FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) — Nine people were killed in a crash involving two Army <a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-hawk-helicopters-crash-d8ebd81d05f0b917df61d7dbcdb1752f">Black Hawk</a> medical evacuation helicopters conducting a nighttime training exercise in Kentucky, Army officials said Thursday.

Nondice
 Thurman, a spokesperson for Fort Campbell, said the deaths happened 
Wednesday night in southwestern Kentucky during a routine training 
mission.

A statement from Fort Campbell said the two HH-60 Black 
Hawk helicopters, part of the 101st Airborne Division, crashed around 10
 p.m. Wednesday in Trigg County, Kentucky. The 101st Airborne confirmed 
the crash about 30 miles northwest of Fort Campbell. The
 crash is under investigation.

The helicopters crashed in a field 
near a residential area with no injuries on the ground, Brig. Gen. John 
Lubas, the 101st Airborne deputy commander, said. One helicopter had 
five people aboard and the other had four, Lubas said.

An Army spokesperson declined to comment on whether the helicopters collided in the air.

"At
 this time, there is no determination on the specifics regarding the 
accident,” Daniel Matthews, a public affairs officer for the 101st 
Airborne Division, said in an emailed statement Thursday afternoon. 
Matthews said an aviation safety team from Fort Rucker, Alabama, will 
investigate the accident.

Speaking a news conference Thursday 
morning, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the state would do everything 
it can to support the families of those killed.

“We’re going to do
 what we always do. We’re going to wrap our arms around these families, 
and we’re going to be there with them, not just for the days, but the 
weeks and the months and the years to come," Beshear said.

Lubas said it is unclear what caused the crash.

“This
 was a training progression, and specifically they were flying a 
multi-ship formation, two ships, under night vision goggles at night," 
Lubas said. He said officials believe the accident occurred when "they 
were doing flying, not deliberate medical evacuation drills.”

The 
helicopters have something similar to the black boxes on passenger 
planes, which records the performance of aircrafts in flight and are 
used by investigators to analyze crashes.

“We’re hopeful that will provide quite a bit of information of what occurred,” Lubas said.

The
 Black Hawk helicopter is a critical workhorse for the U.S. Army and is 
used in security, transport, medical evacuations, search and rescue and 
other missions. The helicopters are known to many people from the 2001 
movie “Black Hawk Down,” which is about a violent battle in Somalia 
eight years earlier.

Black Hawks were a frequent sight in the 
skies over Iraq and Afghanistan during the wars conducting combat 
missions and are also used by the Army’s 160th Special Operations 
Aviation Regiment. They were also often used to ferry visiting senior 
leaders to headquarters locations in the Iraq and Afghanistan war zones.

Fort
 Campbell is located near the Tennessee border, about 60 miles orthwest of Nashville, and the crash occurred in the Trigg 
County, Kentucky, community of Cadiz.

Nick Tomaszewski, who lives 
about a mile from where the crash occurred, said he saw two helicopters 
flying over his house moments before the crash.

“For whatever 
reason last night my wife and I were sitting there looking out on the 
back deck and I said 'Wow, those two helicopters look low and they look 
kind of close to one another tonight,’” he said.

The helicopters flew over and looped back around and moments later “we saw what looked like a firework went off in the sky.”

“All
 of the lights in their helicopter went out. It was like they just 
poofed ... and then we saw a huge glow like a fireball,” Tomaszewski 
said.

Flyovers for training exercises happen almost daily and the helicopters typically fly low but not so close together, he said.

“There
 were two back to back. We typically see one and then see another one a 
few minutes later, and we just saw two of them flying together last 
night,” he said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin offered his condolences to the families of those killed.

“My
 heart goes out to the families of these servicemembers and to the 
members of the 101st Airborne Division who bravely and proudly serve our
 country each and every day," Lloyd said in a statement.

In the 
Kentucky House and in the Senate, members stood for a moment of silence 
Thursday morning in honor of the crash victims. Kentucky state Rep. 
Walker Thomas said the crash occurred about 15 to 20 minutes from his 
home.

“They’re there to protect us,” Thomas said. “And we’re constantly seeing these helicopters flying over our communities.”

Thomas spoke about how connected Fort Campbell soldiers and their families are to the communities near the Army post.

“The
 Fort Campbell soldiers that live in our communities, go to our churches
 ... they go to our schools, their kids do,” he added. “And this really 
hurts.”

By Thursday morning, word of the crash was spreading 
through the community of Clarksville, Tennessee, just outside Fort 
Campbell.

Chaterra Watts, a former Army soldier who was stationed 
at Fort Campbell from about 2015 to 2019, said once she heard about the 
crash, she jumped on social media to try to find out more and if she 
knew any of the victims.

“I pray for their friends and their 
families and just hope that we can all come together as a community and 
that something positive will come out of something so tragic,” Watts 
said.

Last month, two Tennessee National Guard pilots were killed when their <a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-alabama-tennessee-helicopter-crashes-70e5fa88184336305ed7ef435fd23248">Black Hawk helicopter crashed</a> along an Alabama highway during a training exercise.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680208722157.jpeg" alt="Military officials hold a news conference in Fort Campbell, KY, on Thursday March 30, 2023, to discuss a fatal helicopter crash. Nine people were killed in a crash involving two Army Black Hawk helicopters conducting a nighttime training exercise in Kentucky, a military spokesperson said. (AP Photo/Sharon Johnson)" />
 <figcaption>Military officials hold a news conference in Fort Campbell, KY, on Thursday March 30, 2023, to discuss a fatal helicopter crash. Nine people were killed in a crash involving two Army Black Hawk helicopters conducting a nighttime training exercise in Kentucky, a military spokesperson said. (AP Photo/Sharon Johnson)</figcaption>
 </figure>Associated PressFORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) — Nine people were killed in a crash involving two Army <a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-hawk-helicopters-crash-d8ebd81d05f0b917df61d7dbcdb1752f">Black Hawk</a> medical evacuation helicopters conducting a nighttime training exercise in Kentucky, Army officials said Thursday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PentagonPresSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PentagonPresSec</a> on incident in which nine Army soldiers were killed in a crash involving two Black Hawk helicopters crashed in Kentucky, which occurred during a routine training mission. <a href="https://t.co/QZg8GivRaE">pic.twitter.com/QZg8GivRaE</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1641525073474461699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Nondice
 Thurman, a spokesperson for Fort Campbell, said the deaths happened 
Wednesday night in southwestern Kentucky during a routine training 
mission.A statement from Fort Campbell said the two HH-60 Black 
Hawk helicopters, part of the 101st Airborne Division, crashed around 10
 p.m. Wednesday in Trigg County, Kentucky. The 101st Airborne confirmed 
the crash about 30 miles northwest of Fort Campbell. The
 crash is under investigation.The helicopters crashed in a field 
near a residential area with no injuries on the ground, Brig. Gen. John 
Lubas, the 101st Airborne deputy commander, said. One helicopter had 
five people aboard and the other had four, Lubas said.An Army spokesperson declined to comment on whether the helicopters collided in the air."At
 this time, there is no determination on the specifics regarding the 
accident,” Daniel Matthews, a public affairs officer for the 101st 
Airborne Division, said in an emailed statement Thursday afternoon. 
Matthews said an aviation safety team from Fort Rucker, Alabama, will 
investigate the accident.Speaking a news conference Thursday 
morning, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said the state would do everything 
it can to support the families of those killed.“We’re going to do
 what we always do. We’re going to wrap our arms around these families, 
and we’re going to be there with them, not just for the days, but the 
weeks and the months and the years to come," Beshear said.Lubas said it is unclear what caused the crash.“This
 was a training progression, and specifically they were flying a 
multi-ship formation, two ships, under night vision goggles at night," 
Lubas said. He said officials believe the accident occurred when "they 
were doing flying, not deliberate medical evacuation drills.”The 
helicopters have something similar to the black boxes on passenger 
planes, which records the performance of aircrafts in flight and are 
used by investigators to analyze crashes.“We’re hopeful that will provide quite a bit of information of what occurred,” Lubas said.The
 Black Hawk helicopter is a critical workhorse for the U.S. Army and is 
used in security, transport, medical evacuations, search and rescue and 
other missions. The helicopters are known to many people from the 2001 
movie “Black Hawk Down,” which is about a violent battle in Somalia 
eight years earlier.Black Hawks were a frequent sight in the 
skies over Iraq and Afghanistan during the wars conducting combat 
missions and are also used by the Army’s 160th Special Operations 
Aviation Regiment. They were also often used to ferry visiting senior 
leaders to headquarters locations in the Iraq and Afghanistan war zones.Fort
 Campbell is located near the Tennessee border, about 60 miles orthwest of Nashville, and the crash occurred in the Trigg 
County, Kentucky, community of Cadiz.Nick Tomaszewski, who lives 
about a mile from where the crash occurred, said he saw two helicopters 
flying over his house moments before the crash.“For whatever 
reason last night my wife and I were sitting there looking out on the 
back deck and I said 'Wow, those two helicopters look low and they look 
kind of close to one another tonight,’” he said.The helicopters flew over and looped back around and moments later “we saw what looked like a firework went off in the sky.”“All
 of the lights in their helicopter went out. It was like they just 
poofed ... and then we saw a huge glow like a fireball,” Tomaszewski 
said.Flyovers for training exercises happen almost daily and the helicopters typically fly low but not so close together, he said.“There
 were two back to back. We typically see one and then see another one a 
few minutes later, and we just saw two of them flying together last 
night,” he said.U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin offered his condolences to the families of those killed.“My
 heart goes out to the families of these servicemembers and to the 
members of the 101st Airborne Division who bravely and proudly serve our
 country each and every day," Lloyd said in a statement.In the 
Kentucky House and in the Senate, members stood for a moment of silence 
Thursday morning in honor of the crash victims. Kentucky state Rep. 
Walker Thomas said the crash occurred about 15 to 20 minutes from his 
home.“They’re there to protect us,” Thomas said. “And we’re constantly seeing these helicopters flying over our communities.”Thomas spoke about how connected Fort Campbell soldiers and their families are to the communities near the Army post.“The
 Fort Campbell soldiers that live in our communities, go to our churches
 ... they go to our schools, their kids do,” he added. “And this really 
hurts.”By Thursday morning, word of the crash was spreading 
through the community of Clarksville, Tennessee, just outside Fort 
Campbell.Chaterra Watts, a former Army soldier who was stationed 
at Fort Campbell from about 2015 to 2019, said once she heard about the 
crash, she jumped on social media to try to find out more and if she 
knew any of the victims.“I pray for their friends and their 
families and just hope that we can all come together as a community and 
that something positive will come out of something so tragic,” Watts 
said.Last month, two Tennessee National Guard pilots were killed when their <a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-alabama-tennessee-helicopter-crashes-70e5fa88184336305ed7ef435fd23248">Black Hawk helicopter crashed</a> along an Alabama highway during a training exercise.

