KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Three Kansas City police officers were shot and wounded while executing a search warrant, prompting a standoff at a home early Wednesday, authorities said.

The tactical response team officers had begun to breach a door around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday when they were fired upon, Kansas City police Chief Stacey Graves told reporters outside a hospital.

The officers returned fire and were taken to the hospital, where they were in non-life-threatening condition, Graves said.

Two people came out of the house between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. and were taken into custody, said Missouri Highway Patrol spokesman Andy Bell. Their names weren't immediately released and no charges have been filed yet.

Bell said law enforcement remained outside the house Wednesday morning while trying to determine whether anyone else was still inside.

"We’re trying to get robotics or drones or any any technology to take a look inside the house before we would ask an officer to go inside the house because last time an officer went inside the house three officers got shot," he said.

He said the case started as a federal drug investigation. The patrol said the Jackson County Drug Task Force, which works with federal agencies, requested the assistance of the Kansas City SWAT team to serve the search warrant.

The officers had announced that they were police before trying to enter the home, Graves said.

“They are highly trained, good men,” Graves said of the wounded officers. “And, you know, we’re just so thankful tonight that each one of them, I was able to to physically talk to them.”

The chief said no one was immediately taken into custody and it wasn't immediately clear whether more than one person in the home fired shots.

The Independence Police Department took over the law enforcement response at the home Tuesday night, Graves said.

The Missouri Highway Patrol said on Twitter early Wednesday that it was relieving the Independence department after providing assistance overnight. The Highway Patrol said the standoff was continuing as of 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.

The Jackson County Drug Task Force had requested assistance from Kansas City police to serve the search warrant, the Highway Patrol tweeted earlier.

KANSAS CITY —Three Kansas City police officers were wounded on Tuesday, according to KCPD and Mayor Quinton Lucas.

Just after 9:30p.m. the officers were attempting to serve a search warrant at a home&nbsp;in the 2300 block of Blue Ridge Boulevard when someone fired shots, according to Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves.

The officers were hospitalized and are expected to survive, according to Graves. Police have not reported an arrest and released no additional details early Wednesday.

Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677668846378.png" alt="Police on the scene of the standoff overnight-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the standoff overnight-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Three Kansas City police officers were shot and wounded while executing a search warrant, prompting a standoff at a home early Wednesday, authorities said.The tactical response team officers had begun to breach a door around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday when they were fired upon, Kansas City police Chief Stacey Graves told reporters outside a hospital.The officers returned fire and were taken to the hospital, where they were in non-life-threatening condition, Graves said.Two people came out of the house between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. and were taken into custody, said Missouri Highway Patrol spokesman Andy Bell. Their names weren't immediately released and no charges have been filed yet.Bell said law enforcement remained outside the house Wednesday morning while trying to determine whether anyone else was still inside."We’re trying to get robotics or drones or any any technology to take a look inside the house before we would ask an officer to go inside the house because last time an officer went inside the house three officers got shot," he said.He said the case started as a federal drug investigation. The patrol said the Jackson County Drug Task Force, which works with federal agencies, requested the assistance of the Kansas City SWAT team to serve the search warrant.The officers had announced that they were police before trying to enter the home, Graves said.“They are highly trained, good men,” Graves said of the wounded officers. “And, you know, we’re just so thankful tonight that each one of them, I was able to to physically talk to them.”--------------------KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Three Kansas City police officers were shot and wounded while executing a search warrant, prompting a standoff at a home early Wednesday, authorities said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We’ve been reminded too much lately in Kansas City how dangerous police work can be. I am praying for a full recovery for our three officers injured this evening and that everyone on duty gets home to their families safely.&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1630784749936467970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The tactical response team officers had begun to breach a door around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday when they were fired upon, Kansas City police Chief Stacey Graves told reporters outside a hospital.The officers returned fire and were taken to the hospital, where they were in non-life-threatening condition, Graves said.The chief said no one was immediately taken into custody and it wasn't immediately clear whether more than one person in the home fired shots.The Independence Police Department took over the law enforcement response at the home Tuesday night, Graves said.The Missouri Highway Patrol said on Twitter early Wednesday that it was relieving the Independence department after providing assistance overnight. The Highway Patrol said the standoff was continuing as of 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.The Jackson County Drug Task Force had requested assistance from Kansas City police to serve the search warrant, the Highway Patrol tweeted earlier.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Troop A’s SWAT was requested early this morning to relieve Independence Police Department’s SWAT after providing assistance overnight. No new information regarding the presence of additional occupants inside the residence. The standoff continues. <a href="https://twitter.com/kcpolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kcpolice</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/IndepMoPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IndepMoPolice</a> <a href="https://t.co/MszkSbJtHp">pic.twitter.com/MszkSbJtHp</a>&mdash; MSHP Troop A (@MSHPTrooperA) <a href="https://twitter.com/MSHPTrooperA/status/1630906047937368066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The officers had announced that they were police before trying to enter the home, Graves said.“They are highly trained, good men,” Graves said of the wounded officers. “And, you know, we’re just so thankful tonight that each one of them, I was able to to physically talk to them.”---------------KANSAS CITY —Three Kansas City police officers were wounded on Tuesday, according to KCPD and Mayor Quinton Lucas.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We’ve been reminded too much lately in Kansas City how dangerous police work can be. I am praying for a full recovery for our three officers injured this evening and that everyone on duty gets home to their families safely.&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1630784749936467970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Just after 9:30p.m. the officers were attempting to serve a search warrant at a home&nbsp;in the 2300 block of Blue Ridge Boulevard when someone fired shots, according to Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves.The officers were hospitalized and are expected to survive, according to Graves. Police have not reported an arrest and released no additional details early Wednesday.Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

2 in custody after 3 KCPD officers injured in shooting

BEIJING (AP) — For the second day in a row, China on Wednesday dismissed U.S. suggestions that the COVID-19 pandemic may have been triggered by a virus that leaked from a Chinese laboratory.

Responding to comments by FBI Director Christopher Wray, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the involvement of the U.S. intelligence community was evidence enough of the “politicization of origin tracing.”

“By rehashing the lab-leak theory, the U.S. will not succeed in discrediting China, and instead, it will only hurt its own credibility,” Mao said.

“We urge the U.S. to respect science and facts ... stop turning origin tracing into something about politics and intelligence, and stop disrupting social solidarity and origins cooperation,” she said.

In an interview with Fox News that aired Tuesday, Wray said, “The FBI has for quite some time now assessed that the origins of the pandemic are most likely a potential lab incident in (central China’s) Wuhan.”

“Here you are talking about a potential leak from a Chinese government-controlled lab,” Wray said.

Referring to efforts to trace the origin of the coronavirus, he added, “I will just make the observation that the Chinese government, it seems to me, has been doing its best to try to thwart and obfuscate the work here, the work that we’re doing, the work that our U.S. government and close foreign partners are doing. And that’s unfortunate for everybody.”

On Tuesday, Mao pushed back at a report from the U.S. Department of Energy that assessed with “low confidence” that the virus that was first detected in Wuhan in late 2019 leaked from a nearby government laboratory.

The report hasn’t been made public and officials in Washington stressed that U.S. agencies are not in agreement on the origin of the virus.

Mao on Tuesday insisted that China has been “open and transparent” in the search for the virus’ origins and has “shared the most data and research results on virus tracing and made important contributions to global virus tracing research.”

A World Health Organization expert group said last year that “key pieces of data” to explain how the pandemic began were still missing. The scientists cited avenues of research that were needed, including studies evaluating the role of wild animals and environmental studies in places where the virus might have first spread.

The Associated Press has previously reported that the Chinese government was strictly controlling research into the origin of the pandemic that has killed more than 6.8 million people worldwide, clamping down on some work and promoting fringe theories that it could have come from outside the country.

Some scientists are open to the lab-leak theory, but many scientists believe the virus came from animals, mutated, and jumped to people, as has happened with other viruses in the past. Experts say the origin of the pandemic may not be known for many years — if ever.

