SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in a fatal crash that killed a Kansas Sheriff's Deputy made a court appearance in the case Tuesday.

Kelvin Burgett, 28, Prescott Valley, Arizona is charged with involuntary manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and&nbsp; driving while suspended, according to the Sedgwick County arrest report.

In October, a&nbsp;2016 Dodge Charger driven by Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputy Sidnee Carter, 22, Bel Aire, was southbound on 135th Street at 29th Street north one mile west of Northwest Wichita and Maize responding to a disturbance, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter.

A westbound 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Burgett failed to stop at a stop sign and struck the drivers side of the Dodge Charger, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Deputy Carter was pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported Burgett to a local hospital.

Deputy Carter had only worked in the field alone for a week, according to Sheriff Easter. She began field training in the summer of 2022 and completed that training Oct. 1.&nbsp;

Deputy Carter had served the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office for one and a half years in the Sedgwick County Detention Facility before transferring to the Law Enforcement Bureau in February 2022. She graduated the Law Enforcement Academy on July 21, 2022.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665249753989.png" alt="Deputy Sidnee Carter-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Deputy Sidnee Carter-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in a fatal crash that killed a Kansas Sheriff's Deputy made a court appearance in the case Tuesday.Kelvin Burgett, 28, Prescott Valley, Arizona is charged with involuntary manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and&nbsp; driving while suspended, according to the Sedgwick County arrest report.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680091672733.png" alt="Burgett is being held in the Sedgwick County Detention Facility" />
 <figcaption>Burgett is being held in the Sedgwick County Detention Facility</figcaption>
 </figure>In October, a&nbsp;2016 Dodge Charger driven by Sedgwick County Sheriff's Deputy Sidnee Carter, 22, Bel Aire, was southbound on 135th Street at 29th Street north one mile west of Northwest Wichita and Maize responding to a disturbance, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter.A westbound 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Burgett failed to stop at a stop sign and struck the drivers side of the Dodge Charger, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.Deputy Carter was pronounced deceased at the scene. EMS transported Burgett to a local hospital.Deputy Carter had only worked in the field alone for a week, according to Sheriff Easter. She began field training in the summer of 2022 and completed that training Oct. 1.&nbsp;Deputy Carter had served the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office for one and a half years in the Sedgwick County Detention Facility before transferring to the Law Enforcement Bureau in February 2022. She graduated the Law Enforcement Academy on July 21, 2022.&nbsp;

Man charged in crash that killed Kan. deputy appears in court

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 497 were&nbsp; investigating a report of a gun at at Free State High School, 4700 Overland Drive in Lawrence on Tuesday.

The Resource Officer at the school learned students were overheard in the bathroom talking about having a gun, according to a report from Lawrence Police.&nbsp; School staff and police contacted the involved students, separated them from their backpacks, and ensured no gun was present.

One student got scared and ran from the building during questioning, but was detained and released. The School Resource Officer determined there was no safety threat and no students were at risk.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 497 were&nbsp; investigating a report of a gun at at Free State High School, 4700 Overland Drive in Lawrence on Tuesday.The Resource Officer at the school learned students were overheard in the bathroom talking about having a gun, according to a report from Lawrence Police.&nbsp; School staff and police contacted the involved students, separated them from their backpacks, and ensured no gun was present.One student got scared and ran from the building during questioning, but was detained and released. The School Resource Officer determined there was no safety threat and no students were at risk.

Student ran from Kan. high school during investigation for a gun

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a car jacking.

Just before 10 a.m. Tuesday, police observed a vehicle, near the area of 14th and SW Topeka Blvd. which had been reportedly stolen and involved in an armed carjacking in Lawrence, according to Lt. Edward Stanley.

Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, and the driver failed to stop, initiating a vehicle pursuit. The vehicle was eventually stopped near westbound Interstate 470 and Fairlawn Road where the driver later identified as Tashaun L. Jacks-Story, 18, of Topeka was taken into custody without further incident.

Jacks-Story is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges&nbsp; that include Possession of Stolen property, Flee or Attempt to Elude, Reckless Driving, Driver’s license required and Criminal Damage to Property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680087474305.png" alt="Jacks-Story -photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Jacks-Story -photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a car jacking.Just before 10 a.m. Tuesday, police observed a vehicle, near the area of 14th and SW Topeka Blvd. which had been reportedly stolen and involved in an armed carjacking in Lawrence, according to Lt. Edward Stanley.Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, and the driver failed to stop, initiating a vehicle pursuit. The vehicle was eventually stopped near westbound Interstate 470 and Fairlawn Road where the driver later identified as Tashaun L. Jacks-Story, 18, of Topeka was taken into custody without further incident.Jacks-Story is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges&nbsp; that include Possession of Stolen property, Flee or Attempt to Elude, Reckless Driving, Driver’s license required and Criminal Damage to Property.

Kansas teen carjacking suspect captured after chase

DOVER, Del. (AP) — A $2.4 billion bankruptcy plan for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/boy-scouts-of-america">Boy Scouts of America</a>&nbsp;has been upheld by a federal judge, clearing an important hurdle in the legal challenge by certain insurance companies and dissenting sex abuse survivors.

The plan would let the Texas-based organization keep operating while it compensates tens of thousands of men who say they were sexually abused as children while involved in Scouting.

The ruling released Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Delaware rejected arguments that the bankruptcy plan wasn't proposed in good faith and improperly strips insurers and survivors of their rights.

More than 80,000 men have filed claims saying they were abused as children by troop leaders around the country. Plan opponents say the staggering number of claims, when combined with other factors, suggest the bankruptcy process was manipulated.

Judge Richard Andrews said he found no fault with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sexual-abuse-boy-scouts-of-america-c52a60cd7b0b3df5b6e9c6247837611c">the plan's initial approval</a>&nbsp;by a federal bankruptcy judge in September, although he agreed with the previous judge that it was “an extraordinary case by any measure.”

“The appellants have failed to put forth evidence that would demonstrate clear error in the bankruptcy court’s careful findings of facts,” the judge wrote.

A spokesperson for lawyers representing several non-settling insurance companies had no immediate comment, but attorneys have previously suggested the case could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Boy Scouts issued a statement describing the ruling as “a pivotal milestone” that “solidifies a path forward for both survivors and Scouting.”

“We look forward to the organization’s exit from bankruptcy in the near future and firmly believe that the mission of Scouting will be preserved for future generations,” the statement said.

Under the plan — which the Boy Scouts describe as a “carefully calibrated compromise” — the organization itself would contribute less than 10% of the proposed settlement fund. The local Boy Scout councils, which run day-to-day operations for troops, offered to contribute at least $515 million in cash and property, conditioned on certain protections for local troop sponsoring organizations, including religious entities, civic associations and community groups.

The bulk of the compensation fund would come from the Boy Scouts' two largest insurers, Century Indemnity and The Hartford, which reached settlements calling for them to contribute $800 million and $787 million, respectively. Other insurers agreed to contribute about $69 million.

The Boy Scouts' largest insurers negotiated settlements for a fraction of the billions of dollars in potential liability exposure they faced.

Other insurers, many of which provided excess coverage above the liability limits of the underlying primary policies, refused to settle. They argued that the procedures for distributing funds from a proposed compensation trust would violate their contractual rights to contest claims, set a dangerous precedent for mass tort litigation, and result in grossly inflated payments.

They also noted that a plaintiffs’ attorney had acknowledged that some 58,000 claims probably couldn't be pursued in civil lawsuits because of the passage of time.

When it sought bankruptcy protection in February 2020, the Boy Scouts had been named in about 275 lawsuits and told insurers it was aware of another 1,400 claims. According to plan opponents, the huge number of claims filed in the bankruptcy was the result of a nationwide marketing effort by personal injury lawyers working with for-profit claims aggregators to drum up clients.

Insurers opposing the plan contend that Boy Scouts of America is contractually obligated to assist them in investigating, defending and settling claims, as it did before the bankruptcy. They say the organization, desperate to escape bankruptcy, colluded with claimants’ lawyers to inflate both the volume and value of claims in order to pressure insurers for large settlements, then transferred its insurance rights to the settlement trust. The insurers argue that if the Boy Scouts transfers its rights under insurance policies to the settlement trustee, it must also transfer its obligations under those policies.

Under the Boy Scouts' plan, insurance companies, local Scout councils and troop sponsoring organizations would receive broad liability releases protecting them from future sex abuse lawsuits in exchange for contributing to the victims’ compensation fund – or even for just not objecting to the plan.

