WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department has made an arrest and charges have been filed in connection to the May 3, murder of six-year-old, Sir-Antonio Brown.

Cassandra Sledge,18, a resident of Kansas City, Kansas was charged Wednesday in Wyandotte County with obstructing prosecution in the case. 

Charges are based on the fact that Sledge, who owns the vehicle suspects used to commit the murder, knowingly provided false statements to law enforcement to obstruct prosecution of the suspects. 

Sledge is currently being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $40,000 bond.

“There is something seriously wrong with society when an individual will say or do anything to protect the killers of a six-year-old child,” Chief Karl Oakman, Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, said. 

“This can never be accepted in our community or any other place in America. We all need to examine our hearts and understand that this can no longer the norm."

"Others out there know who these individuals are. Little Sir-Antonio has all the support and resources from the KCKPD and our federal partners to bring these killers to justice.”

WYANDOTTE —The search continues for a suspect in the shooting May 3, in the 3100 block of Greeley Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas that took the life of a 6-year-old Sir'Antonio Brown who was playing in his front yard.

On May 4, police confirmed they had located the vehicle involved.

The attack, when it was still daylight, doesn't appear to have been a “random act,” police Maj. Violeta Magee told reporters at the scene.&nbsp;

Officers found the wounded boy in the front yard. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Magee said. Police found more than 30 shell casings at the scene.&nbsp;

Police haven't said whether they think more than one person was involved in the attack, or whether the intended target was the boy or the adult he was with.&nbsp;

 Anyone with info should call  TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683755832986.png" alt="Sledge-photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Sledge-photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The Kansas City, Kansas Police Department has made an arrest and charges have been filed in connection to the May 3, murder of six-year-old, Sir-Antonio Brown.Cassandra Sledge,18, a resident of Kansas City, Kansas was charged Wednesday in Wyandotte County with obstructing prosecution in the case. Charges are based on the fact that Sledge, who owns the vehicle suspects used to commit the murder, knowingly provided false statements to law enforcement to obstruct prosecution of the suspects. Sledge is currently being held in the Wyandotte County Jail on a $40,000 bond.“There is something seriously wrong with society when an individual will say or do anything to protect the killers of a six-year-old child,” Chief Karl Oakman, Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, said. “This can never be accepted in our community or any other place in America. We all need to examine our hearts and understand that this can no longer the norm."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683336213432.png" alt="Sir-Antonio Brown- photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Sir-Antonio Brown- photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>"Others out there know who these individuals are. Little Sir-Antonio has all the support and resources from the KCKPD and our federal partners to bring these killers to justice.”---------WYANDOTTE —The search continues for a suspect in the shooting May 3, in the 3100 block of Greeley Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas that took the life of a 6-year-old Sir'Antonio Brown who was playing in his front yard.On May 4, police confirmed they had located the vehicle involved.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683195620849.png" alt="Photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>The attack, when it was still daylight, doesn't appear to have been a “random act,” police Maj. Violeta Magee told reporters at the scene.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683195327042.png" alt="Photo KCK Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCK Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers found the wounded boy in the front yard. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Magee said. Police found more than 30 shell casings at the scene.&nbsp;Police haven't said whether they think more than one person was involved in the attack, or whether the intended target was the boy or the adult he was with.&nbsp; Anyone with info should call TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).--------

Woman jailed in connection with Kan. boy shot playing in front yard

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday will begin denying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/title-42-immigration-asylum-border-migrants-biden-f3a27b93a8082566b859ee34e92270e7">asylum to migrants</a>&nbsp;who arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border without first applying online or seeking protection in a country they passed through. It marks a fundamental shift in immigration policy as the U.S. readies for the end of a key pandemic restriction.

Asylum seekers have been showing up at the border in huge numbers in anticipation of this week’s end of the use of a restriction&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-biden-border-title-42-mexico-asylum-be4e0b15b27adb9bede87b9bbefb798d">known as Title 42.</a>&nbsp;That rule has allowed the government to quickly expel migrants to Mexico. U.S. officials warned of difficult days ahead as the program tied to the COVID-19 pandemic expires this week.

The rule announced Wednesday is part of new measures meant to crack down on illegal border crossings while creating new legal pathways. Families who cross the border will face curfews and monitoring; the head of household will wear an ankle bracelet as their cases are heard within 30 days.

But there’s also a plan to open 100 regional migration hubs across the Western Hemisphere and granting humanitarian parole to 30,000 people a month to enter the country from four countries. U.S. officials have detailed steps they’ve taken, including increasing deportation flights, as they prepare for what many are expecting to be a substantial increase in migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Our plan will deliver results, but it will take time for those results to be fully realized,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned.

Many migrants, spurred by concerns that it may soon become harder to stay in the U.S., were trying to cross before Title 42 expires and the new rule takes effect at the end of the day Thursday.

Under Title 42, border officials have quickly returned people — and they did so 2.8 million times since March 2020. But after the restrictions expire Thursday, migrants caught crossing illegally will not be allowed to return for five years. They can face criminal prosecution if they do.

At the Rio Grande in Matamoros on Wednesday, migrants arrived steadily. Many stripped down before descending the steep riverbank grasping plastic bags filled with clothes. They slowly waded into the river as more migrants arrived, some crossing themselves before following the line across the flowing border. One family swaddled a tiny baby inside an open suitcase. A man held it atop his head while another waded beside him as a precaution. Other children rode on shoulders. On the U.S. side they scrambled up the bank, pausing to put on dry clothing, before carefully picking their way through the rows of concertina wire.

In Ciudad Juarez, migrants arrived this week in small groups by train or bus, leaving daily to surrender to the U.S. authorities.

Fran Tovar, a 30-year-old electrician from Venezuela who left two children behind to try to reach the U.S., was expelled from the U.S. on his first attempt. He was trying again 24 hours later, with the goal of crossing before Title 42’s use expires.

“There is fear and anguish,” Tovar said Wednesday, adding that he has spent three months in Juarez trying to get an appointment through an app the U.S. has encouraged migrants to use to present themselves at a border entry point and seek admission.

Roughly 10,000 people were apprehended by Border Patrol on Tuesday, among the largest apprehensions in a single day, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. More than 27,000 people were in custody. Custody numbers vary as migrants are released or deported, but in March 8,600 people were in Border Patrol custody.

Miguel Meza, the head of migrant programs for Catholic Relief Services, which has 26 migrant shelters across Mexico, estimated that about 55,000 migrants were in the border cities across from the U.S. on Wednesday. The shelter space is “saturated," he said, and migrants were spilling into areas around them.

The measure announced Wednesday is a key part of the U.S. strategy to address border crossings that rose to all-time highs even with Title 42 in effect. While stopping short of a total ban, it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-mexico-costa-rica-donald-trump-1a5a89459fb0b61f04f8500789b9b221">imposes severe limitations on asylum</a>&nbsp;for those crossing illegally who didn't first seek a legal pathway. It includes room for exceptions and does not apply to children traveling alone. It was first announced in February.

A federal appeals court prevented&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-ap-top-news-international-news-politics-latin-america-6bef9ed6c48b4c2ea203cbbea3ccacad">similar but stricter measures</a>&nbsp;pursued by then-President Donald Trump in 2019 from taking effect.

Human rights groups said they plan to sue quickly.

“This rule will subject people to grave harm,” said American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Katrina Eiland.

She said it would result in migrants stranded in northern Mexico. She said the rule was predicated on the idea migrants can get protection in another country or get an appointment online to seek asylum in the U.S. She said there are serious problems with both those options.

U.S. officials also said they planned to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-biden-asylum-75d8c0e67d5521fb48ac04f6bf017a49">open regional hubs around the hemisphere</a>, where migrants could apply to go to the U.S., Canada or Spain. Two hubs were previously announced in Guatemala and Colombia. It's unclear where the other locations would be. The administration officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing border plans that were not yet public.

Most of the people going to the U.S.-Mexico border are fleeing persecution or poverty in their home countries. Migrants and groups who work with them noted the swirl of rumors and disinformation from smugglers that makes it hard for migrants to understand what to do.

In Matamoros, Carmen Josefina Characo Lopez said she arrived over a month ago and had been trying to use the U.S. government's app to schedule an appointment to seek asylum.

