PHILADELPHIA (AP) — As political gridlock puts the government at risk of defaulting, President Joe Biden on Thursday made an opening bid with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-budget-deficit-trillion-republicans-economy-810ff80dcd8812f2138eef571f2444f3">budget plan</a>&nbsp;that would cut deficits by $2.9 trillion over the next decade — a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-budget-highlights-taxes-deficits-medicare-3f0d64293eb6bf84d114d937627119b8">proposal that Republicans already intend to reject</a>. (Click below to watch the President's comments)

It's part of a broader attempt by the president to call out House Republicans who are demanding severe cuts to spending in return for lifting the government's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-us-department-of-the-treasury-united-states-government-janet-yellen-business-6fe9b54dcdfea58bead0f4c5f9f89a64">legal borrowing limit</a>. But the GOP has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-republican-party-kevin-mccarthy-895d66dcb52739ea06a505859ac9fff3">no counteroffer</a>&nbsp;so far, other than a flat “no” to a Biden blueprint with tax increases on the wealthy that could form the policy backbone of Biden's yet-to-be-declared campaign for reelection in 2024.

Striding around a stage at a union training center in Philadelphia, Biden seemed to be in full campaign mode as he spoke about his plan for the government's finances and how his values contrasted with Republican priorities.

“I just laid out the bulk of my budget,” Biden said. “Republicans in Congress should do the same thing. Then we can sit down and see where we disagree.”

Yet the president doubted that GOP lawmakers could make their numbers match their calls for a balanced budget and he suggested that any efforts to do so could come at the expense of middle-class families.

“How are they going to make the math work?" Biden said. "What are they going to cut?”

Biden’s package of tax and spending priorities is unlikely to pass the GOP-run House or the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim edge, as proposed.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said the president's proposed deficit reduction was inadequate. “It just seems like it’s going to create the biggest government in history. I don’t think that’s what we need at this time,” he said.

In addition to deficit reduction, Biden's 10-year budget largely revolves around the idea of taxing the wealthy to help fund programs for the middle class, older adults and families. It would raise $4.7 trillion from higher taxes, with an additional $800 billion in savings from changes to programs.

The tax increases include a reversal of the 2017 tax cuts made by President Donald Trump on people earning more than $400,000 a year.

Biden has floated a new 25% minimum tax on households worth $100 million or more. Also, the tax that companies pay on stock buybacks would rise fourfold and those earning more than $400,000 would pay an additional Medicare tax that would help to keep the program solvent beyond the year 2050. Medicare could negotiate on the prices of more prescription drugs, helping to save the government money.

Accompanying that would be $2.6 trillion worth of new spending, including the restoration of the expanded child tax credit that would give families as much as $3,600 per child, compared with the current level of $2,000. That credit would be “fully refundable,” which means households could receive all of that sum even if they don’t owe any taxes. The budget proposal would impose a $35-a-month cap on insulin prices, matching a change that Biden already put in place for Medicare recipients.

At a time of increased tensions with Russia and China, the budget shows a decline in military spending as a share of the U.S. economy over the next decade. But federal spending would be equal to roughly one-quarter of economic output as the spending on Social Security and Medicare climbs, essentially keeping the government the same size as it is currently.

The budget would seek to close the “carried interest” loophole that allows wealthy hedge fund managers and others to pay their taxes at a lower rate, and prevent billionaires from being able to set aside large amounts of their holdings in tax-favored retirement accounts. The plan also projects saving $24 billion over 10 years by removing a tax subsidy for cryptocurrency transactions.

McCarthy has called for putting the U.S. government on a path toward a balanced budget. But by refusing to raise taxes or cut Social Security and Medicare spending, GOP lawmakers face some harsh math that makes it hard to reduce deficits without risking a voter backlash before a presidential election. He has said his plan's release was pushed back because Biden's proposal was only now coming out.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., expressed skepticism that McCarthy has any coherent plan that House Republicans can coalesce around. “Enough with the dodging, enough with the excuses," Schumer said. "Show us your plan. And then show us how it’s going to get 218 votes on your side of the aisle.”

Biden's deficit reduction goal is significantly higher than the $2 trillion that he had promised in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-of-the-union-biden-2023-b9bebd876a42a9510f068a04a3f2a348">State of the Union</a>&nbsp;address last month.

With the economy already in a fragile state because of high inflation, if Biden and Congress cannot agree to raise the statutory debt cap of $31.4 trillion by this summer, the government could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-us-department-of-the-treasury-united-states-government-district-columbia-china-0f7f0d85ed38353940a18cd262de8b09">default on payments</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-us-department-of-the-treasury-united-states-government-janet-yellen-business-6fe9b54dcdfea58bead0f4c5f9f89a64">perhaps shove the country into a recession.</a>

The budget also shows the shadow of Trump's legacy, as provisions in his 2017 tax cuts will expire after 2025. Biden wants to eliminate elements of that overhaul, arguing that lower taxes failed to produce the growth that Trump promised. But Biden's budget does not address tax cuts that benefited households making less than $400,000: Their expiration could amount to a tax increase that would violate a pledge by Biden to only raise taxes on the wealthy.

Based off the data, the cost of extending the tax breaks for people making less than $400,000 would be $1.5 trillion, according to Kyle Pomerleau, a senior fellow at the center-right American Enterprise Institute. That would halve the deficit savings being promoted by Biden, but Pomerleau cautioned that his estimates might be high because the president's plan includes the cost of the expanded child tax credit.

Biden’s proposal would increase the top marginal tax rate to 39.6% on income above $400,000. For households with $1 million in income, earnings from capital gains, such as stocks or property sales, would no longer enjoy a discounted tax rate compared with wages. The president would increase the corporate tax rate to 28% and increase the tax rate on U.S. multinationals’ foreign earnings from 10.5% to 21%.

In February, the nonpartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2023-02/58848-Outlook.pdf">Congressional Budget Office</a>&nbsp;estimated that the national debt held by the public will grow by more than $20 trillion over the next decade. The publicly held debt, which reflects the cumulative impact of yearly deficits, would be equal to 118% of U.S. gross domestic product, compared with 98% this year. Biden's budget would reduce the debt, though it would still be high relative to historical levels.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — As political gridlock puts the government at risk of defaulting, President Joe Biden on Thursday made an opening bid with a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-budget-deficit-trillion-republicans-economy-810ff80dcd8812f2138eef571f2444f3">budget plan</a>&nbsp;that would cut deficits by $2.9 trillion over the next decade — a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-budget-highlights-taxes-deficits-medicare-3f0d64293eb6bf84d114d937627119b8">proposal that Republicans already intend to reject</a>. (Click below to watch the President's comments)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qpJnCELX3Ag?start=814" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>It's part of a broader attempt by the president to call out House Republicans who are demanding severe cuts to spending in return for lifting the government's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-us-department-of-the-treasury-united-states-government-janet-yellen-business-6fe9b54dcdfea58bead0f4c5f9f89a64">legal borrowing limit</a>. But the GOP has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-politics-united-states-government-us-republican-party-kevin-mccarthy-895d66dcb52739ea06a505859ac9fff3">no counteroffer</a>&nbsp;so far, other than a flat “no” to a Biden blueprint with tax increases on the wealthy that could form the policy backbone of Biden's yet-to-be-declared campaign for reelection in 2024.Striding around a stage at a union training center in Philadelphia, Biden seemed to be in full campaign mode as he spoke about his plan for the government's finances and how his values contrasted with Republican priorities.“I just laid out the bulk of my budget,” Biden said. “Republicans in Congress should do the same thing. Then we can sit down and see where we disagree.”Yet the president doubted that GOP lawmakers could make their numbers match their calls for a balanced budget and he suggested that any efforts to do so could come at the expense of middle-class families.“How are they going to make the math work?" Biden said. "What are they going to cut?”Biden’s package of tax and spending priorities is unlikely to pass the GOP-run House or the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim edge, as proposed.House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said the president's proposed deficit reduction was inadequate. “It just seems like it’s going to create the biggest government in history. I don’t think that’s what we need at this time,” he said.In addition to deficit reduction, Biden's 10-year budget largely revolves around the idea of taxing the wealthy to help fund programs for the middle class, older adults and families. It would raise $4.7 trillion from higher taxes, with an additional $800 billion in savings from changes to programs.The tax increases include a reversal of the 2017 tax cuts made by President Donald Trump on people earning more than $400,000 a year.Biden has floated a new 25% minimum tax on households worth $100 million or more. Also, the tax that companies pay on stock buybacks would rise fourfold and those earning more than $400,000 would pay an additional Medicare tax that would help to keep the program solvent beyond the year 2050. Medicare could negotiate on the prices of more prescription drugs, helping to save the government money.Accompanying that would be $2.6 trillion worth of new spending, including the restoration of the expanded child tax credit that would give families as much as $3,600 per child, compared with the current level of $2,000. That credit would be “fully refundable,” which means households could receive all of that sum even if they don’t owe any taxes. The budget proposal would impose a $35-a-month cap on insulin prices, matching a change that Biden already put in place for Medicare recipients.At a time of increased tensions with Russia and China, the budget shows a decline in military spending as a share of the U.S. economy over the next decade. But federal spending would be equal to roughly one-quarter of economic output as the spending on Social Security and Medicare climbs, essentially keeping the government the same size as it is currently.The budget would seek to close the “carried interest” loophole that allows wealthy hedge fund managers and others to pay their taxes at a lower rate, and prevent billionaires from being able to set aside large amounts of their holdings in tax-favored retirement accounts. The plan also projects saving $24 billion over 10 years by removing a tax subsidy for cryptocurrency transactions.McCarthy has called for putting the U.S. government on a path toward a balanced budget. But by refusing to raise taxes or cut Social Security and Medicare spending, GOP lawmakers face some harsh math that makes it hard to reduce deficits without risking a voter backlash before a presidential election. He has said his plan's release was pushed back because Biden's proposal was only now coming out.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., expressed skepticism that McCarthy has any coherent plan that House Republicans can coalesce around. “Enough with the dodging, enough with the excuses," Schumer said. "Show us your plan. And then show us how it’s going to get 218 votes on your side of the aisle.”Biden's deficit reduction goal is significantly higher than the $2 trillion that he had promised in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-of-the-union-biden-2023-b9bebd876a42a9510f068a04a3f2a348">State of the Union</a>&nbsp;address last month.With the economy already in a fragile state because of high inflation, if Biden and Congress cannot agree to raise the statutory debt cap of $31.4 trillion by this summer, the government could&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-us-department-of-the-treasury-united-states-government-district-columbia-china-0f7f0d85ed38353940a18cd262de8b09">default on payments</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-us-department-of-the-treasury-united-states-government-janet-yellen-business-6fe9b54dcdfea58bead0f4c5f9f89a64">perhaps shove the country into a recession.</a>The budget also shows the shadow of Trump's legacy, as provisions in his 2017 tax cuts will expire after 2025. Biden wants to eliminate elements of that overhaul, arguing that lower taxes failed to produce the growth that Trump promised. But Biden's budget does not address tax cuts that benefited households making less than $400,000: Their expiration could amount to a tax increase that would violate a pledge by Biden to only raise taxes on the wealthy.Based off the data, the cost of extending the tax breaks for people making less than $400,000 would be $1.5 trillion, according to Kyle Pomerleau, a senior fellow at the center-right American Enterprise Institute. That would halve the deficit savings being promoted by Biden, but Pomerleau cautioned that his estimates might be high because the president's plan includes the cost of the expanded child tax credit.Biden’s proposal would increase the top marginal tax rate to 39.6% on income above $400,000. For households with $1 million in income, earnings from capital gains, such as stocks or property sales, would no longer enjoy a discounted tax rate compared with wages. The president would increase the corporate tax rate to 28% and increase the tax rate on U.S. multinationals’ foreign earnings from 10.5% to 21%.In February, the nonpartisan&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2023-02/58848-Outlook.pdf">Congressional Budget Office</a>&nbsp;estimated that the national debt held by the public will grow by more than $20 trillion over the next decade. The publicly held debt, which reflects the cumulative impact of yearly deficits, would be equal to 118% of U.S. gross domestic product, compared with 98% this year. Biden's budget would reduce the debt, though it would still be high relative to historical levels.___

