KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri's professional sports teams on Thursday turned in more than 340,000 voter signatures to put a ballot proposal to legalize sports betting before voters this November.

The campaign had help from Cardinals’ mascot Fredbird, Royals’ Sluggerrr and St. Louis Blues’ mascot Louie. The oversized bird, lion and blue bear waved enthusiastically as they hauled boxes filled with voter signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State's Office in Jefferson City.

Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft now must validate the voter signatures before the proposal officially makes it on the ballot. The campaign needs roughly 180,000 signatures to qualify.

A total of&nbsp;<a href="https://interactives.ap.org/embeds/4DE55/7/">38 states</a>&nbsp;and the District of Columbia now allow some form sports betting, including 30 states and the nation’s capital that allow online wagering.

The Missouri initiative is an attempt to sidestep the Senate, where bills to allow sports betting have repeatedly stalled. Missouri is one of just a dozen states where sports wagering remains illegal more than five years after the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">cleared the way</a>&nbsp;for states to adopt it.

Teams in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-missouri-cardinals-chiefs-royals-26b7c94ad2d96ad05c2f4a396ba4e795?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">the coalition</a>&nbsp;include the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current and St. Louis City soccer teams.

The proposed constitutional amendment would allow each of Missouri’s 13 casinos and six professional sports teams to offer onsite and mobile sports betting. Teams would control onsite betting and advertising within 400 yards (366 meters) of their stadiums and arenas. The initiative also would allow two mobile sports betting operators to be licensed directly by the Missouri Gaming Commission.

Under the initiative, at least $5 million annually in licensing fees and taxes would go toward problem gambling programs, with remaining tax revenues going toward elementary, secondary and higher education. If approved by voters, state regulators would have to launch sports betting no later than Dec. 1, 2025.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714691807085.jpeg" alt="Mascots for the Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Cardinals haul boxes of voter signatures collected in order to put a proposal to legalize sports betting on the ballot this year, Thursday, May 2, 2024, outside the Secretary of State's Office in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/Summer Ballentine)" />
 <figcaption>Mascots for the Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Blues and St. Louis Cardinals haul boxes of voter signatures collected in order to put a proposal to legalize sports betting on the ballot this year, Thursday, May 2, 2024, outside the Secretary of State's Office in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/Summer Ballentine)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Missouri's professional sports teams on Thursday turned in more than 340,000 voter signatures to put a ballot proposal to legalize sports betting before voters this November.The campaign had help from Cardinals’ mascot Fredbird, Royals’ Sluggerrr and St. Louis Blues’ mascot Louie. The oversized bird, lion and blue bear waved enthusiastically as they hauled boxes filled with voter signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State's Office in Jefferson City.Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft now must validate the voter signatures before the proposal officially makes it on the ballot. The campaign needs roughly 180,000 signatures to qualify.A total of&nbsp;<a href="https://interactives.ap.org/embeds/4DE55/7/">38 states</a>&nbsp;and the District of Columbia now allow some form sports betting, including 30 states and the nation’s capital that allow online wagering.The Missouri initiative is an attempt to sidestep the Senate, where bills to allow sports betting have repeatedly stalled. Missouri is one of just a dozen states where sports wagering remains illegal more than five years after the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f3fa1f71b8f44378a7e2c51d321b13b4?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">cleared the way</a>&nbsp;for states to adopt it.Teams in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-betting-missouri-cardinals-chiefs-royals-26b7c94ad2d96ad05c2f4a396ba4e795?utm_source=copy&amp;utm_medium=share">the coalition</a>&nbsp;include the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Blues, Kansas City Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals, and the Kansas City Current and St. Louis City soccer teams.The proposed constitutional amendment would allow each of Missouri’s 13 casinos and six professional sports teams to offer onsite and mobile sports betting. Teams would control onsite betting and advertising within 400 yards (366 meters) of their stadiums and arenas. The initiative also would allow two mobile sports betting operators to be licensed directly by the Missouri Gaming Commission.Under the initiative, at least $5 million annually in licensing fees and taxes would go toward problem gambling programs, with remaining tax revenues going toward elementary, secondary and higher education. If approved by voters, state regulators would have to launch sports betting no later than Dec. 1, 2025.

Mascots help campaign to legalize sports betting in Missouri 

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Posting a “Wizard of Oz” meme and accusing Gov. Laura Kelly of “political spite,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins led the charge to make those who severely injure or kill police dogs pay for their medical care or funerals.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2583/">House Bill 2583</a>, known as “Bane’s Law,” was inspired by a Sedgwick County service dog named Bane that was killed&nbsp;last year by a fleeing suspect the dog had chased into a sewer drain.

Kelly vetoed the bill but on Monday was overridden 105-20 in the House and 29-10 in the Senate The law increases penalties for inflicting harm on law enforcement animals, including horses. The felony crime is now punishable by a minimum of 90 days in jail and a minimum fine of $10,000.

During the incarceration period, the perpetrator also will have to go through a psychological evaluation and completion of an anger management program as a condition of probation, although this provision is already included in Kansas statute.

The bill was introduced by Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Rep. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston, earlier in the session. Kansas statute previously required a minimum of 30 days in jail and a fine of more than $500 and less than $5,000 for the crime of severely harming or killing police dogs.

In her veto explanation, Kelly said the death of law enforcement animals is always a tragedy, but the heightened sentencing, psychological evaluation and anger management requirements were not mandated for other, more severe offenses.

“House Bill 2583 imposes mandatory minimum sentences that disregard important factors that should be left to the discretion of a judge through the regular sentencing process,” Kelly said. “Second, the mandatory sentences are out of line with other, more severe crimes without justification for why that is required. Third, while the requirement for a psychological evaluation and anger management program are important, we do not apply this same standard to many other heinous crimes.”

In response, Hawkins&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DanHawkinsKS/status/1781494536834830482/photo/1">posted on X&nbsp;</a>a meme of Kelly photoshopped into a picture of the Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz,” with the caption, “I’ll get you law enforcement, and your little dogs too!” Underneath, he wrote: “Don’t forget Gov. Kelly vetoed a bill increasing penalties for killing or injuring police dogs out of pure political spite.”

Others shared Kelly’s concerns about the implications of the bill’s heightened punishments.

Because people who harm or kill these animals under the law are now responsible for restitution to the law enforcement agency — paying for the injured animal’s medical treatment, as well as funeral expenses if the animal dies, and the cost of replacing and training a new animal — expenses can be thousands of dollars, adding an additional burden to the jail time and fine.

Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, mentioned the historical use of police dogs to harm people fighting for equality during the Civil Rights movement in previous bill debate.

“We should trust the police, but oftentimes we can’t, and that’s an issue,” Carr said during Monday’s House veto override debate.

Rep. Timothy Johnson, R-Basehor, who worked for decades in law enforcement and had experience with police dog training, pushed back on Carr’s claims. Johnson said the dogs were highly trained for all circumstances.

“They are not used as bite dogs. That is not their focus,” Johnson said. “… They become your family. I had one of the most wonderful German Shepherds in my entire life experience. We literally had a family funeral when he passed away. That animal would obey every and any command. I could walk in a schoolhouse among children and you would never know. Please, do not equate things that happened in the 1960s, in the ‘50s, with the way training is done now. It’s not allowed.”

Owens brought up the circumstance of Bane’s death in his defense of the bill, emphasizing K-9 officers’ role in protecting officers.

“That defendant brutally kicked that dog and caused significant internal damage to the point it was so weak that that individual was able to strangle that dog to death,” Owens said. “I want you to think if we had sent a law enforcement officer down there, how that might have played out.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700174387964.png" alt="A memorial service held Nov. 29 for K9 officer Bane -photo Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>A memorial service held Nov. 29 for K9 officer Bane -photo Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Posting a “Wizard of Oz” meme and accusing Gov. Laura Kelly of “political spite,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins led the charge to make those who severely injure or kill police dogs pay for their medical care or funerals.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sometimes the truth hurts. Don’t forget Gov Kelly vetoed a bill increasing penalties for killing or injuring police dogs out of pure political spite. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/sgui3tBXm4">pic.twitter.com/sgui3tBXm4</a>&mdash; Dan Hawkins (@DanHawkinsKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanHawkinsKS/status/1781494536834830482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2583/">House Bill 2583</a>, known as “Bane’s Law,” was inspired by a Sedgwick County service dog named Bane that was killed&nbsp;last year by a fleeing suspect the dog had chased into a sewer drain.Kelly vetoed the bill but on Monday was overridden 105-20 in the House and 29-10 in the Senate The law increases penalties for inflicting harm on law enforcement animals, including horses. The felony crime is now punishable by a minimum of 90 days in jail and a minimum fine of $10,000.During the incarceration period, the perpetrator also will have to go through a psychological evaluation and completion of an anger management program as a condition of probation, although this provision is already included in Kansas statute.The bill was introduced by Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Rep. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston, earlier in the session. Kansas statute previously required a minimum of 30 days in jail and a fine of more than $500 and less than $5,000 for the crime of severely harming or killing police dogs.In her veto explanation, Kelly said the death of law enforcement animals is always a tragedy, but the heightened sentencing, psychological evaluation and anger management requirements were not mandated for other, more severe offenses.“House Bill 2583 imposes mandatory minimum sentences that disregard important factors that should be left to the discretion of a judge through the regular sentencing process,” Kelly said. “Second, the mandatory sentences are out of line with other, more severe crimes without justification for why that is required. Third, while the requirement for a psychological evaluation and anger management program are important, we do not apply this same standard to many other heinous crimes.”In response, Hawkins&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/DanHawkinsKS/status/1781494536834830482/photo/1">posted on X&nbsp;</a>a meme of Kelly photoshopped into a picture of the Wicked Witch of the West from “The Wizard of Oz,” with the caption, “I’ll get you law enforcement, and your little dogs too!” Underneath, he wrote: “Don’t forget Gov. Kelly vetoed a bill increasing penalties for killing or injuring police dogs out of pure political spite.”Others shared Kelly’s concerns about the implications of the bill’s heightened punishments.Because people who harm or kill these animals under the law are now responsible for restitution to the law enforcement agency — paying for the injured animal’s medical treatment, as well as funeral expenses if the animal dies, and the cost of replacing and training a new animal — expenses can be thousands of dollars, adding an additional burden to the jail time and fine.Rep. Ford Carr, D-Wichita, mentioned the historical use of police dogs to harm people fighting for equality during the Civil Rights movement in previous bill debate.“We should trust the police, but oftentimes we can’t, and that’s an issue,” Carr said during Monday’s House veto override debate.Rep. Timothy Johnson, R-Basehor, who worked for decades in law enforcement and had experience with police dog training, pushed back on Carr’s claims. Johnson said the dogs were highly trained for all circumstances.“They are not used as bite dogs. That is not their focus,” Johnson said. “… They become your family. I had one of the most wonderful German Shepherds in my entire life experience. We literally had a family funeral when he passed away. That animal would obey every and any command. I could walk in a schoolhouse among children and you would never know. Please, do not equate things that happened in the 1960s, in the ‘50s, with the way training is done now. It’s not allowed.”Owens brought up the circumstance of Bane’s death in his defense of the bill, emphasizing K-9 officers’ role in protecting officers.“That defendant brutally kicked that dog and caused significant internal damage to the point it was so weak that that individual was able to strangle that dog to death,” Owens said. “I want you to think if we had sent a law enforcement officer down there, how that might have played out.”

