SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man has been sentenced to prison for a fatal hit-and-run accident in 2020.

On Tuesday, Judge Bruce Brown sentenced Jeffrey Jack to just over 2 and one half years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.

On November 3, 2020, Kaminsky was crossing the road to his home and was struck by a southbound white pick-up truck on North Parkridge in Wichita, according to Officer Kevin Wheeler. The driver, later identified as Jack did not stop and fled. Police believed alcohol was a factor in the case. 

Police later found Jack's damaged truck in a nearby neighborhood and ultimately made an arrest.&nbsp; Earlier this year, he pled guilty to leaving the scene of an accident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665571242846.png" alt="Jack-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Jack-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas man has been sentenced to prison for a fatal hit-and-run accident in 2020.On Tuesday, Judge Bruce Brown sentenced Jeffrey Jack to just over 2 and one half years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">WANTED! Law enforcement needs your help locating Jeffrey T. Jack, wanted on a felony arrest warrant for failure to stop at a fatality accident that occurred on November 3rd, 2020 in the 1600 block of Parkwood. <a href="https://t.co/GT9oBV3XC5">pic.twitter.com/GT9oBV3XC5</a>&mdash; Crime Stoppers ICT (@crimestoppers) <a href="https://twitter.com/crimestoppers/status/1519706195585642499?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>On November 3, 2020, Kaminsky was crossing the road to his home and was struck by a southbound white pick-up truck on North Parkridge in Wichita, according to Officer Kevin Wheeler. The driver, later identified as Jack did not stop and fled. Police believed alcohol was a factor in the case. Police later found Jack's damaged truck in a nearby neighborhood and ultimately made an arrest.&nbsp; Earlier this year, he pled guilty to leaving the scene of an accident..

Kan. man sentenced for crash that killed 80-year-old pedestrian

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new drug charges after an arrest,

Just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, a patrol sergeant with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the 10 block of Southwest 110 Avenue for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

The occupant of the 1997 Chevrolet Venture was identified as Corban Cale, age 30 of Pawnee Rock. 

The sergeant became suspicious of drug activity and the Sheriff’s Office K9 Maxx and handler were called to the scene. Maxx alerted to the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle.

Further investigation revealed Cale was in possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia as well as items used to distribute methamphetamine.

Cale was arrested without incident and transported to the Barton County Jail where he was booked on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665593687386.png" alt="Cale has four previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Cale has four previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new drug charges after an arrest,Just after 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, a patrol sergeant with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the 10 block of Southwest 110 Avenue for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.The occupant of the 1997 Chevrolet Venture was identified as Corban Cale, age 30 of Pawnee Rock. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665586181761.jpeg" alt="Photo Barton County" />
 <figcaption>Photo Barton County</figcaption>
 </figure>The sergeant became suspicious of drug activity and the Sheriff’s Office K9 Maxx and handler were called to the scene. Maxx alerted to the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle.Further investigation revealed Cale was in possession of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia as well as items used to distribute methamphetamine.Cale was arrested without incident and transported to the Barton County Jail where he was booked on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and is being held in lieu of a $100,000 bond

Kan. felon held on $100,000 bond for allegedly selling meth

KANAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects after a high-speed chase on a Kansas City-area interstate.

Just after 10:30a.m. Wednesday, police attempted to stop a vehicle at Truman and Menown they believed may have been involved in an armed disturbance earlier in the day, according to a media release from police.

 The vehicle fled from officers after they initiated the stop west bound on Truman Road. 

Occupants of the vehicle fired multiple rounds at officers as the pursuit went from Truman Road onto South Interstate 435. 

 Eventually, the pursuit ended at 31st and Donnelly in Kansas City, where the occupants of the vehicle fled on foot. 

Police took four people into custody near the scene.  At this time it is unknown if there were any other occupants.  No officers or citizens were reported to be injured during the incident. There have been no reports of property damage as a result of the shots being fired.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665607739078.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating four suspects after a high-speed chase on a Kansas City-area interstate.Just after 10:30a.m. Wednesday, police attempted to stop a vehicle at Truman and Menown they believed may have been involved in an armed disturbance earlier in the day, according to a media release from police. The vehicle fled from officers after they initiated the stop west bound on Truman Road. Occupants of the vehicle fired multiple rounds at officers as the pursuit went from Truman Road onto South Interstate 435. Eventually, the pursuit ended at 31st and Donnelly in Kansas City, where the occupants of the vehicle fled on foot. Police took four people into custody near the scene. At this time it is unknown if there were any other occupants. No officers or citizens were reported to be injured during the incident. There have been no reports of property damage as a result of the shots being fired.&nbsp;

4 in custody after shots fired at police during Kansas City chase

FRANKLIN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 290 officials are investigating an alleged school threat and have a suspect in custody.