🎥Biden rolls out $6.8T budget plan, challenges GOP to follow suit

OMAHA, NE (AP) — The major freight railroads announced a number of steps Wednesday that they are taking to improve safety in the wake of last month’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-ohio-evacuations-fires-5d399dc745f51ef746e22828083d8591">fiery Ohio derailment</a>, but it’s not clear if their actions will be enough to satisfy regulators and members of Congress who are pushing for changes.

Many of the proposals from the Association of American Railroads trade group focus on strengthening the network of trackside detectors that railroads use to spot problems before they can cause derailments. The railroads plan to do this by installing 1,000 more of the detectors nationwide and tweaking the way railroads use the data from them.

Norfolk Southern, the railroad responsible for the Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derailment-ohio-safety-norfolk-southern-railroad-171b7d3f8e0dbced1336efafb098badf">proposed similar changes</a>&nbsp;earlier this week, but the Federal Railroad Administration responded saying the company wasn't doing nearly enough.

And several members of Congress — led by Ohio's two senators — have proposed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derailment-ohio-safety-senate-legislation-brown-vance-82c55dc95aca9524d6ae8e6d01336dbe">sweeping package of rail reforms</a>&nbsp;that go well beyond what the industry is proposing. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-accidents-transportation-pete-buttigieg-ohio-pennsylvania-f1cd9d79cdd66b1f45d1dcdf1e53ff58">urged the railroads</a>&nbsp;to make immediate changes.

Federal regulators didn't immediately respond Wednesday to questions about the industry's proposals. Congress plans to scrutinize Norfolk Southern's safety record and its response to the Ohio derailment at a Senate hearing Thursday morning that will also examine the reforms Ohio's senators proposed. Two federal agencies also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-norfolk-southern-safety-investigation-2c819f2c469102332d4b1abf4c6e8923">announced broad investigations</a>&nbsp;into Norfolk Southern's safety record Tuesday.

Overall, railroads are proud of their safety record, which reflects a decline in derailments over the past several years, and they like to tout the statistic that 99.9% of all hazardous materials shipments railroads handle reach their destinations safely. Still, there were 1,049 derailments nationwide last year — and the East Palestine one showed how even a single mishap involving hazardous materials can be disastrous.

“Rail is indisputably the safest way to move dangerous commodities,” AAR President Ian Jefferies said. “Yet we fully appreciate that these data do not comfort the residents of East Palestine and that public trust must be restored through action."

The major freight railroads — which include Norfolk Southern, CSX, Union Pacific, BNSF, Canadian Pacific, Kansas City Southern and Canadian National — said they will tighten up the spacing between the hot-bearing detectors to ensure they average no more than 15 miles (24 kilometers) apart along the main routes they use to transport hazardous chemicals. Currently, there are no federal rules on those detectors, which can be spaced up to 40 miles (64 kilometers) apart in places, though most of them are much closer together.

Rail safety expert Allan Zarembski said the existing network of detectors was already quite effective and allowed only a handful of derailments every year related to overheating bearings. But these changes will undoubtedly catch even more of these problems, said the University of Delaware professor who leads the railroad engineering and safety program there.

Zarembski said he believes these changes are likely to be “pretty effective.”

The railroads said they will also commit to stopping and inspecting any train that has a bearing that registers more than 170 degrees above the outside temperature. That’s in line with the standards Norfolk Southern already uses.

The National Transportation Safety Board&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Documents/RRD23MR005%20East%20Palestine%20OH%20Prelim.pdf">has said</a>&nbsp;the Norfolk Southern crew&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-pete-buttigieg-evacuations-ohio-explosions-64908a6416662b5866809387f210aee5">received a warning</a>&nbsp;about an overheating bearing just before the derailment but wasn’t able to stop the train before 38 cars, including 11 carrying hazardous materials, jumped off the tracks and caught fire. About half the town of East Palestine — about 2,500 residents — had to evacuate a couple days later because officials were worried that five of the cars carrying vinyl chloride might explode. They then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-updates-bf5a60de2243cd6f7f730096aa33294c">released the chemical and burned</a>&nbsp;it off.

In addition to stopping trains anytime a bearing exceeds 170 degrees, the railroads also analyze the data from sensors all across their networks to identify problems even before a bearing hits that threshold. The trade group said all the major railroads plan to discuss ways to improve that analysis by the end of March.

The railroads said they also plan to train about 20,000 first responders nationwide this year to deal with hazardous materials incidents. As part of that, Norfolk Southern announced plans Wednesday to build a new regional training center in Ohio. Gov. Mike DeWine praised the effort.