Some abuse survivors argued that releasing their claims against non-debtor third parties without their consent would violate their due process rights. The U.S. bankruptcy trustee, the government’s “watchdog” in Chapter 11 bankruptcies, argued that such releases are not allowed under the bankruptcy code, and that the scope of the proposed releases in the Boy Scout plan was unprecedented because it potentially extends to tens of thousands of entities.

DOVER, Del. (AP) — A $2.4 billion bankruptcy plan for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/boy-scouts-of-america">Boy Scouts of America</a>&nbsp;has been upheld by a federal judge, clearing an important hurdle in the legal challenge by certain insurance companies and dissenting sex abuse survivors.The plan would let the Texas-based organization keep operating while it compensates tens of thousands of men who say they were sexually abused as children while involved in Scouting.The ruling released Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Delaware rejected arguments that the bankruptcy plan wasn't proposed in good faith and improperly strips insurers and survivors of their rights.More than 80,000 men have filed claims saying they were abused as children by troop leaders around the country. Plan opponents say the staggering number of claims, when combined with other factors, suggest the bankruptcy process was manipulated.Judge Richard Andrews said he found no fault with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sexual-abuse-boy-scouts-of-america-c52a60cd7b0b3df5b6e9c6247837611c">the plan's initial approval</a>&nbsp;by a federal bankruptcy judge in September, although he agreed with the previous judge that it was “an extraordinary case by any measure.”“The appellants have failed to put forth evidence that would demonstrate clear error in the bankruptcy court’s careful findings of facts,” the judge wrote.A spokesperson for lawyers representing several non-settling insurance companies had no immediate comment, but attorneys have previously suggested the case could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court.The Boy Scouts issued a statement describing the ruling as “a pivotal milestone” that “solidifies a path forward for both survivors and Scouting.”“We look forward to the organization’s exit from bankruptcy in the near future and firmly believe that the mission of Scouting will be preserved for future generations,” the statement said.Under the plan — which the Boy Scouts describe as a “carefully calibrated compromise” — the organization itself would contribute less than 10% of the proposed settlement fund. The local Boy Scout councils, which run day-to-day operations for troops, offered to contribute at least $515 million in cash and property, conditioned on certain protections for local troop sponsoring organizations, including religious entities, civic associations and community groups.The bulk of the compensation fund would come from the Boy Scouts' two largest insurers, Century Indemnity and The Hartford, which reached settlements calling for them to contribute $800 million and $787 million, respectively. Other insurers agreed to contribute about $69 million.The Boy Scouts' largest insurers negotiated settlements for a fraction of the billions of dollars in potential liability exposure they faced.Other insurers, many of which provided excess coverage above the liability limits of the underlying primary policies, refused to settle. They argued that the procedures for distributing funds from a proposed compensation trust would violate their contractual rights to contest claims, set a dangerous precedent for mass tort litigation, and result in grossly inflated payments.They also noted that a plaintiffs’ attorney had acknowledged that some 58,000 claims probably couldn't be pursued in civil lawsuits because of the passage of time.When it sought bankruptcy protection in February 2020, the Boy Scouts had been named in about 275 lawsuits and told insurers it was aware of another 1,400 claims. According to plan opponents, the huge number of claims filed in the bankruptcy was the result of a nationwide marketing effort by personal injury lawyers working with for-profit claims aggregators to drum up clients.Insurers opposing the plan contend that Boy Scouts of America is contractually obligated to assist them in investigating, defending and settling claims, as it did before the bankruptcy. They say the organization, desperate to escape bankruptcy, colluded with claimants’ lawyers to inflate both the volume and value of claims in order to pressure insurers for large settlements, then transferred its insurance rights to the settlement trust. The insurers argue that if the Boy Scouts transfers its rights under insurance policies to the settlement trustee, it must also transfer its obligations under those policies.Under the Boy Scouts' plan, insurance companies, local Scout councils and troop sponsoring organizations would receive broad liability releases protecting them from future sex abuse lawsuits in exchange for contributing to the victims’ compensation fund – or even for just not objecting to the plan.Some abuse survivors argued that releasing their claims against non-debtor third parties without their consent would violate their due process rights. The U.S. bankruptcy trustee, the government’s “watchdog” in Chapter 11 bankruptcies, argued that such releases are not allowed under the bankruptcy code, and that the scope of the proposed releases in the Boy Scout plan was unprecedented because it potentially extends to tens of thousands of entities.]

Sex abuse settlement: Judge approves Boy Scouts bankruptcy plan 

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man has been sentenced for&nbsp;shooting his brother during a disturbance last year.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=34156">&nbsp;Phoukhong Khamvongsa,</a> 63, Wichita, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In January he pled guilty to aggravated battery in the case.

On April 25, deputies were sent to a disturbance call involving a weapon in the 4500 block of south Meadowview in Wichita, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.

When deputies arrived, they located a 55-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the backyard of a residence.

EMS transported the victim, later determined to be&nbsp;Khamvongsa's brother, to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries.&nbsp; 

Deputies arrested <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=34156">Khamvongsa</a> at the residence&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=142445">and booked&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;him into the Sedgwick County Detention Facility where he has been since.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1650989518111.png" alt="Khamvongsa photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Khamvongsa photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A Kansas man has been sentenced for&nbsp;shooting his brother during a disturbance last year.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=34156">&nbsp;Phoukhong Khamvongsa,</a> 63, Wichita, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In January he pled guilty to aggravated battery in the case.On April 25, deputies were sent to a disturbance call involving a weapon in the 4500 block of south Meadowview in Wichita, according to Sheriff's Lt. Benjamin Blick.When deputies arrived, they located a 55-year-old man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the backyard of a residence.EMS transported the victim, later determined to be&nbsp;Khamvongsa's brother, to a local hospital for treatment of critical injuries.&nbsp; Deputies arrested <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=34156">Khamvongsa</a> at the residence&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=142445">and booked&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;him into the Sedgwick County Detention Facility where he has been since.

Kansas man going to prison for shooting his brother

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A Salina man who allegedly drove his car into the back of a pickup Monday night also faces requested drug charges after police say they found methamphetamine and 155 pills believed to be fentanyl in his possession.

Just before 11p.m. Monday, officers were sent to the 700 block of E. Neal Avenue in Salina after a car struck a parked pickup, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

First responders found a 2006 Lincoln LS driven by Gregory Walburn, 36, of Salina, had rear-ended a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500.

According to police, Walburn appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He also had a felony arrest warrant from Dickinson County.

A search conducted when Walburn was taken into custody allegedly found 155 pills believed to be fentanyl and a plastic bag of a substance believed to be methamphetamine, Forrester said.&nbsp;

Walburn is being held on requested charges of Distribution of a depressant, Possession of a depressant, Possession of methamphetamine, No drug tax stamp, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680008271039.jpeg" alt="Gregory Walburn Photo Salina Co." />
 <figcaption>Gregory Walburn Photo Salina Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Salina man who allegedly drove his car into the back of a pickup Monday night also faces requested drug charges after police say they found methamphetamine and 155 pills believed to be fentanyl in his possession.Just before 11p.m. Monday, officers were sent to the 700 block of E. Neal Avenue in Salina after a car struck a parked pickup, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.First responders found a 2006 Lincoln LS driven by Gregory Walburn, 36, of Salina, had rear-ended a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 2500.According to police, Walburn appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He also had a felony arrest warrant from Dickinson County.A search conducted when Walburn was taken into custody allegedly found 155 pills believed to be fentanyl and a plastic bag of a substance believed to be methamphetamine, Forrester said.&nbsp;Walburn is being held on requested charges of Distribution of a depressant, Possession of a depressant, Possession of methamphetamine, No drug tax stamp, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Police found 155 fentanyl pills after Kansas crash

BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. (AP) — The family of a toddler who was fatally shot by a police officer during a standoff last year between her father and law enforcement has filed a federal lawsuit over her death.

Kansas authorities&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-kansas-shootings-police-a5a42807451835c84f12756d322064d7">have said</a>&nbsp;that 2-year-old Clesslyn Crawford was shot by a Joplin, Missouri, police officer during a confrontation March 26, 2022, in Baxter Springs.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation had said Crawford's 37-year-old father, Eli Crawford, shot and killed the girl's mother, 27-year-old Taylor Dawn Shutte, and fired at officers for more than three hours before fatally shooting himself.

The girl's family sued the cities of Baxter Springs and Joplin along with Cherokee County and the unnamed officer who fired the shot that killed the toddler. The lawsuit said they were responsible for the girl's death.

Those cities and Cherokee County didn't immediately respond to calls from the newspaper seeking comment on the lawsuit.

