WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday confirmed that U.S. citizens are among the hostages captured by Hamas in this weekend’s attack on Israel and he condemned the militant group for “sheer evil” for its shocking multipronged attack on Israel launched from the Gaza Strip that has killed hundreds of civilians, including at least 14 American citizens.

(Click below to watch a replay of the President's comments)

Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;spoke by phone earlier on Tuesday with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/benjamin-netanyahu">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>&nbsp;to discuss the situation on the ground. Biden outlined the actions he and other allies have taken to support Israel in the aftermath of the attack and expressed his horror about “sickening” reports of torture inflicted by militants on innocent civilians.

“Our hearts may be broken but our resolve is clear,” said Biden, who compared Hamas action to the terrorist group ISIS. He added, “Let there be no doubt. The United States has Israel’s back. We’ll make sure the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow as we always have.”

Biden, in his public remarks and statements since Hamas launched its attacks, has repeatedly emphasized his shock over the breadth and brutality of the Hamas assault — a blitz by land, sea and air that surprised Israeli and U.S. intelligence and that has killed hundreds Israelis and left even more wounded.

Retaliatory strikes by Israel on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gaza-strip">Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;have also left hundreds of dead and wounded Palestinians in the blockaded 141-square mile area, one the poorest places in the world. The death toll was expected to grow as Israel pummeled Gaza with airstrikes and sent tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing into U.N. shelters.

Biden said he has directed his team to share intelligence and military experts to consult and advise Israelis. He also confirmed that the U.S. believes that Americans are among dozens of hostages taken by Hamas.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. does not know the precise number of American hostages that were taken. Sullivan said that the U.S., at the moment, has no plans of putting U.S. troops on the ground.

“As president I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world,” Biden said.

The White House on Monday confirmed that it has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-state-department-39b9e7f15334ff756f022704f9516867">already begun delivering critically needed munitions and military equipment</a>&nbsp;to Israel, and the Pentagon was reviewing its inventories to see what else can be sent quickly to boost its ally in the war against Hamas.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-american-carrier-strike-force-mediterranean-db05d535a9ebb931f684f758c9b6f628">Ford carrier strike group</a>&nbsp;has arrived in the far Eastern Mediterranean, within range to provide a host of air support or long-range strike options for Israel if requested, but also to surge U.S. military presence there to prevent the war from spilling over into a more dangerous regional conflict, officials said.

The Pentagon has said that the U.S. warplanes, destroyers and cruisers that sailed with the Ford will conduct maritime and air operations which could include intelligence collection, interdictions and long-range strikes.

Along with the Ford, the U.S. is sending the cruiser USS Normandy and destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt, and the U.S. is augmenting Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.

“Let me say again to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation,” Biden said. “I have one word: Don’t."

Biden is dispatching his top diplomat to Israel on an urgent mission to show U.S. support after the attacks, the State Department said Tuesday.

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Secretary of State Antony Blinken would travel in the coming days to deliver a message of solidarity and support. He said Blinken will also “talk about what additional resources we can give them.”

Blinken will leave Wednesday and is expected to arrive Thursday.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters traveling with him Tuesday to a Ukraine contact group meeting in Brussels that a small group of U.S. special operations forces is also working with the Israelis to help with planning and intelligence.

Biden on Monday in a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak underscored the “legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people” and their decades-long push for sovereignty. But the leaders also sought to separate the Palestinians’ aspirations from the “appalling acts of terrorism” by Hamas.

Americans have had a gloomy outlook on Biden’s performance on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Six in 10 Americans (61%)&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-israel-united-states-biden-netanyahu-41ba5cb189185f3e4956f4465c00999f">disapproved of how Biden was handling the conflict</a>&nbsp;between the Israelis and Palestinians, according to an August poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About one-third (35%) of U.S. adults approved, which was slightly lower than Biden’s overall approval rating of 42% in the same poll.

Four in 10 Americans (44%) said the U.S. gives about the right amount of support to Israel in the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Republicans were more likely than Democrats to say the U.S. should offer more support to Israel. Four in 10 Americans (42%) said the correct amount of support is given to the Palestinians. Democrats and Independents were more likely than Republicans to say the Palestinians should receive more support.

The current crisis seems certain to further test public sentiment about Biden’s Mideast foreign policy approach.

The Biden White House has pointed to its handling of the last conflict between Israel and Gaza in 2021 as playing a crucial part in limiting the length and loss of life in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-was-the-outcome-of-israel-gaza-war-4f94e80a9d6f53ecd5353db83ed27526">a war that stretched over 11 days</a>&nbsp;and killed at least 250 people in Gaza and 13 in Israel.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-was-the-outcome-of-israel-gaza-war-4f94e80a9d6f53ecd5353db83ed27526">During the 2021 conflict,</a>&nbsp;Biden limited his public commentary while pressing Netanyahu in private to end the conflict. His behind-the-scenes effort played out even as some of the president’s fellow Democrats pressured him to speak out against the Israelis as the death toll climbed in Gaza and as tens of thousands of Palestinians were displaced by the aerial bombardment,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-middle-east-business-israel-palestinian-conflict-health-d2781b6e5aea8602547c5c0b4112e977">White House officials said at the time.</a>

But this conflict is unlikely to end so quickly. Domestic and international pressure could quickly mount on Biden to pressure Netanyahu to wind down operations to prevent the suffering of innocent Gazans.

Netanyahu said on Saturday that civilians in Gaza should leave areas near where Hamas is operating as the Israeli military planned to take defining action against the the militant group.