“The derailment in East Palestine made clear that ensuring first responders are prepared for disasters involving hazardous materials is vitally important to the safety of communities,” DeWine said. “Often, first responders are volunteers, and their need to have the most up-to-date training and equipment is vitally important."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678141665059.png" alt="&nbsp;Union&nbsp; Pacific train derailment on March 4 in Sumner County Kansas -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Union&nbsp; Pacific train derailment on March 4 in Sumner County Kansas -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>OMAHA, NE (AP) — The major freight railroads announced a number of steps Wednesday that they are taking to improve safety in the wake of last month’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pennsylvania-ohio-evacuations-fires-5d399dc745f51ef746e22828083d8591">fiery Ohio derailment</a>, but it’s not clear if their actions will be enough to satisfy regulators and members of Congress who are pushing for changes.Many of the proposals from the Association of American Railroads trade group focus on strengthening the network of trackside detectors that railroads use to spot problems before they can cause derailments. The railroads plan to do this by installing 1,000 more of the detectors nationwide and tweaking the way railroads use the data from them.Norfolk Southern, the railroad responsible for the Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derailment-ohio-safety-norfolk-southern-railroad-171b7d3f8e0dbced1336efafb098badf">proposed similar changes</a>&nbsp;earlier this week, but the Federal Railroad Administration responded saying the company wasn't doing nearly enough.And several members of Congress — led by Ohio's two senators — have proposed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derailment-ohio-safety-senate-legislation-brown-vance-82c55dc95aca9524d6ae8e6d01336dbe">sweeping package of rail reforms</a>&nbsp;that go well beyond what the industry is proposing. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/rail-accidents-transportation-pete-buttigieg-ohio-pennsylvania-f1cd9d79cdd66b1f45d1dcdf1e53ff58">urged the railroads</a>&nbsp;to make immediate changes.Federal regulators didn't immediately respond Wednesday to questions about the industry's proposals. Congress plans to scrutinize Norfolk Southern's safety record and its response to the Ohio derailment at a Senate hearing Thursday morning that will also examine the reforms Ohio's senators proposed. Two federal agencies also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-norfolk-southern-safety-investigation-2c819f2c469102332d4b1abf4c6e8923">announced broad investigations</a>&nbsp;into Norfolk Southern's safety record Tuesday.Overall, railroads are proud of their safety record, which reflects a decline in derailments over the past several years, and they like to tout the statistic that 99.9% of all hazardous materials shipments railroads handle reach their destinations safely. Still, there were 1,049 derailments nationwide last year — and the East Palestine one showed how even a single mishap involving hazardous materials can be disastrous.“Rail is indisputably the safest way to move dangerous commodities,” AAR President Ian Jefferies said. “Yet we fully appreciate that these data do not comfort the residents of East Palestine and that public trust must be restored through action."The major freight railroads — which include Norfolk Southern, CSX, Union Pacific, BNSF, Canadian Pacific, Kansas City Southern and Canadian National — said they will tighten up the spacing between the hot-bearing detectors to ensure they average no more than 15 miles (24 kilometers) apart along the main routes they use to transport hazardous chemicals. Currently, there are no federal rules on those detectors, which can be spaced up to 40 miles (64 kilometers) apart in places, though most of them are much closer together.Rail safety expert Allan Zarembski said the existing network of detectors was already quite effective and allowed only a handful of derailments every year related to overheating bearings. But these changes will undoubtedly catch even more of these problems, said the University of Delaware professor who leads the railroad engineering and safety program there.Zarembski said he believes these changes are likely to be “pretty effective.”The railroads said they will also commit to stopping and inspecting any train that has a bearing that registers more than 170 degrees above the outside temperature. That’s in line with the standards Norfolk Southern already uses.The National Transportation Safety Board&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Documents/RRD23MR005%20East%20Palestine%20OH%20Prelim.pdf">has said</a>&nbsp;the Norfolk Southern crew&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-pete-buttigieg-evacuations-ohio-explosions-64908a6416662b5866809387f210aee5">received a warning</a>&nbsp;about an overheating bearing just before the derailment but wasn’t able to stop the train before 38 cars, including 11 carrying hazardous materials, jumped off the tracks and caught fire. About half the town of East Palestine — about 2,500 residents — had to evacuate a couple days later because officials were worried that five of the cars carrying vinyl chloride might explode. They then&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ohio-train-derailment-updates-bf5a60de2243cd6f7f730096aa33294c">released the chemical and burned</a>&nbsp;it off.In addition to stopping trains anytime a bearing exceeds 170 degrees, the railroads also analyze the data from sensors all across their networks to identify problems even before a bearing hits that threshold. The trade group said all the major railroads plan to discuss ways to improve that analysis by the end of March.The railroads said they also plan to train about 20,000 first responders nationwide this year to deal with hazardous materials incidents. As part of that, Norfolk Southern announced plans Wednesday to build a new regional training center in Ohio. Gov. Mike DeWine praised the effort.“The derailment in East Palestine made clear that ensuring first responders are prepared for disasters involving hazardous materials is vitally important to the safety of communities,” DeWine said. “Often, first responders are volunteers, and their need to have the most up-to-date training and equipment is vitally important."

Railroads propose safety reforms after fiery Ohio derailment

COUNCIL GROVE -Law enforcement authorities are investigating a domestic disturbance and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.

Just after 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to the 200 block of North Union Street in Council Grove on the report of a domestic disturbance, according to a media release.

Colton Brady ran from the scene on 825 Road, north of Council Grove and is wanted for questioning in regards to&nbsp; Interference with Law Enforcement, Possession of Fentanyl, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Additionally, a felony warrant has been issued for Brady, who is known to be armed.

If you see Brady you are asked to&nbsp;call 911 immediately. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please call the Morris County Sheriff's Office at (620) 767-6310

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678380756306.jpeg" alt="-Colton Brady-photo Morris Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>-Colton Brady-photo Morris Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>COUNCIL GROVE -Law enforcement authorities are investigating a domestic disturbance and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.Just after 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, police responded to the 200 block of North Union Street in Council Grove on the report of a domestic disturbance, according to a media release.Colton Brady ran from the scene on 825 Road, north of Council Grove and is wanted for questioning in regards to&nbsp; Interference with Law Enforcement, Possession of Fentanyl, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.Additionally, a felony warrant has been issued for Brady, who is known to be armed.If you see Brady you are asked to&nbsp;call 911 immediately. If you have any information regarding his whereabouts, please call the Morris County Sheriff's Office at (620) 767-6310

Police ask for help to locate armed, dangerous Kan. suspect

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/08/kansas-house-committee-advances-legislation-to-protect-infants-born-alive/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Rep. Ron Bryce, a 
Coffeyville Republican, was a Texas medical resident in the late ’80s 
when he was called into an operating room and found a premature baby boy
 who survived his mother’s attempted abortion.

Bryce said he picked up the infant and brought him to the neonatal infant care unit.

“As I stared down on his frail body, I
 had the impression that the entire universe was revolving around this 
one human being at that point in my life,” Bryce said.&nbsp;

The infant later died. Bryce said he 
didn’t know the background of the case and hadn’t talked to the mother, 
but he was told by nurses after the incident that this was a failed 
abortion case.

He gave this story to illustrate the importance of a proposed “born alive” bill, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2313/">House Bill 2313</a>.

The House Health and Human Services 
Committee held a hearing on the bill Wednesday with only supporters 
testifying, then passed the bill. The legislation is similar to other 
bills discussed nationally and in other states.

HB 2313 gives legal protections and 
stipulates legal requirements for fetuses “born alive.” The “born alive”
 definition would include any fetus that can breathe, has a beating 
heart, muscle movement or “pulsation of the umbilical cord,” after being
 removed from the mother’s body at any stage of development.

The bill would require health care 
providers or employees who are present for the attempted abortion to 
give the fetus the same degree of care as other children born alive at 
the same gestational age.

The “born alive” fetus would be 
immediately transported to a hospital for care, with fines and penalties
 implemented for health care providers who fail to provide the care, or 
do not report bill requirement violations.

Jeanne Gawdun, spokeswoman for Kansans for Life, said many infants died in attempted abortions.&nbsp;

“Sadly, there are many cases across the country of infants born alive, left to die, or intentionally killed,” Gawdun said.

Critics have said this bill is 
unnecessary because no one is killing infants after they are born. In a 
fiscal note on the bill, the Kansas Attorney General’s Office said the 
bill is likely to be challenged on constitutional grounds.

The committee also passed a bill that would provide funding for programs that promote alternatives to abortion.

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2429/">House Bill 2429</a>,
 heard in the committee Tuesday, would require the Department for 
Children and Families to establish programs increasing awareness of 
abortion alternatives. If passed, it would divert an estimated $1.7 
million in state funding away from low-income families and into programs
 that promote childbirth, in an effort to reduce abortions statewide.

These are a few of several <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/06/as-kansas-lawmakers-target-abortion-rights-opposition-unites-at-statehouse/">abortion</a> bills currently introduced in the Legislature by Republicans, despite a <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/02/kansas-voters-defeat-abortion-amendment-in-unexpected-landslide-1/">landslide defeat</a>
 in August of a constitutional amendment on abortion. Other bills 
include a proposed ban on an abortion pill and a tax credit proposal for
 nonprofit pregnancy centers.

Committee chairwoman Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican, teared up discussing abortion during the committee meeting.

“Unfortunately, society talks about abortion as if it should be 
normal,” Landwehr said. “It shouldn’t be normal. It just shouldn’t just 
be accepted as a fact of life because I know the pain of having an 
abortion and it hurts.”

She later said the legislation wasn’t anti-abortion.

“I’m somewhat offended just to hear that you believe that it’s an 
anti abortion bill because it’s not,” Landwehr said when a fellow 
lawmaker raised objections to the bill.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678373095526.png" alt="Lawmakers vote to pass legislation funding abortion alternative programs during a hearing March 8, 2023. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Lawmakers vote to pass legislation funding abortion alternative programs during a hearing March 8, 2023. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/08/kansas-house-committee-advances-legislation-to-protect-infants-born-alive/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Rep. Ron Bryce, a 
Coffeyville Republican, was a Texas medical resident in the late ’80s 
when he was called into an operating room and found a premature baby boy
 who survived his mother’s attempted abortion.Bryce said he picked up the infant and brought him to the neonatal infant care unit.“As I stared down on his frail body, I
 had the impression that the entire universe was revolving around this 
one human being at that point in my life,” Bryce said.&nbsp;The infant later died. Bryce said he 
didn’t know the background of the case and hadn’t talked to the mother, 
but he was told by nurses after the incident that this was a failed 
abortion case.He gave this story to illustrate the importance of a proposed “born alive” bill, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2313/">House Bill 2313</a>.The House Health and Human Services 
Committee held a hearing on the bill Wednesday with only supporters 
testifying, then passed the bill. The legislation is similar to other 
bills discussed nationally and in other states.HB 2313 gives legal protections and 
stipulates legal requirements for fetuses “born alive.” The “born alive”
 definition would include any fetus that can breathe, has a beating 
heart, muscle movement or “pulsation of the umbilical cord,” after being
 removed from the mother’s body at any stage of development.The bill would require health care 
providers or employees who are present for the attempted abortion to 
give the fetus the same degree of care as other children born alive at 
the same gestational age.The “born alive” fetus would be 
immediately transported to a hospital for care, with fines and penalties
 implemented for health care providers who fail to provide the care, or 
do not report bill requirement violations.Jeanne Gawdun, spokeswoman for Kansans for Life, said many infants died in attempted abortions.&nbsp;“Sadly, there are many cases across the country of infants born alive, left to die, or intentionally killed,” Gawdun said.Critics have said this bill is 
unnecessary because no one is killing infants after they are born. In a 
fiscal note on the bill, the Kansas Attorney General’s Office said the 
bill is likely to be challenged on constitutional grounds.The committee also passed a bill that would provide funding for programs that promote alternatives to abortion.<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2429/">House Bill 2429</a>,
 heard in the committee Tuesday, would require the Department for 
Children and Families to establish programs increasing awareness of 
abortion alternatives. If passed, it would divert an estimated $1.7 
million in state funding away from low-income families and into programs
 that promote childbirth, in an effort to reduce abortions statewide.These are a few of several <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/06/as-kansas-lawmakers-target-abortion-rights-opposition-unites-at-statehouse/">abortion</a> bills currently introduced in the Legislature by Republicans, despite a <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/02/kansas-voters-defeat-abortion-amendment-in-unexpected-landslide-1/">landslide defeat</a>
 in August of a constitutional amendment on abortion. Other bills 
include a proposed ban on an abortion pill and a tax credit proposal for
 nonprofit pregnancy centers.Committee chairwoman Rep. Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican, teared up discussing abortion during the committee meeting.“Unfortunately, society talks about abortion as if it should be 
normal,” Landwehr said. “It shouldn’t be normal. It just shouldn’t just 
be accepted as a fact of life because I know the pain of having an 
abortion and it hurts.”She later said the legislation wasn’t anti-abortion.“I’m somewhat offended just to hear that you believe that it’s an 
anti abortion bill because it’s not,” Landwehr said when a fellow 
lawmaker raised objections to the bill.