Officers from the Joplin police department and Cherokee County sheriff's department responded to the standoff. Joplin is 15 miles (25 kilometers) northeast of Baxter Springs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679949941094.png" alt="Clesslyn Crawford -photo courtesy Knell Mortuary&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Clesslyn Crawford -photo courtesy Knell Mortuary&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BAXTER SPRINGS, Kan. (AP) — The family of a toddler who was fatally shot by a police officer during a standoff last year between her father and law enforcement has filed a federal lawsuit over her death.Kansas authorities&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-kansas-shootings-police-a5a42807451835c84f12756d322064d7">have said</a>&nbsp;that 2-year-old Clesslyn Crawford was shot by a Joplin, Missouri, police officer during a confrontation March 26, 2022, in Baxter Springs.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649093710680.png" alt="Taylor Shutte-photo courtesy Knell mortuary" />
 <figcaption>Taylor Shutte-photo courtesy Knell mortuary</figcaption>
 </figure>The Kansas Bureau of Investigation had said Crawford's 37-year-old father, Eli Crawford, shot and killed the girl's mother, 27-year-old Taylor Dawn Shutte, and fired at officers for more than three hours before fatally shooting himself.The girl's family sued the cities of Baxter Springs and Joplin along with Cherokee County and the unnamed officer who fired the shot that killed the toddler. The lawsuit said they were responsible for the girl's death.Those cities and Cherokee County didn't immediately respond to calls from the newspaper seeking comment on the lawsuit.Officers from the Joplin police department and Cherokee County sheriff's department responded to the standoff. Joplin is 15 miles (25 kilometers) northeast of Baxter Springs.

Family of girl killed by police during Kansas standoff sues

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/28/kansas-legislature-on-cusp-of-raising-to-21-minimum-age-to-buy-tobacco-products/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature put an exclamation point on 
opposition to tobacco consumption by young adults Tuesday by sending to 
Gov. Laura Kelly a bill raising the minimum age for buying, possessing 
or consuming tobacco products in the state from 18 to 21.

The legislation was approved by the Kansas Senate on a vote of 28-11, which followed passage of the bill 68-53 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230302115606_550943/">by the Kansas House in early March</a>.
 If signed into law, Kansas could gain $2.1 million in federal funding 
for tobacco enforcement and lose an estimated $7.6 million in state 
sales tax and cigarette stamp revenue.

Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, said previous attempts to achieve 
compliance in Kansas with a federal law hoisting the age to 21 failed to
 survive the legislative process at the Capitol. He said <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2269_00_0000.pdf">House Bill 2269 </a>could be different.

“It was packaged in several bills over the last couple of years that 
had various regulations and it just never passed out,” Thompson said.

Legislators, health organization lobbyists and medical professionals 
urged the Legislature to bring Kansas into line with the measure signed 
into law by President Donald Trump in 2019. More than 30 states have 
passed laws setting the age at 21, but neither Kansas nor Missouri has 
done so.

Roy Jensen, director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, said 
nearly all smokers started as children or young adults. During 
adolescent years, he said, experimentation with cigarettes, e-cigarettes
 and other tobacco products could accelerate into a daily habit.

“The adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of a 
powerful addictive agent like nicotine,” he said. “Younger teens also 
benefit from raising the nicotine/tobacco age requirement. About 90% of 
those who provide cigarettes to kids under 18 are themselves under 21. 
As a result, raising the tobacco sales age to 21 has been shown to 
reduce high school smoking by over 50%.”

Opposition in the state House and Senate reflected a belief 
individuals 18 years of age were old enough to make decisions about use 
of tobacco products that research decades ago linked to cancer and other
 medical problems.

Sen. Jeff Pittman, D-Leavenworth, said he understood health benefits 
of the legislation but found it difficult to accept elevating the 
minimum age for tobacco to 21 when younger individuals were viewed as 
adults in so many ways.

“I think about the fact we will throw kids in jail at 15 sometimes 
and charge them as adults,” Pittman said. “We’ll send our soldiers 
overseas to fight our wars for us at 18.”

Rep. Susan Humphries, R-Wichita, voted against the tobacco bill in 
the House while objecting to the “serious plague on our society,” the 
tobacco industry’s targeting of children with marketing and tobacco’s 
contribution to premature death across the United States.

“I am not in favor of delaying adulthood,” Humphries said. “Today, I 
choose to treat 18-year-olds and above as adults. Adults who can vote 
and join the military. Adults who I strongly encourage not to use 
tobacco but who may make that choice.”

A bipartisan majority in the Kansas Senate rejected a bill crafted to
 set aside $270 million to help city, county and other local units of 
government cope with potential future action by the Legislature to end 
both the state and local sales tax on grocery food purchases. The vote 
in the GOP-dominated chamber was 17-23.

The state’s former rate of 6.5% sales tax on food would be phased out
 over three years under a bill signed last year by the Democratic 
governor. The Senate bill anticipated the Legislature would adopt a 
measure later in the session to promptly end the food sales tax at all 
levels of government, which would reduce tax revenue to cities, counties
 and the state by hundreds of millions of dollars annually.

Under <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_sb309_01_0000.pdf">Senate Bill 309</a>,
 the state would establish a $220 million fund July 1 known as the 
Fixing Instant Revenue Shock for Taxpayers Fund. It would enable 
appropriations in July 2024 to cities, counties and other local taxing 
districts for documented loss of sales tax revenue due to action by the 
Legislature.

Sen. J.R. Claeys, a Salina Republican, said he assumed there would be
 enough in that fund to replace what was lost by cities, counties and 
others, but the bill would only make that cash available for one year. 
To qualify for state replacement dollars, according to the bill, the 
local unit of government would have to be compliant with a state law 
designed to discourage cities and counties from raising property tax 
rates.

The bill also would set aside $50 million in the Local Extraordinary 
Needs Fund for the purpose of making grants to cities and counties for 
capital projects that might have been financed through sales tax revenue
 lost due to legislation action. Grant awards would be determined by a 
10-person committee of House and Senate members. The maximum grant under
 the initiative would be $2 million.

“There is literally no scenario in which this bill is not good or 
better for local governments,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, 
R-Andover.

Opponents of the “hold harmless” sales tax bill included the Kansas 
Association of Counties, Kansas County Commissioners Association, 
Sedgwick County Commission and the cities of Olathe, Garden City and 
Overland Park.

“It’s going to really, really hurt the locals,” said Sen. Ron Ryckman
 Sr., R-Meade. “What’s going to happen next year? Or the next year? Or 
the next year?”

Sen. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican, said he was concerned the 
Senate bill stripped away sales tax revenue the voters of Olathe agreed 
to dedicate to community priorities. He suspected Olathe would end up 
losing sales tax revenue under the scheme and could be forced to turn to
 property tax hikes to meet financial obligations.

