A Kansas man was indicted by a federal grand jury for using guns, death threats and racial slurs to intimidate Black people and interfere with multiple federally-protected rights, according to the United State's Attorney.

The indictment alleges that, on July 27, 2022, Austin Schoemann, 30, of Wichita, brandished a firearm and used racial slurs in order to threaten two Black juveniles, Victims 1 and 2, while they were entering a QuikTrip gasoline station. In addition to intimidating and interfering with the two young men, Schoemann used his firearm to threaten a Black adult, Victim-3, who intervened in support of the juveniles’ federally-protected right to be free from racial discrimination when visiting a gasoline station. The indictment also charges Schoemann with using a firearm during and in relation to these crimes of violence.

The indictment further alleges that beginning in January 2022 and continuing through August 2022, Schoemann interfered with the federally-protected housing rights of a white woman, Victim-4, by making threats to hurt or kill any Black people who visited her home. The indictment alleges that Schoemann made many of these threats in-person, and that he would stand outside of Victim-4’s house and shout threats and racial slurs on occasions when he believed she had Black visitors in her house or planned to do so. Schoemann is also charged with two violations of using the internet to distribute videos and messages to Victim-4’s family members and others in which he repeatedly threatened to shoot and kill Black people. &nbsp;

Schoemann faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the firearms charges, a maximum penalty of five years in prison for distribution of threating messages online and a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.&nbsp;

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas and Special Agent in Charge Charles Dayoub of the FBI Kansas City Field Office made the announcement.&nbsp;

The FBI Kansas City Field Office investigated the case. &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685477437664.png" alt="Schoemann is currently being held in Butler County" />
 <figcaption>Schoemann is currently being held in Butler County</figcaption>
 </figure>A Kansas man was indicted by a federal grand jury for using guns, death threats and racial slurs to intimidate Black people and interfere with multiple federally-protected rights, according to the United State's Attorney.The indictment alleges that, on July 27, 2022, Austin Schoemann, 30, of Wichita, brandished a firearm and used racial slurs in order to threaten two Black juveniles, Victims 1 and 2, while they were entering a QuikTrip gasoline station. In addition to intimidating and interfering with the two young men, Schoemann used his firearm to threaten a Black adult, Victim-3, who intervened in support of the juveniles’ federally-protected right to be free from racial discrimination when visiting a gasoline station. The indictment also charges Schoemann with using a firearm during and in relation to these crimes of violence.The indictment further alleges that beginning in January 2022 and continuing through August 2022, Schoemann interfered with the federally-protected housing rights of a white woman, Victim-4, by making threats to hurt or kill any Black people who visited her home. The indictment alleges that Schoemann made many of these threats in-person, and that he would stand outside of Victim-4’s house and shout threats and racial slurs on occasions when he believed she had Black visitors in her house or planned to do so. Schoemann is also charged with two violations of using the internet to distribute videos and messages to Victim-4’s family members and others in which he repeatedly threatened to shoot and kill Black people. &nbsp;Schoemann faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for the firearms charges, a maximum penalty of five years in prison for distribution of threating messages online and a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison for brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.&nbsp;Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas and Special Agent in Charge Charles Dayoub of the FBI Kansas City Field Office made the announcement.&nbsp;The FBI Kansas City Field Office investigated the case. &nbsp;

Grand jury indicts Kan. man for alleged hate crimes against Black people

Washington –&nbsp;On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate voted on a motion to end President Biden’s student loan relief plan. On a 51-46 vote, the Senate advanced the legislation that would repeal the debt cancellation program and nullify the pause on monthly payments and interest.

U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted to overturn the bailout. This measure protects those who did not attend college or already paid off their student loan from being responsible for this debt.&nbsp;

Senator Marshall released the following statement after voting down the bailout:

“In the America I grew up in, if you took out a loan, you paid it back. It’s that simple. I am proud to support today’s CRA that overturns Joe Biden's student loan scheme and saves our country over $300 BILLION. Transferring over undue debt to the American taxpayers is not only fiscally irresponsible, it’s flat-out wrong. This isn’t student loan ‘forgiveness,’ it’s the federal government fleecing hardworking families.”

Washington –&nbsp;On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate voted on a motion to end President Biden’s student loan relief plan. On a 51-46 vote, the Senate advanced the legislation that would repeal the debt cancellation program and nullify the pause on monthly payments and interest.U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted to overturn the bailout. This measure protects those who did not attend college or already paid off their student loan from being responsible for this debt.&nbsp;Senator Marshall released the following statement after voting down the bailout:“In the America I grew up in, if you took out a loan, you paid it back. It’s that simple. I am proud to support today’s CRA that overturns Joe Biden's student loan scheme and saves our country over $300 BILLION. Transferring over undue debt to the American taxpayers is not only fiscally irresponsible, it’s flat-out wrong. This isn’t student loan ‘forgiveness,’ it’s the federal government fleecing hardworking families.”

Moran, Marshall vote to advance repeal of Biden’s student debt relief

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A Kansas man allegedly shut down the electricity to half of a hotel and ended up in the hospital after an incident in Salina late Tuesday afternoon.

Just after 5p.m., police and EMS were dispatched to Spangles, 1720 W. Crawford Street for report of a person who was covered in burns, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

Forrester said the man, identified as Jay Kroulik, 44, of Cuba, Kansas, had walked to the Spangles parking lot seeking help after he allegedly removed a fuse from an Evergy transformer box behind Value Inn and Suites, 1640 W. Crawford Street, and was shocked. The fuse was found on the ground near the transformer box.

The removal of the fuse caused electricity to go out in half of the Value Inn and Suites building, according to Forrester said.&nbsp;

EMS transported Kroulik to Salina Regional Health Center with burns over approximately 30 percent of his body. It is believed that Kroulik was later transferred to a burn unit in Wichita, however Forrester did not have details about that.

Kroulik faces requested charges of Trespassing and Theft when he is released from the hospital.&nbsp;An Evergy crew restored power to the hotel.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685559615758.png" alt="Kroulik from an April arrest in Marshall County" />
 <figcaption>Kroulik from an April arrest in Marshall County</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Kansas man allegedly shut down the electricity to half of a hotel and ended up in the hospital after an incident in Salina late Tuesday afternoon.Just after 5p.m., police and EMS were dispatched to Spangles, 1720 W. Crawford Street for report of a person who was covered in burns, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.Forrester said the man, identified as Jay Kroulik, 44, of Cuba, Kansas, had walked to the Spangles parking lot seeking help after he allegedly removed a fuse from an Evergy transformer box behind Value Inn and Suites, 1640 W. Crawford Street, and was shocked. The fuse was found on the ground near the transformer box.The removal of the fuse caused electricity to go out in half of the Value Inn and Suites building, according to Forrester said.&nbsp;EMS transported Kroulik to Salina Regional Health Center with burns over approximately 30 percent of his body. It is believed that Kroulik was later transferred to a burn unit in Wichita, however Forrester did not have details about that.Kroulik faces requested charges of Trespassing and Theft when he is released from the hospital.&nbsp;An Evergy crew restored power to the hotel.

Police: Kan. man critically burned removing fuse from transformer box 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for multiple allegations after a brief standoff.

Just after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, officers were attempting to locate a suspect wanted in connection with several person felonies at an address in the 2200 block of SW Plass Avenue in Topeka, according to Lt. Donna Eubanks.

The suspect identified as 22-year-old Logan M. Cunningham came outside armed with a handgun. He then retreated inside the home while officers called for additional resources. Cunningham briefly barricaded himself inside the home, but he voluntarily came outside just after 10:15 a.m. and was taken into custody.&nbsp;

Officers&nbsp; transported him to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning from the Criminal Investigations Bureau.

As a result of the investigation Cunningham was arrested on requested charges of Aggravated Assault, Battery, Interference with law enforcement officer, Domestic battery, Aggravated domestic battery, and Kidnapping.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685499437116.png" alt="Cunningham-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Cunningham-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for multiple allegations after a brief standoff.Just after 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, officers were attempting to locate a suspect wanted in connection with several person felonies at an address in the 2200 block of SW Plass Avenue in Topeka, according to Lt. Donna Eubanks.The suspect identified as 22-year-old Logan M. Cunningham came outside armed with a handgun. He then retreated inside the home while officers called for additional resources. Cunningham briefly barricaded himself inside the home, but he voluntarily came outside just after 10:15 a.m. and was taken into custody.&nbsp;Officers&nbsp; transported him to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning from the Criminal Investigations Bureau.As a result of the investigation Cunningham was arrested on requested charges of Aggravated Assault, Battery, Interference with law enforcement officer, Domestic battery, Aggravated domestic battery, and Kidnapping.

Kidnapping, assault suspect jailed after standoff at Kan. home

DICKINSON COUNTY —After over a one month investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit has made two arrests, according to Sheriff Jerry Davis.

Just after 3a.m. May 26, deputies assigned to the Drug Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop with a Buick Le Sabre in the 3400 Block of Kansas 15 Highway to execute a search warrant on the vehicle. Jordan Daniel Greene, 37, and Justyne Marie Hanson, 40, both of Abilene were taken into custody.