🎥9 killed in Army Black Hawk helicopter crash in Kentucky

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

WASHINGTON — Health insurance 
companies may no longer need to cover a wide swath of preventive health 
care services that were required by the 2010 Affordable Care Act, under a
 federal judge’s ruling issued Thursday in Texas.

The decision could affect millions of Americans’ access to no-cost preventive health care — including pregnancy-related care, cancer screenings, HIV prevention pharmaceuticals and more — that a federal agency given new powers under Obamacare required health insurance companies to cover.

It wasn’t immediately clear when or 
how the decision could take effect in consumer insurance plans. The 
Biden administration is likely to appeal the case.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck 
Schumer called for an immediate stay and appeal of the ruling and for 
insurance providers to “publicly commit they will retain free preventive
 care.”

“This ruling is not only misguided, 
it is outright dangerous and could cost lives,” Schumer, a New York 
Democrat, said in a statement.

New Jersey Democratic Rep. Frank 
Pallone, ranking member on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee,
 said in a written statement the judge’s decision “imperils access to 
lifesaving care including mammograms, lung cancer and skin cancer 
screenings, screenings for pregnant women and newborns, and PrEP.”

“It has no basis in the law, will 
unnecessarily cause confusion, and will put lives at risk if people are 
forced to forgo routine screenings and treatment,” he added. “The 
Department of Justice should immediately move to appeal this reckless 
decision and have it stayed so that Americans do not lose access to 
care.”

The U.S. Justice Department and the 
Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for 
comment Thursday morning on the case, Braidwood Management v. Becerra. 
The White House also did not return a request for comment on the ruling.

Judge Reed O’Connor, from the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Texas, wrote in his <a target="_blank" href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.330381/gov.uscourts.txnd.330381.113.0_2.pdf">ruling</a>
 that preventive services required by the U.S. Preventive Services Task 
Force to be covered are unlawful because they violate the Appointments 
Clause.

That <a target="_blank" href="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S2-C2-3-1/ALDE_00013092/">section of the Constitution</a>
 requires the president to nominate certain positions, sometimes 
referred to as principal officers, that the U.S. Senate then confirms.

Government officials whose positions 
are generally considered “inferior” are often left for the president, 
Cabinet secretaries, or others in the executive branch to hire without 
Senate involvement.&nbsp;

The conservative Christian business 
owners who filed the lawsuit argue the preventive care measure mandates 
are unconstitutional, due to a lack of oversight on how recommendations 
are made by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

The business owners argue that 
because the ACA does not allow the secretary of HHS — or other leaders 
of the agency — to reject recommendations made by that committee, it has
 insufficient oversight.

O’Connor, nominated by former president George W. Bush, sided in his ruling with the businesses owners, who
 want to provide health insurance without coverage for “PrEP drugs, the 
HPV vaccine, contraceptives, and screenings and behavioral counseling 
for STDs and drug use.” They argued their employees had no need for such
 coverage and that it violated their religious beliefs under the 
Religious Freedom Restoration Act.&nbsp;

PrEP, also known as pre-exposure 
prophylaxis, are drugs that have a 99% prevention rate for HIV, and are 
used by all Americans, but primarily by men who have sex with men. The 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/fact-sheets/hiv/PrEP-for-hiv-prevention-in-the-US-factsheet.html">found</a> the drugs “played a part in recent decreases in new HIV infections.” The CDC estimates that 1.2 million Americans are eligible for PrEP.&nbsp;

The business owners argue that 
requiring health insurance to cover preventive HIV medication, such as 
PrEP, violates their faith. They also argue it’s unconstitutional for 
the federal government to recommend covered preventive services.

O’Connor wrote in Thursday’s ruling 
that Braidwood Management Inc. and Kelley Orthodontics, as well as 
others “need not comply with the preventive care coverage 
recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued on or 
after March 23, 2010, because the members of the Task Force have not 
been appointed in a manner consistent with Article II’s Appointments 
Clause.” The Affordable Care Act was signed into law on that date.

Numerous medical groups — the 
American Medical Association, The American College of Obstetricians and 
Gynecologists, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the American 
Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Women’s Association, the 
American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Medical Association 
and the Infectious Diseases Society of America — warned against revoking
 no-cost preventive care services in a <a target="_blank" href="https://searchltf.ama-assn.org/case/documentDownload?uri=%2Funstructured%2Fbinary%2Fcasebriefs%2FBraidwood_Management_v__Becerra_Northern_District_of_Texas_Brief.pdf">brief</a> filed in November.&nbsp;

“​​Ultimately, if this Court 
invalidates the Task Force’s recommendations nationwide, physicians and 
healthcare professionals will be left in an untenable situation,” they 
wrote.

“Amici will struggle to encourage 
their patients to accept services that they know will save lives and to 
help their patients navigate a new and confusing insurance situation,” 
they added. “Amici will see many of their patients, including some of 
their most vulnerable, turn down medically indicated services because of
 the very financial barriers that Congress sought to remove.”&nbsp;

“The past ten years have shown the 
benefits of no-cost preventive coverage, and amici ask that the Court 
hesitate before ordering a remedy that could upset that substantial 
progress,” they said.&nbsp;

The<a target="_blank" href="https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation-topics/uspstf-a-and-b-recommendations"> preventive care services </a>&nbsp;in
 question receive either an “A” or “B” rating from the Preventive 
Services Task Force. They include domestic violence counseling, 
postpartum depression counseling, breastfeeding support, and treatment 
for heart disease.&nbsp;

Some of the screenings for cancer 
include breast, colorectal, ovarian, lung and skin for patients as young
 as 6 months to 24-year-olds with fair skin.&nbsp;&nbsp;

HHS <a target="_blank" href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/786fa55a84e7e3833961933124d70dd2/preventive-services-ib-2022.pdf">estimated</a>
 in 2020 that nearly 152 million people had access to preventive care 
services under the law. That breaks down to about 58 million women, 57 
million men, and 37 million children, according to HHS data.

Several cases challenging whether 
employers should have to comply with the ACA’s birth control mandate 
have come before the U.S. Supreme Court. Thursday’s ruling does not 
change that section of the ACA.&nbsp;

In 2020 the court granted a victory to those opposed to offering health plans that cover contraception.

In a 7-2 decision, with an opinion 
written by Justice Clarence Thomas, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of 
the Little Sisters of the Poor, which challenged that the mandate 
violated its rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

The case brought by the nonprofit 
Catholic religious organization, which operates homes for the elderly, 
upheld a Trump administration expansion of an exemption under the ACA 
that allowed private employers to object to the birth control mandate 
for religious or moral reasons.

The Trump administration widened the exemptions in November 2018.

In 2016, the Supreme Court unanimously returned a case brought by a Pittsburgh-based Catholic priest to the lower court level.&nbsp;

Bishop David Zubik, the main 
plaintiff, had argued that religious freedoms were violated by the 
contraceptive mandate. Zubik argued that a special carve-out exemption 
for religious organizations did not go far enough and therefore burdened
 the exercise of their religious freedoms. The Catholic Diocese of 
Pittsburgh and Erie, as well as the nonprofit Catholic Charities, joined
 as plaintiffs.

In 2014, Hobby Lobby, a 
Christian-owned craft supply retailer, won at the Supreme Court level 
after it became the first high-profile plaintiff to challenge coverage 
of birth control under the ACA.