BEIJING (AP) — For the second day in a row, China on Wednesday dismissed U.S. suggestions that the COVID-19 pandemic may have been triggered by a virus that leaked from a Chinese laboratory.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1677676690456.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Responding to comments by FBI Director Christopher Wray, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the involvement of the U.S. intelligence community was evidence enough of the “politicization of origin tracing.”“By rehashing the lab-leak theory, the U.S. will not succeed in discrediting China, and instead, it will only hurt its own credibility,” Mao said.“We urge the U.S. to respect science and facts ... stop turning origin tracing into something about politics and intelligence, and stop disrupting social solidarity and origins cooperation,” she said.In an interview with Fox News that aired Tuesday, Wray said, “The FBI has for quite some time now assessed that the origins of the pandemic are most likely a potential lab incident in (central China’s) Wuhan.”“Here you are talking about a potential leak from a Chinese government-controlled lab,” Wray said.Referring to efforts to trace the origin of the coronavirus, he added, “I will just make the observation that the Chinese government, it seems to me, has been doing its best to try to thwart and obfuscate the work here, the work that we’re doing, the work that our U.S. government and close foreign partners are doing. And that’s unfortunate for everybody.”On Tuesday, Mao pushed back at a report from the U.S. Department of Energy that assessed with “low confidence” that the virus that was first detected in Wuhan in late 2019 leaked from a nearby government laboratory.The report hasn’t been made public and officials in Washington stressed that U.S. agencies are not in agreement on the origin of the virus.Mao on Tuesday insisted that China has been “open and transparent” in the search for the virus’ origins and has “shared the most data and research results on virus tracing and made important contributions to global virus tracing research.”A World Health Organization expert group said last year that “key pieces of data” to explain how the pandemic began were still missing. The scientists cited avenues of research that were needed, including studies evaluating the role of wild animals and environmental studies in places where the virus might have first spread.The Associated Press has previously reported that the Chinese government was strictly controlling research into the origin of the pandemic that has killed more than 6.8 million people worldwide, clamping down on some work and promoting fringe theories that it could have come from outside the country.Some scientists are open to the lab-leak theory, but many scientists believe the virus came from animals, mutated, and jumped to people, as has happened with other viruses in the past. Experts say the origin of the pandemic may not be known for many years — if ever.

 FBI says China lab leak likely caused COVID-19 pandemic

MONTGOMERY COUNTY – Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) agents, along with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Independence Police Department, arrested nine subjects following an investigation, and the execution of a search warrant, according to a media release from the KBI.

Just after 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, law enforcement officers executed the search warrant at 413 S. 11th Street in Independence, Kansas. Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found at the residence. Multiple individuals were present at the time the search warrant was conducted. Authorities arrested 9 on pending requested charges.

&nbsp;Dustin Vaughn, 35, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia. Vaughn also had an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear.

Brian Noble, 31, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia and possession of use paraphernalia. Noble had three outstanding arrest warrants for aggravated failure to appear.

Stephen Mills, 44, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia.

Jonathan Wyatt, 31, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia.

Stacie Fine, 51, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia.

Tammy Kinney, 56, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia and possession of use paraphernalia.

Marsha Bolin, 41, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia.

Tyler Slaton, 27, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia.

Stephen Landsaw, 50, of Independence was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia.

The subjects were booked into the Montgomery County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677627020812.png" alt="Vaughn-photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Vaughn-photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY – Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) agents, along with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Independence Police Department, arrested nine subjects following an investigation, and the execution of a search warrant, according to a media release from the KBI.Just after 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, law enforcement officers executed the search warrant at 413 S. 11th Street in Independence, Kansas. Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were found at the residence. Multiple individuals were present at the time the search warrant was conducted. Authorities arrested 9 on pending requested charges.&nbsp;Dustin Vaughn, 35, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia. Vaughn also had an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677626982227.png" alt="Noble&nbsp;photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Noble&nbsp;photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Brian Noble, 31, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia and possession of use paraphernalia. Noble had three outstanding arrest warrants for aggravated failure to appear.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677627062495.png" alt="Mills-photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Mills-photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Stephen Mills, 44, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677627096729.png" alt="Wyatt-photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Wyatt-photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Jonathan Wyatt, 31, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677626934077.png" alt="Fine" />
 <figcaption>Fine</figcaption>
 </figure>Stacie Fine, 51, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677626878677.png" alt="Kinney-photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Kinney-photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Tammy Kinney, 56, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia and possession of use paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677626821964.png" alt="Bolin-photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Bolin-photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Marsha Bolin, 41, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677627137444.png" alt="Slaton-photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Slaton-photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Tyler Slaton, 27, of Independence, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677627178859.png" alt="Landsaw&nbsp;photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Landsaw&nbsp;photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Stephen Landsaw, 50, of Independence was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of sale drug paraphernalia, and possession of use paraphernalia.The subjects were booked into the Montgomery County Jail.

KBI makes 9 arrests after large meth bust at Kansas home

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in Johnson County.&nbsp;

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Ford passenger vehicle driven by Denis M. Wambua, 33, Olathe, was southbound on Interstate 35 just south of Interstate 435 in Lenexa.

The vehicle traveled across the lanes of travel and the shoulder and struck the median barrier wall. The vehicle then traveled approximately 200-300 feet before coming to rest in the #3 lane.

Wambua was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Johnson County Medical Examiner's office. He was not wearing the seatbelt properly, according to the KHP.

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday in Johnson County.&nbsp;The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Ford passenger vehicle driven by Denis M. Wambua, 33, Olathe, was southbound on Interstate 35 just south of Interstate 435 in Lenexa.The vehicle traveled across the lanes of travel and the shoulder and struck the median barrier wall. The vehicle then traveled approximately 200-300 feet before coming to rest in the #3 lane.Wambua was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Johnson County Medical Examiner's office. He was not wearing the seatbelt properly, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after vehicle strikes median barrier wall

KANSAS CITY —A jury on Monday convicted Gene Birdsong and recommended he be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole -- plus 17 years more -- for the fatal stabbing in November 2018 of his wife Tabitha, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Earlier Monday, a Jackson County jury found Birdsong guity of 1st Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action charges. They soon after began sentencing deliberations and recommended 17 years, at the prosecutor's suggestion, for the conviction. The Murder 1st Degree convictions carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

According to court records, on Nov. 6, 2018, Police responded to Roanoke and Madison in Kansas City on a report of a dead body. They found the victim's body. She had obvious head injuries. They also found in her pocket an order of protection with her and the defendant's name on it. 

Witnesses told police they were seen or heard together hours before her death. A witness also saw the &nbsp;defendant with bloody pants. Police found bloody clothing in a room where the defendant had been staying.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677585043202.png" alt="Birdsong-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Birdsong-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A jury on Monday convicted Gene Birdsong and recommended he be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole -- plus 17 years more -- for the fatal stabbing in November 2018 of his wife Tabitha, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Earlier Monday, a Jackson County jury found Birdsong guity of 1st Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action charges. They soon after began sentencing deliberations and recommended 17 years, at the prosecutor's suggestion, for the conviction. The Murder 1st Degree convictions carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.According to court records, on Nov. 6, 2018, Police responded to Roanoke and Madison in Kansas City on a report of a dead body. They found the victim's body. She had obvious head injuries. They also found in her pocket an order of protection with her and the defendant's name on it. Witnesses told police they were seen or heard together hours before her death. A witness also saw the &nbsp;defendant with bloody pants. Police found bloody clothing in a room where the defendant had been staying.

Jury: Kan. man guilty of murder; wife had order of protection in pocket

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/20/kansas-senate-president-roll-back-food-tax-relief-so-state-can-afford-flat-tax-plan/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Two Emporia State University professors have asked the Kansas Supreme Court to intervene in “sham” appeals hearings over the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/22/emporia-state-university-faculty-leaders-wait-for-answers-after-rapid-firing-of-tenured-professors/">firing of tenured professors</a>.

The court declined to take immediate action to stop the hearings but ordered ESU, the Kansas Board of Regents and Kansas Office of Administrative Hearings to respond within two weeks to complaints outlined in legal filings.

