SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a. homicide in Topeka.&nbsp;

Just after 4a.m. Thursday, police&nbsp;responded to a shooting at an apartment complex in the 2100 block of SE 12th Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.

Officers located one individual suffering from a gunshot wound. This individual was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Police release no additional details. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706795135183.png" alt="Photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a. homicide in Topeka.&nbsp;Just after 4a.m. Thursday, police&nbsp;responded to a shooting at an apartment complex in the 2100 block of SE 12th Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Edward Stanley.Officers located one individual suffering from a gunshot wound. This individual was pronounced deceased at the scene.Police release no additional details. Check the Post for more information as it becomes available.

Police: One dead after shooting at Kansas apartment complex 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday he never told his staff to keep his cancer surgery and hospitalization secret from the White House, but acknowledged he should have handled it differently and he apologized for keeping President Joe Biden and others in the dark for weeks.

“We did not handle this right and I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I take full responsibility,” Austin told reporters in a lengthy Pentagon briefing. “I have apologized directly to President Biden and I’ve told him that I’m deeply sorry for not letting him know immediately that I received a heavy diagnosis and was getting treatment.”

Known as an intensely private man, Austin provided his most extensive comments to date on the secrecy surrounding his cancer diagnosis and struggles with complications since his surgery on Dec. 22. It was the first time he has answered questions from reporters since his cancer surgery, and his answers were often bluntly personal, offering rare insights into the deeply private matter.

“The news shook me,” Austin, 70, said about getting the initial diagnosis in early December. “It was a gut punch. And, frankly my first instinct was to keep it private.”

While he said he "never directed anyone to keep my January hospitalization from the White House,” Austin dodged questions about any repercussions on his staff or any decisions they made about disclosing it.

He said he doesn't believe he has created “a culture of secrecy” in his office. And he said he did not tell his aides to ask first responders to avoid using lights and sirens when calling for an ambulance on Jan. 1. But, he acknowledged, “there will be security officers, there will be other staff members who may perceive that they’re doing things in my best interest.”

His lack of disclosure prompted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-white-house-lloyd-austin-cabinet-f3e03c04ff7d9a0ab062a57ac181bb8f">changes in federal guidelines</a>&nbsp;and triggered an internal Pentagon review and an inspector general review into his department’s notification procedures. Both reviews are ongoing, and members of Congress have called for hearings on the matter.

Austin was taken by ambulance to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Jan. 1 after experiencing extreme pain due to complications from the surgery. He was admitted to the intensive care unit the next day. He was released from the hospital on Jan. 15.

He transferred decision-making authorities to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, but did not tell her why. Some top staff members were told about his hospitalization on Jan. 2, but no one told the White House or the president until two days later. His hospitalization was publicly announced on Jan. 5, but his cancer diagnosis and surgery were not disclosed until the following week.

A key question is why Austin's chief of staff Kelly Magsamen or his senior military assistant, Lt. Gen. Ron Clark, didn't inform the White House or key leaders more quickly.

Austin's solo appearance in the Pentagon briefing room was also a rare moment. He is known for avoiding the media as much as possible. But he appeared calm and even joked a few times during the 35-minute press conference. His ongoing leg pain was evident as he walked carefully to the podium, but he said he expects to recover, although it will be incremental and take time.

Pressed on why he didn't tell the president and others about his diagnosis and surgery, Austin said, “I’m a pretty private guy. I never like burdening others with my problems. It’s just not my way.” He added that the president has a lot of things on his plate and he didn't want to add his personal issue to that.

“I apologize to my teammates and to the American people,” he said.

He said he has learned from the experience. “Taking this kind of job means losing some of the privacy that most of us expect,” he said. “The American people have a right to know if their leaders are facing health challenges that might affect their ability to perform their duties even temporarily. So a wider circle should have been notified, especially the president.”

Austin also acknowledged that he missed a crucial opportunity to use his prostate check and early discovery of the cancer as a teaching moment, for his many male troops and workers across the department, and, even more importantly, for the African American population.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men. It affects 1 in every 8 men — and 1 in every 6 African American men — during their lifetime.

“I’m here with a clear message to other men, especially older men,” Austin said. “Get screened, get your regular checkups. Prostate cancer has a glass jaw. If your doctor can spot it, they can treat it and beat it.”

Asked about the matter earlier in January, Biden said it was a lapse in judgment for Austin not to tell him about his hospitalization, but he said he still has confidence in his Pentagon chief.

Austin, who worked from home for two weeks after his release from the hospital, returned to work in the Pentagon on Monday. He had not been in the building since Dec. 21.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday he never told his staff to keep his cancer surgery and hospitalization secret from the White House, but acknowledged he should have handled it differently and he apologized for keeping President Joe Biden and others in the dark for weeks.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecDef?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecDef</a> Austin on his recent cancer diagnosis and transparency: &quot;We did not handle this right. I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis, and I should have also told my team and the American public. I take full responsibility.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/rt3WjjjJdl">pic.twitter.com/rt3WjjjJdl</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1753085290221076661?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“We did not handle this right and I did not handle this right. I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I take full responsibility,” Austin told reporters in a lengthy Pentagon briefing. “I have apologized directly to President Biden and I’ve told him that I’m deeply sorry for not letting him know immediately that I received a heavy diagnosis and was getting treatment.”Known as an intensely private man, Austin provided his most extensive comments to date on the secrecy surrounding his cancer diagnosis and struggles with complications since his surgery on Dec. 22. It was the first time he has answered questions from reporters since his cancer surgery, and his answers were often bluntly personal, offering rare insights into the deeply private matter.“The news shook me,” Austin, 70, said about getting the initial diagnosis in early December. “It was a gut punch. And, frankly my first instinct was to keep it private.”While he said he "never directed anyone to keep my January hospitalization from the White House,” Austin dodged questions about any repercussions on his staff or any decisions they made about disclosing it.He said he doesn't believe he has created “a culture of secrecy” in his office. And he said he did not tell his aides to ask first responders to avoid using lights and sirens when calling for an ambulance on Jan. 1. But, he acknowledged, “there will be security officers, there will be other staff members who may perceive that they’re doing things in my best interest.”His lack of disclosure prompted&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-white-house-lloyd-austin-cabinet-f3e03c04ff7d9a0ab062a57ac181bb8f">changes in federal guidelines</a>&nbsp;and triggered an internal Pentagon review and an inspector general review into his department’s notification procedures. Both reviews are ongoing, and members of Congress have called for hearings on the matter.Austin was taken by ambulance to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Jan. 1 after experiencing extreme pain due to complications from the surgery. He was admitted to the intensive care unit the next day. He was released from the hospital on Jan. 15.He transferred decision-making authorities to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, but did not tell her why. Some top staff members were told about his hospitalization on Jan. 2, but no one told the White House or the president until two days later. His hospitalization was publicly announced on Jan. 5, but his cancer diagnosis and surgery were not disclosed until the following week.A key question is why Austin's chief of staff Kelly Magsamen or his senior military assistant, Lt. Gen. Ron Clark, didn't inform the White House or key leaders more quickly.Austin's solo appearance in the Pentagon briefing room was also a rare moment. He is known for avoiding the media as much as possible. But he appeared calm and even joked a few times during the 35-minute press conference. His ongoing leg pain was evident as he walked carefully to the podium, but he said he expects to recover, although it will be incremental and take time.Pressed on why he didn't tell the president and others about his diagnosis and surgery, Austin said, “I’m a pretty private guy. I never like burdening others with my problems. It’s just not my way.” He added that the president has a lot of things on his plate and he didn't want to add his personal issue to that.“I apologize to my teammates and to the American people,” he said.He said he has learned from the experience. “Taking this kind of job means losing some of the privacy that most of us expect,” he said. “The American people have a right to know if their leaders are facing health challenges that might affect their ability to perform their duties even temporarily. So a wider circle should have been notified, especially the president.”Austin also acknowledged that he missed a crucial opportunity to use his prostate check and early discovery of the cancer as a teaching moment, for his many male troops and workers across the department, and, even more importantly, for the African American population.Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among American men. It affects 1 in every 8 men — and 1 in every 6 African American men — during their lifetime.“I’m here with a clear message to other men, especially older men,” Austin said. “Get screened, get your regular checkups. Prostate cancer has a glass jaw. If your doctor can spot it, they can treat it and beat it.”Asked about the matter earlier in January, Biden said it was a lapse in judgment for Austin not to tell him about his hospitalization, but he said he still has confidence in his Pentagon chief.Austin, who worked from home for two weeks after his release from the hospital, returned to work in the Pentagon on Monday. He had not been in the building since Dec. 21.

🎥 Defense Secretary explains his secret hospital stay

SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 6p.m. Wednesday in Wichita.

According to Police Lt. Aaron Moses, a motorcycle driven by 41-year-old Robert Johnson of Wichita, collided with a sedan&nbsp;in the 1800 block of North Rock Road.