In a 5-4 decision, Justice Samuel 
Alito wrote in the majority opinion that a requirement for “closely 
held” for-profit corporations to provide employees with access to 
no-cost contraception under ACA plans violated the Religious Freedom and
 Restoration Act.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680202853184.jpg" alt=" Insurance companies would not be required to cover preventative screening if a federal judge’s ruling on the 2010 Affordable Care Act stands. Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption> Insurance companies would not be required to cover preventative screening if a federal judge’s ruling on the 2010 Affordable Care Act stands. Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By JENNIFER SHUTT, ARIANA FIGUEROA and&nbsp; ASHLEY MURRAY <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Health insurance 
companies may no longer need to cover a wide swath of preventive health 
care services that were required by the 2010 Affordable Care Act, under a
 federal judge’s ruling issued Thursday in Texas.The decision could affect millions of Americans’ access to no-cost preventive health care — including pregnancy-related care, cancer screenings, HIV prevention pharmaceuticals and more — that a federal agency given new powers under Obamacare required health insurance companies to cover.It wasn’t immediately clear when or 
how the decision could take effect in consumer insurance plans. The 
Biden administration is likely to appeal the case.U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck 
Schumer called for an immediate stay and appeal of the ruling and for 
insurance providers to “publicly commit they will retain free preventive
 care.”“This ruling is not only misguided, 
it is outright dangerous and could cost lives,” Schumer, a New York 
Democrat, said in a statement.New Jersey Democratic Rep. Frank 
Pallone, ranking member on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee,
 said in a written statement the judge’s decision “imperils access to 
lifesaving care including mammograms, lung cancer and skin cancer 
screenings, screenings for pregnant women and newborns, and PrEP.”“It has no basis in the law, will 
unnecessarily cause confusion, and will put lives at risk if people are 
forced to forgo routine screenings and treatment,” he added. “The 
Department of Justice should immediately move to appeal this reckless 
decision and have it stayed so that Americans do not lose access to 
care.”The U.S. Justice Department and the 
Department of Health and Human Services did not respond to requests for 
comment Thursday morning on the case, Braidwood Management v. Becerra. 
The White House also did not return a request for comment on the ruling.Judge Reed O’Connor, from the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Texas, wrote in his <a target="_blank" href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.txnd.330381/gov.uscourts.txnd.330381.113.0_2.pdf">ruling</a>
 that preventive services required by the U.S. Preventive Services Task 
Force to be covered are unlawful because they violate the Appointments 
Clause.That <a target="_blank" href="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S2-C2-3-1/ALDE_00013092/">section of the Constitution</a>
 requires the president to nominate certain positions, sometimes 
referred to as principal officers, that the U.S. Senate then confirms.Government officials whose positions 
are generally considered “inferior” are often left for the president, 
Cabinet secretaries, or others in the executive branch to hire without 
Senate involvement.&nbsp;The conservative Christian business 
owners who filed the lawsuit argue the preventive care measure mandates 
are unconstitutional, due to a lack of oversight on how recommendations 
are made by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.The business owners argue that 
because the ACA does not allow the secretary of HHS — or other leaders 
of the agency — to reject recommendations made by that committee, it has
 insufficient oversight.O’Connor, nominated by former president George W. Bush, sided in his ruling with the businesses owners, who
 want to provide health insurance without coverage for “PrEP drugs, the 
HPV vaccine, contraceptives, and screenings and behavioral counseling 
for STDs and drug use.” They argued their employees had no need for such
 coverage and that it violated their religious beliefs under the 
Religious Freedom Restoration Act.&nbsp;PrEP, also known as pre-exposure 
prophylaxis, are drugs that have a 99% prevention rate for HIV, and are 
used by all Americans, but primarily by men who have sex with men. The 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/fact-sheets/hiv/PrEP-for-hiv-prevention-in-the-US-factsheet.html">found</a> the drugs “played a part in recent decreases in new HIV infections.” The CDC estimates that 1.2 million Americans are eligible for PrEP.&nbsp;The business owners argue that 
requiring health insurance to cover preventive HIV medication, such as 
PrEP, violates their faith. They also argue it’s unconstitutional for 
the federal government to recommend covered preventive services.O’Connor wrote in Thursday’s ruling 
that Braidwood Management Inc. and Kelley Orthodontics, as well as 
others “need not comply with the preventive care coverage 
recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued on or 
after March 23, 2010, because the members of the Task Force have not 
been appointed in a manner consistent with Article II’s Appointments 
Clause.” The Affordable Care Act was signed into law on that date.Numerous medical groups — the 
American Medical Association, The American College of Obstetricians and 
Gynecologists, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, the American 
Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Women’s Association, the 
American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Medical Association 
and the Infectious Diseases Society of America — warned against revoking
 no-cost preventive care services in a <a target="_blank" href="https://searchltf.ama-assn.org/case/documentDownload?uri=%2Funstructured%2Fbinary%2Fcasebriefs%2FBraidwood_Management_v__Becerra_Northern_District_of_Texas_Brief.pdf">brief</a> filed in November.&nbsp;“​​Ultimately, if this Court 
invalidates the Task Force’s recommendations nationwide, physicians and 
healthcare professionals will be left in an untenable situation,” they 
wrote.“Amici will struggle to encourage 
their patients to accept services that they know will save lives and to 
help their patients navigate a new and confusing insurance situation,” 
they added. “Amici will see many of their patients, including some of 
their most vulnerable, turn down medically indicated services because of
 the very financial barriers that Congress sought to remove.”&nbsp;“The past ten years have shown the 
benefits of no-cost preventive coverage, and amici ask that the Court 
hesitate before ordering a remedy that could upset that substantial 
progress,” they said.&nbsp;The<a target="_blank" href="https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation-topics/uspstf-a-and-b-recommendations"> preventive care services </a>&nbsp;in
 question receive either an “A” or “B” rating from the Preventive 
Services Task Force. They include domestic violence counseling, 
postpartum depression counseling, breastfeeding support, and treatment 
for heart disease.&nbsp;Some of the screenings for cancer 
include breast, colorectal, ovarian, lung and skin for patients as young
 as 6 months to 24-year-olds with fair skin.&nbsp;&nbsp;HHS <a target="_blank" href="https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/786fa55a84e7e3833961933124d70dd2/preventive-services-ib-2022.pdf">estimated</a>
 in 2020 that nearly 152 million people had access to preventive care 
services under the law. That breaks down to about 58 million women, 57 
million men, and 37 million children, according to HHS data.<h2>Other legal challenges to ACA coverage</h2>Several cases challenging whether 
employers should have to comply with the ACA’s birth control mandate 
have come before the U.S. Supreme Court. Thursday’s ruling does not 
change that section of the ACA.&nbsp;In 2020 the court granted a victory to those opposed to offering health plans that cover contraception.In a 7-2 decision, with an opinion 
written by Justice Clarence Thomas, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of 
the Little Sisters of the Poor, which challenged that the mandate 
violated its rights under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.The case brought by the nonprofit 
Catholic religious organization, which operates homes for the elderly, 
upheld a Trump administration expansion of an exemption under the ACA 
that allowed private employers to object to the birth control mandate 
for religious or moral reasons.The Trump administration widened the exemptions in November 2018.In 2016, the Supreme Court unanimously returned a case brought by a Pittsburgh-based Catholic priest to the lower court level.&nbsp;Bishop David Zubik, the main 
plaintiff, had argued that religious freedoms were violated by the 
contraceptive mandate. Zubik argued that a special carve-out exemption 
for religious organizations did not go far enough and therefore burdened
 the exercise of their religious freedoms. The Catholic Diocese of 
Pittsburgh and Erie, as well as the nonprofit Catholic Charities, joined
 as plaintiffs.In 2014, Hobby Lobby, a 
Christian-owned craft supply retailer, won at the Supreme Court level 
after it became the first high-profile plaintiff to challenge coverage 
of birth control under the ACA.In a 5-4 decision, Justice Samuel 
Alito wrote in the majority opinion that a requirement for “closely 
held” for-profit corporations to provide employees with access to 
no-cost contraception under ACA plans violated the Religious Freedom and
 Restoration Act.

Judge: Insurers don’t have to cover many preventive measures

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans on Thursday approved a sprawling energy package that seeks to undo virtually all of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-climate-health-bill-9a7f349fa7b07387d20ad603f2ff4875">President Joe Biden's agenda to address climate change.</a>

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?527072-1/house-republicans-speak-energy-bill-passage">Click here to watch the </a>House Speaker's press conference

The legislation would sharply increase domestic production of oil, natural gas and coal, and ease permitting restrictions that delay pipelines, refineries and other projects. It would boost production of critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt that are used in electric vehicles, computers, cellphones and other products.

By a 225-204 vote, the House sent the measure to the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called it “dead on arrival.”

Biden has threatened to veto the bill, saying it would replace “pro-consumer policies” adopted in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-congress-climate-and-environment-f084d23d61ebb068068d4aa92c82fdbb">the landmark climate law approved last year</a>&nbsp;“with a thinly veiled license to pollute.'' The bill would roll back Democratic investments in clean energy and ”pad oil and gas company profits,'' the White House said.

Republicans call the bill the&nbsp;<a href="https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/Scalise%3A-Unleashing-American-Energy-Lowers-Costs-for-Families">“Lower Energy Costs Act”</a>&nbsp;and gave it the symbolic label H.R. 1 — the top legislative priority of the new GOP majority, which took control of the House in January.

The measure combines dozens of separate proposals and represents more than two years of work by Republicans who have chafed at Biden's environmental agenda. They say Biden's efforts have thwarted U.S. energy production and increased costs at the gas pump and grocery store.

“Families are struggling because of President Biden's war on American energy,'' said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., one of the bill's main authors.

The GOP bill will “unleash" abundant U.S. natural resources "so we can produce energy in America,'' Scalise said. “We don't have to be addicted to foreign countries that don't like us.''

Democrats called the bill a giveaway to big oil companies.

"Republicans refuse to hold polluters accountable for the damage they cause to our air, our water, our communities and our climate,'' said New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

“While Democrats delivered historic wins for the American people by passing historic climate legislation, Republicans are actively working to undermine that progress and do the bidding of their polluter friends,″ Pallone said.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said the bill “restores American energy leadership by repealing unnecessary taxes and overregulation on American energy producers,'' and "makes it easier to build things in America'' by placing a two-year time limit on environmental reviews that now take an average of seven years.

“Every time we need a pipeline, a road or a dam, it gets held up five to seven years and adds millions of dollars in costs for the project to comply with Washington’s permitting process,'' McCarthy said in speech on the House floor. “It’s too long, it’s unaffordable, it’s not based on science and it’s holding us back.''

He pointed to a project to modify and improve Lake Isabella Dam in his central California district that has lasted 18 years and still is not completed.

“Permitting reform isn’t for everyone,'' McCarthy added. “If you like paying more at the pump, you don’t want to make it faster for American workers to build more pipelines. If you’re China, you’d rather America sit back and let others lead. And if you’re a bureaucrat, maybe you really do enjoy reading the 600-page environmental impact studies.''