The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Abilene Police Department, executed a search warrant at a residence in the 400 Block of NW 3rd Street in Abilene.&nbsp; Officers seized methamphetamine, fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia during the search of the vehicle and the residence.

Greene was booked into the Dickinson County Jail on requested charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute opioid, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and no drug tax stamp.

Hanson was booked into the Dickinson County Jail on requested charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute opioid, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685566518739.png" alt="Greene-photo Dickinson Co." />
 <figcaption>Greene-photo Dickinson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>DICKINSON COUNTY —After over a one month investigation into the distribution of methamphetamine and fentanyl, the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office Drug Enforcement Unit has made two arrests, according to Sheriff Jerry Davis.Just after 3a.m. May 26, deputies assigned to the Drug Enforcement Unit conducted a traffic stop with a Buick Le Sabre in the 3400 Block of Kansas 15 Highway to execute a search warrant on the vehicle. Jordan Daniel Greene, 37, and Justyne Marie Hanson, 40, both of Abilene were taken into custody.The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Abilene Police Department, executed a search warrant at a residence in the 400 Block of NW 3rd Street in Abilene.&nbsp; Officers seized methamphetamine, fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia during the search of the vehicle and the residence.Greene was booked into the Dickinson County Jail on requested charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute opioid, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and no drug tax stamp.Hanson was booked into the Dickinson County Jail on requested charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute opioid, possession of drug paraphernalia, and no drug tax stamp.

2 accused of selling fentanyl, meth in north-central Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Police released the name of the man died in the bulldozer accident Tuesday as 52-year-old Mike Unruh of Moundridge, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Just before 11a.m.., emergency crews responded to the 2800 Block W. Keywest Court where a bulldozer and the operator, Mike Unruh, went into the water while working, according to a social media report from the Wichita Fire Department.

Rescue teams worked in and on the water with divers and equipment. The bulldozer and Unruh were located 30 to 40 feet out. EMS attempted CPR, but he was  pronounced dead. It is not known if the Unruh had a medical related incident, according to emergency crews.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details Wednesday afternoon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685488483385.png" alt="Photos courtesy Wichita Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>Photos courtesy Wichita Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Police released the name of the man died in the bulldozer accident Tuesday as 52-year-old Mike Unruh of Moundridge, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Just before 11a.m.., emergency crews responded to the 2800 Block W. Keywest Court where a bulldozer and the operator, Mike Unruh, went into the water while working, according to a social media report from the Wichita Fire Department.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685488214978.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Rescue teams worked in and on the water with divers and equipment. The bulldozer and Unruh were located 30 to 40 feet out. EMS attempted CPR, but he was pronounced dead. It is not known if the Unruh had a medical related incident, according to emergency crews.&nbsp; Authorities released no additional details Wednesday afternoon.

Police ID Kan. man who died after bulldozer sank in lake

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that two state laws banning abortion are unconstitutional, but the procedure remains illegal in the state in nearly all cases except life-threatening situations.

In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&amp;number=120376" target="_blank">a 6-3 ruling</a>, the high court said the two bans are unconstitutional because they require a “medical emergency” before a doctor can perform an abortion. The court said this language conflicts with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-oklahoma-ban-overturns-supreme-court-7fd43143fa0580460e09a9796ec30a82">previous ruling it issued</a>&nbsp;in March that determined the Oklahoma Constitution provides an “inherent right of a pregnant woman to terminate a pregnancy when necessary to preserve her life.”

The court’s decision was welcomed by doctors who said uncertainty about the state’s abortion laws often forced them to make women facing severe medical complications and nonviable pregnancies to wait for their condition to worsen before they could perform an abortion.

“In our practice we had cases where we would just have to tell women who we would normally offer a (pregnancy) termination to protect her health ... ‘We have to let you go home and monitor your condition and if you start showing signs of infection or worsening blood pressure, then come back and we have the ability to legally treat you,’” said Dana Stone, an Oklahoma City obstetrician and gynecologist. “Otherwise, we’re at risk with these laws of going to jail for 10 years, having hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and losing our medical licenses.”

Despite the court’s March decision that the requirement to wait until an active medical emergency violated the state constitution, there remained uncertainty because of the two laws that remained in effect.

“With their decision today, the court has ensured that the March decision will be fully realized,” said Rabia Muqaddam, a senior staff attorney at the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights, which challenged the laws on behalf of a Tulsa abortion provider. “Hopefully patients will be receiving the medically necessary care they need without waiting until they are on death’s door.”

The laws struck down Wednesday both included a civil-enforcement mechanism that allowed citizens to sue someone who either performed or helped someone perform an abortion.

“Despite the court’s decisions today on SB 1603 and HB 4327, Oklahoma’s 1910 law prohibiting abortion remains in place,” Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement. “Except for certain circumstances outlined in that statute, abortion is still unlawful in the state of Oklahoma.”

Oklahoma’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=69402" target="_blank">1910 law</a>&nbsp;makes it a felony crime punishable by up to five years in prison for anyone to perform an abortion or help a woman obtain an abortion unless it is “necessary to preserve her life.”

The court’s decision was decried by Republican leaders and Gov. Kevin Stitt, who have worked for years to tightly restrict abortion access in Oklahoma.

“This court has once more over-involved itself in the state’s democratic process, and has interceded to undo legislation created by the will of the people,” Stitt said in a statement. “I agree with Justice (Dustin) Rowe’s dissent, ‘The issues presented in this matter are political questions, which are better resolved by the people via our democratic process.’”

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that two state laws banning abortion are unconstitutional, but the procedure remains illegal in the state in nearly all cases except life-threatening situations.In&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=appellate&amp;number=120376" target="_blank">a 6-3 ruling</a>, the high court said the two bans are unconstitutional because they require a “medical emergency” before a doctor can perform an abortion. The court said this language conflicts with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-oklahoma-ban-overturns-supreme-court-7fd43143fa0580460e09a9796ec30a82">previous ruling it issued</a>&nbsp;in March that determined the Oklahoma Constitution provides an “inherent right of a pregnant woman to terminate a pregnancy when necessary to preserve her life.”The court’s decision was welcomed by doctors who said uncertainty about the state’s abortion laws often forced them to make women facing severe medical complications and nonviable pregnancies to wait for their condition to worsen before they could perform an abortion.“In our practice we had cases where we would just have to tell women who we would normally offer a (pregnancy) termination to protect her health ... ‘We have to let you go home and monitor your condition and if you start showing signs of infection or worsening blood pressure, then come back and we have the ability to legally treat you,’” said Dana Stone, an Oklahoma City obstetrician and gynecologist. “Otherwise, we’re at risk with these laws of going to jail for 10 years, having hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and losing our medical licenses.”Despite the court’s March decision that the requirement to wait until an active medical emergency violated the state constitution, there remained uncertainty because of the two laws that remained in effect.“With their decision today, the court has ensured that the March decision will be fully realized,” said Rabia Muqaddam, a senior staff attorney at the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights, which challenged the laws on behalf of a Tulsa abortion provider. “Hopefully patients will be receiving the medically necessary care they need without waiting until they are on death’s door.”The laws struck down Wednesday both included a civil-enforcement mechanism that allowed citizens to sue someone who either performed or helped someone perform an abortion.“Despite the court’s decisions today on SB 1603 and HB 4327, Oklahoma’s 1910 law prohibiting abortion remains in place,” Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement. “Except for certain circumstances outlined in that statute, abortion is still unlawful in the state of Oklahoma.”Oklahoma’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oscn.net/applications/oscn/DeliverDocument.asp?CiteID=69402" target="_blank">1910 law</a>&nbsp;makes it a felony crime punishable by up to five years in prison for anyone to perform an abortion or help a woman obtain an abortion unless it is “necessary to preserve her life.”The court’s decision was decried by Republican leaders and Gov. Kevin Stitt, who have worked for years to tightly restrict abortion access in Oklahoma.“This court has once more over-involved itself in the state’s democratic process, and has interceded to undo legislation created by the will of the people,” Stitt said in a statement. “I agree with Justice (Dustin) Rowe’s dissent, ‘The issues presented in this matter are political questions, which are better resolved by the people via our democratic process.’”___

Oklahoma high court strikes down 2 abortion bans

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Republican attempt to expand work requirements for federal food aid in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-biden-mccarthy-house-votes-9375cce9b7526b2d0a5728f8d4a18a0a">debt legislation moving through Congress</a>&nbsp;would increase federal spending by $2.1 billion over 10 years — far from the cuts GOP lawmakers had promised. Kansas Senator Roger Marshall told Fox News Business, "the deal is nowhere close to where it needs to be and he is disappointed in President Biden."

A compromise on the food aid requirements between House Republicans and President Joe Biden as the nation nears a disastrous government default may have backfired for the Republicans, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-work-requirements-snap-medicaid-biden-66270829cfc0009ddb5f59eb12a6ba7a">won the new work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>&nbsp;for some able-bodied recipients in exchange for Democratic demands to drop work requirements for some other, more vulnerable recipients such as veterans and homeless people.

An estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released late Tuesday said that while the new work requirements in SNAP would save money, the added benefits pushed by Democrats would cost more — and add almost 80,000 people to the rolls in an average month.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., dismissed the estimates.

“Come see me in a year, and I'll show you how much we actually saved,” McCarthy said as he left a late-night meeting Tuesday with his members. “You watch — a lot of people are going to get jobs now.”