“Now we’re going to mess with the system that works for locals to 
operate their cash flow,” Olson said. “I think we’re going down the 
wrong path here.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680040212278.png" alt="Sen. Jeff Pittman, D-Leavenworth, said he was opposed to a bill raising the minimum age in Kansas for consumption of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years given existence of laws allowing teenagers to be charged with crimes as adults and the country’s practice of sending 18-year-old soldiers into combat. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) " />
 <figcaption>Sen. Jeff Pittman, D-Leavenworth, said he was opposed to a bill raising the minimum age in Kansas for consumption of tobacco products from 18 to 21 years given existence of laws allowing teenagers to be charged with crimes as adults and the country’s practice of sending 18-year-old soldiers into combat. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector) </figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/28/kansas-legislature-on-cusp-of-raising-to-21-minimum-age-to-buy-tobacco-products/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Legislature put an exclamation point on 
opposition to tobacco consumption by young adults Tuesday by sending to 
Gov. Laura Kelly a bill raising the minimum age for buying, possessing 
or consuming tobacco products in the state from 18 to 21.The legislation was approved by the Kansas Senate on a vote of 28-11, which followed passage of the bill 68-53 <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/vote_view/je_20230302115606_550943/">by the Kansas House in early March</a>.
 If signed into law, Kansas could gain $2.1 million in federal funding 
for tobacco enforcement and lose an estimated $7.6 million in state 
sales tax and cigarette stamp revenue.Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, said previous attempts to achieve 
compliance in Kansas with a federal law hoisting the age to 21 failed to
 survive the legislative process at the Capitol. He said <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_hb2269_00_0000.pdf">House Bill 2269 </a>could be different.“It was packaged in several bills over the last couple of years that 
had various regulations and it just never passed out,” Thompson said.Legislators, health organization lobbyists and medical professionals 
urged the Legislature to bring Kansas into line with the measure signed 
into law by President Donald Trump in 2019. More than 30 states have 
passed laws setting the age at 21, but neither Kansas nor Missouri has 
done so.Roy Jensen, director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, said 
nearly all smokers started as children or young adults. During 
adolescent years, he said, experimentation with cigarettes, e-cigarettes
 and other tobacco products could accelerate into a daily habit.“The adolescent brain is particularly vulnerable to the effects of a 
powerful addictive agent like nicotine,” he said. “Younger teens also 
benefit from raising the nicotine/tobacco age requirement. About 90% of 
those who provide cigarettes to kids under 18 are themselves under 21. 
As a result, raising the tobacco sales age to 21 has been shown to 
reduce high school smoking by over 50%.”<h2>Age of adulthood</h2>Opposition in the state House and Senate reflected a belief 
individuals 18 years of age were old enough to make decisions about use 
of tobacco products that research decades ago linked to cancer and other
 medical problems.Sen. Jeff Pittman, D-Leavenworth, said he understood health benefits 
of the legislation but found it difficult to accept elevating the 
minimum age for tobacco to 21 when younger individuals were viewed as 
adults in so many ways.“I think about the fact we will throw kids in jail at 15 sometimes 
and charge them as adults,” Pittman said. “We’ll send our soldiers 
overseas to fight our wars for us at 18.”Rep. Susan Humphries, R-Wichita, voted against the tobacco bill in 
the House while objecting to the “serious plague on our society,” the 
tobacco industry’s targeting of children with marketing and tobacco’s 
contribution to premature death across the United States.“I am not in favor of delaying adulthood,” Humphries said. “Today, I 
choose to treat 18-year-olds and above as adults. Adults who can vote 
and join the military. Adults who I strongly encourage not to use 
tobacco but who may make that choice.”<h2>Tax shock absorber</h2>A bipartisan majority in the Kansas Senate rejected a bill crafted to
 set aside $270 million to help city, county and other local units of 
government cope with potential future action by the Legislature to end 
both the state and local sales tax on grocery food purchases. The vote 
in the GOP-dominated chamber was 17-23.The state’s former rate of 6.5% sales tax on food would be phased out
 over three years under a bill signed last year by the Democratic 
governor. The Senate bill anticipated the Legislature would adopt a 
measure later in the session to promptly end the food sales tax at all 
levels of government, which would reduce tax revenue to cities, counties
 and the state by hundreds of millions of dollars annually.Under <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/supp_note_sb309_01_0000.pdf">Senate Bill 309</a>,
 the state would establish a $220 million fund July 1 known as the 
Fixing Instant Revenue Shock for Taxpayers Fund. It would enable 
appropriations in July 2024 to cities, counties and other local taxing 
districts for documented loss of sales tax revenue due to action by the 
Legislature.Sen. J.R. Claeys, a Salina Republican, said he assumed there would be
 enough in that fund to replace what was lost by cities, counties and 
others, but the bill would only make that cash available for one year. 
To qualify for state replacement dollars, according to the bill, the 
local unit of government would have to be compliant with a state law 
designed to discourage cities and counties from raising property tax 
rates.The bill also would set aside $50 million in the Local Extraordinary 
Needs Fund for the purpose of making grants to cities and counties for 
capital projects that might have been financed through sales tax revenue
 lost due to legislation action. Grant awards would be determined by a 
10-person committee of House and Senate members. The maximum grant under
 the initiative would be $2 million.“There is literally no scenario in which this bill is not good or 
better for local governments,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, 
R-Andover.<h2>Not all on board</h2>Opponents of the “hold harmless” sales tax bill included the Kansas 
Association of Counties, Kansas County Commissioners Association, 
Sedgwick County Commission and the cities of Olathe, Garden City and 
Overland Park.“It’s going to really, really hurt the locals,” said Sen. Ron Ryckman
 Sr., R-Meade. “What’s going to happen next year? Or the next year? Or 
the next year?”Sen. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican, said he was concerned the 
Senate bill stripped away sales tax revenue the voters of Olathe agreed 
to dedicate to community priorities. He suspected Olathe would end up 
losing sales tax revenue under the scheme and could be forced to turn to
 property tax hikes to meet financial obligations.“Now we’re going to mess with the system that works for locals to 
operate their cash flow,” Olson said. “I think we’re going down the 
wrong path here.”

Kansas Legislature approves bill elevating tobacco age to 21 

MANHATTAN—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen in connection with an incident involving a gun.

Just after 7:30 p.m. on Monday, police were called to Sonic Drive-In 2711 Anderson Avenue in Manhattan.&nbsp; A 19-year-old and two 20-year-old women reported a 16-year-old boy pointed a gun at them while in the parking lot at the restaurant.

As officers arrived, the suspect later identified as&nbsp;16-year-old Cedric Swinson of Manhattan &nbsp;ran from Sonic across Westport Place to the parking lot of Walgreens and then crossed Garden Way and was taken into custody in the parking lot of the Evergreen Apartments.

&nbsp;Swinson was processed by North Central Kansas Juvenile Intake and released to a guardian. He faces requested charges of aggravated assault and interference with LEO, according to the RCPD.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680033608880.png" alt="Sonic on Anderson Avenue in Manhattan -Google image" />
 <figcaption>Sonic on Anderson Avenue in Manhattan -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>MANHATTAN—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas teen in connection with an incident involving a gun.Just after 7:30 p.m. on Monday, police were called to Sonic Drive-In 2711 Anderson Avenue in Manhattan.&nbsp; A 19-year-old and two 20-year-old women reported a 16-year-old boy pointed a gun at them while in the parking lot at the restaurant.As officers arrived, the suspect later identified as&nbsp;16-year-old Cedric Swinson of Manhattan &nbsp;ran from Sonic across Westport Place to the parking lot of Walgreens and then crossed Garden Way and was taken into custody in the parking lot of the Evergreen Apartments.&nbsp;Swinson was processed by North Central Kansas Juvenile Intake and released to a guardian. He faces requested charges of aggravated assault and interference with LEO, according to the RCPD.

Kan. teen accused of pointing a gun at three women

SUMNER COUNTY —Two residents and their pets escaped a fire spread by strong winds on Tuesday.

Just after 7a.m., crews responded to a reported small shed fire, according to Mulvane Fire and Rescue.

 First unit arrived and upgraded the alarm to a working structure fire.  Strong winds had pushed the fire along the siding on the back of the home and up into the soffit of the house. 

 Neighbors pounded on the front door of the home and woke the occupants up. They were asleep in the basement and unaware of the fire.

Both occupants and two dogs escaped the fire without injuries

The fire appears to have accidentally started by a heat lamp in a backyard shed, according to Mulvane Fire and Rescue. Officials have not released an estimate of damage.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680023124261.png" alt="The fire spread quickly-&nbsp;Photo courtesy Mulvane Fire and Rescue" />
 <figcaption>The fire spread quickly-&nbsp;Photo courtesy Mulvane Fire and Rescue</figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY —Two residents and their pets escaped a fire spread by strong winds on Tuesday.Just after 7a.m., crews responded to a reported small shed fire, according to Mulvane Fire and Rescue.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680023101753.png" alt="Photo courtesy Mulvane Fire and Rescue" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Mulvane Fire and Rescue</figcaption>
 </figure> First unit arrived and upgraded the alarm to a working structure fire. Strong winds had pushed the fire along the siding on the back of the home and up into the soffit of the house. Neighbors pounded on the front door of the home and woke the occupants up. They were asleep in the basement and unaware of the fire.Both occupants and two dogs escaped the fire without injuriesThe fire appears to have accidentally started by a heat lamp in a backyard shed, according to Mulvane Fire and Rescue. Officials have not released an estimate of damage.

Neighbors helped rescue residents from Kansas fire

NEW YORK (AP) — On the one side are dozens of lawmakers on Capitol Hill issuing dire warnings about security breaches and possible Chinese surveillance.

On the other are some 150 million TikTok users in the U.S. who just want to be able to keep making and watching short, fun videos offering makeup tutorials and cooking lessons, among other things.

The disconnect illustrates the uphill battle that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle face in trying to convince the public that China could use TikTok as a weapon against the American people. But many users on the platform are more concerned about the possibility of the government taking away their favorite app.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-shou-zi-chew-testify-7927b1915db270aac67ca6f4ca31d6f3">TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew</a>&nbsp;said during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-ceo-congressional-hearing-bytedance-china-44d948c5b0ba18e2a714e0fa62d52779">nearly six-hour congressional hearing Thursday</a>&nbsp;that the platform has never turned over user data to the Chinese government, and wouldn’t do so if asked.