Most Americans want lower prices and more U.S. energy production, McCarthy said — results he said the bill will deliver.

Democrats called that misleading and said the GOP plan was a thinly disguised effort to reward oil companies and other energy producers that have contributed millions of dollars to GOP campaigns.

Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, derided the bill as the “Polluters Over People Act'' and “a nearly 200-page love letter to polluting industries.''

Instead of reining in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-exxon-mobil-corp-business-0de95b8421a658f020717a148a63c9c5">“Big Oil” companies that have reported record profits</a>&nbsp;while “hoarding thousands of unused leases'' on public lands and waters, the GOP bill lowers royalty rates paid by energy producers and reinstates noncompetitive leasing of public lands, Grijalva said.

The bill also gives mining companies “a veritable free-for-all on our public lands” and “makes mockery of tribal consultation'' required under federal law, he said.

Under the GOP plan, mining companies will “destroy sacred and special places" throughout the West, "ruin the landscape and leave behind a toxic mess that pollutes our water and hurts our health — all without paying a cent to the American people,'' Grijalva said.

Schumer called the measure “a giveaway to Big Oil pretending to be an energy package.”

The House energy package “would gut important environmental safeguards on fossil fuel projects,'' locking America "into expensive, erratic and dirty energy sources while setting us back more than a decade on our transition to clean energy,'' Schumer said.

Schumer said he supports streamlining the nation's cumbersome permitting process for energy projects, especially those that will deliver “clean energy” such as wind, solar and geothermal power. “But the Republican plan falls woefully short on this front as well,'' he said, calling on Republicans to back reforms that would help ease the transition to renewable energy and accelerate construction of transmission lines to bolster the nation's aging power grid.

Schumer and other Democrats said the Republican bill would repeal a new $27 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-and-environment-financial-services-us-environmental-protection-agency-business-664750a30b238523bc025663f4a1f002">Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund</a>&nbsp;and other parts of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-congress-climate-and-environment-f084d23d61ebb068068d4aa92c82fdbb">the climate and health care law passed by Democrats last year</a>. The bill also would eliminate a new tax on methane pollution.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1567081192406.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans on Thursday approved a sprawling energy package that seeks to undo virtually all of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-signs-climate-health-bill-9a7f349fa7b07387d20ad603f2ff4875">President Joe Biden's agenda to address climate change.</a><a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?527072-1/house-republicans-speak-energy-bill-passage">Click here to watch the </a>House Speaker's press conferenceThe legislation would sharply increase domestic production of oil, natural gas and coal, and ease permitting restrictions that delay pipelines, refineries and other projects. It would boost production of critical minerals such as lithium, nickel and cobalt that are used in electric vehicles, computers, cellphones and other products.By a 225-204 vote, the House sent the measure to the Senate, where Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called it “dead on arrival.”Biden has threatened to veto the bill, saying it would replace “pro-consumer policies” adopted in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-congress-climate-and-environment-f084d23d61ebb068068d4aa92c82fdbb">the landmark climate law approved last year</a>&nbsp;“with a thinly veiled license to pollute.'' The bill would roll back Democratic investments in clean energy and ”pad oil and gas company profits,'' the White House said.Republicans call the bill the&nbsp;<a href="https://scalise.house.gov/press-releases/Scalise%3A-Unleashing-American-Energy-Lowers-Costs-for-Families">“Lower Energy Costs Act”</a>&nbsp;and gave it the symbolic label H.R. 1 — the top legislative priority of the new GOP majority, which took control of the House in January.The measure combines dozens of separate proposals and represents more than two years of work by Republicans who have chafed at Biden's environmental agenda. They say Biden's efforts have thwarted U.S. energy production and increased costs at the gas pump and grocery store.“Families are struggling because of President Biden's war on American energy,'' said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., one of the bill's main authors.The GOP bill will “unleash" abundant U.S. natural resources "so we can produce energy in America,'' Scalise said. “We don't have to be addicted to foreign countries that don't like us.''Democrats called the bill a giveaway to big oil companies."Republicans refuse to hold polluters accountable for the damage they cause to our air, our water, our communities and our climate,'' said New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone, the top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.“While Democrats delivered historic wins for the American people by passing historic climate legislation, Republicans are actively working to undermine that progress and do the bidding of their polluter friends,″ Pallone said.House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said the bill “restores American energy leadership by repealing unnecessary taxes and overregulation on American energy producers,'' and "makes it easier to build things in America'' by placing a two-year time limit on environmental reviews that now take an average of seven years.“Every time we need a pipeline, a road or a dam, it gets held up five to seven years and adds millions of dollars in costs for the project to comply with Washington’s permitting process,'' McCarthy said in speech on the House floor. “It’s too long, it’s unaffordable, it’s not based on science and it’s holding us back.''He pointed to a project to modify and improve Lake Isabella Dam in his central California district that has lasted 18 years and still is not completed.“Permitting reform isn’t for everyone,'' McCarthy added. “If you like paying more at the pump, you don’t want to make it faster for American workers to build more pipelines. If you’re China, you’d rather America sit back and let others lead. And if you’re a bureaucrat, maybe you really do enjoy reading the 600-page environmental impact studies.''Most Americans want lower prices and more U.S. energy production, McCarthy said — results he said the bill will deliver.Democrats called that misleading and said the GOP plan was a thinly disguised effort to reward oil companies and other energy producers that have contributed millions of dollars to GOP campaigns.Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, derided the bill as the “Polluters Over People Act'' and “a nearly 200-page love letter to polluting industries.''Instead of reining in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-exxon-mobil-corp-business-0de95b8421a658f020717a148a63c9c5">“Big Oil” companies that have reported record profits</a>&nbsp;while “hoarding thousands of unused leases'' on public lands and waters, the GOP bill lowers royalty rates paid by energy producers and reinstates noncompetitive leasing of public lands, Grijalva said.The bill also gives mining companies “a veritable free-for-all on our public lands” and “makes mockery of tribal consultation'' required under federal law, he said.Under the GOP plan, mining companies will “destroy sacred and special places" throughout the West, "ruin the landscape and leave behind a toxic mess that pollutes our water and hurts our health — all without paying a cent to the American people,'' Grijalva said.Schumer called the measure “a giveaway to Big Oil pretending to be an energy package.”The House energy package “would gut important environmental safeguards on fossil fuel projects,'' locking America "into expensive, erratic and dirty energy sources while setting us back more than a decade on our transition to clean energy,'' Schumer said.Schumer said he supports streamlining the nation's cumbersome permitting process for energy projects, especially those that will deliver “clean energy” such as wind, solar and geothermal power. “But the Republican plan falls woefully short on this front as well,'' he said, calling on Republicans to back reforms that would help ease the transition to renewable energy and accelerate construction of transmission lines to bolster the nation's aging power grid.Schumer and other Democrats said the Republican bill would repeal a new $27 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-and-environment-financial-services-us-environmental-protection-agency-business-664750a30b238523bc025663f4a1f002">Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund</a>&nbsp;and other parts of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-congress-climate-and-environment-f084d23d61ebb068068d4aa92c82fdbb">the climate and health care law passed by Democrats last year</a>. The bill also would eliminate a new tax on methane pollution.

House approves broad bill to 'unleash' American energy

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A Salina man who allegedly head-butted a police officer was arrested on multiple requested charges after two incidents overnight.

Just after 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers were sent to a residence in the 800 block of Plaza Drive for the report of an aggravated burglary, according to Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus. 

A couple at the residence said they noticed a light go on in their house. When they got up to investigate, they saw a man inside the residence who then left through the back door.

Items missing included a black duffle bag with miscellaneous welding equipment, two sets of vehicle keys, and a mailbox key, Hanus said.

As the officers were talking with the couple, their son returned home and told police that a short time before that, as he was leaving the residence, he saw the same person in his 2001 Ford four-door vehicle. The person left when he saw the son coming out of the house. The son locked the front door of the residence and left without telling his parents that he had seen someone in his vehicle, Hanus said.

At approximately 12:40 a.m. Thursday, police received a report of a suspicious person in the 900 block of Vassar Drive. When officers made contact with the person, they found him to be in possession of a black bag with welding equipment in it, Hanus said. The person was detained at that time and officers then found the stolen keys in his possession.

The person was identified as James David Laughlin, 21, of Salina.

While officers were attempting to take Laughlin into custody and put a safety wrap on him, he allegedly head-butted an officer and threatened the officer, Hanus said. 

Because of a medical issue, Laughlin was transported to the Salina Regional Health Center emergency room before he was booked into the Saline County Jail.

Hanus said Laughlin was arrested on the following requested charges, Aggravated burglary, Felony interference, Battery of a law enforcement officer, Four counts of assault of a law enforcement officer, Trespassing and Theft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678200604446.jpeg" alt="James David Laughlin- Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>James David Laughlin- Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Salina man who allegedly head-butted a police officer was arrested on multiple requested charges after two incidents overnight.Just after 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers were sent to a residence in the 800 block of Plaza Drive for the report of an aggravated burglary, according to Salina Police Captain Gary Hanus. A couple at the residence said they noticed a light go on in their house. When they got up to investigate, they saw a man inside the residence who then left through the back door.Items missing included a black duffle bag with miscellaneous welding equipment, two sets of vehicle keys, and a mailbox key, Hanus said.As the officers were talking with the couple, their son returned home and told police that a short time before that, as he was leaving the residence, he saw the same person in his 2001 Ford four-door vehicle. The person left when he saw the son coming out of the house. The son locked the front door of the residence and left without telling his parents that he had seen someone in his vehicle, Hanus said.At approximately 12:40 a.m. Thursday, police received a report of a suspicious person in the 900 block of Vassar Drive. When officers made contact with the person, they found him to be in possession of a black bag with welding equipment in it, Hanus said. The person was detained at that time and officers then found the stolen keys in his possession.The person was identified as James David Laughlin, 21, of Salina.While officers were attempting to take Laughlin into custody and put a safety wrap on him, he allegedly head-butted an officer and threatened the officer, Hanus said. Because of a medical issue, Laughlin was transported to the Salina Regional Health Center emergency room before he was booked into the Saline County Jail.Hanus said Laughlin was arrested on the following requested charges, Aggravated burglary, Felony interference, Battery of a law enforcement officer, Four counts of assault of a law enforcement officer, Trespassing and Theft.