EMS transported Johnson to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Investigators from the Wichita Police Department Accident Follow-up Section and the Critical Accident Team responded to the collision. Information gathered through the investigation has shown that speed appeared to be a factor in the collision, according to Moses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706808990638.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the crash -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the crash -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 6p.m. Wednesday in Wichita.According to Police Lt. Aaron Moses, a motorcycle driven by 41-year-old Robert Johnson of Wichita, collided with a sedan&nbsp;in the 1800 block of North Rock Road.EMS transported Johnson to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.Investigators from the Wichita Police Department Accident Follow-up Section and the Critical Accident Team responded to the collision. Information gathered through the investigation has shown that speed appeared to be a factor in the collision, according to Moses.

Police: Speed a factor in motorcycle crash that killed Kan. man

MIAMI COUNTY, Kansas —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged animal cruelty at a rural Kansas location that is possibly linked to a much larger organization.

Last week, the Miami County Sheriff's office responded to the 25900 Block of Rockville Road for a welfare check on multiple dogs on the property, according to Sheriff Frank Kelly.

Deputies discovered several malnourished and deceased animals on the property. Deputies then obtained a search warrant and found ten Great Danes deceased. They also located nine other Great Danes and a Shepherd Mix in need of immediate medical attention. There was no one on the property at the time of this investigation, according to Kelly.

Necropsies are pending on the deceased dogs to determine the cause of death. The other animals are at a local veterinary or a sanctuary helping care for them. The dogs are not available to be visited or adopted until the investigation on the case is completed, according to Kelly.

Sheriff's office investigators believe this rural Kansas location is part of a&nbsp; larger operation that spans across the state and the United States.&nbsp; Detectives are working with investigators in other jurisdictions and believe about 100 other dogs are in a similar condition. 

On Tuesday,&nbsp; police executed a search warrant in the 1400 block of SW Fillmore Street in Topeka in response to a reported animal abuse case. Officers found dozens of cats and dogs living in hazardous conditions with little to no access to food and clean water.

Humane Society of the United States transported the rescued animals to a confidential, safe location where they will continue to be examined by licensed veterinarians and receive the care they need.

Detectives have also identified several suspects in the Miami County case.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706791485324.png" alt="Location of the investigation north of Louisburg, Kansas Google map" />
 <figcaption>Location of the investigation north of Louisburg, Kansas Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>MIAMI COUNTY, Kansas —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged animal cruelty at a rural Kansas location that is possibly linked to a much larger organization.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706791874046.png" alt="Detectives have identified several suspects in the Miami County case, according to the sheriff's office-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Detectives have identified several suspects in the Miami County case, according to the sheriff's office-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>Last week, the Miami County Sheriff's office responded to the 25900 Block of Rockville Road for a welfare check on multiple dogs on the property, according to Sheriff Frank Kelly.Deputies discovered several malnourished and deceased animals on the property. Deputies then obtained a search warrant and found ten Great Danes deceased. They also located nine other Great Danes and a Shepherd Mix in need of immediate medical attention. There was no one on the property at the time of this investigation, according to Kelly.Necropsies are pending on the deceased dogs to determine the cause of death. The other animals are at a local veterinary or a sanctuary helping care for them. The dogs are not available to be visited or adopted until the investigation on the case is completed, according to Kelly.Sheriff's office investigators believe this rural Kansas location is part of a&nbsp; larger operation that spans across the state and the United States.&nbsp; Detectives are working with investigators in other jurisdictions and believe about 100 other dogs are in a similar condition. On Tuesday,&nbsp; police executed a search warrant in the 1400 block of SW Fillmore Street in Topeka in response to a reported animal abuse case. Officers found dozens of cats and dogs living in hazardous conditions with little to no access to food and clean water.Humane Society of the United States transported the rescued animals to a confidential, safe location where they will continue to be examined by licensed veterinarians and receive the care they need.Detectives have also identified several suspects in the Miami County case.&nbsp;

Sheriff: Kan. animal cruelty investigation could span nationwide 

SUMNER COUNTY —A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper went above and beyond earlier this month to help deliver a baby.

According to a social media report from the KHP, the special delivery occurred just after 4a.m. January 12, on northbound Interstate 35, the&nbsp;Kansas Turnpike Authority, near the southern terminal plaza.

&nbsp;KHP Master Trooper Da'Von Brame received a call of a family heading to the hospital to have a baby, and they weren't going to make it, according to the social media report from the agency.

 Master Trooper Brame and the father helped deliver the baby boy roadside just shortly after they stopped on the shoulder of the turnpike.

Baby Pierson had arrived!. Mom, Dad, and KHP's newest Junior Trooper Pierson made their way to the hospital and all are doing great.

"Pierson and his big brother will always have a KHP Trooper Bear watching out for them! Congratulations to the Rosales family."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706798755800.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY —A Kansas Highway Patrol trooper went above and beyond earlier this month to help deliver a baby.According to a social media report from the KHP, the special delivery occurred just after 4a.m. January 12, on northbound Interstate 35, the&nbsp;Kansas Turnpike Authority, near the southern terminal plaza.&nbsp;KHP Master Trooper Da'Von Brame received a call of a family heading to the hospital to have a baby, and they weren't going to make it, according to the social media report from the agency. Master Trooper Brame and the father helped deliver the baby boy roadside just shortly after they stopped on the shoulder of the turnpike.Baby Pierson had arrived!. Mom, Dad, and KHP's newest Junior Trooper Pierson made their way to the hospital and all are doing great."Pierson and his big brother will always have a KHP Trooper Bear watching out for them! Congratulations to the Rosales family."

State trooper helps deliver baby on the Kansas Tunpike

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

TOPEKA —&nbsp;A Republican state senator demanded answers Tuesday on deaths in Kansas’ foster system, asking if children are still slipping through the cracks after a 5-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and died last year after living in a homeless camp.

Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a member of the Senate committee that oversees public health and welfare, said she knew of two more foster care kids who had died this month, though she did not provide other details.

Baumgardner, R-Louisburg, asked Kansas Department for Children and Families secretary Laura Howard to give an estimate of how many foster children have died over the past year, as well as more details about the death of the 5-year-old, a case that sparked widespread outrage over system failures.&nbsp;

“When will we find out more information about the little five-year-old here in Topeka that was murdered, living in a tent home and that trail of contacted, not contacted, touched, not touched as far as with law enforcement or with DCF?” Baumgardner asked.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A department spokeswoman did not immediately respond to Reflector inquiry on the number of foster care deaths.&nbsp;

In October, the five-year-old was found at a gas station in southeast Topeka, sexually assaulted and with life-threatening injuries. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment but died shortly after. Her former neighbors said she had been living in a homeless camp at the time of her death, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2023/10/05/zoey-felix-former-topeka-home-city-evergy-utilities-shut-off/71061637007/">Topeka Capital-Journal reported</a>.&nbsp;

The state’s child welfare agency received multiple reports asking the state to look into her case before her death. The Kansas Reflector obtained a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/18/kansas-dcf-received-nine-reports-including-allegations-of-drug-use-before-death-of-5-year-old/">summary of the reports</a>, showing five home visits and a phone call from department officials. The reports, which ranged from September 2022&nbsp; to little more than a month before her death, warned that the child wasn’t supervised, was living in a home without utilities and was around drugs, among other allegations.&nbsp;

Howard said she could not release many of the details publicly due to state statute, but said the agency has implemented policy changes such as requiring tighter time frames for workers to contact law enforcement if they aren’t able to reach families, along with supporting legislation that would allow more public release of data in cases such as these.&nbsp;

Beyond keeping children physically safe, other questions for the department focused on how to help them after they become young adults.&nbsp;Sen. Chase Blasi, R-Wichita, said he wanted to ensure youths leaving the system had adequate resources.&nbsp;

“What steps are we doing or can we do to ensure kids who are aging out of foster care don’t just go to the streets?” Blasi said. “Ultimately that is a very horrific thing to do in a first world country. I mean, I hope that something that’s not something we can do to help address that.”&nbsp;

Howard said there were housing partnerships and subsidies to help youths exiting the system, but her agency was working on the best ways to engage this population.&nbsp;

