KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run have filed charges against the driver.

Kelsi Ann Carmack, 24, of Kansas City, Kan., is charged with felony failure to stop at an accident resulting in death, according to the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office.

Just before 8a.m. Thursday, a vehicle driven by Carmack struck a man identified as 94-year-old William J. Ward of Leawood, Kansas&nbsp;in the parking garage at the University of Kansas Cancer Center,&nbsp;2650 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Westwood, Kansas.&nbsp; Ward died of his injuries.

Carmack left the scene of the accident, according to police but was located and taken in for questioning, according to Sheriff Calvin Hayden.

Carmack was later booked into the Johnson County Jail and has met the requirement of a $7,500 bond. She is due in court April 10, according to online jail records.

Despite the tragedy, KU Cancer Center officials said care continued inside the facility.&nbsp; The hospital released a statement on the tragedy.

"Employees and health system leaders are feeling what many in our community are experiencing… shock and extreme sadness in this moment. We are dedicated to helping and healing patients, and so the news that this accident involved an employee is especially tragic to us on many levels."

"We are also extremely proud of how employees stayed focused on providing care to the many patients with clinic visits and cancer care appointments immediately after the accident and throughout the day. That patient care continues at the Cancer Center uninterrupted. We are providing counselors to anyone and everyone at the cancer center that feels a need. Our thoughts are with the families of all involved in this tragic accident."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711760936115.png" alt="Carmack-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Carmack-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run have filed charges against the driver.Kelsi Ann Carmack, 24, of Kansas City, Kan., is charged with felony failure to stop at an accident resulting in death, according to the Johnson County District Attorney’s Office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711707455954.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 8a.m. Thursday, a vehicle driven by Carmack struck a man identified as 94-year-old William J. Ward of Leawood, Kansas&nbsp;in the parking garage at the University of Kansas Cancer Center,&nbsp;2650 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Westwood, Kansas.&nbsp; Ward died of his injuries.Carmack left the scene of the accident, according to police but was located and taken in for questioning, according to Sheriff Calvin Hayden.Carmack was later booked into the Johnson County Jail and has met the requirement of a $7,500 bond. She is due in court April 10, according to online jail records.Despite the tragedy, KU Cancer Center officials said care continued inside the facility.&nbsp; The hospital released a statement on the tragedy."Employees and health system leaders are feeling what many in our community are experiencing… shock and extreme sadness in this moment. We are dedicated to helping and healing patients, and so the news that this accident involved an employee is especially tragic to us on many levels.""We are also extremely proud of how employees stayed focused on providing care to the many patients with clinic visits and cancer care appointments immediately after the accident and throughout the day. That patient care continues at the Cancer Center uninterrupted. We are providing counselors to anyone and everyone at the cancer center that feels a need. Our thoughts are with the families of all involved in this tragic accident."

Kansas woman charged in fatal hit-and-run at KU Cancer Center

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The future of the Royals and Chiefs in Kansas City was being shaped Tuesday as residents of Jackson County, Missouri, voted on whether to extend a sales tax to help to pay for a new downtown ballpark and major renovations to Arrowhead Stadium.

In what is expected to be a close ballot measure, voters were being asked to essentially replace the existing three-eighths of a cent sales tax that has been paying for the upkeep at the Truman Sports Complex — the home of Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums for more than 50 years — with a new three-eighths of a cent tax that would be in place for the next 40 years.

The Royals, who have pledged at least $1 billion from ownership for their project, would use their share of the tax revenue to help fund a $2 billion-plus ballpark district, while the Super Bowl-champion Chiefs — who have committed $300 million of their own money — would use their share as part of an $800 million overhaul of Arrowhead Stadium.

“We're the second-smallest city with both an NFL franchise and a Major League Baseball club, and we want to sustain ourselves as a major league city," said John Sherman, the Kansas City businessman who purchased the Royals five years ago. "We want to make sure these franchises thrive here for another 50 years.”

As part of new lease terms, the franchises have pledged $260 million, or about $3.5 million annually, that a committee appointed by the county and teams would funnel toward social and economic causes in the community.

“I think it's a great project for the city," said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who voted early Tuesday. “I lived this in Philadelphia. I went through the same type of project there. And right when you don't think it's going to get done, it gets done.”

Neither franchise has said what it would do if the tax fails, only that they would explore all their options, which would include leaving Kansas City. The current lease at the Truman Sports Complex lasts through Jan. 31, 2031.

The tax extension — or, more accurately, the stadium plans — has been met with significant public pushback.

Last fall, the Royals unveiled two potential locations for their ballpark district, one on the eastern edge of downtown and the other across the Missouri River in Clay County, Missouri. But they kept pushing back a self-imposed deadline to finalize their location, and in February, they announced they had scrapped both concepts for a different downtown location.

The new area, known as the Crossroads, has a vibrant arts and restaurant scene, and it is just blocks away from the T-Mobile Center and the bustling Power &amp; Light entertainment district. It also is close to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the 18th &amp; Vine district, which is home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

“I think everyone has the same mixed feelings,” said Deidre Chasteen, a voter from Independence, Missouri, who remembers attending games downtown at old Municipal Stadium when the Royals played there from 1969-72.

“It's not that we mind paying the three-eighths-cent sales tax. I think the problem is putting the stadium where it is,” she said. “We're not saying they don't need a new stadium. We're saying don't ruin businesses that have been established down there for years.”

There were plenty of questions weighing on voters' minds.

For one thing, the latest ballpark renderings were made obsolete just last week when the Royals acquiesced to Mayor Quinton Lucas' request that a major street that would have been part of the stadium footprint remain open. Lucas did not endorse the tax initiative until late last week, after the Royals agreed to the change.

The club also has not reached sales agreements with many landowners in the Crossroads, and other businesses have expressed concerns about traffic, congestion and parking in an already thriving neighborhood.

“A lot of that will be discussed after April 2 with the city and the neighborhood,” Sherman said, adding that he believes many of “their businesses will boom” when the stadium drives thousands of fans downtown at least 81 times a year.

Sarah Tourville, the Royals’ executive vice president, said the goal is to move into the stadium for opening day in 2028.

The Royals moved from Municipal Stadium to Kauffman Stadium in 1973 and extensively renovated the ballpark from 2009-12. Arrowhead Stadium was built alongside Kauffman Stadium and also was renovated around the same time.

While the Royals insist on playing in a new ballpark, the Chiefs want to stay put with a renovation that would touch every aspect of their 52-year-old building, from the seating bowl to luxury amenities and improvements to the tailgating scene.

“We would not be willing to sign a lease for another 25 years without the financing to properly renovate and reimagine the stadium,” said Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, whose father Lamar Hunt helped get the existing stadiums built. “So the financing puzzle is very important to us to make sure we have enough funds to do everything we’ve outlined.”

The Chiefs hope their recent success, including three Super Bowl titles in the last five years, will help to sway voters.

