Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is on a multi-day trip to the Middle East with stops in Israel, Qatar and Bahrain, according to&nbsp;&nbsp;C. Todd Lopez&nbsp;, in a statement from the Department of Defense. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, also arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday, according to the Associated Press.

On Saturday, a U.S. warship shot down 14 suspected attack drones over the Red Sea and a Royal Navy destroyer downed another drone that was targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthis-shipping-red-sea-navy-israel-6dc5fbff6d28fead5d6ef1224cba5a14">commercial ships,</a>&nbsp;the British and American militaries said.

Austin's trip also includes a visit to the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is underway now in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

In Israel, Austin will underscore the unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law, and he will also discuss steps Israel is taking to mitigate civilian harm.

The secretary is also expected to discuss with Israeli military leaders what are to be the next steps in the conflict after an eventual cessation of high-intensity ground operations and airstrikes, said a senior defense official at the Pentagon today.

"[Secretary Austin] has been having discussions with his Israeli counterparts the entire time about the different phases of their campaign, how they assess the different phases of their campaign, and what their operational milestones are in order to feel that their population can be secure enough given their stated objective of the military dismantlement of Hamas," the official said. "He wants to talk to them about how you move through those different phases."

While the conflict between Israel and Hamas is an Israeli campaign and it will ultimately be Israeli's decision on how to move to the next phase of operations, Austin is interested in learning more about their plans going forward, the official said.

"It's for [Israel] to determine when they assess that Hamas has been sufficiently degraded [so] that they can shift to the next phase of their campaign," the official said. "We, as the Department of Defense, and Secretary Austin in particular, I think, [have] incredibly valuable perspectives on this and that's what he wants to consult with them about."

In Bahrain, Austin is expected to visit U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. Part of the discussions there between the U.S. and Bahrain will involve U.S. efforts to convene multilateral coalitions to respond to aggression at sea that threatens shipping and the global economy.

"We will talk with them in a multinational framework about the work we're doing, particularly in light of increasing Houthi aggression in the Red Sea," the official said.

Since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, the official said Qatar has played a critical role in helping the U.S. communicate with Hamas. That effort was critical in securing the agreement for the release of some hostages. Qatar was also recently named a "major non-NATO ally" of the U.S. and plays host to U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base. The secretary will visit that installation.

"Secretary Austin will express our gratitude to Qatar's national leaders for their partnership and their work with us on a range of regional and global objectives," the official said. He will also discuss with Qataris the upgrades they’re investing in at Al Udeid.

Another part of this trip, the official said, is a visit to the Ford.

"Secretary Austin wants to visit with the troops on that carrier," the official said. "They are missing the holidays with their families, and they have done an incredible service — not only for our country, but for the region."

The Ford, like the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, is in the Middle East now as part of the U.S. effort to make it clear that neither state or nonstate actors should hope to escalate the ongoing conflict beyond Gaza.

"What this visit to the Ford is about is an acknowledgment that we demonstrated what the National Defense Strategy means," the official said. "The Department of Defense retains the capability to dynamically and expeditiously flow force into any theater in response to a crisis or contingency while maintaining our commitments in other theaters. And that is exactly what we've done."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702861605041.png" alt="The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete for a scheduled port visit, Dec. 2, 2023. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa's area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.&nbsp;Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Delaney S. Jensen" />
 <figcaption>The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete for a scheduled port visit, Dec. 2, 2023. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa's area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.&nbsp;Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Delaney S. Jensen</figcaption>
 </figure>Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is on a multi-day trip to the Middle East with stops in Israel, Qatar and Bahrain, according to&nbsp;&nbsp;C. Todd Lopez&nbsp;, in a statement from the Department of Defense. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, also arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday, according to the Associated Press. On Saturday, a U.S. warship shot down 14 suspected attack drones over the Red Sea and a Royal Navy destroyer downed another drone that was targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthis-shipping-red-sea-navy-israel-6dc5fbff6d28fead5d6ef1224cba5a14">commercial ships,</a>&nbsp;the British and American militaries said.Austin's trip also includes a visit to the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is underway now in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.In Israel, Austin will underscore the unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law, and he will also discuss steps Israel is taking to mitigate civilian harm.The secretary is also expected to discuss with Israeli military leaders what are to be the next steps in the conflict after an eventual cessation of high-intensity ground operations and airstrikes, said a senior defense official at the Pentagon today."[Secretary Austin] has been having discussions with his Israeli counterparts the entire time about the different phases of their campaign, how they assess the different phases of their campaign, and what their operational milestones are in order to feel that their population can be secure enough given their stated objective of the military dismantlement of Hamas," the official said. "He wants to talk to them about how you move through those different phases."While the conflict between Israel and Hamas is an Israeli campaign and it will ultimately be Israeli's decision on how to move to the next phase of operations, Austin is interested in learning more about their plans going forward, the official said."It's for [Israel] to determine when they assess that Hamas has been sufficiently degraded [so] that they can shift to the next phase of their campaign," the official said. "We, as the Department of Defense, and Secretary Austin in particular, I think, [have] incredibly valuable perspectives on this and that's what he wants to consult with them about."In Bahrain, Austin is expected to visit U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. Part of the discussions there between the U.S. and Bahrain will involve U.S. efforts to convene multilateral coalitions to respond to aggression at sea that threatens shipping and the global economy."We will talk with them in a multinational framework about the work we're doing, particularly in light of increasing Houthi aggression in the Red Sea," the official said.Since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, the official said Qatar has played a critical role in helping the U.S. communicate with Hamas. That effort was critical in securing the agreement for the release of some hostages. Qatar was also recently named a "major non-NATO ally" of the U.S. and plays host to U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base. The secretary will visit that installation."Secretary Austin will express our gratitude to Qatar's national leaders for their partnership and their work with us on a range of regional and global objectives," the official said. He will also discuss with Qataris the upgrades they’re investing in at Al Udeid.Another part of this trip, the official said, is a visit to the Ford."Secretary Austin wants to visit with the troops on that carrier," the official said. "They are missing the holidays with their families, and they have done an incredible service — not only for our country, but for the region."The Ford, like the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, is in the Middle East now as part of the U.S. effort to make it clear that neither state or nonstate actors should hope to escalate the ongoing conflict beyond Gaza."What this visit to the Ford is about is an acknowledgment that we demonstrated what the National Defense Strategy means," the official said. "The Department of Defense retains the capability to dynamically and expeditiously flow force into any theater in response to a crisis or contingency while maintaining our commitments in other theaters. And that is exactly what we've done."

Pentagon chief arrives in Middle East as attacks on US forces spike

KANSAS CITY —Three people died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Kansas City over the weekend.

Just before 7a.m. Saturday, fire crews responded to a carbon monoxide call at a house at 1018 Fuller Avenue in Kansas City, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

On arrival crews encountered high levels of carbon monoxide readings on their CO monitor (1100 parts per million). Upon entering the home Crews discovered three men, ages approximately 20 to 40-years-old and of Hispanic heritage, who had succumb to the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

A fourth man was discovered alive but in critical condition and was transported to a local hospital. The cause of the CO exposure has been identified as a gas-powered generator that was being operated indoors.&nbsp;

The Kansas City Fire Department reminded the public to never run any type of combustion engine indoors, and to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home or business. 

Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause you to become very ill, and potentially cause death. Common symptoms of CO poisoning include nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and lethargy. If you experience any of these symptoms and suspect carbon monoxide, exit the structure to fresh air and call the fire department.

The KCMO fire department provides free smoke detectors. A&nbsp;CO detector is also available by sending an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:healthy.homes@kcmo.org">healthy.homes@kcmo.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702902800728.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Three people died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Kansas City over the weekend.Just before 7a.m. Saturday, fire crews responded to a carbon monoxide call at a house at 1018 Fuller Avenue in Kansas City, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.On arrival crews encountered high levels of carbon monoxide readings on their CO monitor (1100 parts per million). Upon entering the home Crews discovered three men, ages approximately 20 to 40-years-old and of Hispanic heritage, who had succumb to the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. A fourth man was discovered alive but in critical condition and was transported to a local hospital. The cause of the CO exposure has been identified as a gas-powered generator that was being operated indoors.&nbsp;The Kansas City Fire Department reminded the public to never run any type of combustion engine indoors, and to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home or business. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause you to become very ill, and potentially cause death. Common symptoms of CO poisoning include nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and lethargy. If you experience any of these symptoms and suspect carbon monoxide, exit the structure to fresh air and call the fire department.The KCMO fire department provides free smoke detectors. A&nbsp;CO detector is also available by sending an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:healthy.homes@kcmo.org">healthy.homes@kcmo.org</a>.

3 dead from carbon monoxide poisoning in Kansas City home

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple drug allegations.