Kansas burglary suspect allegedly head-butted police officer 

Washington –&nbsp;On Wednesday evening, a&nbsp;resolution championed by&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall to terminate the COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration passed the Senate for the third time. The resolution passed 68-23, with 21 Democrats joining Republicans in support of the bill. In February, the measure passed the House in a 229-197 vote.&nbsp;

 The measure now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.

(Click below to watch Senator Marshall's speech on the bill)

Senator Marshall’s resolution to end the COVID-19 National State of Emergency previously passed the U.S. Senate twice.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-marshalls-resolution-to-end-covid-state-of-emergency/" target="_blank">Once</a>&nbsp;by a vote of 48-47 on March 3, 2022, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshalls-resolution-to-end-covid-national-emergency-declaration-overwhelmingly-passes-senate/" target="_blank">once</a>&nbsp;by a vote of 62-36 on November 15, 2022. Senator Marshall&nbsp;addressed the Senate Floor Wednesday ahead of the vote and called on this Administration to immediately terminate their authoritarian emergency declaration.&nbsp;

As per law it expires on May 11, 2023, and can't be extended.&nbsp;

Washington –&nbsp;On Wednesday evening, a&nbsp;resolution championed by&nbsp;U.S. Senator Roger Marshall to terminate the COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration passed the Senate for the third time. The resolution passed 68-23, with 21 Democrats joining Republicans in support of the bill. In February, the measure passed the House in a 229-197 vote.&nbsp; The measure now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature.(Click below to watch Senator Marshall's speech on the bill)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zECSvB4ukqM" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Senator Marshall’s resolution to end the COVID-19 National State of Emergency previously passed the U.S. Senate twice.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-marshalls-resolution-to-end-covid-state-of-emergency/" target="_blank">Once</a>&nbsp;by a vote of 48-47 on March 3, 2022, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.marshall.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-marshalls-resolution-to-end-covid-national-emergency-declaration-overwhelmingly-passes-senate/" target="_blank">once</a>&nbsp;by a vote of 62-36 on November 15, 2022. Senator Marshall&nbsp;addressed the Senate Floor Wednesday ahead of the vote and called on this Administration to immediately terminate their authoritarian emergency declaration.&nbsp;As per law it expires on May 11, 2023, and can't be extended.&nbsp;

🎥Senate votes to end COVID-19 emergency for 3rd time

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after a standoff at a Kansas home.

On Monday, police in Cherryvale asked the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department to assist with a situation involving 48-year-old Aaron E. Whittley, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.

Police had several encounters with Whittley over the past week including an encounter involving him entering into a convenience store and leaving without paying for some items. 

While investigating the theft, police learned about several social media posts Whittley made throughout the day, threatening multiple people, and making homicidal/suicidal statements. 

A&nbsp; police officer attempted to make contact with Whittley at his home in the 400 block of East 4th Street Cherryvale.&nbsp;

 Whittley was at the residence the observed Whittley fire two shots in the air with a handgun then run into the residence.  Due to the nature of this incident, the Montgomery County Emergency Response Team (SWAT) was activated and responded to the scene at 8:00pm and began the “armed and barricaded subject” procedure. &nbsp;

The Coffeyville Police Department SWAT team was requested to respond to the scene while the Kansas Bureau of Investigations SWAT team was placed on standby. 

The SWAT teams worked together giving announcements over the loudspeaker for Whittley to come out of the residence peacefully. He did not comply. 

The SWAT teams used less lethal gas munitions, robots, and drones to assist in receiving a response and locating where Whittley was inside of the residence. 

After a couple of hours and no response from Whittley, the KBI SWAT team respond to the scene to assist.  The KBI SWAT team was supported by the Pratt County Kansas Sheriff’s Office who brought additional tools and robots. 

KBI SWAT continued announcements and deployed less lethal gas munitions into the residence all through the night in attempt for Whittley to comply.

Just before 8a.m. on Tuesday, the KBI SWAT team entered the residence and located Whittley inside of a bedroom. Whitley was responsive but appeared to be lethargic. 

Whittley admitted to ingesting a large amount of sleeping aide medication at some point throughout the night. 

The KBI took Whittley into custody without further incident and transported him to Labette Health ER in Independence, Kansas where he later was released and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections. 

 Montgomery County Detectives conducted a search of the residence and located what appeared to be explosives inside of the room where Whittley was located. 

The Kansas Highway Patrol Bomb Squad determined that the explosives were Improvised Explosive Device’s.  KHP Bomb squad took custody of the IED’s and began the procedure to disarm them. 

Whittley is being held on requested charges of Criminal Threat. There will be additional charges from the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office, according to Wade.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680084419780.png" alt="Whittley-photo Montgomery County" />
 <figcaption>Whittley-photo Montgomery County</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after a standoff at a Kansas home.On Monday, police in Cherryvale asked the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department to assist with a situation involving 48-year-old Aaron E. Whittley, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.Police had several encounters with Whittley over the past week including an encounter involving him entering into a convenience store and leaving without paying for some items. While investigating the theft, police learned about several social media posts Whittley made throughout the day, threatening multiple people, and making homicidal/suicidal statements. A&nbsp; police officer attempted to make contact with Whittley at his home in the 400 block of East 4th Street Cherryvale.&nbsp; Whittley was at the residence the observed Whittley fire two shots in the air with a handgun then run into the residence. Due to the nature of this incident, the Montgomery County Emergency Response Team (SWAT) was activated and responded to the scene at 8:00pm and began the “armed and barricaded subject” procedure. &nbsp;The Coffeyville Police Department SWAT team was requested to respond to the scene while the Kansas Bureau of Investigations SWAT team was placed on standby. The SWAT teams worked together giving announcements over the loudspeaker for Whittley to come out of the residence peacefully. He did not comply. The SWAT teams used less lethal gas munitions, robots, and drones to assist in receiving a response and locating where Whittley was inside of the residence. After a couple of hours and no response from Whittley, the KBI SWAT team respond to the scene to assist. The KBI SWAT team was supported by the Pratt County Kansas Sheriff’s Office who brought additional tools and robots. KBI SWAT continued announcements and deployed less lethal gas munitions into the residence all through the night in attempt for Whittley to comply.Just before 8a.m. on Tuesday, the KBI SWAT team entered the residence and located Whittley inside of a bedroom. Whitley was responsive but appeared to be lethargic. Whittley admitted to ingesting a large amount of sleeping aide medication at some point throughout the night. The KBI took Whittley into custody without further incident and transported him to Labette Health ER in Independence, Kansas where he later was released and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections. Montgomery County Detectives conducted a search of the residence and located what appeared to be explosives inside of the room where Whittley was located. The Kansas Highway Patrol Bomb Squad determined that the explosives were Improvised Explosive Device’s. KHP Bomb squad took custody of the IED’s and began the procedure to disarm them. Whittley is being held on requested charges of Criminal Threat. There will be additional charges from the Montgomery County Attorney’s Office, according to Wade.

Kan. deputies found explosives after 12-hour standoff 

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/kansas-house-agrees-to-raise-legal-smoking-age-to-21/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Wichita Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau said enactment of a Kansas Senate bill written to deny federal food stamp benefits to noncustodial parents not making child support payments would lead to an increase in the number of children going hungry.

Faust-Goudeau, a Democrat, delivered an emotional speech on the Senate floor during debate on House Bill 2141, which would make Kansas the fourth state in the country to withhold Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits from a parent who owed child support.

She expressed outrage the Legislature would contemplate withholding food as a tactic to extract cash from poor parents.

“The bill would sock it to them. We’re going to deny them some measly food stamps. Find another way. Don’t starve them to death,” Faust-Goudeau said. “This bill would make it less likely that parents can support their children and more likely that children and their parents will go hungry. Reducing access to food for Kansans who are already struggling financially is unnecessarily harsh and ineffective.”

The Senate by the most narrow margin voted Wednesday to defeat the bill disqualifying noncustodial parents from food stamps if delinquent on child support payments or found uncooperative with state enforcement of child support orders. Existing law applied this standard to the parent with custody of children, but Kansas hadn’t extended that to noncustodial parents.

The vote was 20-20 after Sen. Mike Petersen, R-Wichita, and Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton, changed their votes to “no.”

“I’d like to change my vote,” Kloos said. “This is a difficult decision, but I do think there’s a lot of kids we do need to keep in mind.”

In Kansas, 280,000 people and 100,000 children endure hunger, meaning one in seven kids were subject to food insecurity. The challenge for low-income adults responsible for feeding a family deepened as inflation pushed grocery costs higher in Kansas, despite a cut in the state’s sales tax on food. Congress ordered emergency SNAP assistance extended to the states during the COVID-19 pandemic to expire April 1.

The Senate bill generated fierce opposition from organizations and individuals testifying before House and Senate committees.

Support in both the House and Senate came only from the Florida think tank Opportunity Solutions Project, which argued Kansas ought to strengthen limitations on welfare assistance in a manner reminiscent of action taken by the 2015 Kansas Legislature and Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.

The food stamp and child support bill was passed by the Kansas House in February with a 76-46 majority. Three states have adopted laws comparable to the Kansas measure praised by Sen. Beverly Gossage, the Eudora Republican and chair of the Senate health committee.