Nevertheless, lawmakers, the FBI and officials at other agencies continue to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-bytedance-shou-zi-chew-8d8a6a9694357040d484670b7f4833be">raise alarms that Chinese law</a>&nbsp;compels Chinese companies like TikTok's parent company ByteDance to fork over data to the government for whatever purposes it deems to involve national security. There’s also concern Beijing might try to push pro-China narratives or misinformation through the platform.

“I want to say this to all the teenagers out there, and TikTok influencers who think we’re just old and out of touch and don’t know what we’re talking about, trying to take your favorite app,” said Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw during the hearing. “You may not care that your data is being accessed now, but you will be one day.”

Many TikTok users reacted to the hearing by posting videos critical of lawmakers who grilled Chew and frequently cut him off from speaking. Some called a potential TikTok ban, as some lawmakers and the Biden administration has reportedly threatened, the “biggest scam” of the year. And others blamed the surge of scrutiny on the platform on another tech rival, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.

But few expressed fear of possible Chinese surveillance or security breaches that lawmakers continue to amplify as they look to rein in TikTok.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., whose district is in the heart of Silicon Valley, said he is mindful of the value that platforms like TikTok provide to young people as an outlet for creative expression and building community. “But there’s absolutely no reason that an American technology company can’t do that,” said Khanna, the top Democrat on the cyber subcommittee on House Armed Service. “America has the most innovative technology companies in the world.”

He added that Congress should move forward with a proposal that would force platform’s sale to an American company for continued access for its millions of users while “ensuring that the platform isn’t subject to Chinese propaganda or compromises people’s privacy.”

According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, two-thirds of Americans aged 13 to 17 use TikTok, and 16% of all teens say they use it almost constantly. It's because of TikTok's large user base that Lindsay Gorman, a former tech adviser for the Biden administration who now works as a senior fellow for emerging technologies at the German Marshall Fund, says the Biden administration will likely pursue every option short of a ban first. That would include the option for the app's Chinese owners to divest, which the Biden administration is reportedly demanding from TikTok if it wants to avoid a nationwide ban.

TikTok itself has been trying to leverage its popularity. On Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-china-62ebef6be3c10e66d7f69f7f6d254700">it sent dozens of influencers to Congress</a>&nbsp;to lobby against a ban. It has also ramped up a broader public relations campaign, plastering ads all over Washington that tout its promises of securing users’ data and privacy and creating a safe platform for its young users.

Some popular TikTokers who speak out against a ban are concerned — and angered — about how it might impact their personal lives. Many earn income from their videos and have inked brand partnerships to market products to their audiences — another stream of revenue that could be wiped away if the platform disappears. They would also lose the social capital that comes from having a large following on the trend-setting app.

Demetrius Fields, a standup comedian who amassed 2.8 million followers on TikTok from posting comedy sketches, said he spent a long time building his career and followership on the platform. He has one active deal with the fast fashion retailer Fashion Nova, which allows him to earn an income along with the videos he posts on TikTok.

If the app is taken away, he said building an audience on another platform would be challenging for him due to the competition to grab user attention.

“The financial implications for me would be pretty terrible,” Fields said. “I would probably have to go back to working a desk job.”

Sarah Pikhit, an 18-year-old student at Penn State University, said she used to use TikTok a lot, but started cutting back when she realized how much time she spent scrolling through videos on the app. She still uses it, but mostly to post her own content, which she says she can do on other platforms. She said she wouldn’t care if TikTok gets banned — but her friends would.

“They like the excessive scrolling,” Pikhit said.

NEW YORK (AP) — On the one side are dozens of lawmakers on Capitol Hill issuing dire warnings about security breaches and possible Chinese surveillance.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">It&#39;s very concerning that the CEO of TikTok can&#39;t be honest and admit what we already know to be true—China has access to TikTok user data. The House will be moving forward with legislation to protect Americans from the technological tentacles of the Chinese Communist Party.&mdash; Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) <a href="https://twitter.com/SpeakerMcCarthy/status/1639980623539445760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>On the other are some 150 million TikTok users in the U.S. who just want to be able to keep making and watching short, fun videos offering makeup tutorials and cooking lessons, among other things.The disconnect illustrates the uphill battle that lawmakers from both sides of the aisle face in trying to convince the public that China could use TikTok as a weapon against the American people. But many users on the platform are more concerned about the possibility of the government taking away their favorite app.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679581245218.png" alt="Shou Zi Chew during Thursday's hearing-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Shou Zi Chew during Thursday's hearing-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-shou-zi-chew-testify-7927b1915db270aac67ca6f4ca31d6f3">TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew</a>&nbsp;said during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-ceo-congressional-hearing-bytedance-china-44d948c5b0ba18e2a714e0fa62d52779">nearly six-hour congressional hearing Thursday</a>&nbsp;that the platform has never turned over user data to the Chinese government, and wouldn’t do so if asked.Nevertheless, lawmakers, the FBI and officials at other agencies continue to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-bytedance-shou-zi-chew-8d8a6a9694357040d484670b7f4833be">raise alarms that Chinese law</a>&nbsp;compels Chinese companies like TikTok's parent company ByteDance to fork over data to the government for whatever purposes it deems to involve national security. There’s also concern Beijing might try to push pro-China narratives or misinformation through the platform.“I want to say this to all the teenagers out there, and TikTok influencers who think we’re just old and out of touch and don’t know what we’re talking about, trying to take your favorite app,” said Republican Rep. Dan Crenshaw during the hearing. “You may not care that your data is being accessed now, but you will be one day.”Many TikTok users reacted to the hearing by posting videos critical of lawmakers who grilled Chew and frequently cut him off from speaking. Some called a potential TikTok ban, as some lawmakers and the Biden administration has reportedly threatened, the “biggest scam” of the year. And others blamed the surge of scrutiny on the platform on another tech rival, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg.But few expressed fear of possible Chinese surveillance or security breaches that lawmakers continue to amplify as they look to rein in TikTok.Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., whose district is in the heart of Silicon Valley, said he is mindful of the value that platforms like TikTok provide to young people as an outlet for creative expression and building community. “But there’s absolutely no reason that an American technology company can’t do that,” said Khanna, the top Democrat on the cyber subcommittee on House Armed Service. “America has the most innovative technology companies in the world.”He added that Congress should move forward with a proposal that would force platform’s sale to an American company for continued access for its millions of users while “ensuring that the platform isn’t subject to Chinese propaganda or compromises people’s privacy.”According to a survey by the Pew Research Center, two-thirds of Americans aged 13 to 17 use TikTok, and 16% of all teens say they use it almost constantly. It's because of TikTok's large user base that Lindsay Gorman, a former tech adviser for the Biden administration who now works as a senior fellow for emerging technologies at the German Marshall Fund, says the Biden administration will likely pursue every option short of a ban first. That would include the option for the app's Chinese owners to divest, which the Biden administration is reportedly demanding from TikTok if it wants to avoid a nationwide ban.TikTok itself has been trying to leverage its popularity. On Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-china-62ebef6be3c10e66d7f69f7f6d254700">it sent dozens of influencers to Congress</a>&nbsp;to lobby against a ban. It has also ramped up a broader public relations campaign, plastering ads all over Washington that tout its promises of securing users’ data and privacy and creating a safe platform for its young users.Some popular TikTokers who speak out against a ban are concerned — and angered — about how it might impact their personal lives. Many earn income from their videos and have inked brand partnerships to market products to their audiences — another stream of revenue that could be wiped away if the platform disappears. They would also lose the social capital that comes from having a large following on the trend-setting app.Demetrius Fields, a standup comedian who amassed 2.8 million followers on TikTok from posting comedy sketches, said he spent a long time building his career and followership on the platform. He has one active deal with the fast fashion retailer Fashion Nova, which allows him to earn an income along with the videos he posts on TikTok.If the app is taken away, he said building an audience on another platform would be challenging for him due to the competition to grab user attention.“The financial implications for me would be pretty terrible,” Fields said. “I would probably have to go back to working a desk job.”Sarah Pikhit, an 18-year-old student at Penn State University, said she used to use TikTok a lot, but started cutting back when she realized how much time she spent scrolling through videos on the app. She still uses it, but mostly to post her own content, which she says she can do on other platforms. She said she wouldn’t care if TikTok gets banned — but her friends would.“They like the excessive scrolling,” Pikhit said.—-

Gap grows between TikTok users, lawmakers on potential ban

Law enforcement authorities have identified the body found hanging from a tree south of Salina as that of Todd R. Smith, 57, of Kansas City, Missouri, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.

Smith, a Salina native, was last seen on Nov. 28 and was reported missing to the Salina Police Department by Salina area family members on Dec. 7.

