ROCHEPORT, Mo. (AP) — Onlookers online and on the banks of the Missouri River had to wait more than an hour to watch officials use explosives to drop a historic steel trestle bridge into the river that for years carried cars across the waterway along I-70.

The blast just southeast of Rocheport, Missouri, which is is about 115 miles (185.07 kilometers) east of Kansas City, was delayed by fog Sunday morning. The demolition that was scheduled for 7:30 a.m. finally happened shortly before 9 a.m. after the view was clear.

A small crowd of onlookers gathered along the banks of the river to watch the destruction with some of their heads temporarily blocking the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/RocheportBridge">livestream</a>&nbsp;the Missouri Department of Transportation operated. Many others logged on from across the country to watch online. The feed switched to a wide shot that showed the entire bridge before the explosives were triggered.

The state said crews will work to remove the roughly 1,100-foot-long (335-meter-long) bridge from the river within 24 hours to clear the channel for boat and barge traffic.

Cars along Interstate 70 were already rerouted onto a new westbound bridge earlier this summer although the busy highway was temporarily blocked off during Sunday's demolition. A new $220 million bridge is scheduled to be completed by December 2024.

ROCHEPORT, Mo. (AP) — Onlookers online and on the banks of the Missouri River had to wait more than an hour to watch officials use explosives to drop a historic steel trestle bridge into the river that for years carried cars across the waterway along I-70.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OMVL9p2VUGU?si=rBJs4HB9qeFvBfXg&amp;start=1524" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The blast just southeast of Rocheport, Missouri, which is is about 115 miles (185.07 kilometers) east of Kansas City, was delayed by fog Sunday morning. The demolition that was scheduled for 7:30 a.m. finally happened shortly before 9 a.m. after the view was clear.A small crowd of onlookers gathered along the banks of the river to watch the destruction with some of their heads temporarily blocking the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.modot.org/RocheportBridge">livestream</a>&nbsp;the Missouri Department of Transportation operated. Many others logged on from across the country to watch online. The feed switched to a wide shot that showed the entire bridge before the explosives were triggered.The state said crews will work to remove the roughly 1,100-foot-long (335-meter-long) bridge from the river within 24 hours to clear the channel for boat and barge traffic.Cars along Interstate 70 were already rerouted onto a new westbound bridge earlier this summer although the busy highway was temporarily blocked off during Sunday's demolition. A new $220 million bridge is scheduled to be completed by December 2024.

🎥Explosives drop steel trestle bridge into the water along I-70

By JASON HANCOCK,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>

A federal appeals court in Louisiana agreed on Friday evening with Missouri’s attorney general that the Biden administration “ran afoul of the First Amendment” by threatening social media platforms over posts spreading misinformation.&nbsp;

But the three-judge panel of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/10/appeals-court-weighs-limits-on-biden-administration-contact-with-social-media-platforms/#:~:text=Attorneys%20for%20the%20Biden%20administration,information%20deemed%20harmful%20or%20misleading.">5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans</a>&nbsp;concluded a lower court’s wide-ranging order barring the federal government from communicating with social media companies was “vague and broader than necessary.”

The appeals court’s Friday order vacated much of the lower court’s injunction, with the exception of a provision it narrowed concerning alleged coercion.

“As an initial matter, it is axiomatic that an injunction is overbroad if it enjoins a defendant from engaging in legal conduct,” Friday’s ruling said. “Nine of the preliminary injunction’s 10 prohibitions risk doing just that. Moreover, many of the provisions are duplicative of each other and thus unnecessary.”

The lawsuit was filed last year by former Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. It alleges the federal government colluded with social media companies like Twitter and Facebook to suppress the freedom of speech.

U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty ruled July 4 that officials under both Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-limits-biden-administration-contact-with-social-media-platforms-in-censorship-case/">coerced social media companies to censor content over concerns it would fuel vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic or upend elections</a>.

Doughty, a Trump appointee, said the “widespread censorship campaign” violated the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment’s free speech guarantees. His order barred government agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, from contacting social media companies “for the purpose of urging, encouraging, pressuring or inducing in any manner the removal, deletion, suppression or reduction of content containing protected free speech.”

The Biden administration quickly appealed, and the 5th Circuit temporarily put the judge’s ruling on hold.

Friday’s order will not go into effect for 10 days, giving federal officials time to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.&nbsp;

Despite the appeals court limiting restrictions on the Biden administration, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey declared victory.&nbsp;

“Missouri will continue to lead the way in the fight to defend our most fundamental freedoms,” Bailey said in an emailed statement.&nbsp;

While the court limited the restrictions, Friday’s order pilloried the Biden administration’s efforts to combat misinformation by pressuring social media companies to remove posts.&nbsp;

“ …officials made express threats and, at the very least, leaned into the inherent authority of the president’s office,” Friday’s ruling stated.” The officials made inflammatory accusations, such as saying that the platforms were ‘poison[ing]’ the public, and ‘killing people.’ The platforms were told they needed to take greater responsibility and action. Then, they followed their statements with threats of ‘fundamental reforms’ like regulatory changes and increased enforcement actions that would ensure the platforms were ‘held accountable.’”

Jenin Younes, a lawyer with the New Civil Liberties Alliance, an organization representing individual plaintiffs in the case, said Friday’s ruling is a win for free speech.

“The government cannot coerce or encourage social media companies to censor views it dislikes,” Younes said.

The lawsuit has garnered widespread attention, and attracted co-plaintiffs with long histories of spreading misinformation and debunked conspiracy theories.

That includes Jim Hoft, founder of the right-wing conspiracy website Gateway Pundit, who was added to the lawsuit in August and has built a career on promulgating conspiracies on a wide range of topics, from the 2018 Parkland school shooting to former President Barack Obama’s birth certificate.

More recently, Hoft has been among the biggest purveyors of election fraud lies. He currently faces&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/28/missouri-lawsuit-isnt-the-only-defamation-case-against-far-right-site-gateway-pundit/">defamation lawsuit in St. Louis circuit court</a>&nbsp;filed by two Georgia election workers who faced death threats following Gateway Pundit’s false stories about a vote-rigging scheme.&nbsp;

The lawsuit also attracted support from&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/12/06/anti-vaxxers-seek-to-intervene-in-missouri-ag-eric-schmitts-social-media-lawsuit/">presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr</a>., who has a long history of promoting medical misinformation such as the idea that vaccines cause autism and Wi-Fi causes cancer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1578090484280.jpeg" alt="-The lawsuit alleges the federal government colluded with social media companies like Twitter and Facebook&nbsp;o suppress the freedom of speech." />
 <figcaption>-The lawsuit alleges the federal government colluded with social media companies like Twitter and Facebook&nbsp;o suppress the freedom of speech.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JASON HANCOCK,&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/02/20/state-senator-throws-first-punches-of-2024-missouri-governors-campaign/">Missouri Independent</a>A federal appeals court in Louisiana agreed on Friday evening with Missouri’s attorney general that the Biden administration “ran afoul of the First Amendment” by threatening social media platforms over posts spreading misinformation.&nbsp;But the three-judge panel of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/08/10/appeals-court-weighs-limits-on-biden-administration-contact-with-social-media-platforms/#:~:text=Attorneys%20for%20the%20Biden%20administration,information%20deemed%20harmful%20or%20misleading.">5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans</a>&nbsp;concluded a lower court’s wide-ranging order barring the federal government from communicating with social media companies was “vague and broader than necessary.”The appeals court’s Friday order vacated much of the lower court’s injunction, with the exception of a provision it narrowed concerning alleged coercion.“As an initial matter, it is axiomatic that an injunction is overbroad if it enjoins a defendant from engaging in legal conduct,” Friday’s ruling said. “Nine of the preliminary injunction’s 10 prohibitions risk doing just that. Moreover, many of the provisions are duplicative of each other and thus unnecessary.”The lawsuit was filed last year by former Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. It alleges the federal government colluded with social media companies like Twitter and Facebook to suppress the freedom of speech.U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty ruled July 4 that officials under both Democratic President Joe Biden and Republican President Donald Trump&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-limits-biden-administration-contact-with-social-media-platforms-in-censorship-case/">coerced social media companies to censor content over concerns it would fuel vaccine hesitancy during the COVID-19 pandemic or upend elections</a>.Doughty, a Trump appointee, said the “widespread censorship campaign” violated the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment’s free speech guarantees. His order barred government agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, from contacting social media companies “for the purpose of urging, encouraging, pressuring or inducing in any manner the removal, deletion, suppression or reduction of content containing protected free speech.”The Biden administration quickly appealed, and the 5th Circuit temporarily put the judge’s ruling on hold.Friday’s order will not go into effect for 10 days, giving federal officials time to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.&nbsp;Despite the appeals court limiting restrictions on the Biden administration, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey declared victory.&nbsp;“Missouri will continue to lead the way in the fight to defend our most fundamental freedoms,” Bailey said in an emailed statement.&nbsp;While the court limited the restrictions, Friday’s order pilloried the Biden administration’s efforts to combat misinformation by pressuring social media companies to remove posts.&nbsp;“ …officials made express threats and, at the very least, leaned into the inherent authority of the president’s office,” Friday’s ruling stated.” The officials made inflammatory accusations, such as saying that the platforms were ‘poison[ing]’ the public, and ‘killing people.’ The platforms were told they needed to take greater responsibility and action. Then, they followed their statements with threats of ‘fundamental reforms’ like regulatory changes and increased enforcement actions that would ensure the platforms were ‘held accountable.’”Jenin Younes, a lawyer with the New Civil Liberties Alliance, an organization representing individual plaintiffs in the case, said Friday’s ruling is a win for free speech.“The government cannot coerce or encourage social media companies to censor views it dislikes,” Younes said.The lawsuit has garnered widespread attention, and attracted co-plaintiffs with long histories of spreading misinformation and debunked conspiracy theories.That includes Jim Hoft, founder of the right-wing conspiracy website Gateway Pundit, who was added to the lawsuit in August and has built a career on promulgating conspiracies on a wide range of topics, from the 2018 Parkland school shooting to former President Barack Obama’s birth certificate.More recently, Hoft has been among the biggest purveyors of election fraud lies. He currently faces&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/04/28/missouri-lawsuit-isnt-the-only-defamation-case-against-far-right-site-gateway-pundit/">defamation lawsuit in St. Louis circuit court</a>&nbsp;filed by two Georgia election workers who faced death threats following Gateway Pundit’s false stories about a vote-rigging scheme.&nbsp;The lawsuit also attracted support from&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/2022/12/06/anti-vaxxers-seek-to-intervene-in-missouri-ag-eric-schmitts-social-media-lawsuit/">presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr</a>., who has a long history of promoting medical misinformation such as the idea that vaccines cause autism and Wi-Fi causes cancer.

