30, at a spot on Beaver Lake some 20 miles (32 kilometers) away from his last known location.His body had an apparent gunshot wound, authorities in Arkansas say. Although Benton County Coroner Daniel Oxford said an autopsy was completed Thursday, the results won't be released until the investigation is over.WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN HIS LIFE?His brother, Richard Forsyth, and other family members say John Forsyth was a devoted father to his eight kids and seemed happier than he'd been in a long time. They say he never missed a day of work, and would often sleep in an RV outside the hospital when he was on call.His family rejects any suggestion he took his own life.Newly engaged, Forsyth was also recently divorced.On May 10 of this year, a judge ordered Forsyth to pay his ex-wife $3,999 in child support a month, plus another $15,000 a month.Missouri court records show he was married and divorced twice to the same woman between 1995 and 2022. Both his brother and Ryan Ricketts, the ex-wife's divorce attorney, say the split was amicable.The pair initially married in Clark County, Nevada. He filed for divorce in April 2019 but the couple remarried in July 2020 in Greene County, Missouri. Court records show that the woman filed a second divorce petition in April 2022, in Lawrence County, Missouri.QUESTIONS THAT REMAINAuthorities have not said whether they believe Forsyth was killed or took his own life. Initially, when Forsyth’s empty car was found, investigators said there were no signs of foul play. But that was before the body was found.Shannon Jenkins, spokesperson for the Benton County Sheriff's Department, said Friday that “there is no immediate threat to the public,” but declined to provide more details. She said no further information would be released until the investigation is completed.It's also unclear what Forsyth's connection might be to the second vehicle seen on pool surveillance video. Authorities have not confirmed any information about the video, including if it was taken before or after Forsyth may have texted his fiancee.There's also no information on how Forsyth got from Cassville to Beaver Lake, when and where he died, or if investigators have found a weapon.FORSYTH'S BACKGROUNDForsyth was born in Idaho in 1974, according to online records. He was the third of seven children, his sister Gina Forsyth-Farlaino said. He was the father of eight children.His former wife, who lives in Idaho, was given custody of the couple's minor children, but John Forsyth continued to have a strong relationship with them, his brother and the woman's divorce attorney said.Forsyth's ex-wife did not wish to be interviewed, Ricketts said.“She is just devastated and — I mean, just shocked,” Ricketts said. “She never saw any of this kind of thing coming.”FORSYTH'S MEDICAL BACKGROUNDOnline records for the state of Missouri show that Forsyth was licensed as a doctor and surgeon in the state since July 1, 2005 and that his license was active.He'd been an emergency physician at Mercy Hospital in Cassville for nearly 15 years.He received his medical degree from Ross University, which is headquartered in Barbados.Online court records show Forsyth settled a wrongful death lawsuit against him Lawrence County, Missouri, in March 2022, but the settlement terms were confidential.He was initially named as a defendant in a wrongful death case, also in Lawrence County, in 2006. But he and another doctor were dismissed from the case before a local hospital settled the case for $100,000.Records show that in August 2015, he agreed to a public reprimand from the state Board of Registration for the Medical Arts for not adequately and completely maintaining records for two patients.___

Case of missing Missouri doctor remains shrouded in mystery 

RUSSELL COUNTY —City of Russell Fire  Chief Dylan Riedel is on his way home from the burn unit, according to a statement Tuesday afternoon from the city of Russell.

Just after 9 p.m. Friday, the City of Russell Fire Department was paged to a structure fire at 1706 N. Main Street. Shortly after the first units arrived on the scene, a police officer reported an explosion and a firefighter injured.

Russell County EMS transported Riedel to Russell Regional Hospital and EagleMed then transported him to a burn unit at Via Christi in Wichita. 

The city encouraged the public to come to the Russell Sale Barn, 720, South Fossil Street, to&nbsp;welcome Dylan home.  Bring your flags, horns, or signs to support Dylan’s recovery.&nbsp;

"Please remember that Dylan won't be able to have many visitors for some time.  The risk of infection is high, and we don't want any setbacks in his recovery."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686080861829.png" alt="Dylan Riedel -photo courtesy city of Russell" />
 <figcaption>Dylan Riedel -photo courtesy city of Russell</figcaption>
 </figure>RUSSELL COUNTY —City of Russell Fire Chief Dylan Riedel is on his way home from the burn unit, according to a statement Tuesday afternoon from the city of Russell.Just after 9 p.m. Friday, the City of Russell Fire Department was paged to a structure fire at 1706 N. Main Street. Shortly after the first units arrived on the scene, a police officer reported an explosion and a firefighter injured.Russell County EMS transported Riedel to Russell Regional Hospital and EagleMed then transported him to a burn unit at Via Christi in Wichita. The city encouraged the public to come to the Russell Sale Barn, 720, South Fossil Street, to&nbsp;welcome Dylan home. Bring your flags, horns, or signs to support Dylan’s recovery.&nbsp;"Please remember that Dylan won't be able to have many visitors for some time. The risk of infection is high, and we don't want any setbacks in his recovery."

Kan. fire chief injured in explosion is on his way home

WASHINGTON&nbsp;–&nbsp;On the 79th Anniversary of D-Day, Senator Jerry Moran visited the 1st Infantry Division Memorial and the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. Sen. Moran was joined by U.S. Army Mayor General John Meyer, the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general.