Sullivan said U.S. government officials have discussed details with Israel and Egyptian officials about where people in Gaza should go.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696938143887.png" alt="The White House lit up blue and white Monday night as a symbol of the United States’ enduring support and solidarity with the people of Israel in the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks committed by Hamas.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The White House lit up blue and white Monday night as a symbol of the United States’ enduring support and solidarity with the people of Israel in the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks committed by Hamas.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;on Tuesday confirmed that U.S. citizens are among the hostages captured by Hamas in this weekend’s attack on Israel and he condemned the militant group for “sheer evil” for its shocking multipronged attack on Israel launched from the Gaza Strip that has killed hundreds of civilians, including at least 14 American citizens.(Click below to watch a replay of the President's comments)<div>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7v40bJGqfEo?si=wCspaDDhv7t2n9B0&amp;start=5840" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Biden and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;spoke by phone earlier on Tuesday with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/benjamin-netanyahu">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu</a>&nbsp;to discuss the situation on the ground. Biden outlined the actions he and other allies have taken to support Israel in the aftermath of the attack and expressed his horror about “sickening” reports of torture inflicted by militants on innocent civilians.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden on Hamas attacks against Israel: &quot;This was an act of sheer evil.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/JlfEvefe4f">pic.twitter.com/JlfEvefe4f</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1711824332270248058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Our hearts may be broken but our resolve is clear,” said Biden, who compared Hamas action to the terrorist group ISIS. He added, “Let there be no doubt. The United States has Israel’s back. We’ll make sure the Jewish and democratic state of Israel can defend itself today, tomorrow as we always have.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696961319712.png" alt="President Biden on Tuesday sat down with our teams to receive a situation update on the terrorist attack in Israel and to direct next steps.&nbsp;We connected with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss coordination to support Israel, deter hostile actors, and protect innocent people." />
 <figcaption>President Biden on Tuesday sat down with our teams to receive a situation update on the terrorist attack in Israel and to direct next steps.&nbsp;We connected with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss coordination to support Israel, deter hostile actors, and protect innocent people.</figcaption>
 </figure>Biden, in his public remarks and statements since Hamas launched its attacks, has repeatedly emphasized his shock over the breadth and brutality of the Hamas assault — a blitz by land, sea and air that surprised Israeli and U.S. intelligence and that has killed hundreds Israelis and left even more wounded.Retaliatory strikes by Israel on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/gaza-strip">Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;have also left hundreds of dead and wounded Palestinians in the blockaded 141-square mile area, one the poorest places in the world. The death toll was expected to grow as Israel pummeled Gaza with airstrikes and sent tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing into U.N. shelters.Biden said he has directed his team to share intelligence and military experts to consult and advise Israelis. He also confirmed that the U.S. believes that Americans are among dozens of hostages taken by Hamas.White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. does not know the precise number of American hostages that were taken. Sullivan said that the U.S., at the moment, has no plans of putting U.S. troops on the ground.“As president I have no higher priority than the safety of Americans being held hostage around the world,” Biden said.The White House on Monday confirmed that it has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-state-department-39b9e7f15334ff756f022704f9516867">already begun delivering critically needed munitions and military equipment</a>&nbsp;to Israel, and the Pentagon was reviewing its inventories to see what else can be sent quickly to boost its ally in the war against Hamas.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-american-carrier-strike-force-mediterranean-db05d535a9ebb931f684f758c9b6f628">Ford carrier strike group</a>&nbsp;has arrived in the far Eastern Mediterranean, within range to provide a host of air support or long-range strike options for Israel if requested, but also to surge U.S. military presence there to prevent the war from spilling over into a more dangerous regional conflict, officials said.The Pentagon has said that the U.S. warplanes, destroyers and cruisers that sailed with the Ford will conduct maritime and air operations which could include intelligence collection, interdictions and long-range strikes.Along with the Ford, the U.S. is sending the cruiser USS Normandy and destroyers USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt, and the U.S. is augmenting Air Force F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 fighter aircraft squadrons in the region.“Let me say again to any country, any organization, anyone thinking of taking advantage of the situation,” Biden said. “I have one word: Don’t."Biden is dispatching his top diplomat to Israel on an urgent mission to show U.S. support after the attacks, the State Department said Tuesday.State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Secretary of State Antony Blinken would travel in the coming days to deliver a message of solidarity and support. He said Blinken will also “talk about what additional resources we can give them.”Blinken will leave Wednesday and is expected to arrive Thursday.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters traveling with him Tuesday to a Ukraine contact group meeting in Brussels that a small group of U.S. special operations forces is also working with the Israelis to help with planning and intelligence.Biden on Monday in a joint statement with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak underscored the “legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people” and their decades-long push for sovereignty. But the leaders also sought to separate the Palestinians’ aspirations from the “appalling acts of terrorism” by Hamas.Americans have had a gloomy outlook on Biden’s performance on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Six in 10 Americans (61%)&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/poll-israel-united-states-biden-netanyahu-41ba5cb189185f3e4956f4465c00999f">disapproved of how Biden was handling the conflict</a>&nbsp;between the Israelis and Palestinians, according to an August poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About one-third (35%) of U.S. adults approved, which was slightly lower than Biden’s overall approval rating of 42% in the same poll.Four in 10 Americans (44%) said the U.S. gives about the right amount of support to Israel in the conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Republicans were more likely than Democrats to say the U.S. should offer more support to Israel. Four in 10 Americans (42%) said the correct amount of support is given to the Palestinians. Democrats and Independents were more likely than Republicans to say the Palestinians should receive more support.The current crisis seems certain to further test public sentiment about Biden’s Mideast foreign policy approach.The Biden White House has pointed to its handling of the last conflict between Israel and Gaza in 2021 as playing a crucial part in limiting the length and loss of life in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-was-the-outcome-of-israel-gaza-war-4f94e80a9d6f53ecd5353db83ed27526">a war that stretched over 11 days</a>&nbsp;and killed at least 250 people in Gaza and 13 in Israel.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-was-the-outcome-of-israel-gaza-war-4f94e80a9d6f53ecd5353db83ed27526">During the 2021 conflict,</a>&nbsp;Biden limited his public commentary while pressing Netanyahu in private to end the conflict. His behind-the-scenes effort played out even as some of the president’s fellow Democrats pressured him to speak out against the Israelis as the death toll climbed in Gaza and as tens of thousands of Palestinians were displaced by the aerial bombardment,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-middle-east-business-israel-palestinian-conflict-health-d2781b6e5aea8602547c5c0b4112e977">White House officials said at the time.</a>But this conflict is unlikely to end so quickly. Domestic and international pressure could quickly mount on Biden to pressure Netanyahu to wind down operations to prevent the suffering of innocent Gazans.Netanyahu said on Saturday that civilians in Gaza should leave areas near where Hamas is operating as the Israeli military planned to take defining action against the the militant group.Sullivan said U.S. government officials have discussed details with Israel and Egyptian officials about where people in Gaza should go.

🎥Biden confirms Americans among hostages captured in Israel

By TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The practice among some federal judges in the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to require use of pronouns preferred by attorneys, litigants and witnesses was potentially unconstitutional and undermined judicial impartiality, the Kansas attorney general said Tuesday.

Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Republican elected in 2022, submitted a letter of complaint to the appellate court’s chief judge arguing for termination of the practice followed by at least five district court judges within the 10th Circuit.

He said lawyers in the attorney general’s office objected to the idea of undermining clarity of judicial proceedings when individuals sought to impose on others their applicable pronouns, such as “they” or “them,” which the attorney general asserted were based on a person’s “internal feelings.”

“The courtroom is no place to dismantle science, butcher the English language and deny constitutional rights in order to spare an individual’s feelings,” Kobach said. “It is neither proper nor prudent for judges to expect that parties refer to counsel, litigants or witnesses by idiosyncratically selected pronouns.”

The Kansas attorney general has been at the forefront of legal actions in state and federal court to undermine the right of transgender Kansans to secure a birth certificate or driver’s license that reflected their gender identity. Kobach, in addition to majorities in the Kansas Legislature, have intensified in recent years a campaign to require official state documents exclusively reference an individual’s sex assigned at birth.

In the letter, Kobach theorized a judicial mandate forcing people to affirm another’s selected pronoun equated to compelled speech that violated the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. He said expecting others to use preferred pronouns wasn’t a measure of respect, but an intrusion into religious freedom.

He pointed as evidence to the Bible and Christian interpretation of Genesis 1:27 that concentrated on a male and female dichotomy among persons.

The subject of gender identity was a growing segment of litigation, Kobach said, and a judge requiring people appearing in court to address others with certain pronouns “may reveal a prejudgment on issues.” Adhering to traditional use of the English language with respect to pronouns was an indicator of a court’s neutrality, he said.

“The government compelling specific speech is unconstitutional. But it’s particularly troubling in a courtroom, where the scales of justice should be balanced,” Kobach said. “The requirement gives the appearance that a judge has staked out a position on a controversial issue that is not yet settled in law.”

The attorney general directed his letter to Chief Judge Jerome Holmes, who was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2006.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696964058270.png" alt=" Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach requested the chief judge of the 10th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals stop federal district court judges from requiring attorneys to use the personal pronouns preferred by others. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach requested the chief judge of the 10th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals stop federal district court judges from requiring attorneys to use the personal pronouns preferred by others. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The practice among some federal judges in the 10th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to require use of pronouns preferred by attorneys, litigants and witnesses was potentially unconstitutional and undermined judicial impartiality, the Kansas attorney general said Tuesday.Attorney General Kris Kobach, a Republican elected in 2022, submitted a letter of complaint to the appellate court’s chief judge arguing for termination of the practice followed by at least five district court judges within the 10th Circuit.He said lawyers in the attorney general’s office objected to the idea of undermining clarity of judicial proceedings when individuals sought to impose on others their applicable pronouns, such as “they” or “them,” which the attorney general asserted were based on a person’s “internal feelings.”“The courtroom is no place to dismantle science, butcher the English language and deny constitutional rights in order to spare an individual’s feelings,” Kobach said. “It is neither proper nor prudent for judges to expect that parties refer to counsel, litigants or witnesses by idiosyncratically selected pronouns.”The Kansas attorney general has been at the forefront of legal actions in state and federal court to undermine the right of transgender Kansans to secure a birth certificate or driver’s license that reflected their gender identity. Kobach, in addition to majorities in the Kansas Legislature, have intensified in recent years a campaign to require official state documents exclusively reference an individual’s sex assigned at birth.In the letter, Kobach theorized a judicial mandate forcing people to affirm another’s selected pronoun equated to compelled speech that violated the First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. He said expecting others to use preferred pronouns wasn’t a measure of respect, but an intrusion into religious freedom.He pointed as evidence to the Bible and Christian interpretation of Genesis 1:27 that concentrated on a male and female dichotomy among persons.The subject of gender identity was a growing segment of litigation, Kobach said, and a judge requiring people appearing in court to address others with certain pronouns “may reveal a prejudgment on issues.” Adhering to traditional use of the English language with respect to pronouns was an indicator of a court’s neutrality, he said.“The government compelling specific speech is unconstitutional. But it’s particularly troubling in a courtroom, where the scales of justice should be balanced,” Kobach said. “The requirement gives the appearance that a judge has staked out a position on a controversial issue that is not yet settled in law.”The attorney general directed his letter to Chief Judge Jerome Holmes, who was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2006.

Kan. AG wants judges to stop requiring use of a person’s preferred personal pronoun

TOPEKA&nbsp;– On Tuesday Governor Laura Kelly announced that Kansas will designate Juneteenth as a state holiday, joining&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnBld3Jlc2VhcmNoLm9yZy9zaG9ydC1yZWFkcy8yMDIzLzA2LzA5L21vcmUtdGhhbi1oYWxmLW9mLXN0YXRlcy1ub3ctcmVjb2duaXplLWp1bmV0ZWVudGgtYXMtYW4tb2ZmaWNpYWwtaG9saWRheS8iLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMxMDEwLjgzODQyMTUxIn0.i4djhKk4Qzget8SPZXpqO4eigz2zJrrrjCloOpoXBck/s/1303160919/br/227678724748-l" target="_blank">28&nbsp;other&nbsp;states</a>&nbsp;and the District of Columbia, according to a media release from her office.