Court reduces restrictions on Biden admin. contact with social media platforms

DOUGLAS COUNTY–Authorities are investigating a potential hazardous materials leak in Douglas County.

Just after 10:30 a.m. on Saturday Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical (LDCFM) was dispatched to a reported leak of an unknown substance from a rail car that was parked on a siding near the 400 block of Locust Street in the North Lawrence neighborhood, according to&nbsp;Fire Chief Rich Llewellyn 

Members of the LDCFM’s Hazardous Materials Team responded to the incident and made contact with a witness who indicated that the rail car had started to leak a few days earlier. Procedures were immediately initiated to contain and mitigate the spill. 

The national chemical response call center CHEMTREC was consulted and based on the markings on the railcar, identified that the leaking material was a Magnesium Chloride solution. This product is regularly applied to non-paved roads for dust abatement and to paved roads for deicing purposes.

Information provided by CHEMTREK confirmed that this product presents no hazard to the community.

Douglas County Emergency Management, City of Lawernce Municipal Services &amp; Operations, Union Pacific Railroad, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are cooperating in this response. 

This joint effort aims to ensure that the cleanup process is conducted in accordance with all necessary regulations and guidelines, minimizing any potential impact on the community and the environment.

There is no ongoing leak from the rail car and there is no hazard to the surrounding area. LDCFM will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety and well-being of the community, according to&nbsp;Fire Chief Llewellyn 

There have been no injuries reported from the incident response.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694292153180.png" alt="Photo Lawrence-Douglas Co. Fire&nbsp; and Medical" />
 <figcaption>Photo Lawrence-Douglas Co. Fire&nbsp; and Medical</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY–Authorities are investigating a potential hazardous materials leak in Douglas County.Just after 10:30 a.m. on Saturday Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical (LDCFM) was dispatched to a reported leak of an unknown substance from a rail car that was parked on a siding near the 400 block of Locust Street in the North Lawrence neighborhood, according to&nbsp;Fire Chief Rich Llewellyn Members of the LDCFM’s Hazardous Materials Team responded to the incident and made contact with a witness who indicated that the rail car had started to leak a few days earlier. Procedures were immediately initiated to contain and mitigate the spill. The national chemical response call center CHEMTREC was consulted and based on the markings on the railcar, identified that the leaking material was a Magnesium Chloride solution. This product is regularly applied to non-paved roads for dust abatement and to paved roads for deicing purposes.Information provided by CHEMTREK confirmed that this product presents no hazard to the community.Douglas County Emergency Management, City of Lawernce Municipal Services &amp; Operations, Union Pacific Railroad, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are cooperating in this response. This joint effort aims to ensure that the cleanup process is conducted in accordance with all necessary regulations and guidelines, minimizing any potential impact on the community and the environment.There is no ongoing leak from the rail car and there is no hazard to the surrounding area. LDCFM will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety and well-being of the community, according to&nbsp;Fire Chief Llewellyn There have been no injuries reported from the incident response.&nbsp;

Crews respond to substance leak from rail car in Kansas

Manhattan hit hottest temperature recorded, at 115 degrees

By ALLISON KITE,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/epa-estimates-more-than-54000-lead-pipes-remain-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Intolerable heat and humidity that hovered over Kansas last month set daily maximum temperature records across the state and rivaled all-time highs.

The heat that drove readings into the 110s and heat indices even higher served as a preview of what could become even more severe and frequent weather events as the effects of climate change worsen.&nbsp;

“This is an extreme event, but it’s not a one-off,” said Jason Furtado, an associate professor of meteorology at the University of Oklahoma. “These are things that, unfortunately, we’re going to have to be contending with.”

In late August, a “heat dome” or high pressure system, sat over the central U.S. for days on end, bringing unrelenting heat and humidity that fogged up windows and drove the heat index in Lawrence to 134 degrees. The average high temperature in Kansas on Aug. 19 spiked at 105 degrees, and several sites across the state climbed into the 110s.&nbsp;

The hottest temperature recorded that week in Kansas was on Aug. 19, when Manhattan reached 115 degrees, the highest maximum temperature ever recorded at that site, which is part of the Kansas Mesonet, a network of weather stations across the state. Manhattan was one of three sites that recorded its highest temperature of all time between Aug. 19 and 25.&nbsp;

The all-time high temperature recorded in Kansas came during the Dust Bowl, when Alton and Fredonia hit 121 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.&nbsp;

While not the hottest ever, the August heat wave was striking because of the humidity that drove up heat indices — a measure of how hot the air feels because of the humidity.&nbsp;

The water-vapor like air can be perilous for human health.&nbsp;

Bryan Beaver, EMS physician advisor at the University of Kansas Health System, said in an interview during the heatwave that doctors were seeing a surge of patients with heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.&nbsp;

“I would say that this is definitely one of the worst we’ve had —&nbsp;certainly in a few years,” Beaver said.&nbsp;

The National Weather Service reported the August heat wave resulted in the most consecutive days with maximum temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in more than a decade in Wichita and Salina.&nbsp;

The heat index in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, reached more than 115 degrees for five straight days, breaking the previous three-day record set in 1995.&nbsp;

Matthew Sittel, assistant climatologist, said Cherokee County in southeast Kansas saw heat indices above 105 degrees for a week straight.&nbsp;

“If I’m going to pick the place that I don’t want to be, that would be the one,” he said. “… The cumulative effects of being subjected to those extremes are potentially lethal.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690557180875.jpeg" alt="Heat records were set across Kansas last month as both temperatures and humidity soared.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Heat records were set across Kansas last month as both temperatures and humidity soared.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Manhattan hit hottest temperature recorded, at 115 degrees</h2>By ALLISON KITE,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/06/epa-estimates-more-than-54000-lead-pipes-remain-in-kansas/">Kansas Reflector</a>Intolerable heat and humidity that hovered over Kansas last month set daily maximum temperature records across the state and rivaled all-time highs.The heat that drove readings into the 110s and heat indices even higher served as a preview of what could become even more severe and frequent weather events as the effects of climate change worsen.&nbsp;“This is an extreme event, but it’s not a one-off,” said Jason Furtado, an associate professor of meteorology at the University of Oklahoma. “These are things that, unfortunately, we’re going to have to be contending with.”In late August, a “heat dome” or high pressure system, sat over the central U.S. for days on end, bringing unrelenting heat and humidity that fogged up windows and drove the heat index in Lawrence to 134 degrees. The average high temperature in Kansas on Aug. 19 spiked at 105 degrees, and several sites across the state climbed into the 110s.&nbsp;The hottest temperature recorded that week in Kansas was on Aug. 19, when Manhattan reached 115 degrees, the highest maximum temperature ever recorded at that site, which is part of the Kansas Mesonet, a network of weather stations across the state. Manhattan was one of three sites that recorded its highest temperature of all time between Aug. 19 and 25.&nbsp;The all-time high temperature recorded in Kansas came during the Dust Bowl, when Alton and Fredonia hit 121 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.&nbsp;While not the hottest ever, the August heat wave was striking because of the humidity that drove up heat indices — a measure of how hot the air feels because of the humidity.&nbsp;The water-vapor like air can be perilous for human health.&nbsp;Bryan Beaver, EMS physician advisor at the University of Kansas Health System, said in an interview during the heatwave that doctors were seeing a surge of patients with heat-related illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke.&nbsp;“I would say that this is definitely one of the worst we’ve had —&nbsp;certainly in a few years,” Beaver said.&nbsp;The National Weather Service reported the August heat wave resulted in the most consecutive days with maximum temperatures exceeding 100 degrees in more than a decade in Wichita and Salina.&nbsp;The heat index in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, reached more than 115 degrees for five straight days, breaking the previous three-day record set in 1995.&nbsp;Matthew Sittel, assistant climatologist, said Cherokee County in southeast Kansas saw heat indices above 105 degrees for a week straight.&nbsp;“If I’m going to pick the place that I don’t want to be, that would be the one,” he said. “… The cumulative effects of being subjected to those extremes are potentially lethal.”