She said Kansas parents with custody of children had been subject since 2017 to this food stamp compliance mandate enforced by the Kansas Department for Children and Families. The reform bill was designed to compel “supposedly deadbeat” parents to reconnect with their children and provide financial support to the family or lose access to food assistance, Gossage said.

“We believe that the children and their families should be due their rightfully owed … money from a noncustodial parent before the state pays for welfare,” Gossage said. “This is pro-family, pro-children and pro-personal responsibility.”

Opponents of the bill included Kansas Action for Children, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Harvesters — The Community Food Network, Kansas Food Bank, Second Harvest Community Food Bank, Kansas National Education Association, Kansas Public Health Association, United Community Services of Johnson County and DCF.

“This is not a program that has been adopted by other states because, one, it doesn’t achieve its goal, two, it’s very insensitive to our poorest families,” said Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City.

A concern expressed about the legislation was suspension of food benefits could undermine a parent’s ability to maintain employment, earn a sustainable income and result in unintended consequences for other family members.

“This bill is cruel and punitive, and negatively impacts hungry children living in poverty,” said Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park. “We should be creative enough to find other ways to get individuals to make child support payments.”

Another issue was a custodial parent could be found noncompliant with DCF if not participating in the effort to secure child support even if that collaboration might place the custodial parent at personal risk. The DCF secretary would have leeway to exempt a parent if that individual had “good cause” to avoid compliance with child support enforcement.

Faust-Goudeau, whose mother lobbied at the Capitol decades ago on behalf of impoverished single parents, said she couldn’t believe the Legislature would contemplate a bill exacerbating food deficit problems of her Wichita constituents.

“Thank God for the safety net clinics,” she said. “Thank God for the Red Cross. Thank God for the food bank. Thank God for the churches that fill in the gaps.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/P1131061-1024x683.jpg" alt="Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, said she was mystified a Kansas Senate committee endorsed a bill withholding food stamps from parents not making child support payments. The House-passed bill was rejected 20-20 by the Senate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita, said she was mystified a Kansas Senate committee endorsed a bill withholding food stamps from parents not making child support payments. The House-passed bill was rejected 20-20 by the Senate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/kansas-house-agrees-to-raise-legal-smoking-age-to-21/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Wichita Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau said enactment of a Kansas Senate bill written to deny federal food stamp benefits to noncustodial parents not making child support payments would lead to an increase in the number of children going hungry.Faust-Goudeau, a Democrat, delivered an emotional speech on the Senate floor during debate on House Bill 2141, which would make Kansas the fourth state in the country to withhold Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits from a parent who owed child support.She expressed outrage the Legislature would contemplate withholding food as a tactic to extract cash from poor parents.“The bill would sock it to them. We’re going to deny them some measly food stamps. Find another way. Don’t starve them to death,” Faust-Goudeau said. “This bill would make it less likely that parents can support their children and more likely that children and their parents will go hungry. Reducing access to food for Kansans who are already struggling financially is unnecessarily harsh and ineffective.”The Senate by the most narrow margin voted Wednesday to defeat the bill disqualifying noncustodial parents from food stamps if delinquent on child support payments or found uncooperative with state enforcement of child support orders. Existing law applied this standard to the parent with custody of children, but Kansas hadn’t extended that to noncustodial parents.The vote was 20-20 after Sen. Mike Petersen, R-Wichita, and Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton, changed their votes to “no.”“I’d like to change my vote,” Kloos said. “This is a difficult decision, but I do think there’s a lot of kids we do need to keep in mind.”In Kansas, 280,000 people and 100,000 children endure hunger, meaning one in seven kids were subject to food insecurity. The challenge for low-income adults responsible for feeding a family deepened as inflation pushed grocery costs higher in Kansas, despite a cut in the state’s sales tax on food. Congress ordered emergency SNAP assistance extended to the states during the COVID-19 pandemic to expire April 1.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Kloos-2-1024x768.jpg" alt="Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton, changed his vote to “no” on a bill blocking food assistance to poor parents unable to make child support payments. His decision Wednesday resulted in a 20-20 tally and rejection of the bill by the Kansas Senate. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Rick Kloos, R-Berryton, changed his vote to “no” on a bill blocking food assistance to poor parents unable to make child support payments. His decision Wednesday resulted in a 20-20 tally and rejection of the bill by the Kansas Senate. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘Pro-family, pro-children’</h2>The Senate bill generated fierce opposition from organizations and individuals testifying before House and Senate committees.Support in both the House and Senate came only from the Florida think tank Opportunity Solutions Project, which argued Kansas ought to strengthen limitations on welfare assistance in a manner reminiscent of action taken by the 2015 Kansas Legislature and Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.The food stamp and child support bill was passed by the Kansas House in February with a 76-46 majority. Three states have adopted laws comparable to the Kansas measure praised by Sen. Beverly Gossage, the Eudora Republican and chair of the Senate health committee.She said Kansas parents with custody of children had been subject since 2017 to this food stamp compliance mandate enforced by the Kansas Department for Children and Families. The reform bill was designed to compel “supposedly deadbeat” parents to reconnect with their children and provide financial support to the family or lose access to food assistance, Gossage said.“We believe that the children and their families should be due their rightfully owed … money from a noncustodial parent before the state pays for welfare,” Gossage said. “This is pro-family, pro-children and pro-personal responsibility.”<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PA291442-1024x615.jpg" alt="Sen. Pat Pettey, a Democrat from Kansas City, said House Bill 2141 denying federal food assistance to noncustodial parents who didn’t make child support payments was “insensitive to our poorest families.” The Senate rejected the bill 20-20. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Pat Pettey, a Democrat from Kansas City, said House Bill 2141 denying federal food assistance to noncustodial parents who didn’t make child support payments was “insensitive to our poorest families.” The Senate rejected the bill 20-20. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>‘Thank God’</h2>Opponents of the bill included Kansas Action for Children, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, Harvesters — The Community Food Network, Kansas Food Bank, Second Harvest Community Food Bank, Kansas National Education Association, Kansas Public Health Association, United Community Services of Johnson County and DCF.“This is not a program that has been adopted by other states because, one, it doesn’t achieve its goal, two, it’s very insensitive to our poorest families,” said Sen. Pat Pettey, D-Kansas City.A concern expressed about the legislation was suspension of food benefits could undermine a parent’s ability to maintain employment, earn a sustainable income and result in unintended consequences for other family members.“This bill is cruel and punitive, and negatively impacts hungry children living in poverty,” said Sen. Cindy Holscher, D-Overland Park. “We should be creative enough to find other ways to get individuals to make child support payments.”Another issue was a custodial parent could be found noncompliant with DCF if not participating in the effort to secure child support even if that collaboration might place the custodial parent at personal risk. The DCF secretary would have leeway to exempt a parent if that individual had “good cause” to avoid compliance with child support enforcement.Faust-Goudeau, whose mother lobbied at the Capitol decades ago on behalf of impoverished single parents, said she couldn’t believe the Legislature would contemplate a bill exacerbating food deficit problems of her Wichita constituents.“Thank God for the safety net clinics,” she said. “Thank God for the Red Cross. Thank God for the food bank. Thank God for the churches that fill in the gaps.”

Kan. Senate defeats bill leveraging food stamp access to generate child support payments

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an&nbsp; alleged February road rage incident&nbsp;learned that a man involved&nbsp; died as a result of his injuries.

Just before 10a.m. February 15, police responded to a local hospital on reports of an individual, identified as Gregorio Castillo, 68, of Topeka, who was being treated for injuries from a road rage incident, according to police department spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

&nbsp;Castillo died from his injuries. After a thorough investigation, the case was presented to the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration. The DA’s Office will determine if charges are filed.

Police have identified and interviewed all parties involved. The incident is being classified as a homicide.&nbsp;&nbsp;

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an&nbsp; alleged February road rage incident&nbsp;learned that a man involved&nbsp; died as a result of his injuries.Just before 10a.m. February 15, police responded to a local hospital on reports of an individual, identified as Gregorio Castillo, 68, of Topeka, who was being treated for injuries from a road rage incident, according to police department spokesperson Rosie Nichols.&nbsp;Castillo died from his injuries. After a thorough investigation, the case was presented to the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration. The DA’s Office will determine if charges are filed.Police have identified and interviewed all parties involved. The incident is being classified as a homicide.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Homicide: 68-year-old Kan. man died from road-rage incident

WASHINGTON (AP) — Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley tried to force a Senate vote Wednesday on legislation that would ban TikTok from operating in the United States, but he was blocked by a fellow Republican as lawmakers in both chambers are still trying to figure out what action, if any, is appropriate against the social media app.

In trying to force a vote — a move that rarely works in the Senate, since one senator’s objection can block it — Hawley called TikTok “digital fentanyl” and argued it could give the Chinese government access to data from 150 million American users. His bill would block and prohibit U.S. transactions with TikTok’s parent company, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., within 30 days.

The bill “sends the message to Communist China that you cannot buy us,” Hawley said.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky objected to Hawley’s motion, arguing that trying to ban an app would violate the Constitution and anger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-congress-hearing-bytedance-china-biden-ceo-a92f048762d6657f291affb7a0ce6386">the millions of voters</a>&nbsp;who use it. “Speech is protected whether you like it or not,” Paul said.

Hawley’s effort to bring attention to the issue comes a week after a combative House hearing in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-ceo-congressional-hearing-bytedance-china-44d948c5b0ba18e2a714e0fa62d52779">lawmakers from both parties grilled TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew</a>&nbsp;over his company's ties to China’s communist government, data security and harmful content on the app. Chew attempted to assure lawmakers that the hugely popular video-sharing app prioritizes user safety and should not be banned due to its Chinese connections. But the tense standoff gave new momentum to Hawley and other lawmakers who say it should be banned or limited.

The Missouri senator said Congress “should act decisively to ban TikTok directly.” Other lawmakers have considered broader approaches, though there is no widespread consensus on any piece of legislation.