“How do we best support them in understanding that these resources that are available to them aren’t about trying to control them or keep them in a system or anything like that” Howard said.&nbsp; “This is about giving them the opportunity to be successful as they leave the system. And, again, we do have fairly robust supports, I think the issue is engagement.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1706794589091.png" alt="Laura Howard, secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families, faced questions from state senators about the death last year of a 5-year-old girl. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Laura Howard, secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families, faced questions from state senators about the death last year of a 5-year-old girl. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA —&nbsp;A Republican state senator demanded answers Tuesday on deaths in Kansas’ foster system, asking if children are still slipping through the cracks after a 5-year-old girl was sexually assaulted and died last year after living in a homeless camp.Sen. Molly Baumgardner, a member of the Senate committee that oversees public health and welfare, said she knew of two more foster care kids who had died this month, though she did not provide other details.Baumgardner, R-Louisburg, asked Kansas Department for Children and Families secretary Laura Howard to give an estimate of how many foster children have died over the past year, as well as more details about the death of the 5-year-old, a case that sparked widespread outrage over system failures.&nbsp;“When will we find out more information about the little five-year-old here in Topeka that was murdered, living in a tent home and that trail of contacted, not contacted, touched, not touched as far as with law enforcement or with DCF?” Baumgardner asked.&nbsp;&nbsp;A department spokeswoman did not immediately respond to Reflector inquiry on the number of foster care deaths.&nbsp;In October, the five-year-old was found at a gas station in southeast Topeka, sexually assaulted and with life-threatening injuries. She was taken to a local hospital for treatment but died shortly after. Her former neighbors said she had been living in a homeless camp at the time of her death, the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/local/2023/10/05/zoey-felix-former-topeka-home-city-evergy-utilities-shut-off/71061637007/">Topeka Capital-Journal reported</a>.&nbsp;The state’s child welfare agency received multiple reports asking the state to look into her case before her death. The Kansas Reflector obtained a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/18/kansas-dcf-received-nine-reports-including-allegations-of-drug-use-before-death-of-5-year-old/">summary of the reports</a>, showing five home visits and a phone call from department officials. The reports, which ranged from September 2022&nbsp; to little more than a month before her death, warned that the child wasn’t supervised, was living in a home without utilities and was around drugs, among other allegations.&nbsp;Howard said she could not release many of the details publicly due to state statute, but said the agency has implemented policy changes such as requiring tighter time frames for workers to contact law enforcement if they aren’t able to reach families, along with supporting legislation that would allow more public release of data in cases such as these.&nbsp;Beyond keeping children physically safe, other questions for the department focused on how to help them after they become young adults.&nbsp;Sen. Chase Blasi, R-Wichita, said he wanted to ensure youths leaving the system had adequate resources.&nbsp;“What steps are we doing or can we do to ensure kids who are aging out of foster care don’t just go to the streets?” Blasi said. “Ultimately that is a very horrific thing to do in a first world country. I mean, I hope that something that’s not something we can do to help address that.”&nbsp;Howard said there were housing partnerships and subsidies to help youths exiting the system, but her agency was working on the best ways to engage this population.&nbsp;“How do we best support them in understanding that these resources that are available to them aren’t about trying to control them or keep them in a system or anything like that” Howard said.&nbsp; “This is about giving them the opportunity to be successful as they leave the system. And, again, we do have fairly robust supports, I think the issue is engagement.”

Kansas DCF questioned on transparency, resources for youths aging out of system

CASS COUNTY — A driver involved in chase and crash with a child in the SUV near Kansas City has been formally charged.

According to the Cass County Sheriff, 45-year-old Jacob Rullman of St. Joseph has been charged with Resisting Arrest, a Class E Felony. Rullman also faces a first-degree charge for Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class D Felony. 

Just after 4:30p.m. Monday, deputies with the Cass County Sheriff's Office attempted to stop a vehicle traveling southbound on 7 Highway near Creighton, according to a media release.

  The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued.  The driver, later identified as Rullman, continued throughout the county until a tire deflation device was used near the area of 2 Highway and Kauffman. 

Rullman lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a nearby field.  As deputies were taking him into custody, they overheard the sounds of a small child from the backseat. 

 Deputies were able to quickly extract the child from the vehicle. Deputies transported Rullman to an undisclosed hospital for evaluation.  The child, who stated she was unharmed, was checked by EMS on scene and safely returned to her mother upon her arrival. 

He is being held at the Cass County Jail on a $200,000 cash only bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706755266322.png" alt="Rullman-photo Class Co." />
 <figcaption>Rullman-photo Class Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>CASS COUNTY — A driver involved in chase and crash with a child in the SUV near Kansas City has been formally charged.According to the Cass County Sheriff, 45-year-old Jacob Rullman of St. Joseph has been charged with Resisting Arrest, a Class E Felony. Rullman also faces a first-degree charge for Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class D Felony. Just after 4:30p.m. Monday, deputies with the Cass County Sheriff's Office attempted to stop a vehicle traveling southbound on 7 Highway near Creighton, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706620440631.png" alt="Photo Cass Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Cass Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure> The vehicle failed to stop and a pursuit ensued. The driver, later identified as Rullman, continued throughout the county until a tire deflation device was used near the area of 2 Highway and Kauffman. Rullman lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a nearby field. As deputies were taking him into custody, they overheard the sounds of a small child from the backseat. Deputies were able to quickly extract the child from the vehicle. Deputies transported Rullman to an undisclosed hospital for evaluation. The child, who stated she was unharmed, was checked by EMS on scene and safely returned to her mother upon her arrival. He is being held at the Cass County Jail on a $200,000 cash only bond.

Charges filed in KC-area pursuit crash with child in SUV

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House accomplished something unusual Wednesday in passing with broad, bipartisan support a roughly $79 billion tax cut package that would enhance the child tax credit for millions of lower-income families and boost three tax breaks for businesses, a combination that gives lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taxes-poll-high-mistrust-local-government-bad406b062041ea2d0626058cab5491b">coveted policy wins</a>.

Prospects for the measure becoming law are uncertain with the Senate still having to take it up, but for a House that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-santos-ukraine-border-mccarthy-speaker-johnson-dda73a13a198293803e386976cf3414d">has struggled</a>&nbsp;to get bills of consequence over the finish line, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tax-reform">tax legislation</a>&nbsp;could represent a rare breakthrough. The bill passed by a vote of 357-70.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., threw his support behind the bill on Wednesday morning. He spent part of the previous day meeting with GOP lawmakers who were concerned about particular features of the bill, namely the expanded child tax credit. Some were also unhappy that it failed to address the $10,000 cap on the total amount of property taxes or state or local taxes that consumers can deduct on their federal returns. Raising the cap is a top priority of lawmakers from the Republican members of the New York congressional delegation, whose victories in 2022 helped the GOP take the majority.

Johnson committed to moving a bill that addresses the cap, but there is no bill text yet and legislation would have to move through the House Rules Committee, which leaves the timing very much in flux. Athina Lawson, a spokeswoman for Johnson, said the speaker and the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., agreed to work with lawmakers to “find a path forward."

Johnson called the tax cut bill on the House floor important, bipartisan legislation that would revive “conservative pro-growth tax reform.” He also said it would bring an early end to a "wasteful COVID-era program" that has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-covid-business-tax-credit-fraud-congress-226ea420bdb2c3a06e135d47ca140a8d">plagued with fraud</a>. Moving up the deadline for claiming the employee retention tax credit is expected to largely offset the cost of the tax cuts in the legislation.

Johnson also emphasized the importance of the bill moving through the House Ways and Means Committee before coming to the full House for a vote, saying it was a good example of how Congress is supposed to work.

House Republicans were anxious to restore full, immediate deductions that businesses can take for the purchase of new equipment and machinery, and for domestic research and development expenses. They argue such investments grow the economy and incentivize American companies to keep their manufacturing facilities and operations in the United States. The bill also provides businesses more flexibility in determining how much borrowing can be deducted.

“Each of these policies will help American businesses grow, create jobs and sharpen their competitive advantage against China,” Smith said as debate began on the House floor.

Democrats focused on boosting the child tax credit. The tax credit is $2,000 per child, but not all of that is refundable. The bill would incrementally raise the amount of the credit available as a refund, increasing it to $1,800 for 2023 tax returns, $1,900 for the following year and $2,000 for 2025 tax returns. The bill also adjusts the topline credit amount to temporarily grow at the rate of inflation.

Households benefitting as a result of the changes in the child tax credit would see an average tax cut of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/bipartisan-ctc-framework-would-help-lowest-income-quintiles">$680 in the first year</a>, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.

Democrats pushed to restore the more&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-child-tax-credits-work-fa15590a2c60fc665ddc59ced78dacfe">generous tax credit</a>&nbsp;they passed in 2021 in President Joe Biden's first year in office with payments occurring on a monthly basis. The credit was $3,600 annually for children under age 6 and $3,000 for children ages 6 to 17. But most lawmakers were willing to take what gains they could get through the compromise bill.

“You know I’ve been told that a half a loaf is better than none,” said Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill. “This isn’t even half a loaf, but I’m going to vote for it because our families and businesses need help.”

“What’s in front of us tonight is pretty simple,” said Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass. “Sixteen million children will benefit from the improvement to the child tax credit. That’s a fact.”

But for some Democrats, it wasn’t enough.

“This bill provides billions of dollars in tax relief for the wealthy, pennies for the poor,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn. “Big corporations are richer than ever. There is no even split.”

And for some Republicans, it was too much. The chief critics of the expanded child tax credit likened it to “welfare.”

“What is a refundable tax credit? It’s welfare by a different name. We’re going to give cash payments, checks, to people who don’t even pay taxes,” said Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.

Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga., chafed at that characterization, saying “we all believe on this side of the aisle that you should work in order to receive federal benefits. That is something that this bill does.”

While there were complaints about the tax bill from some of the most conservative and liberal members of the House, a significant majority from each party voted for it. Proponents are hoping the strong show of support will stir action in the Senate.