The sheriff's office is awaiting autopsy results before releasing any additional information about the case, according to Soldan.

Smith had previous felony convictions that include forgery, obstruction, burglary, theft, aggravated failure to appear, aggravated escape from custody and four or more for DUI in Saline County, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

SALINE COUNTY —A badly decomposing body was found hanging from a tree south of Salina early Saturday afternoon.

Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning that deputies were sent to the 1100 block of W. Farrelly Road just before 1 p.m. Saturday for the report of a body found.

A man who lives in the area and a friend from out of town were on a UTV attempting to locate where beavers had downed trees along Dry Creek when they spotted a shirt hanging back in the trees. They went closer and discovered the body hanging from the tree. Soldan said the body was approximately 100 yards from the road.

The body, believed to be that of a male, had been there for some time based on its decomposition, Soldan said. An identification of the body will not be possible until after an autopsy is performed. Soldan said he hopes to have preliminary autopsy results by the end of the week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680022166004.png" alt="Smith had previous felony convictions that include forgery, obstruction, burglary, theft, aggravated failure to appear, aggravated escape from custody and four or more for DUI in Saline County, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Smith had previous felony convictions that include forgery, obstruction, burglary, theft, aggravated failure to appear, aggravated escape from custody and four or more for DUI in Saline County, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostLaw enforcement authorities have identified the body found hanging from a tree south of Salina as that of Todd R. Smith, 57, of Kansas City, Missouri, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.Smith, a Salina native, was last seen on Nov. 28 and was reported missing to the Salina Police Department by Salina area family members on Dec. 7.The sheriff's office is awaiting autopsy results before releasing any additional information about the case, according to Soldan.Smith had previous felony convictions that include forgery, obstruction, burglary, theft, aggravated failure to appear, aggravated escape from custody and four or more for DUI in Saline County, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.---------------SALINE COUNTY —A badly decomposing body was found hanging from a tree south of Salina early Saturday afternoon.Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan said this morning that deputies were sent to the 1100 block of W. Farrelly Road just before 1 p.m. Saturday for the report of a body found.A man who lives in the area and a friend from out of town were on a UTV attempting to locate where beavers had downed trees along Dry Creek when they spotted a shirt hanging back in the trees. They went closer and discovered the body hanging from the tree. Soldan said the body was approximately 100 yards from the road.The body, believed to be that of a male, had been there for some time based on its decomposition, Soldan said. An identification of the body will not be possible until after an autopsy is performed. Soldan said he hopes to have preliminary autopsy results by the end of the week.

Sheriff IDs body found in central Kansas as Missouri man

NEW YORK (AP) — FTX founder&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manhattan-legal-proceedings-indictments-business-fraud-120cf18510ce329d759e2370f958a87c">Sam Bankman-Fried</a>&nbsp;was charged with directing $40 million in bribes to one or more Chinese officials to unfreeze assets relating to his cryptocurrency business in a newly rewritten indictment unsealed Tuesday.

The charge of conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act raises to 13 the number of charges Bankman-Fried faces after he was arrested in the Bahamas in December and brought to the United States soon afterward.

<a href="https://apnews.com/ed0f06c5db468e285f58af2d8766b51a">FTX filed for bankruptcy</a>&nbsp;on Nov. 11, when it ran out of money after the cryptocurrency equivalent of a bank run. He has remained free on a $250 million personal recognizance bond that lets him stay with his parents in Palo Alto, California.

He has pleaded not guilty to charges that he cheated investors out of billions of dollars before his business collapsed.

The alleged bribes stemmed from the operation of Alameda Research, which is affiliated with FTX, Bankman-Fried's global cryptocurrency exchange.

The indictment said Chinese law enforcement authorities in early 2021 froze certain Alameda cryptocurrency trading accounts on two of China's largest cryptocurrency exchanges. The accounts, it said, contained about $1 billion in cryptocurrency.

Bankman-Fried understood that the accounts had been frozen by Chinese authoritIes as part of an ongoing probe of a particular Alameda trading counterparty, the indictment said.

After Bankman-Fried failed several attempts to unfreeze the accounts through the use of lawyers and lobbying, Bankman-Fried ultimately agreed to direct a multimillion dollar bribe to try to unfreeze the accounts, the indictment said.

The bribe payment of cryptocurrency then worth about $40 million was moved from Alameda's main trading account to a private cryptocurrency wallet in November 2021 and the frozen accounts were unfrozen at about the same time, the indictment said.

Meanwhile Tuesday, Bankman-Fried’s lawyers also sent Judge Lewis A. Kaplan a new to limit him to a laptop and a phone and block him from using any other cellphones, tablets, computers, video games or “smart” devices with internet access other than electronic devices owned by his lawyers that he might need to prepare for trial.

Kaplan set a Thursday hearing in the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680015507609.png" alt=" FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves Manhattan federal court in New York, Feb. 16, 2023. On Tuesday, Bankman-Fried is accused in new indictment of paying $40 million bribe to unlock frozen crypto in China. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)" />
 <figcaption> FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves Manhattan federal court in New York, Feb. 16, 2023. On Tuesday, Bankman-Fried is accused in new indictment of paying $40 million bribe to unlock frozen crypto in China. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — FTX founder&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/manhattan-legal-proceedings-indictments-business-fraud-120cf18510ce329d759e2370f958a87c">Sam Bankman-Fried</a>&nbsp;was charged with directing $40 million in bribes to one or more Chinese officials to unfreeze assets relating to his cryptocurrency business in a newly rewritten indictment unsealed Tuesday.The charge of conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act raises to 13 the number of charges Bankman-Fried faces after he was arrested in the Bahamas in December and brought to the United States soon afterward.<a href="https://apnews.com/ed0f06c5db468e285f58af2d8766b51a">FTX filed for bankruptcy</a>&nbsp;on Nov. 11, when it ran out of money after the cryptocurrency equivalent of a bank run. He has remained free on a $250 million personal recognizance bond that lets him stay with his parents in Palo Alto, California.He has pleaded not guilty to charges that he cheated investors out of billions of dollars before his business collapsed.The alleged bribes stemmed from the operation of Alameda Research, which is affiliated with FTX, Bankman-Fried's global cryptocurrency exchange.The indictment said Chinese law enforcement authorities in early 2021 froze certain Alameda cryptocurrency trading accounts on two of China's largest cryptocurrency exchanges. The accounts, it said, contained about $1 billion in cryptocurrency.Bankman-Fried understood that the accounts had been frozen by Chinese authoritIes as part of an ongoing probe of a particular Alameda trading counterparty, the indictment said.After Bankman-Fried failed several attempts to unfreeze the accounts through the use of lawyers and lobbying, Bankman-Fried ultimately agreed to direct a multimillion dollar bribe to try to unfreeze the accounts, the indictment said.The bribe payment of cryptocurrency then worth about $40 million was moved from Alameda's main trading account to a private cryptocurrency wallet in November 2021 and the frozen accounts were unfrozen at about the same time, the indictment said.Meanwhile Tuesday, Bankman-Fried’s lawyers also sent Judge Lewis A. Kaplan a new to limit him to a laptop and a phone and block him from using any other cellphones, tablets, computers, video games or “smart” devices with internet access other than electronic devices owned by his lawyers that he might need to prepare for trial.Kaplan set a Thursday hearing in the case.

Crypto exchange CEO charged with paying $40M bribe to China

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and asking the public for help to identify a suspect.

Just after 6:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to an armed robbery at Walmart, 1863 5300 Road in Coffeyville, according to a media release.

&nbsp;The suspect brandished a firearm, robbed the store clerk and left with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect appears to be a white or hispanic male 40-50 years old. He was last seen leaving the store southbound on CR.5300 towards east 8th Street in a dark colored, possibly black extended cab Ford Ranger pickup. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680008445184.png" alt="Armed robbery suspect -Photo Montgomery Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Armed robbery suspect -Photo Montgomery Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery and asking the public for help to identify a suspect.Just after 6:30p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to an armed robbery at Walmart, 1863 5300 Road in Coffeyville, according to a media release.&nbsp;The suspect brandished a firearm, robbed the store clerk and left with an undisclosed amount of cash.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680008681282.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The suspect appears to be a white or hispanic male 40-50 years old. He was last seen leaving the store southbound on CR.5300 towards east 8th Street in a dark colored, possibly black extended cab Ford Ranger pickup.

Kansas armed robbery suspect robbed clerk, left with cash

FRANKLIN COUNTY—One person was injured after an explosion on a trash truck in Franklin County.

Just before 6a.m. Monday, Franklin County Emergency Communication received a call that about a man injured by an explosion, according to a media release from Ottawa Police.