“What my dad loved best about the stadium was the connection the team had with our fanbase,” Hunt said. “He loved this building for what it means to the fans, and we still believe it is one of the best stadiums in the National Football League and a bucket-list destination for fans across the NFL."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705687592823.jpeg" alt="(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)" />
 <figcaption>(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DAVE SKRETTA&nbsp;KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The future of the Royals and Chiefs in Kansas City was being shaped Tuesday as residents of Jackson County, Missouri, voted on whether to extend a sales tax to help to pay for a new downtown ballpark and major renovations to Arrowhead Stadium.In what is expected to be a close ballot measure, voters were being asked to essentially replace the existing three-eighths of a cent sales tax that has been paying for the upkeep at the Truman Sports Complex — the home of Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums for more than 50 years — with a new three-eighths of a cent tax that would be in place for the next 40 years.The Royals, who have pledged at least $1 billion from ownership for their project, would use their share of the tax revenue to help fund a $2 billion-plus ballpark district, while the Super Bowl-champion Chiefs — who have committed $300 million of their own money — would use their share as part of an $800 million overhaul of Arrowhead Stadium.“We're the second-smallest city with both an NFL franchise and a Major League Baseball club, and we want to sustain ourselves as a major league city," said John Sherman, the Kansas City businessman who purchased the Royals five years ago. "We want to make sure these franchises thrive here for another 50 years.”As part of new lease terms, the franchises have pledged $260 million, or about $3.5 million annually, that a committee appointed by the county and teams would funnel toward social and economic causes in the community.“I think it's a great project for the city," said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who voted early Tuesday. “I lived this in Philadelphia. I went through the same type of project there. And right when you don't think it's going to get done, it gets done.”Neither franchise has said what it would do if the tax fails, only that they would explore all their options, which would include leaving Kansas City. The current lease at the Truman Sports Complex lasts through Jan. 31, 2031.The tax extension — or, more accurately, the stadium plans — has been met with significant public pushback.Last fall, the Royals unveiled two potential locations for their ballpark district, one on the eastern edge of downtown and the other across the Missouri River in Clay County, Missouri. But they kept pushing back a self-imposed deadline to finalize their location, and in February, they announced they had scrapped both concepts for a different downtown location.The new area, known as the Crossroads, has a vibrant arts and restaurant scene, and it is just blocks away from the T-Mobile Center and the bustling Power &amp; Light entertainment district. It also is close to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and the 18th &amp; Vine district, which is home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.“I think everyone has the same mixed feelings,” said Deidre Chasteen, a voter from Independence, Missouri, who remembers attending games downtown at old Municipal Stadium when the Royals played there from 1969-72.“It's not that we mind paying the three-eighths-cent sales tax. I think the problem is putting the stadium where it is,” she said. “We're not saying they don't need a new stadium. We're saying don't ruin businesses that have been established down there for years.”There were plenty of questions weighing on voters' minds.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I’m voting “Yes” on Question 1 tomorrow, keeping both teams in Jackson County and continuing a sales tax amount we already pay. Proud to stand with service workers <a href="https://twitter.com/SEIULocal1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SEIULocal1</a> <a href="https://t.co/DgVOt8UgWK">pic.twitter.com/DgVOt8UgWK</a>&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1774783253490086322?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>For one thing, the latest ballpark renderings were made obsolete just last week when the Royals acquiesced to Mayor Quinton Lucas' request that a major street that would have been part of the stadium footprint remain open. Lucas did not endorse the tax initiative until late last week, after the Royals agreed to the change.The club also has not reached sales agreements with many landowners in the Crossroads, and other businesses have expressed concerns about traffic, congestion and parking in an already thriving neighborhood.“A lot of that will be discussed after April 2 with the city and the neighborhood,” Sherman said, adding that he believes many of “their businesses will boom” when the stadium drives thousands of fans downtown at least 81 times a year.Sarah Tourville, the Royals’ executive vice president, said the goal is to move into the stadium for opening day in 2028.The Royals moved from Municipal Stadium to Kauffman Stadium in 1973 and extensively renovated the ballpark from 2009-12. Arrowhead Stadium was built alongside Kauffman Stadium and also was renovated around the same time.While the Royals insist on playing in a new ballpark, the Chiefs want to stay put with a renovation that would touch every aspect of their 52-year-old building, from the seating bowl to luxury amenities and improvements to the tailgating scene.“We would not be willing to sign a lease for another 25 years without the financing to properly renovate and reimagine the stadium,” said Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, whose father Lamar Hunt helped get the existing stadiums built. “So the financing puzzle is very important to us to make sure we have enough funds to do everything we’ve outlined.”The Chiefs hope their recent success, including three Super Bowl titles in the last five years, will help to sway voters.“What my dad loved best about the stadium was the connection the team had with our fanbase,” Hunt said. “He loved this building for what it means to the fans, and we still believe it is one of the best stadiums in the National Football League and a bucket-list destination for fans across the NFL."___

KC residents vote on a new tax that could determine the future for Chiefs. Royals

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The trial for a man accused in a double-murder in a Wichita parking garage began on Monday, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=741653">Zachary Ramirez</a>&nbsp;19, of Maize, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the commission of a felony, One count of first-degree murder; intentional and premeditated, One count of first-degree murder; unknown circumstances,&nbsp;Two counts of battery, Aggravated battery and Criminal discharges of a firearm at an occupied vehicle, according to the District Attorney's office.

Just before&nbsp; 4a.m. July 27, police responded to the 300 block of North Moore after a a street sweeper operator saw two gunshot victims in a vehicle in a parking garage in Wichita's Old Town and called 911, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

EMS and fire arrived on the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but the victims identified as 20-year-old Josephina Lerma-Dominguez and 21-year-old Bryan Lara-Hernandez both of Wichita died at the scene.&nbsp;

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=741653">Ramirez remains</a> jailed on a $2 million dollar bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690507120194.png" alt="Ramirez-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Ramirez-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The trial for a man accused in a double-murder in a Wichita parking garage began on Monday, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=741653">Zachary Ramirez</a>&nbsp;19, of Maize, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the commission of a felony, One count of first-degree murder; intentional and premeditated, One count of first-degree murder; unknown circumstances,&nbsp;Two counts of battery, Aggravated battery and Criminal discharges of a firearm at an occupied vehicle, according to the District Attorney's office.Just before&nbsp; 4a.m. July 27, police responded to the 300 block of North Moore after a a street sweeper operator saw two gunshot victims in a vehicle in a parking garage in Wichita's Old Town and called 911, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.EMS and fire arrived on the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but the victims identified as 20-year-old Josephina Lerma-Dominguez and 21-year-old Bryan Lara-Hernandez both of Wichita died at the scene.&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=741653">Ramirez remains</a> jailed on a $2 million dollar bond, according to online jail records.

Trial underway for man accused of killing 2 in Kan. parking garage

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican legislators in Kansas have revived a proposal to stop giving voters three extra days after polls close to return mail ballots after making key concessions in a bid to get enough votes from rural GOP lawmakers to overcome the Democratic governor's potential veto.

Republicans have argued that allowing election officials to count ballots received after Election Day undermines people’s confidence in the results, through there’s no evidence that the practice has led to fraud or serious mistakes. The Republican-controlled Legislature expects to take final votes this week on a version of the proposal drafted Monday by GOP negotiators for the House and Senate.

The push to end the “grace period” arose as election conspiracy promoters gained influence within the Kansas GOP. They have spread&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-covid-technology-health-arizona-e1b49d2311bf900f44fa5c6dac406762">baseless claims</a>&nbsp;that elections are rife with fraud and amplified ex-President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">Donald Trump’s lie</a>&nbsp;that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.

Some rural Republicans have resisted because the policy was enacted in 2017 in response to concerns that U.S. mail delivery was getting slower in their districts.

House Elections Committee Chair Pat Proctor, a Republican from northwest of the Kansas City area, said people are suspicious when the result flips in a close election as vote counting continues after Election Day.

“I don’t think that our votes are less secure because we take ballots after Election Day — which I know some Republicans do believe to be the case — but it does create doubt," he said after Monday's negotiations.

More than 30 states require mail ballots to arrive by Election Day, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Among the remaining states, deadlines vary from 5 p.m. the day after polls close in Texas to no set deadline in Washington state.

The latest version of the Kansas proposal would wait until the start of 2025 to end the grace period and add two extra days to advance voting, so people could start voting in person at election offices and receive mail ballots 22 days before an election, instead of the current 20. Also, county offices would have to be open for advance, in-person voting for at least four hours the Saturday before an election.

Those provisions are designed to win over skeptical rural Republicans and garner the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to override a governor's veto.

“We would love to be able to get rid of the three-day grace period and take care of all of this right now,” said Sen. Mike Thompson, a Kansas City-area Republican and his chamber’s lead negotiator on elections legislation. “We know that the governor may veto this, so we have to have those votes.”

Voting rights advocates argue that giving Kansas voters less time to return their ballots could disenfranchise thousands of poor, disabled and older voters and people of color. Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill to end the grace period last year, and Republican leaders didn't have the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to reverse her action.

“The law was working with the three-day grace period,” said Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, of Wichita, who represented Democratic senators in the negotiations.

Last month, the Senate considered a bill that would have required mail ballots to arrive by the time polls close, 7 p.m. in most counties. Senators promoting baseless election conspiracies added provisions to ban electronic vote tabulating and ballot drop boxes, splitting Republicans and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-voting-rights-mail-ballots-01ef57f8674498b9ab9ab637eaf2f190">dooming the package.</a>

More recently, Republicans who support ending the grace period have contended that when some ballots arrive at election offices without postmarks to confirm when they were mailed, local officials aren't legally allowed to count them, and that disenfranchises those voters.

It's not clear how often that happens because the state hasn't collected any data, though the Kansas secretary of state's office, which oversees elections, has asked county officials to compile it this year. Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican who nevertheless vouches for the state's elections, is neutral on ending the grace period.