The university took unprecedented action in September to eliminate programs and terminate faculty members under an emergency policy&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/14/emporia-state-receives-green-light-to-move-rapidly-with-faculty-program-realignment/">approved by the Board of Regents</a>. The university said the strategic realignment of resources was designed to address enrollment and financial issues.

Faculty members weren’t given specific reasons for their termination, and the emergency policy denied them typical due process to contest the termination before the OAH.

Attorneys for history professors Christopher Lovett and Amanda Miracle describe an “unconscionable” alternative process in which the professors are not allowed to ask why they were terminated, examine recommendations resulting in the termination, or call witnesses to testify before the appeals officer. The professors are represented by J. Phillip Gragson and Amanda S. Vogelsberg, attorneys at a Topeka-based law firm.

“Clearly,” the attorneys wrote in a court filing, “petitioners are being offered ‘sham’ hearings.”

“It seriously begs the question … what are the chances of any of the hearing officers ruling against ESU/KBOR on the terminations?” the attorneys wrote. “Slim to none, and the bus is warming up for slim to leave town. There is nothing about this situation (that) resembles an impartial tribunal.”

A spokeswoman for ESU said the university doesn’t comment on pending litigation.

Under typical university policy, the elimination of a program would require written recommendations and public hearings before the president could make a final decision. The process should take at least 104 days. Affected faculty members would have the right to receive specific grounds for dismissal and examine the record of proceedings leading to termination.

Instead, acting under a pandemic-era policy, the university took immediate action Sept. 15 to discontinue programs that include history, English, journalism and debate, and to terminate 33 faculty members, including 21 tenured professors. The university subsequently announced plans to invest in nursing, computer science, music and art.

The university hasn’t made public the reasons why specific programs or professors were targeted and others were left alone.

The attorneys for Lovett and Miracle point to a document ESU officials presented to the Board of Regents on March 27, 2021, titled “ESU strategic program alignment reviews.” The document highlights the success of the history department as being efficiently operated, with healthy enrollment, and a significant revenue generator for the university. The report specifically praises Lovett and Miracle for recent accomplishments. The history program should be preserved, the report concluded.

Under state law, attorneys argue, professors should be allowed to find out why the history program was shut down a year and a half later with no hearing or explanation.

The emergency policy requires professors to prove their terminations were not justified.

“BUT,” the attorneys wrote, professors “are not allowed to ask questions of, ask for information from, ask for documents from nor elicit testimony from ESU/KBOR, nor can they subpoena or present witnesses. Clearly and without doubt, these procedures do not comport with the clearly established constitutional law.”

“Nevertheless,” the attorneys added, “ESU/KBOR have somehow mandated to OAH that the hearing officers must follow these deficient procedures and amazingly, OAH has acquiesced.”

The attorneys point to comments made by Jennifer Barton, who presided over Miracle’s appeal. Barton said “some other court” would have to address questions about the process being used. The attorneys found irony in the FAQ section of the OAH website, which says “a fair hearing is very similar to a trial in court with witnesses, exhibits, and rules of evidence.”

Barton also said during Miracle’s hearing that no rulings would be made until all appeals had been heard. The hearing officers would then meet together before issuing a ruling.

“Innumerable lawsuits involving the issues here could be avoided if this court will take jurisdiction of this controversy and determine the issue,” the attorneys wrote.

Michael DeCesare, a senior program officer for the American Association of University Professors, said the procedure for appeals that ESU is using “appears to be sharply at odds” with recommended standards. DeCesare said the AAUP has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/20/national-faculty-group-to-investigate-layoffs-finances-and-academic-freedom-at-emporia-state/">concluded its investigation</a>&nbsp;into the dismissal of tenured employees and is preparing a final report for publication.

Earlier this month, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression identified ESU as one of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.thefire.org/news/dumpster-fires-americas-10-worst-colleges-free-speech">10 worst colleges for free speech</a>.

Details of the university’s financial realities or strategic vision haven’t been made public. Other universities faced similar enrollment and financial challenges during the pandemic, but only ESU took advantage of the emergency policy offered by the Board of Regents.

ESU president Ken Hush, in a Feb. 7 email to students and faculty, highlighted ongoing meetings between university and legislative leadership.

“This is a historic session for ESU as we are creating the solutions to solve for the financial realities that have been discovered at ESU and are systemic throughout higher education,” Hush wrote. “To that end, we spent last Tuesday sharing The ESU Model and our strategic vision for the future with key state legislative leaders.”

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican and ESU graduate, applauded “the type of right-sizing they’re doing at Emporia State” in recent newsletters.

“Emporia State has focused on investing in and growing, programs that students, and the employers who hire them, want and need,” Hawkins wrote. “They conducted a complete assessment of their institution, identified inefficiencies and made choices about how to spend their resources in a way that would create the best return for the most students, Kansas businesses, and taxpayers. They moved away from trying to be all things to all people and instead prioritized their resources on programs that Kansas businesses need most.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ESUVigil_13-1024x683.jpg" alt="- Emporia State University junior Sophia Dawson attends a candlelight vigil Sept. 19, 2022, to honor the 33 faculty members affected by recent cuts. (Mason Hart for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>- Emporia State University junior Sophia Dawson attends a candlelight vigil Sept. 19, 2022, to honor the 33 faculty members affected by recent cuts. (Mason Hart for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/20/kansas-senate-president-roll-back-food-tax-relief-so-state-can-afford-flat-tax-plan/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Two Emporia State University professors have asked the Kansas Supreme Court to intervene in “sham” appeals hearings over the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/22/emporia-state-university-faculty-leaders-wait-for-answers-after-rapid-firing-of-tenured-professors/">firing of tenured professors</a>.The court declined to take immediate action to stop the hearings but ordered ESU, the Kansas Board of Regents and Kansas Office of Administrative Hearings to respond within two weeks to complaints outlined in legal filings.The university took unprecedented action in September to eliminate programs and terminate faculty members under an emergency policy&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/14/emporia-state-receives-green-light-to-move-rapidly-with-faculty-program-realignment/">approved by the Board of Regents</a>. The university said the strategic realignment of resources was designed to address enrollment and financial issues.Faculty members weren’t given specific reasons for their termination, and the emergency policy denied them typical due process to contest the termination before the OAH.Attorneys for history professors Christopher Lovett and Amanda Miracle describe an “unconscionable” alternative process in which the professors are not allowed to ask why they were terminated, examine recommendations resulting in the termination, or call witnesses to testify before the appeals officer. The professors are represented by J. Phillip Gragson and Amanda S. Vogelsberg, attorneys at a Topeka-based law firm.“Clearly,” the attorneys wrote in a court filing, “petitioners are being offered ‘sham’ hearings.”“It seriously begs the question … what are the chances of any of the hearing officers ruling against ESU/KBOR on the terminations?” the attorneys wrote. “Slim to none, and the bus is warming up for slim to leave town. There is nothing about this situation (that) resembles an impartial tribunal.”A spokeswoman for ESU said the university doesn’t comment on pending litigation.Under typical university policy, the elimination of a program would require written recommendations and public hearings before the president could make a final decision. The process should take at least 104 days. Affected faculty members would have the right to receive specific grounds for dismissal and examine the record of proceedings leading to termination.Instead, acting under a pandemic-era policy, the university took immediate action Sept. 15 to discontinue programs that include history, English, journalism and debate, and to terminate 33 faculty members, including 21 tenured professors. The university subsequently announced plans to invest in nursing, computer science, music and art.The university hasn’t made public the reasons why specific programs or professors were targeted and others were left alone.The attorneys for Lovett and Miracle point to a document ESU officials presented to the Board of Regents on March 27, 2021, titled “ESU strategic program alignment reviews.” The document highlights the success of the history department as being efficiently operated, with healthy enrollment, and a significant revenue generator for the university. The report specifically praises Lovett and Miracle for recent accomplishments. The history program should be preserved, the report concluded.Under state law, attorneys argue, professors should be allowed to find out why the history program was shut down a year and a half later with no hearing or explanation.The emergency policy requires professors to prove their terminations were not justified.“BUT,” the attorneys wrote, professors “are not allowed to ask questions of, ask for information from, ask for documents from nor elicit testimony from ESU/KBOR, nor can they subpoena or present witnesses. Clearly and without doubt, these procedures do not comport with the clearly established constitutional law.”“Nevertheless,” the attorneys added, “ESU/KBOR have somehow mandated to OAH that the hearing officers must follow these deficient procedures and amazingly, OAH has acquiesced.”The attorneys point to comments made by Jennifer Barton, who presided over Miracle’s appeal. Barton said “some other court” would have to address questions about the process being used. The attorneys found irony in the FAQ section of the OAH website, which says “a fair hearing is very similar to a trial in court with witnesses, exhibits, and rules of evidence.”Barton also said during Miracle’s hearing that no rulings would be made until all appeals had been heard. The hearing officers would then meet together before issuing a ruling.“Innumerable lawsuits involving the issues here could be avoided if this court will take jurisdiction of this controversy and determine the issue,” the attorneys wrote.Michael DeCesare, a senior program officer for the American Association of University Professors, said the procedure for appeals that ESU is using “appears to be sharply at odds” with recommended standards. DeCesare said the AAUP has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/10/20/national-faculty-group-to-investigate-layoffs-finances-and-academic-freedom-at-emporia-state/">concluded its investigation</a>&nbsp;into the dismissal of tenured employees and is preparing a final report for publication.Earlier this month, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression identified ESU as one of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.thefire.org/news/dumpster-fires-americas-10-worst-colleges-free-speech">10 worst colleges for free speech</a>.Details of the university’s financial realities or strategic vision haven’t been made public. Other universities faced similar enrollment and financial challenges during the pandemic, but only ESU took advantage of the emergency policy offered by the Board of Regents.ESU president Ken Hush, in a Feb. 7 email to students and faculty, highlighted ongoing meetings between university and legislative leadership.“This is a historic session for ESU as we are creating the solutions to solve for the financial realities that have been discovered at ESU and are systemic throughout higher education,” Hush wrote. “To that end, we spent last Tuesday sharing The ESU Model and our strategic vision for the future with key state legislative leaders.”House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican and ESU graduate, applauded “the type of right-sizing they’re doing at Emporia State” in recent newsletters.“Emporia State has focused on investing in and growing, programs that students, and the employers who hire them, want and need,” Hawkins wrote. “They conducted a complete assessment of their institution, identified inefficiencies and made choices about how to spend their resources in a way that would create the best return for the most students, Kansas businesses, and taxpayers. They moved away from trying to be all things to all people and instead prioritized their resources on programs that Kansas businesses need most.”