Kansas House panel advances bill to protect infants ‘born alive’

Two Hays residents remain jailed following the execution of a search warrant issued in relation to a death in Hays in February.

At 6:35 p.m. Feb. 26, Hays Police Department officers were dispatched to the 200 block of West Fourth on the report of an unresponsive female, according to Hays Police Department Chief Don Scheibler.

“Officers arrived and lifesaving efforts were attempted, but it was determined that female had passed,” Scheibler said.

The Ellis County Coroner was notified, and the department initiated an investigation.

“The investigation revealed that the likely cause of death was the victim had ingested fentanyl,” Scheibler said.

The most likely source was a counterfeit Oxycodone tablet, he said.

On March 2, members of the department and the Ellis County Drug Enforcement Unit served a search warrant at an apartment in the 2800 block of Grant Avenue.

“During the search, pills consistent with the pills found at the death scene we're located,” Scheibler said.

Based on the investigation, Kimberly Beth Schmeidler, 48, Hays, was arrested on suspicion of distribution of a controlled substance causing death, use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to distribute an opiate and possession with intent to distribute a narcotic drug, Scheibler said.

Brandon Joseph Kahrs, 36, Hays, was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to use an opiate, possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia and possession to distribute an opiate.

“Both are still in the Ellis County jail and are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” Scheibler said.

“The reality of it is these drugs are in Hays, Kansas,” Scheibler said. “Parents need to be having a conversation with their children right now. They can't take pills, can’t smoke pills, can’t ingest them if they don't get them from the doctor. People are dying in our community from drug overdoses.

“It is going to continue to be a priority for us, and those that sell drugs that kill people most definitely will be a priority for us. We are going to continue to focus on these people and hold them accountable.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1645113218229.png" alt="Fake oxycodone pills often contain fentanyl. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration" />
 <figcaption>Fake oxycodone pills often contain fentanyl. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAMES BELL Hays PostTwo Hays residents remain jailed following the execution of a search warrant issued in relation to a death in Hays in February.At 6:35 p.m. Feb. 26, Hays Police Department officers were dispatched to the 200 block of West Fourth on the report of an unresponsive female, according to Hays Police Department Chief Don Scheibler.“Officers arrived and lifesaving efforts were attempted, but it was determined that female had passed,” Scheibler said.The Ellis County Coroner was notified, and the department initiated an investigation.“The investigation revealed that the likely cause of death was the victim had ingested fentanyl,” Scheibler said.The most likely source was a counterfeit Oxycodone tablet, he said.On March 2, members of the department and the Ellis County Drug Enforcement Unit served a search warrant at an apartment in the 2800 block of Grant Avenue.“During the search, pills consistent with the pills found at the death scene we're located,” Scheibler said.Based on the investigation, Kimberly Beth Schmeidler, 48, Hays, was arrested on suspicion of distribution of a controlled substance causing death, use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to distribute an opiate and possession with intent to distribute a narcotic drug, Scheibler said.Brandon Joseph Kahrs, 36, Hays, was also arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to use an opiate, possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia and possession to distribute an opiate.“Both are still in the Ellis County jail and are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” Scheibler said.“The reality of it is these drugs are in Hays, Kansas,” Scheibler said. “Parents need to be having a conversation with their children right now. They can't take pills, can’t smoke pills, can’t ingest them if they don't get them from the doctor. People are dying in our community from drug overdoses.“It is going to continue to be a priority for us, and those that sell drugs that kill people most definitely will be a priority for us. We are going to continue to focus on these people and hold them accountable.”

2 arrested following fentanyl overdose death in Hays

U.S. product regulators said Thursday that Yeti has recalled 1.9 million coolers and gear cases because magnets can come detached from them, posing a risk of serious injury or death.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said consumers should immediately stop using the four recalled products and contact Yeti for refund information.

<a href="https://stg.yeti.com/M20-M30-sidekick-product-recall.html">CLICK HERE for</a> additional details on the recall

The closures on the recalled products can fail, resulting in detached magnets, the CPSC said. If swallowed, two or more high-powered magnets can attract to each other or to another metal object and get stuck in the digestive system. The CPSC said if that happens, it can cause perforations, twisting and blockage of the intestines, potentially resulting in infection, blood poisoning and death.

The products being recalled are the Sidekick dry gear case, M20 soft backpack cooler and M30 soft cooler, version 1.0 and 2.0.

The coolers and gear bags were sold at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ace Hardware, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Yeti and other stores, including Amazon, from March 2018 to January 2023. The gear case sells for about $50 and the coolers for between $300 and $350.

The firm has received 1,399 reports of the magnet-lined closures degrading or failing, including reports of missing or detached magnets. No magnet ingestions or injuries have been reported.

Consumers can contact Yeti toll-free at 833-444-3151 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday. The Austin, Texas company can also be contact by email at productrecall (at) yeti.com or online at&nbsp;<a href="https://stg.yeti.com/M20-M30-sidekick-product-recall.html">https://stg.yeti.com/M20-M30-sidekick-product-recall.html</a>&nbsp;or at www.yeti.com. Consumers should click on “Product Recall” at the bottom of the page for details.

More than 40,000 of the recalled products were sold in Canada.

Shares in Yeti were down about 1.5% in midday trading Thursday.

U.S. product regulators said Thursday that Yeti has recalled 1.9 million coolers and gear cases because magnets can come detached from them, posing a risk of serious injury or death.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FYeti%2Fposts%2Fpfbid02aRheZAnRkXxS6o52YA1GUF4729PGk2z6sgK1ibEqzBWpRh9pMfGUKWVAhvQa5trfl&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="819" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The Consumer Product Safety Commission said consumers should immediately stop using the four recalled products and contact Yeti for refund information.<a href="https://stg.yeti.com/M20-M30-sidekick-product-recall.html">CLICK HERE for</a> additional details on the recallThe closures on the recalled products can fail, resulting in detached magnets, the CPSC said. If swallowed, two or more high-powered magnets can attract to each other or to another metal object and get stuck in the digestive system. The CPSC said if that happens, it can cause perforations, twisting and blockage of the intestines, potentially resulting in infection, blood poisoning and death.The products being recalled are the Sidekick dry gear case, M20 soft backpack cooler and M30 soft cooler, version 1.0 and 2.0.The coolers and gear bags were sold at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ace Hardware, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Yeti and other stores, including Amazon, from March 2018 to January 2023. The gear case sells for about $50 and the coolers for between $300 and $350.The firm has received 1,399 reports of the magnet-lined closures degrading or failing, including reports of missing or detached magnets. No magnet ingestions or injuries have been reported.Consumers can contact Yeti toll-free at 833-444-3151 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Sunday. The Austin, Texas company can also be contact by email at productrecall (at) yeti.com or online at&nbsp;<a href="https://stg.yeti.com/M20-M30-sidekick-product-recall.html">https://stg.yeti.com/M20-M30-sidekick-product-recall.html</a>&nbsp;or at www.yeti.com. Consumers should click on “Product Recall” at the bottom of the page for details.More than 40,000 of the recalled products were sold in Canada.Shares in Yeti were down about 1.5% in midday trading Thursday.

Yeti recalls 1.9 million coolers and cases for magnet hazard

RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged violent incident at a middle school in Manhattan.

Just after 11:15a.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report for battery and criminal damage to property at Susan B. Anthony Middle School,&nbsp;2501 Browning Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

&nbsp;A 33-year-old man, a 54-year-old woman and USD 383 reported an 11-year-old boy battered the two adults and broke an interior window of the building with a metal chair. 

The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $500.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678375784699.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged violent incident at a middle school in Manhattan.Just after 11:15a.m. Wednesday, officers filed a report for battery and criminal damage to property at Susan B. Anthony Middle School,&nbsp;2501 Browning Avenue in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.&nbsp;A 33-year-old man, a 54-year-old woman and USD 383 reported an 11-year-old boy battered the two adults and broke an interior window of the building with a metal chair. The estimated total loss associated with this case is approximately $500.

Police: 11-year-old attacked 2 adults at Kan. middle school

WASHINGTON – A Kansas man was sentenced Wednesday on a felony charge for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the United States Attorney.