Faust-Goudeau said that if it is a problem, “We can certainly add a measure that says we don’t need that postmark.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603417995976.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican legislators in Kansas have revived a proposal to stop giving voters three extra days after polls close to return mail ballots after making key concessions in a bid to get enough votes from rural GOP lawmakers to overcome the Democratic governor's potential veto.Republicans have argued that allowing election officials to count ballots received after Election Day undermines people’s confidence in the results, through there’s no evidence that the practice has led to fraud or serious mistakes. The Republican-controlled Legislature expects to take final votes this week on a version of the proposal drafted Monday by GOP negotiators for the House and Senate.The push to end the “grace period” arose as election conspiracy promoters gained influence within the Kansas GOP. They have spread&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-covid-technology-health-arizona-e1b49d2311bf900f44fa5c6dac406762">baseless claims</a>&nbsp;that elections are rife with fraud and amplified ex-President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-pence-electoral-college-elections-health-2d9bd47a8bd3561682ac46c6b3873a10">Donald Trump’s lie</a>&nbsp;that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him.Some rural Republicans have resisted because the policy was enacted in 2017 in response to concerns that U.S. mail delivery was getting slower in their districts.House Elections Committee Chair Pat Proctor, a Republican from northwest of the Kansas City area, said people are suspicious when the result flips in a close election as vote counting continues after Election Day.“I don’t think that our votes are less secure because we take ballots after Election Day — which I know some Republicans do believe to be the case — but it does create doubt," he said after Monday's negotiations.More than 30 states require mail ballots to arrive by Election Day, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Among the remaining states, deadlines vary from 5 p.m. the day after polls close in Texas to no set deadline in Washington state.The latest version of the Kansas proposal would wait until the start of 2025 to end the grace period and add two extra days to advance voting, so people could start voting in person at election offices and receive mail ballots 22 days before an election, instead of the current 20. Also, county offices would have to be open for advance, in-person voting for at least four hours the Saturday before an election.Those provisions are designed to win over skeptical rural Republicans and garner the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to override a governor's veto.“We would love to be able to get rid of the three-day grace period and take care of all of this right now,” said Sen. Mike Thompson, a Kansas City-area Republican and his chamber’s lead negotiator on elections legislation. “We know that the governor may veto this, so we have to have those votes.”Voting rights advocates argue that giving Kansas voters less time to return their ballots could disenfranchise thousands of poor, disabled and older voters and people of color. Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed a bill to end the grace period last year, and Republican leaders didn't have the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to reverse her action.“The law was working with the three-day grace period,” said Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, of Wichita, who represented Democratic senators in the negotiations.Last month, the Senate considered a bill that would have required mail ballots to arrive by the time polls close, 7 p.m. in most counties. Senators promoting baseless election conspiracies added provisions to ban electronic vote tabulating and ballot drop boxes, splitting Republicans and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-voting-rights-mail-ballots-01ef57f8674498b9ab9ab637eaf2f190">dooming the package.</a>More recently, Republicans who support ending the grace period have contended that when some ballots arrive at election offices without postmarks to confirm when they were mailed, local officials aren't legally allowed to count them, and that disenfranchises those voters.It's not clear how often that happens because the state hasn't collected any data, though the Kansas secretary of state's office, which oversees elections, has asked county officials to compile it this year. Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a Republican who nevertheless vouches for the state's elections, is neutral on ending the grace period.Faust-Goudeau said that if it is a problem, “We can certainly add a measure that says we don’t need that postmark.”

Kan. GOP lawmakers revive a plan to stop giving voters extra days to return mail ballots

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a triple-homicide at a home in Kansas City.

Just before 10a.m. Monday police were dispatched to a welfare check at a home in the 8300 block of NW 90th Street in Kansas City, according to&nbsp; KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

First responders entered the residence and located a juvenile male victim, deceased. Officers then located an adult female victim and an adult male victim both also deceased. 

All of the victims were suffering from apparent bodily trauma.This is being investigated as a homicide, according to DiMartino. 

Investigators are working diligently to try and identify all the parties involved. This will help determine if there is a relationship between any of the parties or their relationship to the residence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712001230493.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a triple-homicide at a home in Kansas City.Just before 10a.m. Monday police were dispatched to a welfare check at a home in the 8300 block of NW 90th Street in Kansas City, according to&nbsp; KCPD&nbsp;Sergeant Phil DiMartino.First responders entered the residence and located a juvenile male victim, deceased. Officers then located an adult female victim and an adult male victim both also deceased. All of the victims were suffering from apparent bodily trauma.This is being investigated as a homicide, according to DiMartino. Investigators are working diligently to try and identify all the parties involved. This will help determine if there is a relationship between any of the parties or their relationship to the residence.

Homicide: Child, 2-adults found dead in Kansas City home

TEXAS COUNTY&nbsp; –Law enforcement authorities continue investigating the suspicious disappearance of two women from Hugoton, Kansas.

On March 30, 2024, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/texascountysheriff?__cft__[0]=AZUN1RbenGKKSTbhUwrfs2POzCdB0jT1o_05xNnWDgxTOZM_kvYFhwzInEC_7C8da2AWdqEU2gV11pDpCTW1Mb3giHbODc12L4vGEmh7E5t8xvqag-qf2Mm9KZTsbAIg-4go4YlbXRBdW644Wiw2ID31O72PX0ulgCqL_gJRUQ9DEOk4GBSdNGTLD4p3iAeLs10&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Texas County Sheriff's Department</a> requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to investigate the suspicious disappearance of 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley.

They were traveling together to pick up children when they went missing, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.

They never made it to the pickup location, the OSBI&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=801154808712956&amp;set=a.297085712453204" target="_blank">advisory</a>&nbsp;said. Their car was located abandoned on the side of the road.

Their car was found abandoned near Highway 95 and Road L, south of Elkhart, Kansas, in rural Texas County.&nbsp; The Yarbrough Schools in Texas County, Oklahoma are operating on a locked down status Tuesday with additional safety measures in place, according to an online statement from the school district.

&nbsp;Special agents with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation along with local law enforcement agencies continue working to locate the two women. The OSBI released no new details on Monday.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the OSBI at tips@osbi.ok.gov or 1-800-522-8017. This is still an ongoing investigation. The OSBI would like to thank the Texas County Sheriff’s Office, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Oklahoma.Highway.Patrol?__cft__[0]=AZUN1RbenGKKSTbhUwrfs2POzCdB0jT1o_05xNnWDgxTOZM_kvYFhwzInEC_7C8da2AWdqEU2gV11pDpCTW1Mb3giHbODc12L4vGEmh7E5t8xvqag-qf2Mm9KZTsbAIg-4go4YlbXRBdW644Wiw2ID31O72PX0ulgCqL_gJRUQ9DEOk4GBSdNGTLD4p3iAeLs10&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Oklahoma Highway Patrol</a>, and several other local agencies for assisting us with this case.&nbsp;

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1711967700182.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TEXAS COUNTY&nbsp; –Law enforcement authorities continue investigating the suspicious disappearance of two women from Hugoton, Kansas. On March 30, 2024, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/texascountysheriff?__cft__[0]=AZUN1RbenGKKSTbhUwrfs2POzCdB0jT1o_05xNnWDgxTOZM_kvYFhwzInEC_7C8da2AWdqEU2gV11pDpCTW1Mb3giHbODc12L4vGEmh7E5t8xvqag-qf2Mm9KZTsbAIg-4go4YlbXRBdW644Wiw2ID31O72PX0ulgCqL_gJRUQ9DEOk4GBSdNGTLD4p3iAeLs10&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Texas County Sheriff's Department</a> requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to investigate the suspicious disappearance of 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fyarbroughlobos%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0B18TP68rWXXKwaPHjJ2NVWtPwFJ229N1Kp488YCvZG8fVbKMUG1fkbkrSdPNKVAcl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="589" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>They were traveling together to pick up children when they went missing, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said in a statement.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712053989356.png" alt="Jilian Kelly and Veronia Butler-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Jilian Kelly and Veronia Butler-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>They never made it to the pickup location, the OSBI&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=801154808712956&amp;set=a.297085712453204" target="_blank">advisory</a>&nbsp;said. Their car was located abandoned on the side of the road.Their car was found abandoned near Highway 95 and Road L, south of Elkhart, Kansas, in rural Texas County.&nbsp; The Yarbrough Schools in Texas County, Oklahoma are operating on a locked down status Tuesday with additional safety measures in place, according to an online statement from the school district.&nbsp;Special agents with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation along with local law enforcement agencies continue working to locate the two women. The OSBI released no new details on Monday.Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the OSBI at tips@osbi.ok.gov or 1-800-522-8017. This is still an ongoing investigation. The OSBI would like to thank the Texas County Sheriff’s Office, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Oklahoma.Highway.Patrol?__cft__[0]=AZUN1RbenGKKSTbhUwrfs2POzCdB0jT1o_05xNnWDgxTOZM_kvYFhwzInEC_7C8da2AWdqEU2gV11pDpCTW1Mb3giHbODc12L4vGEmh7E5t8xvqag-qf2Mm9KZTsbAIg-4go4YlbXRBdW644Wiw2ID31O72PX0ulgCqL_gJRUQ9DEOk4GBSdNGTLD4p3iAeLs10&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Oklahoma Highway Patrol</a>, and several other local agencies for assisting us with this case.&nbsp;

Search for two Kansas moms continues after car found abandoned

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Monday that total tax collections in March were $760.4 million. That is $7.0 million, or 0.9%, more than the monthly estimate after falling short of estimates for the pasr four months.

Total tax collections are up 0.3% from March 2023. 

Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYXR0YWNobWVudHMvS1NPRy8yMDI0LzA0LzAxL2ZpbGVfYXR0YWNobWVudHMvMjgzMjM3Ny8wOV9NYXJjaF9SZXZlbnVlX0ZZMjAyNF8wNC0wMS0yMDI0X0ZpbmFsLnBkZiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MDEuOTI2ODExMDEifQ.NEu6uLbCL29ToZQF4JbeHL3flXTyzczQVGhY0ajqpiA/s/1303160919/br/239919311948-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the March 2024 revenue numbers.

“As we continue to work toward cutting taxes, the Legislature must be mindful that any tax relief must be fiscally sustainable,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “The bipartisan tax cuts plan I introduced in January, among other things, eliminates all state income tax on Social Security benefits and provides about $100 million in property tax relief for Kansas homeowners every year. It is a fiscally responsible plan that puts money back into every Kansan’s pocket while enabling us to continue to fully fund schools and invest in our infrastructure and other critical areas.”