August heat wave set records in parts of Kansas

KANSAS CITY– Trevor Scott Sparks, a Kansas City federal defendant who escaped after trial and was recaptured, was sentenced in federal district court Tuesday for his role in leading a $4.1 million heavily armed drug-trafficking conspiracy, and directing two kidnappings, both resulting in murders, and numerous assaults, according to the United State's Attorney.

The drug trafficking organization (DTO) Sparks led distributed approximately 400 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas in 2017 and 2018.

Sparks, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to life imprisonment, plus 60 months consecutive, in federal prison without parole on the drug, money, and gun charges, all consecutive to 33 months for the escape.&nbsp; The court also ordered Sparks to pay a money judgment of $400,000.00, which represents the profits he received from the drug-trafficking conspiracy. That forfeiture amount is based on the unlawful distribution of approximately 100 kilograms of methamphetamine, based on an average street sale price of $7,500.00 per kilogram, and an average cost to the DTO of $3,500.00 a kilogram.&nbsp; Sparks and the co-conspirators he supplied are believed to have distributed approximately 400 kilograms of methamphetamine in less than 2 years.

On November 7th, 2022, Sparks was found guilty by a jury of all counts presented during the weeklong trial.&nbsp; The charges included participating in conspiracies to distribute methamphetamine and launder drug proceeds from January 1, 2017, to December 18, 2018, possessing firearms in relation to that drug-trafficking crime, and to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.&nbsp; Sparks and several of his co-conspirators were arrested out of a residence on Smart Avenue in the Northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri, on December 18, 2018.&nbsp; Located in that residence were numerous firearms, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, United States currency, drug ledgers, and other indicia of drug trafficking.&nbsp; This is the same residence where at least two of the DTO related assaults occurred. &nbsp;&nbsp;

While no one was charged with nor convicted at trial of it, members of the Sparks DTO were found responsible at sentencing by the Court for two murders. In early August 2018, James “Old School” Hampton was seized in St. Louis by members of the Sparks DTO at the direction of Sparks.&nbsp; Hampton was seized because the drug conspiracy was convinced Hampton could help find the drugs and money stolen by co-conspirator David Richards. When they realized Hampton could not or would not help, Hampton was restrained, beaten, and tortured. Hampton was then kidnapped and transported from St. Louis to Kansas City in the trunk of his own car. Brittanie Broyles, who was with Hampton and witnessed him being beaten, tortured, restrained, and kidnapped, was also kidnapped and taken to Kansas City.&nbsp; Once in Kansas City, Hampton was left in the trunk of his car and he and his car were secreted in a co-conspirator’s garage near the Smart residence. Broyles managed to obtain control of another co-conspirator’s cellular telephone and surreptitiously send text messages to friends and family in St. Louis about her and “Old School’s” plight.&nbsp; Once that was discovered by the DTO, Sparks directed the DTO to move from one hotel to another, thereby thwarting efforts to locate Broyles. Her friends and family and law enforcement were unable to locate her before she was murdered by members of the Sparks DTO.

On August 6, 2018, Hampton’s car and body were discovered burning in Bates City, Missouri.&nbsp; This was after members of the DTO retrieved Hampton’s car (and body) from the secreted location and Sparks directed them to take it and burn it because of the odor emanating from the vehicle and to destroy the evidence and Hampton’s body.&nbsp; Witnesses and video identified Co-Defendant Gerald Lee Ginnings of Grandview, Missouri, being followed by Co-Defendant Markus Michael A. Patterson, of Kansas City, Missouri, in another co-conspirator’s car, as Ginnings drove Hampton’s car with his body in the trunk to Bates City, Missouri, where it was found by the Sni Valley Fire Department fully engulfed.&nbsp; Once they extinguished the flames, Hampton’s desecrated body was found in what was left of the trunk.&nbsp; Sparks forgave a drug debt of Ginnings for this duty.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

On August 8, 2018, Broyles’s body was recovered near the Super Flea in the Northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri. She had been murdered by two gunshots to her head.&nbsp; While not charged nor convicted of it, the Court at sentencing found that witnesses and evidence implicated Sparks in ordering her killing because of what she knew about Hampton.&nbsp; Ginnings and Patterson were likewise implicated as the two responsible for this murder.&nbsp; Ginnings was sentenced August 25, 2023, to 520 months in federal prison on similar charges to Sparks.&nbsp; Co-Defendant Patterson was sentenced August 17, 2023, to 560 months on the same charges. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone involved in drug trafficking to possesses firearms related to that trafficking and it is also illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Sparks has prior felony convictions for robbery, drug offenses, and assault.

Sparks was the main defendant over two indictments with 32 co-defendants, all who have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in those two cases.

On December 6, 2022, Sparks and fellow federal inmate Sergio Perez-Martinez escaped the Cass County jail where they were being held for sentencing in their respective federal cases.&nbsp; On December 30, 2022, Sparks was apprehended in the Northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp; Also charged in that escape case was Perez-Martinez (still at large), Sparks’ mother and stepfather, and another man, who was the co-conspirator that stored the car with Hampton in it.&nbsp; Sparks was also sentenced today for that escape to which he pled guilty on June 28, 2023. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670539680558.png" alt="-On December 6, 2022, Sparks and fellow federal inmate Sergio Perez-Martinez escaped the Cass County jail where they were being held for sentencing in their respective federal cases. On December 30, 2022, Sparks was apprehended in the Northeast area of Kansas City." />
 <figcaption>-On December 6, 2022, Sparks and fellow federal inmate Sergio Perez-Martinez escaped the Cass County jail where they were being held for sentencing in their respective federal cases. On December 30, 2022, Sparks was apprehended in the Northeast area of Kansas City.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY– Trevor Scott Sparks, a Kansas City federal defendant who escaped after trial and was recaptured, was sentenced in federal district court Tuesday for his role in leading a $4.1 million heavily armed drug-trafficking conspiracy, and directing two kidnappings, both resulting in murders, and numerous assaults, according to the United State's Attorney.The drug trafficking organization (DTO) Sparks led distributed approximately 400 kilograms of methamphetamine in the Kansas City and St. Louis metropolitan areas in 2017 and 2018.Sparks, 34, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to life imprisonment, plus 60 months consecutive, in federal prison without parole on the drug, money, and gun charges, all consecutive to 33 months for the escape.&nbsp; The court also ordered Sparks to pay a money judgment of $400,000.00, which represents the profits he received from the drug-trafficking conspiracy. That forfeiture amount is based on the unlawful distribution of approximately 100 kilograms of methamphetamine, based on an average street sale price of $7,500.00 per kilogram, and an average cost to the DTO of $3,500.00 a kilogram.&nbsp; Sparks and the co-conspirators he supplied are believed to have distributed approximately 400 kilograms of methamphetamine in less than 2 years.On November 7th, 2022, Sparks was found guilty by a jury of all counts presented during the weeklong trial.&nbsp; The charges included participating in conspiracies to distribute methamphetamine and launder drug proceeds from January 1, 2017, to December 18, 2018, possessing firearms in relation to that drug-trafficking crime, and to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.&nbsp; Sparks and several of his co-conspirators were arrested out of a residence on Smart Avenue in the Northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri, on December 18, 2018.&nbsp; Located in that residence were numerous firearms, cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, United States currency, drug ledgers, and other indicia of drug trafficking.&nbsp; This is the same residence where at least two of the DTO related assaults occurred. &nbsp;&nbsp;While no one was charged with nor convicted at trial of it, members of the Sparks DTO were found responsible at sentencing by the Court for two murders. In early August 2018, James “Old School” Hampton was seized in St. Louis by members of the Sparks DTO at the direction of Sparks.&nbsp; Hampton was seized because the drug conspiracy was convinced Hampton could help find the drugs and money stolen by co-conspirator David Richards. When they realized Hampton could not or would not help, Hampton was restrained, beaten, and tortured. Hampton was then kidnapped and transported from St. Louis to Kansas City in the trunk of his own car. Brittanie Broyles, who was with Hampton and witnessed him being beaten, tortured, restrained, and kidnapped, was also kidnapped and taken to Kansas City.&nbsp; Once in Kansas City, Hampton was left in the trunk of his car and he and his car were secreted in a co-conspirator’s garage near the Smart residence. Broyles managed to obtain control of another co-conspirator’s cellular telephone and surreptitiously send text messages to friends and family in St. Louis about her and “Old School’s” plight.&nbsp; Once that was discovered by the DTO, Sparks directed the DTO to move from one hotel to another, thereby thwarting efforts to locate Broyles. Her friends and family and law enforcement were unable to locate her before she was murdered by members of the Sparks DTO.On August 6, 2018, Hampton’s car and body were discovered burning in Bates City, Missouri.&nbsp; This was after members of the DTO retrieved Hampton’s car (and body) from the secreted location and Sparks directed them to take it and burn it because of the odor emanating from the vehicle and to destroy the evidence and Hampton’s body.&nbsp; Witnesses and video identified Co-Defendant Gerald Lee Ginnings of Grandview, Missouri, being followed by Co-Defendant Markus Michael A. Patterson, of Kansas City, Missouri, in another co-conspirator’s car, as Ginnings drove Hampton’s car with his body in the trunk to Bates City, Missouri, where it was found by the Sni Valley Fire Department fully engulfed.&nbsp; Once they extinguished the flames, Hampton’s desecrated body was found in what was left of the trunk.&nbsp; Sparks forgave a drug debt of Ginnings for this duty.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;On August 8, 2018, Broyles’s body was recovered near the Super Flea in the Northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri. She had been murdered by two gunshots to her head.&nbsp; While not charged nor convicted of it, the Court at sentencing found that witnesses and evidence implicated Sparks in ordering her killing because of what she knew about Hampton.&nbsp; Ginnings and Patterson were likewise implicated as the two responsible for this murder.&nbsp; Ginnings was sentenced August 25, 2023, to 520 months in federal prison on similar charges to Sparks.&nbsp; Co-Defendant Patterson was sentenced August 17, 2023, to 560 months on the same charges. &nbsp;&nbsp;Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone involved in drug trafficking to possesses firearms related to that trafficking and it is also illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Sparks has prior felony convictions for robbery, drug offenses, and assault.Sparks was the main defendant over two indictments with 32 co-defendants, all who have pleaded guilty and been sentenced in those two cases.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670539649262.png" alt="Martinez is still missing" />
 <figcaption>Martinez is still missing</figcaption>
 </figure>On December 6, 2022, Sparks and fellow federal inmate Sergio Perez-Martinez escaped the Cass County jail where they were being held for sentencing in their respective federal cases.&nbsp; On December 30, 2022, Sparks was apprehended in the Northeast area of Kansas City, Missouri.&nbsp; Also charged in that escape case was Perez-Martinez (still at large), Sparks’ mother and stepfather, and another man, who was the co-conspirator that stored the car with Hampton in it.&nbsp; Sparks was also sentenced today for that escape to which he pled guilty on June 28, 2023. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