Moran said, "It was an honor to represent the U.S. Senate and join Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, General Mark Milley and WWII veterans at the ceremony commemorating the 79th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686078311602.png" alt="Photos and story:&nbsp; From the Office of Senator Jerry Moran" />
 <figcaption>Photos and story:&nbsp; From the Office of Senator Jerry Moran</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;–&nbsp;On the 79th Anniversary of D-Day, Senator Jerry Moran visited the 1st Infantry Division Memorial and the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. Sen. Moran was joined by U.S. Army Mayor General John Meyer, the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686069088447.png" alt="Sen. Moran and Major General Meyer visit the 1st Infantry Division Memorial in Normandy, France " />
 <figcaption>Sen. Moran and Major General Meyer visit the 1st Infantry Division Memorial in Normandy, France </figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686069250348.jpeg" alt="Sen. Moran pays tribute to Kansas native Colonel Ollie W. Reed and his son Lieutenant Ollie W.Reed Jr. who were buried together in the Normandy American Cemetery.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Moran pays tribute to Kansas native Colonel Ollie W. Reed and his son Lieutenant Ollie W.Reed Jr. who were buried together in the Normandy American Cemetery.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686069529016.jpeg" alt="Sen. Moran and Major General Meyer on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Moran and Major General Meyer on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France</figcaption>
 </figure>Moran said, "It was an honor to represent the U.S. Senate and join Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, General Mark Milley and WWII veterans at the ceremony commemorating the 79th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, France."

79th anniversary: Moran visits memorial at Omaha Beach

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — With the rail industry relying on longer and longer trains to cut costs, the Biden administration is handing out $570 million in grants to help eliminate many railroad crossings in 32 states.&nbsp; The program awarded Missouri $2 million and Kansas more than $27.5 million Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program funding.

The grants announced Monday will contribute to building bridges or underpasses at the sites of more than three dozen crossings that delay traffic and sometimes keep first responders from where help is desperately needed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686018448112.png" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — With the rail industry relying on longer and longer trains to cut costs, the Biden administration is handing out $570 million in grants to help eliminate many railroad crossings in 32 states.&nbsp; The program awarded Missouri $2 million and Kansas more than $27.5 million Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program funding.The grants announced Monday will contribute to building bridges or underpasses at the sites of more than three dozen crossings that delay traffic and sometimes keep first responders from where help is desperately needed.In some places, trains routinely stretching more than 2 miles (3.2 km) long can block crossings for hours, cutting off access to parts of towns and forcing pedestrians to attempt the dangerous act of climbing through trains that could start moving without warning.“We see countless stories of people unable to get to work on time, goods being blocked from getting where they need to be and first responders being delayed by these these trains that can be slowed or stopped — even seeing images of children having to crawl between or under freight trains in order to get to school,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.In one case Buttigieg mentioned, a Texas mom called 911 because her 3-month-old baby was in distress, but an idle train kept the ambulance from getting there quickly and the baby died at the hospital two days later.In addition to problems associated with blocked crossings, roughly 2,000 collisions are reported at railroad crossings every year. Nearly 250 deaths were recorded last year in those car-train crashes. In one instance Buttigieg cited, a woman in California wound up stopped on the tracks after traffic backed up and she was killed when a train slammed into her vehicle.In recent years, the major freight railroads have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-aab7d3084a8d17d8d721d2cb750be323">overhauled their operations</a>&nbsp;to rely on fewer, longer trains so they can use fewer crews and locomotives as part of efforts to cut costs.The railroads insist those changes haven't made their trains riskier, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-accidents-transportation-pete-buttigieg-ohio-pennsylvania-f1cd9d79cdd66b1f45d1dcdf1e53ff58">regulators</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-congress-6288cdfb0b4381de4c9bfb05199b8ba6">Congress</a>&nbsp;are scrutinizing their operations closely after several recent&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/railroad-safety-derailments-tank-car-ohio-minnesota-c60f33b64e9c7dc05768a78ae20f3ce5">high-profile derailments</a>. And the problems at rail crossings are well documented.These grants are part of $3 billion in funding approved in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-congress-infrastructure-bill-signing-b5b8cca843133de060778f049861b144">$1 trillion infrastructure law</a>&nbsp;for these rail crossing projects that will be doled out over the next five years.A number of the 63 projects that will receive grants involve only planning and design work for eliminating crossings in the future, but most of the money will go toward physical improvements at crossings and eliminating longstanding problems.Buttigieg said he plans to visit Grand Forks, North Dakota, Monday to highlight a $30 million grant helping to pay for a project near the University of North Dakota campus that will improve access to the local hospital.A grant worth nearly $37 million will help eliminate four rail crossings in Houston, which has the second-highest number of rail crossing deaths in the nation. The four new underpasses to be built will reduce traffic delays and improve pedestrian safety.One $7.2 million grant will help improve access to an area of Fostoria, Ohio, known as the Iron Triangle because it is bordered on three sides by train tracks. A CSX train passes through the community about once every 26 minutes, with warning sirens at the crossings sounding for at least two hours daily. A new bridge will be built over the tracks on one side of the neighborhood to provide a safe route into the area.In each of these grants, states and cities — sometimes with the help of the railroads — must cover at least 20% of the project cost.