“Juneteenth marks a significant point our nation’s history and has long been celebrated in Kansas and across the United States,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday provides Kansans an opportunity to celebrate our state’s diversity and honor the ongoing struggles for racial equality.”&nbsp;

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day the last enslaved Americans received word that President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery more than 2 years after the end of the Civil War. Governor Kelly has issued proclamations recognizing Juneteenth every year since 2020.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I am thrilled that Juneteenth will be a state holiday,”&nbsp;said Stacey Knoell, Executive Director of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission.&nbsp;“This day is a perfect example of the importance of learning the full picture of history, not to cast blame but to find reasons for acknowledging resilience. I hope this day can become one where Kansans can unite in celebration.”&nbsp;

In 2021, Juneteenth became the first federal holiday created in more than 40 years. Since then, Kansas’ neighboring states of Nebraska, Missouri, and Colorado have also established Juneteenth as a state holiday. The holiday will apply to Executive Branch employees under Governor Kelly’s jurisdiction.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685725545610.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;– On Tuesday Governor Laura Kelly announced that Kansas will designate Juneteenth as a state holiday, joining&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnBld3Jlc2VhcmNoLm9yZy9zaG9ydC1yZWFkcy8yMDIzLzA2LzA5L21vcmUtdGhhbi1oYWxmLW9mLXN0YXRlcy1ub3ctcmVjb2duaXplLWp1bmV0ZWVudGgtYXMtYW4tb2ZmaWNpYWwtaG9saWRheS8iLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMxMDEwLjgzODQyMTUxIn0.i4djhKk4Qzget8SPZXpqO4eigz2zJrrrjCloOpoXBck/s/1303160919/br/227678724748-l" target="_blank">28&nbsp;other&nbsp;states</a>&nbsp;and the District of Columbia, according to a media release from her office.“Juneteenth marks a significant point our nation’s history and has long been celebrated in Kansas and across the United States,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said.&nbsp;“Establishing Juneteenth as a state holiday provides Kansans an opportunity to celebrate our state’s diversity and honor the ongoing struggles for racial equality.”&nbsp;Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, the day the last enslaved Americans received word that President Abraham Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery more than 2 years after the end of the Civil War. Governor Kelly has issued proclamations recognizing Juneteenth every year since 2020.&nbsp;&nbsp;“I am thrilled that Juneteenth will be a state holiday,”&nbsp;said Stacey Knoell, Executive Director of the Kansas African American Affairs Commission.&nbsp;“This day is a perfect example of the importance of learning the full picture of history, not to cast blame but to find reasons for acknowledging resilience. I hope this day can become one where Kansans can unite in celebration.”&nbsp;In 2021, Juneteenth became the first federal holiday created in more than 40 years. Since then, Kansas’ neighboring states of Nebraska, Missouri, and Colorado have also established Juneteenth as a state holiday. The holiday will apply to Executive Branch employees under Governor Kelly’s jurisdiction.&nbsp;

Governor designates Juneteenth as new state holiday in Kansas

The Hays USD 489 school board voted to offer free breakfast to all students at its meeting on Monday. The free breakfasts will start on Monday, Oct. 16.

During the pandemic, breakfast and lunches were provided free to all students thanks to federal funding.

Jessica Younker, director of USD 489 nutrition services, said 700 to 800 students per day were eating school breakfast when the meals were free. That has dropped to 500 meals now that families have to pay again.

The highest utilization of breakfast now is at Hays High School. The district offers a second-chance breakfast after the first period. It serves an additional 100 students off of carts during that seven-minute passing period.

If the number of students eating breakfast goes back to COVID levels, the school district should have enough funds on hand to cover the cost of the free breakfasts, Younker said.

If it increases beyond COVID levels, the nutrition program will need to dip into its reserves, Younker said.

Superintendent Ron Wilson said providing breakfast will provide a quality learning experience for all students.

Providing free breakfast to all students should eliminate the stigma of eating breakfast at school, Younker said.

"It's much easier to teach a kid who is focused on learning and not focused on their tummy growling," Younker said.&nbsp;

She said her department is working to change the breakfast menus to make them more appealing to kids.

"We are adding some new stuff and listening to kids about what they want and what they don't want," she said.

"This eliminates the money factor. If kids don’t eat at home, they can eat at school and not worry about that."

Board members applauded Younker for bringing the plan to the school board. The program was unanimously approved.

"I applaud this focus on kids," Craig Pallister, board member, said. "If a kindergartener or first grader or second grader or junior is sitting in a classroom, it's not their fault they're hungry.

"We can look at the money situation next year and see if we can extend that."

Ken Brooks said, "This is incredible work for kids."

Lincoln Elementary School received a state grant this school year to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students due to socioeconomic factors of its students.&nbsp;

Kerri Lacy, Lincoln principal, said school meal utilization has increased by 30 to 35 percent since the free meals were offered.

The school board also reviewed two enrollment policies.

Kyzer Fox, HHS senior, spoke during the public comment session of the meeting.

"Obviously, I won't personally go to school in the new high school," he said ..."But I'm very happy that my siblings will be able to learn in an upgraded educational environment."

Ground was broken Wednesday on a new $105-million high school.

He said he is more likely to come back to Hays to raise his family because of the new school.

Three people spoke against private bathrooms planned for the new high school during the public comment session.

By CRISTINA JANNEY&nbsp;Hays PostThe Hays USD 489 school board voted to offer free breakfast to all students at its meeting on Monday. The free breakfasts will start on Monday, Oct. 16.During the pandemic, breakfast and lunches were provided free to all students thanks to federal funding.Jessica Younker, director of USD 489 nutrition services, said 700 to 800 students per day were eating school breakfast when the meals were free. That has dropped to 500 meals now that families have to pay again.The highest utilization of breakfast now is at Hays High School. The district offers a second-chance breakfast after the first period. It serves an additional 100 students off of carts during that seven-minute passing period.If the number of students eating breakfast goes back to COVID levels, the school district should have enough funds on hand to cover the cost of the free breakfasts, Younker said.If it increases beyond COVID levels, the nutrition program will need to dip into its reserves, Younker said.Superintendent Ron Wilson said providing breakfast will provide a quality learning experience for all students.Providing free breakfast to all students should eliminate the stigma of eating breakfast at school, Younker said."It's much easier to teach a kid who is focused on learning and not focused on their tummy growling," Younker said.&nbsp;She said her department is working to change the breakfast menus to make them more appealing to kids."We are adding some new stuff and listening to kids about what they want and what they don't want," she said."This eliminates the money factor. If kids don’t eat at home, they can eat at school and not worry about that."Board members applauded Younker for bringing the plan to the school board. The program was unanimously approved."I applaud this focus on kids," Craig Pallister, board member, said. "If a kindergartener or first grader or second grader or junior is sitting in a classroom, it's not their fault they're hungry."We can look at the money situation next year and see if we can extend that."Ken Brooks said, "This is incredible work for kids."Lincoln Elementary School received a state grant this school year to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all students due to socioeconomic factors of its students.&nbsp;Kerri Lacy, Lincoln principal, said school meal utilization has increased by 30 to 35 percent since the free meals were offered.The school board also reviewed two enrollment policies.Kyzer Fox, HHS senior, spoke during the public comment session of the meeting."Obviously, I won't personally go to school in the new high school," he said ..."But I'm very happy that my siblings will be able to learn in an upgraded educational environment."Ground was broken Wednesday on a new $105-million high school.He said he is more likely to come back to Hays to raise his family because of the new school.Three people spoke against private bathrooms planned for the new high school during the public comment session.

Hays USD 489 to offer free breakfast for all students

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a man's murder and have made an arrest.

Just after 10:30 p.m. September 25, police responded to report of a shooting in the 2200 Block SW Plass Avenue in Topeka, according to Police Captain Jerry Monasmith.

 First responders found a man later identified as&nbsp;39-year-old Durant R. Redmond of Topeka  suffering from a gunshot wound.&nbsp; He was transported to a local hospital with injuries considered to be life threatening. On September 27,&nbsp; Redmond died of his injuries.&nbsp;

On September 29, police asked for help to locate 31-year-old Chelsee A. Baugh (Retana) Topeka. Investigators believed she has information about the shooting and wanted to talk to her. Four days later, police did locate her.