The bill keeps a threshold of a household having $2,500 in income to be eligible for refundable child tax credit payments.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House accomplished something unusual Wednesday in passing with broad, bipartisan support a roughly $79 billion tax cut package that would enhance the child tax credit for millions of lower-income families and boost three tax breaks for businesses, a combination that gives lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taxes-poll-high-mistrust-local-government-bad406b062041ea2d0626058cab5491b">coveted policy wins</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I just voted to pass major bipartisan tax cuts for KS families &amp; small businesses: 👩‍👧‍👦Expansion of the Child Tax Credit 👨‍🏭Support for local small businesses 🏘️Measures to enhance affordable housing These are provisions I&#39;ve long fought for. It&#39;s a big win for middle-class folks!&mdash; Sharice Davids (@sharicedavids) <a href="https://twitter.com/sharicedavids/status/1752870690749911214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Prospects for the measure becoming law are uncertain with the Senate still having to take it up, but for a House that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-santos-ukraine-border-mccarthy-speaker-johnson-dda73a13a198293803e386976cf3414d">has struggled</a>&nbsp;to get bills of consequence over the finish line, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/tax-reform">tax legislation</a>&nbsp;could represent a rare breakthrough. The bill passed by a vote of 357-70.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Tonight the House passed the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act by an overwhelming margin. Before the vote, I spoke on the House floor about the bill&#39;s critical R&amp;D provision needed by Kansas job creators and innovators. <a href="https://t.co/vrccKOrqwi">pic.twitter.com/vrccKOrqwi</a>&mdash; Rep. Ron Estes (@RepRonEstes) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepRonEstes/status/1752868113626882063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., threw his support behind the bill on Wednesday morning. He spent part of the previous day meeting with GOP lawmakers who were concerned about particular features of the bill, namely the expanded child tax credit. Some were also unhappy that it failed to address the $10,000 cap on the total amount of property taxes or state or local taxes that consumers can deduct on their federal returns. Raising the cap is a top priority of lawmakers from the Republican members of the New York congressional delegation, whose victories in 2022 helped the GOP take the majority.Johnson committed to moving a bill that addresses the cap, but there is no bill text yet and legislation would have to move through the House Rules Committee, which leaves the timing very much in flux. Athina Lawson, a spokeswoman for Johnson, said the speaker and the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., agreed to work with lawmakers to “find a path forward."Johnson called the tax cut bill on the House floor important, bipartisan legislation that would revive “conservative pro-growth tax reform.” He also said it would bring an early end to a "wasteful COVID-era program" that has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/irs-covid-business-tax-credit-fraud-congress-226ea420bdb2c3a06e135d47ca140a8d">plagued with fraud</a>. Moving up the deadline for claiming the employee retention tax credit is expected to largely offset the cost of the tax cuts in the legislation.Johnson also emphasized the importance of the bill moving through the House Ways and Means Committee before coming to the full House for a vote, saying it was a good example of how Congress is supposed to work.House Republicans were anxious to restore full, immediate deductions that businesses can take for the purchase of new equipment and machinery, and for domestic research and development expenses. They argue such investments grow the economy and incentivize American companies to keep their manufacturing facilities and operations in the United States. The bill also provides businesses more flexibility in determining how much borrowing can be deducted.“Each of these policies will help American businesses grow, create jobs and sharpen their competitive advantage against China,” Smith said as debate began on the House floor.Democrats focused on boosting the child tax credit. The tax credit is $2,000 per child, but not all of that is refundable. The bill would incrementally raise the amount of the credit available as a refund, increasing it to $1,800 for 2023 tax returns, $1,900 for the following year and $2,000 for 2025 tax returns. The bill also adjusts the topline credit amount to temporarily grow at the rate of inflation.Households benefitting as a result of the changes in the child tax credit would see an average tax cut of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox/bipartisan-ctc-framework-would-help-lowest-income-quintiles">$680 in the first year</a>, according to estimates from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center.Democrats pushed to restore the more&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/how-child-tax-credits-work-fa15590a2c60fc665ddc59ced78dacfe">generous tax credit</a>&nbsp;they passed in 2021 in President Joe Biden's first year in office with payments occurring on a monthly basis. The credit was $3,600 annually for children under age 6 and $3,000 for children ages 6 to 17. But most lawmakers were willing to take what gains they could get through the compromise bill.“You know I’ve been told that a half a loaf is better than none,” said Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill. “This isn’t even half a loaf, but I’m going to vote for it because our families and businesses need help.”“What’s in front of us tonight is pretty simple,” said Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass. “Sixteen million children will benefit from the improvement to the child tax credit. That’s a fact.”But for some Democrats, it wasn’t enough.“This bill provides billions of dollars in tax relief for the wealthy, pennies for the poor,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn. “Big corporations are richer than ever. There is no even split.”And for some Republicans, it was too much. The chief critics of the expanded child tax credit likened it to “welfare.”“What is a refundable tax credit? It’s welfare by a different name. We’re going to give cash payments, checks, to people who don’t even pay taxes,” said Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky.Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga., chafed at that characterization, saying “we all believe on this side of the aisle that you should work in order to receive federal benefits. That is something that this bill does.”While there were complaints about the tax bill from some of the most conservative and liberal members of the House, a significant majority from each party voted for it. Proponents are hoping the strong show of support will stir action in the Senate.The bill keeps a threshold of a household having $2,500 in income to be eligible for refundable child tax credit payments.

What's in the $79 billion tax cut bill that passed the US House

JERUSALEM —Attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels continue and U.S. forces continue to attempt to prevent them.

At 1:30 a.m., (Sanaa time) Thursday, U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes against an Iranian-backed Houthi UAV ground control station and 10 Houthi one-way UAVs, according to a statement from the CENTCOM.

U.S. forces identified the UAV ground control station and one-way attack UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region.

U.S. Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the UAV ground control station and 10 one-way attack UAVs in self-defense. This action will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels.

At 8:30p.m. Wednesday, Iranian backed Houthi rebels fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-0controlled territory in Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden, according to the U.S. Central Command. The U.S. Carney successfully shot down the missile.&nbsp;

At 9:10p.m. Wednesday, the Carney shot down three Iranian UAVs in the vicinity. There were no injuries reported.

Earlier in the day Wednesday,&nbsp;USCENTCOM forces struck and destroyed a Houthi surface-to-air missile prepared to launch. U.S. forces identified the missile in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that it presented an imminent threat to U.S. aircraft.

Meanwhile, the United States on Wednesday attributed the drone attack that killed three U.S. service members in Jordan to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias, as President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-retaliation-iran-militia-drone-attack-1dda7fdb416f843b3a5cc84ea7b5f01c">weighs his options</a>&nbsp;to respond to the strike.

Iran threatened to “decisively respond” to any U.S. attack on the Islamic Republic after the U.S. said it held&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-jordan-dignified-transfer-dover-140000aa392fee8175616d8af813c0eb">Tehran responsible</a>. The U.S. has signaled it is preparing for retaliatory strikes in the Mideast in the wake of the Sunday drone attack that also wounded more than 40 troops at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jordan-drone-attack-iran-tower-22-israel-hamas-war-0265beed527e3009a966c0531c08838e">Tower 22</a>, a secretive base in northeastern Jordan that’s been crucial to the American presence in neighboring Syria.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday the U.S. believes the attack was planned, resourced and facilitated by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group that includes the militant group Kataib Hezbollah. He said Biden “believes that it is important to respond in an appropriate way.”

He said Biden was continuing to weigh his options, but Kirby said “the first thing you see won’t be the last thing," adding it “won't be a one-off.”

Kirby dismissed a statement by Iraqi militia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iraq-airstrike-military-iran-d93d861feeef90cfeac3ba85f1f2f36d">Kataib Hezbollah</a>&nbsp;announcing “the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces in order to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government.” He said the group can't be taken at face value, and he added, “they’re not the only group that has been attacking us.”

As of Wednesday, Kataib Hezbollah and other Iran-aligned militias had launched 166 attacks on U.S. military installations since Oct. 18, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and the one in Jordan, according to the U.S. military.

The U.S. has struck back at the militias a few times over the past three months. On Oct. 27,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-airstrikes-iran-revolutionary-guard-af3c7a0f069b8c8b08f6feaa0e165d6a">U.S. fighter jets struck</a>&nbsp;two weapons and ammunition storage sites in eastern Syria near Boukamal that were used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iranian-backed groups.

Also in Syria,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-iran-airstrikes-attack-bases-5be245a2927334ad0d78b8ec35fa55b7">fighter jets dropped bombs</a>&nbsp;on an IRGC weapons storage facility near Maysulun in Deir el-Zour on Nov. 8. And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-syria-airstrikes-iran-irgc-a84ed69e5b0ef6c9fa18656b72a9fda1">U.S. airstrikes targeted a training facility</a>&nbsp;and a safe house in the Bulbul district of Mayadin on Nov. 12.

On Dec. 26,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-kataib-hezbollah-drone-strike-us-military-injured-b4b4480e2cae6e7ad26e88eb625ab397">the U.S. launched strikes on three locations</a>&nbsp;in Iraq used by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups, and on Jan. 23, the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-us-strikes-target-iran-militia-41a0435545bb620d806c1fbbe9bf1519">struck three sites in Iraq,</a>&nbsp;again targeting Kataib Hezbollah.