 His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

&nbsp;Michael Eckerman, 38, of Wichita, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers. Eckerman pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia in November 2022. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper ordered 24 months of supervised release and $2,000 in restitution.

&nbsp;According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Eckerman illegally entered the Capitol grounds. At approximately 2 p.m., Eckerman observed rioters fighting with police officers outside the Capitol and encouraged them by yelling at the officers that they were “traitors to the country.” He and others then walked through scaffolding and up a set of steps leading to the Upper West Terrace. He entered the Capitol through the Senate Wing Doors at approximately 2:24 p.m.

&nbsp;While inside the building, Eckerman participated in three separate breaches of police lines. First, he joined a crowd in pushing their collective bodies forward to breach a police line in the Crypt. Eckerman and others then surged forward and funneled toward the east side of the Capitol. Second, near the Memorial Doors, he and others in the mob encountered another small group of officers who were trying to block access to nearby stairs leading to Statuary Hall and the area near the Speaker’s Lobby. Eckerman pushed his way to the front of the stand-off and once again used his body as part of a collective surge to get past the small line of law enforcement officers. At this moment, he was face to face with an officer with the U.S. Capitol Police, who put his hand on Eckerman’s shoulder. Eckerman pushed the officer—forcibly resisting, impeding, and interfering with the officer—which, along with the actions of others in the mob, caused the officer to stumble down some steps, leaving the officer vulnerable. While that officer was on the ground, another rioter sprayed him with a fire extinguisher.&nbsp; Eckerman participated in a third physical breach of a police line just outside the House chamber, at a time Congresspeople and staff members were still sheltering in place inside.

After that third breach, Eckerman continued moving through the building, and at one point entered the Rayburn Conference Room, where he posed for photographs. He finally exited the Capitol at approximately 2:44 p.m.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Kansas and the Middle District of Florida.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office, and its Wichita Resident Agency, the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and the FBI’s Boston Field Office and its Lowell, Massachusetts and Bedford, New Hampshire Resident Agencies. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659042081555.png" alt="Eckerman photo U.S. Attorney's office" />
 <figcaption>Eckerman photo U.S. Attorney's office</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON – A Kansas man was sentenced Wednesday on a felony charge for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the United States Attorney. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.&nbsp;Michael Eckerman, 38, of Wichita, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers. Eckerman pleaded guilty in the District of Columbia in November 2022. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Christopher R. Cooper ordered 24 months of supervised release and $2,000 in restitution.&nbsp;According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Eckerman illegally entered the Capitol grounds. At approximately 2 p.m., Eckerman observed rioters fighting with police officers outside the Capitol and encouraged them by yelling at the officers that they were “traitors to the country.” He and others then walked through scaffolding and up a set of steps leading to the Upper West Terrace. He entered the Capitol through the Senate Wing Doors at approximately 2:24 p.m.&nbsp;While inside the building, Eckerman participated in three separate breaches of police lines. First, he joined a crowd in pushing their collective bodies forward to breach a police line in the Crypt. Eckerman and others then surged forward and funneled toward the east side of the Capitol. Second, near the Memorial Doors, he and others in the mob encountered another small group of officers who were trying to block access to nearby stairs leading to Statuary Hall and the area near the Speaker’s Lobby. Eckerman pushed his way to the front of the stand-off and once again used his body as part of a collective surge to get past the small line of law enforcement officers. At this moment, he was face to face with an officer with the U.S. Capitol Police, who put his hand on Eckerman’s shoulder. Eckerman pushed the officer—forcibly resisting, impeding, and interfering with the officer—which, along with the actions of others in the mob, caused the officer to stumble down some steps, leaving the officer vulnerable. While that officer was on the ground, another rioter sprayed him with a fire extinguisher.&nbsp; Eckerman participated in a third physical breach of a police line just outside the House chamber, at a time Congresspeople and staff members were still sheltering in place inside.After that third breach, Eckerman continued moving through the building, and at one point entered the Rayburn Conference Room, where he posed for photographs. He finally exited the Capitol at approximately 2:44 p.m.Eckerman was arrested on Sept. 20, 2021.This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices for the District of Kansas and the Middle District of Florida.The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Kansas City Field Office, and its Wichita Resident Agency, the FBI’s Washington Field Office, and the FBI’s Boston Field Office and its Lowell, Massachusetts and Bedford, New Hampshire Resident Agencies. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

Prison for Kan. man who pushed Capitol officer in Jan. 6 riot 

By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-03-08/feds-slap-restrictions-on-more-than-1-000-miles-of-keystone-pipeline-after-kansas-oil-spill">Kansas News Service</a>

Oil spills on the Keystone pipeline that runs from Canada to Texas 
are becoming more frequent and serious, federal regulators said Tuesday.

So
 the U.S. Department of Transportation ordered Canadian company TC 
Energy to lower the pressure for crude oil along another 1,200 miles of 
its pipeline.

Federal officials also ordered a review of how the 
company handles geologic hazards such as unstable soil and said more 
spills and “serious harm” are likely if the pipeline operation doesn’t 
improve.

“Continued operation (without change) is or would be hazardous to life, property or the environment,” the order said.

The
 order comes during an ongoing investigation into the country’s 
second-biggest inland spill of a Canadian tar sands product, called <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-12-15/not-just-any-oil-spill-the-keystone-pipeline-dumped-notoriously-hard-to-clean-dilbit-in-kansas" target="_blank">dilbit</a>, in north-central Kansas in December.

TC
 Energy says bad welding played a role in what the company has described
 as an “instantaneous rupture.” More than 500,000 gallons of crude oil 
gushed out on the night of Dec. 7, raining down on native prairie and 
cropland and pouring into a tributary of the Little Blue River.

Bad
 welding caused other Keystone spills in the past, too — a fact cited by
 federal regulators in their decision on Tuesday. The one in Kansas was 
the pipeline’s worst spill yet.

The Pipeline and Hazardous 
Materials Safety Administration — part of the US Department of 
Transportation — also said that TC Energy had been monitoring the area 
for shifting ground before the 3-foot-wide pipe burst.

Unstable 
soil and ground movement are dangerous for pipelines. The agency says TC
 Energy was required to mitigate any such problems under its federal 
permit for the pipeline.

Workers responding to the spill witnessed that the pipeline was under improper stress, the agency said.

“It
 is not clear whether the pipe segment has been under stress since 
construction (in 2011) or if land movement in the area may have more 
recently induced or increased stress,” the agency said.

The 
Keystone burst at the base of a ridge in Washington County. Landowners 
say they worried from the start about the company running pipe up the 
ridge’s slopes and they want to know if the hill played a role in the 
rupture.

But federal regulators have not said whether that specific aspect of the topography played a role in the improper stress.

They
 do, however, point out that the Keystone crosses drinking water 
sources, populated areas and sensitive ecological regions in more than 
half a dozen states.

In Kansas, the oil poured into Mill Creek, a 
winding stream that was moving slowly during a particularly dry year. It
 did not affect drinking water for humans, though landowners had to move
 livestock away from the newly toxic creek.

But the pipeline also 
crosses big waterways in Kansas, such as the Kansas River that provides 
drinking water to about 800,000 people in northeastern Kansas.

After
 the December spill, regulators immediately slapped a lower pressure 
rule on nearly 100 miles of the Keystone in Kansas and Nebraska.

Tuesday’s
 order lowers the pressure limit for another 1,200 miles of pipe, 
southward to Oklahoma, eastward to Illinois and northward to the 
Canadian border.

The order cites “indications that TC Oil’s 
operating, maintenance, and/or integrity management programs may be 
inadequate to address the repetitious pattern of failures” on the 
Keystone since 2011, including flawed welding and the risks posed by 
shifting soil.

It gives the company two months to review how it 
handles geologic hazards and whether shifting earth factored into the 
Dec. 7 spill. The company must hire an independent contractor for the 
review, which also has to investigate whether land movement could be 
stressing other points of the Keystone system.

In an email, TC Energy said Wednesday that it is reviewing the federal order and that it will comply.

“Our commitment to the safe operations of our system is unwavering,” the email said.

The
 new order also requires TC Energy to file reports on welding quality 
along most of the rest of its pipeline system within the U.S.

The 
Keystone pipeline system carries tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada, to 
U.S. facilities. It runs through North Dakota, South Dakota and 
Nebraska, then forks <a href="https://www.tcenergy.com/siteassets/pdfs/oils-and-liquids/keystone-pipeline-system/transcanada-keystone-pipeline-system-map.pdf" target="_blank">as shown on this map</a>. One leg runs southward through Kansas to Oklahoma and Texas and another cuts eastward through Kansas to Missouri and Illinois.

TC
 Energy initially estimated that 588,000 gallons of crude oil spilled in
 Kansas. It later lowered the estimate to 543,000 gallons. However, the 
EPA is sticking to the original figure, which it says matches the 
agency’s independent calculations.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expects the cleanup will continue for months to come.