Inspired by death of beloved dog, Kan. police animal protection bill set to become law

KANSAS CITY —A shoplifting suspect died while in custody of the Kansas City Police Department.

Just after 6:30pm Thursday, two KCPD officers were working off-duty security at Walmart in the 8500 block of N Boardwalk Avenue, according to Police Captain Jake Becchina.

.At that time the officers took a man into custody for investigation of shoplifting. Officers escorted the subject to the security office. While the man was seated in the office officers observed him attempt to swallow an unknown object.

Officers attempted to get the man&nbsp; to spit the object out but he refused. The man began to exhibit difficulty breathing and then lost consciousness.

Officers immediately began to render aid and called for EMS. Officers continued lifesaving efforts until EMS arrived and took over. EMS transported the man to the hospital for treatment in life threatening condition.

He was later declared deceased at the hospital, according to Becchina. KCPD Detectives responded for a death investigation and worked with crime scene investigators to process the scene.

KANSAS CITY —A shoplifting suspect died while in custody of the Kansas City Police Department.Just after 6:30pm Thursday, two KCPD officers were working off-duty security at Walmart in the 8500 block of N Boardwalk Avenue, according to Police Captain Jake Becchina..At that time the officers took a man into custody for investigation of shoplifting. Officers escorted the subject to the security office. While the man was seated in the office officers observed him attempt to swallow an unknown object.Officers attempted to get the man&nbsp; to spit the object out but he refused. The man began to exhibit difficulty breathing and then lost consciousness.Officers immediately began to render aid and called for EMS. Officers continued lifesaving efforts until EMS arrived and took over. EMS transported the man to the hospital for treatment in life threatening condition.He was later declared deceased at the hospital, according to Becchina. KCPD Detectives responded for a death investigation and worked with crime scene investigators to process the scene.

KCPD: Shoplifting suspect dies after taken into custody

TOPEKA -&nbsp;Kansas law prohibits the University of Kansas from granting pro-Hamas protesters’ demands, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach wrote in a letter sent Thursday to KU Chancellor Doug Girod and members of the Kansas Board of Regents.

“As is often the case with uninformed, petulant loudmouths, (the protesters) have not done their research. And their views are reprehensible. I trust that you will not honor them,” Kobach’s letter reads.&nbsp; Click&nbsp;<a href="http://%20https//ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/letter-to-ku-and-board-of-regents.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to read the letter from Attorney General Kobach.

Protesters at KU are demanding that the university divest financial ties to Israel. However, the Kansas Legislature has already spoken on the topic.“The University of Kansas has many hallowed traditions, but siding with bloodthirsty, antisemitic terrorists is not one of them. I encourage you to enforce all applicable university rules and regulations so that the educational mission of the university is not disrupted,” Kobach wrote. “The taxpayers of Kansas expect and deserve the very best from KU.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714585191259.png" alt="Protestors at KU Photo by JuYeon Kim courtesy KSHB TV" />
 <figcaption>Protestors at KU Photo by JuYeon Kim courtesy KSHB TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA -&nbsp;Kansas law prohibits the University of Kansas from granting pro-Hamas protesters’ demands, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach wrote in a letter sent Thursday to KU Chancellor Doug Girod and members of the Kansas Board of Regents.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/universityofkansas?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#universityofkansas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/unversityprotests?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#unversityprotests</a> <a href="https://t.co/rf6tdQikFF">pic.twitter.com/rf6tdQikFF</a>&mdash; University Daily Kansan 🌾 (@KansanNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/KansanNews/status/1786116092076662990?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714585098880.png" alt="Letter from protesters to the KU Chancellor" />
 <figcaption>Letter from protesters to the KU Chancellor</figcaption>
 </figure>“As is often the case with uninformed, petulant loudmouths, (the protesters) have not done their research. And their views are reprehensible. I trust that you will not honor them,” Kobach’s letter reads.&nbsp; Click&nbsp;<a href="http://%20https//ag.ks.gov/docs/default-source/documents/letter-to-ku-and-board-of-regents.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to read the letter from Attorney General Kobach.Protesters at KU are demanding that the university divest financial ties to Israel. However, the Kansas Legislature has already spoken on the topic.“The University of Kansas has many hallowed traditions, but siding with bloodthirsty, antisemitic terrorists is not one of them. I encourage you to enforce all applicable university rules and regulations so that the educational mission of the university is not disrupted,” Kobach wrote. “The taxpayers of Kansas expect and deserve the very best from KU.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. AG reminds KU that pro-Hamas protesters’ demands are illegal

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates on Thursday removed a 52-year-old declaration from their official social teachings that deemed “the practice of homosexuality ... incompatible with Christian teaching” — part of a wider series of historic reversals of the denomination’s longstanding disapproval of LGBTQ activity.

The historic vote came as delegates also approved a new definition of marriage as a covenant between “two people of faith” while recognizing the couple may or may not involve a man and a woman. That replaces an exclusively heterosexual definition of marriage and followed a debate that exposed tensions between some U.S. and international delegates.

The 523-161 vote to approve a section of the church's Revised Social Principles took place at the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in the penultimate day of their 11-day legislative gathering in Charlotte.

It came a day after the General Conference&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-lgbtq-clergy-general-conference-acabe18fe22b6838e3005ad8895534fa">removed its longstanding ban</a>&nbsp;on "self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers. Step by step, delegates have been removing anti-LGBTQ language throughout their official documents.

But the marriage definition was approved only after debate and a compromise amendment — one of the few instances of open debate during this otherwise overwhelmingly progressive conference.

“God designed marriage to be between a man and a woman,” said Nimia Peralta from the Northwest Philippines. While the conference earlier approved a regionalization plan enabling different parts of the global church to adapt rules to their local contexts, “God’s Word can never be regionalized,” she said.

But the Rev. James Howell of Western North Carolina applauded the new language.

“Cynics and young adults will not listen to us talk about Jesus if we say we do not condone people they love and care about,” Howell said. “Friends, it’s time.”

The Rev. Kalaba Chali, based in Kansas, said the principles are general enough without forcing people in different cultural contexts “to do things the same way.”

The approval came only after an amendment offered by lay delegate Molly Mwayera of East Zimbabwe, who noted that many African countries do not allow for same-sex marriage. After extended wordsmithing, the assembly settled on an amendment with a parenthetical clause that affirmed marriage as a sacred covenant bringing “two people of faith (adult man and woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age) into union."

It’s the UMC’s first legislative gathering since 2019, one that features its most progressive slate of delegates in memory due to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congregations-leaving-united-methodist-church-lgbtq-bans-70b8c89ea49174597f4548c249bab24f">departure of many conservatives</a>&nbsp;from the denomination. More than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations in the United States — one quarter of the denomination's American total — disaffiliated because the UMC essentially stopped enforcing its bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination.

A temporary window enabled American churches to leave with their properties, normally held by the denomination, under more favorable than normal terms. While the conference voted against extending that window to international churches, the conference votes could still prompt departures of some international churches through different means — particularly in Africa, where conservative sexual values prevail and where same-sex activity is criminalized in some countries.

After the vote, contrasting gatherings were held nearby outside the Charlotte Convention Center — a celebratory gathering of LGBTQ people and their allies at one end of a long courtyard, a defiant gathering of prayer and song by dozens of African delegates who opposed the changes.

“We are deeply devastated now to be part of a denomination that will contradict the Bible ’s teaching on marriage and sexual morality,” said the Rev. Jerry Kulah, of the conservative advocacy group Africa Initiative. He said African conferences will have to decide their future, but he contended the denomination was “willing to lose Africans and Africa to fulfill this progressive agenda.”

Some African delegates have spoken in support of the regionalization proposal, which can allow church regions to maintain their bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination even as American churches go without them.

The progressive momentum of the General Conference was evident from the vote Thursday. They voted on the last of a series of approvals of a wholesale rewrite of the denomination’s Social Principles — a non-binding but influential compendium of the denomination’s social stances on everything from war and peace to the environment and family relations.

The new version no longer includes the clause: “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching." It had also urged members not to condemn gays and lesbians.

The old version said sexual relations are "affirmed only with the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage."

The new version omits this phrase and describes “human sexuality as a sacred gift” and a “healthy and natural part of life that is expressed in wonderfully diverse ways.” It doesn't say anything about restricting sexual activity to marriage. It does say people have the right to consent to sex and condemns sexual harassment and exploitation and opposes pornography as “destructive.”

The new version calls for human rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and other racial, ethnic and gender categories.

Thursday’s change is particularly significant because the “incompatible” clause dates back to the beginning of the 52-year-old debate on LGBTQ issues within one of the nation’s largest Protestant denominations. The phrasing was adopted on the floor of the 1972 General Conference via an amendment proposed by a delegate, added to the original draft statement that had said “persons of homosexual orientation are persons of sacred worth.”