Emporia State professors ask Kan. Supreme Court to halt ‘sham’ hearings

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after a traffic stop.

Just before 8p.m. Sunday, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 35 at Melvern for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, the deputy located illegal.

The driver of the vehicle, Roberta L. Taylor, 53, of Kansas City, MO, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges that of Possession of controlled substances including fentanyl and morphine with intent to distribute and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677528180791.png" alt="Taylor-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Taylor-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations after a traffic stop.Just before 8p.m. Sunday, a sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on Interstate 35 at Melvern for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, the deputy located illegal.The driver of the vehicle, Roberta L. Taylor, 53, of Kansas City, MO, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges that of Possession of controlled substances including fentanyl and morphine with intent to distribute and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Woman wanted to sell fentanyl, morphine in Kansas

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A former state lawmaker was sentenced Tuesday to six years and three months in federal prison for fraud schemes committed while she ran several medical clinics in southwest Missouri.

Tricia Derges, a Republican from Nixa, was also ordered to pay $500,600 in restitution, federal prosecutors said.

She&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-springfield-government-and-politics-8fa7c47948f170ef3b6a16df95380022">was convicted</a>&nbsp;in June 2022 on 22 counts, including wire fraud, illegal distribution of controlled substances and making false statements to investigators.

Derges was elected to the Missouri House in 2020 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-springfield-4cae83eeb02e5ec1c494fcae6c6d8271">resigned</a>&nbsp;days after she was convicted.

Prosecutors said Derges, an assistant physician, falsely told patients she was treating them with stem cells and fraudulently tried to obtain nearly $900,000 in COVID-19 related funds.

Derges founded and operated several medical clinics in southwest Missouri, including Ozark Valley Medical Clinic locations and the nonprofit Lift Up Springfield.

She also was convicted of illegally providing prescriptions for Oxycodone and Adderall to patients without conducting in-person evaluations.

Federal prosecutor Randy Eggert had sought eight years in prison for Derges, while her attorney, Al Watkins, asked for probation.

Before sentencing, Derges touted the thousands of underprivileged individuals she helped through her clinics. She said her mistakes were made “unknowingly” and without criminal intent, the Springfield News-Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/crime/2023/02/28/tricia-derges-sentenced-to-prison-time-for-covid-19-relief-fund-scheme/69949140007/">reported</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1644868593011.png" alt="State Rep. Tricia Derges, R-Nixa (photo courtesy of Missouri House Communications)." />
 <figcaption>State Rep. Tricia Derges, R-Nixa (photo courtesy of Missouri House Communications).</figcaption>
 </figure>SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) — A former state lawmaker was sentenced Tuesday to six years and three months in federal prison for fraud schemes committed while she ran several medical clinics in southwest Missouri.Tricia Derges, a Republican from Nixa, was also ordered to pay $500,600 in restitution, federal prosecutors said.She&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/missouri-springfield-government-and-politics-8fa7c47948f170ef3b6a16df95380022">was convicted</a>&nbsp;in June 2022 on 22 counts, including wire fraud, illegal distribution of controlled substances and making false statements to investigators.Derges was elected to the Missouri House in 2020 and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-springfield-4cae83eeb02e5ec1c494fcae6c6d8271">resigned</a>&nbsp;days after she was convicted.Prosecutors said Derges, an assistant physician, falsely told patients she was treating them with stem cells and fraudulently tried to obtain nearly $900,000 in COVID-19 related funds.Derges founded and operated several medical clinics in southwest Missouri, including Ozark Valley Medical Clinic locations and the nonprofit Lift Up Springfield.She also was convicted of illegally providing prescriptions for Oxycodone and Adderall to patients without conducting in-person evaluations.Federal prosecutor Randy Eggert had sought eight years in prison for Derges, while her attorney, Al Watkins, asked for probation.Before sentencing, Derges touted the thousands of underprivileged individuals she helped through her clinics. She said her mistakes were made “unknowingly” and without criminal intent, the Springfield News-Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/crime/2023/02/28/tricia-derges-sentenced-to-prison-time-for-covid-19-relief-fund-scheme/69949140007/">reported</a>.

Former Missouri lawmaker sentenced for fraud schemes

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a weekend shooting have made a second arrest.&nbsp;

Early Sunday, police were dispatched to the 3200 block of SE Topeka Blvd. on multiple reports of gunfire in the area, according to LT. John Trimble.

Police located one person suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds. A short time later two more victims arrived at local hospital with non-life threatening gunshot wounds.&nbsp;

Later Sunday morning, police investigators identified and arrested a suspect Michael E. Moten II, 27, of Topeka on requested charges of Criminal Discharge of a Firearm at a vehicle.

On Tuesday police reported the arrest of 40-year-old Lonzell R. Lee of Topeka on a requested charge of aggravated battery, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley. Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677597991106.png" alt="Lee-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Lee-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a weekend shooting have made a second arrest.&nbsp;Early Sunday, police were dispatched to the 3200 block of SE Topeka Blvd. on multiple reports of gunfire in the area, according to LT. John Trimble.Police located one person suffering from non-life threatening gunshot wounds. A short time later two more victims arrived at local hospital with non-life threatening gunshot wounds.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677452871962.png" alt="Moten-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Moten-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Later Sunday morning, police investigators identified and arrested a suspect Michael E. Moten II, 27, of Topeka on requested charges of Criminal Discharge of a Firearm at a vehicle.On Tuesday police reported the arrest of 40-year-old Lonzell R. Lee of Topeka on a requested charge of aggravated battery, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley. Police released no additional details.