On Monday evening, police&nbsp;reported they arrested David Jackson, 39, Oskaloosa, on requested charges of Murder in the 1st Degree and Criminal Possession of a weapon; convicted of person/drug felony for Redmond's death. Police have not indicated whether Baugh gave them details that led to the arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696944205170.png" alt="Jackson -photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Jackson -photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a man's murder and have made an arrest.Just after 10:30 p.m. September 25, police responded to report of a shooting in the 2200 Block SW Plass Avenue in Topeka, according to Police Captain Jerry Monasmith. First responders found a man later identified as&nbsp;39-year-old Durant R. Redmond of Topeka suffering from a gunshot wound.&nbsp; He was transported to a local hospital with injuries considered to be life threatening. On September 27,&nbsp; Redmond died of his injuries.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1696031364543.png" alt="Baugh-photo Topeka Police" />
 <figcaption>Baugh-photo Topeka Police</figcaption>
 </figure>On September 29, police asked for help to locate 31-year-old Chelsee A. Baugh (Retana) Topeka. Investigators believed she has information about the shooting and wanted to talk to her. Four days later, police did locate her.On Monday evening, police&nbsp;reported they arrested David Jackson, 39, Oskaloosa, on requested charges of Murder in the 1st Degree and Criminal Possession of a weapon; convicted of person/drug felony for Redmond's death. Police have not indicated whether Baugh gave them details that led to the arrest.

Police make arrest in 3-week-old Kansas murder

By ASHLEY MURRAY,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — As Congress faces another pressing deadline to fund the government and the U.S. House grinds to a halt without a speaker, the reauthorization of the nation’s agriculture and hunger programs has taken a back seat.

But lawmakers tasked with shepherding the new version maintain their progress is “in good shape.”

The previous farm bill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/08/17/farm-bill-timeline-in-flux-as-a-messy-september-for-congress-nears/">expired</a>&nbsp;Sept. 30 and its renewal, a process that occurs every five years, remains “in the drafting stage,” said Sen. John Boozman, the Arkansas GOP lawmaker and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

“I know myself and Sen. Stabenow, our teams are working together to try and get ideas in the text. And so we’re moving forward,” Boozman told reporters Wednesday.

Stabenow of Michigan chairs the committee.

“It’s been difficult because the appropriations process has kind of sucked all the wind out. But we’re in good shape. We don’t need an extension until the first of the year. If we do need an extension, I think we’ll be looking in the November time frame as we do the CR.”

The CR, or continuing resolution, is the funding&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congress-clears-bill-avert-shutdown-vote-promised-later-ukraine-aid-3">compromise</a>&nbsp;Congress struck last weekend just hours before a partial government shutdown. The temporary spending measure expires Nov. 17.

The farm bill and long-term government funding are completely different processes, but GOP House majority infighting over appropriations has stalled other priorities.

And, with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/10/03/u-s-house-votes-to-remove-kevin-mccarthy-as-speaker/">ouster</a>&nbsp;of former House Speaker and California Republican Kevin McCarthy by a handful of far-right party members and all House Democrats, the lower chamber is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/10/04/how-does-a-frozen-u-s-house-function-without-a-speaker-everyones-got-an-opinion/">frozen</a>.

“As with every Farm Bill, there are forces and circumstances out of our control. What is always a complicated process has become a little more complicated, but our work continues to produce an effective Farm Bill,” said Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, who chairs the House Committee on Agriculture, in an emailed statement.

Thompson and fellow lawmakers have spent thousands of hours over the past two years collecting feedback from constituents on what they want to see in the multi-year bill, which is forecast to cost $1.5 trillion.

But some constituents say despite reassurance that the farm bill is progressing, they remain concerned about its delay, as well as funding for several of its programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.

As a mandatory program, SNAP will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/09/26/the-farm-bill-is-on-the-verge-of-expiring-congress-is-months-away-from-a-new-version/">continue</a>&nbsp;as long as Congress approves either temporary or long-term government funding.

“The delay in considering important legislation, such as agriculture appropriations and the farm bill, creates a great deal of uncertainty for farmers and ranchers. The 2018 farm bill already expired,” Sam Kieffer, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s vice president of public policy, said in a statement.

“All families, including those in rural America, face rising interest rates, high inflation and turbulence in the marketplace,” he continued. “The farm bill provides certainty to those who grow this nation’s food, fuel and fiber and is crucial to ensuring a safe and affordable food supply. Congress has always come through on a farm bill, and they must do it again. Every family in America is counting on it.”

The 2018 farm bill was not signed into law&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47313">until</a>&nbsp;Dec. 20 of that year.

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12047">expansive</a>&nbsp;agricultural and food policy bill covers farmer safety net programs, conservation and sustainability incentives, international trade, rural area development, and food and nutrition programs for low-income earners — the last of which accounts for the largest portion of the bill. The legislation is one of Congress’ omnibus packages, meaning it’s made up of numerous provisions from many lawmakers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696870697157.jpeg" alt=" Rows of soybean plants grow in the fields at Seidenstricker Farms, owned by Robert and Cathy Seidenstricker, in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas, on June 25, 2019. (USDA photo by Lance Cheung)" />
 <figcaption> Rows of soybean plants grow in the fields at Seidenstricker Farms, owned by Robert and Cathy Seidenstricker, in De Valls Bluff, Arkansas, on June 25, 2019. (USDA photo by Lance Cheung)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ASHLEY MURRAY,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — As Congress faces another pressing deadline to fund the government and the U.S. House grinds to a halt without a speaker, the reauthorization of the nation’s agriculture and hunger programs has taken a back seat.But lawmakers tasked with shepherding the new version maintain their progress is “in good shape.”The previous farm bill&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.marylandmatters.org/2023/08/17/farm-bill-timeline-in-flux-as-a-messy-september-for-congress-nears/">expired</a>&nbsp;Sept. 30 and its renewal, a process that occurs every five years, remains “in the drafting stage,” said Sen. John Boozman, the Arkansas GOP lawmaker and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.“I know myself and Sen. Stabenow, our teams are working together to try and get ideas in the text. And so we’re moving forward,” Boozman told reporters Wednesday.Stabenow of Michigan chairs the committee.“It’s been difficult because the appropriations process has kind of sucked all the wind out. But we’re in good shape. We don’t need an extension until the first of the year. If we do need an extension, I think we’ll be looking in the November time frame as we do the CR.”The CR, or continuing resolution, is the funding&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congress-clears-bill-avert-shutdown-vote-promised-later-ukraine-aid-3">compromise</a>&nbsp;Congress struck last weekend just hours before a partial government shutdown. The temporary spending measure expires Nov. 17.The farm bill and long-term government funding are completely different processes, but GOP House majority infighting over appropriations has stalled other priorities.And, with the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/10/03/u-s-house-votes-to-remove-kevin-mccarthy-as-speaker/">ouster</a>&nbsp;of former House Speaker and California Republican Kevin McCarthy by a handful of far-right party members and all House Democrats, the lower chamber is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/10/04/how-does-a-frozen-u-s-house-function-without-a-speaker-everyones-got-an-opinion/">frozen</a>.“As with every Farm Bill, there are forces and circumstances out of our control. What is always a complicated process has become a little more complicated, but our work continues to produce an effective Farm Bill,” said Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, who chairs the House Committee on Agriculture, in an emailed statement.<h2>Worries over lack of progress&nbsp;</h2>Thompson and fellow lawmakers have spent thousands of hours over the past two years collecting feedback from constituents on what they want to see in the multi-year bill, which is forecast to cost $1.5 trillion.But some constituents say despite reassurance that the farm bill is progressing, they remain concerned about its delay, as well as funding for several of its programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, formerly known as food stamps.As a mandatory program, SNAP will&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/09/26/the-farm-bill-is-on-the-verge-of-expiring-congress-is-months-away-from-a-new-version/">continue</a>&nbsp;as long as Congress approves either temporary or long-term government funding.“The delay in considering important legislation, such as agriculture appropriations and the farm bill, creates a great deal of uncertainty for farmers and ranchers. The 2018 farm bill already expired,” Sam Kieffer, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s vice president of public policy, said in a statement.“All families, including those in rural America, face rising interest rates, high inflation and turbulence in the marketplace,” he continued. “The farm bill provides certainty to those who grow this nation’s food, fuel and fiber and is crucial to ensuring a safe and affordable food supply. Congress has always come through on a farm bill, and they must do it again. Every family in America is counting on it.”The 2018 farm bill was not signed into law&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47313">until</a>&nbsp;Dec. 20 of that year.The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12047">expansive</a>&nbsp;agricultural and food policy bill covers farmer safety net programs, conservation and sustainability incentives, international trade, rural area development, and food and nutrition programs for low-income earners — the last of which accounts for the largest portion of the bill. The legislation is one of Congress’ omnibus packages, meaning it’s made up of numerous provisions from many lawmakers.

Farm bill stalled amid U.S. House speaker battle, delay of spending bills

WASHINGTON (AP) —Missouri Senator Josh Hawley reported Monday that he learned a Missouri native, a musician, wife and mother, was among those killed by Hamas terrorists in Israel, along with her husband. Officials have released no additional details.

&nbsp;The U.S. has already begun delivering critically needed munitions and military equipment to Israel, the White House said Monday, as the Pentagon reviews its inventories to see what else can be sent quickly to boost its ally in the four-day-old war&nbsp;with Hamas.