On Thursday, the&nbsp;Brown County Sheriff's office received information about recent drug related activity in Hiawatha, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

Deputies investigated the concern and were&nbsp; able to obtain a search warrant.&nbsp; The Brown County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force and Hiawatha Police executed that warrant&nbsp; at&nbsp; a residence at 1104 Utah Street.

Deputies arrested 20-year-old Francis Gonzales of Hiawatha was on requested charges of Possession of Cocaine, Marijuana and&nbsp; Drug Paraphernalia.

Yiesson Porter, 22, Hiawatha was arrested on requested charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of psilocybin w intent to distribute, possession of marijuana w intent to distribute, possession of illegal drugs wo a tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702678869408.png" alt="Gonzales-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Gonzales-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple drug allegations.On Thursday, the&nbsp;Brown County Sheriff's office received information about recent drug related activity in Hiawatha, according to Sheriff John Merchant.Deputies investigated the concern and were&nbsp; able to obtain a search warrant.&nbsp; The Brown County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force and Hiawatha Police executed that warrant&nbsp; at&nbsp; a residence at 1104 Utah Street.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702678904562.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies arrested 20-year-old Francis Gonzales of Hiawatha was on requested charges of Possession of Cocaine, Marijuana and&nbsp; Drug Paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702678932902.png" alt="Porter photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Porter photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Yiesson Porter, 22, Hiawatha was arrested on requested charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of psilocybin w intent to distribute, possession of marijuana w intent to distribute, possession of illegal drugs wo a tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Suspect was selling cocaine from Kansas home

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman was sentenced to prison after embezzling thousands from through her work.

On Thursday, District Judge Tyler Roush sentenced Michelle King, 41 of Wichita, to 38 months in prison with 24 months post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. 

In November, King pled guilty to one count of theft. King was employed as an accountant for a property management company in Wichita from August 2020 to May of 2022. During that time, she embezzled over $163,600 from five different accounts at the business. King wrote fraudulent checks, adjusted her personal insurance benefit payments, and took money through electronic funds transfers.

In court filings, King argued for probation citing that she was under immense pressure to sustain a certain standard of living. Chief of the Economic Crime Division, Avery Elofsson, argued that was not a “substantial and compelling” basis to grant probation.

King was previously convicted of embezzlement from a prior employer and as part of this case admitted she was liable to a more recent third employer owing them over $36,000. 

The case was investigated by the Financial Crimes Unit of the Wichita Police Department. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702662982250.png" alt="King-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>King-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas woman was sentenced to prison after embezzling thousands from through her work.On Thursday, District Judge Tyler Roush sentenced Michelle King, 41 of Wichita, to 38 months in prison with 24 months post release supervision, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In November, King pled guilty to one count of theft. King was employed as an accountant for a property management company in Wichita from August 2020 to May of 2022. During that time, she embezzled over $163,600 from five different accounts at the business. King wrote fraudulent checks, adjusted her personal insurance benefit payments, and took money through electronic funds transfers.In court filings, King argued for probation citing that she was under immense pressure to sustain a certain standard of living. Chief of the Economic Crime Division, Avery Elofsson, argued that was not a “substantial and compelling” basis to grant probation.King was previously convicted of embezzlement from a prior employer and as part of this case admitted she was liable to a more recent third employer owing them over $36,000. The case was investigated by the Financial Crimes Unit of the Wichita Police Department.

Kansas woman guilty of embezzlement a second time

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH Health) continues to explain the circumstances surrounding the hiring of a Chief Financial Officer who had changed his name to hide his true identity and previous felony convictions.

According to a statement on the hospital web site, "As we have previously reported, LMH Health announced on October 30, 2023, that Mike Rogers was no longer in his role as Chief Financial Officer. On October 26, 2023, we became aware of inconsistencies regarding his identity."

"The next day, we confirmed he had legally changed his name, and that he had been convicted of felonies in 2007 and 2005 under his given name of Michael Patrick Brunton.&nbsp;Rogers did not disclose this and other important information in his application or during the interview process."

"We have also disclosed that Rogers was immediately placed on administrative leave, and LMH Health launched an internal process to identify gaps that allowed the fraudulent information to escape identification. This analysis is consistent with being a High Reliability Organization— an organization that operates in complex, high-hazard domains for extended periods without serious accidents or catastrophic failures."

"The findings of that process were presented to the LMH Health Board of Trustees at its November meeting. Due to the nature of the report, it was discussed in an executive session with legal counsel. While the report itself will not be made public because it contains records protected by K.S.A. 45-221, LMH Health continues to place a strong emphasis on candor, trust, and accountability."

"To that end, we want our staff and the community to know we are making process improvements as a result of our findings.&nbsp; This was a very concerning situation, yet because it was caught quickly, and because of existing security protocol, it posed no risk to patient safety or to our finances."

"In her comments at the November 29, 2023, board meeting, Board of Trustees Chair Pat Miller said that high reliability organizations are not without mistakes or missteps, but they are transparent about their errors and take appropriate actions to ensure the mistakes do not happen again."

“The Trustees supported Senior Leadership’s decision to publicly disclose the reason for firing the CFO,” said Miller. “An organization that asks its employees to be open and honest about identifying and correcting mistakes and potential problems must demonstrate these same qualities. Additionally, through our transparency, it may protect other organizations that encounter this individual and/or similar circumstances.”

“Apparently, LMH Health was not the first hospital that hired then quickly fired Mr. Rogers this calendar year,” said Miller. “Had the other hospital disclosed its experience, this person would have been easily excluded during LMH’s CFO search process.”

"We have already made several changes in light of the findings and will make more over the next several months. Included are actions in the following three areas:

"During the meeting, Miller expressed the board’s appreciation for the thoroughness of the assessment and the recommended actions.&nbsp; She noted that the organization’s strong institutional controls protected its financial resources."

“The former CFO never had access to LMH Health’s funds, not even a credit card,” said Miller. “LMH undergoes a rigorous independent financial audit each year, the results of which are publicly disclosed. This event will undergo very close scrutiny during the audit and will be included in the audit findings.”

LMH Health President and CEO Russ Johnson said, “Even the best organizations will make mistakes along the way; it’s how we respond that defines us. I am grateful to and proud of the staff who quickly identified this situation and addressed it. They acted courageously and raised this issue to ensure we could take immediate action.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702821734129.png" alt="LMH Health -Google image" />
 <figcaption>LMH Health -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Lawrence Memorial Hospital (LMH Health) continues to explain the circumstances surrounding the hiring of a Chief Financial Officer who had changed his name to hide his true identity and previous felony convictions.According to a statement on the hospital web site, "As we have previously reported, LMH Health announced on October 30, 2023, that Mike Rogers was no longer in his role as Chief Financial Officer. On October 26, 2023, we became aware of inconsistencies regarding his identity.""The next day, we confirmed he had legally changed his name, and that he had been convicted of felonies in 2007 and 2005 under his given name of Michael Patrick Brunton.&nbsp;Rogers did not disclose this and other important information in his application or during the interview process.""We have also disclosed that Rogers was immediately placed on administrative leave, and LMH Health launched an internal process to identify gaps that allowed the fraudulent information to escape identification. This analysis is consistent with being a High Reliability Organization— an organization that operates in complex, high-hazard domains for extended periods without serious accidents or catastrophic failures.""The findings of that process were presented to the LMH Health Board of Trustees at its November meeting. Due to the nature of the report, it was discussed in an executive session with legal counsel. While the report itself will not be made public because it contains records protected by K.S.A. 45-221, LMH Health continues to place a strong emphasis on candor, trust, and accountability.""To that end, we want our staff and the community to know we are making process improvements as a result of our findings.&nbsp; This was a very concerning situation, yet because it was caught quickly, and because of existing security protocol, it posed no risk to patient safety or to our finances.""In her comments at the November 29, 2023, board meeting, Board of Trustees Chair Pat Miller said that high reliability organizations are not without mistakes or missteps, but they are transparent about their errors and take appropriate actions to ensure the mistakes do not happen again."“The Trustees supported Senior Leadership’s decision to publicly disclose the reason for firing the CFO,” said Miller. “An organization that asks its employees to be open and honest about identifying and correcting mistakes and potential problems must demonstrate these same qualities. Additionally, through our transparency, it may protect other organizations that encounter this individual and/or similar circumstances.”“Apparently, LMH Health was not the first hospital that hired then quickly fired Mr. Rogers this calendar year,” said Miller. “Had the other hospital disclosed its experience, this person would have been easily excluded during LMH’s CFO search process.”"We have already made several changes in light of the findings and will make more over the next several months. Included are actions in the following three areas:<ul>
 <li>Communication. We will reduce communication gaps through a formalized system with checks and balances and ensure a single point of contact for hiring information.</li><li>Application process. In addition to third-party online application portals, applicants will be asked to submit a formal resume along with answers to screening questions.</li><li>Documentation of credentials. We will use primary source verification and other direct methods for required elements of the position under consideration. We will also extend the timeframe for background checks beyond industry standards for key positions.</li>
 </ul>"During the meeting, Miller expressed the board’s appreciation for the thoroughness of the assessment and the recommended actions.&nbsp; She noted that the organization’s strong institutional controls protected its financial resources."“The former CFO never had access to LMH Health’s funds, not even a credit card,” said Miller. “LMH undergoes a rigorous independent financial audit each year, the results of which are publicly disclosed. This event will undergo very close scrutiny during the audit and will be included in the audit findings.”LMH Health President and CEO Russ Johnson said, “Even the best organizations will make mistakes along the way; it’s how we respond that defines us. I am grateful to and proud of the staff who quickly identified this situation and addressed it. They acted courageously and raised this issue to ensure we could take immediate action.”