Just after 5p.m. Tuesday, police were notified of an alleged threat of violence at Ottawa High School, 1120 South Ash, according to a media release.

Officers located and arrested the suspect at a home in Ottawa. During the investigation, police collected an airsoft pistol and a knife. The 16-year-old boy is being held in the Douglas County juvenile detention center in Lawrence on a requested charge of criminal threat.

Police said there is now no known threat to students or staff in the school district. The case has been sent to the Franklin County Attorney .

FRANKLIN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 290 officials are investigating an alleged school threat and have a suspect in custody.Just after 5p.m. Tuesday, police were notified of an alleged threat of violence at Ottawa High School, 1120 South Ash, according to a media release.Officers located and arrested the suspect at a home in Ottawa. During the investigation, police collected an airsoft pistol and a knife. The 16-year-old boy is being held in the Douglas County juvenile detention center in Lawrence on a requested charge of criminal threat.Police said there is now no known threat to students or staff in the school district. The case has been sent to the Franklin County Attorney .

16-year-old arrested for alleged threat at Kansas high school

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A federal judge in St. Louis is weighing the fate of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">Biden administration's plan to forgive student loan debt</a>&nbsp;for tens of millions of Americans following a court hearing on Wednesday.

It's unclear when U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey will rule on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-lawsuits-covid-missouri-862d783188de45b698c54b00820d3616">lawsuit filed by six Republican-led states</a>&nbsp;that seeks an injunction to halt the student loan forgiveness plan. Whatever he decides, an appeal is likely.

Democratic President Joe Biden announced in August that his administration would cancel up to $20,000 in education debt for huge numbers of borrowers. The announcement immediately became a major political issue ahead of the November midterms.

The proposal prompted a lawsuit filed in September by Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas and South Carolina. Other lawsuits followed,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-education-lawsuits-personal-taxes-small-948e5c9ee802bc865f66c2ab28328035">including one filed Monday</a>&nbsp;by the Job Creators Network Foundation alleging that the administration violated federal procedures by failing to seek public input on the program.

In the lawsuit brought by the states, a court filing on behalf of the administration said the Department of Education has “broad authority to manage the federal student financial aid programs.” It stated that the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003, or HEROES Act, allows the secretary of education to waive or modify terms of federal student loans in times of war or national emergency.

“COVID-19 is such an emergency,” the filing stated.

The Congressional Budget Office has said the program will cost about $400 billion over the next three decades. James Campbell, an attorney for the Nebraska attorney general's office, told Autrey that the administration is acting outside its authorities in a way that will costs states millions of dollars.

“What they're trying to do is go around Congress, and this they cannot do,” Campbell said.

The plan would cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income. Pell Grant recipients, who typically demonstrate more financial need, will get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.

The administration faced threats of legal challenges to its plans almost immediately. Conservative attorneys, Republican lawmakers and business-oriented groups asserted that Biden was overstepping his authority in taking such sweeping action without the assent of Congress. They called it an unfair government giveaway for relatively affluent people at the expense of taxpayers who didn't pursue higher education.

Meanwhile, many Democratic lawmakers facing tough reelection contests distanced themselves from the student loan plan.

The HEROES Act is a post-Sept. 11, 2001, law meant to help members of the military. The Justice Department says the law allows Biden to reduce or erase student loan debt during a national emergency. Republicans argue the administration is misinterpreting the law because, in part, the pandemic no longer qualifies as a national emergency.

But attorney Brian Netter of the U.S. Department of Justice said the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is still rippling. He said student loan defaults have skyrocketed over the past two-and-a-half years.

“This (the HEROES Act) is a statute about emergencies — about national emergencies,” Netter said.

The cancellation applies to federal student loans used to attend undergraduate and graduate school, along with Parent Plus loans. Current college students qualify if their loans were disbursed before July 1. Administration officials said applications for debt relief will be available in October.

The plan makes 43 million borrowers eligible for some debt forgiveness, with 20 million who could get their debt erased entirely, according to the administration.

