TOPEKA– A Kansas woman was sentenced to&nbsp; 20 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple charges related to drug trafficking, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, a federal jury convicted Theresa Hight, 60, of Topeka, of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, and two counts of distribution of a controlled substance. 

The jury found Hight not guilty of one count of distribution and posses with the intent to distribute controlled substances.

Three additional co-defendants pled guilty in the case. Shelli Lynn Zarazua, 59, of Topeka pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances. On May 1, 2024, Zarazua was sentenced to 120 months in prison.

Anabell Madrigal, 58, of Chula Vista, California, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and on April 24, 2024, was sentenced to 24 months in prison.

Allen Joseph Baker, 45, of Topeka pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and on May 1, 2024, was sentenced to 105 months in prison.

In March 2021, law enforcement officers received information that a courier was scheduled to drop off illegal narcotics at Hight’s residence in Topeka. While conducting surveillance, officers observed Madrigal arrive at the house. After a short time inside, Madrigal, Zarazua, Hight, and Baker all left in separate vehicles. Officers conducted traffic stops on each of the suspects. They found a pound of methamphetamine on Baker’s person as well as 17 bundles of methamphetamine in his vehicle. Hight had an ounce of methamphetamine and digital scales. 

Officers discovered three bundles of cash concealed in the panels of Madrigal’s vehicle. The total weight delivered on this occasion was approximately 20 pounds. Officers learned this was the second delivery which occurred at Hight’s residence.

The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715891161331.png" alt="Hight has a dozen previous convictions that include forgery, ID theft and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections-" />
 <figcaption>Hight has a dozen previous convictions that include forgery, ID theft and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections-</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA– A Kansas woman was sentenced to&nbsp; 20 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple charges related to drug trafficking, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, a federal jury convicted Theresa Hight, 60, of Topeka, of one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, and two counts of distribution of a controlled substance. The jury found Hight not guilty of one count of distribution and posses with the intent to distribute controlled substances.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715891543438.png" alt="Zarazua-from a previous arrest in Chase Co." />
 <figcaption>Zarazua-from a previous arrest in Chase Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Three additional co-defendants pled guilty in the case. Shelli Lynn Zarazua, 59, of Topeka pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances. On May 1, 2024, Zarazua was sentenced to 120 months in prison.Anabell Madrigal, 58, of Chula Vista, California, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and on April 24, 2024, was sentenced to 24 months in prison.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715891328064.png" alt="Baker photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Baker photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>Allen Joseph Baker, 45, of Topeka pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and on May 1, 2024, was sentenced to 105 months in prison.In March 2021, law enforcement officers received information that a courier was scheduled to drop off illegal narcotics at Hight’s residence in Topeka. While conducting surveillance, officers observed Madrigal arrive at the house. After a short time inside, Madrigal, Zarazua, Hight, and Baker all left in separate vehicles. Officers conducted traffic stops on each of the suspects. They found a pound of methamphetamine on Baker’s person as well as 17 bundles of methamphetamine in his vehicle. Hight had an ounce of methamphetamine and digital scales. Officers discovered three bundles of cash concealed in the panels of Madrigal’s vehicle. The total weight delivered on this occasion was approximately 20 pounds. Officers learned this was the second delivery which occurred at Hight’s residence.The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case.

Prison for members of Kansas meth sales ring

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged road rage and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 10 p.m. Friday, police responded to a call of possible shots fired in the area Santa Fe Avenue and Crawford Street in Salina, according to a media release.

A 47-year-old man reported he was driving south on Santa Fe when a white Dodge truck nearly struck his vehicle.

The 47-year-old male subject stopped behind the Dodge truck at the stop light of Santa Fe and Crawford. The subject exited his vehicle and approached the Dodge truck to confront the driver.&nbsp;

The driver of the Dodge truck then fired three gunshots in the direction of the subject. The subject was not struck. The Dodge truck left the area and shell casings were located in the area.

At approximately 11:40 p.m., officers responded to the Saline County Jail, where contact was made with 23-year-old Connor Schmeck of Salina. Schmeck had been brought to the jail by family to turn himself in for the “road rage” incident.&nbsp; A handgun was recovered.

Schmeck was is being held on one count of Aggravated Assault and Criminal Discharge of a Weapon.

The Salina Police Department wants to remind everyone to treat others with respect and compassion not only on the roadways but in general. It is important to understand “road rage” events can escalate v ery quickly. Please think before we act and consider the consequences of our actions. Do not take the law into your own hands.

If you believe someone has committed a crime or traffic infraction contact your local police department so it can be investigated and handled lawfully.

Those who take the law into their own hands face legal ramifications to include incarceration. Friday's incident is a reminder how quickly confronting others can turn into life threatening situation not only for those directly involved but also innocent bystanders. Fortunately no one was injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716034592765.jpeg" alt="Schmeck photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Schmeck photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged road rage and have a suspect in custody.Just after 10 p.m. Friday, police responded to a call of possible shots fired in the area Santa Fe Avenue and Crawford Street in Salina, according to a media release.A 47-year-old man reported he was driving south on Santa Fe when a white Dodge truck nearly struck his vehicle.The 47-year-old male subject stopped behind the Dodge truck at the stop light of Santa Fe and Crawford. The subject exited his vehicle and approached the Dodge truck to confront the driver.&nbsp;The driver of the Dodge truck then fired three gunshots in the direction of the subject. The subject was not struck. The Dodge truck left the area and shell casings were located in the area.At approximately 11:40 p.m., officers responded to the Saline County Jail, where contact was made with 23-year-old Connor Schmeck of Salina. Schmeck had been brought to the jail by family to turn himself in for the “road rage” incident.&nbsp; A handgun was recovered.Schmeck was is being held on one count of Aggravated Assault and Criminal Discharge of a Weapon.The Salina Police Department wants to remind everyone to treat others with respect and compassion not only on the roadways but in general. It is important to understand “road rage” events can escalate v ery quickly. Please think before we act and consider the consequences of our actions. Do not take the law into your own hands.If you believe someone has committed a crime or traffic infraction contact your local police department so it can be investigated and handled lawfully.Those who take the law into their own hands face legal ramifications to include incarceration. Friday's incident is a reminder how quickly confronting others can turn into life threatening situation not only for those directly involved but also innocent bystanders. Fortunately no one was injured.

Road rage: Kan. man turned himself in for shooting at driver 

KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City father and son have been indicted by a federal grand jury for selling firearms without a license, illegally possessing firearms, and drug trafficking, according to the United State's Attorney.

Nathan Caldwell, Sr., also known as “Prince Bossalinie,” 52, and Nathan Caldwell, Jr., 32, were charged in a 29-count indictment that was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, May 7. That indictment was unsealed and made public upon their arrest and initial court appearances.

The federal indictment alleges the Caldwells have aided and abetted each other to engage in the business of dealing in firearms, although they are not licensed dealers, since Dec. 20, 2023.

Nathan Caldwell, Sr., is also charged with 10 counts of being a felon in possession of firearms, eight counts of distributing methamphetamine, one count of distributing cocaine, one count of distributing marijuana, and two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Nathan Caldwell, Jr., is also charged with three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and three counts of distributing marijuana.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition.

Nathan Caldwell, Sr., has two prior felony convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm and prior felony convictions for aiding a felon, attempted aggravated assault, attempted possession of cocaine, conspiracy to commit robbery, and possessing cocaine.

Nathan Caldwell, Jr., has a prior felony conviction for assault.