The denomination had been revising and adding to the Social Principles for decades; this amounts to the first wholesale rewrite in many years. Other revisions were approved earlier this week.

The drafters chose general language because the denomination spans countries and cultures, said John Hill, interim general secretary at the Board of Church and Society, at a news conference earlier this week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714692325534.png" alt="Kaleigh Corbett and Thomas Lank of the Greater New Jersey Conference embrace after General Conference delegates voted on May 2 to eliminate the longtime assertion in the denomination’s Social Principles that “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The legislative assembly is meeting in Charlotte, N.C., through May 3. Photo by Larry McCormack, courtesy UM News." />
 <figcaption>Kaleigh Corbett and Thomas Lank of the Greater New Jersey Conference embrace after General Conference delegates voted on May 2 to eliminate the longtime assertion in the denomination’s Social Principles that “the practice of homosexuality… is incompatible with Christian teaching.” The legislative assembly is meeting in Charlotte, N.C., through May 3. Photo by Larry McCormack, courtesy UM News.</figcaption>
 </figure>CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — United Methodist delegates on Thursday removed a 52-year-old declaration from their official social teachings that deemed “the practice of homosexuality ... incompatible with Christian teaching” — part of a wider series of historic reversals of the denomination’s longstanding disapproval of LGBTQ activity.The historic vote came as delegates also approved a new definition of marriage as a covenant between “two people of faith” while recognizing the couple may or may not involve a man and a woman. That replaces an exclusively heterosexual definition of marriage and followed a debate that exposed tensions between some U.S. and international delegates.The 523-161 vote to approve a section of the church's Revised Social Principles took place at the General Conference of the United Methodist Church in the penultimate day of their 11-day legislative gathering in Charlotte.It came a day after the General Conference&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-lgbtq-clergy-general-conference-acabe18fe22b6838e3005ad8895534fa">removed its longstanding ban</a>&nbsp;on "self-avowed practicing homosexuals” from being ordained or appointed as ministers. Step by step, delegates have been removing anti-LGBTQ language throughout their official documents.But the marriage definition was approved only after debate and a compromise amendment — one of the few instances of open debate during this otherwise overwhelmingly progressive conference.“God designed marriage to be between a man and a woman,” said Nimia Peralta from the Northwest Philippines. While the conference earlier approved a regionalization plan enabling different parts of the global church to adapt rules to their local contexts, “God’s Word can never be regionalized,” she said.But the Rev. James Howell of Western North Carolina applauded the new language.“Cynics and young adults will not listen to us talk about Jesus if we say we do not condone people they love and care about,” Howell said. “Friends, it’s time.”The Rev. Kalaba Chali, based in Kansas, said the principles are general enough without forcing people in different cultural contexts “to do things the same way.”The approval came only after an amendment offered by lay delegate Molly Mwayera of East Zimbabwe, who noted that many African countries do not allow for same-sex marriage. After extended wordsmithing, the assembly settled on an amendment with a parenthetical clause that affirmed marriage as a sacred covenant bringing “two people of faith (adult man and woman of consenting age or two adult persons of consenting age) into union."It’s the UMC’s first legislative gathering since 2019, one that features its most progressive slate of delegates in memory due to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congregations-leaving-united-methodist-church-lgbtq-bans-70b8c89ea49174597f4548c249bab24f">departure of many conservatives</a>&nbsp;from the denomination. More than 7,600 mostly conservative congregations in the United States — one quarter of the denomination's American total — disaffiliated because the UMC essentially stopped enforcing its bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination.A temporary window enabled American churches to leave with their properties, normally held by the denomination, under more favorable than normal terms. While the conference voted against extending that window to international churches, the conference votes could still prompt departures of some international churches through different means — particularly in Africa, where conservative sexual values prevail and where same-sex activity is criminalized in some countries.After the vote, contrasting gatherings were held nearby outside the Charlotte Convention Center — a celebratory gathering of LGBTQ people and their allies at one end of a long courtyard, a defiant gathering of prayer and song by dozens of African delegates who opposed the changes.“We are deeply devastated now to be part of a denomination that will contradict the Bible ’s teaching on marriage and sexual morality,” said the Rev. Jerry Kulah, of the conservative advocacy group Africa Initiative. He said African conferences will have to decide their future, but he contended the denomination was “willing to lose Africans and Africa to fulfill this progressive agenda.”Some African delegates have spoken in support of the regionalization proposal, which can allow church regions to maintain their bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination even as American churches go without them.The progressive momentum of the General Conference was evident from the vote Thursday. They voted on the last of a series of approvals of a wholesale rewrite of the denomination’s Social Principles — a non-binding but influential compendium of the denomination’s social stances on everything from war and peace to the environment and family relations.The new version no longer includes the clause: “The United Methodist Church does not condone the practice of homosexuality and considers this practice incompatible with Christian teaching." It had also urged members not to condemn gays and lesbians.The old version said sexual relations are "affirmed only with the covenant of monogamous, heterosexual marriage."The new version omits this phrase and describes “human sexuality as a sacred gift” and a “healthy and natural part of life that is expressed in wonderfully diverse ways.” It doesn't say anything about restricting sexual activity to marriage. It does say people have the right to consent to sex and condemns sexual harassment and exploitation and opposes pornography as “destructive.”The new version calls for human rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity and other racial, ethnic and gender categories.Thursday’s change is particularly significant because the “incompatible” clause dates back to the beginning of the 52-year-old debate on LGBTQ issues within one of the nation’s largest Protestant denominations. The phrasing was adopted on the floor of the 1972 General Conference via an amendment proposed by a delegate, added to the original draft statement that had said “persons of homosexual orientation are persons of sacred worth.”The denomination had been revising and adding to the Social Principles for decades; this amounts to the first wholesale rewrite in many years. Other revisions were approved earlier this week.The drafters chose general language because the denomination spans countries and cultures, said John Hill, interim general secretary at the Board of Church and Society, at a news conference earlier this week.

United Methodists remove anti-gay language from their official teachings on societal issues

JERUSALEM (AP) —Dror Or, a 49-year-old held captive in Gaza, has died, the Hostages Families Forum said Friday. Or marks the 38th hostage killed, the forum said.

He was one of about 250 people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-displaced-hamas-dead-sea-beeri-hotel-94d57fc34dd18a73e38eea8437d15801">abducted when Hamas attacked</a>&nbsp;southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israel says militants&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-hostage-families-ceasefire-ramadan-d1b0da2f7bd2e9882f79ebae874561be">still hold around 100 hostages</a>&nbsp;and the remains of more than 30 others.

Dozens of people demonstrated Thursday night outside Israel’s military headquarters in Tel Aviv, demanding a deal to release the hostages. Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-gaza-palestinian-authority-israel-war-ed7018dbaae09b81513daf3bda38109a">Hamas</a>&nbsp;said it would send a delegation to Cairo as soon as possible to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-05-02-2024-0699ef663cba7318c375c0ee5bbf20ae">keep working on cease-fire talks</a>. A leaked truce proposal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-ceasefire-negotiations-7cec005ccd59dbd817ef9614a8611ca4">hints at compromises by both sides</a>&nbsp;after months of talks languishing in a stalemate.

Across the United States, tent encampments and demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/college-protests-Palestine-updates">spread across university campuses</a>. More than 2,000 protesters have been arrested over the past two weeks as students rally against the war’s death toll and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-protest-gaza-war-arrest-amnesty-ae235703d6a9b99114078fca13a530a0">call for universities to separate themselves</a>&nbsp;from any companies that are advancing Israel’s military efforts in Gaza.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;has driven around 80% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million from their homes, caused vast destruction in several towns and cities, and pushed northern Gaza&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-03-18-2024-eefc526aec97821fe5f1e845801a6640">to the brink of famine</a>. The death toll in Gaza has soared to more than 34,500 people,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">according to local health officials</a>, and the territory's entire population has been driven into a humanitarian catastrophe.

Meanwhile, United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, while at a news conference Thursday in Hawaii, was asked by a reporter what consequences Israel would face from the U.S. if Israel conducted an offensive operation in Rafah without “appropriately taking into account” civilians in the area.

Austin said it would be up to President Joe Biden and he wouldn’t speculate on that, but that currently, "conditions are not favorable to any kind of operation."

“What we’ve highlighted for the Israelis is that it’s really important to make sure that the civilians that are in that battle space move out of that battle space before any activity is conducted. And that if and when they return to any kind of operation that it be conducted in a more much more precise fashion,” Austin said.

He noted there were about 275,000 people living in and around Rafah before the conflict started but there are now about 1.4 million.

“That’s a lot of people in a very small space. There’s a good chance that without taking the right measures that we’ll see a lot more civilian casualties going forward. So before anything happens, we certainly want to see them address that threat to the civilians,” Austin said.