Individual income tax collections were $364.9 million. That is $29.9 million, or 8.9%, more than the month’s estimate and up 16.0% from March 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $77.1 million. That is $7.9 million, or 9.3%, less than the estimate, and down 24.8% from March 2023.

Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $261.2 million, which is $8.8 million, or 3.2%, less than the estimate. Those collections are $14.2 million, or 5.1%, less than March 2023.&nbsp;

The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CRE), comprised of the Department of Revenue, Division of Budget, Legislative Research Department, and economists from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University, will meet on April 19, 2024, to review the fall estimate and make any revisions it may consider necessary.

TOPEKA&nbsp;– Governor Laura Kelly announced Monday that total tax collections in March were $760.4 million. That is $7.0 million, or 0.9%, more than the monthly estimate after falling short of estimates for the pasr four months.Total tax collections are up 0.3% from March 2023. Click&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vY29udGVudC5nb3ZkZWxpdmVyeS5jb20vYXR0YWNobWVudHMvS1NPRy8yMDI0LzA0LzAxL2ZpbGVfYXR0YWNobWVudHMvMjgzMjM3Ny8wOV9NYXJjaF9SZXZlbnVlX0ZZMjAyNF8wNC0wMS0yMDI0X0ZpbmFsLnBkZiIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyNDA0MDEuOTI2ODExMDEifQ.NEu6uLbCL29ToZQF4JbeHL3flXTyzczQVGhY0ajqpiA/s/1303160919/br/239919311948-l" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to view the March 2024 revenue numbers.“As we continue to work toward cutting taxes, the Legislature must be mindful that any tax relief must be fiscally sustainable,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “The bipartisan tax cuts plan I introduced in January, among other things, eliminates all state income tax on Social Security benefits and provides about $100 million in property tax relief for Kansas homeowners every year. It is a fiscally responsible plan that puts money back into every Kansan’s pocket while enabling us to continue to fully fund schools and invest in our infrastructure and other critical areas.”Individual income tax collections were $364.9 million. That is $29.9 million, or 8.9%, more than the month’s estimate and up 16.0% from March 2023. Corporate income tax collections were $77.1 million. That is $7.9 million, or 9.3%, less than the estimate, and down 24.8% from March 2023.Combined retail sales and compensating use tax receipts were $261.2 million, which is $8.8 million, or 3.2%, less than the estimate. Those collections are $14.2 million, or 5.1%, less than March 2023.&nbsp;The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CRE), comprised of the Department of Revenue, Division of Budget, Legislative Research Department, and economists from the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, and Wichita State University, will meet on April 19, 2024, to review the fall estimate and make any revisions it may consider necessary.

After 4 months below estimates, Kansas tax collections are up

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.09 billion after no one matched the six numbers drawn Monday night, continuing a three-month winless streak for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lottery-jackpots-mega-millions-powerball-80fcb836622ba8e18883ce778786c1cc">the top prize</a>.

The numbers drawn were: 19, 24, 40, 42, 56 and the Powerball 23.

No one has won Powerball’s jackpot since New Year’s Day, a stretch of 39 drawings without anyone matching the game’s six numbers. If no one wins the jackpot Wednesday night, the game will match its record of 41 consecutive drawings on Saturday night.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-mega-millions-winning-odds-numbers-a3e5a8e8e7ed15d7500c1d6acdab6785">reason for the jackpot drought</a>&nbsp;is simple: The odds of winning the top prize are miserable, at 1 in 292.2 million. It’s those odds that create the large jackpots that are designed to attract attention and drive up sales.

The $1.09 billion prize is for a sole winner who makes the rare decision to be paid over 30 years through an annuity. Nearly all winners instead take the cash option, which for Wednesday night would be an estimated $527.3 million.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.09 billion after no one matched the six numbers drawn Monday night, continuing a three-month winless streak for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lottery-jackpots-mega-millions-powerball-80fcb836622ba8e18883ce778786c1cc">the top prize</a>.The numbers drawn were: 19, 24, 40, 42, 56 and the Powerball 23.No one has won Powerball’s jackpot since New Year’s Day, a stretch of 39 drawings without anyone matching the game’s six numbers. If no one wins the jackpot Wednesday night, the game will match its record of 41 consecutive drawings on Saturday night.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-mega-millions-winning-odds-numbers-a3e5a8e8e7ed15d7500c1d6acdab6785">reason for the jackpot drought</a>&nbsp;is simple: The odds of winning the top prize are miserable, at 1 in 292.2 million. It’s those odds that create the large jackpots that are designed to attract attention and drive up sales.The $1.09 billion prize is for a sole winner who makes the rare decision to be paid over 30 years through an annuity. Nearly all winners instead take the cash option, which for Wednesday night would be an estimated $527.3 million.

Powerball jackpot rises to $1.09 billion, stretches a 3-month losing streak

CRAWFORD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 4p.m. Monday in Crawford County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1988 Chevy Blazer driven by Terry L. Harper, 74, Frontenac, was southbound on Kansas 7 Highway nine miles south of Girard, Kansas.

The SUV struck a 1989 GMC truck driven by Antonio Zamora&nbsp;Gallardo, 64, Miami, Oklahoma, who&nbsp;was backing out of a private drive on the east side of Kansas 7.&nbsp;The truck driver failed to yield and backed out across the highway into the path of the Blazer. After impact the truck overturned. 

Harper was pronounced dead at the scene. Gallardo was not injured.&nbsp; Harper was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

CRAWFORD COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 4p.m. Monday in Crawford County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1988 Chevy Blazer driven by Terry L. Harper, 74, Frontenac, was southbound on Kansas 7 Highway nine miles south of Girard, Kansas.The SUV struck a 1989 GMC truck driven by Antonio Zamora&nbsp;Gallardo, 64, Miami, Oklahoma, who&nbsp;was backing out of a private drive on the east side of Kansas 7.&nbsp;The truck driver failed to yield and backed out across the highway into the path of the Blazer. After impact the truck overturned. Harper was pronounced dead at the scene. Gallardo was not injured.&nbsp; Harper was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after SUV strikes truck backing out of driveway

NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;posted a $175 million bond on Monday in his New York civil fraud case, halting collection of the more than $454 million he owes and preventing the state from seizing his assets to satisfy the debt while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-civil-fraud-verdict-attorney-general-cf9df608a576d561393b4ceeac4cae3a">he appeals</a>, according to a court filing.

A New York appellate court had given the former president 10 days to put up the money after a panel of judges agreed last month to slash the amount needed to stop the clock on enforcement.

The bond Trump is posting with the court now is essentially a placeholder, meant to guarantee payment if the judgment is upheld. If that happens, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee will have to pay the state the whole sum, which grows with daily interest.

If Trump wins, he won't have to pay the state anything and will get back the money he has put up now.

“As promised, President Trump has posted bond. He looks forward to vindicating his rights on appeal and overturning this unjust verdict,” said one of Trump's lawyers, Alina Habba.

Until the appeals court intervened to lower the required bond, New York Attorney General Letitia James had been poised to initiate efforts to collect the judgment, possibly by seizing some of Trump's marquee properties. James, a Democrat, brought the lawsuit on the state’s behalf. Her office declined to comment Monday.

The court ruled after Trump’s lawyers complained it was “a practical impossibility” to get an underwriter to sign off on a bond for the $454 million, plus interest, that he owes.

The company that underwrote the bond is Knight Specialty Insurance, which is part of the Knight Insurance Group. The chairman of that company, billionaire Don Hankey, told The Associated Press that both cash and bond were used as collateral for Trump’s appellate bond.

“This is what we do at Knight Insurance, and we’re happy to do this for anyone who needs a bond,” said Hankey, who is best known in the business world for making high-risk, high-interest loans to car buyers with flawed credit histories. Hankey told the AP he has never met or spoken with Trump.

Trump is fighting to overturn&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24432595-trump-civil-trial-decision">a judge's Feb. 16 finding</a>&nbsp;that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-civil-fraud-trial-engoron-new-york-646814bb4945306f19a22f38fdb246a5">lied about his wealth</a>&nbsp;as he fostered the real estate empire that launched him to stardom and the presidency. The trial focused on how Trump's assets were valued on financial statements that went to bankers and insurers to get loans and deals.

Trump denies any wrongdoing, saying the statements actually&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fraud-trial-testimony-dca74420da0f92ee9bc9caff7a92c3b2">lowballed his fortune</a>, came with disclaimers and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-letitia-james-fraud-trial-testimony-f73b28ef92cf3606d66bc9418f3025bc">weren’t taken at face value</a>&nbsp;by the institutions that lent to or insured him.

The state courts’ Appellate Division has said it would hear arguments in September. A specific date has not been set. If the schedule holds, it will fall in the final weeks of the presidential race.

Under New York law, filing an appeal generally doesn’t hold off enforcement of a judgment. But there’s an automatic pause — in legalese, a stay — if the person or entity obtains a bond guaranteeing payment of what’s owed.