The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716153098128.png" alt="Nathan Caldwell, Jr. -Photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Nathan Caldwell, Jr. -Photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A Kansas City father and son have been indicted by a federal grand jury for selling firearms without a license, illegally possessing firearms, and drug trafficking, according to the United State's Attorney.Nathan Caldwell, Sr., also known as “Prince Bossalinie,” 52, and Nathan Caldwell, Jr., 32, were charged in a 29-count indictment that was returned under seal by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, May 7. That indictment was unsealed and made public upon their arrest and initial court appearances.The federal indictment alleges the Caldwells have aided and abetted each other to engage in the business of dealing in firearms, although they are not licensed dealers, since Dec. 20, 2023.Nathan Caldwell, Sr., is also charged with 10 counts of being a felon in possession of firearms, eight counts of distributing methamphetamine, one count of distributing cocaine, one count of distributing marijuana, and two counts of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.Nathan Caldwell, Jr., is also charged with three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and three counts of distributing marijuana.Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition.Nathan Caldwell, Sr., has two prior felony convictions for being a felon in possession of a firearm and prior felony convictions for aiding a felon, attempted aggravated assault, attempted possession of cocaine, conspiracy to commit robbery, and possessing cocaine.Nathan Caldwell, Jr., has a prior felony conviction for assault.The charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Kansas City father and son accused of illegally selling guns

Kansas Republican Jerry Moran among top 10 bipartisan senators

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp; State's Newsroom

WASHINGTON — Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick were the most bipartisan members of Congress last year, according to a newly released analysis from the Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.

The least bipartisan House lawmaker was Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, while Alabama’s Katie Britt, a Republican freshman, placed last among senators.

The latest&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.thelugarcenter.org/ourwork-Bipartisan-Index.html">ranking</a>&nbsp;of the most bipartisan lawmakers comes amid one of the least productive Congresses in the nation’s history and just months before nearly all House lawmakers and about one-third of the Senate face voters at the polls in November.

Maria Cancian, dean of the McCourt School of Public Policy, wrote in a statement announcing the new rankings that “while there is much room for improvement, I am encouraged to see some progress on cross-party collaboration.”

“In these deeply divided times, and with an increasing amount of misleading information online, we need tools like the Bipartisan Index more than ever — an evidence-based and nonpartisan approach for measuring how well policymakers work across the aisle to get things done,” Cancian wrote.

Lugar Center Policy Director Dan Diller wrote that it was “especially disheartening that all eight new Senators who took office in January 2023 ranked in the bottom 30 percent of Senate scores.”

“Bipartisan cooperation on legislation in 2023 was deficient by historical standards, though there were some marginal improvements in scores from the previous Congress,” Diller wrote.

The website with the rankings states that the “Bipartisan Index is intended to fill a hole in the information available to the public about the performance of Members of Congress.”

The Lugar Center, founded by the late U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, a Republican from Indiana, “is a platform for informed debate and analysis of global issues, including nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, global food security, foreign assistance effectiveness and global development, energy security, and enhancing bipartisan governance,” according to its website.

The rankings take into consideration “the frequency with which a member of Congress sponsors bills that are co-sponsored by at least one member of the opposing party” and “the frequency with which a member co-sponsors bills introduced by members of the opposite Party.”

The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University wrote on their website that their “aim in publishing this Index is not to promote a specific legislative agenda, as is the case for many indexes, but solely the promotion of a bipartisan approach to governance.”

“The credibility of the Index is derived from the objectivity of its methodology; Index scores are computed formulaically from publically available data,” it states. “The Index requires no subjective assessment of specific legislative items.”

The least bipartisan House lawmakers following Jordan were New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Missouri Democrat Cori Bush, New York Democrat Jamaal Bowman and Missouri Republican Eric Burlison.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, ranked 423, but will likely be excluded from future scores since he has now occupied one of the top two leadership posts for at least six months.

The least bipartisan senators following Britt were Missouri Republican Eric Schmitt, Washington state Democrat Patty Murray, Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson and Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton.

Sean Ross, spokesperson for Britt, wrote in a statement that the ranking is “absurd.”

“Senator Britt has cosponsored 68 pieces of legislation sponsored by Democrats, as well as dozens and dozens of bipartisan pieces of legislation led by Republican sponsors,” Ross wrote.

“The bipartisan efforts she is helping lead span a wide range of important topics to Alabamians, including maternal mortality research and maternal care; youth mental health and social media usage; the fentanyl crisis; affordable insulin access; affordable rural housing; telehealth services; agriculture; domestic manufacturing and supply chains; fair trade; work force development; wildlife conservation; supporting law enforcement; and consumer protections.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716140421905.png" alt="-Senator Moran questioning Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on May 15" />
 <figcaption>-Senator Moran questioning Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo on May 15</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Kansas Republican Jerry Moran among top 10 bipartisan senators</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>&nbsp; State's NewsroomWASHINGTON — Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins and Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick were the most bipartisan members of Congress last year, according to a newly released analysis from the Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.The least bipartisan House lawmaker was Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, while Alabama’s Katie Britt, a Republican freshman, placed last among senators.The latest&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.thelugarcenter.org/ourwork-Bipartisan-Index.html">ranking</a>&nbsp;of the most bipartisan lawmakers comes amid one of the least productive Congresses in the nation’s history and just months before nearly all House lawmakers and about one-third of the Senate face voters at the polls in November.Maria Cancian, dean of the McCourt School of Public Policy, wrote in a statement announcing the new rankings that “while there is much room for improvement, I am encouraged to see some progress on cross-party collaboration.”“In these deeply divided times, and with an increasing amount of misleading information online, we need tools like the Bipartisan Index more than ever — an evidence-based and nonpartisan approach for measuring how well policymakers work across the aisle to get things done,” Cancian wrote.Lugar Center Policy Director Dan Diller wrote that it was “especially disheartening that all eight new Senators who took office in January 2023 ranked in the bottom 30 percent of Senate scores.”“Bipartisan cooperation on legislation in 2023 was deficient by historical standards, though there were some marginal improvements in scores from the previous Congress,” Diller wrote.The website with the rankings states that the “Bipartisan Index is intended to fill a hole in the information available to the public about the performance of Members of Congress.”The Lugar Center, founded by the late U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, a Republican from Indiana, “is a platform for informed debate and analysis of global issues, including nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction, global food security, foreign assistance effectiveness and global development, energy security, and enhancing bipartisan governance,” according to its website.The rankings take into consideration “the frequency with which a member of Congress sponsors bills that are co-sponsored by at least one member of the opposing party” and “the frequency with which a member co-sponsors bills introduced by members of the opposite Party.”<h2>Who is the most bipartisan?</h2>The top 10 senators were:<ul>
 <li>Collins</li><li>Michigan Democrat Gary Peters</li><li>New Hampshire Democrat Maggie Hassan</li><li>West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin</li><li>Texas Republican John Cornyn</li><li>Nevada Democrat Jacky Rosen</li><li>Alaska Republican Lisa Murkowski</li><li>Kansas Republican Jerry Moran</li><li>Indiana Republican Todd Young</li><li>Montana Democrat Jon Tester</li>
 </ul>The top 10 House lawmakers were:<ul>
 <li>Fitzpatrick</li><li>New York Republican Marcus Molinaro</li><li>New Hampshire Democrat Chris Pappas</li><li>New York Republican Mike Lawler</li><li>North Carolina Democrat Don Davis</li><li>Puerto Rico Republican Delegate Jenniffer González-Colón</li><li>Nevada Democrat Susie Lee</li><li>Nebraska Republican Don Bacon</li><li>New Jersey Democrat Josh Gottheimer</li><li>Iowa Republican Zach Nunn</li>
 </ul>The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University wrote on their website that their “aim in publishing this Index is not to promote a specific legislative agenda, as is the case for many indexes, but solely the promotion of a bipartisan approach to governance.”“The credibility of the Index is derived from the objectivity of its methodology; Index scores are computed formulaically from publically available data,” it states. “The Index requires no subjective assessment of specific legislative items.”The least bipartisan House lawmakers following Jordan were New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Missouri Democrat Cori Bush, New York Democrat Jamaal Bowman and Missouri Republican Eric Burlison.House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, ranked 423, but will likely be excluded from future scores since he has now occupied one of the top two leadership posts for at least six months.The least bipartisan senators following Britt were Missouri Republican Eric Schmitt, Washington state Democrat Patty Murray, Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson and Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton.Sean Ross, spokesperson for Britt, wrote in a statement that the ranking is “absurd.”“Senator Britt has cosponsored 68 pieces of legislation sponsored by Democrats, as well as dozens and dozens of bipartisan pieces of legislation led by Republican sponsors,” Ross wrote.“The bipartisan efforts she is helping lead span a wide range of important topics to Alabamians, including maternal mortality research and maternal care; youth mental health and social media usage; the fentanyl crisis; affordable insulin access; affordable rural housing; telehealth services; agriculture; domestic manufacturing and supply chains; fair trade; work force development; wildlife conservation; supporting law enforcement; and consumer protections.”