KC-area jail escapee sentenced, 2nd fugitive remains at large

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Wichita police reported Sunday morning the statewide Silver Alert for 61-year-old Tom Audley was canceled. He had been found and is safe. Police released no additional details.

SEDGWICK COUNTY –&nbsp;Wichita Police Department requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Wichita man.

&nbsp;Tom Audley, 61, of&nbsp; Wichita&nbsp;was last seen on foot in the area of 15th Street N. and Coolidge today, Sept. 9, at approximately noon. He was last seen wearing a purple hat, blue golf shorts, and a light-colored t-shirt.

Tom is described as a white male who is 6 feet 2 inches tall, and weighs around 200 pounds. He has gray hair and hazel eyes. He has been diagnosed with dementia and is non-verbal.

If you see Tom, or have information about his whereabouts, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about this case, please call the&nbsp;Wichita Police Department at 316-268-4111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694301218150.png" alt="Tom Audley-photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Tom Audley-photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Wichita police reported Sunday morning the statewide Silver Alert for 61-year-old Tom Audley was canceled. He had been found and is safe. Police released no additional details.----------SEDGWICK COUNTY –&nbsp;Wichita Police Department requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Wichita man.&nbsp;Tom Audley, 61, of&nbsp; Wichita&nbsp;was last seen on foot in the area of 15th Street N. and Coolidge today, Sept. 9, at approximately noon. He was last seen wearing a purple hat, blue golf shorts, and a light-colored t-shirt.Tom is described as a white male who is 6 feet 2 inches tall, and weighs around 200 pounds. He has gray hair and hazel eyes. He has been diagnosed with dementia and is non-verbal.If you see Tom, or have information about his whereabouts, please call 911 immediately. If you have other information about this case, please call the&nbsp;Wichita Police Department at 316-268-4111.

Police: Silver Alert canceled, missing Kansas man found safe

WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with crimes related to child pornography.

Eric Caleb Carlson, 43, of Wichita is charged with one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Synchronoss Technologies submitted two reports in June 2023 to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding uploads of files containing child sexual abuse and exploitation materials to its cloud based backup service. An investigation led law enforcement authorities to identify and arrest Carlson.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) are investigating.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694123987580.png" alt="Carlson photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Carlson photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A federal grand jury in Wichita returned an indictment charging a Kansas man with crimes related to child pornography.Eric Caleb Carlson, 43, of Wichita is charged with one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Synchronoss Technologies submitted two reports in June 2023 to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding uploads of files containing child sexual abuse and exploitation materials to its cloud based backup service. An investigation led law enforcement authorities to identify and arrest Carlson.Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) are investigating.

Kan. man accused of uploading child sex abuse videos

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas felon accused in a deadly shooting made his first court appearance this week.

Jeremy Miles, 36 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 11a.m. Aug. 30, police were dispatched to a reported shooting at an apartment complex in the 2000 block of S. Seneca in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.&nbsp;

First responders&nbsp; located&nbsp;69-year-old James Gibson of Wichita with gunshot wounds inside an apartment. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Police&nbsp; arrested <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=22921">Miles</a>&nbsp;who remains jailed on a bond of $500,000. He has three previous convictions for aggravated robbery and one for criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693488696173.png" alt="Miles has three previous convictions for aggravated robbery and one for criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Miles has three previous convictions for aggravated robbery and one for criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas felon accused in a deadly shooting made his first court appearance this week.Jeremy Miles, 36 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 11a.m. Aug. 30, police were dispatched to a reported shooting at an apartment complex in the 2000 block of S. Seneca in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.&nbsp;First responders&nbsp; located&nbsp;69-year-old James Gibson of Wichita with gunshot wounds inside an apartment. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.&nbsp;&nbsp;Police&nbsp; arrested <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=22921">Miles</a>&nbsp;who remains jailed on a bond of $500,000. He has three previous convictions for aggravated robbery and one for criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Kansas felon with a history of robbery now charged with murder

Governor nominates KCC’s Andrew French to a second term on regulatory panel

BY: TIM CARPENTER,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Topeka Democrat who served a quarter century in the Kansas House was nominated by Gov. Laura Kelly to the state commission responsible for regulating the utility industry, oil and gas production and safety of commercial trucking.

Kelly appointed retired Rep. Annie Kuether, who served in the Legislature form 1997 to 2022, to replace Kansas Corporation Commission member Susan Duffy. Duffy was appointed by Kelly in 2019 to a four-year term on the commission, but the governor said Duffy chose not to seek a second term.

“Representative Kuether brings experience to the Kansas Corporation Commission from her 25 years in the Legislature, where she served as a ranking minority member on the energy, utilities and telecommunications committee,” said Kelly, a Democrat who was in the Kansas Senate for 14 years.

The KCC’s influence extends to hundreds of thousands of Kansas residences and businesses through regulation of utility rates proposed by Evergy, Southern Pioneer, Liberty Utilities, Black Hills, Kansas Gas Service and Atmos Energy. Cooperative and municipal utilities don’t generally fall under KCC jurisdiction.

If confirmed by the Republican-led Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee, Kuether would begin service on the KCC in October.

In a statement Friday, Kelly said she would renominate KCC member Andrew French to a term that would begin in March if he was confirmed again by the Senate. He was appointed in 2020 by Kelly. Prior to working in a private legal practice, French was a staff attorney at the KCC from 2012 to 2017.

The KCC consists of three members appointed by the governor to overlapping four-year terms, but no more than two members of the regulatory commission can be in the same political party.