Police: 2nd Kan. suspect jailed for shooting that injured 3

ELK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal crash that occurred just after 12:30p.m. Tuesday in Elk County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a vehicle was westbound on a Wind Farm Road approximately 5.8 miles north of U.S. 160.

The vehicle turned southbound, overturned and the passenger was ejected. The KHP released no additional details Tuesday evening.&nbsp;

ELK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal crash that occurred just after 12:30p.m. Tuesday in Elk County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a vehicle was westbound on a Wind Farm Road approximately 5.8 miles north of U.S. 160.The vehicle turned southbound, overturned and the passenger was ejected. The KHP released no additional details Tuesday evening.&nbsp;Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

KHP investigating fatal rollover crash

WASHINGTON (AP) —Conservative justices holding the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court's majority</a>&nbsp;seem ready to sink&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">President Joe Biden's plan to wipe away or reduce student loans</a>&nbsp;held by millions of Americans.

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2022/22-506">Click here to listen&nbsp;to a replay</a>&nbsp;of the oral arguments in Biden v. Nebraska

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2022/22-535">Click here to listen&nbsp;to a replay</a>&nbsp;of the oral arguments in Board of Ed v. Brown

In arguments lasting more than three hours Tuesday, Chief Justice John Roberts led his conservative colleagues in questioning the administration's authority to broadly cancel federal student loans because of the COVID-19 emergency.

Loan payments that have been on hold since the start of the coronavirus pandemic three years ago are supposed to resume no later than this summer. Without the loan relief promised by the Biden plan, the administration's top Supreme Court lawyer said, “delinquencies and defaults will surge.”

The plan has so far been blocked by Republican-appointed judges on lower courts. It did not appear to fare any better with the six justices appointed by Republican presidents.

Biden's only hope for being allowed to move forward appeared to be the slim possibility, based on the arguments, that the court would find that Republican-led states and individuals challenging the plan lacked the legal right to sue.

That would allow the court to dismiss the lawsuits at a threshold stage, without ruling on the basic idea of the loan forgiveness program that appeared to trouble the justices on the court's right side.

Roberts was among the justices who grilled Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar and suggested that the administration had exceeded its authority.

Three times, the chief justice said the program would cost a half-trillion dollars, pointing to its wide impact and hefty expense as reasons the administration should have gotten explicit approval from Congress. The program, which the administration says is grounded in a 2003 law that was enacted in response to the military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. is estimated to cost $400 billion over 30 years.

“If you're talking about this in the abstract, I think most casual observers would say if you're going to give up that much ... money, if you're going to affect the obligations of that many Americans on a subject that's of great controversy, they would think that's something for Congress to act on,” Roberts said.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh suggested he agreed, saying it “seems problematic” for the administration to use an "old law” to unilaterally implement a debt relief program that Congress had declined to adopt.

Neither justice seemed swayed by Prelogar's explanation that the administration was citing the national emergency created by the pandemic as authority for the debt relief program under a law commonly known as the HEROES Act.

“Some of the biggest mistakes in the court’s history were deferring to assertions of executive emergency power," Kavanaugh said. “Some of the finest moments in the court’s history were pushing back against presidential assertions of emergency power.”

At another point, though, Kavanaugh suggested the program might be on firmer legal ground than other pandemic-related programs that were ended by the court's conservative majority, including an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-courts-pandemics-coronavirus-pandemic-daa34fb48a04dc9f3ddad94fb6b4cbb2">eviction moratorium</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-vaccine-mandate-eb5899ae1fe5b62b6f4d51f54a3cd375">requirement for vaccines or frequent testing</a>&nbsp;in large workplaces.

Those earlier programs halted by the court were billed largely as public health measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19. The loan forgiveness plan, by contrast, is aimed at countering the economic effects of the pandemic.

Prelogar and some of the liberal justices sought several times to turn the arguments back to the people who would benefit from the program. The administration says that 26 million people have applied to have up to $20,000 in federal student loans forgiven under the plan.

"The states ask this court to deny this vital relief to millions of Americans,” she said.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor said her fellow justices will be making a mistake if they take for themselves, instead of leaving it to education experts, “the right to decide how much aid to give” people who will struggle if the program is struck down.

“Their financial situation will be even worse because once you default, the hardship on you is exponentially greater. You can’t get credit. You’re going to pay higher prices for things,” Sotomayor said.

But Roberts pointed to evident favoritism.

He offered a hypothetical example of a person who passes up college to start a lawn service with borrowed money. “Nobody’s telling the person who is trying to set up the lawn service business that he doesn’t have to pay his loan,” Roberts said.

Republican-led states and lawmakers in Congress, as well as conservative legal interests, are lined up against the plan as a violation of Biden’s executive authority. Democratic-led states and liberal interest groups are backing the administration in urging the court to allow the plan to take effect.

The justices’ questions mirrored the partisan political divide over the issue, with conservatives arguing that non-college workers should not be penalized and liberals arguing for the break for the college educated.

Speaking on the eve of the arguments, Biden had said, "I’m confident the legal authority to carry that plan is there.”

The president, who once doubted his own authority to broadly cancel student debt, first announced the program in August.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-student-loan-cancellation-79f7530363c7f15166d8c9cda3a6cddb">Legal challenges quickly followed</a>.

The administration says the HEROES Act allows the secretary of education to waive or modify the terms of federal student loans in connection with a national emergency. The law was primarily intended to keep service members from being hurt financially while they fought in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Nebraska and other states that sued say the 20 million borrowers who would have their entire loans erased would get a “windfall” leaving them better off than before the pandemic.

“This is the creation of a brand new program, far beyond what Congress intended,” Nebraska Solicitor General James Campbell said in court Tuesday.

The national emergency is expected to end May 11, but the administration says the economic consequences will persist, despite historically low unemployment and other signs of economic strength.

In addition to the debate over the authority to forgive student debt, the court is confronting whether the states and two individuals whose challenge also is before the justices have the legal right, or standing, to sue.

Parties generally have to show that they would suffer financial harm in order to have standing in cases such as this. A federal judge initially found that the states would not be harmed and dismissed their lawsuit before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-education-st-louis-student-loans-cf8136bfc75bd70839e9326cabbbf029">an appellate panel said the case could proceed</a>.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the three liberal justices in repeatedly questioning Nebraska's Campbell on that issue. But it would take at least one other conservative vote to form a majority.

Of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-texas-education-donald-trump-student-loans-f2e944d85e95792089fa1e2fb9858287">two individuals who sued in Texas</a>, one has student loans that are commercially held and the other is eligible for $10,000 in debt relief, not the $20,000 maximum. They would get nothing if they win their case.

Among those in the courtroom Tuesday was Kayla Smith, a recent graduate of the University of Georgia, who camped out near the court the night before in order to get a seat. Biden’s plan would lift a burden for her mother, who borrowed more than $20,000 in federal student loans to help Smith attend college.

“It just seems kind of messed up that college is the expectation, higher education is the expectation, but then at the same time, people’s lives are being ruined,” said Smith, 22, who lives in Atlanta.