New list rates the most bipartisan members of Congress — and the least

A long-planned series of Catholic pilgrimages has begun across the United States this weekend, with pilgrims embarking on four routes before converging on Indianapolis in two months for a major gathering focusing on Eucharistic rites and devotions.

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is beginning with Masses and other events in California, Connecticut, Minnesota and Texas. A small group of pilgrims plan to walk entire routes, but most participants are expected to take part for smaller segments.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eucharisticpilgrimage.org/">Each route</a>&nbsp;goes along country roads and through city centers, with multiple stops at parishes, shrines and other sites.

Although it was forged amid a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-religion-maryland-baltimore-9543775a53024d45c818b32062814927">recent debate</a>&nbsp;among bishops over whether to refuse Communion to U.S. politicians who don’t oppose abortion, the pilgrimage is a revival of a historic Catholic tradition that faded by the mid-20th century.

Each procession is being led by a priest holding a monstrance — typically a sunburst-patterned vessel that displays the host, or bread wafer consecrated by a priest at Mass.

The Catholic Church teaches the “whole Christ is truly present — body, blood, soul, and divinity — under the appearances of bread and wine,” according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. As a result, the consecrated host becomes an object of devotion.

“The Eucharist is actually Jesus, so for us to walk with Jesus is actually a witness to our faith in a prayerful action for unity, for peace," said Tim Glemkowski, CEO of the National Eucharistic Congress, the umbrella organization for the events.

The four lengthy pilgrimages appear to be unprecedented, Glemkowski said.

“It’s hard in a 2,000-year-old church to do something for the first time, but a procession this long, with this many people in it, may be the first time this has been attempted in the history of the Catholic Church,” Glemkowski said.

Some pilgrims were embarking Sunday from the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Minnesota. Others planned to embark from a cathedral in Brownsville, Texas, or cross San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.

In New Haven, Connecticut, commemorations began with a Saturday night Mass and a mini-procession around St. Mary's Church, which is the burial site of the 19th century founder of the Knights of Columbus fraternal organization, the Rev. Michael McGivney. After an all-night vigil of prayer and adoration, pilgrims were bringing the host to another New Haven church and later to a boat to carry it to the city of Bridgeport and the next leg of the pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage amounts to an effort to revive a type of mass devotion that was once more common in past generations of Catholicism in the U.S. and beyond.

The pilgrimages — and the concluding National Eucharistic Congress, expected to draw tens of thousands to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in July — is being funded by private donors, sponsors and ticket sales, Glemkowski said. The budget for the National Eucharistic Revival — which is actually a three-year process that has included parish activities as well as the pilgrimages and congress — is about $23 million, with $14 million of that for the congress, he said.

There have been nine previous U.S. gatherings under the name of the National Eucharistic Congress — but none since 1941.

“We just kind of lost track of this tradition,” Glemkowski said. “We’re bringing it back in a way that fits this time.”

Glemkowski said the pilgrimage is not a march and would avoid politics. “That message of unity and peace and just focus on Christ is paramount,” he said.

The idea for these pilgrimages sprang from deliberations among U.S. bishops.

Their 2021 document, “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church,” arose amid debate over whether bishops should withhold Communion from Catholic politicians who supported abortion rights. The document ultimately did not directly address that, though it called on Catholics to examine whether they align with church teachings and said bishops have a “special responsibility” to respond to "public actions at variance with the visible Communion of the church and the moral law.”

At the same time, the document reflected bishops’ worries that many Catholics don’t know or accept the church’s teachings about the significance of the sacrament, though surveys have given mixed results on that question.

Timothy Kelly, professor of history at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, said it's an open question how many participants the pilgrimage will draw. His 2009 book, “The Transformation of American Catholicism," documents the rise and decline of stadium-sized devotional activities such as Eucharistic adoration in 20th century Pittsburgh.

Many early 20th century Catholics were from immigrant communities, and they often gathered at times of flood, war or other crises. “A lot of times in the older demonstrations, the message seemed to be outward toward the broader community — the Catholics bearing witness to their presence and their faith, but also saying, ‘We’re here and we matter.’”

But participation began dropping sharply by the 1950s. “What happened was the laity stopped being interested in it,” Kelly said.

The Eucharistic pilgrimage, he said, appears to be attracting the most interest in Catholic media sympathetic with other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-shift-orthodoxy-tradition-7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487">efforts to revive older traditions</a>, such as the Latin Mass.

“Which makes me curious, how well does this resonate within the broader Catholic community?” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716140777349.png" alt="&nbsp;Map shows each of the four unique routes of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Map shows each of the four unique routes of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By PETER SMITH Associated PressA long-planned series of Catholic pilgrimages has begun across the United States this weekend, with pilgrims embarking on four routes before converging on Indianapolis in two months for a major gathering focusing on Eucharistic rites and devotions.The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is beginning with Masses and other events in California, Connecticut, Minnesota and Texas. A small group of pilgrims plan to walk entire routes, but most participants are expected to take part for smaller segments.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eucharisticpilgrimage.org/">Each route</a>&nbsp;goes along country roads and through city centers, with multiple stops at parishes, shrines and other sites.Although it was forged amid a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-religion-maryland-baltimore-9543775a53024d45c818b32062814927">recent debate</a>&nbsp;among bishops over whether to refuse Communion to U.S. politicians who don’t oppose abortion, the pilgrimage is a revival of a historic Catholic tradition that faded by the mid-20th century.Each procession is being led by a priest holding a monstrance — typically a sunburst-patterned vessel that displays the host, or bread wafer consecrated by a priest at Mass.The Catholic Church teaches the “whole Christ is truly present — body, blood, soul, and divinity — under the appearances of bread and wine,” according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. As a result, the consecrated host becomes an object of devotion.“The Eucharist is actually Jesus, so for us to walk with Jesus is actually a witness to our faith in a prayerful action for unity, for peace," said Tim Glemkowski, CEO of the National Eucharistic Congress, the umbrella organization for the events.The four lengthy pilgrimages appear to be unprecedented, Glemkowski said.“It’s hard in a 2,000-year-old church to do something for the first time, but a procession this long, with this many people in it, may be the first time this has been attempted in the history of the Catholic Church,” Glemkowski said.Some pilgrims were embarking Sunday from the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Minnesota. Others planned to embark from a cathedral in Brownsville, Texas, or cross San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge.In New Haven, Connecticut, commemorations began with a Saturday night Mass and a mini-procession around St. Mary's Church, which is the burial site of the 19th century founder of the Knights of Columbus fraternal organization, the Rev. Michael McGivney. After an all-night vigil of prayer and adoration, pilgrims were bringing the host to another New Haven church and later to a boat to carry it to the city of Bridgeport and the next leg of the pilgrimage.The pilgrimage amounts to an effort to revive a type of mass devotion that was once more common in past generations of Catholicism in the U.S. and beyond.The pilgrimages — and the concluding National Eucharistic Congress, expected to draw tens of thousands to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis in July — is being funded by private donors, sponsors and ticket sales, Glemkowski said. The budget for the National Eucharistic Revival — which is actually a three-year process that has included parish activities as well as the pilgrimages and congress — is about $23 million, with $14 million of that for the congress, he said.There have been nine previous U.S. gatherings under the name of the National Eucharistic Congress — but none since 1941.“We just kind of lost track of this tradition,” Glemkowski said. “We’re bringing it back in a way that fits this time.”Glemkowski said the pilgrimage is not a march and would avoid politics. “That message of unity and peace and just focus on Christ is paramount,” he said.The idea for these pilgrimages sprang from deliberations among U.S. bishops.Their 2021 document, “The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church,” arose amid debate over whether bishops should withhold Communion from Catholic politicians who supported abortion rights. The document ultimately did not directly address that, though it called on Catholics to examine whether they align with church teachings and said bishops have a “special responsibility” to respond to "public actions at variance with the visible Communion of the church and the moral law.”At the same time, the document reflected bishops’ worries that many Catholics don’t know or accept the church’s teachings about the significance of the sacrament, though surveys have given mixed results on that question.Timothy Kelly, professor of history at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, said it's an open question how many participants the pilgrimage will draw. His 2009 book, “The Transformation of American Catholicism," documents the rise and decline of stadium-sized devotional activities such as Eucharistic adoration in 20th century Pittsburgh.Many early 20th century Catholics were from immigrant communities, and they often gathered at times of flood, war or other crises. “A lot of times in the older demonstrations, the message seemed to be outward toward the broader community — the Catholics bearing witness to their presence and their faith, but also saying, ‘We’re here and we matter.’”But participation began dropping sharply by the 1950s. “What happened was the laity stopped being interested in it,” Kelly said.The Eucharistic pilgrimage, he said, appears to be attracting the most interest in Catholic media sympathetic with other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-shift-orthodoxy-tradition-7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487">efforts to revive older traditions</a>, such as the Latin Mass.“Which makes me curious, how well does this resonate within the broader Catholic community?” he said.