Autrey did not give an indication when he will rule on the injunction request.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661367707782.png" alt="Many Democratic lawmakers facing tough reelection contests have distanced themselves from Biden's student loan plan-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Many Democratic lawmakers facing tough reelection contests have distanced themselves from Biden's student loan plan-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. LOUIS (AP) — A federal judge in St. Louis is weighing the fate of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/student-loan-forgiveness-biden-plan-d9c8e18774a744187c9af634bf4eb728">Biden administration's plan to forgive student loan debt</a>&nbsp;for tens of millions of Americans following a court hearing on Wednesday.It's unclear when U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey will rule on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-health-lawsuits-covid-missouri-862d783188de45b698c54b00820d3616">lawsuit filed by six Republican-led states</a>&nbsp;that seeks an injunction to halt the student loan forgiveness plan. Whatever he decides, an appeal is likely.Democratic President Joe Biden announced in August that his administration would cancel up to $20,000 in education debt for huge numbers of borrowers. The announcement immediately became a major political issue ahead of the November midterms.The proposal prompted a lawsuit filed in September by Nebraska, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas and South Carolina. Other lawsuits followed,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-education-lawsuits-personal-taxes-small-948e5c9ee802bc865f66c2ab28328035">including one filed Monday</a>&nbsp;by the Job Creators Network Foundation alleging that the administration violated federal procedures by failing to seek public input on the program.In the lawsuit brought by the states, a court filing on behalf of the administration said the Department of Education has “broad authority to manage the federal student financial aid programs.” It stated that the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students Act of 2003, or HEROES Act, allows the secretary of education to waive or modify terms of federal student loans in times of war or national emergency.“COVID-19 is such an emergency,” the filing stated.The Congressional Budget Office has said the program will cost about $400 billion over the next three decades. James Campbell, an attorney for the Nebraska attorney general's office, told Autrey that the administration is acting outside its authorities in a way that will costs states millions of dollars.“What they're trying to do is go around Congress, and this they cannot do,” Campbell said.The plan would cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those making less than $125,000 or households with less than $250,000 in income. Pell Grant recipients, who typically demonstrate more financial need, will get an additional $10,000 in debt forgiven.The administration faced threats of legal challenges to its plans almost immediately. Conservative attorneys, Republican lawmakers and business-oriented groups asserted that Biden was overstepping his authority in taking such sweeping action without the assent of Congress. They called it an unfair government giveaway for relatively affluent people at the expense of taxpayers who didn't pursue higher education.Meanwhile, many Democratic lawmakers facing tough reelection contests distanced themselves from the student loan plan.The HEROES Act is a post-Sept. 11, 2001, law meant to help members of the military. The Justice Department says the law allows Biden to reduce or erase student loan debt during a national emergency. Republicans argue the administration is misinterpreting the law because, in part, the pandemic no longer qualifies as a national emergency.But attorney Brian Netter of the U.S. Department of Justice said the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is still rippling. He said student loan defaults have skyrocketed over the past two-and-a-half years.“This (the HEROES Act) is a statute about emergencies — about national emergencies,” Netter said.The cancellation applies to federal student loans used to attend undergraduate and graduate school, along with Parent Plus loans. Current college students qualify if their loans were disbursed before July 1. Administration officials said applications for debt relief will be available in October.The plan makes 43 million borrowers eligible for some debt forgiveness, with 20 million who could get their debt erased entirely, according to the administration.Autrey did not give an indication when he will rule on the injunction request.

Federal judge weighs effort to halt student loan forgiveness

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The recent acquisition of some 73 stores from a Missouri-based company has made Bomgaars the nation’s second largest farm and ranch retailer, behind Tractor Supply Company, the Sioux City, Iowa-based company said.

Bomgaars announced in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bomgaars.com/blog/category/bom-corporate-blog">news release</a>&nbsp;Wednesday that it has acquired 73 stores from Orscheln Farm and Home, based in Moberly, Missouri. The acquisition was part of a larger mega-deal approved Tuesday by the Federal Trade Commission for&nbsp;<a href="https://corporate.tractorsupply.com/newsroom/news-releases/news-releases-details/2021/Tractor-Supply-Company-Announces-Agreement-to-Acquire-Orscheln-Farm-and-Home-a-Farm-and-Ranch-Retailer-with-167-Stores-in-the-Midwest/default.aspx">Tennessee-based Tractor Supply Company to take over Orscheln Farm and Home</a>, which has 167 stores in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Kentucky, Illinois and Ohio.

To mitigate anti-trust concerns, the commission required many of the Orscheln locations be bought by a third-party participant. Missouri-based farm retailer Buchheit bought another dozen Orscheln stores, leaving Tractor Supply to acquire 81 Orscheln locations, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/bomgaars-now-the-2nd-largest-farm-and-ranch-retailer-following-acquisition-of-part-of-orscheln/article_3b911f18-19c3-5728-ac29-1ac77ec8a9d2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">the Sioux City Journal</a>.