The arguments could be listened to live on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvUGa6q20yk">AP youtube channel</a>&nbsp;or on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/">court’s website</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677600472863.png" alt="Student debt relief advocates gather outside the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, ahead of arguments over President Joe Biden's student debt relief plan. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)" />
 <figcaption>Student debt relief advocates gather outside the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, ahead of arguments over President Joe Biden's student debt relief plan. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Conservative justices holding the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/us-supreme-court">Supreme Court's majority</a>&nbsp;seem ready to sink&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">President Joe Biden's plan to wipe away or reduce student loans</a>&nbsp;held by millions of Americans.<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2022/22-506">Click here to listen&nbsp;to a replay</a>&nbsp;of the oral arguments in Biden v. Nebraska<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2022/22-535">Click here to listen&nbsp;to a replay</a>&nbsp;of the oral arguments in Board of Ed v. BrownIn arguments lasting more than three hours Tuesday, Chief Justice John Roberts led his conservative colleagues in questioning the administration's authority to broadly cancel federal student loans because of the COVID-19 emergency.Loan payments that have been on hold since the start of the coronavirus pandemic three years ago are supposed to resume no later than this summer. Without the loan relief promised by the Biden plan, the administration's top Supreme Court lawyer said, “delinquencies and defaults will surge.”The plan has so far been blocked by Republican-appointed judges on lower courts. It did not appear to fare any better with the six justices appointed by Republican presidents.Biden's only hope for being allowed to move forward appeared to be the slim possibility, based on the arguments, that the court would find that Republican-led states and individuals challenging the plan lacked the legal right to sue.That would allow the court to dismiss the lawsuits at a threshold stage, without ruling on the basic idea of the loan forgiveness program that appeared to trouble the justices on the court's right side.Roberts was among the justices who grilled Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar and suggested that the administration had exceeded its authority.Three times, the chief justice said the program would cost a half-trillion dollars, pointing to its wide impact and hefty expense as reasons the administration should have gotten explicit approval from Congress. The program, which the administration says is grounded in a 2003 law that was enacted in response to the military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. is estimated to cost $400 billion over 30 years.“If you're talking about this in the abstract, I think most casual observers would say if you're going to give up that much ... money, if you're going to affect the obligations of that many Americans on a subject that's of great controversy, they would think that's something for Congress to act on,” Roberts said.Justice Brett Kavanaugh suggested he agreed, saying it “seems problematic” for the administration to use an "old law” to unilaterally implement a debt relief program that Congress had declined to adopt.Neither justice seemed swayed by Prelogar's explanation that the administration was citing the national emergency created by the pandemic as authority for the debt relief program under a law commonly known as the HEROES Act.“Some of the biggest mistakes in the court’s history were deferring to assertions of executive emergency power," Kavanaugh said. “Some of the finest moments in the court’s history were pushing back against presidential assertions of emergency power.”At another point, though, Kavanaugh suggested the program might be on firmer legal ground than other pandemic-related programs that were ended by the court's conservative majority, including an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-courts-pandemics-coronavirus-pandemic-daa34fb48a04dc9f3ddad94fb6b4cbb2">eviction moratorium</a>&nbsp;and a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-vaccine-mandate-eb5899ae1fe5b62b6f4d51f54a3cd375">requirement for vaccines or frequent testing</a>&nbsp;in large workplaces.Those earlier programs halted by the court were billed largely as public health measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19. The loan forgiveness plan, by contrast, is aimed at countering the economic effects of the pandemic.Prelogar and some of the liberal justices sought several times to turn the arguments back to the people who would benefit from the program. The administration says that 26 million people have applied to have up to $20,000 in federal student loans forgiven under the plan."The states ask this court to deny this vital relief to millions of Americans,” she said.Justice Sonia Sotomayor said her fellow justices will be making a mistake if they take for themselves, instead of leaving it to education experts, “the right to decide how much aid to give” people who will struggle if the program is struck down.“Their financial situation will be even worse because once you default, the hardship on you is exponentially greater. You can’t get credit. You’re going to pay higher prices for things,” Sotomayor said.But Roberts pointed to evident favoritism.He offered a hypothetical example of a person who passes up college to start a lawn service with borrowed money. “Nobody’s telling the person who is trying to set up the lawn service business that he doesn’t have to pay his loan,” Roberts said.Republican-led states and lawmakers in Congress, as well as conservative legal interests, are lined up against the plan as a violation of Biden’s executive authority. Democratic-led states and liberal interest groups are backing the administration in urging the court to allow the plan to take effect.The justices’ questions mirrored the partisan political divide over the issue, with conservatives arguing that non-college workers should not be penalized and liberals arguing for the break for the college educated.Speaking on the eve of the arguments, Biden had said, "I’m confident the legal authority to carry that plan is there.”The president, who once doubted his own authority to broadly cancel student debt, first announced the program in August.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-student-loan-cancellation-79f7530363c7f15166d8c9cda3a6cddb">Legal challenges quickly followed</a>.The administration says the HEROES Act allows the secretary of education to waive or modify the terms of federal student loans in connection with a national emergency. The law was primarily intended to keep service members from being hurt financially while they fought in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.Nebraska and other states that sued say the 20 million borrowers who would have their entire loans erased would get a “windfall” leaving them better off than before the pandemic.“This is the creation of a brand new program, far beyond what Congress intended,” Nebraska Solicitor General James Campbell said in court Tuesday.The national emergency is expected to end May 11, but the administration says the economic consequences will persist, despite historically low unemployment and other signs of economic strength.In addition to the debate over the authority to forgive student debt, the court is confronting whether the states and two individuals whose challenge also is before the justices have the legal right, or standing, to sue.Parties generally have to show that they would suffer financial harm in order to have standing in cases such as this. A federal judge initially found that the states would not be harmed and dismissed their lawsuit before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-business-education-st-louis-student-loans-cf8136bfc75bd70839e9326cabbbf029">an appellate panel said the case could proceed</a>.Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined the three liberal justices in repeatedly questioning Nebraska's Campbell on that issue. But it would take at least one other conservative vote to form a majority.Of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-texas-education-donald-trump-student-loans-f2e944d85e95792089fa1e2fb9858287">two individuals who sued in Texas</a>, one has student loans that are commercially held and the other is eligible for $10,000 in debt relief, not the $20,000 maximum. They would get nothing if they win their case.Among those in the courtroom Tuesday was Kayla Smith, a recent graduate of the University of Georgia, who camped out near the court the night before in order to get a seat. Biden’s plan would lift a burden for her mother, who borrowed more than $20,000 in federal student loans to help Smith attend college.“It just seems kind of messed up that college is the expectation, higher education is the expectation, but then at the same time, people’s lives are being ruined,” said Smith, 22, who lives in Atlanta.The arguments could be listened to live on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvUGa6q20yk">AP youtube channel</a>&nbsp;or on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/">court’s website</a>.A decision is expected by late June.___

🎤Supreme Court seems ready to reject student loan forgiveness

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Survivors of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/st-louis-shootings-crime-5aa844c9d070bb4e6fc64151da76d6a4">a deadly school shooting</a>&nbsp;in St. Louis on Tuesday shared art, music and stories about gun violence at the Missouri Capitol while advocating for lawmakers to act.

“We want to hear the specific actions you are taking to prevent tragedies like this one from happening again in our state and our country," 17-year-old Bryanna Love told reporters. “We — all of us — deserve more than empty promises. We deserve action.”

A 19-year-old gunman killed two people and injured seven others in an Oct. 24 shooting at the Central Visual Arts and Performing Arts High School, which Love attends. It was among the deadliest school shootings in the U.S. last year. Tenth-grader Alexzandria Bell and 61-year-old physical education teacher Jean Kuczka died before police killed the gunman, former student Orlando Harris, in an exchange of gunfire.

In a letter she read aloud, Love said “every morning you get ready for school, you are acutely aware that life is not guaranteed.”

Love and several dozen other students from the school said they want lawmakers to listen to them and do something about gun violence. Several St. Louis Democrats attended the news conference.

Republican Gov. Mike Parson on Monday signed legislation to set aside $20 million for school safety grants in response to the shooting.

Democratic lawmakers filed bills to raise the age to purchase firearms from 18 to 21 and to institute red-flag laws, which are aimed at keeping firearms away from people who may be a danger to themselves or others. But in Missouri’s Republican-led Legislature, any effort to limit access to firearms faces steep opposition.

Ryane Owens, an 18-year-old senior at Central Visual Arts and Performing Arts High School, described the anger and confusion she felt on the day of the shooting.

She said her painting, titled “Waiting for Something to Happen,” depicts mania after a traumatic event. Owens painted her friend head down on a plate of food at a table, a glass of spilled milk and a bowl of pills in milk. A lidless eye reads a newspaper about impending apocalyptic natural disasters and a picture on the wall shows an eye being held forcibly open.

Owens said she catches herself constantly checking for exits and worries about keeping her family safe.

Angel Muhammad, a 17-year-old junior,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/teaching-distance-learning-st-louis-education-dab5ea006af89d2b9871290554c9399d">and other students</a>&nbsp;sang “Pumped Up Kicks” by alternative rock band Foster the People. The song, which is a protest against gun violence, describes a school shooting from the perpetrator's perspective, warning children to “run faster than my bullets.”