“Right now, the conditions are not favorable to any kind of operation. And we’ve been clear about that. It is necessary to take care of the civilian population that’s in that area before anything else happens,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714731047165.png" alt="Dror Or- photo Hostage and Missing Families" />
 <figcaption>Dror Or- photo Hostage and Missing Families</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) —Dror Or, a 49-year-old held captive in Gaza, has died, the Hostages Families Forum said Friday. Or marks the 38th hostage killed, the forum said.He was one of about 250 people&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-displaced-hamas-dead-sea-beeri-hotel-94d57fc34dd18a73e38eea8437d15801">abducted when Hamas attacked</a>&nbsp;southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians. Israel says militants&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-hostage-families-ceasefire-ramadan-d1b0da2f7bd2e9882f79ebae874561be">still hold around 100 hostages</a>&nbsp;and the remains of more than 30 others.Dozens of people demonstrated Thursday night outside Israel’s military headquarters in Tel Aviv, demanding a deal to release the hostages. Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-gaza-palestinian-authority-israel-war-ed7018dbaae09b81513daf3bda38109a">Hamas</a>&nbsp;said it would send a delegation to Cairo as soon as possible to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-05-02-2024-0699ef663cba7318c375c0ee5bbf20ae">keep working on cease-fire talks</a>. A leaked truce proposal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-ceasefire-negotiations-7cec005ccd59dbd817ef9614a8611ca4">hints at compromises by both sides</a>&nbsp;after months of talks languishing in a stalemate.Across the United States, tent encampments and demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas war have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/college-protests-Palestine-updates">spread across university campuses</a>. More than 2,000 protesters have been arrested over the past two weeks as students rally against the war’s death toll and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-protest-gaza-war-arrest-amnesty-ae235703d6a9b99114078fca13a530a0">call for universities to separate themselves</a>&nbsp;from any companies that are advancing Israel’s military efforts in Gaza.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;has driven around 80% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million from their homes, caused vast destruction in several towns and cities, and pushed northern Gaza&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-03-18-2024-eefc526aec97821fe5f1e845801a6640">to the brink of famine</a>. The death toll in Gaza has soared to more than 34,500 people,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">according to local health officials</a>, and the territory's entire population has been driven into a humanitarian catastrophe.Meanwhile, United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, while at a news conference Thursday in Hawaii, was asked by a reporter what consequences Israel would face from the U.S. if Israel conducted an offensive operation in Rafah without “appropriately taking into account” civilians in the area.Austin said it would be up to President Joe Biden and he wouldn’t speculate on that, but that currently, "conditions are not favorable to any kind of operation."“What we’ve highlighted for the Israelis is that it’s really important to make sure that the civilians that are in that battle space move out of that battle space before any activity is conducted. And that if and when they return to any kind of operation that it be conducted in a more much more precise fashion,” Austin said.He noted there were about 275,000 people living in and around Rafah before the conflict started but there are now about 1.4 million.“That’s a lot of people in a very small space. There’s a good chance that without taking the right measures that we’ll see a lot more civilian casualties going forward. So before anything happens, we certainly want to see them address that threat to the civilians,” Austin said.“Right now, the conditions are not favorable to any kind of operation. And we’ve been clear about that. It is necessary to take care of the civilian population that’s in that area before anything else happens,” he said.

U.S. confirms another hostage held in Gaza has died 

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A pair of Kansas brothers will serve time in prison for opening fire on law enforcement officers as the officers were investigating an earlier, related shooting.

According to court documents, G’Ante Butler, 24, and Zarion Butler, 26, of Kansas City, Kansas, were both sentenced to 190 months’ imprisonment.

In December 2023, a federal jury found G’Ante Butler guilty of one count of forcible assault on a federal law enforcement officer and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Zarion Butler subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault of a federal law enforcement officer and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.

Co-defendants Nadarius Barnes, 24, Chase Lewis, 23, and Donnell L. Hall, 28, all of Kansas City, Kansas, each pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault on a federal law enforcement officer and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Barnes was sentenced to 156 months’ imprisonment, Lewis (a driver who did not shoot at officers) was sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment, and Hall is awaiting sentencing.

On August 3, 2020, Kansas City, Kansas police officers responded to a “shots fired” call at a house where the Butler brothers’ parents lived on Farrow Avenue. In response to the investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agents and federally deputized Task Force Officers (TFOs) went to North Allis Street and arrested a suspect in the Farrow Avenue shooting. 

As the officers were returning to their vehicles, multiple shooters began firing at them. The officers tried to immediately take cover, however, not before an officer and a civilian bystander were struck by gunfire.

The Butlers, Barnes, and Hall shot at the North Allis Street house in retaliation for the earlier shooting on Farrow Avenue. Officers later recovered numerous spent shell casings (including 9mm, .40 caliber, .45 caliber, 5.56 caliber, and 7.62 caliber casings) from an alley west of the targeted North Allis Street home.

“Numerous brave Law Enforcement Officers started their day in August of 2020 doing their job by executing a lawful search warrant when they were ambushed by four individuals. No one can be allowed to shoot at law enforcement. 

This sentence sends a clear warning to anyone who thinks they can shoot at Law Enforcement and get away with it – they cannot. If they try, we will tirelessly work with the United States Attorney’s Office and our federal, state, and local partners to investigate and prosecute them to the fullest extent provided by law,” stated Bernard G. Hansen, Special Agent in Charge, Kansas City Field Division. “The actions of the ATF Special Agents and officers from our partner agencies that day are truly commendable as they acted with high regard not only for their safety but those of the surrounding community. I am both grateful for, and inspired by, the professionalism shown by the ATF agents who risked their lives that morning.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704406464075.png" alt="G’Ante Butler-photo Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>G’Ante Butler-photo Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A pair of Kansas brothers will serve time in prison for opening fire on law enforcement officers as the officers were investigating an earlier, related shooting.According to court documents, G’Ante Butler, 24, and Zarion Butler, 26, of Kansas City, Kansas, were both sentenced to 190 months’ imprisonment.In December 2023, a federal jury found G’Ante Butler guilty of one count of forcible assault on a federal law enforcement officer and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714511230399.png" alt="Zarion Butler" />
 <figcaption>Zarion Butler</figcaption>
 </figure>Zarion Butler subsequently pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault of a federal law enforcement officer and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.Co-defendants Nadarius Barnes, 24, Chase Lewis, 23, and Donnell L. Hall, 28, all of Kansas City, Kansas, each pleaded guilty to one count of forcible assault on a federal law enforcement officer and one count of use of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Barnes was sentenced to 156 months’ imprisonment, Lewis (a driver who did not shoot at officers) was sentenced to 42 months’ imprisonment, and Hall is awaiting sentencing.On August 3, 2020, Kansas City, Kansas police officers responded to a “shots fired” call at a house where the Butler brothers’ parents lived on Farrow Avenue. In response to the investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agents and federally deputized Task Force Officers (TFOs) went to North Allis Street and arrested a suspect in the Farrow Avenue shooting. As the officers were returning to their vehicles, multiple shooters began firing at them. The officers tried to immediately take cover, however, not before an officer and a civilian bystander were struck by gunfire.The Butlers, Barnes, and Hall shot at the North Allis Street house in retaliation for the earlier shooting on Farrow Avenue. Officers later recovered numerous spent shell casings (including 9mm, .40 caliber, .45 caliber, 5.56 caliber, and 7.62 caliber casings) from an alley west of the targeted North Allis Street home.“Numerous brave Law Enforcement Officers started their day in August of 2020 doing their job by executing a lawful search warrant when they were ambushed by four individuals. No one can be allowed to shoot at law enforcement. This sentence sends a clear warning to anyone who thinks they can shoot at Law Enforcement and get away with it – they cannot. If they try, we will tirelessly work with the United States Attorney’s Office and our federal, state, and local partners to investigate and prosecute them to the fullest extent provided by law,” stated Bernard G. Hansen, Special Agent in Charge, Kansas City Field Division. “The actions of the ATF Special Agents and officers from our partner agencies that day are truly commendable as they acted with high regard not only for their safety but those of the surrounding community. I am both grateful for, and inspired by, the professionalism shown by the ATF agents who risked their lives that morning.”The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the case.

Kan. brothers orchestrated retaliation shooting at law enforcement

PAWNEE COUNTY—A jury on Wednesday found a Kansas man guilty of felony charges of Forgery and Theft by Deception.

The two-day trial was conducted in the Pawnee County District Court against Adam Collinge, 43 of Topeka, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.

The charges stem from an allegation that on January 19, 2022, Collinge passed a forged check at a bank in Larned, Kansas, that had been written on the account of a Lawrence based business. 

At trial, the State presented testimony that in addition to the check presented in Larned,&nbsp; Collinge also presented similar checks that same afternoon at three other branches of the bank in Central Kansas. While Collinge was able to cash checks at the first three branches he entered, the fourth bank declined the attempted transaction after determining it to be suspicion.

Representatives from the business testified Collinge had never been employed by their business and that they had not authorized the issuance of any checks to Collinge. Employees from the bank testified that the Collinge received a total of $8,264.30 from the bank and that the bank reversed the debits from the business’s account since they were fraudulent transactions.

Collinge testified on his own behalf at the trial and advised the Jury that he had been picked up by two unknown men in Topeka that morning and offered construction work in Western Kansas. When they arrived in Central Kansas, he was told all they needed him to do was cash checks. 

He testified he was paid $200 for each check cashed. He further testified he was told the excess money was going to be used to pay undocumented workers who had actually performed the discussed construction work.

The Larned Police Department handled the investigation as to the check presented in Pawnee County.

The jury made up of 5 men and 7 women deliberated for approximately thirty-minutes Wednesday before returning Guilty verdicts on both counts.&nbsp;

Under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines Collinge faces a sentence between 7 months and 23 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections depending on his criminal history.&nbsp; He remains free on supervised release.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654102566248.png" alt="Collinge-photo Pawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Collinge-photo Pawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>PAWNEE COUNTY—A jury on Wednesday found a Kansas man guilty of felony charges of Forgery and Theft by Deception.The two-day trial was conducted in the Pawnee County District Court against Adam Collinge, 43 of Topeka, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.The charges stem from an allegation that on January 19, 2022, Collinge passed a forged check at a bank in Larned, Kansas, that had been written on the account of a Lawrence based business. At trial, the State presented testimony that in addition to the check presented in Larned,&nbsp; Collinge also presented similar checks that same afternoon at three other branches of the bank in Central Kansas. While Collinge was able to cash checks at the first three branches he entered, the fourth bank declined the attempted transaction after determining it to be suspicion.Representatives from the business testified Collinge had never been employed by their business and that they had not authorized the issuance of any checks to Collinge. Employees from the bank testified that the Collinge received a total of $8,264.30 from the bank and that the bank reversed the debits from the business’s account since they were fraudulent transactions.Collinge testified on his own behalf at the trial and advised the Jury that he had been picked up by two unknown men in Topeka that morning and offered construction work in Western Kansas. When they arrived in Central Kansas, he was told all they needed him to do was cash checks. He testified he was paid $200 for each check cashed. He further testified he was told the excess money was going to be used to pay undocumented workers who had actually performed the discussed construction work.The Larned Police Department handled the investigation as to the check presented in Pawnee County.The jury made up of 5 men and 7 women deliberated for approximately thirty-minutes Wednesday before returning Guilty verdicts on both counts.&nbsp;Under the Kansas Sentencing Guidelines Collinge faces a sentence between 7 months and 23 months in the custody of the Department of Corrections depending on his criminal history.&nbsp; He remains free on supervised release.