Kan. hospital making changes after CFO hid previous crimes

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A quarter of U.S. congregations in the United Methodist Church have received permission to leave the denomination during a five-year window, closing this month, that authorized departures for congregations over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-f3fc3ec9e1f39501495d227d5a0963f8">disputes</a>&nbsp;involving the church's LGBTQ-related policies.

This year alone, 5,641 congregations received permission from their regional conferences to leave the denomination as of Thursday, according to an unofficial tally by United Methodist News. In total, 7,658 have received permission since 2019. Thursday marked the last scheduled regional vote, according to the news service, when the Texas Annual Conference authorized four congregations’ departures.

The vast major are conservative-leaning churches responding to what they see as the United Methodists' failure to enforce bans on same-sex marriage and the ordaining of openly LGBTQ persons.

The new year is expected to bring more changes.

The first denomination-wide legislative gathering in eight years, slated for spring 2024, will consider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-marriage-1ed8df15ecbb36700cbe638b29dc6617">calls to liberalize</a>&nbsp;policies on marriage and ordination. It will also debate rival proposals, either to decentralize the international church — which has at least as many members outside the United States as in — or provide overseas congregations with the same exit option their U.S. counterparts had.

The schism marks a historic shift in a denomination that was until recently the third largest in the United States, and perhaps the closest to the mainstream of American religious culture — its steeples prominent in rural crossroads and urban squares, scenes of countless potluck suppers, earnest social outreach, and warm yet decorous worship.

Many departing congregations have joined the more conservative&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-f3fc3ec9e1f39501495d227d5a0963f8">Global Methodist Church</a>, with others joining smaller denominations, going independent or still considering their options.

United Methodist rules forbid same-sex marriage rites and the ordination of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals,” but progressive Methodist churches and regional governing bodies in the U.S. have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-marriage-1ed8df15ecbb36700cbe638b29dc6617">increasingly been defying</a>&nbsp;these rules.

Conservatives have mobilized like-minded congregations to exit. The Global Methodist Church has declared its intention to enforce such rules.

“We are sad about losing anybody,” said New York Area Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the United Methodists’ Council of Bishops. “There’s also — at the end of the year — grief and trauma, parishioners that have said goodbye to friends, pastors who have had relationships over the years that have ended.”

He depicted the debates in the church as difficult, and said some who urged churches to disaffiliate used “falsehoods."

“This whole disaffiliation process has in large measure not been about human sexuality, it’s been about power, control and money. That’s surprising and disappointing,” Bickerton said. “It’s time for this denomination to pivot” to focusing on mission rather than disaffiliation votes.

The United Methodists reported having 30,543 U.S. churches as of 2019 and 6 million U.S. members as of 2021. It had at least one church in 95% of U.S. counties, more than any other religious group, according to the 2020 Religion Census, produced by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies.

There's no immediate estimate on how many individual members are leaving the UMC, since some members of departing congregations are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodists-schism-disaffiliation-lgbtq-44fd14d471124d23e1fd5677a8f2b1d9">joining other UMC churches,</a>&nbsp;but the departing churches include some of the largest in their states. UMC officials are already preparing historic budget cuts to denominational agencies in anticipation of lower revenue from fewer churches.

The UMC also reports having 7 million members overseas as of 2019, the majority in Africa, where more conservative sexual mores are common.

In 2019, a special legislative gathering of Methodists voted to strengthen longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination. The votes came from a coalition of conservatives in the U.S. and overseas, particularly from fast-growing African churches. At the same time, that conference offered a five-year window for U.S. churches to leave under somewhat favorable terms, such as being able to keep their properties while compensating the denomination for certain costs.

That measure was expected to be used by progressive congregations dissenting with the letter of the church law, and a handful did take the church up on its offer. But in the end, the vast majority of departing congregations reflect conservative dismay over what they saw as the denomination's failure to discipline those defying church law, as well as other liberal trends.

In the legislative General Conference, scheduled for April and May in Charlotte, North Carolina, efforts to lift bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination are expected to have a strong chance, given the departure of many conservative votes.

The delegates will also consider a decentralization plan favored by progressives — which, among other things, would enable U.S. and overseas churches to set separate standards for ordination and marriage — and another sought by conservatives enabling overseas churches to leave under the same provisions that U.S. churches had.

The Rev. Keith Boyette, who is the Global Methodist Church’s top executive, said it has registered about 4,100 U.S. churches so far — former UMC churches as well as new ones organized by former United Methodists whose congregations voted to stay in the UMC. It has been organizing in other countries where United Methodist churches or individuals left that denomination, he said, such as Bulgaria, Slovakia, Kenya, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It’s unclear how many U.S. churches are going independent, but “the fact that so many churches have aligned indicates their commitment to wanting to be part of a connectional system,” Boyette said.

The Rev. Scott Field, president of the conservative Wesleyan Covenant Association, which has advocated for churches leaving the UMC, said congregations’ experiences varied in regional conferences, depending on what financial and other conditions they have required of churches. “It’s been punitive in some and it’s worked seamlessly in others,” he said.

Under the slogan, “Fair for some, fair for all,” the group will be advocating for overseas churches to have the same option to leave.

Field predicted “an African wave” of churches seeking to leave.

Several African bishops, however, issued a statement in 2022 denouncing efforts to get churches to leave as false and destructive.

Field also predicted many U.S. churches, despite missing the 2023 deadline, may try to exit under other church law provisions.

“We’d like every congregation, whether it’s a liberationist church or a solidly evangelical church, to end up where they’d like to be,” Field said. “It makes no sense for our United Methodist Church to attempt locking the gate.”

Jan Lawrence, executive director of the Reconciling Ministries Network, said the personal toll of the schism is deep.

She knew members of a church that had an acrimonious break after it chose to disaffiliate. “It really broke relationships,” she said.

She expressed hope that the 2024 General Conference will open ordination and marriage rites to LGBTQ persons — realizing a decades-long goal for the network.

“Those churches that are disaffiliating and joining the Global Methodist Church, I hope they find what they’re looking for and they’re able to thrive as a new denomination,” she said. "I don’t know anyone that doesn’t want everybody to live into what they believe God is calling them to do.”

Bickerton said he particularly laments the departure of many churches that are longtime, rural-area fixtures.

“When Methodism came to the United States, it went to where the people were. It was carried in the saddlebags of the circuit riders,” he said.

A return to informal ministry may be needed to maintain a presence in many regions, he said.