The other member of the commission is Dwight Keen, who was initially selected by Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer in 2018 and was reappointed by Kelly in 2022. Keen, a corporate and securities attorney, served six years as Kansas securities commissioner and four years on the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals. His term on the KCC would expire in 2026.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694272102891.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly nominated former state Rep. Annie Kuether, a Topeka Democrat, to a vacancy on the Kansas Corporation Commission. Kuether spent 25 years in the Legislature and served on the House’s energy committee. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly nominated former state Rep. Annie Kuether, a Topeka Democrat, to a vacancy on the Kansas Corporation Commission. Kuether spent 25 years in the Legislature and served on the House’s energy committee. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Governor nominates KCC’s Andrew French to a second term on regulatory panel</h2>BY: TIM CARPENTER,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Topeka Democrat who served a quarter century in the Kansas House was nominated by Gov. Laura Kelly to the state commission responsible for regulating the utility industry, oil and gas production and safety of commercial trucking.Kelly appointed retired Rep. Annie Kuether, who served in the Legislature form 1997 to 2022, to replace Kansas Corporation Commission member Susan Duffy. Duffy was appointed by Kelly in 2019 to a four-year term on the commission, but the governor said Duffy chose not to seek a second term.“Representative Kuether brings experience to the Kansas Corporation Commission from her 25 years in the Legislature, where she served as a ranking minority member on the energy, utilities and telecommunications committee,” said Kelly, a Democrat who was in the Kansas Senate for 14 years.The KCC’s influence extends to hundreds of thousands of Kansas residences and businesses through regulation of utility rates proposed by Evergy, Southern Pioneer, Liberty Utilities, Black Hills, Kansas Gas Service and Atmos Energy. Cooperative and municipal utilities don’t generally fall under KCC jurisdiction.If confirmed by the Republican-led Senate Confirmation Oversight Committee, Kuether would begin service on the KCC in October.In a statement Friday, Kelly said she would renominate KCC member Andrew French to a term that would begin in March if he was confirmed again by the Senate. He was appointed in 2020 by Kelly. Prior to working in a private legal practice, French was a staff attorney at the KCC from 2012 to 2017.The KCC consists of three members appointed by the governor to overlapping four-year terms, but no more than two members of the regulatory commission can be in the same political party.The other member of the commission is Dwight Keen, who was initially selected by Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer in 2018 and was reappointed by Kelly in 2022. Keen, a corporate and securities attorney, served six years as Kansas securities commissioner and four years on the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals. His term on the KCC would expire in 2026.

Former Dem member of Kan. House appointed to Kan. Corporation Commission

DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union on Friday rejected wage and benefit offers from all three Detroit automakers, raising tensions just six days before a strike deadline for 146,000 employees.

Union President Shawn Fain told workers in a Facebook Live appearance that he filed proposals from Ford, General Motors and Stellantis in a wastebasket.

“The automakers have yet to offer our members a fair contract,” he said.

Negotiations are continuing through the weekend, but Fain warned that if&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-strike-gm-stellantis-ford-fain-uaw-d11dfb266ce962d1e3a4582d404ba27f">there aren't agreements</a>&nbsp;by 11:59 p.m. Thursday “there will be a strike at all three if need be.”

On Friday, Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, made its first counteroffer to the union's demands with a bigger pay raise than offers from Ford and General Motors. Stellantis offered wage increases in each year of a new four-year contract totaling 14.5%.

Ford increased its offer from 9% to 10% raises over four years, but it also included lump sum payments, while GM’s offered 10% plus lump sums. All three companies offered additional lump sum payments to cover inflation.

The wage increases would be for most workers, said Mark Stewart, chief operating officer of Stellantis North America, said in a letter to employees.

The proposal by Stellantis also includes a $6,000 one-time inflation protection payment in the first year of the contract and $4,500 in inflation protection payments over the final three years of the contract.

In addition, the counteroffer includes boosting hourly wages from $15.78 to $20 for temporary workers and speeding up the progression timeline from eight years to six years for employees who are moving through the pay scale from starting wages.

The proposal from Stellantis, which was formed in a 2021 merger of Fiat Chrysler and France's PSA Peugeot, is closer to the union's demands of 46% across-the-board increases over four years, but both sides still are far apart.

“We remain committed to bargaining in good faith and reaching a fair agreement by the deadline," Stewart said. “With this equitable offer, we are seeking a timely resolution to our discussions.”

A strike against all three major automakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/automakers-cars-strike-pay-uaw-union-detroit-349a6e7281f1b07710cfcad511dcaa05">could cause damage</a>&nbsp;not only to the industry as a whole but also to the Midwest and even national economy, depending on how long it lasts. The auto industry accounts for about 3% of the nation’s economic output. A prolonged strike could also lead eventually to higher vehicle prices, and shift sales largely to Asian automakers with U.S. factories.

Automakers say they need to make investments to develop and build electric vehicles, while at the same time putting out new internal combustion vehicles. They say that a big settlement with the union would saddle them with high costs and force them to charge more for vehicles than competitors.

Fain says automakers can afford raises to make up for inflation and previous concessions because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ford-profit-electric-vehicle-second-quarter-89fb15120107bc51b709343b5010ba64">they're making</a>&nbsp;billions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/general-motors-earnings-price-outlook-raised-4cbde5055ad2d37c2a2216999be502b5">in profits</a>&nbsp;and paying millions to CEOs. He blames auto price increases on corporate greed.

The union’s demands include 46% across-the-board pay raises, a 32-hour week with 40 hours of pay, restoration of traditional pensions for new hires, union representation of workers at new battery plants and a restoration of traditional pensions. Top-scale UAW assembly plant workers make about $32 an hour, plus annual profit sharing checks.

The union called proposals from Ford and GM “shameful and insulting,” while it labeled Stellantis' pay offer “deeply inadequate.”

Fain said the companies rejected raises for retirees who have gone without them for at least a decade. To handle inflation, Ford offered cost of living pay that he called severely deficient, while GM and Stellantis offered lump sums. All companies kept tiers of wages for factory workers but lowered the number of years needed to reach full pay, he said.

“I want all of you to be ready,” he said of Thursday's deadline. “Be ready to stand up for yourselves, your families and for your communities.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1693911002324.png" alt="Union President Shawn Fain told workers in a Facebook Live appearance that he filed proposals from Ford, General Motors and Stellantis in a wastebasket.-photo UAW" />
 <figcaption>Union President Shawn Fain told workers in a Facebook Live appearance that he filed proposals from Ford, General Motors and Stellantis in a wastebasket.-photo UAW</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — The United Auto Workers union on Friday rejected wage and benefit offers from all three Detroit automakers, raising tensions just six days before a strike deadline for 146,000 employees.Union President Shawn Fain told workers in a Facebook Live appearance that he filed proposals from Ford, General Motors and Stellantis in a wastebasket.“The automakers have yet to offer our members a fair contract,” he said.Negotiations are continuing through the weekend, but Fain warned that if&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-strike-gm-stellantis-ford-fain-uaw-d11dfb266ce962d1e3a4582d404ba27f">there aren't agreements</a>&nbsp;by 11:59 p.m. Thursday “there will be a strike at all three if need be.”On Friday, Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, made its first counteroffer to the union's demands with a bigger pay raise than offers from Ford and General Motors. Stellantis offered wage increases in each year of a new four-year contract totaling 14.5%.Ford increased its offer from 9% to 10% raises over four years, but it also included lump sum payments, while GM’s offered 10% plus lump sums. All three companies offered additional lump sum payments to cover inflation.The wage increases would be for most workers, said Mark Stewart, chief operating officer of Stellantis North America, said in a letter to employees.The proposal by Stellantis also includes a $6,000 one-time inflation protection payment in the first year of the contract and $4,500 in inflation protection payments over the final three years of the contract.In addition, the counteroffer includes boosting hourly wages from $15.78 to $20 for temporary workers and speeding up the progression timeline from eight years to six years for employees who are moving through the pay scale from starting wages.The proposal from Stellantis, which was formed in a 2021 merger of Fiat Chrysler and France's PSA Peugeot, is closer to the union's demands of 46% across-the-board increases over four years, but both sides still are far apart.“We remain committed to bargaining in good faith and reaching a fair agreement by the deadline," Stewart said. “With this equitable offer, we are seeking a timely resolution to our discussions.”A strike against all three major automakers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/automakers-cars-strike-pay-uaw-union-detroit-349a6e7281f1b07710cfcad511dcaa05">could cause damage</a>&nbsp;not only to the industry as a whole but also to the Midwest and even national economy, depending on how long it lasts. The auto industry accounts for about 3% of the nation’s economic output. A prolonged strike could also lead eventually to higher vehicle prices, and shift sales largely to Asian automakers with U.S. factories.Automakers say they need to make investments to develop and build electric vehicles, while at the same time putting out new internal combustion vehicles. They say that a big settlement with the union would saddle them with high costs and force them to charge more for vehicles than competitors.Fain says automakers can afford raises to make up for inflation and previous concessions because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ford-profit-electric-vehicle-second-quarter-89fb15120107bc51b709343b5010ba64">they're making</a>&nbsp;billions&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/general-motors-earnings-price-outlook-raised-4cbde5055ad2d37c2a2216999be502b5">in profits</a>&nbsp;and paying millions to CEOs. He blames auto price increases on corporate greed.The union’s demands include 46% across-the-board pay raises, a 32-hour week with 40 hours of pay, restoration of traditional pensions for new hires, union representation of workers at new battery plants and a restoration of traditional pensions. Top-scale UAW assembly plant workers make about $32 an hour, plus annual profit sharing checks.The union called proposals from Ford and GM “shameful and insulting,” while it labeled Stellantis' pay offer “deeply inadequate.”Fain said the companies rejected raises for retirees who have gone without them for at least a decade. To handle inflation, Ford offered cost of living pay that he called severely deficient, while GM and Stellantis offered lump sums. All companies kept tiers of wages for factory workers but lowered the number of years needed to reach full pay, he said.“I want all of you to be ready,” he said of Thursday's deadline. “Be ready to stand up for yourselves, your families and for your communities.”