Republicans are still claiming victory on the debt compromise after trying for several decades to expand work rules for food aid and other government assistance programs that were first put into place in 1996 welfare overhaul. But it’s unclear if the new budget estimate might cost Republican votes.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-deal-biden-mccarthy-default-01657c829be119850cd65ab9ffb0626a">overall bill negotiated by McCarthy and Biden</a>&nbsp;would still cut spending over the next two years and raise the nation’s debt ceiling to avert a calamitous default. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said that if Congress doesn’t act, the government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-xdate-yellen-default-biden-treasury-b1f2acb09b9a2fdfbf4b5505279d70ae">could run out of cash to pay its bills as soon as Monday</a>.

A look at work requirements in the debt bill, and the history and politics behind it:

Current law requires most able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 49 without dependents to work or attend training programs for at least 80 hours a month if they want to receive more than three months of SNAP benefits within a three-year period. The bill phases in higher age limits for those work requirements, bringing the maximum age to 54 by 2025.

But as part of the compromise with Democrats, the provision is slated to expire five years later. At that time, the maximum age for the work requirements would drop back down to 49.

The CBO said that the new work rules on their own would reduce SNAP spending by $6.5 billion over 10 years. But the exemptions added by Democrats for veterans, homeless people and others would cost $6.8 billion over the same period. The agency said the bill would cost another $1.2 billion because the changes would overlap somewhat as they were phased in.

McCarthy and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., said they believe that the CBO estimate is incorrect and that some recipients who are already exempted from the work requirements may have been double counted.

While some Republicans who are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-biden-mccarthy-house-votes-c8484d7fcd1e38fa593e5dc79c910747">voting against the bill</a>&nbsp;say the final compromise is not enough — Texas Rep. Chip Roy, one of the chief opponents of the bill, called the work requirements “weak” — Republicans involved in the negotiations praised the changes as reasonable.

“These requirements are not mean,” South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson told CNN on Sunday. “They’re not onerous. It’s 20 hours-a-week work training, education or volunteering at a local food bank for people who are able-bodied, not pregnant, don’t have kids at home, live in an area where there are jobs.”

MORE BENEFITS FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE, VETERANS AND OTHERS

Under the bill, veterans, homeless people and young people aging out of foster care would be exempted from the requirements to find work or training after three months. Like the new requirements raising the age limits, those added benefits would also expire in 2030.

Some states already exempt homeless people or veterans from the work requirements, but the bill would allow more people to avoid them.

The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal-leaning think tank, said the need for a new category “exposes the failures of the current exemption system.” Sharon Parrott, the group’s president, argues that veterans and people experiencing homelessness could already be exempted if states properly identified that they meet those criteria. In addition, she says, most of the people who will face new work requirements — the able-bodied adults without dependents between ages 49 and 54 — are not veterans or homeless people.

“While the new exemptions are positive, improvements for some don’t justify expanding to others a failed policy that will increase and deepen poverty,” Parrott said.

A provision of the bill pushed by Republicans would limit how states can exempt people from the work requirements, reducing the number of discretionary exemptions that can be handed out to people who would otherwise be subject to the rules. That goes beyond debt legislation passed by the House last month.

Republicans proposed that change after Biden, a Democrat, balked at a GOP proposal to add work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents on Medicaid, the federal health insurance program, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations.

The bill also requires the Agriculture Department to be more transparent in releasing data about how states waive work requirements and publish that information — a key win for Republicans who have long opposed the waivers.

The agreement would also make changes to the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, which gives cash aid to families with children. While not going as far as the House bill had proposed — and only saving $5 million, according to the CBO — the deal would make adjustments to a credit that allows states to require fewer recipients to work, updating and readjusting the credit to make it harder for states to avoid.

The credit, called the “caseload reduction credit,” allows states to reduce the number of people subject to work requirements based on the decline in the number of people on the TANF rolls in that state as compared to the number of people receiving the assistance in 2005. House Republicans wanted to move the year of comparison to 2022, which would have initially reset the credits to close to zero for every state. Under the compromise bill, states can gain credits for their caseload reduction since 2015.

The bill would also make other adjustments to TANF, including eliminating some small cash payments to families.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Republican attempt to expand work requirements for federal food aid in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-biden-mccarthy-house-votes-9375cce9b7526b2d0a5728f8d4a18a0a">debt legislation moving through Congress</a>&nbsp;would increase federal spending by $2.1 billion over 10 years — far from the cuts GOP lawmakers had promised. Kansas Senator Roger Marshall told Fox News Business, "the deal is nowhere close to where it needs to be and he is disappointed in President Biden."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I am not satisfied with where we are at with the debt ‘deal’ - it is nowhere close to where it needs to be. <a href="https://t.co/BaSsOc0qzc">pic.twitter.com/BaSsOc0qzc</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1663921439966126083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 31, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A compromise on the food aid requirements between House Republicans and President Joe Biden as the nation nears a disastrous government default may have backfired for the Republicans, who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-work-requirements-snap-medicaid-biden-66270829cfc0009ddb5f59eb12a6ba7a">won the new work requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>&nbsp;for some able-bodied recipients in exchange for Democratic demands to drop work requirements for some other, more vulnerable recipients such as veterans and homeless people.An estimate from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released late Tuesday said that while the new work requirements in SNAP would save money, the added benefits pushed by Democrats would cost more — and add almost 80,000 people to the rolls in an average month.House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., dismissed the estimates.“Come see me in a year, and I'll show you how much we actually saved,” McCarthy said as he left a late-night meeting Tuesday with his members. “You watch — a lot of people are going to get jobs now.”Republicans are still claiming victory on the debt compromise after trying for several decades to expand work rules for food aid and other government assistance programs that were first put into place in 1996 welfare overhaul. But it’s unclear if the new budget estimate might cost Republican votes.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-deal-biden-mccarthy-default-01657c829be119850cd65ab9ffb0626a">overall bill negotiated by McCarthy and Biden</a>&nbsp;would still cut spending over the next two years and raise the nation’s debt ceiling to avert a calamitous default. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has said that if Congress doesn’t act, the government&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-xdate-yellen-default-biden-treasury-b1f2acb09b9a2fdfbf4b5505279d70ae">could run out of cash to pay its bills as soon as Monday</a>.A look at work requirements in the debt bill, and the history and politics behind it:A HIGHER AGE LIMIT FOR WORK REQUIREMENTSCurrent law requires most able-bodied adults between the ages of 18 and 49 without dependents to work or attend training programs for at least 80 hours a month if they want to receive more than three months of SNAP benefits within a three-year period. The bill phases in higher age limits for those work requirements, bringing the maximum age to 54 by 2025.But as part of the compromise with Democrats, the provision is slated to expire five years later. At that time, the maximum age for the work requirements would drop back down to 49.The CBO said that the new work rules on their own would reduce SNAP spending by $6.5 billion over 10 years. But the exemptions added by Democrats for veterans, homeless people and others would cost $6.8 billion over the same period. The agency said the bill would cost another $1.2 billion because the changes would overlap somewhat as they were phased in.McCarthy and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., said they believe that the CBO estimate is incorrect and that some recipients who are already exempted from the work requirements may have been double counted.While some Republicans who are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-biden-mccarthy-house-votes-c8484d7fcd1e38fa593e5dc79c910747">voting against the bill</a>&nbsp;say the final compromise is not enough — Texas Rep. Chip Roy, one of the chief opponents of the bill, called the work requirements “weak” — Republicans involved in the negotiations praised the changes as reasonable.“These requirements are not mean,” South Dakota Rep. Dusty Johnson told CNN on Sunday. “They’re not onerous. It’s 20 hours-a-week work training, education or volunteering at a local food bank for people who are able-bodied, not pregnant, don’t have kids at home, live in an area where there are jobs.”MORE BENEFITS FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE, VETERANS AND OTHERSUnder the bill, veterans, homeless people and young people aging out of foster care would be exempted from the requirements to find work or training after three months. Like the new requirements raising the age limits, those added benefits would also expire in 2030.Some states already exempt homeless people or veterans from the work requirements, but the bill would allow more people to avoid them.The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, a liberal-leaning think tank, said the need for a new category “exposes the failures of the current exemption system.” Sharon Parrott, the group’s president, argues that veterans and people experiencing homelessness could already be exempted if states properly identified that they meet those criteria. In addition, she says, most of the people who will face new work requirements — the able-bodied adults without dependents between ages 49 and 54 — are not veterans or homeless people.“While the new exemptions are positive, improvements for some don’t justify expanding to others a failed policy that will increase and deepen poverty,” Parrott said.STRICTER RULES FOR STATE SNAP EXEMPTIONSA provision of the bill pushed by Republicans would limit how states can exempt people from the work requirements, reducing the number of discretionary exemptions that can be handed out to people who would otherwise be subject to the rules. That goes beyond debt legislation passed by the House last month.Republicans proposed that change after Biden, a Democrat, balked at a GOP proposal to add work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents on Medicaid, the federal health insurance program, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations.The bill also requires the Agriculture Department to be more transparent in releasing data about how states waive work requirements and publish that information — a key win for Republicans who have long opposed the waivers.NEW RULES FOR THE TANF PROGRAMThe agreement would also make changes to the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program, which gives cash aid to families with children. While not going as far as the House bill had proposed — and only saving $5 million, according to the CBO — the deal would make adjustments to a credit that allows states to require fewer recipients to work, updating and readjusting the credit to make it harder for states to avoid.The credit, called the “caseload reduction credit,” allows states to reduce the number of people subject to work requirements based on the decline in the number of people on the TANF rolls in that state as compared to the number of people receiving the assistance in 2005. House Republicans wanted to move the year of comparison to 2022, which would have initially reset the credits to close to zero for every state. Under the compromise bill, states can gain credits for their caseload reduction since 2015.The bill would also make other adjustments to TANF, including eliminating some small cash payments to families.___

🎥 Marshall: Debt ‘deal’ nowhere close to where it needs to be

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;Health reported 151&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">&nbsp;new</a> <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">coronavirus cases</a> in Kansas from May 24, to May 31, for a total of 946,564 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 212 cases the previous week.