“The hallmarks of United Methodism is a theology based on grace, hope, joy, love and justice,” he said. “Where do we send people strategically so that message can be heard?”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702820221196.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>By PETER SMITH&nbsp;KANSAS CITY (AP) —A quarter of U.S. congregations in the United Methodist Church have received permission to leave the denomination during a five-year window, closing this month, that authorized departures for congregations over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-f3fc3ec9e1f39501495d227d5a0963f8">disputes</a>&nbsp;involving the church's LGBTQ-related policies.This year alone, 5,641 congregations received permission from their regional conferences to leave the denomination as of Thursday, according to an unofficial tally by United Methodist News. In total, 7,658 have received permission since 2019. Thursday marked the last scheduled regional vote, according to the news service, when the Texas Annual Conference authorized four congregations’ departures.The vast major are conservative-leaning churches responding to what they see as the United Methodists' failure to enforce bans on same-sex marriage and the ordaining of openly LGBTQ persons.The new year is expected to bring more changes.The first denomination-wide legislative gathering in eight years, slated for spring 2024, will consider&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-marriage-1ed8df15ecbb36700cbe638b29dc6617">calls to liberalize</a>&nbsp;policies on marriage and ordination. It will also debate rival proposals, either to decentralize the international church — which has at least as many members outside the United States as in — or provide overseas congregations with the same exit option their U.S. counterparts had.The schism marks a historic shift in a denomination that was until recently the third largest in the United States, and perhaps the closest to the mainstream of American religious culture — its steeples prominent in rural crossroads and urban squares, scenes of countless potluck suppers, earnest social outreach, and warm yet decorous worship.Many departing congregations have joined the more conservative&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-f3fc3ec9e1f39501495d227d5a0963f8">Global Methodist Church</a>, with others joining smaller denominations, going independent or still considering their options.United Methodist rules forbid same-sex marriage rites and the ordination of “self-avowed practicing homosexuals,” but progressive Methodist churches and regional governing bodies in the U.S. have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-gay-rights-marriage-1ed8df15ecbb36700cbe638b29dc6617">increasingly been defying</a>&nbsp;these rules.Conservatives have mobilized like-minded congregations to exit. The Global Methodist Church has declared its intention to enforce such rules.“We are sad about losing anybody,” said New York Area Bishop Thomas Bickerton, president of the United Methodists’ Council of Bishops. “There’s also — at the end of the year — grief and trauma, parishioners that have said goodbye to friends, pastors who have had relationships over the years that have ended.”He depicted the debates in the church as difficult, and said some who urged churches to disaffiliate used “falsehoods."“This whole disaffiliation process has in large measure not been about human sexuality, it’s been about power, control and money. That’s surprising and disappointing,” Bickerton said. “It’s time for this denomination to pivot” to focusing on mission rather than disaffiliation votes.The United Methodists reported having 30,543 U.S. churches as of 2019 and 6 million U.S. members as of 2021. It had at least one church in 95% of U.S. counties, more than any other religious group, according to the 2020 Religion Census, produced by the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies.There's no immediate estimate on how many individual members are leaving the UMC, since some members of departing congregations are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodists-schism-disaffiliation-lgbtq-44fd14d471124d23e1fd5677a8f2b1d9">joining other UMC churches,</a>&nbsp;but the departing churches include some of the largest in their states. UMC officials are already preparing historic budget cuts to denominational agencies in anticipation of lower revenue from fewer churches.The UMC also reports having 7 million members overseas as of 2019, the majority in Africa, where more conservative sexual mores are common.In 2019, a special legislative gathering of Methodists voted to strengthen longstanding bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination. The votes came from a coalition of conservatives in the U.S. and overseas, particularly from fast-growing African churches. At the same time, that conference offered a five-year window for U.S. churches to leave under somewhat favorable terms, such as being able to keep their properties while compensating the denomination for certain costs.That measure was expected to be used by progressive congregations dissenting with the letter of the church law, and a handful did take the church up on its offer. But in the end, the vast majority of departing congregations reflect conservative dismay over what they saw as the denomination's failure to discipline those defying church law, as well as other liberal trends.In the legislative General Conference, scheduled for April and May in Charlotte, North Carolina, efforts to lift bans on same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination are expected to have a strong chance, given the departure of many conservative votes.The delegates will also consider a decentralization plan favored by progressives — which, among other things, would enable U.S. and overseas churches to set separate standards for ordination and marriage — and another sought by conservatives enabling overseas churches to leave under the same provisions that U.S. churches had.The Rev. Keith Boyette, who is the Global Methodist Church’s top executive, said it has registered about 4,100 U.S. churches so far — former UMC churches as well as new ones organized by former United Methodists whose congregations voted to stay in the UMC. It has been organizing in other countries where United Methodist churches or individuals left that denomination, he said, such as Bulgaria, Slovakia, Kenya, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.It’s unclear how many U.S. churches are going independent, but “the fact that so many churches have aligned indicates their commitment to wanting to be part of a connectional system,” Boyette said.The Rev. Scott Field, president of the conservative Wesleyan Covenant Association, which has advocated for churches leaving the UMC, said congregations’ experiences varied in regional conferences, depending on what financial and other conditions they have required of churches. “It’s been punitive in some and it’s worked seamlessly in others,” he said.Under the slogan, “Fair for some, fair for all,” the group will be advocating for overseas churches to have the same option to leave.Field predicted “an African wave” of churches seeking to leave.Several African bishops, however, issued a statement in 2022 denouncing efforts to get churches to leave as false and destructive.Field also predicted many U.S. churches, despite missing the 2023 deadline, may try to exit under other church law provisions.“We’d like every congregation, whether it’s a liberationist church or a solidly evangelical church, to end up where they’d like to be,” Field said. “It makes no sense for our United Methodist Church to attempt locking the gate.”Jan Lawrence, executive director of the Reconciling Ministries Network, said the personal toll of the schism is deep.She knew members of a church that had an acrimonious break after it chose to disaffiliate. “It really broke relationships,” she said.She expressed hope that the 2024 General Conference will open ordination and marriage rites to LGBTQ persons — realizing a decades-long goal for the network.“Those churches that are disaffiliating and joining the Global Methodist Church, I hope they find what they’re looking for and they’re able to thrive as a new denomination,” she said. "I don’t know anyone that doesn’t want everybody to live into what they believe God is calling them to do.”Bickerton said he particularly laments the departure of many churches that are longtime, rural-area fixtures.“When Methodism came to the United States, it went to where the people were. It was carried in the saddlebags of the circuit riders,” he said.A return to informal ministry may be needed to maintain a presence in many regions, he said.“The hallmarks of United Methodism is a theology based on grace, hope, joy, love and justice,” he said. “Where do we send people strategically so that message can be heard?”____

Thousands of United Methodist churches in the US quit the denomination

WASHINGTON (AP) — When you buy eyedrops at a U.S. store, you might assume you're getting a product made in a clean, well-maintained factory that’s passed muster with health regulators.

But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-recall-fda-infection-cvs-rite-aid-a9471104de34efd152137d3fdba9c260">repeated recalls</a>&nbsp;involving over-the-counter drops are drawing new attention to just how little U.S. officials know about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-recall-fda-warning-india-11624105e31a68102d414594c85766f0">conditions</a>&nbsp;at some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/1edfda229b11bf9f9181ff6a1271a6bc">manufacturing plants</a>&nbsp;on the other side of the world — and the limited tools they have to intervene when there's a problem.

The Food and Drug Administration is asking Congress for new powers, including the ability to mandate drug recalls and require eyedrop makers to undergo inspections before shipping products to the U.S. But experts say those capabilities will do little without more staff and resources for foreign inspections, which were a challenge even before the COVID-19 pandemic forced regulators to skip thousands of visits.

“The FDA is not getting its job done in terms of drug quality assurance inspections abroad,” said David Ridley of Duke University and co-author of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00686">recent paper</a>&nbsp;tracking the downturn in inspections. “Very few foreign drugmakers have been inspected in the past four years.”

In 2022, FDA foreign inspections were down 79% from 2019, according to agency records collected by Ridley's group. Inspections increased this year but are still far below pre-pandemic levels.

FDA spokesman Jeremy Kahn said: “The FDA works to inspect as many facilities possible, but ultimately industry is responsible for the quality of their products."

An October recall of two dozen eyedrop brands came after FDA staff found cracked floors, barefoot workers and other unsanitary conditions at a Mumbai plant that supplied products to CVS, Walmart and other major retailers. It was the first time FDA staff had visited the site.

That inspection was prompted by an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-city-business-health-4572be6da44f4fab4e0f691f5e37e3ed">earlier recall</a>&nbsp;of tainted eyedrops from a different Indian plant that's been linked to four&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-recall-ezicare-delsam-outbreak-2a0f0cc1273cc71b122702e6180492ca">deaths</a>&nbsp;and more than a dozen cases of vision loss. That&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-infection-outbreak-fda-1e266befa854dc7c0ce65def0da9a0bc">plant</a>&nbsp;had also never been previously inspected.

“These are very rare instances, but what we’ve seen is that these products can cause real harm,” said Dr. Timothy Janetos, an ophthalmologist at Northwestern University. “Something needs to change.”

Prescription medicines are highly regulated. Before a drugmaker can sell one in the U.S., it must undergo FDA review to establish its safety and effectiveness. As part of the process, the FDA typically inspects the factory where the drug will be made.

But eyedrops and other over-the-counter products don’t undergo preliminary review or inspections. Instead, they are governed by a different system called a monograph, essentially a generic recipe for all medicines in a particular class. So long as drugmakers attest that they are using the standard recipe, they can launch a product within days of filing with the FDA.

“It’s nothing more than electronic paperwork,” said Dr. Sandra Brown of the Dry Eye Foundation, a nonprofit advocating for increased regulation. “There’s no requirement for the facility to be inspected prior to shipping for sale.”

The FDA says it has flexibility to adjust its review process “to ensure safety."

But the agency is asking Congress for the power to require manufacturers of eyedrops and other sterile products to give at least six months notice before shipping products from a new factory. That would give inspectors time to visit facilities that aren’t on their radar.