“People who just arrive start hearing the stories of others who have been here longer and they start getting alarmed. ‘Oh, you’ve been here for four months. Well, I just got here and I’m going to cross.’ And that’s where the dilemma is,” she said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683770770241.png" alt="National Guard troops installed razor wire along the Texas-Mexico border -photo Texas Gov. Greg Abbott" />
 <figcaption>National Guard troops installed razor wire along the Texas-Mexico border -photo Texas Gov. Greg Abbott</figcaption>
 </figure>CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) — The Biden administration on Thursday will begin denying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/title-42-immigration-asylum-border-migrants-biden-f3a27b93a8082566b859ee34e92270e7">asylum to migrants</a>&nbsp;who arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border without first applying online or seeking protection in a country they passed through. It marks a fundamental shift in immigration policy as the U.S. readies for the end of a key pandemic restriction.Asylum seekers have been showing up at the border in huge numbers in anticipation of this week’s end of the use of a restriction&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-biden-border-title-42-mexico-asylum-be4e0b15b27adb9bede87b9bbefb798d">known as Title 42.</a>&nbsp;That rule has allowed the government to quickly expel migrants to Mexico. U.S. officials warned of difficult days ahead as the program tied to the COVID-19 pandemic expires this week.The rule announced Wednesday is part of new measures meant to crack down on illegal border crossings while creating new legal pathways. Families who cross the border will face curfews and monitoring; the head of household will wear an ankle bracelet as their cases are heard within 30 days.But there’s also a plan to open 100 regional migration hubs across the Western Hemisphere and granting humanitarian parole to 30,000 people a month to enter the country from four countries. U.S. officials have detailed steps they’ve taken, including increasing deportation flights, as they prepare for what many are expecting to be a substantial increase in migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.“Our plan will deliver results, but it will take time for those results to be fully realized,” Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned.Many migrants, spurred by concerns that it may soon become harder to stay in the U.S., were trying to cross before Title 42 expires and the new rule takes effect at the end of the day Thursday.Under Title 42, border officials have quickly returned people — and they did so 2.8 million times since March 2020. But after the restrictions expire Thursday, migrants caught crossing illegally will not be allowed to return for five years. They can face criminal prosecution if they do.At the Rio Grande in Matamoros on Wednesday, migrants arrived steadily. Many stripped down before descending the steep riverbank grasping plastic bags filled with clothes. They slowly waded into the river as more migrants arrived, some crossing themselves before following the line across the flowing border. One family swaddled a tiny baby inside an open suitcase. A man held it atop his head while another waded beside him as a precaution. Other children rode on shoulders. On the U.S. side they scrambled up the bank, pausing to put on dry clothing, before carefully picking their way through the rows of concertina wire.In Ciudad Juarez, migrants arrived this week in small groups by train or bus, leaving daily to surrender to the U.S. authorities.Fran Tovar, a 30-year-old electrician from Venezuela who left two children behind to try to reach the U.S., was expelled from the U.S. on his first attempt. He was trying again 24 hours later, with the goal of crossing before Title 42’s use expires.“There is fear and anguish,” Tovar said Wednesday, adding that he has spent three months in Juarez trying to get an appointment through an app the U.S. has encouraged migrants to use to present themselves at a border entry point and seek admission.Roughly 10,000 people were apprehended by Border Patrol on Tuesday, among the largest apprehensions in a single day, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. More than 27,000 people were in custody. Custody numbers vary as migrants are released or deported, but in March 8,600 people were in Border Patrol custody.Miguel Meza, the head of migrant programs for Catholic Relief Services, which has 26 migrant shelters across Mexico, estimated that about 55,000 migrants were in the border cities across from the U.S. on Wednesday. The shelter space is “saturated," he said, and migrants were spilling into areas around them.The measure announced Wednesday is a key part of the U.S. strategy to address border crossings that rose to all-time highs even with Title 42 in effect. While stopping short of a total ban, it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-mexico-costa-rica-donald-trump-1a5a89459fb0b61f04f8500789b9b221">imposes severe limitations on asylum</a>&nbsp;for those crossing illegally who didn't first seek a legal pathway. It includes room for exceptions and does not apply to children traveling alone. It was first announced in February.A federal appeals court prevented&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-ap-top-news-international-news-politics-latin-america-6bef9ed6c48b4c2ea203cbbea3ccacad">similar but stricter measures</a>&nbsp;pursued by then-President Donald Trump in 2019 from taking effect.Human rights groups said they plan to sue quickly.“This rule will subject people to grave harm,” said American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Katrina Eiland.She said it would result in migrants stranded in northern Mexico. She said the rule was predicated on the idea migrants can get protection in another country or get an appointment online to seek asylum in the U.S. She said there are serious problems with both those options.U.S. officials also said they planned to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-biden-asylum-75d8c0e67d5521fb48ac04f6bf017a49">open regional hubs around the hemisphere</a>, where migrants could apply to go to the U.S., Canada or Spain. Two hubs were previously announced in Guatemala and Colombia. It's unclear where the other locations would be. The administration officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing border plans that were not yet public.Most of the people going to the U.S.-Mexico border are fleeing persecution or poverty in their home countries. Migrants and groups who work with them noted the swirl of rumors and disinformation from smugglers that makes it hard for migrants to understand what to do.In Matamoros, Carmen Josefina Characo Lopez said she arrived over a month ago and had been trying to use the U.S. government's app to schedule an appointment to seek asylum.“People who just arrive start hearing the stories of others who have been here longer and they start getting alarmed. ‘Oh, you’ve been here for four months. Well, I just got here and I’m going to cross.’ And that’s where the dilemma is,” she said.___

US to limit asylum at Mexico border as COVID restrictions end

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —&nbsp; Staff with a wildlife rehabilitation organization in northeast Kansas are mourning the death of a bald eagle.

&nbsp;The eagle was injured in the April 19 tornado in Chase County, according to <a href="https://owl-online.org/">Operation Wildlife</a>.

A skilled surgeon worked several hours to repair a fractured ulna, radius of the right wing. The organization reported the surgery went well but the eagle was "a long ways from being out of the woods. There is infection which we're treating with antibiotics, the inside of the wing looked like hamburger, he was also weak and lost a lot of blood prior to getting to us."

On Wednesday,&nbsp;Diane Johnson RVT Executive Director <a href="https://owl-online.org/">Operation Wildlife</a> Inc., confirmed the eagle died. "When he came the wing was infected because it had been open to the elements for 5 days.&nbsp; He had also lost a lot of blood.&nbsp; &nbsp;We had him on antibiotics to fight the infection but he got septicemia and died."&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://owl-online.org/">&nbsp;Click here for more i</a>nformation on the work of Operation Wildlife.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683734806390.png" alt="Recovered eagle with immobilizer on-Photo Operation Wildlife" />
 <figcaption>Recovered eagle with immobilizer on-Photo Operation Wildlife</figcaption>
 </figure>LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —&nbsp; Staff with a wildlife rehabilitation organization in northeast Kansas are mourning the death of a bald eagle.&nbsp;The eagle was injured in the April 19 tornado in Chase County, according to <a href="https://owl-online.org/">Operation Wildlife</a>. A skilled surgeon worked several hours to repair a fractured ulna, radius of the right wing. The organization reported the surgery went well but the eagle was "a long ways from being out of the woods. There is infection which we're treating with antibiotics, the inside of the wing looked like hamburger, he was also weak and lost a lot of blood prior to getting to us."<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FOperationWildlife%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02iQ2HeM2gPCLh8dQqPPrC9BaPNkF9KUFyokqEwXJrrSbVEHnqDF5Ywwt9FD2tYDNol&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="250" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>On Wednesday,&nbsp;Diane Johnson RVT Executive Director <a href="https://owl-online.org/">Operation Wildlife</a> Inc., confirmed the eagle died. "When he came the wing was infected because it had been open to the elements for 5 days.&nbsp; He had also lost a lot of blood.&nbsp; &nbsp;We had him on antibiotics to fight the infection but he got septicemia and died."&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://owl-online.org/">&nbsp;Click here for more i</a>nformation on the work of Operation Wildlife.

Bald eagle injured in Kansas tornado has died

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Wednesday announced Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company, the nation’s top manufacturer of cast iron and plastic pipe and fittings, will build an $80 million manufacturing facility in&nbsp;Maize, according to a media release from the governor's office. This investment is expected to create 50 full-time jobs.&nbsp;

“Our laser-sharp focus on supporting businesses and investing in infrastructure continues to drive economic growth in every corner of the state,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Charlotte Pipe brings a strong, family-oriented culture coupled with good-paying jobs and benefits to central Kansas. My administration looks forward to supporting the company’s success.”&nbsp;

Construction on Charlotte Pipe and Foundry’s&nbsp;Maize&nbsp;facility, the company’s seventh plastics plant in the United States, is expected to begin in January 2024 and be completed by early 2025. The expansion received local, county, and state government support.&nbsp;

“We are very excited about the opportunity to expand our operations in the Midwest,”&nbsp;said Hooper Hardison, CEO of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company.&nbsp;“Maize&nbsp;is ideally located in the center of the country to help us better serve our customers. It is also a fast-growing, business-friendly community with an excellent workforce we can draw from to staff our new plant.”&nbsp;

The 134,000-square-foot plant will have premier access to the Kansas &amp; Oklahoma Railroad, aiding in the company’s continued success and swift production of PVC pipes for plumbing and irrigation applications. WATCO, a single-source transportation and supply chain services company, was a pivotal partner in addressing Charlotte Pipe’s rail needs.&nbsp;

“Recruiting and securing expansions like Charlotte Pipe is key to our state’s economic growth,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.&nbsp;“Great jobs — like the 50 new jobs being announced today — will help attract and retain skilled workers in our state, allowing more businesses to get the job done here in Kansas.”&nbsp;

Evergy Inc. worked with Charlotte Pipe to develop infrastructure that will yield financial viability and long-term sustainability.&nbsp;