Courts sometimes grant exceptions and lower the amount required for a stay, as in Trump’s case.

Trump’s lawyers had told the appeals court more than 30 bonding companies were unwilling to take a mix of cash and real estate as collateral for a $454 million-plus bond. Underwriters insisted on only cash, stocks or other liquid assets, the attorneys said.

They said most bonding companies require collateral covering 120% of the amount owed.

Trump recently claimed to have almost a half-billion dollars in cash — along with billions of dollars worth of real estate and other assets — but said he wanted to have some cash available for his presidential run.

Recent legal debts have taken a sizable chunk out of Trump’s cash reserves.

In addition to the $175 million he had to put up in the New York case, Trump has posted a bond and cash worth more than $97 million to cover money he owes to writer E. Jean Carroll while he appeals verdicts in a pair of federal civil trials. Juries found that he sexually assaulted her in the 1990s and defamed her when she went public with the allegation in 2019. He denies all the allegations.

In February, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-new-york-times-taxes-lawsuit-slapp-f39342501d9a2a5cfd36181f9f336215">paid the $392,638 in legal fees a judge ordered him to cover for The New York Times</a>&nbsp;and three reporters after he unsuccessfully sued them over a Pulitzer Prize-winning 2018 story about his family’s wealth and tax practices.

In March, a British court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-steele-dossier-uk-lawsuit-russia-55427915a83f33a8ead484109b8a89f6">ordered Trump to pay to pay legal fees of 300,000 pounds</a>&nbsp;($382,000) to a company he unsuccessfully sued over the so-called Steele dossier that contained salacious allegations about him. Trump said those claims were false.

Trump could eventually generate cash by selling some of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cash-spac-digital-world-dwac-ce4b055545378ab05d52513ffe2d4d4f">nearly 60% of stock</a>&nbsp;he owns in his newly public social media company, Trump Media &amp; Technology Group — but that would be a longer-term play. Trump’s stake could be worth billions of dollars, but a “lock-up” provision prevents insiders like him from selling their shares for six months.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711383346720.png" alt="File photo Donald Trump in a New York Appeals Court March 25-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Donald Trump in a New York Appeals Court March 25-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;posted a $175 million bond on Monday in his New York civil fraud case, halting collection of the more than $454 million he owes and preventing the state from seizing his assets to satisfy the debt while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-civil-fraud-verdict-attorney-general-cf9df608a576d561393b4ceeac4cae3a">he appeals</a>, according to a court filing.A New York appellate court had given the former president 10 days to put up the money after a panel of judges agreed last month to slash the amount needed to stop the clock on enforcement.The bond Trump is posting with the court now is essentially a placeholder, meant to guarantee payment if the judgment is upheld. If that happens, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee will have to pay the state the whole sum, which grows with daily interest.If Trump wins, he won't have to pay the state anything and will get back the money he has put up now.“As promised, President Trump has posted bond. He looks forward to vindicating his rights on appeal and overturning this unjust verdict,” said one of Trump's lawyers, Alina Habba.Until the appeals court intervened to lower the required bond, New York Attorney General Letitia James had been poised to initiate efforts to collect the judgment, possibly by seizing some of Trump's marquee properties. James, a Democrat, brought the lawsuit on the state’s behalf. Her office declined to comment Monday.The court ruled after Trump’s lawyers complained it was “a practical impossibility” to get an underwriter to sign off on a bond for the $454 million, plus interest, that he owes.The company that underwrote the bond is Knight Specialty Insurance, which is part of the Knight Insurance Group. The chairman of that company, billionaire Don Hankey, told The Associated Press that both cash and bond were used as collateral for Trump’s appellate bond.“This is what we do at Knight Insurance, and we’re happy to do this for anyone who needs a bond,” said Hankey, who is best known in the business world for making high-risk, high-interest loans to car buyers with flawed credit histories. Hankey told the AP he has never met or spoken with Trump.Trump is fighting to overturn&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24432595-trump-civil-trial-decision">a judge's Feb. 16 finding</a>&nbsp;that he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-civil-fraud-trial-engoron-new-york-646814bb4945306f19a22f38fdb246a5">lied about his wealth</a>&nbsp;as he fostered the real estate empire that launched him to stardom and the presidency. The trial focused on how Trump's assets were valued on financial statements that went to bankers and insurers to get loans and deals.Trump denies any wrongdoing, saying the statements actually&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-fraud-trial-testimony-dca74420da0f92ee9bc9caff7a92c3b2">lowballed his fortune</a>, came with disclaimers and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-letitia-james-fraud-trial-testimony-f73b28ef92cf3606d66bc9418f3025bc">weren’t taken at face value</a>&nbsp;by the institutions that lent to or insured him.The state courts’ Appellate Division has said it would hear arguments in September. A specific date has not been set. If the schedule holds, it will fall in the final weeks of the presidential race.Under New York law, filing an appeal generally doesn’t hold off enforcement of a judgment. But there’s an automatic pause — in legalese, a stay — if the person or entity obtains a bond guaranteeing payment of what’s owed.Courts sometimes grant exceptions and lower the amount required for a stay, as in Trump’s case.Trump’s lawyers had told the appeals court more than 30 bonding companies were unwilling to take a mix of cash and real estate as collateral for a $454 million-plus bond. Underwriters insisted on only cash, stocks or other liquid assets, the attorneys said.They said most bonding companies require collateral covering 120% of the amount owed.Trump recently claimed to have almost a half-billion dollars in cash — along with billions of dollars worth of real estate and other assets — but said he wanted to have some cash available for his presidential run.Recent legal debts have taken a sizable chunk out of Trump’s cash reserves.In addition to the $175 million he had to put up in the New York case, Trump has posted a bond and cash worth more than $97 million to cover money he owes to writer E. Jean Carroll while he appeals verdicts in a pair of federal civil trials. Juries found that he sexually assaulted her in the 1990s and defamed her when she went public with the allegation in 2019. He denies all the allegations.In February, Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-new-york-times-taxes-lawsuit-slapp-f39342501d9a2a5cfd36181f9f336215">paid the $392,638 in legal fees a judge ordered him to cover for The New York Times</a>&nbsp;and three reporters after he unsuccessfully sued them over a Pulitzer Prize-winning 2018 story about his family’s wealth and tax practices.In March, a British court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-steele-dossier-uk-lawsuit-russia-55427915a83f33a8ead484109b8a89f6">ordered Trump to pay to pay legal fees of 300,000 pounds</a>&nbsp;($382,000) to a company he unsuccessfully sued over the so-called Steele dossier that contained salacious allegations about him. Trump said those claims were false.Trump could eventually generate cash by selling some of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cash-spac-digital-world-dwac-ce4b055545378ab05d52513ffe2d4d4f">nearly 60% of stock</a>&nbsp;he owns in his newly public social media company, Trump Media &amp; Technology Group — but that would be a longer-term play. Trump’s stake could be worth billions of dollars, but a “lock-up” provision prevents insiders like him from selling their shares for six months.

Trump posts $175m bond in civil fraud case and averts asset seizures

FRANKLIN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a&nbsp;

Just before 5:30p.m. March 28, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop involving 34-year-old Joshua Franks. He has a history of crime with previous convictions for robbery, interference with law enforcement, flee or attempt to elude and drugs, according tot he Kansas Department of Corrections.

After a brief conversation, Franks ran from the deputy and jumped into the&nbsp; Marais des Cygnes River, according to a media release from the Franklin County Sheriff.

Although the river is shallow, the Franklin County EMS and Ottawa Fire Department were contacted in case a water rescue was necessary.

Deputies and police spoke with Franks for an extended period of time. He eventually came out of the water and was arrested on requested charges of driving with a suspended license; having no proof of insurance; and interference with a law enforcement officer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711818364223.png" alt="Franks photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Franks photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>FRANKLIN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new allegations after a&nbsp;Just before 5:30p.m. March 28, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop involving 34-year-old Joshua Franks. He has a history of crime with previous convictions for robbery, interference with law enforcement, flee or attempt to elude and drugs, according tot he Kansas Department of Corrections.After a brief conversation, Franks ran from the deputy and jumped into the&nbsp; Marais des Cygnes River, according to a media release from the Franklin County Sheriff.Although the river is shallow, the Franklin County EMS and Ottawa Fire Department were contacted in case a water rescue was necessary.Deputies and police spoke with Franks for an extended period of time. He eventually came out of the water and was arrested on requested charges of driving with a suspended license; having no proof of insurance; and interference with a law enforcement officer.

Sheriff: Kan. felon ran from traffic stop, jumped in river

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan–Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug and other allegations.

Just after 9:30p.m. March 30, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 1992 Honda passenger car near 150th and U.S. Highway 75 for traffic infractions, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the course of the traffic stop, a Jackson County Sheriff’s K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal substances inside the vehicle.

The driver, Michael Allin Cohorn, 53, of El Dorado, Kansas, was arrested for violating the Kansas offender registration act and driving while suspended. A passenger, Amanda Carol Martinez, 38, of Topeka, was arrested on a requested charge of&nbsp; distribution of methamphetamine.