John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, confirmed Monday evening that the first batch of military aid in the wake of the violent assault by Hamas militants is “making its way” to Israel.

The delivery came as President Joe Biden prepared to give formal remarks on the attacks from the White House on Tuesday afternoon, after he confirmed that at least 11 Americans were killed in the violence over the weekend.

“We fully expect there will be additional requests for security assistance for Israel as they continue to expend munitions in this fight,” Kirby said. "We will stay in lockstep with them, making sure that we’re filling their needs as best we can and as fast as we can.”

Also on Monday, a senior Defense Department official warned that the U.S. is closely watching Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed groups, noting that the decision to shift American ships in the region was to deter any of these groups from entering or expanding the conflict against Israel. The official briefed reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive shipments.

The official said the U.S. is “flooding the zone” with calls and other messages so that extremist groups and other nations know they should not question America's commitment to supporting the defense of Israel. The official, however, would not comment on whether U.S. military forces would be used at all, and Kirby later emphasized that “there is no intention to put U.S. boots on the ground.”

Meanwhile, Kirby said U.S. officials have yet to identify a direct link from the Hamas militants who executed this weekend's deadly attacks to Iran itself, although the country has a “degree of complicity” considering its long support for the group.

While the Pentagon official said the U.S. has the ability to supply weapons to Ukraine and Israel and maintain security for America, the rapid delivery of munitions to the new war has raised concerns.

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Congress must pass more funding quickly for the U.S. to be able to give both Israel and Ukraine the weapons and munitions they both now need.

“The intent is to lean forward in support of Israel,” she said. "But in particular with munitions and the ability to support Israel and Ukraine simultaneously, additional funding is needed to increase our capacity to expand production and then also pay for the munitions themselves.”

At the White House, officials were more cautious, emphasizing that the U.S. government has existing funding to support Israel for the time being. But it was becoming clear that the administration is now facing potentially competing requests from Israel and Ukraine for additional weaponry.

“If we need — and it's an ‘if’, but — if we need to go back to Capitol Hill for additional funding support for Israel, we will absolutely do that," Kirby said. Referring to Israel and Ukraine, he added, “We are a large enough, big enough, economically viable and vibrant enough country to be able to support both.”

On Capitol Hill, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers expressed support for Israel, although immediate congressional action was virtually impossible with the House remaining without a speaker and the Senate out of Washington until next week. Also uncertain is whether the debate over further assistance to Ukraine, which is opposed by a group of hard-right Republicans, will complicate efforts to pass assistance for Israel.

Wormuth, speaking at the annual Association of the United States Army conference in Washington, said the administration is still “in the early stage of the process of evaluating our ability to support what the IDF needs,” referring to the Israel Defense Forces. She did not provide details, but Doug Bush, the Army's assistant secretary for acquisition, told reporters at the conference that conversations are underway about what the U.S. can provide. He said it likely will be a wide range of equipment, from small arms to sophisticated munitions.

Most of the weaponry sent already to help Ukraine has come from Army stocks and defense contractors at a rate that has challenged the global supply chain, and while the Army has recently ramped up production of some critical lines, such as 155 mm ammunition for howitzers, they are not yet at full speed.

With a new ground offensive in Gaza imminent following the Saturday surprise attack by Hamas, Army officials said Monday they were concerned about the ability to meet additional demand for ground munitions and Congress needed to act quickly to provide help in time.

In addition to the 11 American citizens whose deaths Biden confirmed, an undetermined number remain unaccounted for. It was not yet clear if the missing are dead, in hiding, or had been taken hostage.

Biden said the U.S. believes it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held hostage by Hamas, but officials are working to confirm that.

“I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts,” Biden said in a statement.

To underscore U.S. solidarity with Israel, the White House was lit in the blue and white colors of the Israeli flag on Monday night.

The attack by Hamas and Israel's retaliation&nbsp;<a href="https://interactives.ap.org/embeds/DHsmN/8/">have left more than 1,600 dead and thousands wounded on both sides</a>.

In the aftermath of the Hamas attack, the White House has asked Senate leaders to fast track confirmation of President Joe Biden’s nominee to be the next ambassador to Israel, former Obama-era Treasury Secretary and White House chief of staff Jack Lew, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity. The White House has received assurances that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will push forward hearings for Lew, the official added. The U.S. has been without an ambassador since the departure of Ambassador Tom Nides in July.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Sunday he has ordered the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn78/">Ford carrier strike group</a>&nbsp;to sail to the Eastern Mediterranean to be ready to assist Israel. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-nato-norfolk-atlantic-ocean-us-navy-58217f23b761574fde9fb1adc8422aee">USS Gerald R. Ford</a>, the Navy’s newest and most advanced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn78/">aircraft carrier</a>, and its approximately 5,000 sailors and deck of warplanes will be accompanied by cruisers and destroyers in a show of force that is meant to be ready to respond to anything, from possibly interdicting additional weapons from reaching Hamas and conducting surveillance.

The senior Defense Department official said worries about Hezbollah opening a second front of violence against Israel was the main reason for moving the ships to the Eastern Mediterranean. The official said the U.S. is deeply concerned Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed groups will make the wrong decision to try to “pile on” and widen the war.

The Norfolk, Virginia-based carrier strike group already was in the Mediterranean. Last week it was conducting naval exercises with Italy in the Ionian Sea. The carrier is in its first full deployment.

Humanitarian groups are scrambling to assist civilians caught in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-airstrikes-hostages-bf6c42f84526c4d9416978c8effd932a">war between Israel and Hamas</a>&nbsp;and determine what aid operations are still safe to continue — efforts that are being complicated by an intensified blockade of Gaza and ongoing fighting.

Two days after Hamas militants went on a rampage that took the world by surprise, Israel increased airstrikes on Gaza and blocked off food, fuel and other supplies from going into the territory, a move that raised concerns at the United Nations and among aid groups operating in the area home to 2.3 million people. Hamas, in turn, pledged to kill Israelis it abducted if the country’s military bombs civilian targets in Gaza without warning.

Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded on both sides, and aid groups operating in the region say there are needs both in Gaza and Israel.

More than 2 tons of medical supplies from the Egyptian Red Crescent have been sent to Gaza and efforts are underway to organize food and other deliveries, according to an Egyptian military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. But the United Nations and other aid groups are pleading for more access to help Palestinians who find themselves in the middle of intense fighting.

Doctors Without Borders, which is still operating in Gaza, has to rely on supplies it already has inside the territory because it can’t bring any more in, said Emmanuel Massart, a deputy desk coordinator with the organization in Brussels.

The group — which says it only runs programs in Palestinian areas since Israel has strong emergency and health services — reported Monday that it provided treatments to more than 50 people following airstrikes at the Jabalia refugee camp located north of Gaza City. In addition to helping patients in Gaza, it said it was donating medical supplies to other clinics and hospitals, which have become overcrowded with patients and are experiencing shortages of drugs and fuel that can be used for generators.

If Doctors Without Borders is not able to resupply fairly quickly, Massart said, it will run out of supplies it can use to operate on patients who might be wounded. He also said since the facilities the organization uses are running on generators due to the low supply of electricity, cutting off fuel will present a “huge problem.”

“If there is no fuel anymore, there is no medical facilities anymore because we cannot run our medical facility without the energy,” Massart said.

The war has also been deeply disruptive to work Mercy Corps has been doing to provide people in Gaza with necessities like food and water, said Arnaud Quemin, the Middle East regional director for the organization. Right now, he said the team on the ground is trying to find a scenario that would enable them to get back to work. The blockade of food and other supplies into Gaza is a major worry.

“We are very concerned with the way things are going at this point because it looks like it’s going to get worse – very soon,” Quemin said. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-airstrikes-hostages-4377e096f62bf535bebcdff38cf16049">sealing of Gaza</a>, he said, will create “humanitarian needs very quickly.”

Governments have also been weighing how to respond.

As the fighting intensified, the European Union on late Monday reversed an earlier announcement by an EU commissioner that the bloc was “immediately” suspending aid for Palestinian authorities. Instead, the 27-nation group said it would urgently review the assistance it provides in the wake of Hamas’ attacks on Israel. Two European countries — Germany and Austria — said they were suspending development aid for Palestinian areas.

Meanwhile, some organizations are stepping up aid efforts in Israel, which has seen displacement because of the violence.

Naomi Adler, CEO of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, said a trauma center in Jerusalem that’s owned by the organization is treating wounded Israeli soldiers and civilians. About 90% of the patients in the center right now are soldiers, who are typically the first to be brought in for traumatic injuries, Adler said. But the center also accepts anyone who’s wounded or injured in the country.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, a Jewish humanitarian organization, said on Sunday that it was activating its emergency response team in Israel, where it runs programs to support people with disabilities, the elderly and children and families who’ve been impacted by the war and prior conflicts. The organization said it was working with its partners, including in the Israeli government, to address what it called an unprecedented emergency.