“We extend our sincere appreciation to all government entities and business partners for their due diligence and commitment to make this land purchase and subsequent facility construction a reality. Charlotte Pipe is proud to have served its customers since 1901 and we look forward to continued success in Kansas,”&nbsp;Hardison said.&nbsp;

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Wednesday announced Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company, the nation’s top manufacturer of cast iron and plastic pipe and fittings, will build an $80 million manufacturing facility in&nbsp;Maize, according to a media release from the governor's office. This investment is expected to create 50 full-time jobs.&nbsp;“Our laser-sharp focus on supporting businesses and investing in infrastructure continues to drive economic growth in every corner of the state,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Charlotte Pipe brings a strong, family-oriented culture coupled with good-paying jobs and benefits to central Kansas. My administration looks forward to supporting the company’s success.”&nbsp;Construction on Charlotte Pipe and Foundry’s&nbsp;Maize&nbsp;facility, the company’s seventh plastics plant in the United States, is expected to begin in January 2024 and be completed by early 2025. The expansion received local, county, and state government support.&nbsp;“We are very excited about the opportunity to expand our operations in the Midwest,”&nbsp;said Hooper Hardison, CEO of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company.&nbsp;“Maize&nbsp;is ideally located in the center of the country to help us better serve our customers. It is also a fast-growing, business-friendly community with an excellent workforce we can draw from to staff our new plant.”&nbsp;The 134,000-square-foot plant will have premier access to the Kansas &amp; Oklahoma Railroad, aiding in the company’s continued success and swift production of PVC pipes for plumbing and irrigation applications. WATCO, a single-source transportation and supply chain services company, was a pivotal partner in addressing Charlotte Pipe’s rail needs.&nbsp;“Recruiting and securing expansions like Charlotte Pipe is key to our state’s economic growth,”&nbsp;Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said.&nbsp;“Great jobs — like the 50 new jobs being announced today — will help attract and retain skilled workers in our state, allowing more businesses to get the job done here in Kansas.”&nbsp;Evergy Inc. worked with Charlotte Pipe to develop infrastructure that will yield financial viability and long-term sustainability.&nbsp;“We extend our sincere appreciation to all government entities and business partners for their due diligence and commitment to make this land purchase and subsequent facility construction a reality. Charlotte Pipe is proud to have served its customers since 1901 and we look forward to continued success in Kansas,”&nbsp;Hardison said.&nbsp;

 $80M manufacturing facility with 50 jobs coming to Kansas

SALINE COUNTY —Two people including a Kansas State Trooper were injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Wednesday in Saline County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp; 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by Robert Roswell, 61, Rock Springs, Wyoming, was west Bound on Interstate 70 two miles west of the Interstate 135 interchange.

The pickup entered the shoulder lane and rear-ended a Kansas Highway Patrol 2021 Dodge Durango driven by Trooper Steven Sneath, 64,&nbsp;Geneseo, who was legally stopped on the westbound shoulder of the interstate performing a motorist assist with the patrol vehicle's emergency lights activated.

EMS transported Roswell and Sneath to Salina Regional Health Center.&nbsp; The KHP released no additional details.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Trooper was alert and conscious, according to a social media report from the KHP.

SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a Kansas Highway Patrol vehicle was struck while a trooper was assisting a motorist in the westbound lanes on Interstate 70 just east of Halstead Road in Saline County, according to a social media report from the KHP.

The Trooper is alert and conscious, according to the KHP.&nbsp;

Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683756414311.png" alt="Photo courtesy KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Two people including a Kansas State Trooper were injured in an accident just after 2p.m. Wednesday in Saline County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a&nbsp; 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 driven by Robert Roswell, 61, Rock Springs, Wyoming, was west Bound on Interstate 70 two miles west of the Interstate 135 interchange.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683756368548.png" alt="photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>The pickup entered the shoulder lane and rear-ended a Kansas Highway Patrol 2021 Dodge Durango driven by Trooper Steven Sneath, 64,&nbsp;Geneseo, who was legally stopped on the westbound shoulder of the interstate performing a motorist assist with the patrol vehicle's emergency lights activated.EMS transported Roswell and Sneath to Salina Regional Health Center.&nbsp; The KHP released no additional details.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Trooper was alert and conscious, according to a social media report from the KHP.------------SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a Kansas Highway Patrol vehicle was struck while a trooper was assisting a motorist in the westbound lanes on Interstate 70 just east of Halstead Road in Saline County, according to a social media report from the KHP.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683756368548.png" alt="photo courtesy KHP" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>The Trooper is alert and conscious, according to the KHP.&nbsp;Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

Trooper hospitalized after his KHP SUV rear-ended on I-70

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A northern Virginia man arrested on terrorism charges has a husband-wife relationship with another American who was dubbed by authorities as an “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-7322a6b74bdbe309e972b2562c607b69">empress of ISIS</a>&nbsp;” for her work to establish an all-female battalion of the Islamic State, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Mohammed Chhipa, 33, of Springfield, Virginia, was arrested last week on charges that he provided support to a terrorist group. Prosecutors allege that he transferred nearly $200,000 in cryptocurrency, with some of that money traced back to the Islamic State, to support Chhipa's stated goal of helping smuggle female ISIS members from detention camps. Other funds remain unaccounted for.

At a detention hearing Wednesday, prosecutors also disclosed a relationship between Chhipa and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/islamic-state-group-middle-east-africa-kansas-sentencing-61f14ecc5c3cd31e230d26837e5c9550">Allison Fluke-Ekren</a>, an American from Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-7322a6b74bdbe309e972b2562c607b69">who is serving a 20-year prison sentence</a>. Fluke-Ekren pleaded guilty last year to organizing and leading the Khatiba Nusaybah, a battalion in which roughly 100 women and girls — some as young as 10 — learned how to use automatic weapons and detonate grenades and suicide belts.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Aminoff told the judge that Chhipa considers himself to be married to Fluke-Ekren, although the marriage was apparently conducted online and has no legal status in the U.S. He said Chhipa, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from India, has been trying to adopt Fluke-Ekren's children.

Court documents in Fuke-Ekren's case do not mention Chhipa by name, but also indicate that Fluke-Ekren considered herself to be married to a man she met online. It is not clear that the two have ever met in person.

Whatever the relationship between Chhipa and Fluke-Ekren, the charges against Chhipa appear unrelated to that relationship. Prosecutors say that between November 2019 and July 2022, Chhipa used virtual currency to transfer more than $188,000 to accounts known and unknown. An FBI affidavit states that some money remains unaccounted for but that $18,000 went to wallets known to be used by ISIS women located in Syria, while $61,000 went to cryptocurrency wallets in Turkey. The affidavit states that money intended to arrive in Syria is often routed through Turkey.

The affidavit quotes text messages sent by Chhipa indicating he wanted the money to be used to bribe guards at detention camps where families of Islamic State fighters are still being held.

The affidavit says Chhipa also met with an FBI “controlled persona” — either an undercover agent or a confidential source — and accepted cash from the individual. Chhippa then transferred the money to Bitcoin and sent it directly to a known ISIS member, according to the affidavit.

Chhipa has been under investigation for years. Indeed, prosecutors say he fled to Egypt in August 2019, fearing he would be arrested after his home was raided. He was brought back to the U.S. after authorities contacted Interpol, but he was not charged until Monday. Prosecutors say Chhiipa continued to engage in illegal conduct after he returned to the U.S., even though he know he was drawing authorities' scrutiny.