Muhammad asked lawmakers to listen to students and consider passing a red-flag law.

“No one wants to see another tragedy like this happen to anyone,” Muhammad said.

Harris, 19, had a long history of mental health problems. Police said relatives monitored his mail and often checked his room&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-crime-shootings-school-st-louis-1e139ab0f9b9f3b06221ec38a28596f8">to make sure he did not have a weapon</a>.

In fact, Harris’ mother called police on Oct. 15 after she found an AR-15-style rifle and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-crime-shootings-school-mental-88014a3f411d8c2be1cccda7be9ab52f">wanted it removed</a>. But police said in a statement days after the shooting that officers “did not have clear authority" to seize the weapon.

Instead, someone known to the family took the gun away, but Harris was somehow able to get it back.

Love said she knows one of the officers who responded to the mother's call who couldn't remove the gun because of “legal loopholes.” She said that officer lives with guilt.

“We can prevent this from happening in the future — it begins here with you,” Love said. “The more we allow gun violence to run rampant in the streets of Missouri, the bloodier your hands become.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677615035053.png" alt="Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Monday signed legislation to set aside $20 million for school safety grants in response to the shooting.photo courtesy Rep. Crystal Quade" />
 <figcaption>Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Monday signed legislation to set aside $20 million for school safety grants in response to the shooting.photo courtesy Rep. Crystal Quade</figcaption>
 </figure>JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Survivors of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/st-louis-shootings-crime-5aa844c9d070bb4e6fc64151da76d6a4">a deadly school shooting</a>&nbsp;in St. Louis on Tuesday shared art, music and stories about gun violence at the Missouri Capitol while advocating for lawmakers to act.“We want to hear the specific actions you are taking to prevent tragedies like this one from happening again in our state and our country," 17-year-old Bryanna Love told reporters. “We — all of us — deserve more than empty promises. We deserve action.”A 19-year-old gunman killed two people and injured seven others in an Oct. 24 shooting at the Central Visual Arts and Performing Arts High School, which Love attends. It was among the deadliest school shootings in the U.S. last year. Tenth-grader Alexzandria Bell and 61-year-old physical education teacher Jean Kuczka died before police killed the gunman, former student Orlando Harris, in an exchange of gunfire.In a letter she read aloud, Love said “every morning you get ready for school, you are acutely aware that life is not guaranteed.”Love and several dozen other students from the school said they want lawmakers to listen to them and do something about gun violence. Several St. Louis Democrats attended the news conference.Republican Gov. Mike Parson on Monday signed legislation to set aside $20 million for school safety grants in response to the shooting.Democratic lawmakers filed bills to raise the age to purchase firearms from 18 to 21 and to institute red-flag laws, which are aimed at keeping firearms away from people who may be a danger to themselves or others. But in Missouri’s Republican-led Legislature, any effort to limit access to firearms faces steep opposition.Ryane Owens, an 18-year-old senior at Central Visual Arts and Performing Arts High School, described the anger and confusion she felt on the day of the shooting.She said her painting, titled “Waiting for Something to Happen,” depicts mania after a traumatic event. Owens painted her friend head down on a plate of food at a table, a glass of spilled milk and a bowl of pills in milk. A lidless eye reads a newspaper about impending apocalyptic natural disasters and a picture on the wall shows an eye being held forcibly open.Owens said she catches herself constantly checking for exits and worries about keeping her family safe.Angel Muhammad, a 17-year-old junior,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/teaching-distance-learning-st-louis-education-dab5ea006af89d2b9871290554c9399d">and other students</a>&nbsp;sang “Pumped Up Kicks” by alternative rock band Foster the People. The song, which is a protest against gun violence, describes a school shooting from the perpetrator's perspective, warning children to “run faster than my bullets.”Muhammad asked lawmakers to listen to students and consider passing a red-flag law.“No one wants to see another tragedy like this happen to anyone,” Muhammad said.Harris, 19, had a long history of mental health problems. Police said relatives monitored his mail and often checked his room&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-crime-shootings-school-st-louis-1e139ab0f9b9f3b06221ec38a28596f8">to make sure he did not have a weapon</a>.In fact, Harris’ mother called police on Oct. 15 after she found an AR-15-style rifle and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-crime-shootings-school-mental-88014a3f411d8c2be1cccda7be9ab52f">wanted it removed</a>. But police said in a statement days after the shooting that officers “did not have clear authority" to seize the weapon.Instead, someone known to the family took the gun away, but Harris was somehow able to get it back.Love said she knows one of the officers who responded to the mother's call who couldn't remove the gun because of “legal loopholes.” She said that officer lives with guilt.“We can prevent this from happening in the future — it begins here with you,” Love said. “The more we allow gun violence to run rampant in the streets of Missouri, the bloodier your hands become.”

School shooting survivors call on Missouri lawmakers to act

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Monday her first visit to Ukraine underscored Washington's commitment to continuing its economic support for the country, as the din of air raid sirens echoed across the Ukrainian capital.

Yellen said following talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal that the US has provided nearly $50 billion in security, economic and humanitarian assistance and announced another multibillion dollar package to boost the country's economy.

Shmyhal offered thanks to the U.S. for its support and hailed Yellen as a "friend of Ukraine.” He said Ukraine's budget deficit now stands at $38 billion and that the U.S. will provide another $10 billion in assistance by September.

Shmyhal and Yellen also discussed sanctions aimed at weakening Russia's economy as well as the possibility of using Russian frozen assets to help in Ukraine's economic recovery.

Yellen repeated U.S. President Joe Biden's message that Washington will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. She underscored the importance of fighting corruption, praising Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for enacting measures to ensure transparency in how the assistance is spent.

The U.S. official also visited a renovated school that had its windows blown out by the blast wave from a Russian missile that landed nearby in March. She also announced an additional transfer of $1.2 billion, the first tranche of the $10 billion assistance package.

“Maintaining an effective government is indispensable to Ukraine’s capacity to respond to Russian attacks and other emergencies,” said Yellen. “Our economic support is keeping essential public services running. These services maintain economic and social stability in Ukraine”.

Addressing the school's students and teachers, Yeller said they are helping to “write history" in a country that is “a central force in the history of the free world."

“America stands with you in this fight for freedom, and we will be by your side and help you rebuild”.

Yellen also met with Zelenskyy and other top officials, including the head of Ukraine’s National Bank.

Zelenskyy posted on Telegram after the meeting with Yellen that it is “necessary to strengthen further sanctions to deprive Russia of the ability to finance the war.”

Yellen also laid the flowers at the Wall of Remembrance dedicated to fallen soldiers and met Ukrainian landmine removal experts whose equipment was financed with US funds.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/2/1677611855709.png" alt="U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Ambassador Brink&nbsp; are looking at destroyed Russian tanks in St. Michael's Square in Kyiv on Monday-Photo courtesy U.S. Dept. of Treasury" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Ambassador Brink&nbsp; are looking at destroyed Russian tanks in St. Michael's Square in Kyiv on Monday-Photo courtesy U.S. Dept. of Treasury</figcaption>
 </figure>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Monday her first visit to Ukraine underscored Washington's commitment to continuing its economic support for the country, as the din of air raid sirens echoed across the Ukrainian capital.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The U.S. will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. I commend <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZelenskyyUa</a> for his leadership, and thank him for our discussion on support from the U.S. and allies – including the announcement today of the transfer of the first $1.25B in U.S. support this year. <a href="https://t.co/kHafuGjinR">pic.twitter.com/kHafuGjinR</a>&mdash; Secretary Janet Yellen (@SecYellen) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecYellen/status/1630254898854998019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Yellen said following talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal that the US has provided nearly $50 billion in security, economic and humanitarian assistance and announced another multibillion dollar package to boost the country's economy.Shmyhal offered thanks to the U.S. for its support and hailed Yellen as a "friend of Ukraine.” He said Ukraine's budget deficit now stands at $38 billion and that the U.S. will provide another $10 billion in assistance by September.Shmyhal and Yellen also discussed sanctions aimed at weakening Russia's economy as well as the possibility of using Russian frozen assets to help in Ukraine's economic recovery.Yellen repeated U.S. President Joe Biden's message that Washington will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. She underscored the importance of fighting corruption, praising Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for enacting measures to ensure transparency in how the assistance is spent.The U.S. official also visited a renovated school that had its windows blown out by the blast wave from a Russian missile that landed nearby in March. She also announced an additional transfer of $1.2 billion, the first tranche of the $10 billion assistance package.“Maintaining an effective government is indispensable to Ukraine’s capacity to respond to Russian attacks and other emergencies,” said Yellen. “Our economic support is keeping essential public services running. These services maintain economic and social stability in Ukraine”.Addressing the school's students and teachers, Yeller said they are helping to “write history" in a country that is “a central force in the history of the free world."“America stands with you in this fight for freedom, and we will be by your side and help you rebuild”.Yellen also met with Zelenskyy and other top officials, including the head of Ukraine’s National Bank.Zelenskyy posted on Telegram after the meeting with Yellen that it is “necessary to strengthen further sanctions to deprive Russia of the ability to finance the war.”Yellen also laid the flowers at the Wall of Remembrance dedicated to fallen soldiers and met Ukrainian landmine removal experts whose equipment was financed with US funds.