The proposal could face pushback from some over-the-counter drugmakers, who aren’t accustomed to preapproval inspections.

But Brown says the unique risks of tainted eyedrops require a different approach from pills and tablets.

“Anything you swallow is going to meet up with your stomach acid, which is going to kill most bacteria," Brown said. “It’s much more dangerous to put a product in your eye.”

The FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-consumers-not-purchase-or-use-certain-eye-drops-several-major-brands-due-risk-eye">warned consumers</a>&nbsp;in late October not to use the eyedrops sold at CVS, Rite-Aid and other stores. But the products weren’t officially recalled until Nov. 15, almost three weeks later.

That's because Indian manufacturer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kilitch-healthcare-india-limited-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-various-eye-drops-potential">Kilitch Healthcare</a>, initially declined to cooperate. The FDA can force recalls of food, medical devices and many other products, but it lacks the same authority for drugs and instead must ask companies to voluntarily take action.

The FDA recently asked Congress for mandatory recall authority over drugs.

Since the 1990s, drug manufacturing has increasingly moved to India, China and other lower-cost countries.

The Government Accountability Office has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-103611">raised concerns</a>&nbsp;for years about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-china-us-news-medication-health-care-industry-699f56acec5542ffbc4aa95b8ce6a0cf">FDA’s oversight</a>&nbsp;of the global supply chain, flagging it as a&nbsp;<a href="https://files.gao.gov/reports/GAO-23-106203/index.html#appendix26">“high-risk” issue</a>&nbsp;for more than a decade.

The FDA said in a statement it uses “all available tools” to ensure Americans get “high quality, safe and effective” medications.

The agency generally prioritizes factories that have never been inspected or haven’t been inspected in the last five years. It halted most routine, in-person foreign inspections in March 2020 and did not resume them until 2022. The agency didn’t conduct any inspections in India during the first year of COVID-19.

FDA leaders have long said it's challenging to recruit and keep overseas inspectors.

Experts say Congress can and should address that.

WASHINGTON (AP) — When you buy eyedrops at a U.S. store, you might assume you're getting a product made in a clean, well-maintained factory that’s passed muster with health regulators.But&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-recall-fda-infection-cvs-rite-aid-a9471104de34efd152137d3fdba9c260">repeated recalls</a>&nbsp;involving over-the-counter drops are drawing new attention to just how little U.S. officials know about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-recall-fda-warning-india-11624105e31a68102d414594c85766f0">conditions</a>&nbsp;at some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/1edfda229b11bf9f9181ff6a1271a6bc">manufacturing plants</a>&nbsp;on the other side of the world — and the limited tools they have to intervene when there's a problem.The Food and Drug Administration is asking Congress for new powers, including the ability to mandate drug recalls and require eyedrop makers to undergo inspections before shipping products to the U.S. But experts say those capabilities will do little without more staff and resources for foreign inspections, which were a challenge even before the COVID-19 pandemic forced regulators to skip thousands of visits.“The FDA is not getting its job done in terms of drug quality assurance inspections abroad,” said David Ridley of Duke University and co-author of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00686">recent paper</a>&nbsp;tracking the downturn in inspections. “Very few foreign drugmakers have been inspected in the past four years.”In 2022, FDA foreign inspections were down 79% from 2019, according to agency records collected by Ridley's group. Inspections increased this year but are still far below pre-pandemic levels.FDA spokesman Jeremy Kahn said: “The FDA works to inspect as many facilities possible, but ultimately industry is responsible for the quality of their products."An October recall of two dozen eyedrop brands came after FDA staff found cracked floors, barefoot workers and other unsanitary conditions at a Mumbai plant that supplied products to CVS, Walmart and other major retailers. It was the first time FDA staff had visited the site.That inspection was prompted by an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/new-york-city-business-health-4572be6da44f4fab4e0f691f5e37e3ed">earlier recall</a>&nbsp;of tainted eyedrops from a different Indian plant that's been linked to four&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-recall-ezicare-delsam-outbreak-2a0f0cc1273cc71b122702e6180492ca">deaths</a>&nbsp;and more than a dozen cases of vision loss. That&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-infection-outbreak-fda-1e266befa854dc7c0ce65def0da9a0bc">plant</a>&nbsp;had also never been previously inspected.“These are very rare instances, but what we’ve seen is that these products can cause real harm,” said Dr. Timothy Janetos, an ophthalmologist at Northwestern University. “Something needs to change.”Experts point to three possible changes:EARLIER INSPECTIONSPrescription medicines are highly regulated. Before a drugmaker can sell one in the U.S., it must undergo FDA review to establish its safety and effectiveness. As part of the process, the FDA typically inspects the factory where the drug will be made.But eyedrops and other over-the-counter products don’t undergo preliminary review or inspections. Instead, they are governed by a different system called a monograph, essentially a generic recipe for all medicines in a particular class. So long as drugmakers attest that they are using the standard recipe, they can launch a product within days of filing with the FDA.“It’s nothing more than electronic paperwork,” said Dr. Sandra Brown of the Dry Eye Foundation, a nonprofit advocating for increased regulation. “There’s no requirement for the facility to be inspected prior to shipping for sale.”The FDA says it has flexibility to adjust its review process “to ensure safety."But the agency is asking Congress for the power to require manufacturers of eyedrops and other sterile products to give at least six months notice before shipping products from a new factory. That would give inspectors time to visit facilities that aren’t on their radar.The proposal could face pushback from some over-the-counter drugmakers, who aren’t accustomed to preapproval inspections.But Brown says the unique risks of tainted eyedrops require a different approach from pills and tablets.“Anything you swallow is going to meet up with your stomach acid, which is going to kill most bacteria," Brown said. “It’s much more dangerous to put a product in your eye.”REQUIRING RECALLSThe FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-consumers-not-purchase-or-use-certain-eye-drops-several-major-brands-due-risk-eye">warned consumers</a>&nbsp;in late October not to use the eyedrops sold at CVS, Rite-Aid and other stores. But the products weren’t officially recalled until Nov. 15, almost three weeks later.That's because Indian manufacturer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/kilitch-healthcare-india-limited-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-various-eye-drops-potential">Kilitch Healthcare</a>, initially declined to cooperate. The FDA can force recalls of food, medical devices and many other products, but it lacks the same authority for drugs and instead must ask companies to voluntarily take action.The FDA recently asked Congress for mandatory recall authority over drugs.FUNDING FOREIGN INSPECTORSSince the 1990s, drug manufacturing has increasingly moved to India, China and other lower-cost countries.The Government Accountability Office has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-103611">raised concerns</a>&nbsp;for years about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/india-china-us-news-medication-health-care-industry-699f56acec5542ffbc4aa95b8ce6a0cf">FDA’s oversight</a>&nbsp;of the global supply chain, flagging it as a&nbsp;<a href="https://files.gao.gov/reports/GAO-23-106203/index.html#appendix26">“high-risk” issue</a>&nbsp;for more than a decade.The FDA said in a statement it uses “all available tools” to ensure Americans get “high quality, safe and effective” medications.The agency generally prioritizes factories that have never been inspected or haven’t been inspected in the last five years. It halted most routine, in-person foreign inspections in March 2020 and did not resume them until 2022. The agency didn’t conduct any inspections in India during the first year of COVID-19.FDA leaders have long said it's challenging to recruit and keep overseas inspectors.Experts say Congress can and should address that.

After recalls and infections, experts say safer eyedrops will require new FDA powers

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A jury trial scheduled to begin last week for a Kansas woman accused in a fatal shooting is now delayed until February, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

La’Niha Banks, 19 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder, attempted 1st degree murder, two counts of criminal discharge of a firearm, and four counts of aggravated assault, according to the district attorney's office.

On June 14, police arrested&nbsp; Banks after a 17 day search.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just after 11 p.m. May 20, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1000 block of E 1st Street N. in Wichita. Upon arrival, officers located&nbsp; 19-year-old Lationna Johnson &nbsp;with two gunshot wounds to her upper body.

EMS transported Johnson to an area hospital in critical condition and with life-threatening injuries. She died on May 23, according to Rebolledo.

The investigation revealed that Johnson was trying to break up a physical altercation between an acquaintance of hers and Banks in a parking lot. After the victim managed to stop the fight, she started to drive away, but the Banks produced a handgun and started to shoot into the occupied vehicle.