Family members who attended Wednesday's hearing did not comment, but passed out a written statement supporting him. The statement described Chhipa “as tirelessly working for the betterment of women and children” and said he "has been targeted by false allegations.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John Anderson ruled at the conclusion of Wednesday's hearing that Chhipa should remain jailed while he awaits trial.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643715398750.png" alt="Ekren photo Alexandria Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Ekren photo Alexandria Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A northern Virginia man arrested on terrorism charges has a husband-wife relationship with another American who was dubbed by authorities as an “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-7322a6b74bdbe309e972b2562c607b69">empress of ISIS</a>&nbsp;” for her work to establish an all-female battalion of the Islamic State, prosecutors said Wednesday.Mohammed Chhipa, 33, of Springfield, Virginia, was arrested last week on charges that he provided support to a terrorist group. Prosecutors allege that he transferred nearly $200,000 in cryptocurrency, with some of that money traced back to the Islamic State, to support Chhipa's stated goal of helping smuggle female ISIS members from detention camps. Other funds remain unaccounted for.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683763131263.png" alt="Mohammed Chhipa -photo Alexandria Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Mohammed Chhipa -photo Alexandria Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>At a detention hearing Wednesday, prosecutors also disclosed a relationship between Chhipa and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/islamic-state-group-middle-east-africa-kansas-sentencing-61f14ecc5c3cd31e230d26837e5c9550">Allison Fluke-Ekren</a>, an American from Kansas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-7322a6b74bdbe309e972b2562c607b69">who is serving a 20-year prison sentence</a>. Fluke-Ekren pleaded guilty last year to organizing and leading the Khatiba Nusaybah, a battalion in which roughly 100 women and girls — some as young as 10 — learned how to use automatic weapons and detonate grenades and suicide belts.Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Aminoff told the judge that Chhipa considers himself to be married to Fluke-Ekren, although the marriage was apparently conducted online and has no legal status in the U.S. He said Chhipa, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from India, has been trying to adopt Fluke-Ekren's children.Court documents in Fuke-Ekren's case do not mention Chhipa by name, but also indicate that Fluke-Ekren considered herself to be married to a man she met online. It is not clear that the two have ever met in person.Whatever the relationship between Chhipa and Fluke-Ekren, the charges against Chhipa appear unrelated to that relationship. Prosecutors say that between November 2019 and July 2022, Chhipa used virtual currency to transfer more than $188,000 to accounts known and unknown. An FBI affidavit states that some money remains unaccounted for but that $18,000 went to wallets known to be used by ISIS women located in Syria, while $61,000 went to cryptocurrency wallets in Turkey. The affidavit states that money intended to arrive in Syria is often routed through Turkey.The affidavit quotes text messages sent by Chhipa indicating he wanted the money to be used to bribe guards at detention camps where families of Islamic State fighters are still being held.The affidavit says Chhipa also met with an FBI “controlled persona” — either an undercover agent or a confidential source — and accepted cash from the individual. Chhippa then transferred the money to Bitcoin and sent it directly to a known ISIS member, according to the affidavit.Chhipa has been under investigation for years. Indeed, prosecutors say he fled to Egypt in August 2019, fearing he would be arrested after his home was raided. He was brought back to the U.S. after authorities contacted Interpol, but he was not charged until Monday. Prosecutors say Chhiipa continued to engage in illegal conduct after he returned to the U.S., even though he know he was drawing authorities' scrutiny.Family members who attended Wednesday's hearing did not comment, but passed out a written statement supporting him. The statement described Chhipa “as tirelessly working for the betterment of women and children” and said he "has been targeted by false allegations.U.S. Magistrate Judge John Anderson ruled at the conclusion of Wednesday's hearing that Chhipa should remain jailed while he awaits trial.

Prosecutors link terror defendant, ISIS leader from Kansas

PULASKI COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Wednesday in Pulaski County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1989 Ford Tempo driven by Renate C. Romero, 79, St. Robert, Mo., was northbound on JH Williamson Jr. Drive at Historic Route 66.&nbsp;

The driver failed to stop at a posted stop sign and traveled into the path of a 2018 Chevy Impala driven by John A. Bitti, 44,&nbsp; Shelby Townshp, Michigan.

Romero was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Waynesville Memorial Chapel Pulaski County ambulance transported Bitti to Phelps Health in Rolla.&nbsp; Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.

PULASKI COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 8:30a.m. Wednesday in Pulaski County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 1989 Ford Tempo driven by Renate C. Romero, 79, St. Robert, Mo., was northbound on JH Williamson Jr. Drive at Historic Route 66.&nbsp;The driver failed to stop at a posted stop sign and traveled into the path of a 2018 Chevy Impala driven by John A. Bitti, 44,&nbsp; Shelby Townshp, Michigan.Romero was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Waynesville Memorial Chapel Pulaski County ambulance transported Bitti to Phelps Health in Rolla.&nbsp; Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the MSHP.&nbsp;

Missouri woman dies after 2-vehicle crash

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a&nbsp;serious injury collision in the area on Kellogg at Interstate 235.

Just before 2a.m. May 7, police responded to the report of an injury collision involving an overturned Jeep, according to officer Kristopher Gupilan.

Officers arrived to find two occupants in the Jeep with severe but non-life threatening injuries. Both of these occupants were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Near the Jeep was an unoccupied Dodge Challenger. Witnesses reported seeing this vehicle driving on Kellogg at speeds estimated to be above 100-MPH. 

It was determined that the Dodge rear-ended the Jeep causing the collision. One of the witnesses saw the driver of the Dodge leave the scene on foot. 

A short time later officers responded to an unknown EMS call at a hotel on W. Kellogg. They contacted 28-year-old Rakim Dean and determined he was the driver of the Dodge. 

He was uninjured.Detectives from the WPD Traffic Unit collected the data from the Dodge’s Event Data Recorder and determined Rakim was driving at 136 MPH prior to the crash. 

The case was presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office and Rakim Dean was charged with two counts of aggravated battery, leaving the scene of serious injury collision, and speeding.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683587506402.png" alt="Dean photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Dean photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a&nbsp;serious injury collision in the area on Kellogg at Interstate 235.Just before 2a.m. May 7, police responded to the report of an injury collision involving an overturned Jeep, according to officer Kristopher Gupilan.Officers arrived to find two occupants in the Jeep with severe but non-life threatening injuries. Both of these occupants were transported to a local hospital for treatment.Near the Jeep was an unoccupied Dodge Challenger. Witnesses reported seeing this vehicle driving on Kellogg at speeds estimated to be above 100-MPH. It was determined that the Dodge rear-ended the Jeep causing the collision. One of the witnesses saw the driver of the Dodge leave the scene on foot. A short time later officers responded to an unknown EMS call at a hotel on W. Kellogg. They contacted 28-year-old Rakim Dean and determined he was the driver of the Dodge. He was uninjured.Detectives from the WPD Traffic Unit collected the data from the Dodge’s Event Data Recorder and determined Rakim was driving at 136 MPH prior to the crash. The case was presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office and Rakim Dean was charged with two counts of aggravated battery, leaving the scene of serious injury collision, and speeding.

Police: Car was traveling 136mph prior to Kansas crash

Bill on Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk sidesteps $72 million special education request

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

TOPEKA — The school funding bill forwarded by the Kansas Legislature to Gov. Laura Kelly — noteworthy for what it excluded as well as what it included — contained an unexpected budget twist that potentially blindsided as many as 100 public school districts with declining enrollment.

Kansas Department of Education officials tunneling into details of Senate Bill 113, which officially landed Monday on Kelly’s desk, said the revised formula for how student enrollment was used to determine a district’s basic funding would be detrimental to more than one-third of the state’s public school districts. The policy was altered at close of the 2023 session without typical public hearings, debates or explanations.

Currently, Kansas public school districts have the option of relying on student headcount from the prior year or second preceding year when calculating foundational state aid. Under the bill passed on the session’s final day April 28, districts would be restricted to using the current year or prior year’s enrollment for determining funding from the state. Enrollment would be multiplied by base aid per pupil of $5,088 a year.

This change would be a financial bonus to districts with growing student populations. It amounted to a loss for districts experiencing year after year of falling enrollment. Inability to rely on the second prior year to calculate state funding would harm budgets of an estimated 100 school districts. The most severely damaged would be districts in rural parts of the state, said Randy Watson, commissioner at the state Department of Education.

“You have a handful of districts that are growing. You have a lot of others that are declining,” Watson said in a Tuesday interview. “What I think is panicking them is that it happened so late and they already went through their budget process as if they had it and now they don’t. Some of our smallest rural communities, they’re losing a lot of money.”

The surprise losses in dozens of low-enrollment districts could range from $100,000 to $400,000 or more in the upcoming school year, he said.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/ccrb_sb113_02_0428.pdf">The bill passed the Kansas Senate</a>&nbsp;on a vote of 23-16 and in the House by a margin of 83-37 with large GOP majorities and a sprinkling of Democratic support. The governor, after receiving a bill, has 10 days to sign or veto the legislation, or allow it to become state law without a signature. The measure passed both chambers with less than two-thirds majorities necessary to override a veto.

Complicating this K-12 budgeting issue were decisions by House and Senate GOP leadership to adjourn “sine die,” which meant lawmakers would skip the traditional one-day ceremonial conclusion of the annual session. The maneuver eliminated a window of opportunity for the Legislature to consider overriding a school-funding bill veto by Kelly or to draft an alternative education appropriations bill.

If the governor vetoed Senate Bill 113, a special session of the Legislature would have to be called to address state spending for benefit of 500,000 students in the 2023-2024 academic year.

Melanie Haas, chair of the Kansas State Board of Education, said the Legislature complicated their work by pulling together the school funding bill in the hurly-burly closing hours of the session. Key decisions were made in a conference committee meeting of three senators and three representatives who sat down at a statehouse table to craft a deal. The 125 representatives and 40 senators, not participants in that dialogue, couldn’t amend the bundled bill.

This approach eliminated opportunities for thoughtful discussion that ought to accompany changes in the method of calculating Kansas school aid, Haas said.

“That’s the pitfall of not having an opportunity for outside comment when they don’t discuss it in committee,” she said.

Craig Neuenswander, deputy commissioner for fiscal and administrative services at the state Department of Education, said the 5% increase in the basic per-pupil appropriations to public school districts wouldn’t be enough to keep all districts from a decline in state aid during the upcoming school year.

He scheduled a conference call with Kansas district administrators this week to begin preparing those public schools for the reversal of fortune.

To chagrin of political conservatives and champions of private schools, the bill excluded state taxpayer investment in some variation of school vouchers.

“The state board position on it is that public funds should go to public entities,” Watson said.

The bill continued to make available $10 million annually in state income tax credits for donors contributing to student scholarships at accredited private schools or, starting this year, schools working in “good faith” to become accredited. No clear definition of good faith was provided, but the value of the tax credit was sweetened and scholarship eligibility broadened to include families with higher incomes.