 The man was collecting trash for a garbage service and when the truck compacted the trash, there was an explosion. An object struck the man. The trash truck driver transported the man to Advent Health Ottawa with minor injuries.

Due to the circumstances, the Olathe Fire Department Bomb Squad was contacted and responded to Ottawa to assist with the investigation along with&nbsp;The Ottawa Police and the Bureau or Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

They determined the device inside of the truck was a pneumatic tool that was ejected after it was pinched in the trash compactor. 

FRANKLIN COUNTY—One person was injured after an explosion on a trash truck in Franklin County.Just before 6a.m. Monday, Franklin County Emergency Communication received a call that about a man injured by an explosion, according to a media release from Ottawa Police. The man was collecting trash for a garbage service and when the truck compacted the trash, there was an explosion. An object struck the man. The trash truck driver transported the man to Advent Health Ottawa with minor injuries.Due to the circumstances, the Olathe Fire Department Bomb Squad was contacted and responded to Ottawa to assist with the investigation along with&nbsp;The Ottawa Police and the Bureau or Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.They determined the device inside of the truck was a pneumatic tool that was ejected after it was pinched in the trash compactor.

Kansas bomb squad called after explosion on trash truck 

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — In a story published March 27, 2023, The Associated Press reported the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of a Kansas redistricting law. The story should have made clear critics of the law were appealing the Kansas Supreme Court's rejection of claims that a new congressional map was racially gerrymandered, not the state court's ruling that political gerrymandering is constitutional.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court won't review a congressional redistricting law enacted by the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature that some voters and Democrats saw as political gerrymandering.

The nation's highest court said Monday without explaination that it won't hear an appeal of a Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-elections-legislature-kansas-topeka-e6e6dfe3cfc63ddae5492980e04a0329">ruling from May 2022</a>&nbsp;that partisan gerrymandering does not violate the state constitution. Eleven voters had challenged the redistricting law.

The GOP map had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-kansas-city-lawrence-topeka-7e616acdf227d7ce8356a821fda8ea76">appeared to hurt</a>&nbsp;the chances of reelection last year for the only Democrat in the state's congressional delegation, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, in her Kansas City-area district. But Davids&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-biden-legislature-c33d92d6b33fc33c524f6b78024f3700">still won her race</a>&nbsp;in November by 12 percentage points.

The law also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-election-2020-kansas-city-kansas-donald-trump-85844d07388c25e71440059be29b7a6e">moved the liberal northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence</a>&nbsp;into a district with heavily Republican western Kansas.

The Legislature must redraw political boundaries at least once every 10 years to ensure that districts are as equal in population as possible. The Kansas Supreme Court split 4-3 on whether the state constitution allows partisan gerrymandering.

The Kansas court's majority said the state constitution&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elections-legislature-kansas-city-topeka-6c367630e26401f5a7021087d6f8fe7c">doesn't bar lawmakers from considering partisan factors</a>&nbsp;in drafting their maps. It added that state courts would have no clear standard for what constitutes improper gerrymandering absent a “zero tolerance” standard.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/1/1643147273216.png" alt="The map moved the northern part of Kansas City, Kansas, out of the 3rd District represented by Sharice Davids and into the larger 2nd District of eastern Kansas represented by Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner." />
 <figcaption>The map moved the northern part of Kansas City, Kansas, out of the 3rd District represented by Sharice Davids and into the larger 2nd District of eastern Kansas represented by Republican Rep. Jake LaTurner.</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — In a story published March 27, 2023, The Associated Press reported the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of a Kansas redistricting law. The story should have made clear critics of the law were appealing the Kansas Supreme Court's rejection of claims that a new congressional map was racially gerrymandered, not the state court's ruling that political gerrymandering is constitutional.-------------TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court won't review a congressional redistricting law enacted by the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature that some voters and Democrats saw as political gerrymandering.The nation's highest court said Monday without explaination that it won't hear an appeal of a Kansas Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-elections-legislature-kansas-topeka-e6e6dfe3cfc63ddae5492980e04a0329">ruling from May 2022</a>&nbsp;that partisan gerrymandering does not violate the state constitution. Eleven voters had challenged the redistricting law.The GOP map had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-kansas-kansas-city-lawrence-topeka-7e616acdf227d7ce8356a821fda8ea76">appeared to hurt</a>&nbsp;the chances of reelection last year for the only Democrat in the state's congressional delegation, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, in her Kansas City-area district. But Davids&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-biden-legislature-c33d92d6b33fc33c524f6b78024f3700">still won her race</a>&nbsp;in November by 12 percentage points.The law also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/legislature-election-2020-kansas-city-kansas-donald-trump-85844d07388c25e71440059be29b7a6e">moved the liberal northeastern Kansas city of Lawrence</a>&nbsp;into a district with heavily Republican western Kansas.The Legislature must redraw political boundaries at least once every 10 years to ensure that districts are as equal in population as possible. The Kansas Supreme Court split 4-3 on whether the state constitution allows partisan gerrymandering.The Kansas court's majority said the state constitution&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elections-legislature-kansas-city-topeka-6c367630e26401f5a7021087d6f8fe7c">doesn't bar lawmakers from considering partisan factors</a>&nbsp;in drafting their maps. It added that state courts would have no clear standard for what constitutes improper gerrymandering absent a “zero tolerance” standard.

Supreme Court declines to hear Kansas gerrymandering case

WASHINGTON (AP) —Honda is recalling more than 330,000 vehicles because heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, which could lead to the mirror glass falling out and increase the risk of a crash.

Vehicles included in the recall are 2020-2022 Odyssey, 2020-2022 Passport, 2020-2021 Pilot and 2020-2021 Ridgeline.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that the vehicles don't comply with the necessary rear visibility requirements.

Honda dealers will replace the side-view mirrors on impacted vehicles free of charge.

Owner notification letters are expected to be sent out on May 8. Vehicle owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

WASHINGTON (AP) —Honda is recalling more than 330,000 vehicles because heating pads behind both side-view mirrors may not be bonded properly, which could lead to the mirror glass falling out and increase the risk of a crash.Vehicles included in the recall are 2020-2022 Odyssey, 2020-2022 Passport, 2020-2021 Pilot and 2020-2021 Ridgeline.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that the vehicles don't comply with the necessary rear visibility requirements.Honda dealers will replace the side-view mirrors on impacted vehicles free of charge.Owner notification letters are expected to be sent out on May 8. Vehicle owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

Honda recalls vehicles due to mirror issue

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The former student who shot through the doors of a Christian elementary school in Nashville and killed three children and three adults had drawn a detailed map of the school, including potential entry points, and conducted surveillance of the building before carrying out the massacre.

Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake did not say exactly what drove the shooter to open fire Monday morning at The Covenant School before being killed by police. But he provided chilling examples of the shooter’s elaborate planning for the targeted attack, the latest in a series of mass shootings in a country that has grown increasingly unnerved by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-mass-school-shooting-database-columbine-uvalde-1c82749f7236752a2e621f402489b357">bloodshed in schools</a>.

“We have a manifesto, we have some writings that we’re going over that pertain to this date, the actual incident,” he told reporters. “We have a map drawn out of how this was all going to take place.”

He said in an interview with NBC News that investigators believe the shooter had “some resentment for having to go to that school.”

Rachel Dibble, who was at a nearby church where children were taken to be reunited with their parents, described the scene as everyone being in “complete shock.”

“People were involuntarily trembling,” she said. “The children … started their morning in their cute little uniforms, they probably had some Froot Loops and now their whole lives changed today.”

Police initially gave unclear information on the gender of the shooter. For hours, police identified the shooter as a 28-year-old woman and eventually identified the person as Audrey Elizabeth Hale. Then at a late afternoon press conference, the police chief said that Hale was transgender. After the news conference, police spokesperson Don Aaron declined to elaborate on how Hale currently identified.

Authorities said Hale was armed with two “assault-style” weapons as well as a handgun. At least two of them were believed to have been obtained legally in the Nashville area, according to the chief. Police said a search of Hale’s home turned up a sawed-off shotgun, a second shotgun and other unspecified evidence.

The victims were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, all 9 years old, and adults Cynthia Peak, 61; Katherine Koonce, 60; and Mike Hill, 61.

The website of The Covenant School, a Presbyterian school founded in 2001, lists a Katherine Koonce as the head of the school. Her LinkedIn profile says she has led the school since July 2016. Peak was a substitute teacher and Hill was a custodian, according to investigators.

Founded as a ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church, The Covenant School is located in the affluent Green Hills neighborhood just south of downtown Nashville that is home to the famed Bluebird Café – a spot typically beloved by musicians and songwriters.