Banks is now being held on a $1 million bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1686138861430.png" alt="Banks-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Banks-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A jury trial scheduled to begin last week for a Kansas woman accused in a fatal shooting is now delayed until February, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.La’Niha Banks, 19 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder, attempted 1st degree murder, two counts of criminal discharge of a firearm, and four counts of aggravated assault, according to the district attorney's office.On June 14, police arrested&nbsp; Banks after a 17 day search.&nbsp;&nbsp;Just after 11 p.m. May 20, police were dispatched to a shooting in the 1000 block of E 1st Street N. in Wichita. Upon arrival, officers located&nbsp; 19-year-old Lationna Johnson &nbsp;with two gunshot wounds to her upper body.EMS transported Johnson to an area hospital in critical condition and with life-threatening injuries. She died on May 23, according to Rebolledo.The investigation revealed that Johnson was trying to break up a physical altercation between an acquaintance of hers and Banks in a parking lot. After the victim managed to stop the fight, she started to drive away, but the Banks produced a handgun and started to shoot into the occupied vehicle.Banks is now being held on a $1 million bond, according to online jail records.

Murder trial delayed for Kan. woman who hid from police for 17 days 

BY SHERMAN SMITH&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — GOP leadership in the Legislature rejected&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/14/kansas-governor-unveils-revenue-neutral-medicaid-expansion-plan-with-work-requirement-2/">Gov. Laura Kelly’s latest proposal for Medicaid expansion</a>, questioning whether federal regulators would allow a work requirement and calling for alternate reforms without offering their own plan.

Their resistance to Medicaid expansion, which would benefit an estimated 150,000 Kansans with low incomes, stands in contrast to support for the program from rank-and-file Republican lawmakers and a majority of Republican voters.

Kelly attempted to address concerns raised by opponents in the past by including a work requirement in her plan, offsetting the state’s cost by taxing the Medicaid funding hospitals receive, allowing individuals to stay on private insurance but receive assistance from the state, and clarifying that abortion services are only covered in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of a mother.

“Cloaked in a fake work requirement and a tax scheme, the governor’s proposal to expand the welfare state creates more problems than it solves,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican. “It is poor public policy to push able-bodied adults off of private insurance and onto a government program that was intended for the truly vulnerable.”

Most of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/11/gop-leaders-demonize-the-poor-in-medicaid-expansion-debate-while-working-kansans-struggle/">the Kansans who would benefit from Medicaid expansion</a>&nbsp;are workers with low incomes or suffering from chronic illness. They are small business owners and their employees, as well as students, cancer patients and those who need mental health treatment.

Under current Medicaid rules in Kansas, a single mother working a minimum wage job earns too much to qualify. The Affordable Care Act allows states to expand eligibility to those who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level. In exchange, the federal government covers 90% of the cost of existing and expanded services. Forty states have expanded Medicaid.

Sen. John Doll, a Garden City Republican who drove five hours to join Kelly for her announcement Thursday, said it was inaccurate to refer to Medicaid as welfare, “but if it was true, so be it.”

“And what disturbs me is this is the United States, this is Kansas — if somebody needs health care, they should be able to get health care,” Doll said.

House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, questioned whether federal regulators in the Biden administration would allow a work requirement to stand. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have blocked work requirements, which impose an administrative barrier and when allowed in Arkansas had&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/journal-article/2019/jun/arkansas-medicaid-work-requirements-higher-uninsured-rate">no effect on employment rates</a>.

“While I appreciate the governor’s newly found support for work requirements for welfare benefits, this is nothing more than smoke and mirrors,” Hawkins said.

Under Kelly’s proposal, individuals would have to prove they are working when they first enroll in the program, and again when they renew their enrollment each year. The governor said she doesn’t consider the work requirement to be burdensome because every recipient already has to prove income eligibility.

Kelly&nbsp;said this approach was different than other states that required individuals to prove employment every month. Her plan also allows for exceptions for full-time students, caretakers, veterans and those with medical conditions.

Akeiisa Coleman, senior program officer for Medicaid in the Federal and State Health Policy initiative at the Commonwealth Fund, said the work requirement could still be problematic for seasonal workers, such as those who work at harvest time. She said the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2020/did-medicaid-work-requirements-achieve-their-goals-arkansas">work requirement in Arkansas</a>&nbsp;resulted in coverage losses without increasing employment, an outcome that could be used to support a legal challenge to a work requirement in Kansas. Coleman also emphasized that almost all of the working-age adults who benefit from Medicaid expansion are already working.

Hawkins and Masterson both said they were interested in giving Kansans more options for health care and lowering costs, but neither has proposed legislation to do so.

“There’s one word to describe Republican leadership: Cruel,” said House Minority Leader Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat.&nbsp;“Kansans across the state are suffering and quite literally dying from a lack of health care. Instead of responding with solutions, the Kansas GOP actively mocks these people in the media.”

Miller said Republicans could defend their position in a debate, but GOP leaders refuse to allow a discussion on Medicaid expansion.

“Leadership doesn’t like when we point out the blood on their hands, but they are solely responsible,” Miller said. “Republicans need to stop trading Kansas lives in an attempt to score political points against the governor.”

This story is part of “<a target="_blank" href="https://publichealthwatch.org/the-holdouts/">The Holdouts</a>,” a reporting collaborative focused on the 10 states that have yet to expand Medicaid, which the Affordable Care Act authorized in 2010. The collaborative is a project of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://publichealthwatch.org/">Public Health Watch</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702669425204.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly announces her new Medicaid expansion plan during a news conference, Dec. 14, 2023, at Holton Community Hospital. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly announces her new Medicaid expansion plan during a news conference, Dec. 14, 2023, at Holton Community Hospital. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY SHERMAN SMITH&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — GOP leadership in the Legislature rejected&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/14/kansas-governor-unveils-revenue-neutral-medicaid-expansion-plan-with-work-requirement-2/">Gov. Laura Kelly’s latest proposal for Medicaid expansion</a>, questioning whether federal regulators would allow a work requirement and calling for alternate reforms without offering their own plan.Their resistance to Medicaid expansion, which would benefit an estimated 150,000 Kansans with low incomes, stands in contrast to support for the program from rank-and-file Republican lawmakers and a majority of Republican voters.Kelly attempted to address concerns raised by opponents in the past by including a work requirement in her plan, offsetting the state’s cost by taxing the Medicaid funding hospitals receive, allowing individuals to stay on private insurance but receive assistance from the state, and clarifying that abortion services are only covered in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of a mother.“Cloaked in a fake work requirement and a tax scheme, the governor’s proposal to expand the welfare state creates more problems than it solves,” said Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican. “It is poor public policy to push able-bodied adults off of private insurance and onto a government program that was intended for the truly vulnerable.”Most of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/11/gop-leaders-demonize-the-poor-in-medicaid-expansion-debate-while-working-kansans-struggle/">the Kansans who would benefit from Medicaid expansion</a>&nbsp;are workers with low incomes or suffering from chronic illness. They are small business owners and their employees, as well as students, cancer patients and those who need mental health treatment.Under current Medicaid rules in Kansas, a single mother working a minimum wage job earns too much to qualify. The Affordable Care Act allows states to expand eligibility to those who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level. In exchange, the federal government covers 90% of the cost of existing and expanded services. Forty states have expanded Medicaid.Sen. John Doll, a Garden City Republican who drove five hours to join Kelly for her announcement Thursday, said it was inaccurate to refer to Medicaid as welfare, “but if it was true, so be it.”“And what disturbs me is this is the United States, this is Kansas — if somebody needs health care, they should be able to get health care,” Doll said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702669376782.png" alt="Sen. John Doll, speaks at a Medicaid expansion during a news conference, Dec. 14, 2023, at Holton Community Hospital. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. John Doll, speaks at a Medicaid expansion during a news conference, Dec. 14, 2023, at Holton Community Hospital. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican, questioned whether federal regulators in the Biden administration would allow a work requirement to stand. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have blocked work requirements, which impose an administrative barrier and when allowed in Arkansas had&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/journal-article/2019/jun/arkansas-medicaid-work-requirements-higher-uninsured-rate">no effect on employment rates</a>.“While I appreciate the governor’s newly found support for work requirements for welfare benefits, this is nothing more than smoke and mirrors,” Hawkins said.Under Kelly’s proposal, individuals would have to prove they are working when they first enroll in the program, and again when they renew their enrollment each year. The governor said she doesn’t consider the work requirement to be burdensome because every recipient already has to prove income eligibility.Kelly&nbsp;said this approach was different than other states that required individuals to prove employment every month. Her plan also allows for exceptions for full-time students, caretakers, veterans and those with medical conditions.Akeiisa Coleman, senior program officer for Medicaid in the Federal and State Health Policy initiative at the Commonwealth Fund, said the work requirement could still be problematic for seasonal workers, such as those who work at harvest time. She said the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2020/did-medicaid-work-requirements-achieve-their-goals-arkansas">work requirement in Arkansas</a>&nbsp;resulted in coverage losses without increasing employment, an outcome that could be used to support a legal challenge to a work requirement in Kansas. Coleman also emphasized that almost all of the working-age adults who benefit from Medicaid expansion are already working.Hawkins and Masterson both said they were interested in giving Kansans more options for health care and lowering costs, but neither has proposed legislation to do so.“There’s one word to describe Republican leadership: Cruel,” said House Minority Leader Vic Miller, a Topeka Democrat.&nbsp;“Kansans across the state are suffering and quite literally dying from a lack of health care. Instead of responding with solutions, the Kansas GOP actively mocks these people in the media.”Miller said Republicans could defend their position in a debate, but GOP leaders refuse to allow a discussion on Medicaid expansion.“Leadership doesn’t like when we point out the blood on their hands, but they are solely responsible,” Miller said. “Republicans need to stop trading Kansas lives in an attempt to score political points against the governor.”This story is part of “<a target="_blank" href="https://publichealthwatch.org/the-holdouts/">The Holdouts</a>,” a reporting collaborative focused on the 10 states that have yet to expand Medicaid, which the Affordable Care Act authorized in 2010. The collaborative is a project of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://publichealthwatch.org/">Public Health Watch</a>.