On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">the state reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;4 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on May 24, for a total of 10,229 since the state started reporting COVID illness and deaths.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.

As of May 31, the state will no longer update the COVID Case County Dashboard. <a href="https://kshealthdata.kdhe.ks.gov/t/BEPHI_COVID-19/views/KSSP/LandingPage?%3Aembed=y&amp;amp%3B%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y">Click here </a>for COVID data from the Kansas Syndrome Surveillance Program.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;Health reported 151&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">&nbsp;new</a> <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">coronavirus cases</a> in Kansas from May 24, to May 31, for a total of 946,564 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;The state reported 212 cases the previous week.On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3097/2023-COVID-19-Summary-and-Historical-Binder-PDF?bidId=">the state reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;4 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on May 24, for a total of 10,229 since the state started reporting COVID illness and deaths.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685550369633.png" alt="May 31, 2023 KDHE image" />
 <figcaption>May 31, 2023 KDHE image</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.As of May 31, the state will no longer update the COVID Case County Dashboard. <a href="https://kshealthdata.kdhe.ks.gov/t/BEPHI_COVID-19/views/KSSP/LandingPage?%3Aembed=y&amp;amp%3B%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y">Click here </a>for COVID data from the Kansas Syndrome Surveillance Program.

KDHE: COVID cases continue to decline; 4 more deaths

KANSAS CITY (AP) —A missing emergency room doctor from Missouri has been found dead in northwestern Arkansas, his brother said, but questions remain about what happened in the week since he was last seen.

Authorities said the body of Dr. John Forsyth, 49, was discovered in Benton County, Arkansas, roughly an hour-and-a-half drive from where the doctor's car was found near an aquatic park in Cassville, Missouri, his brother Richard Forsyth said in an interview Tuesday. Richard Forsyth said authorities had contacted family members with the information. He provided no other details.

The black Infiniti was unlocked with John Forsyth's wallet, two phones, a laptop and other items inside, his brother said. Police told the family there were no signs of foul play. An autopsy and official identification were pending.

“Right now, we really don’t have any breaks in the case,” Richard Forsyth said earlier Tuesday. “I’m confused, and I’m worried. And I don’t like this one bit.”

Police in Cassville announced Tuesday night that the Benton County Sheriff’s Office informed them a body had been found, the same day the brother said the family was told about the discovery.

Messages left Wednesday with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol were not immediately returned.

The last known person who communicated with John Forsyth was the woman he'd recently gotten engaged to, who texted with him at around 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 21, his brother said.

Police say he was reported missing when he failed to show up for work May 21 at Mercy Hospital in Cassville, a town of 3,100 residents deep in the Missouri Ozarks.

The last time his brother saw John Forsyth was at dinner on Wednesday, May 17.

“I told him this is the happiest I’d seen him in a long time. His divorce was final May 11, and I think that gave him energy for the future,” Richard Forsyth said.

John Forsyth had worked at the Cassville hospital for about 15 years, his brother said, describing him as a doting father, part-time math nerd and dedicated physician who stayed in his RV near the hospital when he was on-call.

“He really cared about his patients,” Richard Forsyth said. “And he loved his kids.”

When the doctor's vehicle was found, several law enforcement agencies searched about a 9-mile (15-kilometer) radius around the aquatic park using people, dogs and drones. Forsyth's family set up a Facebook page seeking information.

“My brother has now been missing for week,” his sister, Tiffany Andelin, wrote Monday. “I’m grieving, I’m afraid, and it feels like the world has tipped into sheer chaos.”

KANSAS CITY (AP) —The body of a Missouri emergency room doctor who has been missing for more than a week has been found in northwest Arkansas, his brother told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Dr. John Forsyth was last heard from in text messages around 7 a.m. May 21. His brother, Richard Forsyth, said authorities called the family Tuesday night to say his brother was found deceased. He said he and other family members were waiting for more details from detectives.

Messages left with the Missouri State Highway Patrol were not immediately returned.

Police said John Forsyth, 49, was reported missing when he failed to show up for work May 21 at Mercy Hospital in Cassville, a town of 3,100 residents deep in the Missouri Ozarks.

His black Infiniti was found parked in a remote area near an aquatic park in Cassville. The car was unlocked with his wallet, two phones and a laptop and other items inside.

“It doesn't seem like a person who left with a plan,” Richard Forsyth told the AP earlier Tuesday. “Right now, we really don't have any breaks in the case. I’m confused, and I’m worried. And I don’t like this one bit."

Several law enforcement agencies, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, searched about a 9-mile radius around the park using people, dogs and drones. Forsyth's family set up a Facebook page seeking information.

“My brother has now been missing for week. I’m grieving, I’m afraid, and it feels like the world has tipped into sheer chaos,” his sister, Tiffany Andelin, wrote Monday.

Richard Forsyth said the last person his brother texted with was a woman to whom his brother had recently gotten engaged. The last time Richard saw him was a few days before he went missing.

“We had dinner Wednesday before he disappeared, and we sat and talked for three hours,” Richard Forsyth said. “I told him this is the happiest I’d seen him in a long time. His divorce was final May 11, and I think that gave him energy for the future.”

Phone and email messages left Tuesday with Cassville police were not immediately returned. Police have said there were no signs of foul play.

Richard Forsyth said his brother had been at the Cassville hospital for about 15 years. He described John Forsyth as a doting father, family physician and part-time math nerd.

“He really cared about his patients,” Richard Forsyth said, adding that his brother stayed in his RV near the hospital when he was on-call. “And he loved his kids.”

CASSVILLE, Mo. (AP) — Authorities in a small Missouri town continue to search for an emergency room physician a week-and-a-half after his mysterious disappearance.

Dr. John Forsyth, 49, was last heard from on May 21. Police said he was reported missing when he failed to show up for work that day at Mercy Hospital in Cassville, a town of 3,100 residents deep in the Missouri Ozarks.

“This is very unusual for him,” Forsyth’s brother, Richard Forsyth, told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ozarksfirst.com/top-stories/search-continues-for-missing-cassville-doctor-family-reacts/">KOLR-TV</a>. “This is a punctual man who has never missed a day of work in his life, not even for being sick.”

Forsyth's black Infiniti was found in a remote area near an aquatic park in Cassville. The car was unlocked with his wallet, two phones and a laptop inside.

Several law enforcement agencies, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, have joined in the search using people, dogs and drones. Forsyth's family set up a Facebook page seeking information.