Any&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-retaliation-iran-militia-drone-attack-1dda7fdb416f843b3a5cc84ea7b5f01c">additional American strikes</a>&nbsp;could further inflame a region already roiled by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the Gaza Strip. The war began with Hamas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">attacking Israel on Oct. 7</a>, killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage. Since then, Israeli strikes have killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-15-2024-2092ae0d8a4f57aa969e661c4da5ed8a">more than 26,000 Palestinians</a>&nbsp;and displaced nearly 2 million others from their homes, arousing anger throughout the Muslim world.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697765298614.png" alt="U.S. Carney -photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Carney -photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM —Attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels continue and U.S. forces continue to attempt to prevent them.At 1:30 a.m., (Sanaa time) Thursday, U.S. Central Command forces conducted strikes against an Iranian-backed Houthi UAV ground control station and 10 Houthi one-way UAVs, according to a statement from the CENTCOM.U.S. forces identified the UAV ground control station and one-way attack UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the U.S. Navy ships in the region.U.S. Forces subsequently struck and destroyed the UAV ground control station and 10 one-way attack UAVs in self-defense. This action will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy vessels and merchant vessels.At 8:30p.m. Wednesday, Iranian backed Houthi rebels fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-0controlled territory in Yemen toward the Gulf of Aden, according to the U.S. Central Command. The U.S. Carney successfully shot down the missile.&nbsp;At 9:10p.m. Wednesday, the Carney shot down three Iranian UAVs in the vicinity. There were no injuries reported.Earlier in the day Wednesday,&nbsp;USCENTCOM forces struck and destroyed a Houthi surface-to-air missile prepared to launch. U.S. forces identified the missile in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that it presented an imminent threat to U.S. aircraft.Meanwhile, the United States on Wednesday attributed the drone attack that killed three U.S. service members in Jordan to the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias, as President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-retaliation-iran-militia-drone-attack-1dda7fdb416f843b3a5cc84ea7b5f01c">weighs his options</a>&nbsp;to respond to the strike.Iran threatened to “decisively respond” to any U.S. attack on the Islamic Republic after the U.S. said it held&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-jordan-dignified-transfer-dover-140000aa392fee8175616d8af813c0eb">Tehran responsible</a>. The U.S. has signaled it is preparing for retaliatory strikes in the Mideast in the wake of the Sunday drone attack that also wounded more than 40 troops at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-jordan-drone-attack-iran-tower-22-israel-hamas-war-0265beed527e3009a966c0531c08838e">Tower 22</a>, a secretive base in northeastern Jordan that’s been crucial to the American presence in neighboring Syria.National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday the U.S. believes the attack was planned, resourced and facilitated by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group that includes the militant group Kataib Hezbollah. He said Biden “believes that it is important to respond in an appropriate way.”He said Biden was continuing to weigh his options, but Kirby said “the first thing you see won’t be the last thing," adding it “won't be a one-off.”Kirby dismissed a statement by Iraqi militia&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-iraq-airstrike-military-iran-d93d861feeef90cfeac3ba85f1f2f36d">Kataib Hezbollah</a>&nbsp;announcing “the suspension of military and security operations against the occupation forces in order to prevent embarrassment to the Iraqi government.” He said the group can't be taken at face value, and he added, “they’re not the only group that has been attacking us.”As of Wednesday, Kataib Hezbollah and other Iran-aligned militias had launched 166 attacks on U.S. military installations since Oct. 18, including 67 in Iraq, 98 in Syria and the one in Jordan, according to the U.S. military.The U.S. has struck back at the militias a few times over the past three months. On Oct. 27,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-airstrikes-iran-revolutionary-guard-af3c7a0f069b8c8b08f6feaa0e165d6a">U.S. fighter jets struck</a>&nbsp;two weapons and ammunition storage sites in eastern Syria near Boukamal that were used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iranian-backed groups.Also in Syria,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/syria-iran-airstrikes-attack-bases-5be245a2927334ad0d78b8ec35fa55b7">fighter jets dropped bombs</a>&nbsp;on an IRGC weapons storage facility near Maysulun in Deir el-Zour on Nov. 8. And&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-syria-airstrikes-iran-irgc-a84ed69e5b0ef6c9fa18656b72a9fda1">U.S. airstrikes targeted a training facility</a>&nbsp;and a safe house in the Bulbul district of Mayadin on Nov. 12.On Dec. 26,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-kataib-hezbollah-drone-strike-us-military-injured-b4b4480e2cae6e7ad26e88eb625ab397">the U.S. launched strikes on three locations</a>&nbsp;in Iraq used by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups, and on Jan. 23, the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-us-strikes-target-iran-militia-41a0435545bb620d806c1fbbe9bf1519">struck three sites in Iraq,</a>&nbsp;again targeting Kataib Hezbollah.Any&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-retaliation-iran-militia-drone-attack-1dda7fdb416f843b3a5cc84ea7b5f01c">additional American strikes</a>&nbsp;could further inflame a region already roiled by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the Gaza Strip. The war began with Hamas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">attacking Israel on Oct. 7</a>, killing some 1,200 people and taking about 250 hostage. Since then, Israeli strikes have killed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-01-15-2024-2092ae0d8a4f57aa969e661c4da5ed8a">more than 26,000 Palestinians</a>&nbsp;and displaced nearly 2 million others from their homes, arousing anger throughout the Muslim world.

U.S. strikes rebel UAVs and ground control station

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City woman whose son was found deceased in November outside a Downtown high-rise has been charged in connection with the child's death, according to&nbsp; Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Corrinne O'Connor, 28,&nbsp; faces Endangering The Welfare of a Child in the 1st Degree.

According to court records, on Nov. 27, 2023, Kansas City police officers were dispatched to an alley behind a Downtown building and found a deceased 5-year-old boy.

The child had obviously fallen from a floor far above. Investigators observed an open window on the 17th floor. Officers found O'Connor inside the apartment, in front of the window.

An officer asked where her son was and she responded, to the effect, 'went out the window." The property manager told police that every window had "stops" to prevent the window from being opened beyond a few inches. Officers observed that it appeared that the "stops" had been removed on both sides of the window.

Jackson County Prosecutor Baker issued the following statement

I went to this scene to engage at the earliest possible moments of the investigation. The police investigative team have worked diligently on this investigation, ensuring our ability to file charges against the defendant for the harm to this child. While normally charges are announced quickly, all cases are not the same and investigations take multiple steps. In this case, my office filed charges on Dec. 14, 2023. The court issued an order sealing the case until the defendant could be taken into custody. That seal prevented us from even confirming that the case was reviewed and charged by prosecutors though we have continued to engage our resources on this crime.

Anytime a child is injured, the criminal justice system is expected to address harm. It is our hope that the judicial process will find appropriate outcomes for the harm caused.

This case was unsealed Tuesday after the defendant was taken into custody late last week. Prosecutors requested a $100,000 cash bond.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of a boy found in an alley in downtown Kansas City have identified him as 5-year-old&nbsp; Grayson&nbsp;O’Connor.

Surveillance footage confirms he fell from an apartment building on Monday. However, the circumstances surrounding how he fell is still under investigation, according to KCPD Captain Corey Carlisle.

Just after 11a.m. Monday officers were dispatched to 10th and Grand Avenue, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.

First responders located the boy who was suffering from bodily trauma. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene.&nbsp;

Detectives are still working to decide if this was a homicide or child neglect/endangerment case.&nbsp; As of now it is being investigated as a suspicious death, according to Carlisle.

The boy's mother was transported to the hospital the day of the incident and is the subject of interest in the investigation.

Detectives are in contact with the prosecutor’s office and both are working diligently to present the best case for consideration of charges by the Jackson County Prosecutor’s office.&nbsp; &nbsp;

The child and his mother live at the apartment building, due to the ongoing investigation, police did not release the apartment number or floor.

It is believed the boy fell from the apartment window, the means of how that happened is still under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706649689677.png" alt="O'Connor-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>O'Connor-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City woman whose son was found deceased in November outside a Downtown high-rise has been charged in connection with the child's death, according to&nbsp; Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Corrinne O'Connor, 28,&nbsp; faces Endangering The Welfare of a Child in the 1st Degree.According to court records, on Nov. 27, 2023, Kansas City police officers were dispatched to an alley behind a Downtown building and found a deceased 5-year-old boy.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701352951835.png" alt="Grayson O'Connor -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Grayson O'Connor -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>The child had obviously fallen from a floor far above. Investigators observed an open window on the 17th floor. Officers found O'Connor inside the apartment, in front of the window.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701360695856.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the investigation in late November -photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the investigation in late November -photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>An officer asked where her son was and she responded, to the effect, 'went out the window." The property manager told police that every window had "stops" to prevent the window from being opened beyond a few inches. Officers observed that it appeared that the "stops" had been removed on both sides of the window.Jackson County Prosecutor Baker issued the following statementI went to this scene to engage at the earliest possible moments of the investigation. The police investigative team have worked diligently on this investigation, ensuring our ability to file charges against the defendant for the harm to this child. While normally charges are announced quickly, all cases are not the same and investigations take multiple steps. In this case, my office filed charges on Dec. 14, 2023. The court issued an order sealing the case until the defendant could be taken into custody. That seal prevented us from even confirming that the case was reviewed and charged by prosecutors though we have continued to engage our resources on this crime.Anytime a child is injured, the criminal justice system is expected to address harm. It is our hope that the judicial process will find appropriate outcomes for the harm caused.This case was unsealed Tuesday after the defendant was taken into custody late last week. Prosecutors requested a $100,000 cash bond.-------------------KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of a boy found in an alley in downtown Kansas City have identified him as 5-year-old&nbsp; Grayson&nbsp;O’Connor.Surveillance footage confirms he fell from an apartment building on Monday. However, the circumstances surrounding how he fell is still under investigation, according to KCPD Captain Corey Carlisle.Just after 11a.m. Monday officers were dispatched to 10th and Grand Avenue, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.First responders located the boy who was suffering from bodily trauma. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene.&nbsp;Detectives are still working to decide if this was a homicide or child neglect/endangerment case.&nbsp; As of now it is being investigated as a suspicious death, according to Carlisle.The boy's mother was transported to the hospital the day of the incident and is the subject of interest in the investigation.Detectives are in contact with the prosecutor’s office and both are working diligently to present the best case for consideration of charges by the Jackson County Prosecutor’s office.&nbsp; &nbsp;The child and his mother live at the apartment building, due to the ongoing investigation, police did not release the apartment number or floor.It is believed the boy fell from the apartment window, the means of how that happened is still under investigation.