GOP leaders reject Kan. governor’s new proposal for Medicaid expansion

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting in Wichita and continue to ask the public for help to locate a suspect identified as Luis Jackson, according to a Crime Stoppers report.

Just after 2a.m. September 10, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 4000 block of West Memory Lane in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders&nbsp; located&nbsp;19-year-old Zyles James of Wichita unconscious and not breathing with gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body.

Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. James was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

During the initial response, officers located another victim with a graze wound to the arm. The victim was transported to a local hospital and was treated and released.

If you see Jackson or know his location, call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694602061567.png" alt="Jackson-photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Jackson-photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting in Wichita and continue to ask the public for help to locate a suspect identified as Luis Jackson, according to a Crime Stoppers report.Just after 2a.m. September 10, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 4000 block of West Memory Lane in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.First responders&nbsp; located&nbsp;19-year-old Zyles James of Wichita unconscious and not breathing with gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body.Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. James was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.During the initial response, officers located another victim with a graze wound to the arm. The victim was transported to a local hospital and was treated and released.If you see Jackson or know his location, call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

Search continues for suspect in murder of Kansas teen 

LONDON (AP) — A U.S. warship shot down 14 suspected attack drones over the Red Sea on Saturday, and a Royal Navy destroyer downed another drone that was targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthis-shipping-red-sea-navy-israel-6dc5fbff6d28fead5d6ef1224cba5a14">commercial ships,</a>&nbsp;the British and American militaries said.

Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, and have launched drones and missiles targeting Israel, as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;threatens to spread.

U.S. Central Command said that the destroyer USS Carney “successfully engaged 14 unmanned aerial systems" launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

The drones “were shot down with no damage to ships in the area or reported injuries,” Central Command tweeted.

U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said that HMS Diamond fired a Sea Viper missile and destroyed a drone that was “targeting merchant shipping.” The overnight action is the first time the Royal Navy has shot down an aerial target in anger since the 1991 Gulf War.

Shapps said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-yemen-houthis-attack-ships-f67d941c260528ac40315ecab4c34ca3">attacks on commercial ships</a>&nbsp;in the global trade artery by Yemen’s Houthi rebels “represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security."

“The U.K. remains committed to repelling these attacks to protect the free flow of global trade,” he said in a statement.

HMS Diamond was sent to the region two weeks ago as a deterrent, joining vessels from the U.S., France and other countries.

Global shipping has become a target during the war between Israel and Hamas, which like the Houthis is backed by Iran.

Houthi rebels said they fired a barrage of drones on Saturday toward the port city of Eilat in southern Israel. The announcement came hours after Egypt’s state-run media reported that Egyptian air defense had shot down a “flying object” off the Egyptian resort town of Dahab on the Red Sea.

Israeli-linked vessels also have been targeted, but the threat to trade has grown as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-ship-attack-houthi-rebels-red-sea-946b40e6393af6216c0b6ef734311be9">container ships and oil tankers</a>&nbsp;flagged to countries like Norway and Liberia have been attacked or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-ship-attacks-us-navy-1727df3d95e548c6e4d20b51f096268f">drawn missile fire</a>&nbsp;while traversing the waterway between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

Earlier this month, three commercial ships in the Red Sea were struck by ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen. A U.S. warship shot down three drones during the assault, the U.S. military said.

French container shipping line CMA CGM Group said Saturday it had ordered all its vessels scheduled to pass through the Red Sea to “pause their journey in safe waters with immediate effect until further notice.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702740562018.png" alt="U.S. Carney -photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Carney -photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>LONDON (AP) — A U.S. warship shot down 14 suspected attack drones over the Red Sea on Saturday, and a Royal Navy destroyer downed another drone that was targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthis-shipping-red-sea-navy-israel-6dc5fbff6d28fead5d6ef1224cba5a14">commercial ships,</a>&nbsp;the British and American militaries said.Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched a series of attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, and have launched drones and missiles targeting Israel, as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;threatens to spread.U.S. Central Command said that the destroyer USS Carney “successfully engaged 14 unmanned aerial systems" launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.The drones “were shot down with no damage to ships in the area or reported injuries,” Central Command tweeted.U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said that HMS Diamond fired a Sea Viper missile and destroyed a drone that was “targeting merchant shipping.” The overnight action is the first time the Royal Navy has shot down an aerial target in anger since the 1991 Gulf War.Shapps said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-yemen-houthis-attack-ships-f67d941c260528ac40315ecab4c34ca3">attacks on commercial ships</a>&nbsp;in the global trade artery by Yemen’s Houthi rebels “represent a direct threat to international commerce and maritime security."“The U.K. remains committed to repelling these attacks to protect the free flow of global trade,” he said in a statement.HMS Diamond was sent to the region two weeks ago as a deterrent, joining vessels from the U.S., France and other countries.Global shipping has become a target during the war between Israel and Hamas, which like the Houthis is backed by Iran.Houthi rebels said they fired a barrage of drones on Saturday toward the port city of Eilat in southern Israel. The announcement came hours after Egypt’s state-run media reported that Egyptian air defense had shot down a “flying object” off the Egyptian resort town of Dahab on the Red Sea.Israeli-linked vessels also have been targeted, but the threat to trade has grown as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-ship-attack-houthi-rebels-red-sea-946b40e6393af6216c0b6ef734311be9">container ships and oil tankers</a>&nbsp;flagged to countries like Norway and Liberia have been attacked or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-ship-attacks-us-navy-1727df3d95e548c6e4d20b51f096268f">drawn missile fire</a>&nbsp;while traversing the waterway between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.Earlier this month, three commercial ships in the Red Sea were struck by ballistic missiles fired from Houthi-controlled Yemen. A U.S. warship shot down three drones during the assault, the U.S. military said.French container shipping line CMA CGM Group said Saturday it had ordered all its vessels scheduled to pass through the Red Sea to “pause their journey in safe waters with immediate effect until further notice.”

Battle of the Red Sea: U.S. warship shot down 14 attack drones 

KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man faced years in jail for child sex crimes.

This week, a jury found 55-year-old. Jesus Rivera-Martinez,&nbsp; guilty of two counts of statutory sodomy in the 1st Degree and one count of Attempted Statutory Sodomy in the 1st Degree, according to the Jackson County District Attorney's office.

&nbsp;Rivera-Martinez will be sentenced on Feb. 9.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702396448554.png" alt="RIvera-Martinez-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>RIvera-Martinez-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—A Kansas City man faced years in jail for child sex crimes.This week, a jury found 55-year-old. Jesus Rivera-Martinez,&nbsp; guilty of two counts of statutory sodomy in the 1st Degree and one count of Attempted Statutory Sodomy in the 1st Degree, according to the Jackson County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;Rivera-Martinez will be sentenced on Feb. 9.

Jury: Kansas City-area man guilty of child sex crimes

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an allege domestic incident.

Shortly before 9p.m. on Thursday officers responded to an alleged domestic disturbance in the 300 block East P Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. An investigation determined that a domestic battery had occurred against a 38-year-old victim and during the disturbance a firearm was used in a threatening manner. 

Police located the 30 year old suspect identified as Anthony C. Simon of Atchison a short time later and arrested him on requested charges that include&nbsp;&nbsp;aggravated assault and domestic battery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702655947506.png" alt="Simon photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Simon photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for an allege domestic incident.Shortly before 9p.m. on Thursday officers responded to an alleged domestic disturbance in the 300 block East P Street, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson. An investigation determined that a domestic battery had occurred against a 38-year-old victim and during the disturbance a firearm was used in a threatening manner. Police located the 30 year old suspect identified as Anthony C. Simon of Atchison a short time later and arrested him on requested charges that include&nbsp;&nbsp;aggravated assault and domestic battery.

Police: Suspect used a gun in Kan. domestic violence attack

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged burglary involving a number of firearms.