“My brother has now been missing for week. I’m grieving, I’m afraid, and it feels like the world has tipped into sheer chaos,” his sister, Tiffany Andelin, wrote on Monday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685465277680.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —A missing emergency room doctor from Missouri has been found dead in northwestern Arkansas, his brother said, but questions remain about what happened in the week since he was last seen.Authorities said the body of Dr. John Forsyth, 49, was discovered in Benton County, Arkansas, roughly an hour-and-a-half drive from where the doctor's car was found near an aquatic park in Cassville, Missouri, his brother Richard Forsyth said in an interview Tuesday. Richard Forsyth said authorities had contacted family members with the information. He provided no other details.The black Infiniti was unlocked with John Forsyth's wallet, two phones, a laptop and other items inside, his brother said. Police told the family there were no signs of foul play. An autopsy and official identification were pending.“Right now, we really don’t have any breaks in the case,” Richard Forsyth said earlier Tuesday. “I’m confused, and I’m worried. And I don’t like this one bit.”Police in Cassville announced Tuesday night that the Benton County Sheriff’s Office informed them a body had been found, the same day the brother said the family was told about the discovery.Messages left Wednesday with the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol were not immediately returned.The last known person who communicated with John Forsyth was the woman he'd recently gotten engaged to, who texted with him at around 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 21, his brother said.Police say he was reported missing when he failed to show up for work May 21 at Mercy Hospital in Cassville, a town of 3,100 residents deep in the Missouri Ozarks.The last time his brother saw John Forsyth was at dinner on Wednesday, May 17.“I told him this is the happiest I’d seen him in a long time. His divorce was final May 11, and I think that gave him energy for the future,” Richard Forsyth said.John Forsyth had worked at the Cassville hospital for about 15 years, his brother said, describing him as a doting father, part-time math nerd and dedicated physician who stayed in his RV near the hospital when he was on-call.“He really cared about his patients,” Richard Forsyth said. “And he loved his kids.”When the doctor's vehicle was found, several law enforcement agencies searched about a 9-mile (15-kilometer) radius around the aquatic park using people, dogs and drones. Forsyth's family set up a Facebook page seeking information.“My brother has now been missing for week,” his sister, Tiffany Andelin, wrote Monday. “I’m grieving, I’m afraid, and it feels like the world has tipped into sheer chaos.”----------------KANSAS CITY (AP) —The body of a Missouri emergency room doctor who has been missing for more than a week has been found in northwest Arkansas, his brother told The Associated Press on Tuesday.Dr. John Forsyth was last heard from in text messages around 7 a.m. May 21. His brother, Richard Forsyth, said authorities called the family Tuesday night to say his brother was found deceased. He said he and other family members were waiting for more details from detectives.Messages left with the Missouri State Highway Patrol were not immediately returned.Police said John Forsyth, 49, was reported missing when he failed to show up for work May 21 at Mercy Hospital in Cassville, a town of 3,100 residents deep in the Missouri Ozarks.His black Infiniti was found parked in a remote area near an aquatic park in Cassville. The car was unlocked with his wallet, two phones and a laptop and other items inside.“It doesn't seem like a person who left with a plan,” Richard Forsyth told the AP earlier Tuesday. “Right now, we really don't have any breaks in the case. I’m confused, and I’m worried. And I don’t like this one bit."Several law enforcement agencies, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, searched about a 9-mile radius around the park using people, dogs and drones. Forsyth's family set up a Facebook page seeking information.“My brother has now been missing for week. I’m grieving, I’m afraid, and it feels like the world has tipped into sheer chaos,” his sister, Tiffany Andelin, wrote Monday.Richard Forsyth said the last person his brother texted with was a woman to whom his brother had recently gotten engaged. The last time Richard saw him was a few days before he went missing.“We had dinner Wednesday before he disappeared, and we sat and talked for three hours,” Richard Forsyth said. “I told him this is the happiest I’d seen him in a long time. His divorce was final May 11, and I think that gave him energy for the future.”Phone and email messages left Tuesday with Cassville police were not immediately returned. Police have said there were no signs of foul play.Richard Forsyth said his brother had been at the Cassville hospital for about 15 years. He described John Forsyth as a doting father, family physician and part-time math nerd.“He really cared about his patients,” Richard Forsyth said, adding that his brother stayed in his RV near the hospital when he was on-call. “And he loved his kids.”-------------CASSVILLE, Mo. (AP) — Authorities in a small Missouri town continue to search for an emergency room physician a week-and-a-half after his mysterious disappearance.Dr. John Forsyth, 49, was last heard from on May 21. Police said he was reported missing when he failed to show up for work that day at Mercy Hospital in Cassville, a town of 3,100 residents deep in the Missouri Ozarks.“This is very unusual for him,” Forsyth’s brother, Richard Forsyth, told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ozarksfirst.com/top-stories/search-continues-for-missing-cassville-doctor-family-reacts/">KOLR-TV</a>. “This is a punctual man who has never missed a day of work in his life, not even for being sick.”Forsyth's black Infiniti was found in a remote area near an aquatic park in Cassville. The car was unlocked with his wallet, two phones and a laptop inside.Several law enforcement agencies, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol, have joined in the search using people, dogs and drones. Forsyth's family set up a Facebook page seeking information.“My brother has now been missing for week. I’m grieving, I’m afraid, and it feels like the world has tipped into sheer chaos,” his sister, Tiffany Andelin, wrote on Monday.Phone and email messages left Tuesday with Cassville police were not immediately returned. Police have said there were no signs of foul play.

Questions remain: Body of missing Missouri doctor found 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Pudgie, a 50-year-old hippopotamus at the Sedgwick County Zoo died Tuesday.

 She succumbed to ongoing health issues and declining mobility due to her advanced age, according to a media release from the zoo.

In recent years, keepers and veterinarians at the zoo had been providing specialized geriatric care to keep Pudgie comfortable and ensure she maintained a good quality of life. 

However, she recently took an obvious downward turn and it became clear that her pain was too difficult to manage. The very tough decision was made to compassionately and humanely euthanize her in order to prevent any suffering. 

A necropsy (animal autopsy) will be performed to further understand the extent of Pudgie’s health conditions. &nbsp;

Pudgie was born Oct. 18, 1972, at Houston Zoo and has called Sedgwick County Zoo home since 1973, when she joined hippo Sweetie Pie in the Zoo’s African Veldt habitat. The two have lived together at the zoo for the past five decades.

Keepers affectionately describe Pudgie as “bossy” – making sure she always gets what she wants and only on her terms. They’ll miss her stubborn personality, always greeting them with a “laugh” each morning and begging for treats and tongue scratches.

Not only was Pudgie cared for by numerous keepers during her time in Wichita, but she was also loved and adored by thousands of guests who have shared touching stories about what it was like to see a hippo for the very first time. Zoo-goers loved watching Pudgie drink from the firehose or smash whole watermelons in her mouth – they were her favorite treat.

Without her best friend around, Sweetie Pie will have some adjusting to do. Keepers will be devoting extra time to not only monitor her behavior and well-being, but to give her plenty of love and extra attention.

No doubt one of the most iconic animals at the Sedgwick County Zoo, Pudgie will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her. Pudgie’s keepers encourage her fans to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SedgwickCountyZoo/">share their memories with the zoo</a> on social media as a way to commemorate the amazing life she shared with the community.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685546080191.png" alt="Pudgie, Nile Hippopotamus photo courtesy Sedgwick County Zoo" />
 <figcaption>Pudgie, Nile Hippopotamus photo courtesy Sedgwick County Zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Pudgie, a 50-year-old hippopotamus at the Sedgwick County Zoo died Tuesday. She succumbed to ongoing health issues and declining mobility due to her advanced age, according to a media release from the zoo.In recent years, keepers and veterinarians at the zoo had been providing specialized geriatric care to keep Pudgie comfortable and ensure she maintained a good quality of life. However, she recently took an obvious downward turn and it became clear that her pain was too difficult to manage. The very tough decision was made to compassionately and humanely euthanize her in order to prevent any suffering. A necropsy (animal autopsy) will be performed to further understand the extent of Pudgie’s health conditions. &nbsp;Pudgie was born Oct. 18, 1972, at Houston Zoo and has called Sedgwick County Zoo home since 1973, when she joined hippo Sweetie Pie in the Zoo’s African Veldt habitat. The two have lived together at the zoo for the past five decades.Keepers affectionately describe Pudgie as “bossy” – making sure she always gets what she wants and only on her terms. They’ll miss her stubborn personality, always greeting them with a “laugh” each morning and begging for treats and tongue scratches.Not only was Pudgie cared for by numerous keepers during her time in Wichita, but she was also loved and adored by thousands of guests who have shared touching stories about what it was like to see a hippo for the very first time. Zoo-goers loved watching Pudgie drink from the firehose or smash whole watermelons in her mouth – they were her favorite treat.Without her best friend around, Sweetie Pie will have some adjusting to do. Keepers will be devoting extra time to not only monitor her behavior and well-being, but to give her plenty of love and extra attention.No doubt one of the most iconic animals at the Sedgwick County Zoo, Pudgie will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her. Pudgie’s keepers encourage her fans to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SedgwickCountyZoo/">share their memories with the zoo</a> on social media as a way to commemorate the amazing life she shared with the community.

 Popular 50-year-old hippo at Kansas zoo has died

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman's beating death and have made an arrest.

Just before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to report of a&nbsp; clubbing in the area of 5700 E. Central in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

First responders located the victim identified 46-year-old Kacey Joel of Wichita, laying in the back yard of a residence with visible injuries.

Officers immediately rendered aid and she was transported to a local area hospital. She sustained significant trauma to her body and later died from her injuries, according to Gupilan.

Eyewitnesses reported that her son, 21-year-old Devin Joel, was seen running from the scene. Officers quickly were able to locate him after a brief foot pursuit. He made comments that he was going to die by suicide by cop and was yielding a knife when officers confronted him.

 The officers were able to get him to put the knife down and he was taken into custody without incident. He is being held on requested charges of First-Degree Murder. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685534788085.png" alt="Joel-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Joel-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a woman's beating death and have made an arrest.Just before 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, police were dispatched to report of a&nbsp; clubbing in the area of 5700 E. Central in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.First responders located the victim identified 46-year-old Kacey Joel of Wichita, laying in the back yard of a residence with visible injuries.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685527814365.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday afternoon-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation Tuesday afternoon-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers immediately rendered aid and she was transported to a local area hospital. She sustained significant trauma to her body and later died from her injuries, according to Gupilan.Eyewitnesses reported that her son, 21-year-old Devin Joel, was seen running from the scene. Officers quickly were able to locate him after a brief foot pursuit. He made comments that he was going to die by suicide by cop and was yielding a knife when officers confronted him. The officers were able to get him to put the knife down and he was taken into custody without incident. He is being held on requested charges of First-Degree Murder.

Police: Kansas man accused of mother's beating death

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

WASHINGTON — The holiday weekend debt ceiling deal struck by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy preserves in part new work requirements for some food stamp recipients but now with exceptions for certain populations, including veterans.