Jury: Kan. man guilty of cashing forged payroll check at 4 banks

POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —Authorities in Pottawatomie County have released the name of the woman who died in the tornado on Tuesday.

According to&nbsp;Becky Ryan, Pottawatomie County Public Information Officer, 58-year-old Ann Miller died from injuries in the tornado.

Just after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, an EF3 tornado struck the Pottawatomie County community of Westmoreland with wind gusts of 140mph, according to a preliminary damage survey by the National Weather Service in Topeka.

&nbsp;Miller was a long term county resident and a county health department employee.

Meanwhile, the American Red Cross is establishing a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) in Westmoreland to aid residents impacted by the tornado.

The MARC will serve both direct victims and those indirectly affected, including families. It will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5 at the Methodist Church, located at 109 Main Street in Westmoreland. 

Agencies will be located in the education building immediately south of the church.Visitors to the MARC will have access to a wide range of services from various agencies, including but not limited to:• Pawnee Mental Health• American Red Cross• Pottawatomie County Appraiser’s Office• Pottawatomie County Health Department• AT&amp;T• The Salvation ArmyResidents affected by the disaster are encouraged to take advantage of the support available at the MARC, and community members are urged to spread the word about this important resource.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714524542202.png" alt="Picture of the Tuesday tornado by Kristen Krainbill. The view is facing west from the Charlson and Wilson offices located at 108 N 2nd in Westmoreland. The buildings in the picture are the old and new Pottawatomie County Courthouse and Jail and County offices." />
 <figcaption>Picture of the Tuesday tornado by Kristen Krainbill. The view is facing west from the Charlson and Wilson offices located at 108 N 2nd in Westmoreland. The buildings in the picture are the old and new Pottawatomie County Courthouse and Jail and County offices.</figcaption>
 </figure>POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY —Authorities in Pottawatomie County have released the name of the woman who died in the tornado on Tuesday.According to&nbsp;Becky Ryan, Pottawatomie County Public Information Officer, 58-year-old Ann Miller died from injuries in the tornado.Just after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, an EF3 tornado struck the Pottawatomie County community of Westmoreland with wind gusts of 140mph, according to a preliminary damage survey by the National Weather Service in Topeka.&nbsp;Miller was a long term county resident and a county health department employee.Meanwhile, the American Red Cross is establishing a Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) in Westmoreland to aid residents impacted by the tornado.The MARC will serve both direct victims and those indirectly affected, including families. It will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 3 through Sunday, May 5 at the Methodist Church, located at 109 Main Street in Westmoreland. Agencies will be located in the education building immediately south of the church.Visitors to the MARC will have access to a wide range of services from various agencies, including but not limited to:• Pawnee Mental Health• American Red Cross• Pottawatomie County Appraiser’s Office• Pottawatomie County Health Department• AT&amp;T• The Salvation ArmyResidents affected by the disaster are encouraged to take advantage of the support available at the MARC, and community members are urged to spread the word about this important resource.

Officials ID Kansas woman who died in tornado

By U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence

Iran’s leaders regularly espouse the goal of eradicating the state of Israel. Earlier this month, Iran acted on that goal, launching for the first time an attack on Israel from its own soil. Iranian leaders have threatened future responses from Iranian territory.

A line has been crossed. This attack and any future escalation pose a threat to Israel and regional stability, as well as to U.S. troops stationed in the region.

Just as concerning: Iran is increasing its defense cooperation with Russia and China, participating in military exercises with both countries, and pursuing advanced military equipment from and to Moscow.

Meanwhile, the Iranian regime continues to provide support to terrorist groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Gaza, where Israel continues its battle against those responsible for the Oct. 7 attack. Iran also has the technical capability to develop a nuclear weapon if the Supreme Leader orders it.

But Iran’s nefarious plans require funding, and the regime’s economy is heavily dependent on oil exports, which represent up to 70% of its government revenues. By cutting off Iran’s lucrative oil market, we can drain their terrorist slush funds and weaken Iran’s ability to promote further violence.

Since 2010, Congress has passed numerous bipartisan laws to restrict Iran’s oil exports. In the last six months alone, there have been more than 100 bills introduced in Congress aimed at diminishing Iranian oil sales.

Nonetheless, it is the responsibility of the president to enforce these sanctions, and the Biden administration has failed to do so in any meaningful way.

After the Trump administration withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and began its “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimated that Iran’s crude oil fell from 2.5 million barrels per day in 2017 to a mere 400,000 in 2020.

The Biden administration recently announced plans to impose new sanctions on Iran, stating, “These new sanctions and other measures will continue a steady drumbeat of pressure to contain and degrade Iran’s military capacity and effectiveness.”

Yet this administration has steadily reduced pressure on Iran and failed to enforce bipartisan sanctions already in place — allowing Iran to return to exporting 1.6 to 1.8 million barrels of oil a day.

I have no confidence in the White House to enforce these new sanctions. Posturing and using one-word phrases mean nothing to Iran.

Six months have passed since the greatest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust, and Iranian oil prices and production have reached a multi-year high. Since then, an Iran-backed group killed three American servicemembers, and another has effectively closed the Red Sea to commercial shipping. Iranian intelligence continues to plot to assassinate U.S. officials. Whatever goodwill the president hoped to earn from Tehran by looking the other way on sanctions, his policy has only reaped chaos.

The greatest beneficiary of Biden’s policy, besides Iran, is China, which is the primary customer of Iran’s oil — buying up to 90% of it at a substantial discount. This, in turn, supports China’s economy and its rapid military modernization that is a threat to the Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. officials “have privately acknowledged a gradual relaxation of enforcement on Iranian oil sales.” Any relaxation of congressionally-mandated sanctions against Iran while our trusted allies in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific endure threats to their security and stability is wholly unacceptable.

To be sure, sanctions alone are not a panacea to the Iran challenge. They are one tool to be coupled with military and diplomatic pressure to achieve the outcomes we seek. But they are a tool to be wielded. It is far past time for Biden to do so.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698779613018.jpeg" alt="Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, member of the Senate Select Committee on IntelligenceIran’s leaders regularly espouse the goal of eradicating the state of Israel. Earlier this month, Iran acted on that goal, launching for the first time an attack on Israel from its own soil. Iranian leaders have threatened future responses from Iranian territory.A line has been crossed. This attack and any future escalation pose a threat to Israel and regional stability, as well as to U.S. troops stationed in the region.Just as concerning: Iran is increasing its defense cooperation with Russia and China, participating in military exercises with both countries, and pursuing advanced military equipment from and to Moscow.Meanwhile, the Iranian regime continues to provide support to terrorist groups in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Gaza, where Israel continues its battle against those responsible for the Oct. 7 attack. Iran also has the technical capability to develop a nuclear weapon if the Supreme Leader orders it.But Iran’s nefarious plans require funding, and the regime’s economy is heavily dependent on oil exports, which represent up to 70% of its government revenues. By cutting off Iran’s lucrative oil market, we can drain their terrorist slush funds and weaken Iran’s ability to promote further violence.Since 2010, Congress has passed numerous bipartisan laws to restrict Iran’s oil exports. In the last six months alone, there have been more than 100 bills introduced in Congress aimed at diminishing Iranian oil sales.Nonetheless, it is the responsibility of the president to enforce these sanctions, and the Biden administration has failed to do so in any meaningful way.After the Trump administration withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and began its “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimated that Iran’s crude oil fell from 2.5 million barrels per day in 2017 to a mere 400,000 in 2020.The Biden administration recently announced plans to impose new sanctions on Iran, stating, “These new sanctions and other measures will continue a steady drumbeat of pressure to contain and degrade Iran’s military capacity and effectiveness.”Yet this administration has steadily reduced pressure on Iran and failed to enforce bipartisan sanctions already in place — allowing Iran to return to exporting 1.6 to 1.8 million barrels of oil a day.I have no confidence in the White House to enforce these new sanctions. Posturing and using one-word phrases mean nothing to Iran.Six months have passed since the greatest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust, and Iranian oil prices and production have reached a multi-year high. Since then, an Iran-backed group killed three American servicemembers, and another has effectively closed the Red Sea to commercial shipping. Iranian intelligence continues to plot to assassinate U.S. officials. Whatever goodwill the president hoped to earn from Tehran by looking the other way on sanctions, his policy has only reaped chaos.The greatest beneficiary of Biden’s policy, besides Iran, is China, which is the primary customer of Iran’s oil — buying up to 90% of it at a substantial discount. This, in turn, supports China’s economy and its rapid military modernization that is a threat to the Indo-Pacific region.U.S. officials “have privately acknowledged a gradual relaxation of enforcement on Iranian oil sales.” Any relaxation of congressionally-mandated sanctions against Iran while our trusted allies in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific endure threats to their security and stability is wholly unacceptable.To be sure, sanctions alone are not a panacea to the Iran challenge. They are one tool to be coupled with military and diplomatic pressure to achieve the outcomes we seek. But they are a tool to be wielded. It is far past time for Biden to do so.

Moran:  Biden’s failure to enforce sanctions fuels Iranian aggression

KANSAS CITY —KC Scout, the bi-state initiative between the Missouri and Kansas Departments of Transportation to provide travel and traffic information and service for the Kansas City metro area, suffered a cyberattack on April 25. 

Services continue to be offline which includes dynamic message boards, the website and cameras connected to KC Scout. Staff have and continue to evaluate impacts. 