Mother charged after boy died in fall from KC apartment window

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 3a.m. Jan. 28, sheriff's deputies investigated a suspicious vehicle at the Kickapoo Casino after hours, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

 Brown County Sheriff's K-9 Carla alerted on the vehicle.&nbsp; At the completion of the investigation, deputies arrested Dustin Barrett, 36, Oneida, on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706648987280.png" alt="Barrett photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Barrett photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just before 3a.m. Jan. 28, sheriff's deputies investigated a suspicious vehicle at the Kickapoo Casino after hours, according to Sheriff John Merchant. Brown County Sheriff's K-9 Carla alerted on the vehicle.&nbsp; At the completion of the investigation, deputies arrested Dustin Barrett, 36, Oneida, on requested charges of Possession of Meth, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Sheriff's K9 helps make arrest outside Kansas casino after hours

WASHINGTON (AP) —Sexual predators. Addictive features. Suicide and eating disorders. Unrealistic beauty standards. Bullying. These are just some of the issues young people are dealing with on social media — and children's advocates and lawmakers say companies are not doing enough to protect them.

On Wednesday, the CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies went before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify as lawmakers and parents grow increasingly concerned about the effects of social media on young people’s lives.

The hearing began with recorded testimony from kids and parents who said they or their children were exploited on social media. Throughout the hours-long event, parents who lost children to suicide silently held up pictures of their dead kids.

"They’re responsible for many of the dangers our children face online,” U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, who chairs the committee, said in opening remarks. “Their design choices, their failures to adequately invest in trust and safety, their constant pursuit of engagement and profit over basic safety have all put our kids and grandkids at risk.”

In a heated question and answer session with Mark Zuckerberg, Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley asked the Meta CEO if he has personally compensated any of the victims and their families for what they have been through.

“I don't think so,” Zuckerberg replied.

“There's families of victims here,” Hawley said. “Would you like to apologize to them?”

Parents attending the hearing rose and held up pictures of their children. Zuckerberg stood as well, turning away from his microphone and the senators to address them directly.

“I’m sorry for everything you have all been through. No one should go through the things that your families have suffered,” he said, adding that Meta continues to invest and work on “industry-wide efforts” to protect children.

But time and time again, children’s advocates and parents have stressed that none of the companies are doing enough.

“Meta’s general approach is ‘trust us, we’ll do the right thing’, but how can we trust Meta? The way they talk about these issues feels like they are trying to gaslight the world, said Arturo Béjar, a former engineering director at the social media giant known for his expertise in curbing online harassment who recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/facebook-instagram-mark-zuckerberg-child-sexual-abuse-lawsuit-7257a60d768f59ce16a4d925b7ebfa40">testified before Congress</a>&nbsp;about child safety on Meta’s platforms. "Every parent I’ve met with a kid under 13 is afraid of when their kid is old enough to be in social media.”

Hawley continued to press Zuckerberg, asking if he'd take personal responsibility for the harms his company has caused. Zuckerberg stayed on message and repeated that Meta's job is to “build industry-leading tools” and empower parents.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, the top Republican on the Judiciary panel, echoed Durbin's sentiments and said he's prepared to work with Democrats to solve the issue.

“After years of working on this issue with you and others, I’ve come to conclude the following: social media companies as they’re currently designed and operate are dangerous products," Graham said.

He told the executives their platforms have enriched lives but that it is time to deal with “the dark side.”

Beginning with Discord’s Jason Citron, the executives touted existing safety tools on their platforms and the work they’ve done with nonprofits and law enforcement to protect minors.

Snapchat had broken ranks ahead of the hearing and began backing a federal bill that would create a legal liability for apps and social platforms who recommend harmful content to minors. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel reiterated the company’s support on Wednesday and asked the industry to back the bill.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-ceo-congressional-hearing-bytedance-china-44d948c5b0ba18e2a714e0fa62d52779">TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew</a>&nbsp;said TikTok is vigilant about enforcing its policy barring children under 13 from using the app. CEO Linda Yaccarino said X, formerly Twitter, doesn’t cater to children.

“We do not have a line of business dedicated to children,” Yaccarino said. She said the company will also support Stop CSAM Act, a federal bill that make it easier for victims of child exploitation to sue tech companies.

Yet child health advocates say social media companies have failed repeatedly to protect minors.

“When you’re faced with really important safety and privacy decisions, the revenue in the bottom line should not be the first factor that these companies are considering," said Zamaan Qureshi, co-chair of Design It For Us, a youth-led coalition advocating for safer social media. "These companies have had opportunities to do this before they failed to do that. So independent regulation needs to step in.”

Republican and Democratic senators came together in a rare show of agreement throughout the hearing, though it’s not yet clear if this will be enough to pass legislation such as the Kids Online Safety Act, proposed in 2022 by Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.

Meta is being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/instagram-facebook-children-teens-harms-lawsuit-attorney-general-1805492a38f7cee111cbb865cc786c28">sued by dozens</a>&nbsp;of states that say it deliberately designs features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/facebook-instagram-mark-zuckerberg-child-sexual-abuse-lawsuit-7257a60d768f59ce16a4d925b7ebfa40">failed to protect them from online predators</a>.

New internal emails between Meta executives released by Blumenthal’s office show Nick Clegg, president of global affairs, and others asking Zuckerberg to hire more people to strengthen "wellbeing across the company” as concerns grew about effects on youth mental health.

“From a policy perspective, this work has become increasingly urgent over recent months. Politicians in the U.S., U.K., E.U. and Australia are publicly and privately expressing concerns about the impact of our products on young people’s mental health,” Clegg wrote in an August 2021 email.

The emails released by Blumenthal’s office don’t appear to include a response, if there was any, from Zuckerberg. In September 2021, The Wall Street Journal released the Facebook Files, its report based on internal documents from whistleblower&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-lifestyle-business-only-on-ap-media-e4f03d38243552e46a77d0d3f0d45e3b">Frances Haugen</a>, who later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/facebook-haugen-congress-testimony-1daac7a76ca7bf0b0802cc46e732b51b">testified</a>&nbsp;before the Senate.

Meta has beefed up its child safety features in recent weeks, announcing earlier this month that it will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/meta-facebook-instagram-teens-suicide-eating-disorders-83dce63d9beed0a3ad0c53240077099f">start hiding inappropriate content</a>&nbsp;from teenagers’ accounts on Instagram and Facebook, including posts about suicide, self-harm and eating disorders. It also restricted&nbsp;<a href="https://about.fb.com/news/2024/01/introducing-stricter-message-settings-for-teens-on-instagram-and-facebook/">minors' ability to receive messages</a>&nbsp;from anyone they don’t follow or aren’t connected to on Instagram and on Messenger and added new “nudges” to try to discourage teens from browsing Instagram videos or messages late at night. The nudges encourage kids to close the app, though it does not force them to do so.