Series of Catholic pilgrimages has begun across the United States

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered Kansas offender on new alleged violations.

Just before 9a.m. May 15,&nbsp;the Osage County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotic search warrant in the 1200 block of Laing Street in Osage City, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

Shawna M. Valentine, 41, of Osage City was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility requested charges of&nbsp;Distribution of methamphetamine, Distribution of drug paraphernalia and Unlawful distribution of controlled substances using a communication facility.

She has previous convictions for heroin distribution and for violating the registered offender act. She has been listed as a registered drug offender since since September of 2016, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715622949041.png" alt="Valentine-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Valentine-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a registered Kansas offender on new alleged violations.Just before 9a.m. May 15,&nbsp;the Osage County Sheriff’s Office executed a narcotic search warrant in the 1200 block of Laing Street in Osage City, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.Shawna M. Valentine, 41, of Osage City was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility requested charges of&nbsp;Distribution of methamphetamine, Distribution of drug paraphernalia and Unlawful distribution of controlled substances using a communication facility.She has previous convictions for heroin distribution and for violating the registered offender act. She has been listed as a registered drug offender since since September of 2016, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Registered Kansas offender caught selling  methamphetamine

TOPEKA —On Tuesday, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced a lawsuit against the Biden administration and their new interpretation of Title IX. 

"This new interpretation poses numerous issues, and in the eyes of constitutional law, it is outright illegal," Kobach wrote on social media.

&nbsp;The new regulation seeks to clarify Title IX, a landmark 1972 sex discrimination law originally passed to address women’s rights and applied to schools and colleges receiving federal money. The rules spell out that Title IX bars discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, too.

The Biden administration’s new rules broadly protect against discrimination based on sex, but they don’t offer guidance around&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trans-athletes-sports-ban-2f6cf412d306e73e68efa2377fb5081a">transgender athletes</a>. Most of the states challenging the regulation have laws restricting what teams transgender athletes can play on.

Lawsuits also have been filed in federal courts in Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota , Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and Kentucky.&nbsp;

TOPEKA —On Tuesday, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach announced a lawsuit against the Biden administration and their new interpretation of Title IX. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ICYMI: On Tuesday, my office announced a lawsuit against the current administration and their new interpretation of Title IX. This new interpretation poses numerous issues, and in the eyes of constitutional law, it is outright illegal. <a href="https://t.co/K0WkAZIOvg">pic.twitter.com/K0WkAZIOvg</a>&mdash; Kansas AG&#39;s Office (@KSAGOffice) <a href="https://twitter.com/KSAGOffice/status/1791113954925670558?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>"This new interpretation poses numerous issues, and in the eyes of constitutional law, it is outright illegal," Kobach wrote on social media.&nbsp;The new regulation seeks to clarify Title IX, a landmark 1972 sex discrimination law originally passed to address women’s rights and applied to schools and colleges receiving federal money. The rules spell out that Title IX bars discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, too.The Biden administration’s new rules broadly protect against discrimination based on sex, but they don’t offer guidance around&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trans-athletes-sports-ban-2f6cf412d306e73e68efa2377fb5081a">transgender athletes</a>. Most of the states challenging the regulation have laws restricting what teams transgender athletes can play on.Lawsuits also have been filed in federal courts in Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota , Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and Kentucky.&nbsp;

🎥Kansas AG on lawsuit against Biden's new Title IX rules

By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/aj-dome/">AJ DOME</a>&nbsp;Kansas Reflector

MANHATTAN — The number of tornadoes in Kansas to date has surpassed last year’s amount.

So far, 40 tornadoes have touched down in the state. For 2023, a total of 39 tornadoes were reported across Kansas.

Kansas State University assistant state climatologist Matt Sittel wrote in his April climate summary that 37 tornadoes were reported that month across the state. In his May 1-7 summary, Sittel said three more tornadoes were reported in the first week of this month.

A tornado was reported in Kearny County in southwest Kansas on May 3. Two more tornadoes were noted on May 6, one in Riley County and one in Chautauqua County. No injuries were reported with those three twisters.

Sittel said April was an “active month” for severe weather, with a total of 37 tornado reports, 14 of those on April 27.

The strongest tornado to strike Kansas so far this year was April 30 in Westmoreland. The Pottawatomie County community was hit by an EF-3 tornado, with winds estimated at 140 mph. Ann Miller, 58, died when her home was destroyed by the storm. She was a lifelong Pottawatomie County resident and long-time employee of the county health department.

The Westmoreland twister destroyed 22 homes and damaged several other structures, including the Pottawatomie County noxious weed building and two of the county public works department’s three-sided sheds. Recycling in Pottawatomie County was suspended because of storm damage, and most of the county’s chemical sprayers were mangled. The chemicals themselves were spared. Additionally, the extension office building lost some windows and part of its roof, and at least 30 county vehicles were damaged.

Westmoreland city officials said they were working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Small Business Association and insurance companies to determine a loss total from the April 30 storm. City council president Wade Purvis said during a May 9 meeting that the cleanup stage is “essentially over” and the recovery phase is underway.

Sittel said other modes of severe weather were observed in April, including a report of a three-inch hailstone April 25 in Sherman County. In total, 104 hail reports were tallied for the month, including 32 on April 25.

Two days later saw the highest number of high wind reports at 24. The fastest wind gust happened on April 18, when an anemometer recorded an 87 mph gust in Saint Marys.

For the first week of May, 74 reports of hail greater than one inch were tallied. Three-inch-sized hailstones fell on both May 1 and May 6. The largest stone measured 4.5 inches and fell in Gove County on May 1. The highest wind gust was also measured on May 1. A Kansas Mesonet instrument tower five miles north of Plainville in Rooks County recorded an 83 mph gust. No damage was reported with the peak gust.

Meteorologists with the National Weather Service office in Dodge City are forecasting the potential for scattered thunderstorms across the southwestern portion of the state through the end of the week. Temperatures may also rise to 90 degrees across parts of Kansas on Monday because of increased moisture in the region.