Treasury Sec. announces more U.S. financial support for Ukraine  

WASHINGTON (AP) — A crucial question has eluded governments and health agencies around the world since the COVID-19 pandemic began: Did the virus originate in animals or leak from a Chinese lab?

(Click below to watch: John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, downplays COVID lab leak report)

Now, the U.S. Department of Energy has assessed with “low confidence” in that it began with a lab leak, according to a person familiar with the report who wasn’t authorized to discuss it. The report has not been made public.

But others in the U.S. intelligence community disagree.

“There is not a consensus right now in the U.S. government about exactly how COVID started,” John Kirby, the spokesman for the National Security Council, said Monday. “There is just not an intelligence community consensus.”

The DOE's conclusion was first reported over the weekend in the Wall Street Journal, which said the classified report was based on new intelligence and noted in an update to a 2021 document. The DOE oversees a national network of labs.

White House officials on Monday declined to confirm press reports about the assessment.

In 2021, officials released an intelligence report summary that said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-coronavirus-pandemic-2570b89545d4332b8a3bd7289982aa22">four members of the U.S. intelligence community believed</a>&nbsp;with low confidence that the virus was first transmitted from an animal to a human, and a fifth believed with moderate confidence that the first human infection was linked to a lab.

While some scientists are open to the lab-leak theory, others continue to believe the virus came from animals, mutated, and jumped into people — as has happened in the past with viruses. Experts say the true origin of the pandemic may not be known for many years — if ever.

The U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on the report. All 18 offices of the U.S. intelligence community had access to the information the DOE used in reaching its assessment.

Alina Chan, a molecular biologist at the Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, said she isn’t sure what new intelligence the agencies had, but “it’s reasonable to infer” it relates to activities at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. She said a 2018 research proposal co-authored by scientists there and their U.S. collaborators “essentially described a blueprint for COVID-like viruses.”

ASSOCIATED PRESSWASHINGTON (AP) — A crucial question has eluded governments and health agencies around the world since the COVID-19 pandemic began: Did the virus originate in animals or leak from a Chinese lab?(Click below to watch: John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, downplays COVID lab leak report)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F161756043333991%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=576" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>Now, the U.S. Department of Energy has assessed with “low confidence” in that it began with a lab leak, according to a person familiar with the report who wasn’t authorized to discuss it. The report has not been made public.But others in the U.S. intelligence community disagree.“There is not a consensus right now in the U.S. government about exactly how COVID started,” John Kirby, the spokesman for the National Security Council, said Monday. “There is just not an intelligence community consensus.”The DOE's conclusion was first reported over the weekend in the Wall Street Journal, which said the classified report was based on new intelligence and noted in an update to a 2021 document. The DOE oversees a national network of labs.White House officials on Monday declined to confirm press reports about the assessment.In 2021, officials released an intelligence report summary that said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-coronavirus-pandemic-2570b89545d4332b8a3bd7289982aa22">four members of the U.S. intelligence community believed</a>&nbsp;with low confidence that the virus was first transmitted from an animal to a human, and a fifth believed with moderate confidence that the first human infection was linked to a lab.While some scientists are open to the lab-leak theory, others continue to believe the virus came from animals, mutated, and jumped into people — as has happened in the past with viruses. Experts say the true origin of the pandemic may not be known for many years — if ever.CALLS FOR MORE INVESTIGATIONThe U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on the report. All 18 offices of the U.S. intelligence community had access to the information the DOE used in reaching its assessment.Alina Chan, a molecular biologist at the Broad Institute of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard, said she isn’t sure what new intelligence the agencies had, but “it’s reasonable to infer” it relates to activities at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China. She said a 2018 research proposal co-authored by scientists there and their U.S. collaborators “essentially described a blueprint for COVID-like viruses.”“Less than two years later, such a virus was causing an outbreak in the city,” she said.The Wuhan institute had been studying coronaviruses for years, in part because of widespread concerns — tracing back to SARS — that coronaviruses could be the source of the next pandemic.No intelligence agency has said they believe the coronavirus that caused COVID-19 was released intentionally. The unclassified 2021 summary was clear on this point, saying: “We judge the virus was not developed as a biological weapon.”“Lab accidents happen at a surprising frequency. A lot of people don’t really hear about lab accidents because they're not talked about publicly,” said Chan, who co-authored a book about the search for COVID-19 origins. Such accidents "underscore a need to make work with highly dangerous pathogens more transparent and more accountable.”Last year, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-world-organization-government-and-politics-8662c2bc1784d3dea33f61caa6089ac2">World Health Organization recommended</a>&nbsp;a deeper probe into a possible lab accident. Chan said she hopes the latest report sparks more investigation in the United States.China has called the suggestion that COVID-19 came from a Chinese laboratory “ baseless.”SUPPORT FOR ANIMAL THEORY<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-covid-19-083bd75a801f9824e0b9ad7316062a5c">Many scientists believe</a>&nbsp;the animal-to-human theory of the coronavirus remains much more plausible. They theorize it emerged in the wild and jumped from bats to humans, either directly or through another animal.In a 2021 research paper in the journal Cell, scientists said the COVID-19 virus is the ninth documented coronavirus to infect humans — and all the previous ones originated in animals.Two studies, published last year by the journal Science, bolstered the animal origin theory. That research found that the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan was likely the early epicenter. Scientists concluded that the virus likely spilled from animals into people two separate times.“The scientific literature contains essentially nothing but original research articles that support a natural origin of this virus pandemic," said Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona who has extensively studied COVID-19's origins.He said the fact that others in the intelligence community looked at the same information as the DOE and “it apparently didn't move the needle speaks volumes.” He said he takes such intelligence assessments with a grain of salt because he doesn't think the people making them “have the scientific expertise ... to really understand the most important evidence that they need to understand.”The U.S. should be more transparent and release the new intelligence that apparently swayed the DOE, Worobey said.REACTION TO THE REPORTThe DOE conclusion comes to light as House Republicans have been using their new majority power to investigate all aspects of the pandemic, including the origin, as well as what they contend were officials’ efforts to conceal the fact that it leaked from a lab in Wuhan. Earlier this month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-us-republican-party-brad-wenstrup-james-comer-anthony-fauci-5fdee072d1d60ae097e7044c73a5d3ca">Republicans sent letters</a>&nbsp;to Dr. Anthony Fauci, National Intelligence Director Avril Haines, Health Secretary Xavier Beccera and others as part of their investigative efforts.The now retired Fauci, who served as the country’s top infectious disease expert under both Republican and Democratic presidents, has called the GOP criticism nonsense.Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has asked the Biden administration to provide Congress with “a full and thorough” briefing on the report and the evidence behind it.Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, emphasized that President Joe Biden believes it's important to know what happened "so we can better prevent future pandemics” but that such research “must be done in a safe and secure manner and as transparent as possible to the rest of the world.”___