Another passenger of the vehicle, Sherra Dianne Stapleton, 45 of Topeka, was arrested on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine. All three were transported to and booked into the Jackson County Jail, according to Morse.

Cohorn has been listed as a registered Kansas sex offender since 2000. He has eight previous sex crime convictions from 1998 and 1999 including incest, sexual battery and aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to the offender registry.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711926552559.png" alt="Martinez-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Martinez-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan–Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug and other allegations.Just after 9:30p.m. March 30, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on a 1992 Honda passenger car near 150th and U.S. Highway 75 for traffic infractions, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the course of the traffic stop, a Jackson County Sheriff’s K-9 alerted to the presence of illegal substances inside the vehicle.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712003788643.png" alt="Cohorn photo KBI offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Cohorn photo KBI offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>The driver, Michael Allin Cohorn, 53, of El Dorado, Kansas, was arrested for violating the Kansas offender registration act and driving while suspended. A passenger, Amanda Carol Martinez, 38, of Topeka, was arrested on a requested charge of&nbsp; distribution of methamphetamine.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711926529424.png" alt="Stapleton-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Stapleton-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Another passenger of the vehicle, Sherra Dianne Stapleton, 45 of Topeka, was arrested on a requested charge of possession of methamphetamine. All three were transported to and booked into the Jackson County Jail, according to Morse.Cohorn has been listed as a registered Kansas sex offender since 2000. He has eight previous sex crime convictions from 1998 and 1999 including incest, sexual battery and aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to the offender registry.

Kan. sex offender caught with women transporting drugs

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged scam involving Bitcoin.

Just after 4p.m. Saturday, an employee at Taco Bell, 1700 West Crawford Avenue in Salina received a suspected scam call from someone who claimed they were a corporate staff member who requested more than $1,500 in Bitcoin from the franchise, according to Salina Police Department Captain James Feldman.

The employee first attempted to verify the reliability of the corporate staff member.

"The caller stated there was a financial discrepancy, and the business needed to pay in Bitcoin to fix the issue," Feldman said. "The employee asked multiple questions which the caller was able to answer. The employee decided to purchase Bitcoin."

Feldman said the employee made three transactions for the local Taco Bell franchise for $1,618 in Bitcoin. Around 6:30 p.m., the employees realized the scam and contacted police. Police have not reported a suspect as they continue to investigate.

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged scam involving Bitcoin.Just after 4p.m. Saturday, an employee at Taco Bell, 1700 West Crawford Avenue in Salina received a suspected scam call from someone who claimed they were a corporate staff member who requested more than $1,500 in Bitcoin from the franchise, according to Salina Police Department Captain James Feldman.The employee first attempted to verify the reliability of the corporate staff member."The caller stated there was a financial discrepancy, and the business needed to pay in Bitcoin to fix the issue," Feldman said. "The employee asked multiple questions which the caller was able to answer. The employee decided to purchase Bitcoin."Feldman said the employee made three transactions for the local Taco Bell franchise for $1,618 in Bitcoin. Around 6:30 p.m., the employees realized the scam and contacted police. Police have not reported a suspect as they continue to investigate.

Police: Bitcoin scam at Kansas fast-food restaurant

PAWNEE COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a homicide investigation after a weekend shooting in Pawnee County.

Just after 5 p.m. Saturday, Dr. Tomas Garza, 52, of Larned, was shot multiple times during an argument with Michael Reynolds, 67, of Larned, according to a media release from the KBI. The shooting occurred at 1219 Kansas Highway 19 South, in rural Pawnee County. Garza was transported to an area hospital but died of his injuries.

Reynolds was arrested at the scene on a requested charges of second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was booked into the Pawnee County Jail. Formal charges are pending.

PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting in Pawnee County have made an arrest.

Just after 5:00 p.m. Saturday, emergency dispatch was notified of a shooting that had just occurred at a property on K19 Highway South near Larned, Kansas, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett

The Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department, Larned Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol and Pawnee County EMS responded to the scene where they discovered one male gunshot victim. The individual was transported to the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital where he late died from his injuries.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is assisting in the investigation at the request of the Pawnee County Sheriff. Special agents from the KBI processed the crime scene. A formal autopsy has been ordered.

Michael Reynolds, 67 of Larned, was taken into custody at the scene without incident, on requested charges of Intentional Murder in the Second Degree and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He is being held at the Pawnee County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712009351520.png" alt="Reynolds photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Reynolds photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY – The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a homicide investigation after a weekend shooting in Pawnee County.Just after 5 p.m. Saturday, Dr. Tomas Garza, 52, of Larned, was shot multiple times during an argument with Michael Reynolds, 67, of Larned, according to a media release from the KBI. The shooting occurred at 1219 Kansas Highway 19 South, in rural Pawnee County. Garza was transported to an area hospital but died of his injuries.Reynolds was arrested at the scene on a requested charges of second-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He was booked into the Pawnee County Jail. Formal charges are pending.----------------------PAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting in Pawnee County have made an arrest.Just after 5:00 p.m. Saturday, emergency dispatch was notified of a shooting that had just occurred at a property on K19 Highway South near Larned, Kansas, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNettThe Pawnee County Sheriff’s Department, Larned Police Department, Kansas Highway Patrol and Pawnee County EMS responded to the scene where they discovered one male gunshot victim. The individual was transported to the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital where he late died from his injuries.The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is assisting in the investigation at the request of the Pawnee County Sheriff. Special agents from the KBI processed the crime scene. A formal autopsy has been ordered.Michael Reynolds, 67 of Larned, was taken into custody at the scene without incident, on requested charges of Intentional Murder in the Second Degree and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. He is being held at the Pawnee County Jail.

Police ID victim in rural Kansas killing

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thunder and lightning delayed the start of the annual&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-easter-egg-roll-jill-biden-f1bbacddf2ae3b35812a5083ce12bc09">Easter egg roll</a>&nbsp;at the White House on Monday, but the event eventually rolled ahead under gray skies with a large crowd including many youngsters wearing ponchos or colorful jackets against intermittent rain.

More than 40,000 people — 10,000 more than last year — were expected to attend, with children attempting to coax colorfully dyed hard-boiled eggs across the lawn to a finish line, among other “egg-tivities.” This year's theme was “EGG-ucation,” and led by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jill-biden">Jill Biden</a>, a teacher for more than 30 years.

“Easter reminds us of the power of hope and renewal, and sacrifice and resurrection,” President Joe Biden told attendees, speaking from the White House balcony, where he was flanked by two large Easter bunnies, one wearing sunglasses fashioned like his trademark Ray-Bans. “But mainly love and grace towards one another."

Biden said it's a time to “cherish the blessings, the possibilities that we have as Americans."

“That’s what I see in our country. We’re a great nation because we’re a good people,” he said. "Our values are solid.”

The president, accompanied by the first lady, then went down to the lawn, bending down to help a few youngsters with their eggs. He blew a whistle to officially start the roll — one of the oldest White House traditions&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/whho/planyourvisit/easter-egg-roll.htm">first held in 1878</a>.

Participants included thousands of military and veteran families, their caregivers and survivors. Members of the general public claimed tickets through an online lottery. All were being admitted in nine waves until the evening.

A large schoolhouse erected on the South Lawn offered kids activities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM — including making circuit-breakers, simulating a fossil dig and learning about next week's solar eclipse. Youngsters also wrote notes to U.S. troops and first responders with Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit organization.

The American Egg Board donated 64,000 eggs to the White House for the event — 40,000 for egg rolling and 24,00 for decorating and other uses.

“I'm a teacher so I love any time when we can turn the White House into a classroom,” the first lady said, noting that the South Lawn had been turned into a "learning playground and school community.”

After blowing a whistle to help with a few egg roll games, Jill Biden went to the garden outside the East Wing and read “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” to a group.

The first couple also gave a brief interview Monday to NBC's “Today” and said Easter Sunday for them featured putting dollar bills in plastic easter eggs and holding a hunt with their grandchildren. “We’re still missing one,” joked the first lady.

The Democratic president drew criticism from top conservatives and the campaign of former President Donald Trump, a Republican who is running to reclaim the White House, by proclaiming March 31 — the same day as Easter — as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/03/29/a-proclamation-on-transgender-day-of-visibility-2024/">“Transgender Day of Visibility.</a>&nbsp;″

Asked about the criticism as he was leaving the lawn, Biden said his critics were ”thoroughly uninformed" and that he did not arrange for Easter and transgender recognition to fall on the same day.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the president's chief spokesperson, was more direct and slammed as “cruel, hateful and dishonest” what she said was being pushed “to divide us.”

At her daily press briefing, Jean-Pierre said that "folks who understand the calendar and how it works” know that the date for Easter changes every year and that this year it coincided with Transgender Day of Visibility.

Separately, Biden was asked in the NBC News interview about his final campaign as he seeks a second term. He said he was optimistic and thinks “people are so tired of the negativity" they hear from the other side that he will be reelected.

“I think people are going to surprise people again,” Biden said.