NWS Dodge City scientists wrote in their forecast discussion Tuesday that next week is the “stormiest time of year climatologically” for central and southwest Kansas. The last 10 days of May are traditionally the peak of the severe weather season, which can extend into June.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715990328092.png" alt=" Storm chasers watch rotating clouds hovering over Gove and Ness counties May 1 in western Kansas. This year’s number of tornadoes in the state is now at 40. (AJ Dome)" />
 <figcaption> Storm chasers watch rotating clouds hovering over Gove and Ness counties May 1 in western Kansas. This year’s number of tornadoes in the state is now at 40. (AJ Dome)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/aj-dome/">AJ DOME</a>&nbsp;Kansas ReflectorMANHATTAN — The number of tornadoes in Kansas to date has surpassed last year’s amount.So far, 40 tornadoes have touched down in the state. For 2023, a total of 39 tornadoes were reported across Kansas.Kansas State University assistant state climatologist Matt Sittel wrote in his April climate summary that 37 tornadoes were reported that month across the state. In his May 1-7 summary, Sittel said three more tornadoes were reported in the first week of this month.A tornado was reported in Kearny County in southwest Kansas on May 3. Two more tornadoes were noted on May 6, one in Riley County and one in Chautauqua County. No injuries were reported with those three twisters.Sittel said April was an “active month” for severe weather, with a total of 37 tornado reports, 14 of those on April 27.The strongest tornado to strike Kansas so far this year was April 30 in Westmoreland. The Pottawatomie County community was hit by an EF-3 tornado, with winds estimated at 140 mph. Ann Miller, 58, died when her home was destroyed by the storm. She was a lifelong Pottawatomie County resident and long-time employee of the county health department.The Westmoreland twister destroyed 22 homes and damaged several other structures, including the Pottawatomie County noxious weed building and two of the county public works department’s three-sided sheds. Recycling in Pottawatomie County was suspended because of storm damage, and most of the county’s chemical sprayers were mangled. The chemicals themselves were spared. Additionally, the extension office building lost some windows and part of its roof, and at least 30 county vehicles were damaged.Westmoreland city officials said they were working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Small Business Association and insurance companies to determine a loss total from the April 30 storm. City council president Wade Purvis said during a May 9 meeting that the cleanup stage is “essentially over” and the recovery phase is underway.Sittel said other modes of severe weather were observed in April, including a report of a three-inch hailstone April 25 in Sherman County. In total, 104 hail reports were tallied for the month, including 32 on April 25.Two days later saw the highest number of high wind reports at 24. The fastest wind gust happened on April 18, when an anemometer recorded an 87 mph gust in Saint Marys.For the first week of May, 74 reports of hail greater than one inch were tallied. Three-inch-sized hailstones fell on both May 1 and May 6. The largest stone measured 4.5 inches and fell in Gove County on May 1. The highest wind gust was also measured on May 1. A Kansas Mesonet instrument tower five miles north of Plainville in Rooks County recorded an 83 mph gust. No damage was reported with the peak gust.Meteorologists with the National Weather Service office in Dodge City are forecasting the potential for scattered thunderstorms across the southwestern portion of the state through the end of the week. Temperatures may also rise to 90 degrees across parts of Kansas on Monday because of increased moisture in the region.NWS Dodge City scientists wrote in their forecast discussion Tuesday that next week is the “stormiest time of year climatologically” for central and southwest Kansas. The last 10 days of May are traditionally the peak of the severe weather season, which can extend into June.

Kansas tornado count of 40 this year surpasses 2023 total

OSBORNE COUNTY —A Kansas pilot avoided injury in an accident that occurred just before 9p.m. Saturday in Osborne County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1991 Air Tractor crop sprayer piloted by Garrett Handley, 24,&nbsp; Palco, lost power at west 230th drive just off U.S. 281 ten miles South of Osborne.

As the pilot attempted an emergency landing the wing struck a tree branch causing the aircraft to spin into the north ditch and&nbsp; strike a second tree.

Handley was not injured.&nbsp; The cause of the crash is remains under investigation.

OSBORNE COUNTY —A Kansas pilot avoided injury in an accident that occurred just before 9p.m. Saturday in Osborne County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1991 Air Tractor crop sprayer piloted by Garrett Handley, 24,&nbsp; Palco, lost power at west 230th drive just off U.S. 281 ten miles South of Osborne.As the pilot attempted an emergency landing the wing struck a tree branch causing the aircraft to spin into the north ditch and&nbsp; strike a second tree.Handley was not injured.&nbsp; The cause of the crash is remains under investigation.

Kan. crop sprayer makes emergency landing, strikes trees

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Yemen’s Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;hit an oil tanker in the Red Sea with a ballistic missile early Saturday, damaging the Panama-flagged, Greek-owned vessel in their latest assault over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip</a>, officials said.

Though the Houthis did not immediately claim the assault, it comes as they claimed to have shot down another U.S. military’s MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen and have launched other attacks on shipping, disrupting trade on a key maritime route leading to the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea.

The attack around 1 a.m. struck the oil tanker Wind, which recently docked in Russia and was bound for China, the U.S. military’s Central Command said. Both China and Russia maintain ties over military equipment and oil to Iran, the Houthis’ main benefactor.

The missile strike “caused flooding which resulted in the of loss propulsion and steering,” Central Command said on the social platform X. “The crew of M/T Wind was able to restore propulsion and steering, and no casualties were reported. M/T Wind resumed its course under its own power.”

The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center and the private security firm Ambrey similarly acknowledged the attack earlier Saturday. Ambrey said it caused a fire aboard the Wind.

It can take the Houthis hours — or even days — to claim their attacks.

The Houthis have launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, demanding Israel ends the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians there. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage.

The Houthis have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebel-attack-israel-hamas-war-bf077f026a9f177ec87f4131d695cafc">launched more than 50 attacks</a>&nbsp;on shipping, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.

Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen. Shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden still remains low because of the threat, however.

The Houthis claimed that they shot down the Reaper on Thursday with a surface-to-air missile. They described the drone as “carrying out hostile actions” in Yemen’s Marib province, which remains held by allies of Yemen’s exiled, internationally recognized government.

Since the Houthis seized the country’s north and its capital, Sanaa, in 2014, the U.S. military has previously lost at least five drones to the rebels.

Reapers, which cost around $30 million apiece, can fly at altitudes up to 50,000 feet and have an endurance of up to 24 hours before needing to land.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Yemen’s Houthi rebels</a>&nbsp;hit an oil tanker in the Red Sea with a ballistic missile early Saturday, damaging the Panama-flagged, Greek-owned vessel in their latest assault over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip</a>, officials said.Though the Houthis did not immediately claim the assault, it comes as they claimed to have shot down another U.S. military’s MQ-9 Reaper drone over Yemen and have launched other attacks on shipping, disrupting trade on a key maritime route leading to the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea.The attack around 1 a.m. struck the oil tanker Wind, which recently docked in Russia and was bound for China, the U.S. military’s Central Command said. Both China and Russia maintain ties over military equipment and oil to Iran, the Houthis’ main benefactor.The missile strike “caused flooding which resulted in the of loss propulsion and steering,” Central Command said on the social platform X. “The crew of M/T Wind was able to restore propulsion and steering, and no casualties were reported. M/T Wind resumed its course under its own power.”The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center and the private security firm Ambrey similarly acknowledged the attack earlier Saturday. Ambrey said it caused a fire aboard the Wind.It can take the Houthis hours — or even days — to claim their attacks.The Houthis have launched attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, demanding Israel ends the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians there. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage.The Houthis have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebel-attack-israel-hamas-war-bf077f026a9f177ec87f4131d695cafc">launched more than 50 attacks</a>&nbsp;on shipping, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen. Shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden still remains low because of the threat, however.The Houthis claimed that they shot down the Reaper on Thursday with a surface-to-air missile. They described the drone as “carrying out hostile actions” in Yemen’s Marib province, which remains held by allies of Yemen’s exiled, internationally recognized government.Since the Houthis seized the country’s north and its capital, Sanaa, in 2014, the U.S. military has previously lost at least five drones to the rebels.Reapers, which cost around $30 million apiece, can fly at altitudes up to 50,000 feet and have an endurance of up to 24 hours before needing to land.