Haas said the state Board of Education was disappointed the final version of the K-12 budget excluded an appropriation of $72 million that would have reduced the burden on local school districts compelled to cover costs of special education programs. The state Board of Education and the governor recommended a five-year initiative with steady increases in special education spending, which would stop the practice of siphoning dollars otherwise available to education of all students.

“It kind of feels like there’s not a plan and a path forward,” Haas said. “That’s frustrating for special ed and that’s frustrating for districts who have to come up with those funds out of their general budgets.”

The Legislature did create in the bill a task force to draft recommendations for amending the formula on special education spending. Seven of 11 members of the task force would be appointed by legislators, three chosen by the state Department of Education and one selected by the state Board of Education.

“This may be a cynical approach,” said state Board of Education vice president Jim Porter, a Fredonia resident and former teacher, principal and superintendent. “The majority are appointed by people who have consistently refused to allow additional funding of special education.”

To the relief of many, it included an increase of 5% in foundational public school funding necessary to comply with an inflation index adjustment endorsed by the Kansas Supreme Court, which had ruled the state’s previous school finance system violated the Kansas Constitution.

The bill gave the Legislature first right of refusal on purchase of school buildings earmarked to be sold by districts. If the Legislature received notice of a closure while in session, lawmakers would have 45 days to pass a resolution declaring the Legislature’s intent. If the Legislature was out of session, the 45-day clock wouldn’t start until lawmakers convened in January.

A vote of the Legislature to buy the property would initiate a 180-day clock during which a state agency could complete the purchase. The Legislative Coordinating Council could extend that negotiating period by 60 days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683752182824.png" alt=" Kansas State Board of Education member Danny Zeck of Atchison listen as state Department of Education members outline details of Senate Bill 113, a K-12 education funding and policy bill on the desk of Gov. Laura Kelly. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas State Board of Education member Danny Zeck of Atchison listen as state Department of Education members outline details of Senate Bill 113, a K-12 education funding and policy bill on the desk of Gov. Laura Kelly. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Bill on Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk sidesteps $72 million special education request</h2>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/grieving-moms-plea-to-kansas-lawmakers-do-something-this-epidemic-is-killing-our-kids/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The school funding bill forwarded by the Kansas Legislature to Gov. Laura Kelly — noteworthy for what it excluded as well as what it included — contained an unexpected budget twist that potentially blindsided as many as 100 public school districts with declining enrollment.Kansas Department of Education officials tunneling into details of Senate Bill 113, which officially landed Monday on Kelly’s desk, said the revised formula for how student enrollment was used to determine a district’s basic funding would be detrimental to more than one-third of the state’s public school districts. The policy was altered at close of the 2023 session without typical public hearings, debates or explanations.Currently, Kansas public school districts have the option of relying on student headcount from the prior year or second preceding year when calculating foundational state aid. Under the bill passed on the session’s final day April 28, districts would be restricted to using the current year or prior year’s enrollment for determining funding from the state. Enrollment would be multiplied by base aid per pupil of $5,088 a year.This change would be a financial bonus to districts with growing student populations. It amounted to a loss for districts experiencing year after year of falling enrollment. Inability to rely on the second prior year to calculate state funding would harm budgets of an estimated 100 school districts. The most severely damaged would be districts in rural parts of the state, said Randy Watson, commissioner at the state Department of Education.“You have a handful of districts that are growing. You have a lot of others that are declining,” Watson said in a Tuesday interview. “What I think is panicking them is that it happened so late and they already went through their budget process as if they had it and now they don’t. Some of our smallest rural communities, they’re losing a lot of money.”The surprise losses in dozens of low-enrollment districts could range from $100,000 to $400,000 or more in the upcoming school year, he said.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/ccrb_sb113_02_0428.pdf">The bill passed the Kansas Senate</a>&nbsp;on a vote of 23-16 and in the House by a margin of 83-37 with large GOP majorities and a sprinkling of Democratic support. The governor, after receiving a bill, has 10 days to sign or veto the legislation, or allow it to become state law without a signature. The measure passed both chambers with less than two-thirds majorities necessary to override a veto.<h2>‘That’s the pitfall’</h2>Complicating this K-12 budgeting issue were decisions by House and Senate GOP leadership to adjourn “sine die,” which meant lawmakers would skip the traditional one-day ceremonial conclusion of the annual session. The maneuver eliminated a window of opportunity for the Legislature to consider overriding a school-funding bill veto by Kelly or to draft an alternative education appropriations bill.If the governor vetoed Senate Bill 113, a special session of the Legislature would have to be called to address state spending for benefit of 500,000 students in the 2023-2024 academic year.Melanie Haas, chair of the Kansas State Board of Education, said the Legislature complicated their work by pulling together the school funding bill in the hurly-burly closing hours of the session. Key decisions were made in a conference committee meeting of three senators and three representatives who sat down at a statehouse table to craft a deal. The 125 representatives and 40 senators, not participants in that dialogue, couldn’t amend the bundled bill.This approach eliminated opportunities for thoughtful discussion that ought to accompany changes in the method of calculating Kansas school aid, Haas said.“That’s the pitfall of not having an opportunity for outside comment when they don’t discuss it in committee,” she said.Craig Neuenswander, deputy commissioner for fiscal and administrative services at the state Department of Education, said the 5% increase in the basic per-pupil appropriations to public school districts wouldn’t be enough to keep all districts from a decline in state aid during the upcoming school year.He scheduled a conference call with Kansas district administrators this week to begin preparing those public schools for the reversal of fortune.<h2>K-12 policy package</h2>To chagrin of political conservatives and champions of private schools, the bill excluded state taxpayer investment in some variation of school vouchers.“The state board position on it is that public funds should go to public entities,” Watson said.The bill continued to make available $10 million annually in state income tax credits for donors contributing to student scholarships at accredited private schools or, starting this year, schools working in “good faith” to become accredited. No clear definition of good faith was provided, but the value of the tax credit was sweetened and scholarship eligibility broadened to include families with higher incomes.Haas said the state Board of Education was disappointed the final version of the K-12 budget excluded an appropriation of $72 million that would have reduced the burden on local school districts compelled to cover costs of special education programs. The state Board of Education and the governor recommended a five-year initiative with steady increases in special education spending, which would stop the practice of siphoning dollars otherwise available to education of all students.“It kind of feels like there’s not a plan and a path forward,” Haas said. “That’s frustrating for special ed and that’s frustrating for districts who have to come up with those funds out of their general budgets.”The Legislature did create in the bill a task force to draft recommendations for amending the formula on special education spending. Seven of 11 members of the task force would be appointed by legislators, three chosen by the state Department of Education and one selected by the state Board of Education.“This may be a cynical approach,” said state Board of Education vice president Jim Porter, a Fredonia resident and former teacher, principal and superintendent. “The majority are appointed by people who have consistently refused to allow additional funding of special education.”To the relief of many, it included an increase of 5% in foundational public school funding necessary to comply with an inflation index adjustment endorsed by the Kansas Supreme Court, which had ruled the state’s previous school finance system violated the Kansas Constitution.The bill gave the Legislature first right of refusal on purchase of school buildings earmarked to be sold by districts. If the Legislature received notice of a closure while in session, lawmakers would have 45 days to pass a resolution declaring the Legislature’s intent. If the Legislature was out of session, the 45-day clock wouldn’t start until lawmakers convened in January.A vote of the Legislature to buy the property would initiate a 180-day clock during which a state agency could complete the purchase. The Legislative Coordinating Council could extend that negotiating period by 60 days.

Provision of Kan. K-12 funding bill slices state aid to about 100 public school districts

WASHINGTON –&nbsp;The U.S. Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Tuesday and U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Shelley Moore Capito to help prevent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) system outages, according to a statement from the Senator's office. The&nbsp;NOTAM Improvement Act&nbsp;would require the FAA to strengthen the resiliency and cybersecurity of the NOTAM system, which alerts pilots of safety and location hazards on flight routes. This bill follows a recent NOTAM system outage in January that grounded flights nationwide. “The FAA has a responsibility to make certain air travel in our country is as safe and efficient as possible,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“I am pleased by the swift passage of this legislation and urge my colleagues to quickly pass this in the House. The complete failure of the FAA’s NOTAM system stranded millions of Americans and was a warning of the need to strengthen and modernize our air travel system. This bill is an important first step to accomplish those goals.” The task force created by the&nbsp;NOTAM Improvement Act&nbsp;would be composed of representatives from air carriers, airports and airline pilots, aircraft dispatchers and FAA personnel unions, as well as aviation safety and cybersecurity experts. In January,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=2EE3818C-74BA-46CC-9E0D-1B36A4B9E9E8" target="_blank">Sens. Moran and Klobuchar spoke with FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen</a>&nbsp;following the NOTAM system failure to discuss his agency’s efforts to identify the factors behind the system outage that grounded all flights nationwide and to prevent similar breakdowns from happening again.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672191058148.png" alt="In January,&nbsp;Sens. Moran and Klobuchar spoke with FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen&nbsp;following the NOTAM system failure-photo courtesy KMGH" />
 <figcaption>In January,&nbsp;Sens. Moran and Klobuchar spoke with FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen&nbsp;following the NOTAM system failure-photo courtesy KMGH</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON –&nbsp;The U.S. Senate unanimously passed bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Tuesday and U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Shelley Moore Capito to help prevent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) system outages, according to a statement from the Senator's office. The&nbsp;NOTAM Improvement Act&nbsp;would require the FAA to strengthen the resiliency and cybersecurity of the NOTAM system, which alerts pilots of safety and location hazards on flight routes. This bill follows a recent NOTAM system outage in January that grounded flights nationwide. “The FAA has a responsibility to make certain air travel in our country is as safe and efficient as possible,”&nbsp;said Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“I am pleased by the swift passage of this legislation and urge my colleagues to quickly pass this in the House. The complete failure of the FAA’s NOTAM system stranded millions of Americans and was a warning of the need to strengthen and modernize our air travel system. This bill is an important first step to accomplish those goals.” The task force created by the&nbsp;NOTAM Improvement Act&nbsp;would be composed of representatives from air carriers, airports and airline pilots, aircraft dispatchers and FAA personnel unions, as well as aviation safety and cybersecurity experts. In January,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=2EE3818C-74BA-46CC-9E0D-1B36A4B9E9E8" target="_blank">Sens. Moran and Klobuchar spoke with FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen</a>&nbsp;following the NOTAM system failure to discuss his agency’s efforts to identify the factors behind the system outage that grounded all flights nationwide and to prevent similar breakdowns from happening again.