Auto union rejects wage offers; strike deadline days away

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Wichita Police Department is aware of a regrettable incident that occurred at the Wichita Animal Shelter this week involving a civilian supervisor that led to animals being euthanized prior to obtaining required approvals. 

Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan has directed the Professional Standards Bureau to conduct an internal investigation into the matter so appropriate action may be taken. 

Consistent with City of Wichita Human Resources policies, the involved employee has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the results of the investigation, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.&nbsp;

If the investigation reveals that policies, procedures or expectations were not followed, appropriate personnel action will be taken.

The department apologizes for the pain or confusion this incident may have caused to individuals in the community. What is most unfortunate about this event is that the individuals and rescue organizations we rely on were affected greatly. WPD is working hard to ensure operations within the Wichita Animal Shelter meet or exceed recognized standards of care.

This year, Wichita Animal Services has provided care for almost 7,000 lost or stray pets within the community and owes much of their success to the dedication of staff, the respected relationships with rescue organizations and the partnership with the Kansas Humane Society. 

While the internal investigation is underway, an adjustment to operations has been made to avoid this issue recurring and we remain committed to the goal of&nbsp;providing humane care and maximizing the number of animal lives saved.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694230791657.png" alt="Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan has directed the Professional Standards Bureau to conduct an internal investigation into the matter so appropriate action may be taken.-Google image" />
 <figcaption>Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan has directed the Professional Standards Bureau to conduct an internal investigation into the matter so appropriate action may be taken.-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Wichita Police Department is aware of a regrettable incident that occurred at the Wichita Animal Shelter this week involving a civilian supervisor that led to animals being euthanized prior to obtaining required approvals. Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan has directed the Professional Standards Bureau to conduct an internal investigation into the matter so appropriate action may be taken. Consistent with City of Wichita Human Resources policies, the involved employee has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the results of the investigation, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.&nbsp;If the investigation reveals that policies, procedures or expectations were not followed, appropriate personnel action will be taken.The department apologizes for the pain or confusion this incident may have caused to individuals in the community. What is most unfortunate about this event is that the individuals and rescue organizations we rely on were affected greatly. WPD is working hard to ensure operations within the Wichita Animal Shelter meet or exceed recognized standards of care.This year, Wichita Animal Services has provided care for almost 7,000 lost or stray pets within the community and owes much of their success to the dedication of staff, the respected relationships with rescue organizations and the partnership with the Kansas Humane Society. While the internal investigation is underway, an adjustment to operations has been made to avoid this issue recurring and we remain committed to the goal of&nbsp;providing humane care and maximizing the number of animal lives saved.

Police: Dogs euthanized by mistake at Kansas animal shelter

JOHNSON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a fire at a Kansas home.

Just after 2a.m. Saturday, crews from Overland Park and Lenexa responded to a house fire in the 8600 Block of West 102nd Terrace in Overland Park, according to a media release.

First responders found heavy smoke coming from the two-story, single family home.

Firefighters went to work attacking the fire on a deck in the back of the home while others searched the home to make sure all residents were safely out.

It took 30 minutes to bring the fire under control. The blaze was contained to the back deck and sitting area. One person was displaced and will stay with neighbors. There were no injuries reported.

Investigators believe careless discard of smoking materials to blame for the fire. The home did have working smoke alarms. Officials did not release a damage estimate.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694265827344.png" alt="Photo Overland Park Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photo Overland Park Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating a fire at a Kansas home.Just after 2a.m. Saturday, crews from Overland Park and Lenexa responded to a house fire in the 8600 Block of West 102nd Terrace in Overland Park, according to a media release.First responders found heavy smoke coming from the two-story, single family home.Firefighters went to work attacking the fire on a deck in the back of the home while others searched the home to make sure all residents were safely out.It took 30 minutes to bring the fire under control. The blaze was contained to the back deck and sitting area. One person was displaced and will stay with neighbors. There were no injuries reported.Investigators believe careless discard of smoking materials to blame for the fire. The home did have working smoke alarms. Officials did not release a damage estimate.

Improperly discarded smoking material caused Kan. house fire

Biden administration has taken other measures after Supreme Court ruling

By RACHEL MIPRO,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — For thousands of Kansans knee-deep in student debt, relief will come soon —&nbsp; just not as much relief as initially promised.&nbsp;

The Biden administration announced Tuesday that more than 4 million federal student loan borrowers have been enrolled in the Saving on A Valuable Education, or SAVE, program. In Kansas, 35,000 borrowers are enrolled, according to U.S. Department of Education data.&nbsp;

“Millions of borrowers are already benefiting from enrollment in the SAVE plan, and I’m thrilled to see so many Americans submitting applications every day so that they, too, can take advantage of the most affordable student loan repayment plan in history,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in the Tuesday news release.&nbsp;

Cardona emphasized the Biden administration’s focus on student debt relief while speaking at a Topeka public school Tuesday, during the kick-off of his Midwest bus tour.&nbsp;

We’re committed to giving you the tools to make sure you have a good pathway into the profession and that you’re not paying debt for the rest of your life,” Cardona told&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/05/u-s-education-secretary-touts-kansas-school-initiatives-national-debt-forgiveness/">Kansas students Tuesday</a>.&nbsp;

The new repayment program is a response to the Supreme Court’s June decision to kill the debt relief program unrolled by the&nbsp; Biden administration. The original program would have canceled up to $20,000 in student loan debt for some borrowers.&nbsp;In Kansas,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/20/thousands-of-kansans-eligible-for-student-debt-forgiveness-white-house-officials-say/">officials estimated that more</a>&nbsp;than 360,000 residents would have received some form of debt forgiveness under the original program.

Federal student loan repayments, which have been paused for more than three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will resume in October.&nbsp;&nbsp;As the repayment deadline approaches, the Department of Education has scrambled to roll out several repayment and loan forgiveness programs.&nbsp;

Under SAVE, debt payments are calculated using borrower income and family size, with balances forgiven after a certain time frame. Borrowers who are currently in the Revised Pay as You Earn plan will automatically roll over to SAVE.

A single person who makes less than $15 an hour wouldn’t have to make payments under the program, and most borrowers will save about $1,000 per year under the new plan.&nbsp;

“The new application is easy and quick. Most people only need about 10 minutes to complete it,” said Federal Student Aid Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray. “Borrowers can get their monthly payment calculated in real time, and they can choose to have their IDR application recertified automatically each year.”

<h2>Biden administration has taken other measures after Supreme Court ruling</h2>By RACHEL MIPRO,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — For thousands of Kansans knee-deep in student debt, relief will come soon —&nbsp; just not as much relief as initially promised.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Folks, join the 4 million Americans who have already signed up for the most affordable student loan repayment plan ever created, our Administration&#39;s SAVE Plan. Don&#39;t wait – head to <a href="https://t.co/RlyR0iT5yU">https://t.co/RlyR0iT5yU</a>. <a href="https://t.co/dcMJ39NSy1">pic.twitter.com/dcMJ39NSy1</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1699460012161040878?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Biden administration announced Tuesday that more than 4 million federal student loan borrowers have been enrolled in the Saving on A Valuable Education, or SAVE, program. In Kansas, 35,000 borrowers are enrolled, according to U.S. Department of Education data.&nbsp;“Millions of borrowers are already benefiting from enrollment in the SAVE plan, and I’m thrilled to see so many Americans submitting applications every day so that they, too, can take advantage of the most affordable student loan repayment plan in history,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in the Tuesday news release.&nbsp;Cardona emphasized the Biden administration’s focus on student debt relief while speaking at a Topeka public school Tuesday, during the kick-off of his Midwest bus tour.&nbsp;We’re committed to giving you the tools to make sure you have a good pathway into the profession and that you’re not paying debt for the rest of your life,” Cardona told&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/05/u-s-education-secretary-touts-kansas-school-initiatives-national-debt-forgiveness/">Kansas students Tuesday</a>.&nbsp;The new repayment program is a response to the Supreme Court’s June decision to kill the debt relief program unrolled by the&nbsp; Biden administration. The original program would have canceled up to $20,000 in student loan debt for some borrowers.&nbsp;In Kansas,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/20/thousands-of-kansans-eligible-for-student-debt-forgiveness-white-house-officials-say/">officials estimated that more</a>&nbsp;than 360,000 residents would have received some form of debt forgiveness under the original program.Federal student loan repayments, which have been paused for more than three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will resume in October.&nbsp;&nbsp;As the repayment deadline approaches, the Department of Education has scrambled to roll out several repayment and loan forgiveness programs.&nbsp;Under SAVE, debt payments are calculated using borrower income and family size, with balances forgiven after a certain time frame. Borrowers who are currently in the Revised Pay as You Earn plan will automatically roll over to SAVE.A single person who makes less than $15 an hour wouldn’t have to make payments under the program, and most borrowers will save about $1,000 per year under the new plan.&nbsp;“The new application is easy and quick. Most people only need about 10 minutes to complete it,” said Federal Student Aid Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray. “Borrowers can get their monthly payment calculated in real time, and they can choose to have their IDR application recertified automatically each year.”