U.S. military: Terrorist missile strikes oil tanker in the Red Sea

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 41-year-old man has been acquitted in the 2016 killing of a pregnant woman and her boyfriend at a Topeka apartment.

The jury's verdict of not guilty Friday in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-063a0a9dfbcdfe1af65a85e0345fb022">capital murder</a>&nbsp;and rape case against Yanez Sanford was met with an angry outcry from the slain woman's father, Charles Trotter, who was asked to leave the courtroom.

“This is all about truth and honesty, and what was served today was not that,” Trotter told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2024/05/17/jury-acquits-yanez-sanford-of-capital-murder-in-topeka-triple-killing/73675194007/">The Topeka Capital-Journal</a>&nbsp;as he stood outside the courthouse with a wailing relative.

His daughter, 20-year-old Camrah Trotter, was killed as she called 911 after her boyfriend, 23-year-old Dominique Ray, was fatally shot. Prosecutors said two men had waited for Ray, opening fire when he arrived at the apartment with his cousin.

Trotter’s daughter, who was 4 at the time and is now 12, identified Sanford as the killer and recalled hiding under a bed afterward. But a defense witness said police often manipulate children into giving the answer the child thinks the investigator will consider to be the “right” one.

And they contended that the cousin, Jamontez Fulton, who also identified Sanford, saw the shooters only briefly.

Prosecutors said Trotter, who was in her third trimester of pregnancy, was raped and that DNA evidence identified Sanford’s seminal fluids. But Sanford’s attorneys suggested the sex was consensual.

The defense also argued that Ray's killing was retaliation for the shooting death of another man and suggested other suspects were responsible.

But Dan Dunbar, a retired Shawnee County chief deputy district attorney working as a special prosecutor on the case, said police consider those men to be not “alternative suspects” but potential “accomplices” of Sanford’s, and were continuing to investigate their possible involvement. No one else has been charged in the case.

The defense also suggested at trial that 30 police body camera videos that were inadvertently destroyed may have contained evidence that would have helped prove Sanford’s innocence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1619985436678.png" alt="Sanford photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Sanford photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A 41-year-old man has been acquitted in the 2016 killing of a pregnant woman and her boyfriend at a Topeka apartment.The jury's verdict of not guilty Friday in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-063a0a9dfbcdfe1af65a85e0345fb022">capital murder</a>&nbsp;and rape case against Yanez Sanford was met with an angry outcry from the slain woman's father, Charles Trotter, who was asked to leave the courtroom.“This is all about truth and honesty, and what was served today was not that,” Trotter told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2024/05/17/jury-acquits-yanez-sanford-of-capital-murder-in-topeka-triple-killing/73675194007/">The Topeka Capital-Journal</a>&nbsp;as he stood outside the courthouse with a wailing relative.His daughter, 20-year-old Camrah Trotter, was killed as she called 911 after her boyfriend, 23-year-old Dominique Ray, was fatally shot. Prosecutors said two men had waited for Ray, opening fire when he arrived at the apartment with his cousin.Trotter’s daughter, who was 4 at the time and is now 12, identified Sanford as the killer and recalled hiding under a bed afterward. But a defense witness said police often manipulate children into giving the answer the child thinks the investigator will consider to be the “right” one.And they contended that the cousin, Jamontez Fulton, who also identified Sanford, saw the shooters only briefly.Prosecutors said Trotter, who was in her third trimester of pregnancy, was raped and that DNA evidence identified Sanford’s seminal fluids. But Sanford’s attorneys suggested the sex was consensual.The defense also argued that Ray's killing was retaliation for the shooting death of another man and suggested other suspects were responsible.But Dan Dunbar, a retired Shawnee County chief deputy district attorney working as a special prosecutor on the case, said police consider those men to be not “alternative suspects” but potential “accomplices” of Sanford’s, and were continuing to investigate their possible involvement. No one else has been charged in the case.The defense also suggested at trial that 30 police body camera videos that were inadvertently destroyed may have contained evidence that would have helped prove Sanford’s innocence.

Jury: Man not guilty of killing pregnant Kan. woman, her boyfriend

ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 11a.m. on Thursday, an officer on patrol stopped a Ford Explorer SUV in the 500 block Green Street in Atchison on a traffic violation, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The officer subsequently determined that the driver identified as 49-year-old Robert “Jamie” Ford of Atchison was driving while suspended. It was also determined that his two passengers 36-year-old Shellene Keil and 36-year-old Melissa Butler both of Atchison had outstanding warrants for their arrests. 

During the investigation at the scene, all three occupants of the vehicle were found to be in possession of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. They were all three taken to the County Jail.

Shellene D. Keil is being held on requested charges of possession of fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court, and a District Court warrant for a theft that occurred at Stop and Go at 4th and U.S. 59 in September 2023.

Melissa I. Butler is in jail on requested charges of possession of fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court.&nbsp;

Robert James Ford remains jailed for driving while suspended, possession of fentanyl, and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715962831390.png" alt="Ford photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Ford photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 11a.m. on Thursday, an officer on patrol stopped a Ford Explorer SUV in the 500 block Green Street in Atchison on a traffic violation, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.The officer subsequently determined that the driver identified as 49-year-old Robert “Jamie” Ford of Atchison was driving while suspended. It was also determined that his two passengers 36-year-old Shellene Keil and 36-year-old Melissa Butler both of Atchison had outstanding warrants for their arrests. During the investigation at the scene, all three occupants of the vehicle were found to be in possession of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. They were all three taken to the County Jail.Shellene D. Keil is being held on requested charges of possession of fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court, and a District Court warrant for a theft that occurred at Stop and Go at 4th and U.S. 59 in September 2023.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1716066095944.png" alt="Butler photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Butler photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Melissa I. Butler is in jail on requested charges of possession of fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear in court.&nbsp;Robert James Ford remains jailed for driving while suspended, possession of fentanyl, and possession of drug paraphernalia.&nbsp;

Police found 3 with fentanyl during Kansas traffic stop

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just after 5 a.m. May, 13, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop near 142nd and U.S. Highway 75 for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 During the traffic stop, the deputy observed illegal drug contraband.  The driver, Brandon Dean Vleck, 40, of Greeley, Colorado, was arrested on requested charges of possession of a stolen firearm, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, criminal use of weapons, possession of anabolic steroids, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715867982687.png" alt="Vleck photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Vleck photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just after 5 a.m. May, 13, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop near 142nd and U.S. Highway 75 for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the traffic stop, the deputy observed illegal drug contraband. The driver, Brandon Dean Vleck, 40, of Greeley, Colorado, was arrested on requested charges of possession of a stolen firearm, criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, criminal use of weapons, possession of anabolic steroids, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Colorado man caught with stolen gun, drugs in Kansas

KANSAS CITY —Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker continues to receive attention for last weekends commencement address where he said  most of the women graduates were probably more excited about getting married and having children.  He also railed against Pride month along with President Biden’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his stance on abortion.

On Saturday, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall used his social media account to show support for Butker. "I stand with Harrison Butker, Marshall wrote. "Families, babies, and strong mothers and fathers are a beautiful thing. No amount of liberal gaslighting and manufactured 'outrage' will change our convictions. Christ is King."

During his commencement address at Benedictine College, Butker said, “I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you." "Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world. I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother,” he said.

Butker said that his wife embraced “one of the most important titles of all. Homemaker.

“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity,” NFL senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer Jonathan Beane said in a statement. “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”

Butker also criticized as disparaging to the Catholic Church an article by The Associated Press highlighting a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-shift-orthodoxy-tradition-7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487">shift toward conservativism</a>&nbsp;in some parts of the church.

The three-time Super Bowl champion delivered his roughly 20-minute address Saturday at the Catholic private liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, which is located about 60 miles (97 kilometers) miles north of Kansas City. He received a standing ovation from graduates and other attendees.