The White House Easter Egg Roll, one of its oldest traditions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehousehistory.org/questions/what-is-the-history-of-the-white-house-easter-egg-roll">dates to the presidency of</a>&nbsp;Rutherford B. Hayes, who opened the White House lawn to children after they were kicked off the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thunder and lightning delayed the start of the annual&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-easter-egg-roll-jill-biden-f1bbacddf2ae3b35812a5083ce12bc09">Easter egg roll</a>&nbsp;at the White House on Monday, but the event eventually rolled ahead under gray skies with a large crowd including many youngsters wearing ponchos or colorful jackets against intermittent rain.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden kicks off the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, which dates back to the 1870s. <a href="https://t.co/TtsiL2kMqz">pic.twitter.com/TtsiL2kMqz</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1774900182225666136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>More than 40,000 people — 10,000 more than last year — were expected to attend, with children attempting to coax colorfully dyed hard-boiled eggs across the lawn to a finish line, among other “egg-tivities.” This year's theme was “EGG-ucation,” and led by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jill-biden">Jill Biden</a>, a teacher for more than 30 years.(click below to watch the fun)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1389389235047315%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=5" 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>“Easter reminds us of the power of hope and renewal, and sacrifice and resurrection,” President Joe Biden told attendees, speaking from the White House balcony, where he was flanked by two large Easter bunnies, one wearing sunglasses fashioned like his trademark Ray-Bans. “But mainly love and grace towards one another."Biden said it's a time to “cherish the blessings, the possibilities that we have as Americans."“That’s what I see in our country. We’re a great nation because we’re a good people,” he said. "Our values are solid.”The president, accompanied by the first lady, then went down to the lawn, bending down to help a few youngsters with their eggs. He blew a whistle to officially start the roll — one of the oldest White House traditions&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/whho/planyourvisit/easter-egg-roll.htm">first held in 1878</a>.Participants included thousands of military and veteran families, their caregivers and survivors. Members of the general public claimed tickets through an online lottery. All were being admitted in nine waves until the evening.A large schoolhouse erected on the South Lawn offered kids activities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM — including making circuit-breakers, simulating a fossil dig and learning about next week's solar eclipse. Youngsters also wrote notes to U.S. troops and first responders with Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit organization.The American Egg Board donated 64,000 eggs to the White House for the event — 40,000 for egg rolling and 24,00 for decorating and other uses.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">First lady Jill Biden reads &quot;Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?&quot; at the White House Easter Egg Roll. <a href="https://t.co/5fKT52Emrs">pic.twitter.com/5fKT52Emrs</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1774890757398118778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I'm a teacher so I love any time when we can turn the White House into a classroom,” the first lady said, noting that the South Lawn had been turned into a "learning playground and school community.”After blowing a whistle to help with a few egg roll games, Jill Biden went to the garden outside the East Wing and read “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” to a group.The first couple also gave a brief interview Monday to NBC's “Today” and said Easter Sunday for them featured putting dollar bills in plastic easter eggs and holding a hunt with their grandchildren. “We’re still missing one,” joked the first lady.The Democratic president drew criticism from top conservatives and the campaign of former President Donald Trump, a Republican who is running to reclaim the White House, by proclaiming March 31 — the same day as Easter — as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/03/29/a-proclamation-on-transgender-day-of-visibility-2024/">“Transgender Day of Visibility.</a>&nbsp;″Asked about the criticism as he was leaving the lawn, Biden said his critics were ”thoroughly uninformed" and that he did not arrange for Easter and transgender recognition to fall on the same day.Karine Jean-Pierre, the president's chief spokesperson, was more direct and slammed as “cruel, hateful and dishonest” what she said was being pushed “to divide us.”At her daily press briefing, Jean-Pierre said that "folks who understand the calendar and how it works” know that the date for Easter changes every year and that this year it coincided with Transgender Day of Visibility.Separately, Biden was asked in the NBC News interview about his final campaign as he seeks a second term. He said he was optimistic and thinks “people are so tired of the negativity" they hear from the other side that he will be reelected.“I think people are going to surprise people again,” Biden said.The White House Easter Egg Roll, one of its oldest traditions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehousehistory.org/questions/what-is-the-history-of-the-white-house-easter-egg-roll">dates to the presidency of</a>&nbsp;Rutherford B. Hayes, who opened the White House lawn to children after they were kicked off the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.

🎥White House Easter egg roll draws a huge crowd

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Easter Sunday crash have identified the driver who died as 41-year-old&nbsp; Brooke Hacker of Wichita, according to Wichita Police Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Just before 1:30p.m. Sunday, a car driven by Hacker was westbound on 47th Street South at Interstate 135 when she drifted off the roadway and collided with a signal pole. 

Fire and EMS arrived promptly and started to provide life-saving measures.&nbsp; Hacker was pronounced deceased at the scene. The cause of death is pending an autopsy/toxicology examination through the Sedgwick County coroner’s office, according to Rebolledo.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712002851072.png" alt="Investigators in the scene of the fatal crash-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Investigators in the scene of the fatal crash-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Easter Sunday crash have identified the driver who died as 41-year-old&nbsp; Brooke Hacker of Wichita, according to Wichita Police Officer Juan Rebolledo.Just before 1:30p.m. Sunday, a car driven by Hacker was westbound on 47th Street South at Interstate 135 when she drifted off the roadway and collided with a signal pole. Fire and EMS arrived promptly and started to provide life-saving measures.&nbsp; Hacker was pronounced deceased at the scene. The cause of death is pending an autopsy/toxicology examination through the Sedgwick County coroner’s office, according to Rebolledo.

Police ID Kansas woman who died after crash into signal pole

KANSAS CITY(AP) — A person in Texas has been diagnosed with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bird-flu">bird flu</a>, an infection tied to the recent discovery of the virus in dairy cows, health officials said Monday.

The patient is being treated with an antiviral drug and their only reported symptom was eye redness,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/dshs-reports-first-human-case-avian-influenza-texas">Texas health officials said</a>. Health officials say the person had been in contact with cows presumed to be infected, and the risk to the public remains low.

Last week, dairy cows in Kansas and Texas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-dairy-cattle-usda-kansas-texas-c3040bb31a9a8293717d47362f006902">were reported</a>&nbsp;to be infected with bird flu — and federal agriculture officials later confirmed infections in a Michigan dairy herd that had recently received cows from Texas.

Since 2020, the bird flu virus has been spreading among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/disease-outbreaks-hong-kong-health-bird-flu-animals-75e5d058e0fda23b5359f66cafb74cdf">more animal species</a>&nbsp;– including dogs, cats, skunks, bears and even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seals-bird-flu-deaths-oceans-80184a8793fbcc21fab01b1c90b0d71b">seals</a>&nbsp;and porpoises – in scores of countries. However, the detection is U.S. livestock is an “unexpected and problematic twist,” said Dr. Ali Khan, a former CDC outbreak investigator who is now dean of the University of Nebraska’s public health college.

This bird flu was first identified as a threat to people during a 1997 outbreak in Hong Kong. More than 460 people have died in the past two decades from bird flu infections, according to the World Health Organization.

The vast majority of infected people got it directly from birds, but scientists have been on guard for any sign of spread among people. Their biggest concern is that the virus could mutate to spread easily among humans, something that hasn’t happened yet.

It’s only the second time a person in the United States has been diagnosed with what’s known as Type A H5N1 virus. In 2022, a prison inmate in a work program&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-environment-colorado-b98906e0a1899bb1f92da30a7b1dbe28">picked it up</a>&nbsp;while killing infected birds at a poultry farm in Montrose County, Colorado. His only symptom was fatigue, and he recovered.

Texas officials didn’t identify the newly infected person, nor release any details about what brought them in contact with the cows.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636037846131.jpeg" alt="Photo USDA" />
 <figcaption>Photo USDA</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — A person in Texas has been diagnosed with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bird-flu">bird flu</a>, an infection tied to the recent discovery of the virus in dairy cows, health officials said Monday.The patient is being treated with an antiviral drug and their only reported symptom was eye redness,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/dshs-reports-first-human-case-avian-influenza-texas">Texas health officials said</a>. Health officials say the person had been in contact with cows presumed to be infected, and the risk to the public remains low.Last week, dairy cows in Kansas and Texas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-dairy-cattle-usda-kansas-texas-c3040bb31a9a8293717d47362f006902">were reported</a>&nbsp;to be infected with bird flu — and federal agriculture officials later confirmed infections in a Michigan dairy herd that had recently received cows from Texas.Since 2020, the bird flu virus has been spreading among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/disease-outbreaks-hong-kong-health-bird-flu-animals-75e5d058e0fda23b5359f66cafb74cdf">more animal species</a>&nbsp;– including dogs, cats, skunks, bears and even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seals-bird-flu-deaths-oceans-80184a8793fbcc21fab01b1c90b0d71b">seals</a>&nbsp;and porpoises – in scores of countries. However, the detection is U.S. livestock is an “unexpected and problematic twist,” said Dr. Ali Khan, a former CDC outbreak investigator who is now dean of the University of Nebraska’s public health college.This bird flu was first identified as a threat to people during a 1997 outbreak in Hong Kong. More than 460 people have died in the past two decades from bird flu infections, according to the World Health Organization.The vast majority of infected people got it directly from birds, but scientists have been on guard for any sign of spread among people. Their biggest concern is that the virus could mutate to spread easily among humans, something that hasn’t happened yet.It’s only the second time a person in the United States has been diagnosed with what’s known as Type A H5N1 virus. In 2022, a prison inmate in a work program&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-environment-colorado-b98906e0a1899bb1f92da30a7b1dbe28">picked it up</a>&nbsp;while killing infected birds at a poultry farm in Montrose County, Colorado. His only symptom was fatigue, and he recovered.Texas officials didn’t identify the newly infected person, nor release any details about what brought them in contact with the cows.___

First person diagnosed with bird flu after being in contact with cows

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids and former Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts share bipartisan angst about political gridlock impeding progress on a new five-year farm bill outlining federal programs in agriculture, conservation, nutrition and trade.