Far fewer Kansans benefit from new student loan repayment program

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a homicide have identified the victim as Hevair D. Loucious, 31, of Topeka, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.

Just after 3p.m. Thursday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 2200 Block of SE Emerson Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.

First responders located Loucious with a life threatening gunshot wound. American Medical Response transported him to a local hospital where he were pronounced deceased.

Police reported detectives identified and interviewed all individuals involved in this incident. Upon completion of this investigation the case will be sent to the Shawnee County District Attorney for consideration of charges.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim or a possible suspect.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694136475623.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a homicide have identified the victim as Hevair D. Loucious, 31, of Topeka, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.Just after 3p.m. Thursday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 2200 Block of SE Emerson Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.First responders located Loucious with a life threatening gunshot wound. American Medical Response transported him to a local hospital where he were pronounced deceased.Police reported detectives identified and interviewed all individuals involved in this incident. Upon completion of this investigation the case will be sent to the Shawnee County District Attorney for consideration of charges.&nbsp; Police have not released the name of the victim or a possible suspect.

Police ID 31-year-old Kan. man who died in neighborhood shooting

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon with over two dozen convictions on new charges after a high-speed chase in Douglas County.

Just before 9:30a.m. Wednesday, a 59-year-old man wanted for an alleged parole violation driving a red pickup fled from a traffic stop near Fourth and Maine Streets in Lawrence, according to a media release from the Douglas County Sheriff.

The suspect then led deputies on a pursuit through numerous neighborhoods in central Lawrence near the University of Kansas campus and into east Lawrence before returning to the west side of town.&nbsp;

Due to the traffic in Old West Lawrence and the suspect ignoring multiple traffic laws, a deputy discontinued pursuit.

Deputies later found the pickup near Ninth and Mississippi and then found the suspect Russell Aloysius Van Wey hiding in the area. Deputies took him into custody on the warrant. He also faces additional charges for the pursuit.

Van Wey has over two dozen previous felony convictions that include forgery, theft, burglary, aggravated escape from custody and criminal threat, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. He absconded from parole in July.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694083987322.png" alt="Van Wey-photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Van Wey-photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon with over two dozen convictions on new charges after a high-speed chase in Douglas County.Just before 9:30a.m. Wednesday, a 59-year-old man wanted for an alleged parole violation driving a red pickup fled from a traffic stop near Fourth and Maine Streets in Lawrence, according to a media release from the Douglas County Sheriff.The suspect then led deputies on a pursuit through numerous neighborhoods in central Lawrence near the University of Kansas campus and into east Lawrence before returning to the west side of town.&nbsp; Due to the traffic in Old West Lawrence and the suspect ignoring multiple traffic laws, a deputy discontinued pursuit.Deputies later found the pickup near Ninth and Mississippi and then found the suspect Russell Aloysius Van Wey hiding in the area. Deputies took him into custody on the warrant. He also faces additional charges for the pursuit.Van Wey has over two dozen previous felony convictions that include forgery, theft, burglary, aggravated escape from custody and criminal threat, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections. He absconded from parole in July.

Kan. man with over 2-dozen convictions found hiding after chase

BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide at a home in Butler County have identified the victim as 93-year-old Joanne Johnson, according to Augusta Department of Public Safety Detective Sergeant Chris Scheuber.&nbsp;

On Sunday evening, police responded to report of an unattended death at the home in the 1700 Block of Robbins Street in Augusta, according to Augusta Director of Public Safety Todd Ackerman.

After further investigating, police determined the incident was a homicide that occurred sometime between Saturday night and Sunday night.&nbsp;&nbsp;There were no other individuals living at the home.

Police have not identified any suspects, according to Scheuber.

BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide in Butler County.

On Sunday evening, police responded to report of an unattended death at a home the 1700 Block of Robbins Street in Augusta, according to Augusts Director of Public Safety Todd Ackerman.

After further investigating, police determined the incident was a homicide that occurred sometime between Saturday night and Sunday night.&nbsp;

Police have not released the victim's name or additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694019724772.png" alt="Police crime scene tape at the residence in Augusta-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police crime scene tape at the residence in Augusta-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a homicide at a home in Butler County have identified the victim as 93-year-old Joanne Johnson, according to Augusta Department of Public Safety Detective Sergeant Chris Scheuber.&nbsp;On Sunday evening, police responded to report of an unattended death at the home in the 1700 Block of Robbins Street in Augusta, according to Augusta Director of Public Safety Todd Ackerman.After further investigating, police determined the incident was a homicide that occurred sometime between Saturday night and Sunday night.&nbsp;&nbsp;There were no other individuals living at the home.Police have not identified any suspects, according to Scheuber.----------BUTLER COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide in Butler County.On Sunday evening, police responded to report of an unattended death at a home the 1700 Block of Robbins Street in Augusta, according to Augusts Director of Public Safety Todd Ackerman.After further investigating, police determined the incident was a homicide that occurred sometime between Saturday night and Sunday night.&nbsp;Police have not released the victim's name or additional details.

Homicide: 93-year-old Kansas woman found dead in her home

WASHINGTON – A Kansas man pleaded guilty on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, to a felony offense related to his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Christopher Kuehne, 50, of Olathe, Kansas, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder before U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly. Judge Kelly scheduled Kuehne to be sentenced on Feb. 23, 2024.

&nbsp;According to court documents, Kuehne, associated with the Kansas City chapter of the Proud Boys, made plans with other members of the group to attend a rally in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Prior to his arrival, Kuehne sent a message to others in the group regarding a potential confrontation with Antifa and BLM, stating, “Be prepared not only to beat down but when you do action of violence so utterly massive that we send a message.”&nbsp;

&nbsp;Kuehne traveled to Arlington, Virginia, on Jan. 4, 2021, with other members of the Proud Boys chapter. On Jan. 6, Kuehne met with a larger group of Proud Boys at the Washington Monument. Kuehne, wearing a ballistic helmet and carrying protective gloves, then made his way to the U.S. Capitol, shouting, among other things, “Whose streets? Our streets!”&nbsp;

&nbsp;Kuehne and others in the group proceded to the west side of the Capitol’s grounds and gathered outside of the barricades. Shortly before 1 p.m., the crowd breached the barriers and surged toward the Capitol building, allowing Kuehne and others in the group to move past multiple lines of barricades and toward the Lower West Plaza, inside the restricted area. Kuehne remained on the west front of the Capitol for more than an hour, ignoring law enforcement commands to disperse. Eventually, Kuehne made his way to the base of the Capitol and onto the Upper West Terrace. Kuehne entered the Capitol through the Senate Wing Door at approximately 2:25 p.m.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Once inside the building, Kuehne and others in the group made their way to the Crypt. Kuehne and others in the group maneuvered a portable lectern to block police from closing a door in the Crypt that would have prevented the group from moving further throughout the building. Kuehne and others then moved from the Crypt to the Capitol Visitor Center and eventually left the building through the Senate Wing Door. Kuehne later deleted materials from his phone that he had sent to others in the group and encouraged others to do the same.&nbsp;

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.&nbsp;

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas.&nbsp;

This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Kansas City and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