Unanimous: Senate OKs Moran’s bill to prevent FAA system outages

REYNOLDS COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 5:30a.m. Wednesday in Reynolds County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Chevy Tahoe driven by Jacob B. Adams, 30, Potosi, was northbound on Highway N eight miles west of Lesterville.&nbsp;

The SUV traveled off the road and the driver overcorrected. Adams lost control of the vehicle. It struck a tree and overturned. Adams was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellington. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

REYNOLDS COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 5:30a.m. Wednesday in Reynolds County.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Chevy Tahoe driven by Jacob B. Adams, 30, Potosi, was northbound on Highway N eight miles west of Lesterville.&nbsp;The SUV traveled off the road and the driver overcorrected. Adams lost control of the vehicle. It struck a tree and overturned. Adams was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to McSpadden Funeral Home in Ellington. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Missouri man dies after SUV strikes a tree, overturns

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden predicted Tuesday that the U.S.-Mexico border would be “chaotic for a while" when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/title-42-immigration-limits-supreme-court-updates-0494c30834fad66ce9c6057ea1605d89">pandemic-related restrictions end</a>, as 550 active-duty troops began arriving and migrants weighed whether or when to cross.

The restrictions have been in place since 2020, and allowed U.S. officials to quickly return migrants over the border. They are ending later this week and the U.S. is putting into place a set of new policies that will clamp down on illegal crossings while offering migrants a legal path to the United States if they apply online through a government app, have a sponsor and pass background checks.

Biden said his administration was working to make the change orderly. “But it remains to be seen," he told reporters. "It's going to be chaotic for a while.”

Biden and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador spoke for roughly an hour Tuesday to discuss the border. Mexico shares a 1,951-mile border with the United States, so the nation is key to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-immigration-biden-mexico-a0b8f4730521d90fd5ea305e2f2cbc5e">the success of any plans</a>&nbsp;by the United States to control immigration at the southern border.

Migrants are already arriving. About 100 people — mostly from Colombia — came across the border before dawn Tuesday and walked nearly two hours through remote, boulder-strewn mountains east of San Diego to a sandy plateau where Border Patrol agents watched over them.

Andres Barra, 39, left Colombia on Friday, flew to Tijuana, Mexico, and paid a smuggler $300 to guide him to a mountain peak near the agents, to whom they surrendered. He fled Colombia because frequent robbery and extortion made it difficult to live.

He said he wanted to enter the United States while the restrictions were still in effect, because he heard it would be more difficult after Thursday.

“It won’t be so easy anymore,” he said.

Agents in the U.S. Border Patrol’s relatively quiet El Centro, California, sector stopped about 260 migrants a day over a four- or five-day period through Sunday, up from about 90 a day the previous week, said Gregory Bovino, the sector chief. On Monday, agents found migrants from 22 countries.

In the Mexican border city of Reynosa, across from McAllen, Texas, groups handed out fliers Tuesday that explained in English and Haitian Creole how to register for the CBP One app that the U.S. has been using to allow migrants to schedule an appointment to try to gain admittance to the U.S.

Standing in Reynosa’s central square Tuesday, Phanord Renel of Haiti said he would not risk deportation to cross. “We don’t want to go back there (Haiti) because the situation is very complicated there,” he said. “If we can’t cross, we have to put up with it here, maybe the government will do something for us, but cross illegally — no.”

U.S. and international law give migrants the right to seek asylum. However, the U.S. has used Title 42 of a public health law to expel migrants with no chance at asylum 2.8 million times since March 2020 on the grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The Biden administration has said it is ready to deal with whatever happens after Title 42's use ends, although it has also repeatedly criticized Congress for not making changes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-asylum-trump-biden-gang-of-eight-3d8007e72928665b66d8648be0e3e31f">the country's immigration system.</a>

“We believe we have a robust process to deal with what is going to occur after Title 42 lifts. Again, we’re using the tools that are available to us because Congress refuses to do their job as it relates to the border," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday.

The movement of troops is part of efforts to beef up security along the southern border, but they will mainly be used to help monitor and watch the border, or do data entry and support, and are “not there in any way to be interacting with migrants,” said Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary. The goal is to free up U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel to do law enforcement activities.

At least some of the active-duty troops will be used near El Paso, Texas, he said, while adding that CBP will decide where forces will go. More than 900 additional soldiers, Marines and airmen will follow around the end of May.

Roughly 2,500 National Guard members are already spread across all sectors of the border, providing an array of support to CBP, including monitoring, detection and air transportation. Separately, Texas National Guard troops are also working along the border under state authority.

Even with the COVID-19 asylum restrictions still in place, the administration has seen record numbers of people crossing the border. The Biden administration's plan is meant to crack down on those who cross illegally and by creating new pathways meant to offer alternatives to a dangerous and often deadly journey.

Some migrants have been spurred by false information from smugglers or widespread rumors about what the changes will mean for their chances of being able to remain in the U.S.

“It’s a very complicated legal system and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to communicate the realities of our clients,” Daniel Berlin, of the International Rescue Committee, said. ”While we try to communicate the most accurate and up to date information that we have, smugglers and traffickers and other bad actors are communicating false information.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-asylum-sanctuary-chicago-texas-99857b2b34e52fba556497dda263537d">Effects have also been felt far from the southern border.</a>&nbsp;In Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued an emergency declaration in response to a tenfold increase in the number of asylum-seekers arriving in the city in need of temporary shelter and other help.