JDC’s CEO Ariel Zwang said among other things the nonprofit is helping teachers, social workers and other caregivers provide support to those who’ve suffered trauma and tragedies from the events of the past few days. She said it will help nursey teachers, for example, explain to children why some of their classmates are suddenly missing.

“If you’re a teacher now, if you know the children are traumatized, you need special skills and special training in order to manage what you’re experiencing and provide for the emotional needs, which are extraordinary at this time, of your youngest charges,” Zwang said.

One organization that helps Palestinian children is shifting its focus, too. Steve Sosebee, the president of Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, a U.S.-based charity that helps children in need travel to the U.S. for medical treatment, said given the war, the fund is now looking away from long-term programs and toward more urgent needs for food, medication, clothing and other types of basic humanitarian aid. But like others, he noted the blockade and security risks to its Gaza staff makes it more challenging to do that.

“There are no areas of security, there are no safe havens,” Sosebee said. “And therefore, it’s very difficult for us to be out in the field providing humanitarian aid when there are no safe places from the constant bombing and attacks that are taking place over the last 72 hours.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696938143887.png" alt="The White House lit up blue and white Monday night as a symbol of the United States’ enduring support and solidarity with the people of Israel in the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks committed by Hamas.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>The White House lit up blue and white Monday night as a symbol of the United States’ enduring support and solidarity with the people of Israel in the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks committed by Hamas.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —Missouri Senator Josh Hawley reported Monday that he learned a Missouri native, a musician, wife and mother, was among those killed by Hamas terrorists in Israel, along with her husband. Officials have released no additional details.&nbsp;The U.S. has already begun delivering critically needed munitions and military equipment to Israel, the White House said Monday, as the Pentagon reviews its inventories to see what else can be sent quickly to boost its ally in the four-day-old war&nbsp;with Hamas.John Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, confirmed Monday evening that the first batch of military aid in the wake of the violent assault by Hamas militants is “making its way” to Israel.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">As we continue to account for the horrors of the terrorist assault against Israel this weekend and the hundreds of civilians murdered, we are seeing the immense scale and reach of this tragedy. Sadly, we now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed. <a href="https://t.co/64GmhuoRob">pic.twitter.com/64GmhuoRob</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1711491436011504088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The delivery came as President Joe Biden prepared to give formal remarks on the attacks from the White House on Tuesday afternoon, after he confirmed that at least 11 Americans were killed in the violence over the weekend.“We fully expect there will be additional requests for security assistance for Israel as they continue to expend munitions in this fight,” Kirby said. "We will stay in lockstep with them, making sure that we’re filling their needs as best we can and as fast as we can.”Also on Monday, a senior Defense Department official warned that the U.S. is closely watching Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed groups, noting that the decision to shift American ships in the region was to deter any of these groups from entering or expanding the conflict against Israel. The official briefed reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive shipments.The official said the U.S. is “flooding the zone” with calls and other messages so that extremist groups and other nations know they should not question America's commitment to supporting the defense of Israel. The official, however, would not comment on whether U.S. military forces would be used at all, and Kirby later emphasized that “there is no intention to put U.S. boots on the ground.”Meanwhile, Kirby said U.S. officials have yet to identify a direct link from the Hamas militants who executed this weekend's deadly attacks to Iran itself, although the country has a “degree of complicity” considering its long support for the group.While the Pentagon official said the U.S. has the ability to supply weapons to Ukraine and Israel and maintain security for America, the rapid delivery of munitions to the new war has raised concerns.Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Congress must pass more funding quickly for the U.S. to be able to give both Israel and Ukraine the weapons and munitions they both now need.“The intent is to lean forward in support of Israel,” she said. "But in particular with munitions and the ability to support Israel and Ukraine simultaneously, additional funding is needed to increase our capacity to expand production and then also pay for the munitions themselves.”At the White House, officials were more cautious, emphasizing that the U.S. government has existing funding to support Israel for the time being. But it was becoming clear that the administration is now facing potentially competing requests from Israel and Ukraine for additional weaponry.“If we need — and it's an ‘if’, but — if we need to go back to Capitol Hill for additional funding support for Israel, we will absolutely do that," Kirby said. Referring to Israel and Ukraine, he added, “We are a large enough, big enough, economically viable and vibrant enough country to be able to support both.”On Capitol Hill, both Republican and Democratic lawmakers expressed support for Israel, although immediate congressional action was virtually impossible with the House remaining without a speaker and the Senate out of Washington until next week. Also uncertain is whether the debate over further assistance to Ukraine, which is opposed by a group of hard-right Republicans, will complicate efforts to pass assistance for Israel.Wormuth, speaking at the annual Association of the United States Army conference in Washington, said the administration is still “in the early stage of the process of evaluating our ability to support what the IDF needs,” referring to the Israel Defense Forces. She did not provide details, but Doug Bush, the Army's assistant secretary for acquisition, told reporters at the conference that conversations are underway about what the U.S. can provide. He said it likely will be a wide range of equipment, from small arms to sophisticated munitions.Most of the weaponry sent already to help Ukraine has come from Army stocks and defense contractors at a rate that has challenged the global supply chain, and while the Army has recently ramped up production of some critical lines, such as 155 mm ammunition for howitzers, they are not yet at full speed.With a new ground offensive in Gaza imminent following the Saturday surprise attack by Hamas, Army officials said Monday they were concerned about the ability to meet additional demand for ground munitions and Congress needed to act quickly to provide help in time.In addition to the 11 American citizens whose deaths Biden confirmed, an undetermined number remain unaccounted for. It was not yet clear if the missing are dead, in hiding, or had been taken hostage.Biden said the U.S. believes it is likely that American citizens may be among those being held hostage by Hamas, but officials are working to confirm that.“I have directed my team to work with their Israeli counterparts on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to consult with and advise Israeli counterparts on hostage recovery efforts,” Biden said in a statement.To underscore U.S. solidarity with Israel, the White House was lit in the blue and white colors of the Israeli flag on Monday night.The attack by Hamas and Israel's retaliation&nbsp;<a href="https://interactives.ap.org/embeds/DHsmN/8/">have left more than 1,600 dead and thousands wounded on both sides</a>.In the aftermath of the Hamas attack, the White House has asked Senate leaders to fast track confirmation of President Joe Biden’s nominee to be the next ambassador to Israel, former Obama-era Treasury Secretary and White House chief of staff Jack Lew, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity. The White House has received assurances that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will push forward hearings for Lew, the official added. The U.S. has been without an ambassador since the departure of Ambassador Tom Nides in July.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Sunday he has ordered the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn78/">Ford carrier strike group</a>&nbsp;to sail to the Eastern Mediterranean to be ready to assist Israel. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-nato-norfolk-atlantic-ocean-us-navy-58217f23b761574fde9fb1adc8422aee">USS Gerald R. Ford</a>, the Navy’s newest and most advanced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn78/">aircraft carrier</a>, and its approximately 5,000 sailors and deck of warplanes will be accompanied by cruisers and destroyers in a show of force that is meant to be ready to respond to anything, from possibly interdicting additional weapons from reaching Hamas and conducting surveillance.The senior Defense Department official said worries about Hezbollah opening a second front of violence against Israel was the main reason for moving the ships to the Eastern Mediterranean. The official said the U.S. is deeply concerned Hezbollah and other Iranian-backed groups will make the wrong decision to try to “pile on” and widen the war.The Norfolk, Virginia-based carrier strike group already was in the Mediterranean. Last week it was conducting naval exercises with Italy in the Ionian Sea. The carrier is in its first full deployment._____ Humanitarian groups are scrambling to assist civilians caught in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-airstrikes-hostages-bf6c42f84526c4d9416978c8effd932a">war between Israel and Hamas</a>&nbsp;and determine what aid operations are still safe to continue — efforts that are being complicated by an intensified blockade of Gaza and ongoing fighting.Two days after Hamas militants went on a rampage that took the world by surprise, Israel increased airstrikes on Gaza and blocked off food, fuel and other supplies from going into the territory, a move that raised concerns at the United Nations and among aid groups operating in the area home to 2.3 million people. Hamas, in turn, pledged to kill Israelis it abducted if the country’s military bombs civilian targets in Gaza without warning.Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded on both sides, and aid groups operating in the region say there are needs both in Gaza and Israel.More than 2 tons of medical supplies from the Egyptian Red Crescent have been sent to Gaza and efforts are underway to organize food and other deliveries, according to an Egyptian military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. But the United Nations and other aid groups are pleading for more access to help Palestinians who find themselves in the middle of intense fighting.Doctors Without Borders, which is still operating in Gaza, has to rely on supplies it already has inside the territory because it can’t bring any more in, said Emmanuel Massart, a deputy desk coordinator with the organization in Brussels.The group — which says it only runs programs in Palestinian areas since Israel has strong emergency and health services — reported Monday that it provided treatments to more than 50 people following airstrikes at the Jabalia refugee camp located north of Gaza City. In addition to helping patients in Gaza, it said it was donating medical supplies to other clinics and hospitals, which have become overcrowded with patients and are experiencing shortages of drugs and fuel that can be used for generators.If Doctors Without Borders is not able to resupply fairly quickly, Massart said, it will run out of supplies it can use to operate on patients who might be wounded. He also said since the facilities the organization uses are running on generators due to the low supply of electricity, cutting off fuel will present a “huge problem.”“If there is no fuel anymore, there is no medical facilities anymore because we cannot run our medical facility without the energy,” Massart said.The war has also been deeply disruptive to work Mercy Corps has been doing to provide people in Gaza with necessities like food and water, said Arnaud Quemin, the Middle East regional director for the organization. Right now, he said the team on the ground is trying to find a scenario that would enable them to get back to work. The blockade of food and other supplies into Gaza is a major worry.“We are very concerned with the way things are going at this point because it looks like it’s going to get worse – very soon,” Quemin said. The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-airstrikes-hostages-4377e096f62bf535bebcdff38cf16049">sealing of Gaza</a>, he said, will create “humanitarian needs very quickly.”Governments have also been weighing how to respond.As the fighting intensified, the European Union on late Monday reversed an earlier announcement by an EU commissioner that the bloc was “immediately” suspending aid for Palestinian authorities. Instead, the 27-nation group said it would urgently review the assistance it provides in the wake of Hamas’ attacks on Israel. Two European countries — Germany and Austria — said they were suspending development aid for Palestinian areas.Meanwhile, some organizations are stepping up aid efforts in Israel, which has seen displacement because of the violence.Naomi Adler, CEO of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, said a trauma center in Jerusalem that’s owned by the organization is treating wounded Israeli soldiers and civilians. About 90% of the patients in the center right now are soldiers, who are typically the first to be brought in for traumatic injuries, Adler said. But the center also accepts anyone who’s wounded or injured in the country.The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, a Jewish humanitarian organization, said on Sunday that it was activating its emergency response team in Israel, where it runs programs to support people with disabilities, the elderly and children and families who’ve been impacted by the war and prior conflicts. The organization said it was working with its partners, including in the Israeli government, to address what it called an unprecedented emergency.JDC’s CEO Ariel Zwang said among other things the nonprofit is helping teachers, social workers and other caregivers provide support to those who’ve suffered trauma and tragedies from the events of the past few days. She said it will help nursey teachers, for example, explain to children why some of their classmates are suddenly missing.“If you’re a teacher now, if you know the children are traumatized, you need special skills and special training in order to manage what you’re experiencing and provide for the emotional needs, which are extraordinary at this time, of your youngest charges,” Zwang said.One organization that helps Palestinian children is shifting its focus, too. Steve Sosebee, the president of Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, a U.S.-based charity that helps children in need travel to the U.S. for medical treatment, said given the war, the fund is now looking away from long-term programs and toward more urgent needs for food, medication, clothing and other types of basic humanitarian aid. But like others, he noted the blockade and security risks to its Gaza staff makes it more challenging to do that.“There are no areas of security, there are no safe havens,” Sosebee said. “And therefore, it’s very difficult for us to be out in the field providing humanitarian aid when there are no safe places from the constant bombing and attacks that are taking place over the last 72 hours.”