The agreement released late Saturday night showed concessions from both sides — from GOP members, who wanted to tighten eligibility for not just food stamps but also low-income health care, and from the Democrats, who called such restrictions a nonstarter.

The Biden administration and the Republican House majority arrived at a compromise, titled the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the day after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://newjerseymonitor.com/2023/05/27/treasury-secretary-pinpoints-june-5-as-earliest-date-for-u-s-debt-default/">warned</a>&nbsp;the U.S. would default if a deal wasn’t brokered by June 5.

Work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and other government benefits were a sticking point during the months of stalemate leading right up to the edge of Treasury exhausting all reserves to pay the nation’s bills.

The House is expected to vote on the deal by late evening Wednesday, after which the bill will head to the Democratic-led Senate.

The Fiscal Responsibility Act proposes additional work requirements, with a sunset date of 2030, for adults without dependents age 18 to 55, unless the recipient has veteran status, is a homeless person or is under 24 and aging out of the foster care system.

The House GOP majority maintains the new rules would “lift Americans out of poverty” and that the “consequential reforms” will “save taxpayer dollars, get Americans back to work, and grow the economy,” according to a document released Saturday by the office of GOP Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota.

The move softens McCarthy’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2023/04/26/u-s-house-gop-plan-would-expand-work-requirements-for-food-aid-for-older-adults/">original proposal</a>&nbsp;that raised the work requirements for food assistance beneficiaries without dependents up to age 55 without exceptions for veterans,&nbsp; homeless people or young adults exiting foster care.

As the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/work-requirements">law stands now</a>, all recipients of federal nutrition aid ages 16 to 59 must either be looking for work, enrolled in a SNAP employment training program, or pulling in wages equivalent to 30 hours per week at the federal minimum wage.

Some exceptions exist, for example, for people who already have a job, are physically or mentally unable, or are caring for a child under 6.

Those considered able-bodied adults ages 18 to 49 are subject to additional rules and must work for pay, attend a training program or volunteer 80 hours a month — though some states can waive these requirements depending on unemployment figures and other factors.

Beneficiaries in that age range who don’t meet the current additional work requirements, and cannot secure an exemption, can only receive SNAP benefits, formerly called food stamps, for three months over a three-year period.

The left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2023/04/26/u-s-house-gop-plan-would-expand-work-requirements-for-food-aid-for-older-adults/">estimated</a>&nbsp;that raising the age to 55 would have put food assistance in jeopardy for roughly 1 million adults without dependents.

In a statement Sunday, the center’s president, Sharon Parrott, called the new proposal a “significant improvement over the radical House bill.”

But she continued: “It is not the deal the country deserves. There are a number of troubling elements, including the provision that will put at risk food assistance for very low-income older adults. This policy will increase hunger and poverty among that group, runs contrary to our nation’s values, and should be rejected. The nation must pay its bills — but that shouldn’t mean enacting legislation that leaves people who already struggle to afford the basics worse off.”

The most conservative wing of the GOP&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2023/01/07/u-s-house-gop-backs-mccarthy-as-speaker-after-tense-and-chaotic-late-night-session/">demanded</a>&nbsp;McCarthy tie spending cuts to a debt ceiling increase in exchange for their support in securing McCarthy the speaker’s gavel.

The original debt ceiling proposal — the Limit, Save, Grow Act that was narrowly approved by the GOP House majority — included the expanded SNAP work rules along with new work requirements for Medicaid recipients, and for the poorest Americans who rely on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF.

Together those expanded welfare requirements would have cut $100 billion and $120 billion in government spending over the next ten years, according to respective analyses from the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.crfb.org/blogs/whats-limit-save-grow-act">Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.moodysanalytics.com/-/media/article/2023/debt-limit-drama.pdf">Moody’s Analytics</a>. But, as both analyses concluded, the Limit, Save, Grow Act’s clawback of new IRS funding, passed in 2022 to modernize tax collection, would have offset that savings by costing the government roughly $100 billion over the next decade.

“Oh, Republicans want to reduce the deficit? I’ve got an easy idea – tax the rich,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RepJayapal/status/1662925238378610689?s=20">tweeted</a>&nbsp;Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Washington congresswoman and head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which is criticizing the White House for agreeing to any new SNAP work requirements.

Some limitations on TANF made it into Saturday’s agreement, but work requirements for Medicaid were dropped.

The Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan body that calculates the cost and savings of legislation, has not yet released its score of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.

Shalanda Young, director of the U.S. Office Management and Budget, said Tuesday at the White House press briefing that the administration does not yet have an estimate for how many SNAP recipients will be subject to the new work requirements.

“Some people who have these requirements now will no longer if they’re homeless, if they’re veterans, if they’re foster youth aged out of the system up to 24. So the analysis is being finalized, but we believe those who are off of those requirements because of those exemptions, will be about the same number as those who are phased in on age,” said Young, who was among the negotiators for the new deal.

“And you have to remember this: This entire SNAP change (will) sunset in 2030 to give Congress a chance to see how the new exemptions work and how the new ages work,” she continued. “And (Congress) can opine on a future farm bill if these changes have made a difference in the SNAP program.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers SNAP, analyzes the number of beneficiaries and any changes to the program. Nutrition programs make up the majority of the multi-year omnibus legislation referred to as the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12047#:~:text=The%20farm%20bill%20extends%20authorizations,would%20be%20costly%20if%20restored.">farm bill</a>.

Congress is in the process of negotiating a new farm bill, which reauthorizes spending for food and agriculture programs.

The idea for expanding SNAP work requirements&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2023/03/14/south-dakota-congressman-advocates-expansion-of-work-requirements-for-federal-food-aid/">gained traction in March</a>&nbsp;when Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, introduced the America Works Act, which proposed adjusting the work rules for recipients up to 65.

Johnson’s office did not respond to an inquiry on whether the congressman would push for the tightened rules under the farm bill.

A congressional aide for the GOP-led House Agriculture Committee said the effort is unlikely. Attempts to re-litigate work requirements for SNAP during the farm bill process would present an unnecessary hurdle in drafting and passing a timely, bipartisan farm bill, the aide said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/10/1571410354379.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By ASHLEY MURRAY <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — The holiday weekend debt ceiling deal struck by President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy preserves in part new work requirements for some food stamp recipients but now with exceptions for certain populations, including veterans.The agreement released late Saturday night showed concessions from both sides — from GOP members, who wanted to tighten eligibility for not just food stamps but also low-income health care, and from the Democrats, who called such restrictions a nonstarter.The Biden administration and the Republican House majority arrived at a compromise, titled the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the day after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://newjerseymonitor.com/2023/05/27/treasury-secretary-pinpoints-june-5-as-earliest-date-for-u-s-debt-default/">warned</a>&nbsp;the U.S. would default if a deal wasn’t brokered by June 5.Work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, and other government benefits were a sticking point during the months of stalemate leading right up to the edge of Treasury exhausting all reserves to pay the nation’s bills.The House is expected to vote on the deal by late evening Wednesday, after which the bill will head to the Democratic-led Senate.<h2>New work rules</h2>The Fiscal Responsibility Act proposes additional work requirements, with a sunset date of 2030, for adults without dependents age 18 to 55, unless the recipient has veteran status, is a homeless person or is under 24 and aging out of the foster care system.The House GOP majority maintains the new rules would “lift Americans out of poverty” and that the “consequential reforms” will “save taxpayer dollars, get Americans back to work, and grow the economy,” according to a document released Saturday by the office of GOP Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota.The move softens McCarthy’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2023/04/26/u-s-house-gop-plan-would-expand-work-requirements-for-food-aid-for-older-adults/">original proposal</a>&nbsp;that raised the work requirements for food assistance beneficiaries without dependents up to age 55 without exceptions for veterans,&nbsp; homeless people or young adults exiting foster care.As the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/work-requirements">law stands now</a>, all recipients of federal nutrition aid ages 16 to 59 must either be looking for work, enrolled in a SNAP employment training program, or pulling in wages equivalent to 30 hours per week at the federal minimum wage.Some exceptions exist, for example, for people who already have a job, are physically or mentally unable, or are caring for a child under 6.Those considered able-bodied adults ages 18 to 49 are subject to additional rules and must work for pay, attend a training program or volunteer 80 hours a month — though some states can waive these requirements depending on unemployment figures and other factors.Beneficiaries in that age range who don’t meet the current additional work requirements, and cannot secure an exemption, can only receive SNAP benefits, formerly called food stamps, for three months over a three-year period.The left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://tennesseelookout.com/2023/04/26/u-s-house-gop-plan-would-expand-work-requirements-for-food-aid-for-older-adults/">estimated</a>&nbsp;that raising the age to 55 would have put food assistance in jeopardy for roughly 1 million adults without dependents.In a statement Sunday, the center’s president, Sharon Parrott, called the new proposal a “significant improvement over the radical House bill.”But she continued: “It is not the deal the country deserves. There are a number of troubling elements, including the provision that will put at risk food assistance for very low-income older adults. This policy will increase hunger and poverty among that group, runs contrary to our nation’s values, and should be rejected. The nation must pay its bills — but that shouldn’t mean enacting legislation that leaves people who already struggle to afford the basics worse off.”The most conservative wing of the GOP&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2023/01/07/u-s-house-gop-backs-mccarthy-as-speaker-after-tense-and-chaotic-late-night-session/">demanded</a>&nbsp;McCarthy tie spending cuts to a debt ceiling increase in exchange for their support in securing McCarthy the speaker’s gavel.The original debt ceiling proposal — the Limit, Save, Grow Act that was narrowly approved by the GOP House majority — included the expanded SNAP work rules along with new work requirements for Medicaid recipients, and for the poorest Americans who rely on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF.Together those expanded welfare requirements would have cut $100 billion and $120 billion in government spending over the next ten years, according to respective analyses from the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.crfb.org/blogs/whats-limit-save-grow-act">Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.moodysanalytics.com/-/media/article/2023/debt-limit-drama.pdf">Moody’s Analytics</a>. But, as both analyses concluded, the Limit, Save, Grow Act’s clawback of new IRS funding, passed in 2022 to modernize tax collection, would have offset that savings by costing the government roughly $100 billion over the next decade.“Oh, Republicans want to reduce the deficit? I’ve got an easy idea – tax the rich,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RepJayapal/status/1662925238378610689?s=20">tweeted</a>&nbsp;Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Washington congresswoman and head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which is criticizing the White House for agreeing to any new SNAP work requirements.Some limitations on TANF made it into Saturday’s agreement, but work requirements for Medicaid were dropped.The Congressional Budget Office, the nonpartisan body that calculates the cost and savings of legislation, has not yet released its score of the Fiscal Responsibility Act.Shalanda Young, director of the U.S. Office Management and Budget, said Tuesday at the White House press briefing that the administration does not yet have an estimate for how many SNAP recipients will be subject to the new work requirements.“Some people who have these requirements now will no longer if they’re homeless, if they’re veterans, if they’re foster youth aged out of the system up to 24. So the analysis is being finalized, but we believe those who are off of those requirements because of those exemptions, will be about the same number as those who are phased in on age,” said Young, who was among the negotiators for the new deal.“And you have to remember this: This entire SNAP change (will) sunset in 2030 to give Congress a chance to see how the new exemptions work and how the new ages work,” she continued. “And (Congress) can opine on a future farm bill if these changes have made a difference in the SNAP program.”<h2>Farm bill</h2>The U.S. Department of Agriculture, which administers SNAP, analyzes the number of beneficiaries and any changes to the program. Nutrition programs make up the majority of the multi-year omnibus legislation referred to as the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12047#:~:text=The%20farm%20bill%20extends%20authorizations,would%20be%20costly%20if%20restored.">farm bill</a>.Congress is in the process of negotiating a new farm bill, which reauthorizes spending for food and agriculture programs.The idea for expanding SNAP work requirements&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://southdakotasearchlight.com/2023/03/14/south-dakota-congressman-advocates-expansion-of-work-requirements-for-federal-food-aid/">gained traction in March</a>&nbsp;when Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, introduced the America Works Act, which proposed adjusting the work rules for recipients up to 65.Johnson’s office did not respond to an inquiry on whether the congressman would push for the tightened rules under the farm bill.A congressional aide for the GOP-led House Agriculture Committee said the effort is unlikely. Attempts to re-litigate work requirements for SNAP during the farm bill process would present an unnecessary hurdle in drafting and passing a timely, bipartisan farm bill, the aide said.