Immediate and critical traffic information impacting the KC metro area is being shared through<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmodot.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0MkWArSrslcQ8o4OoTdnIgr4MR2EOP9an4Ywdo0-3zL6tTmxNrkUp8Q_8_aem_AcdfCS28-5jf3LfldWVKiQrjCBPNkhBzL2DelJsdhnkzDNmht0Ju0woDbizy3V88v1nyfAMkeoLjFzjnvPX1wNGZ&amp;h=AT0WpIBlyqApkbXx-3GHGRyURvKm5lABRhWb6i80ZF5zfXy_eOEWSFcOJdJA3xjEFhS6IPXV6N7STVzNencCLbic1jblIVNwhN5NcFvIwb-jx6l9JWEV5m67kfjbOt7gKhAW-Ho&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT0HhVsYpKMTI-TOZUgIil0foKcQ98Yl3d7UOFf_7iyzaHmEyUiRC-gqM3_HJHP2LdcAcZAmBnL7r0vPf7afnM2xKwDNkzT_a6GeRHZ4rwFhNc8kGFpHPoftAQrOnFH5f2iFyLDXIR8EMTiG76wPPeQqTOk6rrbuzKHe77RkS5ZkjldTVuNXaDxW8H5mWOhY_bz2U096mCkKrkFnatJ3wliwWU2FdiMjqHxQ8l8ODF--oIXE_uprlG2sAp58QRRPXRXywPOj3zBzagk6Xdr2" target="_blank"> modot.or</a>g in Missouri and<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2FKanDrive.gov%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3FCf7UwI9hZ8a4IoFoYfzDOg_2PZixcearl5EeNpilFuK8Uq96caa3IQI_aem_AcePjOOMj6DpoKA9HGuOhRD8skBy_ouar0hEUZ2bah1KozGAHAIZ_W688TAV8E79QD5CdpxQXuwKmIs1-qSyI43T&amp;h=AT1Ahgn74d2jXYNLsQamdvGVOoKozi3uZKVfD-iyn6OvLM1fH-wcE-ttw9TB765ErKtw0HTvQJtpI8qHdkN70L9Qidzmlf0x8rHWqvMwvwNassxLFx3hUrWBvwwg2HuO7hwI2BU&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT0HhVsYpKMTI-TOZUgIil0foKcQ98Yl3d7UOFf_7iyzaHmEyUiRC-gqM3_HJHP2LdcAcZAmBnL7r0vPf7afnM2xKwDNkzT_a6GeRHZ4rwFhNc8kGFpHPoftAQrOnFH5f2iFyLDXIR8EMTiG76wPPeQqTOk6rrbuzKHe77RkS5ZkjldTVuNXaDxW8H5mWOhY_bz2U096mCkKrkFnatJ3wliwWU2FdiMjqHxQ8l8ODF--oIXE_uprlG2sAp58QRRPXRXywPOj3zBzagk6Xdr2" target="_blank"> KanDrive.go</a>v in Kansas.

The Missouri and Kansas Departments of Transportation understand this is frustrating to partners and the traveling public. Work on service restoration is underway. 

It is too early to provide an estimate, but it is expected to be months before restoration can be anticipated. The DOTs and KC Scout ask for continued patience from partners and the public as efforts to restore services continue.

The Kansas and Missouri DOTs remind motorists that emergency services are still available in Kansas and Missouri. Kansas Highway Patrol Motorist Assist Vehicle (MAV) continue to proactively run routes and respond to incidents in their jurisdiction. 

MoDOT Emergency Response Continue to proactively run routes and respond to incidents in their jurisdiction. While real-time data is not available via KC Scout services, the Missouri and Kansas traveler information sites, apps, and phone numbers are providing limited information on the KC metro area via phone and website/app:• Missouri: Call 888.275.6636 or visit <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modot.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2rvcGGe7BEKiU8YTX4NGc0UjnQmsrdOj7Qyek0DbprTHxdsXz1B-JBVlI_aem_AcdOfwPj9WaSMSf9p6RhtgM-Bz8do93ELxvioRJb1Ob7-Y-sWS3cuG8BM7Q2Mt3dnioKeD_BQvhycPgVl-KCYH0b&amp;h=AT2bdMjGT0slZRGfC5xEAWaHElBxz3hjZZGsFoPrjmnoh0ZEKkMc4-7eKR6iMZgskemnO_3ndgozfODiyPEhk8YwAM0hHRIxD9Q8HPRYeQ8Lh_b7XkK8jqCo_892ReVJLbdNtxI&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT0HhVsYpKMTI-TOZUgIil0foKcQ98Yl3d7UOFf_7iyzaHmEyUiRC-gqM3_HJHP2LdcAcZAmBnL7r0vPf7afnM2xKwDNkzT_a6GeRHZ4rwFhNc8kGFpHPoftAQrOnFH5f2iFyLDXIR8EMTiG76wPPeQqTOk6rrbuzKHe77RkS5ZkjldTVuNXaDxW8H5mWOhY_bz2U096mCkKrkFnatJ3wliwWU2FdiMjqHxQ8l8ODF--oIXE_uprlG2sAp58QRRPXRXywPOj3zBzagk6Xdr2" target="_blank">www.modot.org</a>• Kansas: Call 511 or visit <a href="https://kandrive.gov/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR20BfEiRlrvCT9_coIAXs3kTPXe7IZHOZUNnm1ffNgjHoWuAZyPljvlNQU_aem_AceAMHvxzuvNXm3Aa67-GCbuD50SVy8zK1lJLxO_wK0KeJO0LBNM_N51awMfY527P6MXSTe0JmRB7RG2Pr8l7uhh" target="_blank">KanDrive.gov</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714681676254.png" alt="Image from a traffic crash in May of 2023" />
 <figcaption>Image from a traffic crash in May of 2023</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —KC Scout, the bi-state initiative between the Missouri and Kansas Departments of Transportation to provide travel and traffic information and service for the Kansas City metro area, suffered a cyberattack on April 25. Services continue to be offline which includes dynamic message boards, the website and cameras connected to KC Scout. Staff have and continue to evaluate impacts. Immediate and critical traffic information impacting the KC metro area is being shared through<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fmodot.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0MkWArSrslcQ8o4OoTdnIgr4MR2EOP9an4Ywdo0-3zL6tTmxNrkUp8Q_8_aem_AcdfCS28-5jf3LfldWVKiQrjCBPNkhBzL2DelJsdhnkzDNmht0Ju0woDbizy3V88v1nyfAMkeoLjFzjnvPX1wNGZ&amp;h=AT0WpIBlyqApkbXx-3GHGRyURvKm5lABRhWb6i80ZF5zfXy_eOEWSFcOJdJA3xjEFhS6IPXV6N7STVzNencCLbic1jblIVNwhN5NcFvIwb-jx6l9JWEV5m67kfjbOt7gKhAW-Ho&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT0HhVsYpKMTI-TOZUgIil0foKcQ98Yl3d7UOFf_7iyzaHmEyUiRC-gqM3_HJHP2LdcAcZAmBnL7r0vPf7afnM2xKwDNkzT_a6GeRHZ4rwFhNc8kGFpHPoftAQrOnFH5f2iFyLDXIR8EMTiG76wPPeQqTOk6rrbuzKHe77RkS5ZkjldTVuNXaDxW8H5mWOhY_bz2U096mCkKrkFnatJ3wliwWU2FdiMjqHxQ8l8ODF--oIXE_uprlG2sAp58QRRPXRXywPOj3zBzagk6Xdr2" target="_blank"> modot.or</a>g in Missouri and<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2FKanDrive.gov%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3FCf7UwI9hZ8a4IoFoYfzDOg_2PZixcearl5EeNpilFuK8Uq96caa3IQI_aem_AcePjOOMj6DpoKA9HGuOhRD8skBy_ouar0hEUZ2bah1KozGAHAIZ_W688TAV8E79QD5CdpxQXuwKmIs1-qSyI43T&amp;h=AT1Ahgn74d2jXYNLsQamdvGVOoKozi3uZKVfD-iyn6OvLM1fH-wcE-ttw9TB765ErKtw0HTvQJtpI8qHdkN70L9Qidzmlf0x8rHWqvMwvwNassxLFx3hUrWBvwwg2HuO7hwI2BU&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT0HhVsYpKMTI-TOZUgIil0foKcQ98Yl3d7UOFf_7iyzaHmEyUiRC-gqM3_HJHP2LdcAcZAmBnL7r0vPf7afnM2xKwDNkzT_a6GeRHZ4rwFhNc8kGFpHPoftAQrOnFH5f2iFyLDXIR8EMTiG76wPPeQqTOk6rrbuzKHe77RkS5ZkjldTVuNXaDxW8H5mWOhY_bz2U096mCkKrkFnatJ3wliwWU2FdiMjqHxQ8l8ODF--oIXE_uprlG2sAp58QRRPXRXywPOj3zBzagk6Xdr2" target="_blank"> KanDrive.go</a>v in Kansas.The Missouri and Kansas Departments of Transportation understand this is frustrating to partners and the traveling public. Work on service restoration is underway. It is too early to provide an estimate, but it is expected to be months before restoration can be anticipated. The DOTs and KC Scout ask for continued patience from partners and the public as efforts to restore services continue.The Kansas and Missouri DOTs remind motorists that emergency services are still available in Kansas and Missouri. Kansas Highway Patrol Motorist Assist Vehicle (MAV) continue to proactively run routes and respond to incidents in their jurisdiction. MoDOT Emergency Response Continue to proactively run routes and respond to incidents in their jurisdiction. While real-time data is not available via KC Scout services, the Missouri and Kansas traveler information sites, apps, and phone numbers are providing limited information on the KC metro area via phone and website/app:• Missouri: Call 888.275.6636 or visit <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.modot.org%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR2rvcGGe7BEKiU8YTX4NGc0UjnQmsrdOj7Qyek0DbprTHxdsXz1B-JBVlI_aem_AcdOfwPj9WaSMSf9p6RhtgM-Bz8do93ELxvioRJb1Ob7-Y-sWS3cuG8BM7Q2Mt3dnioKeD_BQvhycPgVl-KCYH0b&amp;h=AT2bdMjGT0slZRGfC5xEAWaHElBxz3hjZZGsFoPrjmnoh0ZEKkMc4-7eKR6iMZgskemnO_3ndgozfODiyPEhk8YwAM0hHRIxD9Q8HPRYeQ8Lh_b7XkK8jqCo_892ReVJLbdNtxI&amp;__tn__=-UK-y-R&amp;c[0]=AT0HhVsYpKMTI-TOZUgIil0foKcQ98Yl3d7UOFf_7iyzaHmEyUiRC-gqM3_HJHP2LdcAcZAmBnL7r0vPf7afnM2xKwDNkzT_a6GeRHZ4rwFhNc8kGFpHPoftAQrOnFH5f2iFyLDXIR8EMTiG76wPPeQqTOk6rrbuzKHe77RkS5ZkjldTVuNXaDxW8H5mWOhY_bz2U096mCkKrkFnatJ3wliwWU2FdiMjqHxQ8l8ODF--oIXE_uprlG2sAp58QRRPXRXywPOj3zBzagk6Xdr2" target="_blank">www.modot.org</a>• Kansas: Call 511 or visit <a href="https://kandrive.gov/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR20BfEiRlrvCT9_coIAXs3kTPXe7IZHOZUNnm1ffNgjHoWuAZyPljvlNQU_aem_AceAMHvxzuvNXm3Aa67-GCbuD50SVy8zK1lJLxO_wK0KeJO0LBNM_N51awMfY527P6MXSTe0JmRB7RG2Pr8l7uhh" target="_blank">KanDrive.gov</a>

Cyberattack: Network of KC traffic cameras expected down for months

FINNEY COUNTY—Friends started an online fundraiser to assist the family of 16-year-old Israel Adrian Garcia of Garden City&nbsp; who died in an accident&nbsp; just after 6:30a.m. April 22,&nbsp; in Finney County.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tqwhx-israel-garcia">Click here to </a>view the fundraiser

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a vehicle was southbound in the 4600 Block of Big Lowe Road.