The school has about 200 students from preschool through sixth grade, as well as roughly 50 staff members.

“Our community is heartbroken,” a statement from the school said. “We are grieving tremendous loss and are in shock coming out of the terror that shattered our school and church. We are focused on loving our students, our families, our faculty and staff and beginning the process of healing.”

Before Monday’s violence in Nashville, there had been seven mass killings at K-12 schools since 2006 in which four or more people were killed within a 24-hour period, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://cssh.northeastern.edu/sccj/mass-killing-database/">database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University</a>. In all of them, the shooters were males.

The database does not include school shootings in which fewer than four people were killed, which have become far more common in recent years. Just last week alone, for example, school shootings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-east-high-school-shooting-9cbd699b2dd3a31015d4a22ebf30d912">happened in Denver</a>&nbsp;and the Dallas-area within two days of each other.

Monday’s tragedy unfolded over roughly 14 minutes. Police received the initial call about an active shooter at 10:13 a.m.

Officers began clearing the first story of the school when they heard gunshots coming from the second level, Aaron said. Police later said the shooter fired at arriving officers from a second-story window and had come armed with significant ammunition.

Two officers from a five-member team opened fire in response, killing the suspect at 10:27 a.m., Aaron said.

Late Monday night, police released approximately two minutes of edited surveillance video showing the shooter’s car driving up to the school from multiple angles, including one in which children can be seen playing on swings in the background. Next an interior view shows glass doors to the school being shot out and the shooter ducking through one of the shattered doors.

More footage from inside shows the shooter walking through a school corridor holding a gun with a long barrel and walking into a room labeled “church office,” then coming back out. In the final part of the footage, the shooter can be seen walking down another long corridor with the gun drawn. The shooter is not seen interacting with anyone else on the video, which has no sound.

Aaron said there were no police officers present or assigned to the school at the time of the shooting because it is a church-run school.

President Joe Biden, speaking at the White House on Monday, called the shooting a “family’s worst nightmare” and implored Congress again to pass a ban on certain semi-automatic weapons.

A reeling city mourned during multiple vigils Monday evening. At Belmont United Methodist Church, teary sniffling filled the background as vigil attendees sang, knelt in prayer and lit candles. They lamented the national cycle of violent and deadly shootings.

“We need to step back. We need to breathe. We need to grieve,” said Paul Purdue, the church’s senior pastor. “We need to remember. We need to make space for others who are grieving. We need to hear the cries of our neighbors.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679962479830.png" alt="Dr. Katherine Koonce, the school's administrator, died on Monday- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Katherine Koonce, the school's administrator, died on Monday- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The former student who shot through the doors of a Christian elementary school in Nashville and killed three children and three adults had drawn a detailed map of the school, including potential entry points, and conducted surveillance of the building before carrying out the massacre.Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake did not say exactly what drove the shooter to open fire Monday morning at The Covenant School before being killed by police. But he provided chilling examples of the shooter’s elaborate planning for the targeted attack, the latest in a series of mass shootings in a country that has grown increasingly unnerved by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-mass-school-shooting-database-columbine-uvalde-1c82749f7236752a2e621f402489b357">bloodshed in schools</a>.“We have a manifesto, we have some writings that we’re going over that pertain to this date, the actual incident,” he told reporters. “We have a map drawn out of how this was all going to take place.”He said in an interview with NBC News that investigators believe the shooter had “some resentment for having to go to that school.”Rachel Dibble, who was at a nearby church where children were taken to be reunited with their parents, described the scene as everyone being in “complete shock.”“People were involuntarily trembling,” she said. “The children … started their morning in their cute little uniforms, they probably had some Froot Loops and now their whole lives changed today.”Police initially gave unclear information on the gender of the shooter. For hours, police identified the shooter as a 28-year-old woman and eventually identified the person as Audrey Elizabeth Hale. Then at a late afternoon press conference, the police chief said that Hale was transgender. After the news conference, police spokesperson Don Aaron declined to elaborate on how Hale currently identified.Authorities said Hale was armed with two “assault-style” weapons as well as a handgun. At least two of them were believed to have been obtained legally in the Nashville area, according to the chief. Police said a search of Hale’s home turned up a sawed-off shotgun, a second shotgun and other unspecified evidence.The victims were identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, all 9 years old, and adults Cynthia Peak, 61; Katherine Koonce, 60; and Mike Hill, 61.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679998313873.png" alt="In a 2018 photo, Hallie Scruggs (center) who died in the shooting, is shown with her family. Her father was PCA minister Rev. Chad Scruggs, the senior minister at Covenant Presbyterian Church, the overseeing church of Covenant School. -courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>In a 2018 photo, Hallie Scruggs (center) who died in the shooting, is shown with her family. Her father was PCA minister Rev. Chad Scruggs, the senior minister at Covenant Presbyterian Church, the overseeing church of Covenant School. -courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>The website of The Covenant School, a Presbyterian school founded in 2001, lists a Katherine Koonce as the head of the school. Her LinkedIn profile says she has led the school since July 2016. Peak was a substitute teacher and Hill was a custodian, according to investigators.Founded as a ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church, The Covenant School is located in the affluent Green Hills neighborhood just south of downtown Nashville that is home to the famed Bluebird Café – a spot typically beloved by musicians and songwriters.The school has about 200 students from preschool through sixth grade, as well as roughly 50 staff members.“Our community is heartbroken,” a statement from the school said. “We are grieving tremendous loss and are in shock coming out of the terror that shattered our school and church. We are focused on loving our students, our families, our faculty and staff and beginning the process of healing.”Before Monday’s violence in Nashville, there had been seven mass killings at K-12 schools since 2006 in which four or more people were killed within a 24-hour period, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://cssh.northeastern.edu/sccj/mass-killing-database/">database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University</a>. In all of them, the shooters were males.The database does not include school shootings in which fewer than four people were killed, which have become far more common in recent years. Just last week alone, for example, school shootings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/denver-east-high-school-shooting-9cbd699b2dd3a31015d4a22ebf30d912">happened in Denver</a>&nbsp;and the Dallas-area within two days of each other.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679935165685.png" alt="Photo courtesy Metro Nashville Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Metro Nashville Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Monday’s tragedy unfolded over roughly 14 minutes. Police received the initial call about an active shooter at 10:13 a.m.Officers began clearing the first story of the school when they heard gunshots coming from the second level, Aaron said. Police later said the shooter fired at arriving officers from a second-story window and had come armed with significant ammunition.Two officers from a five-member team opened fire in response, killing the suspect at 10:27 a.m., Aaron said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Active shooter Audrey Elizabeth Hale drove to Covenant Church/School in her Honda Fit this morning, parked, and shot her way into the building. She was armed with 2 assault-type guns and a 9 millimeter pistol. <a href="https://t.co/mIk2pDmCwQ">pic.twitter.com/mIk2pDmCwQ</a>&mdash; Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) <a href="https://twitter.com/MNPDNashville/status/1640545519511404546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Late Monday night, police released approximately two minutes of edited surveillance video showing the shooter’s car driving up to the school from multiple angles, including one in which children can be seen playing on swings in the background. Next an interior view shows glass doors to the school being shot out and the shooter ducking through one of the shattered doors.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679998977060.png" alt="Image from security cameras provided by Metro Nashville PD" />
 <figcaption>Image from security cameras provided by Metro Nashville PD</figcaption>
 </figure>More footage from inside shows the shooter walking through a school corridor holding a gun with a long barrel and walking into a room labeled “church office,” then coming back out. In the final part of the footage, the shooter can be seen walking down another long corridor with the gun drawn. The shooter is not seen interacting with anyone else on the video, which has no sound.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Hale fired a number of rounds inside the Covenant Church/School building. She was armed with these 3 guns and significant ammunition. <a href="https://t.co/3LYOU2r0sh">pic.twitter.com/3LYOU2r0sh</a>&mdash; Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) <a href="https://twitter.com/MNPDNashville/status/1640521034594918400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Aaron said there were no police officers present or assigned to the school at the time of the shooting because it is a church-run school.President Joe Biden, speaking at the White House on Monday, called the shooting a “family’s worst nightmare” and implored Congress again to pass a ban on certain semi-automatic weapons.A reeling city mourned during multiple vigils Monday evening. At Belmont United Methodist Church, teary sniffling filled the background as vigil attendees sang, knelt in prayer and lit candles. They lamented the national cycle of violent and deadly shootings.“We need to step back. We need to breathe. We need to grieve,” said Paul Purdue, the church’s senior pastor. “We need to remember. We need to make space for others who are grieving. We need to hear the cries of our neighbors.”-------