TC
 Energy estimates that the cleanup and related work will cost $480 
million. It’s unclear whether that figure includes the taxpayer money 
spent by state and federal agencies that responded to the oil spill — 
part of which the company will be forced to repay.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678311772948.png" alt="Crews clean oil that spewed out of the Keystone pipeline in Washington County. The EPA expects the cleanup to continue for months. EPA" />
 <figcaption>Crews clean oil that spewed out of the Keystone pipeline in Washington County. The EPA expects the cleanup to continue for months. EPA</figcaption>
 </figure>By CELIA LLOPIS-JEPSEN <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2023-03-08/feds-slap-restrictions-on-more-than-1-000-miles-of-keystone-pipeline-after-kansas-oil-spill">Kansas News Service</a>Oil spills on the Keystone pipeline that runs from Canada to Texas 
are becoming more frequent and serious, federal regulators said Tuesday.So
 the U.S. Department of Transportation ordered Canadian company TC 
Energy to lower the pressure for crude oil along another 1,200 miles of 
its pipeline.Federal officials also ordered a review of how the 
company handles geologic hazards such as unstable soil and said more 
spills and “serious harm” are likely if the pipeline operation doesn’t 
improve.“Continued operation (without change) is or would be hazardous to life, property or the environment,” the order said.The
 order comes during an ongoing investigation into the country’s 
second-biggest inland spill of a Canadian tar sands product, called <a href="https://www.kcur.org/news/2022-12-15/not-just-any-oil-spill-the-keystone-pipeline-dumped-notoriously-hard-to-clean-dilbit-in-kansas" target="_blank">dilbit</a>, in north-central Kansas in December.TC
 Energy says bad welding played a role in what the company has described
 as an “instantaneous rupture.” More than 500,000 gallons of crude oil 
gushed out on the night of Dec. 7, raining down on native prairie and 
cropland and pouring into a tributary of the Little Blue River.Bad
 welding caused other Keystone spills in the past, too — a fact cited by
 federal regulators in their decision on Tuesday. The one in Kansas was 
the pipeline’s worst spill yet.The Pipeline and Hazardous 
Materials Safety Administration — part of the US Department of 
Transportation — also said that TC Energy had been monitoring the area 
for shifting ground before the 3-foot-wide pipe burst.Unstable 
soil and ground movement are dangerous for pipelines. The agency says TC
 Energy was required to mitigate any such problems under its federal 
permit for the pipeline.Workers responding to the spill witnessed that the pipeline was under improper stress, the agency said.“It
 is not clear whether the pipe segment has been under stress since 
construction (in 2011) or if land movement in the area may have more 
recently induced or increased stress,” the agency said.The 
Keystone burst at the base of a ridge in Washington County. Landowners 
say they worried from the start about the company running pipe up the 
ridge’s slopes and they want to know if the hill played a role in the 
rupture.But federal regulators have not said whether that specific aspect of the topography played a role in the improper stress.They
 do, however, point out that the Keystone crosses drinking water 
sources, populated areas and sensitive ecological regions in more than 
half a dozen states.In Kansas, the oil poured into Mill Creek, a 
winding stream that was moving slowly during a particularly dry year. It
 did not affect drinking water for humans, though landowners had to move
 livestock away from the newly toxic creek.But the pipeline also 
crosses big waterways in Kansas, such as the Kansas River that provides 
drinking water to about 800,000 people in northeastern Kansas.After
 the December spill, regulators immediately slapped a lower pressure 
rule on nearly 100 miles of the Keystone in Kansas and Nebraska.Tuesday’s
 order lowers the pressure limit for another 1,200 miles of pipe, 
southward to Oklahoma, eastward to Illinois and northward to the 
Canadian border.The order cites “indications that TC Oil’s 
operating, maintenance, and/or integrity management programs may be 
inadequate to address the repetitious pattern of failures” on the 
Keystone since 2011, including flawed welding and the risks posed by 
shifting soil.It gives the company two months to review how it 
handles geologic hazards and whether shifting earth factored into the 
Dec. 7 spill. The company must hire an independent contractor for the 
review, which also has to investigate whether land movement could be 
stressing other points of the Keystone system.In an email, TC Energy said Wednesday that it is reviewing the federal order and that it will comply.“Our commitment to the safe operations of our system is unwavering,” the email said.The
 new order also requires TC Energy to file reports on welding quality 
along most of the rest of its pipeline system within the U.S.The 
Keystone pipeline system carries tar sands oil from Alberta, Canada, to 
U.S. facilities. It runs through North Dakota, South Dakota and 
Nebraska, then forks <a href="https://www.tcenergy.com/siteassets/pdfs/oils-and-liquids/keystone-pipeline-system/transcanada-keystone-pipeline-system-map.pdf" target="_blank">as shown on this map</a>. One leg runs southward through Kansas to Oklahoma and Texas and another cuts eastward through Kansas to Missouri and Illinois.TC
 Energy initially estimated that 588,000 gallons of crude oil spilled in
 Kansas. It later lowered the estimate to 543,000 gallons. However, the 
EPA is sticking to the original figure, which it says matches the 
agency’s independent calculations.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency expects the cleanup will continue for months to come.TC
 Energy estimates that the cleanup and related work will cost $480 
million. It’s unclear whether that figure includes the taxpayer money 
spent by state and federal agencies that responded to the oil spill — 
part of which the company will be forced to repay.

After Kansas spill, feds slap restrictions on Keystone pipeline

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mitch-mcconnell">Mitch McConnell</a>&nbsp;suffered a concussion after a fall at a local hotel and remains hospitalized “for a few days of observation and treatment,” a spokesman said Thursday.

The Kentucky senator, 81, was at a Wednesday evening dinner for the Senate Leadership Fund, a campaign committee aligned with him, when he tripped and fell. The dinner was at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, formerly the Trump International Hotel, Washington D.C.

Spokesman David Popp said McConnell is being treated for a concussion and “is grateful to the medical professionals for their care and to his colleagues for their warm wishes.” McConnell’s office did not provide additional detail on his condition or how long he may be absent from the Senate.

President Joe Biden tweeted that he wishes McConnell a “speedy recovery” and looks forward to seeing him back on the Senate floor.

South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, told reporters earlier on Thursday that he had not spoken to McConnell. He said he was at the dinner and McConnell had delivered remarks “as usual.”

“Evidently it happened later in the evening,” said Thune, who had moved on to another reception underway at the hotel and did not see McConnell fall.

Concussions can be serious injuries and take time for recovery. Many professional sporting associations have focused on the dangers of repetitive head injuries. Even a single incident of concussion can limit a person’s abilities as they recover.

In 2019, the GOP leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-kentucky-ky-state-wire-politics-us-news-bac4429dc313439d87f0162f23738af2">tripped and fell at his home in Kentucky</a>, suffering a shoulder fracture. At the time, he underwent surgery to repair the fracture in his shoulder. The Senate had just started a summer recess, and he worked from home for some weeks as he recovered.

First elected in 1984, McConnell in January&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-montana-united-states-senate-new-york-city-mitch-mcconnell-41f4326218e7c2d8439ca02d09c6683b">became the longest-serving Senate leader</a>&nbsp;when the new Congress convened, breaking the previous record of 16 years.

The taciturn McConnell is often reluctant to discuss his private life. But at the start of the COVID-19 crisis he opened up about his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-ap-top-news-mitch-mcconnell-politics-ky-state-wire-f696c0bff070b46f9c62e03be50bd187">early childhood experience fighting polio</a>. He described how his mother insisted that he stay off his feet as a toddler and worked with him through a determined physical therapy regime. He has acknowledged some difficulty in adulthood climbing stairs.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor Thursday morning that he had called McConnell and spoken with his staff “to extend my prayers and well wishes.”

“I joined every single one of my colleagues in wishing Leader McConnell a speedy and full recovery,” Schumer said.

The Senate, where the average age is 65, has been without several members recently due to illness.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., 53, who suffered a stroke during his campaign last year, was expected to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/john-fetterman-pennsylvania-health-stroke-fbb4da3f23cafd63367109f128441808">remain out for some weeks</a>&nbsp;as he received care for clinical depression. And Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., 89, said last week that she had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/feinstein-senate-shingles-e512f4689d34e8ecd8c02f2fc061b952">hospitalized to be treated for shingles</a>.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mitch-mcconnell">Mitch McConnell</a>&nbsp;was hospitalized after tripping at a local hotel, a spokesman for the senator said.

The Kentucky senator, who's 81, was attending a private dinner in Washington on Wednesday when he tripped. He was admitted to a hospital for treatment, spokesman Doug Andres said.

McConnell's office did not provide additional detail on his condition or how long he may be absent from the Senate.

The Senate, where the average age is 65, has been without several members recently due to illness.&nbsp; Kansas Senior Senator Jerry Moran is 68-years-old. The junior Senator from Kansas Roger Marshall is 62.

The Democratic absences have proven a challenge for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who is already navigating a very narrow 51-49 majority.