Senator: Missouri native among those killed by terrorists in Israel

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After a month, Kansas murder suspect still hiding from police

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has been interviewed as part of an independent investigation into his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-812ef44a5333f6d93423a67a683fa024">handling of classified documents</a>, the White House said late Monday. It's a possible sign that the investigation is nearing its end.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-hur-special-counsel-biden-d715ffd26adc75f2ba740d1960936a09">Special counsel Robert Hur</a>&nbsp;is examining the improper retention of classified documents by Biden from his time as a U.S. senator and as vice president that were found at his Delaware home, as well as at a private office that he used in between his service in the Obama administration and becoming president.

Biden has said he was unaware he had the documents and that "&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-wilmington-merrick-garland-f2384a87dcddbd38796f63e1269c6baf">there's no there there.</a>&nbsp;”

Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the White House counsel's office, said in a statement that the interview was voluntary and conducted at the White House on Sunday and Monday.

Hur's office likely asked to interview Biden sometime after Aug. 25.

Asked at that time if he planned to sit for an interview with the special counsel, Biden replied, “There's no such request and no such interest.”

The interview could signal that the special counsel investigation is nearing its conclusion.

In 2016, then-FBI Director James Comey announced his recommendation against criminal charges for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. the Democratic presidential nominee, over her handling of classified information just three days after agents interviewed her at FBI headquarters.

Investigators with Hur's office have already cast a broad net in the Biden probe, interviewing a wide range of witnesses about their knowledge of the handling of classified documents.

In his statement, Sams reiterated that Biden and the White House were cooperating. He referred any questions to the Justice Department.

“As we have said from the beginning, the President and the White House are cooperating with this investigation, and as it has been appropriate, we have provided relevant updates publicly, being as transparent as we can consistent with protecting and preserving the integrity of the investigation,” Sams said. "We would refer other questions to the Justice Department at this time.”

Attorney General Merrick Garland in January 2023 named Hur, a former U.S. attorney for Maryland, to handle the politically sensitive Justice Department inquiry in an attempt to avoid conflicts of interest.

It is one of three recent Justice Department investigations into the handling of classified documents.

The investigation into Biden is separate from special counsel Jack Smith’s probe into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-37a360519244eb3c211a56cd9355adc8">handling of classified documents by former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;after he left the White House. Smith’s team has charged Trump with illegally retaining top secret records at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida and then obstructing government efforts to get them back. Trump has said he did nothing wrong.

No evidence has emerged to suggest that Biden engaged in comparable conduct or willfully held onto records he wasn’t supposed to have.

Questioned in January about the discovery, Biden told reporters that the documents were immediately turned over to the National Archives and the Justice Department. He said he was cooperating fully with the investigation and was “looking forward to getting this resolved quickly.”

“I think you’re going to find there’s nothing there,” he said. “There’s no there there.”

In June, the Justice Department informed former Vice President Mike Pence's legal team that it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-classified-documents-doj-criminal-investigation-campaign-trump-af4ff0d829e32bf33a60e7a2197c761b">would not pursue criminal charges against him</a>&nbsp;related to the discovery of classified documents at his Indiana home. The news came as Pence finalized plans to launch his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

About a dozen documents with classified markings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-classified-documents-791bba57abaf50377f0938f0d293f36e">were discovered at Pence’s home in January</a>&nbsp;after he asked his lawyers to search his vice presidential belongings “out of an abundance of caution” after the Biden discovery. The items had been “inadvertently boxed and transported” to Pence’s home at the end of the last administration, Pence’s lawyer, Greg Jacob, wrote in a letter to the National Archives.

The FBI then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-michael-pence-classified-documents-indiana-7b3bfba7cdd8d9d8fd828045ab3208e6">discovered an additional document</a>&nbsp;with classified markings at the Indiana house during its own search the following month.

Pence repeatedly had said he was unaware of the documents’ existence, but that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-united-states-government-michael-pence-classified-documents-donald-trump-c4b11d44f11605ccb055a77d54eb2303">“mistakes were made"</a>&nbsp;in his handling of classified material.

It is hardly unprecedented for sitting presidents to be interviewed in criminal investigations.