Butker, 28, referred to a “deadly sin sort of pride that has a month dedicated to it” in an oblique reference to Pride month. Butker also took aim at Biden's policies, including his condemnation of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Supreme Court's reversal</a>&nbsp;of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and advocacy for freedom of choice — a key campaign issue in the 2024 presidential race.

Biden, who is Catholic, has a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-biden-2024-reproductive-rights-harris-494af752992ba88fa6e3d53fbd54f716">fraught history</a>&nbsp;on the issue. He initially opposed the Roe v. Wade decision, saying it&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonian.com/1974/06/01/joe-biden-kitty-kelley-1974-profile-death-and-the-all-american-boy/">went too far</a>. He also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6127591-biden77letter.html">opposed federal funding</a>&nbsp;for abortions and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2023-abortion-amendment-ohio-strategy-610e427f753a6803e4a59b7af8aa744f">supported restrictions on abortions</a>&nbsp;later in pregnancy.

Butker also tackled Biden's response to COVID-19, which has killed nearly 1.2 million people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique,” he said. “Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values and media all stem from pervasiveness of disorder.”

-The Associated Press contributed to this report.

KANSAS CITY —Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker continues to receive attention for last weekends commencement address where he said most of the women graduates were probably more excited about getting married and having children. He also railed against Pride month along with President Biden’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his stance on abortion.On Saturday, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall used his social media account to show support for Butker. "I stand with Harrison Butker, Marshall wrote. "Families, babies, and strong mothers and fathers are a beautiful thing. No amount of liberal gaslighting and manufactured 'outrage' will change our convictions. Christ is King."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I stand with Harrison Butker. Families, babies, and strong mothers and fathers are a BEAUTIFUL thing. No amount of liberal gaslighting and manufactured &#39;outrage&#39; will change our convictions. Christ is King.&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1791863023658811750?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 18, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>During his commencement address at Benedictine College, Butker said, “I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you." "Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world. I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother,” he said.Butker said that his wife embraced “one of the most important titles of all. Homemaker.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-JS7RIKSaCc?si=5zPUHIMc53Wia9Va&amp;start=2" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity,” NFL senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer Jonathan Beane said in a statement. “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”Butker also criticized as disparaging to the Catholic Church an article by The Associated Press highlighting a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/catholic-church-shift-orthodoxy-tradition-7638fa2013a593f8cb07483ffc8ed487">shift toward conservativism</a>&nbsp;in some parts of the church.The three-time Super Bowl champion delivered his roughly 20-minute address Saturday at the Catholic private liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, which is located about 60 miles (97 kilometers) miles north of Kansas City. He received a standing ovation from graduates and other attendees.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Never more proud to call Harrison Butker my friend <a href="https://t.co/JVT8oXhl34">pic.twitter.com/JVT8oXhl34</a>&mdash; Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) <a href="https://twitter.com/HawleyMO/status/1791238306509844587?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Butker, 28, referred to a “deadly sin sort of pride that has a month dedicated to it” in an oblique reference to Pride month. Butker also took aim at Biden's policies, including his condemnation of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">Supreme Court's reversal</a>&nbsp;of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and advocacy for freedom of choice — a key campaign issue in the 2024 presidential race.Biden, who is Catholic, has a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-biden-2024-reproductive-rights-harris-494af752992ba88fa6e3d53fbd54f716">fraught history</a>&nbsp;on the issue. He initially opposed the Roe v. Wade decision, saying it&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonian.com/1974/06/01/joe-biden-kitty-kelley-1974-profile-death-and-the-all-american-boy/">went too far</a>. He also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/6127591-biden77letter.html">opposed federal funding</a>&nbsp;for abortions and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2023-abortion-amendment-ohio-strategy-610e427f753a6803e4a59b7af8aa744f">supported restrictions on abortions</a>&nbsp;later in pregnancy.Butker also tackled Biden's response to COVID-19, which has killed nearly 1.2 million people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique,” he said. “Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values and media all stem from pervasiveness of disorder.”-The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Kansas U.S. Senator: I stand with Harrison Butker

NEW YORK (AP) — Your wallet may soon be getting thinner.

Visa on Wednesday announced major changes to how credit and debit cards will operate in the U.S. in the coming months and years.

The new features could mean Americans will be carrying fewer physical cards in their wallets, and will make the 16-digit credit or debit card number printed on every card increasingly irrelevant.

They will be some of the biggest changes to how payments operate in the U.S. since the U.S. rolled out chip-embedded cards several years ago. They also come as Americans have many more options to pay for purchases beyond “credit or debit,” including buy now, pay later companies, peer-to-peer payment options, paying directly with a bank, or digital payment systems like Apple Pay.

“I think (with these features) we’re getting past the point where consumers may never need to manually enter an account number ever again,” said Mark Nelsen, Visa’s global head of consumer payments, in an interview.

The biggest change coming for Americans will be the ability for banks to issue one physical payment card that will be connected to multiple bank accounts. That means no more carrying, for example, a Bank of America or Chase debit card as well as their respective credit cards in a physical wallet. Americans will be able to set criteria with their bank — such as having all purchases below $100 or with a certain merchant applied to the debit card, while other purchases go on the credit card.

The feature, already being used in Asia, will be available this summer. Buy now, pay later company Affirm is the first of Visa’s customers to roll out the feature in the U.S.

Some of Visa’s new features are in response to online-payments fraud, which continues to increase as more countries adopt digital payments. The San Francisco-based company estimates that payment fraud happens roughly seven times more often online than it does in person, and there are now billions of stolen credit and debit card numbers available to criminals.

Other new elements are also in response to features that non-payments companies have rolled out in recent years. The Apple Card, which uses Mastercard as its payment network, does not come with a printed 16-digit account number and Apple Card users can request a fresh credit card number at any time without having to dispose of the physical card.

Visa executives see a future where banks will issue cards where the 16-digit account number, if the new cards come with them, is largely symbolic.

Among the other updates unveiled by Visa are changes to tap-to-pay features. Americans will be able to tap their credit or debit cards to their smartphones to add the card to mobile wallets, instead of using a smartphone’s camera to scan in a card’s information, or tap the card to their smartphones to approve a transaction online. Visa will also start implementing biometrics to approve transactions, similar to how Apple devices use a fingerprint or face scan to approve transactions.

NEW YORK (AP) — Your wallet may soon be getting thinner.Visa on Wednesday announced major changes to how credit and debit cards will operate in the U.S. in the coming months and years.The new features could mean Americans will be carrying fewer physical cards in their wallets, and will make the 16-digit credit or debit card number printed on every card increasingly irrelevant.They will be some of the biggest changes to how payments operate in the U.S. since the U.S. rolled out chip-embedded cards several years ago. They also come as Americans have many more options to pay for purchases beyond “credit or debit,” including buy now, pay later companies, peer-to-peer payment options, paying directly with a bank, or digital payment systems like Apple Pay.“I think (with these features) we’re getting past the point where consumers may never need to manually enter an account number ever again,” said Mark Nelsen, Visa’s global head of consumer payments, in an interview.The biggest change coming for Americans will be the ability for banks to issue one physical payment card that will be connected to multiple bank accounts. That means no more carrying, for example, a Bank of America or Chase debit card as well as their respective credit cards in a physical wallet. Americans will be able to set criteria with their bank — such as having all purchases below $100 or with a certain merchant applied to the debit card, while other purchases go on the credit card.The feature, already being used in Asia, will be available this summer. Buy now, pay later company Affirm is the first of Visa’s customers to roll out the feature in the U.S.Some of Visa’s new features are in response to online-payments fraud, which continues to increase as more countries adopt digital payments. The San Francisco-based company estimates that payment fraud happens roughly seven times more often online than it does in person, and there are now billions of stolen credit and debit card numbers available to criminals.Other new elements are also in response to features that non-payments companies have rolled out in recent years. The Apple Card, which uses Mastercard as its payment network, does not come with a printed 16-digit account number and Apple Card users can request a fresh credit card number at any time without having to dispose of the physical card.Visa executives see a future where banks will issue cards where the 16-digit account number, if the new cards come with them, is largely symbolic.Among the other updates unveiled by Visa are changes to tap-to-pay features. Americans will be able to tap their credit or debit cards to their smartphones to add the card to mobile wallets, instead of using a smartphone’s camera to scan in a card’s information, or tap the card to their smartphones to approve a transaction online. Visa will also start implementing biometrics to approve transactions, similar to how Apple devices use a fingerprint or face scan to approve transactions.