The Republicans, as the minority party, have had an easier time with intermittent absences. It is unclear if McConnell will be out on Thursday and if that would have an effect on scheduled votes. South Dakota Sen. John Thune is the Senate’s No. 2 Republican.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584959546607.png" alt="Senate Republican leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mitch-mcconnell">Mitch McConnell</a>-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Senate Republican leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mitch-mcconnell">Mitch McConnell</a>-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mitch-mcconnell">Mitch McConnell</a>&nbsp;suffered a concussion after a fall at a local hotel and remains hospitalized “for a few days of observation and treatment,” a spokesman said Thursday.The Kentucky senator, 81, was at a Wednesday evening dinner for the Senate Leadership Fund, a campaign committee aligned with him, when he tripped and fell. The dinner was at the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, formerly the Trump International Hotel, Washington D.C.Spokesman David Popp said McConnell is being treated for a concussion and “is grateful to the medical professionals for their care and to his colleagues for their warm wishes.” McConnell’s office did not provide additional detail on his condition or how long he may be absent from the Senate.President Joe Biden tweeted that he wishes McConnell a “speedy recovery” and looks forward to seeing him back on the Senate floor.South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, told reporters earlier on Thursday that he had not spoken to McConnell. He said he was at the dinner and McConnell had delivered remarks “as usual.”“Evidently it happened later in the evening,” said Thune, who had moved on to another reception underway at the hotel and did not see McConnell fall.ADVERTISEMENTConcussions can be serious injuries and take time for recovery. Many professional sporting associations have focused on the dangers of repetitive head injuries. Even a single incident of concussion can limit a person’s abilities as they recover.In 2019, the GOP leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-kentucky-ky-state-wire-politics-us-news-bac4429dc313439d87f0162f23738af2">tripped and fell at his home in Kentucky</a>, suffering a shoulder fracture. At the time, he underwent surgery to repair the fracture in his shoulder. The Senate had just started a summer recess, and he worked from home for some weeks as he recovered.First elected in 1984, McConnell in January&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-montana-united-states-senate-new-york-city-mitch-mcconnell-41f4326218e7c2d8439ca02d09c6683b">became the longest-serving Senate leader</a>&nbsp;when the new Congress convened, breaking the previous record of 16 years.The taciturn McConnell is often reluctant to discuss his private life. But at the start of the COVID-19 crisis he opened up about his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-ap-top-news-mitch-mcconnell-politics-ky-state-wire-f696c0bff070b46f9c62e03be50bd187">early childhood experience fighting polio</a>. He described how his mother insisted that he stay off his feet as a toddler and worked with him through a determined physical therapy regime. He has acknowledged some difficulty in adulthood climbing stairs.Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor Thursday morning that he had called McConnell and spoken with his staff “to extend my prayers and well wishes.”“I joined every single one of my colleagues in wishing Leader McConnell a speedy and full recovery,” Schumer said.The Senate, where the average age is 65, has been without several members recently due to illness.Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., 53, who suffered a stroke during his campaign last year, was expected to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/john-fetterman-pennsylvania-health-stroke-fbb4da3f23cafd63367109f128441808">remain out for some weeks</a>&nbsp;as he received care for clinical depression. And Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., 89, said last week that she had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/feinstein-senate-shingles-e512f4689d34e8ecd8c02f2fc061b952">hospitalized to be treated for shingles</a>.------------------------WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mitch-mcconnell">Mitch McConnell</a>&nbsp;was hospitalized after tripping at a local hotel, a spokesman for the senator said.The Kentucky senator, who's 81, was attending a private dinner in Washington on Wednesday when he tripped. He was admitted to a hospital for treatment, spokesman Doug Andres said.McConnell's office did not provide additional detail on his condition or how long he may be absent from the Senate.In 2019, the GOP leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-kentucky-ky-state-wire-politics-us-news-bac4429dc313439d87f0162f23738af2">tripped and fell at his home in Kentucky</a>, suffering a shoulder fracture. At the time, he underwent surgery to repair the fracture in his shoulder. The Senate had just started a summer recess, and he worked from home for some weeks as he recovered.First elected in 1984, McConnell in January&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-montana-united-states-senate-new-york-city-mitch-mcconnell-41f4326218e7c2d8439ca02d09c6683b">became the longest-serving Senate leader</a>&nbsp;when the new Congress convened, breaking the previous record of 16 years.The taciturn McConnell is often reluctant to discuss his private life. But at the start of the COVID-19 crisis he opened up about his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-ap-top-news-mitch-mcconnell-politics-ky-state-wire-f696c0bff070b46f9c62e03be50bd187">early childhood experience fighting polio</a>. He described how his mother insisted that he stay off his feet as a toddler and worked with him through a determined physical therapy regime. He has acknowledged some difficulty in adulthood climbing stairs.The Senate, where the average age is 65, has been without several members recently due to illness.&nbsp; Kansas Senior Senator Jerry Moran is 68-years-old. The junior Senator from Kansas Roger Marshall is 62.Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., 53, who suffered a stroke during his campaign last year, was expected to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/john-fetterman-pennsylvania-health-stroke-fbb4da3f23cafd63367109f128441808">remain out for some weeks</a>&nbsp;as he received care for clinical depression. And Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., 89, said last week that she had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/feinstein-senate-shingles-e512f4689d34e8ecd8c02f2fc061b952">hospitalized to be treated for shingles</a>.The Democratic absences have proven a challenge for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who is already navigating a very narrow 51-49 majority.The Republicans, as the minority party, have had an easier time with intermittent absences. It is unclear if McConnell will be out on Thursday and if that would have an effect on scheduled votes. South Dakota Sen. John Thune is the Senate’s No. 2 Republican.

Average age of U.S. Senator is 65; three are now hospitalized

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A 71-year-old Salina man was arrested after an alleged stabbing in front of a south Salina retail store late Wednesday morning.

Just before noon Wednesday, the law enforcement dispatch center received a call that someone had been stabbed in front of Walmart, 2900 S. Ninth Street, according to a media release.

When officers arrived, they found a 26-year-old woman who suffered a stab wound to her back. EMS transported her to Salina Regional Health Center.&nbsp;

"Officers were directed to a man who was still at the scene and he was identified as the person who committed the stabbing. Police took Kenneth Harold Smith, 71, of Salina, into custody on requested charges of Aggravated weapons violation by a convicted felon; Unknown circumstance,&nbsp;Criminal use of weapons; poss w/ intent to use, Criminal carry weapon; Concealed billy/blackjack and attempted murder in 1st degree; Intentional/premeditated, according to online jail records.

The motive is unclear, and investigators are attempting to gather additional information. We are also seeking any information from anyone in the public that may have witnessed the event. Photographs or video are especially helpful, according to police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678359930810.png" alt="Smith-photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Smith-photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA 71-year-old Salina man was arrested after an alleged stabbing in front of a south Salina retail store late Wednesday morning.Just before noon Wednesday, the law enforcement dispatch center received a call that someone had been stabbed in front of Walmart, 2900 S. Ninth Street, according to a media release.When officers arrived, they found a 26-year-old woman who suffered a stab wound to her back. EMS transported her to Salina Regional Health Center.&nbsp;"Officers were directed to a man who was still at the scene and he was identified as the person who committed the stabbing. Police took Kenneth Harold Smith, 71, of Salina, into custody on requested charges of Aggravated weapons violation by a convicted felon; Unknown circumstance,&nbsp;Criminal use of weapons; poss w/ intent to use, Criminal carry weapon; Concealed billy/blackjack and attempted murder in 1st degree; Intentional/premeditated, according to online jail records.The motive is unclear, and investigators are attempting to gather additional information. We are also seeking any information from anyone in the public that may have witnessed the event. Photographs or video are especially helpful, according to police.

Police: 71-year-old stabbed woman outside Salina Walmart

WASHINGTON—On Wednesday, the House Oversight Select <a href="https://clerk.house.gov/committees/VC00">Subcommittee</a> on the Coronavirus Pandemic held the panel’s first hearing of the 118th Congress on “Investigating the Origins of COVID-19,” to gather facts about the origination of the virus that has claimed nearly seven million lives globally.&nbsp; Former CDC Director Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/person/?29561/RobertRedfieldMD">Robert Redfield&nbsp;</a>joined public health and science professionals and advocates to testify.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?526520-1/house-subcommittee-examines-origins-covid-19">Click here to watch a replay of the</a>&nbsp;full hearing

Mounting evidence continues to point to the virus originating from a lab leak, with the Department of Energy and Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray announcing this month they believe, based on their evaluation of the evidence, COVID-19 likely came from a lab leak in Wuhan.

WASHINGTON—On Wednesday, the House Oversight Select <a href="https://clerk.house.gov/committees/VC00">Subcommittee</a> on the Coronavirus Pandemic held the panel’s first hearing of the 118th Congress on “Investigating the Origins of COVID-19,” to gather facts about the origination of the virus that has claimed nearly seven million lives globally.&nbsp; Former CDC Director Dr.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/person/?29561/RobertRedfieldMD">Robert Redfield&nbsp;</a>joined public health and science professionals and advocates to testify.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?526520-1/house-subcommittee-examines-origins-covid-19">Click here to watch a replay of the</a>&nbsp;full hearing<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepMalliotakis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepMalliotakis</a>: &quot;Do you think that Dr. Fauci intentionally lied under oath to Senator Paul when he vehemently denied NIH&#39;s funding of gain of function research?&quot; Former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield: &quot;I think there’s no doubt that NIH was funding gain of function research.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/5xB6BeVlNx">pic.twitter.com/5xB6BeVlNx</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1633620614001950722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Mounting evidence continues to point to the virus originating from a lab leak, with the Department of Energy and Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Christopher Wray announcing this month they believe, based on their evaluation of the evidence, COVID-19 likely came from a lab leak in Wuhan.

🎥House Oversight holds hearing on origins of COVID-19

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Tuesday afternoon crash south of Kansas City made an arrest.

According to online arrest reports, 65-year-old Sarah P. Hollister of Brinkley, Arkansas, who was driving the Ford Explorer that rolled killing a 3-year-old and injuring 5&nbsp; on MO 7 in Cass County faces requested charges of felony child endangerment and driving while intoxicated. She was initially held at the Cass County Regional Hospital in Harrisonville.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the 2000 Ford Explorer driven by Hollister was eastbound on MO 7 just east of Freedom Road southeast of Kansas City.