Chicago officials have warned for several weeks that its shelters can't accommodate the larger number of migrants arriving daily since late April. Migrants have been sheltering inside city police stations or airports because city-run shelters are full.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632317716965.png" alt="photo Rep. Tony Gonzales" />
 <figcaption>photo Rep. Tony Gonzales</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden predicted Tuesday that the U.S.-Mexico border would be “chaotic for a while" when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/title-42-immigration-limits-supreme-court-updates-0494c30834fad66ce9c6057ea1605d89">pandemic-related restrictions end</a>, as 550 active-duty troops began arriving and migrants weighed whether or when to cross.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Title 42 might as well already be rolled back. Our Border Patrol Agents are managing countless droves of migrants attempting to enter the United States. Congress must act and ensure BP has the resources they need to combat this crisis. <a href="https://t.co/NJOtqwZRk1">pic.twitter.com/NJOtqwZRk1</a>&mdash; Rep. Tony Gonzales (@RepTonyGonzales) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepTonyGonzales/status/1654179879074635776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The restrictions have been in place since 2020, and allowed U.S. officials to quickly return migrants over the border. They are ending later this week and the U.S. is putting into place a set of new policies that will clamp down on illegal crossings while offering migrants a legal path to the United States if they apply online through a government app, have a sponsor and pass background checks.Biden said his administration was working to make the change orderly. “But it remains to be seen," he told reporters. "It's going to be chaotic for a while.”Biden and Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador spoke for roughly an hour Tuesday to discuss the border. Mexico shares a 1,951-mile border with the United States, so the nation is key to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-immigration-biden-mexico-a0b8f4730521d90fd5ea305e2f2cbc5e">the success of any plans</a>&nbsp;by the United States to control immigration at the southern border.Migrants are already arriving. About 100 people — mostly from Colombia — came across the border before dawn Tuesday and walked nearly two hours through remote, boulder-strewn mountains east of San Diego to a sandy plateau where Border Patrol agents watched over them.Andres Barra, 39, left Colombia on Friday, flew to Tijuana, Mexico, and paid a smuggler $300 to guide him to a mountain peak near the agents, to whom they surrendered. He fled Colombia because frequent robbery and extortion made it difficult to live.He said he wanted to enter the United States while the restrictions were still in effect, because he heard it would be more difficult after Thursday.“It won’t be so easy anymore,” he said.Agents in the U.S. Border Patrol’s relatively quiet El Centro, California, sector stopped about 260 migrants a day over a four- or five-day period through Sunday, up from about 90 a day the previous week, said Gregory Bovino, the sector chief. On Monday, agents found migrants from 22 countries.In the Mexican border city of Reynosa, across from McAllen, Texas, groups handed out fliers Tuesday that explained in English and Haitian Creole how to register for the CBP One app that the U.S. has been using to allow migrants to schedule an appointment to try to gain admittance to the U.S.Standing in Reynosa’s central square Tuesday, Phanord Renel of Haiti said he would not risk deportation to cross. “We don’t want to go back there (Haiti) because the situation is very complicated there,” he said. “If we can’t cross, we have to put up with it here, maybe the government will do something for us, but cross illegally — no.”U.S. and international law give migrants the right to seek asylum. However, the U.S. has used Title 42 of a public health law to expel migrants with no chance at asylum 2.8 million times since March 2020 on the grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19.The Biden administration has said it is ready to deal with whatever happens after Title 42's use ends, although it has also repeatedly criticized Congress for not making changes to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-asylum-trump-biden-gang-of-eight-3d8007e72928665b66d8648be0e3e31f">the country's immigration system.</a>“We believe we have a robust process to deal with what is going to occur after Title 42 lifts. Again, we’re using the tools that are available to us because Congress refuses to do their job as it relates to the border," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday.The movement of troops is part of efforts to beef up security along the southern border, but they will mainly be used to help monitor and watch the border, or do data entry and support, and are “not there in any way to be interacting with migrants,” said Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary. The goal is to free up U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel to do law enforcement activities.At least some of the active-duty troops will be used near El Paso, Texas, he said, while adding that CBP will decide where forces will go. More than 900 additional soldiers, Marines and airmen will follow around the end of May.Roughly 2,500 National Guard members are already spread across all sectors of the border, providing an array of support to CBP, including monitoring, detection and air transportation. Separately, Texas National Guard troops are also working along the border under state authority.Even with the COVID-19 asylum restrictions still in place, the administration has seen record numbers of people crossing the border. The Biden administration's plan is meant to crack down on those who cross illegally and by creating new pathways meant to offer alternatives to a dangerous and often deadly journey.Some migrants have been spurred by false information from smugglers or widespread rumors about what the changes will mean for their chances of being able to remain in the U.S.“It’s a very complicated legal system and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to communicate the realities of our clients,” Daniel Berlin, of the International Rescue Committee, said. ”While we try to communicate the most accurate and up to date information that we have, smugglers and traffickers and other bad actors are communicating false information.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-asylum-sanctuary-chicago-texas-99857b2b34e52fba556497dda263537d">Effects have also been felt far from the southern border.</a>&nbsp;In Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued an emergency declaration in response to a tenfold increase in the number of asylum-seekers arriving in the city in need of temporary shelter and other help.Chicago officials have warned for several weeks that its shelters can't accommodate the larger number of migrants arriving daily since late April. Migrants have been sheltering inside city police stations or airports because city-run shelters are full.___

Biden: US-Mexico border will be 'chaotic for a while'

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;Health reported 485&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">&nbsp;new</a> <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">coronavirus cases</a> in Kansas from May 3, to May 10, for a total of 945,923 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 483 cases the previous week.

On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">the state reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;18 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on May 3, for a total of 10,214 since the state started reporting COVID illness and deaths.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">Click here</a>&nbsp;for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

Kansas provides fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”

The health department updates data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;Health reported 485&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">&nbsp;new</a> <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">coronavirus cases</a> in Kansas from May 3, to May 10, for a total of 945,923 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 483 cases the previous week.On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">the state reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;18 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on May 3, for a total of 10,214 since the state started reporting COVID illness and deaths.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683741234646.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">Click here</a>&nbsp;for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.Kansas provides fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”The health department updates data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

KDHE reports increase in COVID cases, 18 new deaths

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — U.S. Rep. George Santos has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging financial fraud at the heart of a political campaign built on dubious boasts about his personal wealth and business success.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2023-05/santos.indictment.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the 13 count indictment

Santos, the New York Republican whose biography began to unravel after his election last fall, is accused of duping donors, stealing campaign funds, lying to Congress and cheating to collect unemployment benefits he didn’t deserve. Santos, 34, was released on a $500,000 bond following his arraignment Wednesday at a Long Island federal courthouse, about five hours after he surrendered to authorities. Santos told reporters he would not resign.

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — U.S. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/george-santos">George Santos</a>, the New York Republican infamous for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-lies-congress-new-york-republicans-9e4fd69b75894addb5bd2d4d5e8171ff">fabricating his life story</a>, has been indicted on charges that he duped donors, stole from his campaign and lied to Congress about being a millionaire, all while cheating to collect unemployment benefits he didn't deserve, prosecutors said Wednesday.

<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2023-05/santos.indictment.pdf">Click here to read</a> the 13 count indictment

<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23809076-george-santos-indictment">The indictment</a>&nbsp;was a reckoning for a web of fraud and deceit that prosecutors say overlapped with Santos' fantastical public image as a wealthy businessman — a fictional biography that began to unravel after he won election last fall.

Santos surrendered on Wednesday and was taken to a federal courthouse on Long Island, where he was expected to make an initial court appearance on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and making false statements to Congress.

Among the allegations, prosecutors say Santos induced supporters to donate to a company under the false pretense that the money would be used to support his campaign. Instead, they say, he used the money for personal expenses, including to buy designer clothes and to pay his credit cards and car payments.

Santos also is accused of lying about his finances on congressional disclosure forms and applying for and receiving unemployment benefits while he was employed as regional director of an investment firm that the government shut down in 2021 over allegations that it was a Ponzi scheme.

The indictment “seeks to hold Santos accountable for various alleged fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations,” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said. “Taken together, the allegations in the indictment charge Santos with relying on repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself."

Reached by The Associated Press on Tuesday, Santos said he was unaware of the charges.

Santos has defied calls to resign — some from fellow Republicans — as details of his fictitous resume came to light, though he did&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-congress-house-committees-6e46e2badad39fb190d38105a800236f">decline his committee assignments</a>. He has given no indication that he plans to step aside because of his indictment. In the past, members of Congress in both parties have remained in office while facing charges.

Santos, 34, was elected to Congress last fall after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-business-bb455cc02b70e5366b9c5e347da8ad38">a campaign built partly on falsehoods</a>. He told people he was a wealthy Wall Street dealmaker with a substantial real estate portfolio who had been a star volleyball player in college, among other things.

In reality, Santos didn't work at the big financial firms he claimed had employed him, didn't go to college and struggled financially before his run for public office. He claimed he fueled his run largely with self-made riches, earned from brokering deals on expensive toys for wealthy clients, but the indictment alleges those boasts were also exaggerated.

In regulatory filings, Santos claimed he loaned his campaign and related political action committees more than $750,000, but it was unclear how he would have come into that kind of wealth so quickly after years in which he struggled to pay his rent and faced multiple eviction proceedings.

In a financial disclosure form, Santos reported making $750,000 a year from a family company, the Devolder Organization, but the charges unsealed Wednesday allege that Santos never received that sum, nor the $1 million and $5 million in dividends he listed as coming from the firm.

Santos has described the Devolder Organization as a broker for sales of luxury items like yachts and aircraft. The business was incorporated in Florida shortly after Santos stopped working as a salesman for Harbor City Capital, the company accused by federal authorities of operating an illegal Ponzi scheme.

In November 2021, Santos formed Redstone Strategies, a Florida company that federal prosecutors say he used to dupe donors into financing his lifestyle. According to the indictment, Santos told an associate to solicit contributions to the company and gave the person contact information for potential donors.

Emails to prospective donors falsely claimed that the company was formed “exclusively” to aid Santos’ election bid and that there would be no limits on how much they could contribute, the indictment said. Santos falsely claimed that the money would be spent on television ads and other campaign expenses, it said.

Last October, a month before his election, Santos transferred about $74,000 from company coffers to bank accounts he maintained, the indictment said. He also transferred money to some of his associates, it said.

Many of Santos' fellow New York Republicans called on him to resign after his fabricated life story was revealed. Some renewed those calls after news of his indictment.

"Sooner or later, whether he chooses to or not, both the truth and justice will be delivered to him,” said U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro, a Republican representing parts of upstate New York.

House Republican leaders were more circumspect, with Speaker Kevin McCarthy saying, “I think in America, you’re innocent till proven guilty," and Majority Leader Steve Scalise saying, “In America there’s a presumption of innocence."

Santos has faced criminal investigations before.

When he was 19, he was the subject of a criminal investigation in Brazil over allegations he used stolen checks to buy items at a clothing shop. Brazilian authorities said they have reopened the case.

In 2017, Santos was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-george-santos-pennsylvania-theft-business-e6d41c89261061f4775c7073c6ec14e8">charged with theft</a>&nbsp;in Pennsylvania after authorities said he used thousands of dollars in fraudulent checks to buy puppies from dog breeders. That case was dismissed after Santos claimed his checkbook had been stolen, and that someone else had taken the dogs.