Google's YouTube is notably missing from the list of companies called to the Senate Wednesday even though more kids use YouTube than any other platform, according to the Pew Research Center. Pew found that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/teens-social-media-tiktok-snapchat-17e0ff4dec0f2744674cac4e7ae5b3ca">93% of U.S. teens</a>&nbsp;use YouTube, with TikTok a distant second at 63%.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706728323611.png" alt="The CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies went before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday -Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>The CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies went before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday -Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Sexual predators. Addictive features. Suicide and eating disorders. Unrealistic beauty standards. Bullying. These are just some of the issues young people are dealing with on social media — and children's advocates and lawmakers say companies are not doing enough to protect them.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WATCH: Hawley Convinces Facebook CEO Zuckerberg To Apologize To Victims Harmed &amp; Exploited By Platform <a href="https://t.co/tJwrQq3r9d">pic.twitter.com/tJwrQq3r9d</a>&mdash; Senator Hawley Press Office (@SenHawleyPress) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenHawleyPress/status/1752744174552486192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>On Wednesday, the CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies went before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify as lawmakers and parents grow increasingly concerned about the effects of social media on young people’s lives.The hearing began with recorded testimony from kids and parents who said they or their children were exploited on social media. Throughout the hours-long event, parents who lost children to suicide silently held up pictures of their dead kids.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/SenOssoff?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenOssoff</a>: &quot;Is your platform safe for kids?&quot; Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg: &quot;I believe it is.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/YPielvWcnY">pic.twitter.com/YPielvWcnY</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1752765263953490027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>"They’re responsible for many of the dangers our children face online,” U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, who chairs the committee, said in opening remarks. “Their design choices, their failures to adequately invest in trust and safety, their constant pursuit of engagement and profit over basic safety have all put our kids and grandkids at risk.”In a heated question and answer session with Mark Zuckerberg, Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley asked the Meta CEO if he has personally compensated any of the victims and their families for what they have been through.“I don't think so,” Zuckerberg replied.“There's families of victims here,” Hawley said. “Would you like to apologize to them?”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706728521014.png" alt="During the hearing Missouri Senator Josh Hawley convinces Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to apologize to victims harmed, exploited by the platform" />
 <figcaption>During the hearing Missouri Senator Josh Hawley convinces Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to apologize to victims harmed, exploited by the platform</figcaption>
 </figure>Parents attending the hearing rose and held up pictures of their children. Zuckerberg stood as well, turning away from his microphone and the senators to address them directly.“I’m sorry for everything you have all been through. No one should go through the things that your families have suffered,” he said, adding that Meta continues to invest and work on “industry-wide efforts” to protect children.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Exchange between <a href="https://twitter.com/SenJohnKennedy?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenJohnKennedy</a> and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg &amp; Sen. Kennedy on algorithms, the truth &amp; harms of social media. At one point, Sen. Kennedy referred to it as cess pool of snark and creepy. <a href="https://t.co/3Rlik1pKPh">pic.twitter.com/3Rlik1pKPh</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1752763024560025616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>But time and time again, children’s advocates and parents have stressed that none of the companies are doing enough.“Meta’s general approach is ‘trust us, we’ll do the right thing’, but how can we trust Meta? The way they talk about these issues feels like they are trying to gaslight the world, said Arturo Béjar, a former engineering director at the social media giant known for his expertise in curbing online harassment who recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/facebook-instagram-mark-zuckerberg-child-sexual-abuse-lawsuit-7257a60d768f59ce16a4d925b7ebfa40">testified before Congress</a>&nbsp;about child safety on Meta’s platforms. "Every parent I’ve met with a kid under 13 is afraid of when their kid is old enough to be in social media.”Hawley continued to press Zuckerberg, asking if he'd take personal responsibility for the harms his company has caused. Zuckerberg stayed on message and repeated that Meta's job is to “build industry-leading tools” and empower parents.“To make money,” Hawley cut in.South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham, the top Republican on the Judiciary panel, echoed Durbin's sentiments and said he's prepared to work with Democrats to solve the issue.“After years of working on this issue with you and others, I’ve come to conclude the following: social media companies as they’re currently designed and operate are dangerous products," Graham said.He told the executives their platforms have enriched lives but that it is time to deal with “the dark side.”Beginning with Discord’s Jason Citron, the executives touted existing safety tools on their platforms and the work they’ve done with nonprofits and law enforcement to protect minors.Snapchat had broken ranks ahead of the hearing and began backing a federal bill that would create a legal liability for apps and social platforms who recommend harmful content to minors. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel reiterated the company’s support on Wednesday and asked the industry to back the bill.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tiktok-ban-ceo-congressional-hearing-bytedance-china-44d948c5b0ba18e2a714e0fa62d52779">TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew</a>&nbsp;said TikTok is vigilant about enforcing its policy barring children under 13 from using the app. CEO Linda Yaccarino said X, formerly Twitter, doesn’t cater to children.“We do not have a line of business dedicated to children,” Yaccarino said. She said the company will also support Stop CSAM Act, a federal bill that make it easier for victims of child exploitation to sue tech companies.Yet child health advocates say social media companies have failed repeatedly to protect minors.“When you’re faced with really important safety and privacy decisions, the revenue in the bottom line should not be the first factor that these companies are considering," said Zamaan Qureshi, co-chair of Design It For Us, a youth-led coalition advocating for safer social media. "These companies have had opportunities to do this before they failed to do that. So independent regulation needs to step in.”Republican and Democratic senators came together in a rare show of agreement throughout the hearing, though it’s not yet clear if this will be enough to pass legislation such as the Kids Online Safety Act, proposed in 2022 by Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.Meta is being&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/instagram-facebook-children-teens-harms-lawsuit-attorney-general-1805492a38f7cee111cbb865cc786c28">sued by dozens</a>&nbsp;of states that say it deliberately designs features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms and has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/facebook-instagram-mark-zuckerberg-child-sexual-abuse-lawsuit-7257a60d768f59ce16a4d925b7ebfa40">failed to protect them from online predators</a>.New internal emails between Meta executives released by Blumenthal’s office show Nick Clegg, president of global affairs, and others asking Zuckerberg to hire more people to strengthen "wellbeing across the company” as concerns grew about effects on youth mental health.“From a policy perspective, this work has become increasingly urgent over recent months. Politicians in the U.S., U.K., E.U. and Australia are publicly and privately expressing concerns about the impact of our products on young people’s mental health,” Clegg wrote in an August 2021 email.The emails released by Blumenthal’s office don’t appear to include a response, if there was any, from Zuckerberg. In September 2021, The Wall Street Journal released the Facebook Files, its report based on internal documents from whistleblower&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-lifestyle-business-only-on-ap-media-e4f03d38243552e46a77d0d3f0d45e3b">Frances Haugen</a>, who later&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/facebook-haugen-congress-testimony-1daac7a76ca7bf0b0802cc46e732b51b">testified</a>&nbsp;before the Senate.Meta has beefed up its child safety features in recent weeks, announcing earlier this month that it will&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/meta-facebook-instagram-teens-suicide-eating-disorders-83dce63d9beed0a3ad0c53240077099f">start hiding inappropriate content</a>&nbsp;from teenagers’ accounts on Instagram and Facebook, including posts about suicide, self-harm and eating disorders. It also restricted&nbsp;<a href="https://about.fb.com/news/2024/01/introducing-stricter-message-settings-for-teens-on-instagram-and-facebook/">minors' ability to receive messages</a>&nbsp;from anyone they don’t follow or aren’t connected to on Instagram and on Messenger and added new “nudges” to try to discourage teens from browsing Instagram videos or messages late at night. The nudges encourage kids to close the app, though it does not force them to do so.Google's YouTube is notably missing from the list of companies called to the Senate Wednesday even though more kids use YouTube than any other platform, according to the Pew Research Center. Pew found that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/teens-social-media-tiktok-snapchat-17e0ff4dec0f2744674cac4e7ae5b3ca">93% of U.S. teens</a>&nbsp;use YouTube, with TikTok a distant second at 63%.——

🎥 Facebook CEO apologizes to victims harmed, exploited by platform

WICHITA (AP)—Donations poured in Wednesday to replace a destroyed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-baseball-statue-stolen-45c08bbbd29322c05e6136a67f687459">statue of Jackie Robinson</a>&nbsp;on what would have been the 105th birthday of the first player to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier.

<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/replace-our-stolen-jackie-robinson-statue?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook">Click here to visit </a>the GoFundMe page

Major League Baseball pledged support. And the total raised just through one online fundraiser surpassed $145,000, which is far in excess of the estimated $75,000 value of the bronze statue that was cut from its base&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-baseball-statue-stolen-beea370b17079ad30092affe6aaea3c1">last week</a>&nbsp;at a park in Wichita, Kansas. Police are searching for those responsible.

Only the statue's feet were left at McAdams Park, where about 600 children play in a youth baseball league called League 42, which is named after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jackie-robinson">Robinson’</a>&nbsp;s uniform number with the Brooklyn Dodgers, with whom he broke the major leagues' color barrier in 1947.

Fire crews found burned remnants of the statue&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-baseball-statue-stolen-45c08bbbd29322c05e6136a67f687459">Tuesday</a>&nbsp;while responding to a trash can fire at another park about 7 miles&nbsp; away. A truck believed to be used in the theft previously was found abandoned, and police said the theft was captured on surveillance video.

Bob Lutz, executive director of the Little League nonprofit that commissioned the sculpture, said Wednesday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/boblutz/status/1752820101751963668">message</a>&nbsp;on X, formerly Twitter, that the MLB commissioner’s office and 30 clubs had committed funding toward the cost of replacing the statue and providing other support.

Lutz had said earlier that the money raised also could enhance some of its programming and facilities. In April, the group opened the Leslie Rudd Learning Center, which includes an indoor baseball facility and a learning lab.

“We’re not just baseball,” Lutz said. “We have after school education, enrichment and tutoring.”

One of the largest donations is a $10,000 pledge from an anonymous former Major League Baseball player who won a World Series. Wichita police Chief Joe Sullivan, who announced the donation over the weekend, has urged anyone involved in the theft to surrender and vowed that arrests were imminent.

“The community, along with the business community and the nation as a whole, have demonstrated an incredible outpouring of support,” Sullivan said in a statement Wednesday. “This effort highlights the kindness of the people and their determination to rebuild what was taken away from our community.”

Lutz, whose friend, the artist John Parsons, made the statue before his death, said the mold is still viable and anticipated that a replacement can be erected within a matter of months.