On Dec. 11, Sheriff's Deputies arrested 44-year-old Alyyshia Lee Schwanz of Topeka, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.

&nbsp;Schwanz is believed to be involved in a burglary that took place on December 5, near the Jackson, Jefferson and Atchison County lines.&nbsp; 

Schwanz allegedly stole a number of firearms from the residence.&nbsp; She was booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of burglary with the intent to steal firearms, criminal distribution of firearms to a felon and criminal damage to property. She is being held on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records.

Earlier this month, she was arrested and booked her into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections following&nbsp; a single vehicle crash at the intersection of S. Kansas Ave and SW 6th Street in Topeka shortly before the scheduled Miracle on Kansas Avenue Parade.

She was held on requested charges of Possession of opiate, Driving Under Influence of Alcohol or Drugs, Possession of marijuana, Possession of hallucinogenic drug, Vehicle liability insurance required, Yield emergency vehicle, Improper Driving On Laned Roadway.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702501267569.png" alt="Schwanz-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Schwanz-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged burglary involving a number of firearms.On Dec. 11, Sheriff's Deputies arrested 44-year-old Alyyshia Lee Schwanz of Topeka, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse.&nbsp;Schwanz is believed to be involved in a burglary that took place on December 5, near the Jackson, Jefferson and Atchison County lines.&nbsp; Schwanz allegedly stole a number of firearms from the residence.&nbsp; She was booked into the Jackson County Jail on a requested charge of burglary with the intent to steal firearms, criminal distribution of firearms to a felon and criminal damage to property. She is being held on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records.Earlier this month, she was arrested and booked her into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections following&nbsp; a single vehicle crash at the intersection of S. Kansas Ave and SW 6th Street in Topeka shortly before the scheduled Miracle on Kansas Avenue Parade.She was held on requested charges of Possession of opiate, Driving Under Influence of Alcohol or Drugs, Possession of marijuana, Possession of hallucinogenic drug, Vehicle liability insurance required, Yield emergency vehicle, Improper Driving On Laned Roadway.

Kan. woman accused in burglary of a number of firearms

SEDGWICK COUNTY — The Sedgwick County Zoo announced Thursday that Mitch, a 20-year-old North American Black Bear, has passed away, according to a memorial on the zoo web site.

Mitch was being treated for age-related arthritis and was recently diagnosed with heart disease. During a diagnostic procedure, it was decided that further medical treatment wouldn’t be able to improve his condition, and the extremely difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize him.

Mitch came to the Sedgwick County Zoo in October of 2003 as a young cub. He was named after the police officer who confiscated him from a home in Springfield, Illinois. He was first delivered to the Henson Robinson Zoo where they checked him medically, raised him until he was weaning age, and then began to search for his long-term home. At the same time, Sedgwick County Zoo was looking to find a male for our habitat here at the Zoo.

Mitch was a character from the start. Since he had only been around humans, he had to learn how to to adjust to “the life of a bear.”

While learning how to be a bear, the team remembers that on one specific day his back feet got wet and he began to drag himself around on his belly, not using his legs. We thought something was wrong with him, and just before we called the veterinary team, he began walking normally again. When it happened again the next day, we realized that he just didn’t like getting his feet wet. Every time he got his feet wet, he would drag himself around in protest. Thankfully it didn’t take long for him to get used to water and begin to enjoy playing in it.

Once he was comfortable with his space at SCZ, the time came for Mitch to meet Ursa, our female bear. We gave them a safe space for him to see, hear and smell each other with high hopes that Ursa would see this new cub and want to teach him everything a bear needs to know. Unfortunately, Ursa decided she was in no mood to befriend a young male, so we needed to wait until Mitch was a little older before putting them together.

Once Mitch was larger and better able to match Ursa we began introductions.&nbsp;One of the zookeepers remembers beginning introductions with Ursa and Mitch not going according to plan. Mitch immediately decided that he was not a fan of this other bear being in his habitat and quickly returned to the bedroom area where all of his humans were anxiously watching.&nbsp;

Keepers worked hard to get the two bears comfortable around one another. Mitch, growing up with humans, was used to being around humans, but not around bears. His team helped to build his confidence around Ursa and eventually the two were comfortable together on the habitat.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702661875674.png" alt="Mitch relaxing in his hammock-photo courtesy Sedgwick Co. Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Mitch relaxing in his hammock-photo courtesy Sedgwick Co. Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — The Sedgwick County Zoo announced Thursday that Mitch, a 20-year-old North American Black Bear, has passed away, according to a memorial on the zoo web site.Mitch was being treated for age-related arthritis and was recently diagnosed with heart disease. During a diagnostic procedure, it was decided that further medical treatment wouldn’t be able to improve his condition, and the extremely difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize him.Mitch came to the Sedgwick County Zoo in October of 2003 as a young cub. He was named after the police officer who confiscated him from a home in Springfield, Illinois. He was first delivered to the Henson Robinson Zoo where they checked him medically, raised him until he was weaning age, and then began to search for his long-term home. At the same time, Sedgwick County Zoo was looking to find a male for our habitat here at the Zoo.Mitch was a character from the start. Since he had only been around humans, he had to learn how to to adjust to “the life of a bear.”While learning how to be a bear, the team remembers that on one specific day his back feet got wet and he began to drag himself around on his belly, not using his legs. We thought something was wrong with him, and just before we called the veterinary team, he began walking normally again. When it happened again the next day, we realized that he just didn’t like getting his feet wet. Every time he got his feet wet, he would drag himself around in protest. Thankfully it didn’t take long for him to get used to water and begin to enjoy playing in it.Once he was comfortable with his space at SCZ, the time came for Mitch to meet Ursa, our female bear. We gave them a safe space for him to see, hear and smell each other with high hopes that Ursa would see this new cub and want to teach him everything a bear needs to know. Unfortunately, Ursa decided she was in no mood to befriend a young male, so we needed to wait until Mitch was a little older before putting them together.Once Mitch was larger and better able to match Ursa we began introductions.&nbsp;One of the zookeepers remembers beginning introductions with Ursa and Mitch not going according to plan. Mitch immediately decided that he was not a fan of this other bear being in his habitat and quickly returned to the bedroom area where all of his humans were anxiously watching.&nbsp;Keepers worked hard to get the two bears comfortable around one another. Mitch, growing up with humans, was used to being around humans, but not around bears. His team helped to build his confidence around Ursa and eventually the two were comfortable together on the habitat.&nbsp;Ursa and Mitch were never overly close, but they kept each other company until Ursa passed a few years ago.&nbsp;When Ursa passed, we decided to keep Mitch without a companion as black bears often live solitary lives by nature, and he seemed content with his human caregivers and adoring guests.Mitch was a sweet, goofy, silly boy who in his sprier days could do a juggling performance with a large branch that was dubbed his “bear-kwondo routine.” He would always have a favorite branch for this and would randomly decide to sit up and do a performance, much to the delight of any onlookers.He was constantly making people smile and laugh with his silly antics and behaviors. He loved people, and everyone that met him instantly fell in love with him.In the past few years, he began showing signs of arthritis and was being treated with medication to keep him comfortable. We discovered that he would readily take his medication from a spoon if we inserted the pills into a prune and then covered it in yogurt. He always liked to follow up this treat with his favorite bear chow.Mitch also loved relaxing. Our favorite sight of him was sprawled out on his back in a hammock. He would even allow food to be tossed directly onto the hammock with him, and would casually grab a carrot, drag it up and over his belly, and then hold it in both paws to eat. In the heat, he would also hang out in his water tank and let the hose run right on him.During breeding season, he had a “breeding stomp” he would perform to show Zoo guests what a handsome and strong bear he was.&nbsp;He would stomp his front feet on the ground with each step.&nbsp;Mitch was also very trainable; he would voluntarily cooperate for medical treatments as long as he knew he would get a treat while the work was being done. Mitch had been participating in training as complex as standing for a blood draw. He had great trust in his primary zookeeper and worked with her to accomplish many tasks, including fun ones, like painting.Unfortunately, with age comes health issues, and Mitch was diagnosed with arthritis and heart disease. He was kept comfortable with big soft beds and appropriate medications, but his care team recently saw a significant decline in his health.Making the decision to say goodbye was hard.&nbsp; The Prairie will not be the same without him.&nbsp; It’s hard to imagine not seeing his hopeful face every day, waiting for his yogurt-dipped prune.&nbsp;He was loved by many.We were lucky to be able to be a part of his life for more than 20 years.&nbsp; Happy trails, Mitch!&nbsp;We hope you are eating all the snacks you love and lying in a big hammock after a day full of stomping and “bear-kwando.”Mitch may no longer be with us, but his legacy will live on through those whose hearts he touched.