Federal authorities have separately been looking into complaints about Santos' work raising money for a group that purported to help neglected and abused pets. One New Jersey veteran accused Santos of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-new-york-city-jersey-george-santos-surgery-f72a4d8a505783d7c558c8cbf4b6d55a">failing to deliver $3,000</a>&nbsp;he had raised to help his pet dog get a needed surgery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683736676254.png" alt="United State's Attorney's office" />
 <figcaption>United State's Attorney's office</figcaption>
 </figure>CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — U.S. Rep. George Santos has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging financial fraud at the heart of a political campaign built on dubious boasts about his personal wealth and business success.<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2023-05/santos.indictment.pdf">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the 13 count indictmentSantos, the New York Republican whose biography began to unravel after his election last fall, is accused of duping donors, stealing campaign funds, lying to Congress and cheating to collect unemployment benefits he didn’t deserve. Santos, 34, was released on a $500,000 bond following his arraignment Wednesday at a Long Island federal courthouse, about five hours after he surrendered to authorities. Santos told reporters he would not resign.----------CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — U.S. Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/george-santos">George Santos</a>, the New York Republican infamous for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-lies-congress-new-york-republicans-9e4fd69b75894addb5bd2d4d5e8171ff">fabricating his life story</a>, has been indicted on charges that he duped donors, stole from his campaign and lied to Congress about being a millionaire, all while cheating to collect unemployment benefits he didn't deserve, prosecutors said Wednesday.<a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/2023-05/santos.indictment.pdf">Click here to read</a> the 13 count indictment<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23809076-george-santos-indictment">The indictment</a>&nbsp;was a reckoning for a web of fraud and deceit that prosecutors say overlapped with Santos' fantastical public image as a wealthy businessman — a fictional biography that began to unravel after he won election last fall.Santos surrendered on Wednesday and was taken to a federal courthouse on Long Island, where he was expected to make an initial court appearance on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, theft of public funds and making false statements to Congress.Among the allegations, prosecutors say Santos induced supporters to donate to a company under the false pretense that the money would be used to support his campaign. Instead, they say, he used the money for personal expenses, including to buy designer clothes and to pay his credit cards and car payments.Santos also is accused of lying about his finances on congressional disclosure forms and applying for and receiving unemployment benefits while he was employed as regional director of an investment firm that the government shut down in 2021 over allegations that it was a Ponzi scheme.The indictment “seeks to hold Santos accountable for various alleged fraudulent schemes and brazen misrepresentations,” U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said. “Taken together, the allegations in the indictment charge Santos with relying on repeated dishonesty and deception to ascend to the halls of Congress and enrich himself."Reached by The Associated Press on Tuesday, Santos said he was unaware of the charges.Santos has defied calls to resign — some from fellow Republicans — as details of his fictitous resume came to light, though he did&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-congress-house-committees-6e46e2badad39fb190d38105a800236f">decline his committee assignments</a>. He has given no indication that he plans to step aside because of his indictment. In the past, members of Congress in both parties have remained in office while facing charges.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673636785376.png" alt="Rep. Santos -courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Santos -courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>Santos, 34, was elected to Congress last fall after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-business-bb455cc02b70e5366b9c5e347da8ad38">a campaign built partly on falsehoods</a>. He told people he was a wealthy Wall Street dealmaker with a substantial real estate portfolio who had been a star volleyball player in college, among other things.In reality, Santos didn't work at the big financial firms he claimed had employed him, didn't go to college and struggled financially before his run for public office. He claimed he fueled his run largely with self-made riches, earned from brokering deals on expensive toys for wealthy clients, but the indictment alleges those boasts were also exaggerated.In regulatory filings, Santos claimed he loaned his campaign and related political action committees more than $750,000, but it was unclear how he would have come into that kind of wealth so quickly after years in which he struggled to pay his rent and faced multiple eviction proceedings.In a financial disclosure form, Santos reported making $750,000 a year from a family company, the Devolder Organization, but the charges unsealed Wednesday allege that Santos never received that sum, nor the $1 million and $5 million in dividends he listed as coming from the firm.Santos has described the Devolder Organization as a broker for sales of luxury items like yachts and aircraft. The business was incorporated in Florida shortly after Santos stopped working as a salesman for Harbor City Capital, the company accused by federal authorities of operating an illegal Ponzi scheme.In November 2021, Santos formed Redstone Strategies, a Florida company that federal prosecutors say he used to dupe donors into financing his lifestyle. According to the indictment, Santos told an associate to solicit contributions to the company and gave the person contact information for potential donors.Emails to prospective donors falsely claimed that the company was formed “exclusively” to aid Santos’ election bid and that there would be no limits on how much they could contribute, the indictment said. Santos falsely claimed that the money would be spent on television ads and other campaign expenses, it said.Last October, a month before his election, Santos transferred about $74,000 from company coffers to bank accounts he maintained, the indictment said. He also transferred money to some of his associates, it said.Many of Santos' fellow New York Republicans called on him to resign after his fabricated life story was revealed. Some renewed those calls after news of his indictment."Sooner or later, whether he chooses to or not, both the truth and justice will be delivered to him,” said U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro, a Republican representing parts of upstate New York.House Republican leaders were more circumspect, with Speaker Kevin McCarthy saying, “I think in America, you’re innocent till proven guilty," and Majority Leader Steve Scalise saying, “In America there’s a presumption of innocence."Santos has faced criminal investigations before.When he was 19, he was the subject of a criminal investigation in Brazil over allegations he used stolen checks to buy items at a clothing shop. Brazilian authorities said they have reopened the case.In 2017, Santos was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-george-santos-pennsylvania-theft-business-e6d41c89261061f4775c7073c6ec14e8">charged with theft</a>&nbsp;in Pennsylvania after authorities said he used thousands of dollars in fraudulent checks to buy puppies from dog breeders. That case was dismissed after Santos claimed his checkbook had been stolen, and that someone else had taken the dogs.Federal authorities have separately been looking into complaints about Santos' work raising money for a group that purported to help neglected and abused pets. One New Jersey veteran accused Santos of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-new-york-city-jersey-george-santos-surgery-f72a4d8a505783d7c558c8cbf4b6d55a">failing to deliver $3,000</a>&nbsp;he had raised to help his pet dog get a needed surgery.___

GOP congressman surrenders; read the indictment of fraud, theft

WASHINGTON (AP) — Women should start getting every-other-year mammograms at age 40 instead of waiting until 50, according to a draft recommendation from a federal task force.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has long said women can choose to start breast cancer screening as young as 40, with a stronger recommendation that they get the X-ray exams every two years from age 50 through 74.

Tuesday’s update -– if the draft proposal is finalized -– would mark a shift in the influential panel’s guidelines although it's not likely to end confusion. Other health groups differ over when and how often to screen.

“This new recommendation will help save lives and prevent more women from dying due to breast cancer,” said former task force chair Dr. Carol Mangione.

The task force noted that Black women are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women, making mammograms at 40 an especially important step -– but also urged more research to better understand and combat the disparity.

The task force also noted that nearly half of all women have dense breasts, which means mammograms may not work as well, and called for more research into whether additional types of testing would help.

The draft recommendation applies to women at average risk of breast cancer but not those at very high risk due to certain genetic or other factors. It is open for public comment through June 5, after which the task force will decide whether to finalize it.

While cancer deaths have been declining for years, breast cancer remains the second leading cancer killer of U.S. woman, behind lung cancer.

Health organizations have long had different screening recommendations, seeking to balance catching breast cancer early while avoiding too many false alarms, when the X-rays spot non-cancerous blips.

The American Cancer Society says women ages 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year -– but can choose to start at 40 and then at 55, can choose to switch to every other year.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Women should start getting every-other-year mammograms at age 40 instead of waiting until 50, according to a draft recommendation from a federal task force.The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has long said women can choose to start breast cancer screening as young as 40, with a stronger recommendation that they get the X-ray exams every two years from age 50 through 74.Tuesday’s update -– if the draft proposal is finalized -– would mark a shift in the influential panel’s guidelines although it's not likely to end confusion. Other health groups differ over when and how often to screen.“This new recommendation will help save lives and prevent more women from dying due to breast cancer,” said former task force chair Dr. Carol Mangione.The task force noted that Black women are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women, making mammograms at 40 an especially important step -– but also urged more research to better understand and combat the disparity.The task force also noted that nearly half of all women have dense breasts, which means mammograms may not work as well, and called for more research into whether additional types of testing would help.The draft recommendation applies to women at average risk of breast cancer but not those at very high risk due to certain genetic or other factors. It is open for public comment through June 5, after which the task force will decide whether to finalize it.While cancer deaths have been declining for years, breast cancer remains the second leading cancer killer of U.S. woman, behind lung cancer.Health organizations have long had different screening recommendations, seeking to balance catching breast cancer early while avoiding too many false alarms, when the X-rays spot non-cancerous blips.The American Cancer Society says women ages 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year -– but can choose to start at 40 and then at 55, can choose to switch to every other year.The American College of Radiology recommends annual mammograms starting at 40 for women at average risk of breast cancer -– but urges that young women get assessed for risk factors that require even earlier screening.