The SUV traveled off the left side of the road. Hollister overcorrected causing the vehicle to skid and roll. A 3-year-0ld girl was ejected before the SUV came to rest in the median.&nbsp; The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

EMS transported Hollister and passengers Tyrone C. Harris, 41; Ashley V. Payne, 26; Kevon T. Johnson, 23, and two 10-year-old boys all of Brinkley, Arkansas to Cass Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; Only a 10-year-old boy was wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678275340789.png" alt="The SUV traveled off the left side of the road. The driver overcorrected causing the vehicle to skid and roll. A 3-year-0ld girl was ejected before the SUV came to rest in the median photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>The SUV traveled off the left side of the road. The driver overcorrected causing the vehicle to skid and roll. A 3-year-0ld girl was ejected before the SUV came to rest in the median photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Tuesday afternoon crash south of Kansas City made an arrest.According to online arrest reports, 65-year-old Sarah P. Hollister of Brinkley, Arkansas, who was driving the Ford Explorer that rolled killing a 3-year-old and injuring 5&nbsp; on MO 7 in Cass County faces requested charges of felony child endangerment and driving while intoxicated. She was initially held at the Cass County Regional Hospital in Harrisonville.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the 2000 Ford Explorer driven by Hollister was eastbound on MO 7 just east of Freedom Road southeast of Kansas City.The SUV traveled off the left side of the road. Hollister overcorrected causing the vehicle to skid and roll. A 3-year-0ld girl was ejected before the SUV came to rest in the median.&nbsp; The child was pronounced dead at the scene.EMS transported Hollister and passengers Tyrone C. Harris, 41; Ashley V. Payne, 26; Kevon T. Johnson, 23, and two 10-year-old boys all of Brinkley, Arkansas to Cass Regional Medical Center.&nbsp; Only a 10-year-old boy was wearing a seat belt, according to the MSHP.

Driver in crash that killed 3-year-old, injured 6 accused of DUI

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City has reached a settlement with one of the gun dealers it accused in a lawsuit of contributing to surging violence in the region by ignoring evidence that firearms were being sold illegally.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a statement Wednesday that the settlement is “an important step in reducing the flow of illegal guns into our city.”

The lawsuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7dc85522aa3508583c3e1c006cf972cb">filed in 2020</a>&nbsp;alleged that gun trafficking creates a public nuisance in Kansas City, which has one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/698de924acda60d9f4f6522cf6eaaae4">highest homicide rates</a>&nbsp;in the U.S.

The city was joined in the lawsuit by gun safety advocates Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, which touted the suit as the first of its kind against the gun industry in more than a decade.

Under the settlement, CR Sales Firearms' insurance carriers will be required to pay $150,000 in damages to the city. The Independence gun shop also will face extra monitoring and be required to train staff on how to identify a straw purchase, which is when someone who can legally purchase a gun buys one to sell it to someone who can’t legally possess guns.

Online court records show that the store was dismissed from the suit Friday. Under the settlement, the shop denies the allegations and makes no admission of liability. The store's attorney declined to comment further.

According to the suit, the gun trafficking ringleader was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-michael-brown-5cc6e895cae37673f60a243886c7fd55">James Samuels</a>, a former Kansas City firefighter who has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for illegally selling guns.

The lawsuit also alleges that Nevada-based gun manufacturer Jimenez Arms, several local gun dealers and individuals illegally sold or transferred guns to Samuels without doing background checks or determining if the buyers had licenses to carry guns. The companies ignored obvious evidence that Samuels was breaking federal gun laws, according to the lawsuit.

Jimenez Arms filed for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/22062ff002a1eff323b174d3ecd3bae7">bankruptcy</a>&nbsp;but then rebranded itself as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-lawsuits-illinois-gun-politics-crime-81aa4e6a13da2ff07d069ed48e5b0a1b">JA Industries</a>&nbsp;before federal officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e0253e12b312afcd5c37b46be2f6a244">revoked</a>&nbsp;its license last year.

Two other gun dealers also were named in the suit. One agreed to relinquish its federal firearms license, and the second is no longer in business, Everytown said.

“Guns used in crimes often make their way from the legal market to the illegal market via gun trafficking and straw-purchasing," said Alla Lefkowitz, of Everytown Law, a team of litigation lawyers for Everytown for Gun Safety. "The industry has an important role to play in preventing such diversion."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678302489029.png" alt="&nbsp;In May, Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Quinton Lucas answered questions during a press briefing at the White House in Washington. On Wednesday he said that the settlement is “an important step in reducing the flow of illegal guns into our city.”" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;In May, Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Quinton Lucas answered questions during a press briefing at the White House in Washington. On Wednesday he said that the settlement is “an important step in reducing the flow of illegal guns into our city.”</figcaption>
 </figure>By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTHKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City has reached a settlement with one of the gun dealers it accused in a lawsuit of contributing to surging violence in the region by ignoring evidence that firearms were being sold illegally.Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a statement Wednesday that the settlement is “an important step in reducing the flow of illegal guns into our city.”The lawsuit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7dc85522aa3508583c3e1c006cf972cb">filed in 2020</a>&nbsp;alleged that gun trafficking creates a public nuisance in Kansas City, which has one of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/698de924acda60d9f4f6522cf6eaaae4">highest homicide rates</a>&nbsp;in the U.S.The city was joined in the lawsuit by gun safety advocates Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, which touted the suit as the first of its kind against the gun industry in more than a decade.Under the settlement, CR Sales Firearms' insurance carriers will be required to pay $150,000 in damages to the city. The Independence gun shop also will face extra monitoring and be required to train staff on how to identify a straw purchase, which is when someone who can legally purchase a gun buys one to sell it to someone who can’t legally possess guns.Online court records show that the store was dismissed from the suit Friday. Under the settlement, the shop denies the allegations and makes no admission of liability. The store's attorney declined to comment further.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1582215629955.png" alt="James Samuels (L) a former KC Fire Captain faced a judge Friday, Oct. 5, 2018 after allegedly selling guns to felons, including one used in a 2016 murder. This image is from the Greater Kansas City Firefighter's website and appears to be during a promotion or an awards ceremony with Chief Gary Reese (R)" />
 <figcaption>James Samuels (L) a former KC Fire Captain faced a judge Friday, Oct. 5, 2018 after allegedly selling guns to felons, including one used in a 2016 murder. This image is from the Greater Kansas City Firefighter's website and appears to be during a promotion or an awards ceremony with Chief Gary Reese (R)</figcaption>
 </figure>According to the suit, the gun trafficking ringleader was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-michael-brown-5cc6e895cae37673f60a243886c7fd55">James Samuels</a>, a former Kansas City firefighter who has been sentenced to six years in federal prison for illegally selling guns.The lawsuit also alleges that Nevada-based gun manufacturer Jimenez Arms, several local gun dealers and individuals illegally sold or transferred guns to Samuels without doing background checks or determining if the buyers had licenses to carry guns. The companies ignored obvious evidence that Samuels was breaking federal gun laws, according to the lawsuit.Jimenez Arms filed for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/22062ff002a1eff323b174d3ecd3bae7">bankruptcy</a>&nbsp;but then rebranded itself as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-lawsuits-illinois-gun-politics-crime-81aa4e6a13da2ff07d069ed48e5b0a1b">JA Industries</a>&nbsp;before federal officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e0253e12b312afcd5c37b46be2f6a244">revoked</a>&nbsp;its license last year.Two other gun dealers also were named in the suit. One agreed to relinquish its federal firearms license, and the second is no longer in business, Everytown said.“Guns used in crimes often make their way from the legal market to the illegal market via gun trafficking and straw-purchasing," said Alla Lefkowitz, of Everytown Law, a team of litigation lawyers for Everytown for Gun Safety. "The industry has an important role to play in preventing such diversion."

Gun dealer sued by Kansas City settles for $150K

JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects in connection with a rural Kansas burglary.

On Monday afternoon, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible burglary in progress at 2830 102nd Road, approximately one half mile south of the City of Delia, Kansas, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The caller reported a white Jeep on the property.  The 2002 Jeep Cherokee fled northbound from the first arriving sheriff’s deputy on the property. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678245972749.png" alt="The Jeep caught fire as did the surrounding field. The vehicle and its contents were destroyed, according to Jackson Co. Sheriff Tim Morse" />
 <figcaption>The Jeep caught fire as did the surrounding field. The vehicle and its contents were destroyed, according to Jackson Co. Sheriff Tim Morse</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects in connection with a rural Kansas burglary.On Monday afternoon, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible burglary in progress at 2830 102nd Road, approximately one half mile south of the City of Delia, Kansas, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. The caller reported a white Jeep on the property. The 2002 Jeep Cherokee fled northbound from the first arriving sheriff’s deputy on the property. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678245874853.png" alt="Kleinsmith-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Kleinsmith-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> The deputy lost sight of the Jeep&nbsp; in a thickly wooded area, headed southwest at a high rate of speed thru what had previously been a cornfield. The vehicle then accessed 102nd Road and went westbound when another sheriff’s unit took over the pursuit. The vehicle continued down several low maintenance roads and into Pottawatomie County west of 63 Highway.&nbsp; The driver eventually lost control and the Jeep left the roadway at the T intersection of Doyle Creek and Pleasant View Road in Pottawatomie County, according to Morse.The Jeep caught fire as did the surrounding field. The vehicle and its contents were destroyed, according to Morse. Pottawatomie County Sheriff, Fire, Emergency Management, and KHP responded to the incident. Jackson County deputies took the alleged driver and owner of the Jeep 45-year-old&nbsp; Christopher Gerard Keinsmith of St. Mary’s and the passenger 27-year-old Marc Allen Nichols of Rossville.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678245927766.png" alt="Nichols-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Nichols-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> Kleinsmith was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of burglary, criminal trespassing, felony fleeing and eluding. Nichols was booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of burglary, and a probation violation. He was also wanted on outstanding warrants, according to Morse.--------