The vehicle left the roadway to the right and came back onto the road. It then traveled across the center line into the northbound lane, off the roadway to the left and rolled into a ditch.

The KHP released no additional details on the crash but have confirmed a 16-year-old died in the crash.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.garnandfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Israel-Adrian-Garcia?obId=31281797">The funeral </a>for Garcia was April 26.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713983659719.jpeg" alt="Israel Adrian Garcia courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Israel Adrian Garcia courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY—Friends started an online fundraiser to assist the family of 16-year-old Israel Adrian Garcia of Garden City&nbsp; who died in an accident&nbsp; just after 6:30a.m. April 22,&nbsp; in Finney County.<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/tqwhx-israel-garcia">Click here to </a>view the fundraiserAccording to the Kansas Highway Patrol, a vehicle was southbound in the 4600 Block of Big Lowe Road.The vehicle left the roadway to the right and came back onto the road. It then traveled across the center line into the northbound lane, off the roadway to the left and rolled into a ditch.The KHP released no additional details on the crash but have confirmed a 16-year-old died in the crash.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.garnandfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Israel-Adrian-Garcia?obId=31281797">The funeral </a>for Garcia was April 26.

Patrol confirms 16-year-old died in Kansas crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday defended the right to protest but insisted that “order must prevail” as college campuses across the country face unrest over the war in Gaza.

“Dissent is essential for democracy," he said at the White House. "But dissent must never lead to disorder.”

Tensions have been building for days as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-nyu-israel-gaza-protests-2c1f043478570f9206a2ea8470457cf7">demonstrators refuse to remove campus encampments</a>&nbsp;and administrators turn to police&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-campus-student-protests-war-8b0d3a0cedb17f5e892c6ca43bbdf628">to clear them by force</a>, leading to clashes that have seized attention from politicians and the media.

Biden said he did not support calls to send in the National Guard. He also said that the protests have not prompted him to reconsider his approach to the war. The Democratic president has occasionally criticized Israel's conduct but continued to supply it with weapons.

His remarks, occurring shortly before he left the White House for a trip to North Carolina, came after days of silence about the protests. Republicans have tried to turn the scenes of unrest into a campaign cudgel, and Biden said he rejected efforts to use the situation to “score political points.”

“This isn’t a moment for politics," he said. "It’s a moment for clarity.”

Biden's last previous public comment on the protests came&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-college-protests-politics-election-2337121fb3620d2a4a6b2e22aaaf59bc">more than a week ago</a>, when he condemned “antisemitic protests” and “those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians.”

The White House, which has been peppered with questions by reporters, had gone only slightly further than the president. On Wednesday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden is “monitoring the situation closely," and she said some demonstrations had stepped over a line that separated free speech from unlawful behavior.

(Click below to watch Jean-Pierre's comments from Wednesday)

“Forcibly taking over a building," such as what happened at Columbia University in New York, "is not peaceful," she said. "It’s just not.”

Biden has never been much for protesting. His career in elected office began as a county official when he was only 28 years old, and he’s always espoused the political importance of compromise over zealousness.

As college campuses convulsed with anger over the Vietnam War in 1968, Biden was in law school at Syracuse University.

“I’m not big on flak jackets and tie-dyed shirts,” he said years later. “You know, that’s not me.″

Despite the White House's criticism and Biden's refusal to heed protesters' demands to cut off U.S. support for Israel, Republicans blame Democrats for the disorder and have used it as a backdrop for press conferences.

“We need the president of the United States to speak to the issue and say this is wrong," House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said on Tuesday. "What’s happening on college campuses right now is wrong.”

Johnson visited Columbia with other members of his caucus last week. House Republicans sparred with protesters while speaking to the media at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

Former President Donald Trump, his party's presumptive nominee, also criticized Biden in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News.

“Biden has to do something,” he said. “Biden is supposed to be the voice of our country, and it’s certainly not much of a voice. It’s a voice that nobody’s heard.”

He repeated his criticisms on Wednesday during a campaign event in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

“The radical extremists and far-left agitators are terrorizing college campuses, as you possibly noticed," Trump said. “And Biden’s nowhere to be found. He hasn’t said anything."

Kate Berner, who served as deputy communications director for Biden’s campaign in 2020, said Republicans already tried the same tactic four years ago during protests over George Floyd’s murder by a police officer.

“People rejected that,” she said. “They saw that it was just fearmongering. They saw that it wasn’t based in reality.”

Apart from condemning antisemitism, the White House has been reluctant to directly engage on the issue.

Jean-Pierre repeatedly deflected questions during a briefing on Monday.

Asked whether protesters should be disciplined by their schools, she said “universities and colleges make their own decisions” and "we’re not going to weigh in from here.”

Pressed on whether police should be called in, she said “that's up to the colleges and universities.”

When quizzed about administrators rescheduling graduation ceremonies, she said “that is a decision that they have to decide" and “that is on them.”

Biden will make his own visit to a college campus on May 19 when he's scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Morehouse University in Atlanta.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is staying mum about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-university-student-protests-mideast-media-israel-hamas-war-b761cdbe7b912a491bfcfe7d59c63c26">student protests and police crackdowns</a>&nbsp;as Republicans try to turn campus unrest over the war in Gaza into a campaign cudgel against Democrats.

Tension at colleges and universities has been building for days as some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-nyu-israel-gaza-protests-2c1f043478570f9206a2ea8470457cf7">demonstrators refuse to remove encampments</a>&nbsp;and administrators turn to law enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-campus-student-protests-war-8b0d3a0cedb17f5e892c6ca43bbdf628">to clear them by force</a>, leading to clashes that have seized attention from politicians and the media.

But Biden's last public comment came&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-college-protests-politics-election-2337121fb3620d2a4a6b2e22aaaf59bc">more than a week ago</a>, when he condemned “antisemitic protests” and “those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians.”