There is broad Senate support for bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., and South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Senate Republican, that does not specifically call out TikTok but would give the Commerce Department power to review and potentially restrict foreign threats to technology platforms. The White House has backed that bill, but it is unclear if it will be brought up in the Senate or if it could gather much support among House Republicans.

Another bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida would, like Hawley’s bill, ban U.S. economic transactions with TikTok, but would also create a new framework for the executive branch to block any foreign apps deemed hostile. His bill is cosponsored by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., and Mike Gallagher, R-Wis.

Those pushing new legislation point to agreement on a bill passed in December&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-d33e58c76bb3c13297c72816ef4e6231">that banned TikTok from most government devices</a>. But despite the bipartisan desires, the varying proposals underscore how difficult it could be to find agreement on an unprecedented effort to ban or scale back an app that is used by millions of Americans.

Paul said trying to ban an app like TikTok is a slippery slope. He’s had videos censored by YouTube, he said, but he still believes the company has a right to exist.

“I despise these people, but I’m not going to vote to ban them,” he said. “We don’t ban things that are unpopular in the United States.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680136101874.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley tried to force a Senate vote Wednesday on legislation that would ban TikTok from operating in the United States, but he was blocked by a fellow Republican as lawmakers in both chambers are still trying to figure out what action, if any, is appropriate against the social media app.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The problem with TikTok is not the videos on the app. The problem with TikTok is, it&#39;s a backdoor to the Chinese Communist Party into the most intimate details of every American’s life. <a href="https://t.co/oBQRhee1G4">pic.twitter.com/oBQRhee1G4</a>&mdash; Senator Hawley Press Office (@SenHawleyPress) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenHawleyPress/status/1641212930816454664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In trying to force a vote — a move that rarely works in the Senate, since one senator’s objection can block it — Hawley called TikTok “digital fentanyl” and argued it could give the Chinese government access to data from 150 million American users. His bill would block and prohibit U.S. transactions with TikTok’s parent company, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., within 30 days.The bill “sends the message to Communist China that you cannot buy us,” Hawley said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Again I say: Ban TikTok. This is the disturbing content the CCP algorithm feeds to American youth. <a href="https://t.co/jvkkAqf2aI">https://t.co/jvkkAqf2aI</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1639283964568301571?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 24, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky objected to Hawley’s motion, arguing that trying to ban an app would violate the Constitution and anger&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-congress-hearing-bytedance-china-biden-ceo-a92f048762d6657f291affb7a0ce6386">the millions of voters</a>&nbsp;who use it. “Speech is protected whether you like it or not,” Paul said.Hawley’s effort to bring attention to the issue comes a week after a combative House hearing in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-ceo-congressional-hearing-bytedance-china-44d948c5b0ba18e2a714e0fa62d52779">lawmakers from both parties grilled TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew</a>&nbsp;over his company's ties to China’s communist government, data security and harmful content on the app. Chew attempted to assure lawmakers that the hugely popular video-sharing app prioritizes user safety and should not be banned due to its Chinese connections. But the tense standoff gave new momentum to Hawley and other lawmakers who say it should be banned or limited.The Missouri senator said Congress “should act decisively to ban TikTok directly.” Other lawmakers have considered broader approaches, though there is no widespread consensus on any piece of legislation.There is broad Senate support for bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., and South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Senate Republican, that does not specifically call out TikTok but would give the Commerce Department power to review and potentially restrict foreign threats to technology platforms. The White House has backed that bill, but it is unclear if it will be brought up in the Senate or if it could gather much support among House Republicans.Another bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida would, like Hawley’s bill, ban U.S. economic transactions with TikTok, but would also create a new framework for the executive branch to block any foreign apps deemed hostile. His bill is cosponsored by Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., and Mike Gallagher, R-Wis.Those pushing new legislation point to agreement on a bill passed in December&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-d33e58c76bb3c13297c72816ef4e6231">that banned TikTok from most government devices</a>. But despite the bipartisan desires, the varying proposals underscore how difficult it could be to find agreement on an unprecedented effort to ban or scale back an app that is used by millions of Americans.Paul said trying to ban an app like TikTok is a slippery slope. He’s had videos censored by YouTube, he said, but he still believes the company has a right to exist.“I despise these people, but I’m not going to vote to ban them,” he said. “We don’t ban things that are unpopular in the United States.”

🎥TikTok ban pushed by Missouri's Hawley blocked in Senate

RILEY COUNTY—Illegal outdoor burning started a large grass fire in Riley County.

Just before 2p.m. Wednesday, Riley County Fire District #1 was dispatched to an area near High Plains Trail, just southwest of Tuttle Creek Lake dam, for reports of a grass fire, according to Deputy Fire Chief Doug Russell.

Crews found an illegally started outdoor burn that was out of control.&nbsp;

An estimated 60 acres burned and an Evergy electrical transformer junction box was damaged in the fire. No one is without power as a result of the damage to the junction box. Two homes were threatened but no evacuations were issued and no structures were lost. No injuries have been reported.&nbsp;

“This was a difficult fire to fight and I called for mutual aid from the Manhattan Fire Department because I knew we would need additional help to get it under control,” said Deputy Chief Doug Russell. “The terrain was steep and the strong wind swirled in the valleys, creating small fire tornadoes. I’m grateful we had enough personnel available to attack this fire quickly and protect the neighboring homes.”&nbsp;

Outdoor burning was not allowed in Riley County Wednesday afternoon due to high winds and dangerous fire conditions. Riley County Fire District #1 sent multiple public notifications about the burn ban and dangerous conditions. Riley County regulations require all burn permit holders to notify local authorities before outdoor burning begins, and to only burn when weather conditions allow. Permit holders are also required to have adequate equipment and manpower to conduct the burn safely. The property owner failed to follow the terms of the burn permit process. Riley County Police Department issued a citation to the property owner for the violation. “The first step in the process to conduct an outdoor burn is to contact Riley County Emergency Management or visit our website to apply for a free burn permit. Staff will share advice and information for conducting the burn safely,” said Russell. Dangerous fire conditions are expected to continue for the next few days. The National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory in many areas of the state.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680171027810.png" alt="Photo courtesy Riley Co. Fire District 1" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Riley Co. Fire District 1</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY—Illegal outdoor burning started a large grass fire in Riley County.Just before 2p.m. Wednesday, Riley County Fire District #1 was dispatched to an area near High Plains Trail, just southwest of Tuttle Creek Lake dam, for reports of a grass fire, according to Deputy Fire Chief Doug Russell.Crews found an illegally started outdoor burn that was out of control.&nbsp;<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/QyGuZXvY-60zMcgvZ.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Fire On High Plains" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>An estimated 60 acres burned and an Evergy electrical transformer junction box was damaged in the fire. No one is without power as a result of the damage to the junction box. Two homes were threatened but no evacuations were issued and no structures were lost. No injuries have been reported.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680148765377.jpeg" alt="Submitted photo" />
 <figcaption>Submitted photo</figcaption>
 </figure>“This was a difficult fire to fight and I called for mutual aid from the Manhattan Fire Department because I knew we would need additional help to get it under control,” said Deputy Chief Doug Russell. “The terrain was steep and the strong wind swirled in the valleys, creating small fire tornadoes. I’m grateful we had enough personnel available to attack this fire quickly and protect the neighboring homes.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680171180402.png" alt="Photo Riley Co. Fire District 1" />
 <figcaption>Photo Riley Co. Fire District 1</figcaption>
 </figure>Outdoor burning was not allowed in Riley County Wednesday afternoon due to high winds and dangerous fire conditions. Riley County Fire District #1 sent multiple public notifications about the burn ban and dangerous conditions. Riley County regulations require all burn permit holders to notify local authorities before outdoor burning begins, and to only burn when weather conditions allow. Permit holders are also required to have adequate equipment and manpower to conduct the burn safely. The property owner failed to follow the terms of the burn permit process. Riley County Police Department issued a citation to the property owner for the violation. “The first step in the process to conduct an outdoor burn is to contact Riley County Emergency Management or visit our website to apply for a free burn permit. Staff will share advice and information for conducting the burn safely,” said Russell. Dangerous fire conditions are expected to continue for the next few days. The National Weather Service issued a Wind Advisory in many areas of the state.

🎥Illegal outdoor fire burns 60 acres near Manhattan

LYON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a student in connection with a gun at school in Emporia.

On Wednesday morning, Emporia Police Officers and Deputies from the Lyon County Sheriff's Office responded to the Emporia High School, 3302 West 18th Avenue, for a report of a student carrying a handgun, according to Police Captain Scott Stormont.

The student was actively being chased by the Emporia High School Resource Officer. 

The schools were locked down as were several businesses in the area while police and deputies searched several business and vehicles. The suspect was located and arrested as he was leaving the area in a vehicle. 

Police also located a victim of Aggravated assault nearby. Police transported the suspect to the Juvenile Intake Center, according to Stormont.&nbsp; Police later learned the weapon was a BB gun and&nbsp; found it. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680112678653.png" alt="Police at the school on Wednesday -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police at the school on Wednesday -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a student in connection with a gun at school in Emporia.On Wednesday morning, Emporia Police Officers and Deputies from the Lyon County Sheriff's Office responded to the Emporia High School, 3302 West 18th Avenue, for a report of a student carrying a handgun, according to Police Captain Scott Stormont.The student was actively being chased by the Emporia High School Resource Officer. The schools were locked down as were several businesses in the area while police and deputies searched several business and vehicles. The suspect was located and arrested as he was leaving the area in a vehicle. Police also located a victim of Aggravated assault nearby. Police transported the suspect to the Juvenile Intake Center, according to Stormont.&nbsp; Police later learned the weapon was a BB gun and&nbsp; found it.