&nbsp;In the 32 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,146 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 398 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1613070020356.png" alt="Kuehne was held in Wyandotte Co." />
 <figcaption>Kuehne was held in Wyandotte Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON – A Kansas man pleaded guilty on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, to a felony offense related to his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Christopher Kuehne, 50, of Olathe, Kansas, pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia to a felony offense of obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder before U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly. Judge Kelly scheduled Kuehne to be sentenced on Feb. 23, 2024.&nbsp;According to court documents, Kuehne, associated with the Kansas City chapter of the Proud Boys, made plans with other members of the group to attend a rally in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. Prior to his arrival, Kuehne sent a message to others in the group regarding a potential confrontation with Antifa and BLM, stating, “Be prepared not only to beat down but when you do action of violence so utterly massive that we send a message.”&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694202876021.png" alt="Photo U.S. Dept. of Justice" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Dept. of Justice</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Kuehne traveled to Arlington, Virginia, on Jan. 4, 2021, with other members of the Proud Boys chapter. On Jan. 6, Kuehne met with a larger group of Proud Boys at the Washington Monument. Kuehne, wearing a ballistic helmet and carrying protective gloves, then made his way to the U.S. Capitol, shouting, among other things, “Whose streets? Our streets!”&nbsp;&nbsp;Kuehne and others in the group proceded to the west side of the Capitol’s grounds and gathered outside of the barricades. Shortly before 1 p.m., the crowd breached the barriers and surged toward the Capitol building, allowing Kuehne and others in the group to move past multiple lines of barricades and toward the Lower West Plaza, inside the restricted area. Kuehne remained on the west front of the Capitol for more than an hour, ignoring law enforcement commands to disperse. Eventually, Kuehne made his way to the base of the Capitol and onto the Upper West Terrace. Kuehne entered the Capitol through the Senate Wing Door at approximately 2:25 p.m.&nbsp;&nbsp;Once inside the building, Kuehne and others in the group made their way to the Crypt. Kuehne and others in the group maneuvered a portable lectern to block police from closing a door in the Crypt that would have prevented the group from moving further throughout the building. Kuehne and others then moved from the Crypt to the Capitol Visitor Center and eventually left the building through the Senate Wing Door. Kuehne later deleted materials from his phone that he had sent to others in the group and encouraged others to do the same.&nbsp;A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Counterterrorism Section of the Department of Justice’s National Security Division. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas.&nbsp;This case is being investigated by the FBI’s Kansas City and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.&nbsp;In the 32 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,146 individuals have been arrested in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 398 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.

Kan. man enters plea to felony charge in January 6 Capitol riot 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>&nbsp;said Friday that she will seek reelection to Congress in 2024 as Democrats try to win back the majority.

Pelosi, 83, made the announcement before volunteers and labor allies in the San Francisco area district she has represented for more than 35 years.

“Now more than ever our City needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery,” Pelosi said in a tweet. “Our country needs America to show the world that our flag is still there, with liberty and justice for ALL. That is why I am running for reelection — and respectfully ask for your vote.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-house-control-79475a4fc11e4375cd0dded651b9eede">Republicans now control the House,</a>&nbsp;but just narrowly, with a 222-212 majority and one vacancy. Democrats believe they have a chance to regain power as President Joe Biden runs for a second term.

Pelosi's announcement quells any talk of retirement for the long-serving leader, who, with the honorific title of speaker emeritus, remains an influential lawmaker, pivotal party figure and strong fundraiser for Democrats.

It also unfolds as Washington is grappling with the sunset of a political era as an older generation of leaders, including Biden, 80, face questions about their age. This past week, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, 81, said he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/united-states-senate-u-s-republican-party-access-to-health-care-charles-schumer-district-of-columbia-ddc9d8e4c3cc4d8bb55dc7a51c834b55">finish his term</a>&nbsp;as leader and senator despite concerns about his recent health episodes.

Pelosi has long charted her own course, from her arrival in Congress as one of few women elected to the House to her tenure as one of the most powerful women in U.S. politics.

First elected to Congress in 1987, Pelosi made history becoming the first female speaker in 2007, and in 2019 she regained the speaker’s gavel.

Pelosi led the party through substantial legislative achievements, including passage of the Affordable Care Act, as well as turbulent times with two impeachments of Republican President Donald Trump and the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Her announcement comes as House Republicans are preparing to launch an impeachment inquiry into Biden over the business dealings of his son, Hunter.

Pelosi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nancy-pelosi-house-future-plans-updates-3839ff31c605efa0ec1ee4ff004b72d2">stepped away</a>&nbsp;from the day-to-day political limelight after a younger generation of Democrats led by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nancy-pelosi-hakeem-jeffries-congress-government-and-politics-e6dee438b2cfd776b70ff29495072ab5">Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries</a>&nbsp;took charge in 2023, but she remains a political force and keeps a robust schedule of public and private events.

According to a person familiar with Pelosi's thinking about her 2024 decision, Pelosi believes democracy hangs in the balance in the upcoming election as she works to reelect Biden and make Jeffries the next House speaker

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659127005765.png" alt="Pelosi, 83, made the announcement before volunteers and labor allies in the San Francisco area district she has represented for more than 35 years-file photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Pelosi, 83, made the announcement before volunteers and labor allies in the San Francisco area district she has represented for more than 35 years-file photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nancy-pelosi">Nancy Pelosi</a>&nbsp;said Friday that she will seek reelection to Congress in 2024 as Democrats try to win back the majority.Pelosi, 83, made the announcement before volunteers and labor allies in the San Francisco area district she has represented for more than 35 years.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Now more than ever our City needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery. Our country needs America to show the world that our flag is still there, with liberty and justice for ALL. That is why I am running for reelection — and respectfully ask for your vote.…&mdash; Nancy Pelosi (@TeamPelosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamPelosi/status/1700177174542876754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“Now more than ever our City needs us to advance San Francisco values and further our recovery,” Pelosi said in a tweet. “Our country needs America to show the world that our flag is still there, with liberty and justice for ALL. That is why I am running for reelection — and respectfully ask for your vote.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-house-control-79475a4fc11e4375cd0dded651b9eede">Republicans now control the House,</a>&nbsp;but just narrowly, with a 222-212 majority and one vacancy. Democrats believe they have a chance to regain power as President Joe Biden runs for a second term.Pelosi's announcement quells any talk of retirement for the long-serving leader, who, with the honorific title of speaker emeritus, remains an influential lawmaker, pivotal party figure and strong fundraiser for Democrats.It also unfolds as Washington is grappling with the sunset of a political era as an older generation of leaders, including Biden, 80, face questions about their age. This past week, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, 81, said he would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/united-states-senate-u-s-republican-party-access-to-health-care-charles-schumer-district-of-columbia-ddc9d8e4c3cc4d8bb55dc7a51c834b55">finish his term</a>&nbsp;as leader and senator despite concerns about his recent health episodes.Pelosi has long charted her own course, from her arrival in Congress as one of few women elected to the House to her tenure as one of the most powerful women in U.S. politics.First elected to Congress in 1987, Pelosi made history becoming the first female speaker in 2007, and in 2019 she regained the speaker’s gavel.Pelosi led the party through substantial legislative achievements, including passage of the Affordable Care Act, as well as turbulent times with two impeachments of Republican President Donald Trump and the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.Her announcement comes as House Republicans are preparing to launch an impeachment inquiry into Biden over the business dealings of his son, Hunter.Pelosi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nancy-pelosi-house-future-plans-updates-3839ff31c605efa0ec1ee4ff004b72d2">stepped away</a>&nbsp;from the day-to-day political limelight after a younger generation of Democrats led by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nancy-pelosi-hakeem-jeffries-congress-government-and-politics-e6dee438b2cfd776b70ff29495072ab5">Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries</a>&nbsp;took charge in 2023, but she remains a political force and keeps a robust schedule of public and private events.According to a person familiar with Pelosi's thinking about her 2024 decision, Pelosi believes democracy hangs in the balance in the upcoming election as she works to reelect Biden and make Jeffries the next House speakerPelosi is among the party’s most prolific fundraisers for the House and key political strategists. She has said she does not intend to hover over the new Democratic House leadership team, but she and Jeffries are often seen huddling quietly on the House floor.It's rare, but not unprecedented, for former party leaders to continue in Congress as members.Back in California, Pelosi's decision to seek another term is sure to disappoint other Democrats who have wanted a run for the congressional seat.But Pelosi has priorities she is trying to secure for her home state and especially San Francisco as the city&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/san-francisco-downtown-retail-exodus-6c956f6f219a25aafd292f567a45a302">works to recover</a>&nbsp;from the coronavirus pandemic-era closures that have also dimmed other metro downtowns.San Francisco faces a delicate moment, Pelosi believes, and needs federal resources to continue its recovery, said the person familiar with her thinking, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the matter.One of the state's long-serving leaders, Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 90,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/dianne-feinstein-not-running-for-reelection-1140a033b78e63687633bc154bc358ff#:~:text=Feinstein%20says%20she%20won't%20run%20for%20reelection,-Nancy%20Pelosi%20reacts&amp;text=LOS%20ANGELES%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20Democratic,t%20seek%20reelection%20in%202024.">has announced</a>&nbsp;she would not seek another term.Pelosi has long been portrayed as a political villain by Republican critics, who view her as a far-left liberal and raise vast sums of their own using her image and actions.Last year, her husband, Paul Pelosi, was seriously injured when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/san-francisco-nancy-pelosi-government-and-politics-3a0ec4302ee4f11c612678038997c0d7">an attacker broke into the family’s San Francisco home</a>, seeking the Democratic leader at a highly divisive time in American politics.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nancy-pelosi-husband-attacked-trial-venue-8bdeefb544b3dec5379be39af6fab328">A trial</a>&nbsp;is expected.