The White House, which has been peppered with questions by reporters, has gone only slightly further than the president. On Wednesday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden is “monitoring the situation closely," and she said some demonstrations had stepped over a line that separated free speech from unlawful behavior.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714585191259.png" alt="Protests Wednesday at the University of Kansas -Photo by JuYeon Kim courtesy KSHB TV" />
 <figcaption>Protests Wednesday at the University of Kansas -Photo by JuYeon Kim courtesy KSHB TV</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Thursday defended the right to protest but insisted that “order must prevail” as college campuses across the country face unrest over the war in Gaza.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on college campus protests: &quot;There&#39;s the right to protest, but not the right to chaos.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/wtmvjOrLWH">pic.twitter.com/wtmvjOrLWH</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1786053574687859056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Dissent is essential for democracy," he said at the White House. "But dissent must never lead to disorder.”Tensions have been building for days as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-nyu-israel-gaza-protests-2c1f043478570f9206a2ea8470457cf7">demonstrators refuse to remove campus encampments</a>&nbsp;and administrators turn to police&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-campus-student-protests-war-8b0d3a0cedb17f5e892c6ca43bbdf628">to clear them by force</a>, leading to clashes that have seized attention from politicians and the media.Biden said he did not support calls to send in the National Guard. He also said that the protests have not prompted him to reconsider his approach to the war. The Democratic president has occasionally criticized Israel's conduct but continued to supply it with weapons.His remarks, occurring shortly before he left the White House for a trip to North Carolina, came after days of silence about the protests. Republicans have tried to turn the scenes of unrest into a campaign cudgel, and Biden said he rejected efforts to use the situation to “score political points.”“This isn’t a moment for politics," he said. "It’s a moment for clarity.”Biden's last previous public comment on the protests came&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-college-protests-politics-election-2337121fb3620d2a4a6b2e22aaaf59bc">more than a week ago</a>, when he condemned “antisemitic protests” and “those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians.”The White House, which has been peppered with questions by reporters, had gone only slightly further than the president. On Wednesday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden is “monitoring the situation closely," and she said some demonstrations had stepped over a line that separated free speech from unlawful behavior.(Click below to watch Jean-Pierre's comments from Wednesday)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1525716921659036%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=390" 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>“Forcibly taking over a building," such as what happened at Columbia University in New York, "is not peaceful," she said. "It’s just not.”Biden has never been much for protesting. His career in elected office began as a county official when he was only 28 years old, and he’s always espoused the political importance of compromise over zealousness.As college campuses convulsed with anger over the Vietnam War in 1968, Biden was in law school at Syracuse University.“I’m not big on flak jackets and tie-dyed shirts,” he said years later. “You know, that’s not me.″<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714585098880.png" alt="Protesters letter to KU Chancellor" />
 <figcaption>Protesters letter to KU Chancellor</figcaption>
 </figure>Despite the White House's criticism and Biden's refusal to heed protesters' demands to cut off U.S. support for Israel, Republicans blame Democrats for the disorder and have used it as a backdrop for press conferences.“We need the president of the United States to speak to the issue and say this is wrong," House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said on Tuesday. "What’s happening on college campuses right now is wrong.”Johnson visited Columbia with other members of his caucus last week. House Republicans sparred with protesters while speaking to the media at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.Former President Donald Trump, his party's presumptive nominee, also criticized Biden in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News.“Biden has to do something,” he said. “Biden is supposed to be the voice of our country, and it’s certainly not much of a voice. It’s a voice that nobody’s heard.”He repeated his criticisms on Wednesday during a campaign event in Waukesha, Wisconsin.“The radical extremists and far-left agitators are terrorizing college campuses, as you possibly noticed," Trump said. “And Biden’s nowhere to be found. He hasn’t said anything."Kate Berner, who served as deputy communications director for Biden’s campaign in 2020, said Republicans already tried the same tactic four years ago during protests over George Floyd’s murder by a police officer.“People rejected that,” she said. “They saw that it was just fearmongering. They saw that it wasn’t based in reality.”Apart from condemning antisemitism, the White House has been reluctant to directly engage on the issue.Jean-Pierre repeatedly deflected questions during a briefing on Monday.Asked whether protesters should be disciplined by their schools, she said “universities and colleges make their own decisions” and "we’re not going to weigh in from here.”Pressed on whether police should be called in, she said “that's up to the colleges and universities.”When quizzed about administrators rescheduling graduation ceremonies, she said “that is a decision that they have to decide" and “that is on them.”Biden will make his own visit to a college campus on May 19 when he's scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Morehouse University in Atlanta.-------------------WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is staying mum about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-university-student-protests-mideast-media-israel-hamas-war-b761cdbe7b912a491bfcfe7d59c63c26">student protests and police crackdowns</a>&nbsp;as Republicans try to turn campus unrest over the war in Gaza into a campaign cudgel against Democrats.Tension at colleges and universities has been building for days as some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/columbia-nyu-israel-gaza-protests-2c1f043478570f9206a2ea8470457cf7">demonstrators refuse to remove encampments</a>&nbsp;and administrators turn to law enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-campus-student-protests-war-8b0d3a0cedb17f5e892c6ca43bbdf628">to clear them by force</a>, leading to clashes that have seized attention from politicians and the media.But Biden's last public comment came&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-college-protests-politics-election-2337121fb3620d2a4a6b2e22aaaf59bc">more than a week ago</a>, when he condemned “antisemitic protests” and “those who don’t understand what’s going on with the Palestinians.”The White House, which has been peppered with questions by reporters, has gone only slightly further than the president. On Wednesday, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Biden is “monitoring the situation closely," and she said some demonstrations had stepped over a line that separated free speech from unlawful behavior.“Forcibly taking over a building," such as what happened at Columbia University in New York, "is not peaceful," she said. "It’s just not.”Biden has never been much for protesting. His career in elected office began as a county official when he was only 28 years old, and he’s always espoused the political importance of compromise over zealousness.As college campuses convulsed with anger over the Vietnam War in 1968, Biden was in law school at Syracuse University.“I’m not big on flak jackets and tie-dyed shirts,” he said years later. “You know, that’s not me.″Despite the White House's criticism and Biden's refusal to heed protesters' demands to cut off U.S. support for Israel, Republicans blame Democrats for the disorder and have used it as a backdrop for press conferences.“We need the president of the United States to speak to the issue and say this is wrong," House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said on Tuesday. "What’s happening on college campuses right now is wrong.”Johnson visited Columbia with other members of his caucus last week. House Republicans sparred with protesters while speaking to the media at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.Former President Donald Trump, his party's presumptive nominee, also criticized Biden in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News.“Biden has to do something,” he said. “Biden is supposed to be the voice of our country, and it’s certainly not much of a voice. It’s a voice that nobody’s heard.”He repeated his criticisms on Wednesday during a campaign event in Waukesha, Wisconsin.“The radical extremists and far-left agitators are terrorizing college campuses, as you possibly noticed," Trump said. “And Biden’s nowhere to be found. He hasn’t said anything."Kate Berner, who served as deputy communications director for Biden’s campaign in 2020, said Republicans already tried the same tactic four years ago during protests over George Floyd’s murder by a police officer.“People rejected that,” she said. “They saw that it was just fearmongering. They saw that it wasn’t based in reality.”Apart from condemning antisemitism, the White House has been reluctant to directly engage on the issue.Jean-Pierre repeatedly deflected questions during a briefing on Monday.Asked whether protesters should be disciplined by their schools, she said “universities and colleges make their own decisions” and "we’re not going to weigh in from here.”Pressed on whether police should be called in, she said “that's up to the colleges and universities.”When quizzed about administrators rescheduling graduation ceremonies, she said “that is a decision that they have to decide" and “that is on them.”Biden will make his own visit to a college campus on May 19 when he's scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Morehouse University in Atlanta.___

🎥Biden breaks silence on campus protests over the war in Gaza

SEDGWICK&nbsp; COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a racially motivated killing.

Last month Judge Chrystal Krier sentenced 29-year-old Roger Gale, Jr. of Wichita to 27-years in prison for the May 2022 shooting death of&nbsp;Emmanuel Hardy, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In March, Gale pled guilty to second degree murder with the added stipulation that the State possessed sufficient facts to establish that the crime was “racially motivated."

In May of 2022, officers responded to a shooting at an apartment complex&nbsp;in the 4900 block of East Harry. Upon their arrival, they located 30-year-old Emmanuel Hardy of Wichita outside of the residence with gunshot wounds, according to Office Paul Cruz. EMS transported Hardy&nbsp;to an area hospital where he died.

The investigation revealed Gale and Hardy were in a verbal disturbance that&nbsp;stemmed from a prior verbal argument while Gale was walking his dog, according to Cruz.&nbsp;

During the disturbance Gale fired several shots at a 39-year-old woman and Hardy. Hardy was shot several times which caused his fatal injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/5/1653857468279.png" alt="Gale-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Gale-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK&nbsp; COUNTY —A Kansas man is going to prison for a racially motivated killing.Last month Judge Chrystal Krier sentenced 29-year-old Roger Gale, Jr. of Wichita to 27-years in prison for the May 2022 shooting death of&nbsp;Emmanuel Hardy, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In March, Gale pled guilty to second degree murder with the added stipulation that the State possessed sufficient facts to establish that the crime was “racially motivated."In May of 2022, officers responded to a shooting at an apartment complex&nbsp;in the 4900 block of East Harry. Upon their arrival, they located 30-year-old Emmanuel Hardy of Wichita outside of the residence with gunshot wounds, according to Office Paul Cruz. EMS transported Hardy&nbsp;to an area hospital where he died.The investigation revealed Gale and Hardy were in a verbal disturbance that&nbsp;stemmed from a prior verbal argument while Gale was walking his dog, according to Cruz.&nbsp;During the disturbance Gale fired several shots at a 39-year-old woman and Hardy. Hardy was shot several times which caused his fatal injuries.

Kan. man going to prison for deadly dispute while walking dog

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri voters on Wednesday got a step closer to getting to decide whether to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour, after a group behind the effort said it turned in nearly double the required number of signatures.

The ballot measure backed by Missouri Jobs with Justice would raise the minimum wage from its current $12.30 an hour to $13.75 an hour next year and then to $15 an hour in 2026.

Citizen-driven amendments to Missouri law require more than 100,000 voter signatures to get on the ballot, and Missouri Jobs with Justice said it submitted about 210,000. Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft's office must next determine if at least 115,000 or so are valid.

“We feel confident that voters will have an opportunity to pass this important initiative this fall," Caitlyn Adams, executive director of Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action, said in a statement.

Missouri voters historically have supported minimum wage hikes.

After the Republican-led Legislature in 2017&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-7923cc9ee82a4fc599ea6794fd545096">blocked</a>&nbsp;St. Louis and Kansas City from raising wages in those cities, voters in 2018 approved a statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9bed3bde87cd46dbbe2ba7a81b782abd">minimum wage hike</a>.

Under that plan, the wage floor — then $7.85 an hour — rose by 85 cents per year until it hit $12 in 2023. Pay rose again this year because of automatic increases tied to inflation.

The latest proposal also includes a requirement that workers get paid sick leave.

Employees currently not guaranteed sick days would earn an hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked under the measure.

Businesses with fewer employees would be required to allow a minimum of five paid sick days per year, and larger companies would be required to offer at least seven paid sick days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714599645166.png" alt="-Photo courtesy Missouri Jobs with Justice" />
 <figcaption>-Photo courtesy Missouri Jobs with Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri voters on Wednesday got a step closer to getting to decide whether to raise the state's minimum wage to $15 an hour, after a group behind the effort said it turned in nearly double the required number of signatures.The ballot measure backed by Missouri Jobs with Justice would raise the minimum wage from its current $12.30 an hour to $13.75 an hour next year and then to $15 an hour in 2026.Citizen-driven amendments to Missouri law require more than 100,000 voter signatures to get on the ballot, and Missouri Jobs with Justice said it submitted about 210,000. Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft's office must next determine if at least 115,000 or so are valid.“We feel confident that voters will have an opportunity to pass this important initiative this fall," Caitlyn Adams, executive director of Missouri Jobs with Justice Voter Action, said in a statement.Missouri voters historically have supported minimum wage hikes.After the Republican-led Legislature in 2017&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-7923cc9ee82a4fc599ea6794fd545096">blocked</a>&nbsp;St. Louis and Kansas City from raising wages in those cities, voters in 2018 approved a statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/9bed3bde87cd46dbbe2ba7a81b782abd">minimum wage hike</a>.Under that plan, the wage floor — then $7.85 an hour — rose by 85 cents per year until it hit $12 in 2023. Pay rose again this year because of automatic increases tied to inflation.The latest proposal also includes a requirement that workers get paid sick leave.Employees currently not guaranteed sick days would earn an hour of paid leave for every 30 hours worked under the measure.Businesses with fewer employees would be required to allow a minimum of five paid sick days per year, and larger companies would be required to offer at least seven paid sick days.