Kan. school resource officer chased student believed carrying a gun 

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Lawrence man pleaded no contest to attempted second-degree murder on Wednesday after he tried to throw a woman off a bridge into the Kansas River last year.

In exchange for his plea, three felony charges of criminal threat were dismissed against 38-year-old Adam Blake Amyx Jr.

Prosecutors said a group of women were walking across the bridge on April 14, 2022, when they encountered Amyx yelling and cursing. When one of the women approached him, Amyx tried to pick her up and throw her off the bridge, Senior District Attorney David Greenwald said.

The woman escaped and called police. Greenwald said the fall likely would have killed the woman. Before he entered his plea, Amyx told the judge that he has mental health problems but he was on medication and was confident he could make the plea decision.

Amyx is being held in the Douglas County jail on $50,000 bond. He will be sentenced May 26.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680125899028.png" alt="Amyx-photo Douglas Co." />
 <figcaption>Amyx-photo Douglas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A Lawrence man pleaded no contest to attempted second-degree murder on Wednesday after he tried to throw a woman off a bridge into the Kansas River last year.In exchange for his plea, three felony charges of criminal threat were dismissed against 38-year-old Adam Blake Amyx Jr.Prosecutors said a group of women were walking across the bridge on April 14, 2022, when they encountered Amyx yelling and cursing. When one of the women approached him, Amyx tried to pick her up and throw her off the bridge, Senior District Attorney David Greenwald said.The woman escaped and called police. Greenwald said the fall likely would have killed the woman. Before he entered his plea, Amyx told the judge that he has mental health problems but he was on medication and was confident he could make the plea decision.Amyx is being held in the Douglas County jail on $50,000 bond. He will be sentenced May 26.

Man enters plea for trying to throw woman off Kansas bridge

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/21/kansas-lawmaker-asks-for-security-during-anti-vaccination-bill-hearing-i-dont-feel-comfortable/">Kansas Reflector</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3210734-1024x576.jpg" alt="&nbsp;House Republicans spoke in support of the wide-ranging tax plan, issuing a joint statement on the benefits of the proposal. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;House Republicans spoke in support of the wide-ranging tax plan, issuing a joint statement on the benefits of the proposal. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/21/kansas-lawmaker-asks-for-security-during-anti-vaccination-bill-hearing-i-dont-feel-comfortable/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA —&nbsp; House lawmakers passed a flat tax proposal with bipartisan support, following weeks of debate on the topic and criticism that the policy would mostly benefit corporations and the state’s wealthiest residents.&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb169/">Republican-engineered tax proposal</a>&nbsp;would get rid of Kansas’ tiered tax system and implement a 5.25% income tax rate for all individuals above a certain threshold, starting in tax year 2024. The tax would apply to single filers making more than $6,150 and $12,300 for married individuals filing jointly.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/28/kansas-house-advances-nice-guy-flat-tax-proposal-to-change-income-property-tax-rates/">The flat tax plan would also reduce taxes</a>&nbsp;for corporations and financial institutions starting in tax year 2024, reducing the corporation tax rate to 3%. Under the bill, banks would have their tax rate reduced from 2.25% to 1.625%. percent. Other corporations, such as savings and loan associations, would have taxes reduced from 2.25% to 1.61% starting in tax year 2025.&nbsp;Speaker of the House Dan Hawkins, Majority Leader Chris Croft and Speaker Pro Tem Blake Carpenter sent out a joint statement announcing the bill’s passage. The statement referred to the legislation as “a comprehensive tax plan that fortifies Kansas as the most desirable state in our nation to live, work, start a business and retire.”Several House Democrats broke rank to vote with Republicans on the bill, due to provisions that would lower property taxes and completely do away with the state’s food sales tax by the end of this year.&nbsp;House Minority Leader Rep. Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, spoke in support of the bill due to its proposed property tax relief. Under the bill, residential property valued up to $80,000 would be exempt from a statewide property tax beginning in tax year 2023. Currently, residential properties valued up to $40,000 are exempt.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3291911-scaled.jpg" alt="-Rep. Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, supported the flat tax bill because of provisions reducing property taxes. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>-Rep. Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat, supported the flat tax bill because of provisions reducing property taxes. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Other Democrats still stood against the bill. Reps. Jerry Stogsdill,&nbsp;Christina&nbsp;Haswood,&nbsp;Sydney&nbsp;Carlin, Brad Boyd,&nbsp;Melissa Oropeza&nbsp;and others issued a joint statement against the flat tax proposal.&nbsp;“By adopting a flat tax, the House is saying that it will only give hardworking Kansans a tax cut if wealthy Kansans receive their tax cut first,” the statement read. “Tossing out Kansas’ decades-old progressive income tax is structurally imbalanced and fails to offset the higher effective tax rate middle and working class Kansans pay in sales and property taxes.”&nbsp;The bill passed 96-28. An earlier Senate&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230223221426_415306/">version of the bill</a>&nbsp;passed 22-17, with a 4.75% flat tax income rate and without the other provisions.<h2>Abortion pill</h2>Lawmakers quickly passed a bill requiring health care providers to tell people undergoing medication abortions that it may be possible to reverse them, though this claim is not supported by strong scientific research.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2439/">House Bill 2439</a>&nbsp;would require doctors to tell their patients it is possible to reverse the abortion pill and potentially face jail time if they refuse to tell patients about the “abortion reversal” process. Under the bill, facilities that prescribe or dispense mifepristone would have to display a notice telling patients that medication abortions may be reversible.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.acog.org/advocacy/facts-are-important/medication-abortion-reversal-is-not-supported-by-science">opposes medication abortion “reversal,”</a>&nbsp;calling it scientifically unsound, unproven and unethical. Similar legislation has been vetoed by Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/19a1ecdbd47d440397a870b0d41abfcd">in past years</a>.&nbsp;Rep. Melissa Oropeza, a Kansas City Democrat, said Kansans had already made their wishes on reproductive rights clear by voting down a proposed abortion amendment.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Aug. 2, 2022, the state of Kansas spoke loud and clear on how Kansans would like to keep health care decisions with the patient and their health care provider,” Oropeza said.&nbsp;The bill passed, 85-39.<h2>Energy independence</h2>House lawmakers took final action on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/scr1603/">Senate Concurrent Resolution 1603</a>, voting 87-37 to ask President&nbsp; Joe Biden to support the domestic oil and gas industry.The resolution was introduced on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/28/kansas-house-roundup-wind-turbine-lights-feminine-fight-ballot-deadline-biden-energy-policy/">the House floor Tuesday</a>&nbsp;by Rep. Chuck Smith, a Pittsburg Republican who said Biden needed to expand domestic energy production in the state, help with oil pipelines and consider “geopolitical tensions.”The resolution passed despite criticism from Democrats who said Biden was already focused on growing domestic energy.<h2>Wind turbine lighting</h2>Lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to “restore the night sky,” supporting a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb49/">wind turbine mitigation bill</a>&nbsp;meant to reduce the appearance of blinking red lights on wind farms.&nbsp;House lawmakers spoke Tuesday about the lights being a nuisance to Kansans. The lights are meant to prevent low-flying aircraft from flying into wind turbines, but several lawmakers said this was an unnecessary precaution.Rep. Lisa Moser, a Wheaton Republican who introduced the bill, said the night sky should be uninterrupted by the lights.&nbsp;“To restore the night sky with moon and stars undisturbed in their beauty would be a momentous gesture of goodwill by the wind companies and would benefit thousands of Kansans who live inside the footprint of and under the noticeable umbrella of all existing Kansas wind systems,” Moser said during the Wednesday vote.&nbsp;She estimated that Kansas was home to about 4,000 wind turbines. Under the bill, new wind turbine developers need to apply to the Federal Aviation Administration for lighting system installations that meet the organization’s regulations starting in July of 2023.&nbsp;Once approved, the turbine developer needs to install the system within 24 months. Existing wind turbines would apply to the FAA for lighting system installations starting in January 2026.&nbsp;The bill passed 118-6.<h2>Fentanyl</h2>Lawmakers had mixed feelings on a wide-ranging bill that would crack down on fentanyl distribution and manufacturing, but would also expand the scope of the attorney general’s power and increase penalties for people fleeing law enforcement.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb174/">Senate Bill 174</a>&nbsp;would decriminalize fentanyl testing strips, as well as other drug testing strips and increase&nbsp;criminal penalties for manufacturing and distributing fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances. Another part of the bill would add domestic battery and protection order violations to the list of crimes a person can have the intent to commit when committing burglary or aggravated burglary.&nbsp;If passed, the bill would also give the attorney general authority to prosecute alleged crimes that occured in two or more counties. Another portion of the bill would make fleeing a law enforcement officer a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on what crime the fleeing person has been charged with.&nbsp;Rep. KC Ohaebosim, a Wichita Democrat,&nbsp; objected to the bill due to the law enforcement provision.&nbsp;“My constituents are facing a problem right now with respect to law enforcement and I cannot support any bill that enhances police brutality among African Americans,” Ohaebosim said.&nbsp;Rep. Boog Highberger, a Lawrence Democrat, also spoke against the bill due to the many provisions bundled together in the bill.&nbsp;“This bundle of bills may well be just the way we do things around here, but it shouldn’t be,” Highberger said.“The vast and unprecedented expansion of the attorney general’s criminal prosecution authority contained in this package goes far beyond what is needed to address the problem it is purportedly intending to address and I think it will have negative consequences in the future.”&nbsp;&nbsp;Rep. Chuck Smith, a Pittsburg Republican, said he didn’t like the broad scope of the bill, but felt fentanyl was an issue that needed to be addressed.&nbsp;“Fentanyl is a tremendous problem in America and I’ll vote yes just because of that, because we’ve got a big problem coming,” Smith said.&nbsp;Lawmakers passed the bill 84-40.&nbsp;