Davids, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, and Roberts, who was the first member of Congress to chair both the House and Senate agriculture committees, said during a joint appearance at the Olathe campus of Kansas State University that there was good reason to be concerned about reaching consensus on a farm bill. The current law enacted in 2018 was extended one year to Sept. 30, 2024, after Congress failed to make a deal last fall.

“You can see that the economy and the future of our state is so tied up on how well our farmers and producers in the ag sector are doing,” said Davids, who serves the five-county 3rd District. “The farm bill is not a partisan issue. I’ll continue working to pass a bipartisan farm bill this year.”

She said after touring a Johnson County farm and taking part in a roundtable discussion on agriculture that the tradition of the House and Senate taking a bipartisan approach to the farm bill was being challenged by combative politicians in Washington, D.C.

“I was honored to be joined by so many agriculture professionals and policymakers from both parties as we work to ensure Kansas producers have the support needed to thrive,” Davids said.

Roberts, who retired in 2021 and three terms in the U.S. Senate and eight terms in the U.S. House, said there was an 80% chance the Congress wouldn’t reach agreement this year on a new farm bill. It’s noteworthy, he said, that others with congressional experience were convinced there was no chance of a bill passing this year.

He said serving as agriculture committee chairman during work on four farm bills taught him lawmakers — urban and rural, conservative and liberal — had to set aside differences and reach across the aisle.

“We know the most important thing when you get down to it is to get a bill passed to provide farmers certainty and predictability,” Roberts said. That is the most important question you have with the farm bill. Unfortunately, that is not the most important question we see today in the House of Representatives.”

During a news conference with Davids, the Kansas agriculture secretary and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s deputy secretary, Roberts said the fate of the farm bill inspired him to speak frankly about damage caused by the House Freedom Caucus composed of the chamber’s most conservative members. He said nearly two-dozen in this furthest-right block — especially a core group of perhaps eight GOP “ideologues” —&nbsp; were eager to engage in political conflict rather than pragmatic governing.

“That’s not the House that I represented for many years or, for that matter, the Senate,” Roberts said. “If you’re an ideologue, they’re right and you’re wrong. No amount of talking or reasonable conversation or whatever is going to bring them to the table. That’s what we’re faced with. Quite frankly, the Republican Party in the House of Representatives is in danger of losing their majority due to this kind of performance, or nonperformance.”

<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/u-s-sen-jerry-moran-frustrated-by-slow-pace-of-negotiations-on-new-five-year-farm-bill/">U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, also a Kansas Republican, separately shared frustration</a>&nbsp;with pace of work on the new farm bill and raised an alarm about the potential of the bill not be completed before the clock ran out in September.

Davids was joined by Roberts, USDA deputy secretary Xochitl Torres Small, Kansas agriculture secretary Mike Beam, former U.S. Rep. Jim Slattery of Kansas and former U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota for the tour last week of Finley Farms, a family-owned farming operation in Edgerton specializing in growing corn and soybeans.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1711982189885.png" alt=" Former U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts. a Republican, said during a news conference on agriculture issues with Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids that he was frustrated with the House Freedom Caucus members for stalling bipartisan negotiations with the House and Senate on a new five-year farm bill. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Davids news conference)" />
 <figcaption> Former U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts. a Republican, said during a news conference on agriculture issues with Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids that he was frustrated with the House Freedom Caucus members for stalling bipartisan negotiations with the House and Senate on a new five-year farm bill. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Davids news conference)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids and former Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts share bipartisan angst about political gridlock impeding progress on a new five-year farm bill outlining federal programs in agriculture, conservation, nutrition and trade.Davids, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, and Roberts, who was the first member of Congress to chair both the House and Senate agriculture committees, said during a joint appearance at the Olathe campus of Kansas State University that there was good reason to be concerned about reaching consensus on a farm bill. The current law enacted in 2018 was extended one year to Sept. 30, 2024, after Congress failed to make a deal last fall.“You can see that the economy and the future of our state is so tied up on how well our farmers and producers in the ag sector are doing,” said Davids, who serves the five-county 3rd District. “The farm bill is not a partisan issue. I’ll continue working to pass a bipartisan farm bill this year.”She said after touring a Johnson County farm and taking part in a roundtable discussion on agriculture that the tradition of the House and Senate taking a bipartisan approach to the farm bill was being challenged by combative politicians in Washington, D.C.“I was honored to be joined by so many agriculture professionals and policymakers from both parties as we work to ensure Kansas producers have the support needed to thrive,” Davids said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1711982135982.png" alt="U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, discussed following a tour of Findley Farms, a sixth-generation business specializing in production of corn and soybeans, the importance to the agriculture economy for Congress to adopt a bipartisan farm bill by end of September. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Davids news conference)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, discussed following a tour of Findley Farms, a sixth-generation business specializing in production of corn and soybeans, the importance to the agriculture economy for Congress to adopt a bipartisan farm bill by end of September. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Davids news conference)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Ideologues on the right</h2>Roberts, who retired in 2021 and three terms in the U.S. Senate and eight terms in the U.S. House, said there was an 80% chance the Congress wouldn’t reach agreement this year on a new farm bill. It’s noteworthy, he said, that others with congressional experience were convinced there was no chance of a bill passing this year.He said serving as agriculture committee chairman during work on four farm bills taught him lawmakers — urban and rural, conservative and liberal — had to set aside differences and reach across the aisle.“We know the most important thing when you get down to it is to get a bill passed to provide farmers certainty and predictability,” Roberts said. That is the most important question you have with the farm bill. Unfortunately, that is not the most important question we see today in the House of Representatives.”During a news conference with Davids, the Kansas agriculture secretary and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s deputy secretary, Roberts said the fate of the farm bill inspired him to speak frankly about damage caused by the House Freedom Caucus composed of the chamber’s most conservative members. He said nearly two-dozen in this furthest-right block — especially a core group of perhaps eight GOP “ideologues” —&nbsp; were eager to engage in political conflict rather than pragmatic governing.“That’s not the House that I represented for many years or, for that matter, the Senate,” Roberts said. “If you’re an ideologue, they’re right and you’re wrong. No amount of talking or reasonable conversation or whatever is going to bring them to the table. That’s what we’re faced with. Quite frankly, the Republican Party in the House of Representatives is in danger of losing their majority due to this kind of performance, or nonperformance.”<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/u-s-sen-jerry-moran-frustrated-by-slow-pace-of-negotiations-on-new-five-year-farm-bill/">U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, also a Kansas Republican, separately shared frustration</a>&nbsp;with pace of work on the new farm bill and raised an alarm about the potential of the bill not be completed before the clock ran out in September.<h2>Kansas ag future</h2>Davids was joined by Roberts, USDA deputy secretary Xochitl Torres Small, Kansas agriculture secretary Mike Beam, former U.S. Rep. Jim Slattery of Kansas and former U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota for the tour last week of Finley Farms, a family-owned farming operation in Edgerton specializing in growing corn and soybeans.Findley Farms, which is a sixth-generation business, turned to funding provided through the USDA’s environmental quality incentives program, or EQIP, to build a tiled pipe system on terraced fields to better manage water and minimize erosion.“It was through that investment that they were able to look at the best way, the most efficient way to grow their corn and be able to pass that farm on for generations,” Torres Small said. “We know we succeed when we invest in farmers and rural communities.”After the tour, the group took part in a roundtable conversation on Kansas agriculture with representatives from Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Farmers Union, National Crop Insurance Services, Kansas Livestock Association and other commodity groups, grocers, and local agriculture professionals.“It is critically important for Kansas to have bipartisan representation in Congress, and this is especially important for the agriculture committee,” said Slattery, a Democrat who served in the U.S. House from 1983 to 1995. “As someone who has a farm in Kansas, the crop insurance program is important to all producers in Kansas and is perhaps the most successful farm bill program.”The three other U.S. House members and two U.S. senators from Kansas are Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann of the 1st District who also serves on the House Agriculture Committee.Beam, the state’s agriculture secretary, said the scope of the farm economy wasn’t fully appreciated in some circles. He said there were 72 sectors of agriculture contributing $85 billion to the state’s economy. He said 13% of the state’s labor force was engaged in agricultural occupations.