Visa changes how credit and debit cards will operate in the U.S.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department this week formally moved to reclassify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marijuana">marijuana</a>&nbsp;as a less dangerous drug, a historic shift in generations of U.S. drug policy.

A proposed rule sent to the federal register recognizes the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledges it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation’s most dangerous drugs.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-reclassification-biden-garland-dea-3c9478472e124c7aaa9b934270b0d450">The plan</a>&nbsp;approved by Attorney General Merrick Garland would not legalize marijuana outright for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/recreational-marijuana">recreational use</a>.

The Drug Enforcement Administration will next take public comment on the proposal in a potentially lengthy process. If approved, the rule would move marijuana away from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. Pot would instead be a Schedule III substance, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids.

The move comes after a recommendation from the federal Health and Human Services Department, which launched&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-reclassification-recreational-medical-states-83b1ad0e01bcd65142ca6cf4abdd110b">a review of the drug’s status</a>&nbsp;at the urging of President Joe Biden in 2022.

Biden also has moved to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-pardons-clemency-02abde991a05ff7dfa29bfc3c74e9d64">pardon thousands of people</a>&nbsp;convicted federally of simple possession of marijuana and has called on governors and local leaders to take similar steps to erase convictions.

“This is monumental,” Biden said in a video statement, calling it an important move toward reversing longstanding inequities. “Far too many lives have been upended because of a failed approach to marijuana, and I’m committed to righting those wrongs. You have my word on it.”

The election year announcement could help Biden, a Democrat, boost flagging support, particularly among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-young-voters-marijuana-reclassification-dea-193e97fc2dd7b32b7d7ad50b4ea80aa0">younger voters</a>.

The notice kicks off a 60-day comment period followed by a possible review from an administrative judge, which could be a drawn-out process.

Biden and a growing number of lawmakers from both major political parties have been pushing for the DEA decision as marijuana has become increasingly decriminalized and accepted, particularly by younger people. Some argue that rescheduling doesn’t go far enough and marijuana should instead be treated the way alcohol is.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York applauded the change and called for additional steps toward legalization.

The U.S. Cannabis Council, a trade group, said the switch would “signal a tectonic shift away from the failed policies of the last 50 years.”

The Justice Department said that available data reviewed by HHS shows that while marijuana "is associated with a high prevalence of abuse,” that potential is more in line with other Schedule III substances, according to the proposed rule.

The HHS recommendations are binding until the draft rule is submitted, and Garland agreed with it for the purposes of starting the process.

Still, the DEA has not yet formed its own determination as to where marijuana should be scheduled, and it expects to learn more during the rulemaking process, the document states.

Some critics argue the DEA shouldn’t change course on marijuana, saying rescheduling isn’t necessary and could lead to harmful side effects.

Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy adviser now with the group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said there isn’t enough data to support moving pot to Schedule III. “As we’ve maintained throughout this process, it’s become undeniable that politics, not science, is driving this decision and has been since the very beginning,” Sabet said.

The immediate effect of rescheduling on the nation’s criminal justice system is expected to be muted. Federal prosecutions for simple possession have been fairly rare in recent years.

Schedule III drugs are still controlled substances and subject to rules and regulations, and people who traffic in them without permission could still face federal criminal prosecution.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department this week formally moved to reclassify&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/marijuana">marijuana</a>&nbsp;as a less dangerous drug, a historic shift in generations of U.S. drug policy.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Too many lives have been upended because of our failed approach to marijuana. So today, the <a href="https://twitter.com/TheJusticeDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheJusticeDept</a> is taking the next step to reclassify marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug under federal law. Here&#39;s what that means: <a href="https://t.co/TMztSyyFYm">pic.twitter.com/TMztSyyFYm</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1791152464617431389?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A proposed rule sent to the federal register recognizes the medical uses of cannabis and acknowledges it has less potential for abuse than some of the nation’s most dangerous drugs.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-reclassification-biden-garland-dea-3c9478472e124c7aaa9b934270b0d450">The plan</a>&nbsp;approved by Attorney General Merrick Garland would not legalize marijuana outright for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/recreational-marijuana">recreational use</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BIG: The DOJ is finally recognizing that draconian cannabis laws need to change to catch up to science and the majority of Americans. But it’s past time to legalize it. That’s why <a href="https://twitter.com/SenBooker?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenBooker</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/RonWyden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RonWyden</a>, and I reintroduced our Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act.&mdash; Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenSchumer/status/1791156251323207769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 16, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Drug Enforcement Administration will next take public comment on the proposal in a potentially lengthy process. If approved, the rule would move marijuana away from its current classification as a Schedule I drug, alongside heroin and LSD. Pot would instead be a Schedule III substance, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids.The move comes after a recommendation from the federal Health and Human Services Department, which launched&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-reclassification-recreational-medical-states-83b1ad0e01bcd65142ca6cf4abdd110b">a review of the drug’s status</a>&nbsp;at the urging of President Joe Biden in 2022.Biden also has moved to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-marijuana-pardons-clemency-02abde991a05ff7dfa29bfc3c74e9d64">pardon thousands of people</a>&nbsp;convicted federally of simple possession of marijuana and has called on governors and local leaders to take similar steps to erase convictions.“This is monumental,” Biden said in a video statement, calling it an important move toward reversing longstanding inequities. “Far too many lives have been upended because of a failed approach to marijuana, and I’m committed to righting those wrongs. You have my word on it.”The election year announcement could help Biden, a Democrat, boost flagging support, particularly among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-young-voters-marijuana-reclassification-dea-193e97fc2dd7b32b7d7ad50b4ea80aa0">younger voters</a>.The notice kicks off a 60-day comment period followed by a possible review from an administrative judge, which could be a drawn-out process.Biden and a growing number of lawmakers from both major political parties have been pushing for the DEA decision as marijuana has become increasingly decriminalized and accepted, particularly by younger people. Some argue that rescheduling doesn’t go far enough and marijuana should instead be treated the way alcohol is.Democratic Senate Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York applauded the change and called for additional steps toward legalization.The U.S. Cannabis Council, a trade group, said the switch would “signal a tectonic shift away from the failed policies of the last 50 years.”The Justice Department said that available data reviewed by HHS shows that while marijuana "is associated with a high prevalence of abuse,” that potential is more in line with other Schedule III substances, according to the proposed rule.The HHS recommendations are binding until the draft rule is submitted, and Garland agreed with it for the purposes of starting the process.Still, the DEA has not yet formed its own determination as to where marijuana should be scheduled, and it expects to learn more during the rulemaking process, the document states.Some critics argue the DEA shouldn’t change course on marijuana, saying rescheduling isn’t necessary and could lead to harmful side effects.Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy adviser now with the group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said there isn’t enough data to support moving pot to Schedule III. “As we’ve maintained throughout this process, it’s become undeniable that politics, not science, is driving this decision and has been since the very beginning,” Sabet said.The immediate effect of rescheduling on the nation’s criminal justice system is expected to be muted. Federal prosecutions for simple possession have been fairly rare in recent years.Schedule III drugs are still controlled substances and subject to rules and regulations, and people who traffic in them without permission could still face federal criminal prosecution.Federal drug policy has lagged behind many states in recent years, with 38 states having already legalized medical marijuana and 24 legalizing its recreational use. That’s helped fuel fast growth in the marijuana industry, with an estimated worth of nearly $30 billion.Easing federal regulations could reduce the tax burden that can be 70% or more for marijuana businesses, according to industry groups. It also could make it easier to research marijuana, since it’s very difficult to conduct authorized clinical studies on Schedule I substances.