New work requirements for some SNAP recipients included in debt limit deal

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged aggravated assault.

Just before midnight Saturday, deputies with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 8200 block of SW 10th Street for a disturbance involving a firearm, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

A family of four riding their 2023 Polaris Rzr ATV&nbsp; told deputies that an&nbsp;individual in a pickup truck threatened them with a firearm.

Deputies were able to locate the truck and the driver. A search warrant was executed and a firearm matching the description was located.

Deputies then arrested 50-year-old Fabian R. Tinajero of Topeka, and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685464616228.png" alt="Tinajero-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Tinajero-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged aggravated assault.Just before midnight Saturday, deputies with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 8200 block of SW 10th Street for a disturbance involving a firearm, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.A family of four riding their 2023 Polaris Rzr ATV&nbsp; told deputies that an&nbsp;individual in a pickup truck threatened them with a firearm.Deputies were able to locate the truck and the driver. A search warrant was executed and a firearm matching the description was located.Deputies then arrested 50-year-old Fabian R. Tinajero of Topeka, and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Sheriff: Kansas man with a gun threatened family on ATV

LYON COUNTY —Detectives investigating alleged inappropriate touching of students by an adult at a middle school dance in Emporia on May 12, are near the completion of their work on the case, according to Police Captain Lisa Hayes.

Over 30 interviews have been conducted and several days were spent reviewing videos from inside the school.

All alleged victims, their parents or guardians were given the opportunity to view the video footage with a detective at the Emporia Police Department.

The investigation has revealed no probable cause to believe any adult(s) intentionally touched any students in an inappropriate manner. Probable cause has been established, however, to believe 4 juveniles made false reports to the Emporia Police Department regarding this incident.&nbsp;

Police intend to propose to the Lyon County Attorney’s Office, the 4 juveniles be formally charged with Falsely Reporting a Crime.

The Emporia Police Department also thanked USD 253 for their cooperation in this investigation. 

LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged inappropriate touching by an adult at a middle school dance in Emporia on Friday,&nbsp;according to Police Captain Lisa Hayes.

Police have conducted interviews and are reviewing security video from inside the school, according to Hayes.&nbsp; USD 253 Emporia and the alleged suspect have been cooperative with the investigation.

Police expect to conduct additional interviews and ask those with 'firsthand' information and directly witnessed the incident to contact them at 620-343-4225.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684147771319.png" alt="The Emporia Police Department thanked USD 253 for their cooperation in this investigation.-Google image" />
 <figcaption>The Emporia Police Department thanked USD 253 for their cooperation in this investigation.-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY —Detectives investigating alleged inappropriate touching of students by an adult at a middle school dance in Emporia on May 12, are near the completion of their work on the case, according to Police Captain Lisa Hayes.Over 30 interviews have been conducted and several days were spent reviewing videos from inside the school.All alleged victims, their parents or guardians were given the opportunity to view the video footage with a detective at the Emporia Police Department.The investigation has revealed no probable cause to believe any adult(s) intentionally touched any students in an inappropriate manner. Probable cause has been established, however, to believe 4 juveniles made false reports to the Emporia Police Department regarding this incident.&nbsp;Police intend to propose to the Lyon County Attorney’s Office, the 4 juveniles be formally charged with Falsely Reporting a Crime.The Emporia Police Department also thanked USD 253 for their cooperation in this investigation. ----------LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged inappropriate touching by an adult at a middle school dance in Emporia on Friday,&nbsp;according to Police Captain Lisa Hayes.Police have conducted interviews and are reviewing security video from inside the school, according to Hayes.&nbsp; USD 253 Emporia and the alleged suspect have been cooperative with the investigation.Police expect to conduct additional interviews and ask those with 'firsthand' information and directly witnessed the incident to contact them at 620-343-4225.&nbsp;

Students accused of false reports of incident at Kan. school dance

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

WASHINGTON — Congress began moving the bipartisan debt limit package forward Tuesday, though frustrations with provisions in the bill could make for narrow passage in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.

<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20230529/BILLS-118hrPIH-fiscalresponsibility.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the bill

Conservative Republicans and progressive Democrats both aired their disappointment with the agreement&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-mccarthy-say-they-have-brokered-debt-limit-deal-avert-us-default">forged over the weekend</a>, but only GOP lawmakers are looking to possibly remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker because of the deal.

U.S. House Freedom Caucus Chair Scott Perry said Tuesday that conservative Republicans will do whatever they can to block the legislation, arguing the agreement “totally fails to deliver” on conservative priorities.

Perry, a Pennsylvania Republican, declined to directly answer questions about whether the group of about a dozen conservative lawmakers at the press conference would use the so-called motion to vacate to remove McCarthy as speaker.

“I am focused on defeating this bill,” Perry said. “What happens post that … we will decide once we’ve determined the disposition of this bill.”

Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy said there will be a “reckoning” if the debt limit package moves forward following a floor vote and North Carolina Rep. Dan Bishop indicated he may move for the floor vote to oust McCarthy as speaker.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685494918057.png" alt="U.S. House Freedom Caucus Chair Scott Perry said Tuesday that conservative Republicans will do whatever they can to block the legislation." />
 <figcaption>U.S. House Freedom Caucus Chair Scott Perry said Tuesday that conservative Republicans will do whatever they can to block the legislation.</figcaption>
 </figure>By JENNIFER SHUTT AND&nbsp;ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Congress began moving the bipartisan debt limit package forward Tuesday, though frustrations with provisions in the bill could make for narrow passage in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate.<a href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20230529/BILLS-118hrPIH-fiscalresponsibility.pdf">Click here to read&nbsp;</a>the billConservative Republicans and progressive Democrats both aired their disappointment with the agreement&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-mccarthy-say-they-have-brokered-debt-limit-deal-avert-us-default">forged over the weekend</a>, but only GOP lawmakers are looking to possibly remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker because of the deal.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CBO’s Estimate of the Budgetary Effects of H.R. 3746, the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 <a href="https://t.co/k8rMbCevVk">https://t.co/k8rMbCevVk</a>&mdash; CBO Cost Estimates (@USCBOcostest) <a href="https://twitter.com/USCBOcostest/status/1663683359535513600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>U.S. House Freedom Caucus Chair Scott Perry said Tuesday that conservative Republicans will do whatever they can to block the legislation, arguing the agreement “totally fails to deliver” on conservative priorities.Perry, a Pennsylvania Republican, declined to directly answer questions about whether the group of about a dozen conservative lawmakers at the press conference would use the so-called motion to vacate to remove McCarthy as speaker.“I am focused on defeating this bill,” Perry said. “What happens post that … we will decide once we’ve determined the disposition of this bill.”Texas GOP Rep. Chip Roy said there will be a “reckoning” if the debt limit package moves forward following a floor vote and North Carolina Rep. Dan Bishop indicated he may move for the floor vote to oust McCarthy as speaker.The House is expected to vote on Wednesday around 8:30 p.m. Eastern to send the legislation to the Senate, where lawmakers need to approve the measure before Monday. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/treasury-secretary-pinpoints-june-5-earliest-date-us-debt-default">warned last week</a>&nbsp;that if the debt limit is not addressed before that date, the country would begin a default.The House Rules Committee voted 7-6 Tuesday to advance the bill dealing with the federal debt ceiling to the full House, with two Republicans joining Democrats to oppose.The House must vote Wednesday to approve the rule before it can move on to formally debate and vote on the bill.In one late development, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the spending restrictions in the package would reduce deficits by $1.5 trillion over the decade, a top goal for the Republicans trying to curb the debt load.But in a surprise that could further erode Republican support, the GOP's drive to impose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-work-requirements-snap-medicaid-biden-66270829cfc0009ddb5f59eb12a6ba7a">work requirements on older Americans receiving food stamps</a>&nbsp;ends up boosting spending by $2.1 billion over the time period. That's because the final deal exempted veterans and homeless people, expanding the food stamp rolls by some 78,000 people monthly, the CBO said.<h2>Concern among progressives</h2>Democrats will be key to moving the bill through the Republican-controlled House, even if some of their members are not entirely happy with the outcome.Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal said Tuesday the group was undergoing its whip count and determining whether to take an official position on the package.Jayapal, a Washington Democrat, said the Republican Party “did not win any major concessions on spending” in the agreement, but said the legislation does include some provisions she is “seriously concerned about.”Jayapal said she is in talks with the White House about how exactly the handshake agreements that aren’t included in bill text would work, especially the promise that some of the funds being clawed back will be redirected to domestic spending in the annual appropriations bills.She also expressed concerns about the changes to work requirements for two federal safety net programs — Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — and for energy permitting.“That is a significant problem,” Jayapal said. “I’ve said before that the United States is the only industrialized country that puts these kinds of bureaucratic red tape requirements on people who are just trying to get food for their families.”Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young, who had a heavy hand in negotiations, said during a White House press briefing Tuesday the deal “represents a compromise, which means no one gets everything that they want, and hard choices had to be made.”Young said the agreement with House Republican leaders protects key legislative priorities of the Biden administration, such as the climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act.<h2>Debt limit, tax code, work requirements</h2>Here’s a look at what’s in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20230529/BILLS-118hrPIH-fiscalresponsibility.pdf">99-page bill</a>:Debt limit:&nbsp;It would suspend the nation’s debt limit through Jan. 1, 2025, meaning whoever wins the 2024 presidential election will likely negotiate the next agreement with that Congress.Federal government spending levels:&nbsp;The agreement would cap discretionary spending at $886.35 billion for defense and $703.65 billion for nondefense during fiscal 2024, set to begin Oct. 1. That’s about a 3% increase for defense and roughly flat funding for nondefense.Spending levels for the following fiscal year, 2025, would be set at $895.21 billion for defense and $710.69 billion for nondefense. That would represent about a 1% boost for nondefense accounts.Discretionary spending accounts for about one-third of federal spending while mandatory spending on programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security make up the other two-thirds.Nondefense accounts fund the vast majority of federal departments and agencies, including Agriculture, Homeland Security and Veterans Affairs, while defense funding goes predominantly to the Pentagon.Some of the spending on nondefense programs would be paid for by moving around, or repurposing, unspent COVID-19 funding and part of the $80 billion Democrats approved last year for the Internal Revenue Service.In order to actually achieve those spending levels, the House, Senate and Biden administration must reach agreement on all dozen of the annual appropriations bills in the months ahead.Tax code:&nbsp;The deal doesn’t include any changes to the tax code, something President Joe Biden pushed for but McCarthy rejected.Work requirements:&nbsp;The legislation doesn’t alter Medicaid eligibility, but it does make changes to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Changes to all three were pushed for by Republicans.TANF recipients could experience some changes to the program on Oct. 1, 2024, while others would go into place a year later on Oct. 1, 2025.The program now requires states to have 50% of TANF recipients working, though states can lower that threshold based on how much their caseload has fallen since 2005, according to a White House official.This legislation would set that year to 2015, give states two years to implement the changes and “allow states to do things like spending additional TANF dollars and in exchange being able to get a lower work participation rate because of that,” according to the White House official.SNAP’s current work requirements for many able-bodied adults extend from age 18 through 49. This bill text says it would raise the ceiling to age 51 during the current fiscal year, to age 53 during the fiscal year slated to begin Oct. 1 and to 55 during fiscal 2025.Veterans, homeless individuals and people 24 or younger who were in the foster care system when they turned 18 wouldn’t be subject to SNAP’s time limits, according to the White House.The changes to SNAP would sunset on Oct. 1, 2030.<h2>Energy permitting, student loan repayment</h2>Energy permitting:&nbsp;Members of both political parties&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/overhaul-federal-permitting-part-debt-limit-deal-not-easy-it-sounds">have expressed interest&nbsp;</a>in overhauling how the federal government permits energy projects under the National Environmental Policy Act, known as NEPA.NEPA requires federal agencies to consider the environmental effects of major federal actions, and the process can take years. Democrats have sought to speed construction for renewable energy projects, and Republicans have complained for years that the burdens of federal permitting restrict development.The bill amends NEPA by limiting requirements on some projects and requires environmental reviews to be completed in a one- to- two-year time frame.Separately, the White House agreed to streamline permits for the more than&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.mountainvalleypipeline.info/overview/">$6 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline</a>, a decision that has angered environmentalists and climate conscious Democrats.West Virginia’s Sens. Joe Manchin III, a centrist Democrat, and Shelley Moore Capito, a Republican, have lobbied for the approval of the outstanding permits for the more than 300 miles of Mountain Valley Pipeline, also known as MVP, that would deliver gas from West Virginia into Virginia.As part of the deal, the White House agreed to expedite permits for the long-disputed Appalachian natural gas pipeline, which has been on halt due to court cases brought on by environmentalists who have fought for years to prevent its construction.Permits for the Mountain Valley Pipeline will be issued within 21 days after the debt ceiling bill is signed into law, according to the bill text. It also bars any judicial review of permits issued for the pipeline project by any government agency.“I am pleased Speaker McCarthy and his leadership team see the tremendous value in completing the MVP to increase domestic energy production and drive down costs across America and especially in West Virginia,” Manchin, the chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources panel, said in a statement. “I am proud to have fought for this critical project and to have secured the bipartisan support necessary to get it across the finish line.”The MVP has had more than 500 violations in state environmental laws, regulations and permit conditions,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://appvoices.org/resources/reports/MVP_Report_2023_AppalachianVoices.pdf">according to a report</a>&nbsp;by the environmental group Appalachian Voices.COVID-19 funds:&nbsp;The agreement rescinds, or claws back, about $28 billion in some of the unspent federal funding that was approved during the COVID-19 pandemic.Federal student loan repayment pause:&nbsp;The bill would codify the end of the pause on federal student loan repayments by August and bar the administration from reinstating a pause on repayments unless approved by Congress.The Biden administration<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/11/27/student-loan-repayment-pause-extended-by-white-house-amid-legal-battles-over-relief-plan/">&nbsp;announced last year</a>&nbsp;its plans to resume requiring repayments on student loans either after the Supreme Court’s decision on the administration’s student debt cancellation policy or 60 days after June 30.A pause on student loan repayments was first enacted in 2020 by the Trump administration due to the coronavirus pandemic, and later extended by the Biden administration.The Biden administration’s one-time student debt cancellation has been a target for Republicans.<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/05/24/biden-student-debt-relief-plan-revoked-in-u-s-house-vote/">&nbsp;Last week</a>, the House voted to overturn the policy that would cancel up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt for borrowers who qualify. The Senate is expected to vote on the resolution of disapproval this week, where if passed, it would block the policy. The White House has vowed to veto it.Internal Revenue Service funding:&nbsp;The agreement would allow Congress to pull $10 billion during fiscal 2024 and another $10 billion during fiscal 2025 from the IRS to pay for other domestic spending initiatives, according to the White House.The money would come from the $80 billion boost to the IRS that Democrats approved last August as part of their signature climate change, health care and tax package known as the Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA.The $20 billion claw back provision is not in the bill text, which only includes a $1.39 billion rescission to that IRS funding.-The Associated Press contributed to this report