“We value what it represents,” he said. “It’s important that our 600 kids understand what it represents. And, we make every effort to educate our kids about the role that Jackie Robinson played in life and civil rights, his life beyond sports. He’s the absolute best role model you could imagine.”

League 42 drew attention to Robinson’s birthday Wednesday in a Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/League42Wichita/posts/pfbid02Gv86VJpyipnGEvwggZ3M9TpJS7SFroC1NunVNGCGnnGWW1FUWm2Nic3kbNjXRQavl">post</a>, noting that “his legacy will hold up forever” and asking for donations.

Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, paving the way for generations of Black American ballplayers. He’s considered not only a sports legend but also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-entertainment-sports-los-angeles-baseball-d73b75a6965310bfd087c165e93dc0c6">a civil rights icon</a>. Robinson died in 1972.

Lutz said that the league appeals to “all kids, but especially to kids of color" and that the connection to Robinson resonated.

“We can’t imagine, being named League 42 without a Jackie Robinson statue in our park," he said. "It was a no-brainer when we went about trying to name our league. And the name League 42 came up. It was like lightning and struck. We knew we had our name.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706642235098.jpeg" alt="Jackie Robinson Statue-Courtesy GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Jackie Robinson Statue-Courtesy GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA (AP)—Donations poured in Wednesday to replace a destroyed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-baseball-statue-stolen-45c08bbbd29322c05e6136a67f687459">statue of Jackie Robinson</a>&nbsp;on what would have been the 105th birthday of the first player to break Major League Baseball’s color barrier.<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/replace-our-stolen-jackie-robinson-statue?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=facebook">Click here to visit </a>the GoFundMe page<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">How about this? Amazing, huh? During this emotional week, we are proud to report some great news. <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLB</a>, which has been in touch with <a href="https://twitter.com/League42ICT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@League42ICT</a> from the moment this tragedy became public, has formalized their support for our youth.&mdash; Bob Lutz (@boblutz) <a href="https://twitter.com/boblutz/status/1752820101751963668?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We are grateful for their contribution to our mission of celebrating Jackie’s legacy through the youth of Wichita.&mdash; Bob Lutz (@boblutz) <a href="https://twitter.com/boblutz/status/1752820106000846870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 31, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Major League Baseball pledged support. And the total raised just through one online fundraiser surpassed $145,000, which is far in excess of the estimated $75,000 value of the bronze statue that was cut from its base&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-baseball-statue-stolen-beea370b17079ad30092affe6aaea3c1">last week</a>&nbsp;at a park in Wichita, Kansas. Police are searching for those responsible.Only the statue's feet were left at McAdams Park, where about 600 children play in a youth baseball league called League 42, which is named after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jackie-robinson">Robinson’</a>&nbsp;s uniform number with the Brooklyn Dodgers, with whom he broke the major leagues' color barrier in 1947.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706641737439.png" alt="photo courtesy KAKE" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy KAKE</figcaption>
 </figure>Fire crews found burned remnants of the statue&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jackie-robinson-baseball-statue-stolen-45c08bbbd29322c05e6136a67f687459">Tuesday</a>&nbsp;while responding to a trash can fire at another park about 7 miles&nbsp; away. A truck believed to be used in the theft previously was found abandoned, and police said the theft was captured on surveillance video.Bob Lutz, executive director of the Little League nonprofit that commissioned the sculpture, said Wednesday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/boblutz/status/1752820101751963668">message</a>&nbsp;on X, formerly Twitter, that the MLB commissioner’s office and 30 clubs had committed funding toward the cost of replacing the statue and providing other support.“Amazing, huh?” he said.Lutz had said earlier that the money raised also could enhance some of its programming and facilities. In April, the group opened the Leslie Rudd Learning Center, which includes an indoor baseball facility and a learning lab.“We’re not just baseball,” Lutz said. “We have after school education, enrichment and tutoring.”One of the largest donations is a $10,000 pledge from an anonymous former Major League Baseball player who won a World Series. Wichita police Chief Joe Sullivan, who announced the donation over the weekend, has urged anyone involved in the theft to surrender and vowed that arrests were imminent.“The community, along with the business community and the nation as a whole, have demonstrated an incredible outpouring of support,” Sullivan said in a statement Wednesday. “This effort highlights the kindness of the people and their determination to rebuild what was taken away from our community.”Lutz, whose friend, the artist John Parsons, made the statue before his death, said the mold is still viable and anticipated that a replacement can be erected within a matter of months.“We value what it represents,” he said. “It’s important that our 600 kids understand what it represents. And, we make every effort to educate our kids about the role that Jackie Robinson played in life and civil rights, his life beyond sports. He’s the absolute best role model you could imagine.”League 42 drew attention to Robinson’s birthday Wednesday in a Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/League42Wichita/posts/pfbid02Gv86VJpyipnGEvwggZ3M9TpJS7SFroC1NunVNGCGnnGWW1FUWm2Nic3kbNjXRQavl">post</a>, noting that “his legacy will hold up forever” and asking for donations.Robinson played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues before joining the Brooklyn Dodgers, paving the way for generations of Black American ballplayers. He’s considered not only a sports legend but also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mlb-entertainment-sports-los-angeles-baseball-d73b75a6965310bfd087c165e93dc0c6">a civil rights icon</a>. Robinson died in 1972.Lutz said that the league appeals to “all kids, but especially to kids of color" and that the connection to Robinson resonated.“We can’t imagine, being named League 42 without a Jackie Robinson statue in our park," he said. "It was a no-brainer when we went about trying to name our league. And the name League 42 came up. It was like lightning and struck. We knew we had our name.”

MLB pledges funds to replace destroyed Jackie Robinson statue

By TONY GUERRERO&nbsp;Hays Post

A suspect facing charges in Colorado led the Kansas Highway Patrol in a chase Monday on Interstate 70. According to a Trego County Sherriff's Office Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=704713281836780&amp;set=a.243282714646508">post</a>, at about 5:19 p.m., the suspect's vehicle was located west of WaKeeney in Trego County.

A video from Jan. 29 allegedly depicts 30-year-old Thomas Allan Villarruel driving against oncoming traffic while being pursued by several police vehicles.

Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Hileman said Villarruel was wanted for an alleged offense when an attempt to locate was broadcast at about 3:15 p.m."The vehicle matched the description of a suspect that was wanted out of Colorado for a domestic violence crime," Hileman said.

Villarruel was driving a 1993 Chevy C15 pickup when the Kansas Highway Patrol initiated a traffic stop at 5:59 p.m. The suspect immediately fled, Hileman said.

The vehicle crossed over the median into oncoming traffic, leading to a chase with officers.

"Troopers attempted to end the pursuit by pushing him into a guardrail, which they were successful in doing, but he was still able to drive down the highway," he said.

Villarruel continued westbound before crossing the median again and heading eastbound toward WaKeeney, according to the Facebook post.

The WaKeeney Police Department deployed stop sticks at the 127-mile marker, slowing the pursuit and allowing officers to disable the vehicle around the 129-mile marker.&nbsp;

"It's when the WaKeeney Police Department spiked his tires that a second Kansas Highway Patrol vehicle spun him out and ended the pursuit," Hileman said.

Willarruel was apprehended and taken into custody without any additional incidents, as reported by the Trego County Sheriff's Office.

Pending charges include fleeing and eluding law enforcement and engaging in reckless driving, Hileman said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1706720164942.jpeg" alt="Photo Trego Co. Sherfiff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Trego Co. Sherfiff</figcaption>
 </figure>By TONY GUERRERO&nbsp;Hays PostA suspect facing charges in Colorado led the Kansas Highway Patrol in a chase Monday on Interstate 70. According to a Trego County Sherriff's Office Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=704713281836780&amp;set=a.243282714646508">post</a>, at about 5:19 p.m., the suspect's vehicle was located west of WaKeeney in Trego County.A video from Jan. 29 allegedly depicts 30-year-old Thomas Allan Villarruel driving against oncoming traffic while being pursued by several police vehicles.Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper Tod Hileman said Villarruel was wanted for an alleged offense when an attempt to locate was broadcast at about 3:15 p.m."The vehicle matched the description of a suspect that was wanted out of Colorado for a domestic violence crime," Hileman said.Villarruel was driving a 1993 Chevy C15 pickup when the Kansas Highway Patrol initiated a traffic stop at 5:59 p.m. The suspect immediately fled, Hileman said.The vehicle crossed over the median into oncoming traffic, leading to a chase with officers."Troopers attempted to end the pursuit by pushing him into a guardrail, which they were successful in doing, but he was still able to drive down the highway," he said.Villarruel continued westbound before crossing the median again and heading eastbound toward WaKeeney, according to the Facebook post.The WaKeeney Police Department deployed stop sticks at the 127-mile marker, slowing the pursuit and allowing officers to disable the vehicle around the 129-mile marker.&nbsp;"It's when the WaKeeney Police Department spiked his tires that a second Kansas Highway Patrol vehicle spun him out and ended the pursuit," Hileman said.Willarruel was apprehended and taken into custody without any additional incidents, as reported by the Trego County Sheriff's Office.Pending charges include fleeing and eluding law enforcement and engaging in reckless driving, Hileman said.