President George W. Bush sat for a 70-minute interview as part of an investigation into the leak of the identify of a CIA operative. President Bill Clinton in 1998 underwent more than four hours of questioning from independent counsel Kenneth Starr before a federal grand jury.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673546739694.png" alt="Biden backing his Corvette into the garage next to stacks of boxes where classified documents were found-image from a 2020 Biden for President campaign ad&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Biden backing his Corvette into the garage next to stacks of boxes where classified documents were found-image from a 2020 Biden for President campaign ad&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has been interviewed as part of an independent investigation into his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-812ef44a5333f6d93423a67a683fa024">handling of classified documents</a>, the White House said late Monday. It's a possible sign that the investigation is nearing its end.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/who-is-robert-hur-special-counsel-biden-d715ffd26adc75f2ba740d1960936a09">Special counsel Robert Hur</a>&nbsp;is examining the improper retention of classified documents by Biden from his time as a U.S. senator and as vice president that were found at his Delaware home, as well as at a private office that he used in between his service in the Obama administration and becoming president.Biden has said he was unaware he had the documents and that "&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-wilmington-merrick-garland-f2384a87dcddbd38796f63e1269c6baf">there's no there there.</a>&nbsp;”Ian Sams, a spokesperson for the White House counsel's office, said in a statement that the interview was voluntary and conducted at the White House on Sunday and Monday.Hur's office likely asked to interview Biden sometime after Aug. 25.Asked at that time if he planned to sit for an interview with the special counsel, Biden replied, “There's no such request and no such interest.”The interview could signal that the special counsel investigation is nearing its conclusion.In 2016, then-FBI Director James Comey announced his recommendation against criminal charges for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. the Democratic presidential nominee, over her handling of classified information just three days after agents interviewed her at FBI headquarters.Investigators with Hur's office have already cast a broad net in the Biden probe, interviewing a wide range of witnesses about their knowledge of the handling of classified documents.In his statement, Sams reiterated that Biden and the White House were cooperating. He referred any questions to the Justice Department.“As we have said from the beginning, the President and the White House are cooperating with this investigation, and as it has been appropriate, we have provided relevant updates publicly, being as transparent as we can consistent with protecting and preserving the integrity of the investigation,” Sams said. "We would refer other questions to the Justice Department at this time.”Attorney General Merrick Garland in January 2023 named Hur, a former U.S. attorney for Maryland, to handle the politically sensitive Justice Department inquiry in an attempt to avoid conflicts of interest.It is one of three recent Justice Department investigations into the handling of classified documents.The investigation into Biden is separate from special counsel Jack Smith’s probe into the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-37a360519244eb3c211a56cd9355adc8">handling of classified documents by former President Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;after he left the White House. Smith’s team has charged Trump with illegally retaining top secret records at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida and then obstructing government efforts to get them back. Trump has said he did nothing wrong.No evidence has emerged to suggest that Biden engaged in comparable conduct or willfully held onto records he wasn’t supposed to have.Questioned in January about the discovery, Biden told reporters that the documents were immediately turned over to the National Archives and the Justice Department. He said he was cooperating fully with the investigation and was “looking forward to getting this resolved quickly.”“I think you’re going to find there’s nothing there,” he said. “There’s no there there.”In June, the Justice Department informed former Vice President Mike Pence's legal team that it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-classified-documents-doj-criminal-investigation-campaign-trump-af4ff0d829e32bf33a60e7a2197c761b">would not pursue criminal charges against him</a>&nbsp;related to the discovery of classified documents at his Indiana home. The news came as Pence finalized plans to launch his campaign for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.About a dozen documents with classified markings&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-classified-documents-791bba57abaf50377f0938f0d293f36e">were discovered at Pence’s home in January</a>&nbsp;after he asked his lawyers to search his vice presidential belongings “out of an abundance of caution” after the Biden discovery. The items had been “inadvertently boxed and transported” to Pence’s home at the end of the last administration, Pence’s lawyer, Greg Jacob, wrote in a letter to the National Archives.The FBI then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-michael-pence-classified-documents-indiana-7b3bfba7cdd8d9d8fd828045ab3208e6">discovered an additional document</a>&nbsp;with classified markings at the Indiana house during its own search the following month.Pence repeatedly had said he was unaware of the documents’ existence, but that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-united-states-government-michael-pence-classified-documents-donald-trump-c4b11d44f11605ccb055a77d54eb2303">“mistakes were made"</a>&nbsp;in his handling of classified material.It is hardly unprecedented for sitting presidents to be interviewed in criminal investigations.President George W. Bush sat for a 70-minute interview as part of an investigation into the leak of the identify of a CIA operative. President Bill Clinton in 1998 underwent more than four hours of questioning from independent counsel Kenneth Starr before a federal grand jury.

Biden interviewed by special counsel in classified documents case

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and searching for a suspect.

Just before 5p.m. Monday,&nbsp;police were dispatched to the area of the 7800 block of 86th Street southeast of Kansas City in Raytown for a report of a man who was shot. 

First responders located a man with apparent gunshot wounds. EMS transported him to a local area hospital. No one is in custody.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and searching for a suspect.Just before 5p.m. Monday,&nbsp;police were dispatched to the area of the 7800 block of 86th Street southeast of Kansas City in Raytown for a report of a man who was shot. First responders located a man with apparent gunshot wounds. EMS transported him to a local area hospital. No one is in custody.

Police search for suspect in KC-area shooting

TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly and Attorney General Kris Kobach jointly released a statement Monday in response to the recent attacks against the Israeli people.

“Like all Kansans, we are sickened and angered by the images and accounts of Hamas terrorists attacking, killing, kidnapping, and brutalizing Israeli men, women, and children. We condemn these acts of terrorism and extend our deepest sympathies to the Israeli people. We want Kansans to know that their law enforcement, emergency management, and homeland security officials are closely watching the conflict and guarding against any potential threats to the safety of our Jewish communities.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696679013332.png" alt="Palestinians wave their national flag and celebrate by a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis southern Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. . (AP Photo/Yousef Masoud)" />
 <figcaption>Palestinians wave their national flag and celebrate by a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis southern Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. . (AP Photo/Yousef Masoud)</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA&nbsp;–&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly and Attorney General Kris Kobach jointly released a statement Monday in response to the recent attacks against the Israeli people.“Like all Kansans, we are sickened and angered by the images and accounts of Hamas terrorists attacking, killing, kidnapping, and brutalizing Israeli men, women, and children. We condemn these acts of terrorism and extend our deepest sympathies to the Israeli people. We want Kansans to know that their law enforcement, emergency management, and homeland security officials are closely watching the conflict and guarding against any potential threats to the safety of our Jewish communities.”

Kan. Democrat Gov., Republican AG issue joint statement on Israel

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.73 billion after no one matched the game’s six numbers Monday and won the giant prize.

The winning numbers announced were: 16, 34, 46, 55, 67 and the Powerball 14.

There has been no winner for 35 consecutive drawings, since the last time someone won the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-winner-california-9f0e98a47c96c2b3087a68b33195dd50">top prize on July 19</a>. That streak trails the record of 41 draws set in 2021 and 2022. The largest jackpot ever was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lotteries-iowa-36ef3aefbbc37a15e1c5f172129fa6a6">$2.04 billion Powerball</a>&nbsp;prize hit by a player in California in November 2022.

The scarcity of Powerball jackpot winners reflects the game’s daunting odds of 1 in 292.2 million.

The $1.73 billion prize is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity, with annual checks over 30 years. Most jackpot winners opt for cash, which for the next drawing Wednesday night would be an estimated $756.6 million.

Federal taxes eat into the winnings, and some states also tax big lottery prizes.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.73 billion after no one matched the game’s six numbers Monday and won the giant prize.The winning numbers announced were: 16, 34, 46, 55, 67 and the Powerball 14.There has been no winner for 35 consecutive drawings, since the last time someone won the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-winner-california-9f0e98a47c96c2b3087a68b33195dd50">top prize on July 19</a>. That streak trails the record of 41 draws set in 2021 and 2022. The largest jackpot ever was a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lotteries-iowa-36ef3aefbbc37a15e1c5f172129fa6a6">$2.04 billion Powerball</a>&nbsp;prize hit by a player in California in November 2022.The scarcity of Powerball jackpot winners reflects the game’s daunting odds of 1 in 292.2 million.The $1.73 billion prize is for a sole winner who is paid through an annuity, with annual checks over 30 years. Most jackpot winners opt for cash, which for the next drawing Wednesday night would be an estimated $756.6 million.Federal taxes eat into the winnings, and some states also tax big lottery prizes.

Powerball jackpot up to $1.73 billion as lottery losing streak continues

KANSAS CITY – A man is going to prison for his sexual exploitation of an 11-year-old child victim in Minnesota.

Jeffrey Scott Saltkill, 36, Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole, according to the United State's Attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696897764207.png" alt="Saltkill-photo Greene Co." />
 <figcaption>Saltkill-photo Greene Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – A man is going to prison for his sexual exploitation of an 11-year-old child victim in Minnesota.Jeffrey Scott Saltkill, 36, Springfield, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 20 years in federal prison without parole, according to the United State's Attorney. Saltkill will be required to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison and will be subject to federal and state sex offender registration requirements, which may apply throughout his life.On Dec. 1, 2022, Saltkill pleaded guilty to one count of the sexual exploitation of children. Saltkill admitted that he communicated online and via text with an 11-year-old Minnesota girl after she posted her cell phone number on the chat website Omegle. Posing as two separate persons (including a teenage boy), Saltkill engaged in graphic sexual conversations and exchanged pornographic images with the child victim. She gave Saltkill the name of her town and school, and he indicated that he would visit her in person.When the child victim’s mother handed her daughter’s cell phone over to law enforcement, an undercover FBI agent responded to Saltkill, using the persona of the child victim. Saltkill told the undercover agent that he was in the child victim’s town, but the undercover agent told him they were out of town. Saltkill continued to communicate with the undercover agent, whom he believed to be the child victim, sending links to videos of adult pornography and urging her to engage in sexual activity.Law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at Saltkill’s residence. Saltkill told investigators that he was addicted to communicating with children and obtaining pornographic images. He said he had similar sexual communications with four or five additional minors within the last two years.&nbsp;