Tractor Supply spent $297 million in the deal. Bomgaars, which is privately held, did not disclose what it paid for the Orscheln stores.

The deal brings Bomgaars’ total number of locations to 180 in 15 states throughout the central United States, while adding 1,400 new employees. Bomgaars also will acquire Orscheln’s 330,000 square-foot distribution center in Moberly, Missouri, next year.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — The recent acquisition of some 73 stores from a Missouri-based company has made Bomgaars the nation’s second largest farm and ranch retailer, behind Tractor Supply Company, the Sioux City, Iowa-based company said.Bomgaars announced in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bomgaars.com/blog/category/bom-corporate-blog">news release</a>&nbsp;Wednesday that it has acquired 73 stores from Orscheln Farm and Home, based in Moberly, Missouri. The acquisition was part of a larger mega-deal approved Tuesday by the Federal Trade Commission for&nbsp;<a href="https://corporate.tractorsupply.com/newsroom/news-releases/news-releases-details/2021/Tractor-Supply-Company-Announces-Agreement-to-Acquire-Orscheln-Farm-and-Home-a-Farm-and-Ranch-Retailer-with-167-Stores-in-the-Midwest/default.aspx">Tennessee-based Tractor Supply Company to take over Orscheln Farm and Home</a>, which has 167 stores in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, Kentucky, Illinois and Ohio.To mitigate anti-trust concerns, the commission required many of the Orscheln locations be bought by a third-party participant. Missouri-based farm retailer Buchheit bought another dozen Orscheln stores, leaving Tractor Supply to acquire 81 Orscheln locations, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/bomgaars-now-the-2nd-largest-farm-and-ranch-retailer-following-acquisition-of-part-of-orscheln/article_3b911f18-19c3-5728-ac29-1ac77ec8a9d2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story">the Sioux City Journal</a>.Tractor Supply spent $297 million in the deal. Bomgaars, which is privately held, did not disclose what it paid for the Orscheln stores.The deal brings Bomgaars’ total number of locations to 180 in 15 states throughout the central United States, while adding 1,400 new employees. Bomgaars also will acquire Orscheln’s 330,000 square-foot distribution center in Moberly, Missouri, next year.

Acquisition from Orscheln creates 2nd largest farm retailer in U.S.

NEW YORK (AP) — Tens of millions of older Americans are about to get what may be the biggest raise of their lifetimes.

On Thursday, the U.S. government is set to announce how big a percentage increase Social Security beneficiaries will see in monthly payments this upcoming year. It’s virtually certain to be the largest in four decades. It’s all part of an annual ritual where Washington adjusts Social Security benefits to keep up with inflation, or at least with one narrow measure of it.

Plenty of controversy accompanies the move, known as a cost-of-living adjustment or COLA. Critics say the data the government uses to set the increase doesn’t reflect what older Americans are actually spending, and thus the inflation they’re actually feeling. The increase is also one-size-fits-all, which means beneficiaries get the same raise regardless of where they live or how big a nest egg they may have.

The U.S. government is about to announce an increase to how much the more than 65 million Social Security beneficiaries will get every month. Some estimates say the boost may be as big as 9%.

WHAT DO BENEFICIARIES HAVE TO DO TO GET IT?

No, but it’s likely the heftiest in 40 years, which is longer than the vast majority of Social Security beneficiaries have been getting payments. In 1981, the increase was 11.2%.

January. They’re also permanent, and they compound. That means the following year’s percentage increase, whatever it ends up being, will be on top of the new, larger payment beneficiaries get after this most recent raise.

5.9%, which itself was the biggest in nearly four decades.

Since 2000, it’s averaged 2.3% as inflation remained remarkably tame through all kinds of economic swings. During some of the toughest years in that stretch, the bigger worry for the economy was actually that inflation was running too low.

Since the 2008 financial crisis, the U.S. government has announced zero increases to Social Security benefits three times because inflation was so weak.

SO THE INCREASE IS TO MAKE UP FOR INFLATION?

That's the intent. As Americans have become painfully aware over the past year, each $1 doesn't go as far at the grocery store as it used to.

HAS SOCIAL SECURITY ALWAYS GIVEN SUCH INCREASES?

No. The first American to get a monthly retirement check from Social Security, Ida May Fuller from Ludlow, Vermont, got the same $22.54 monthly benefit for 10 years.

Automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments didn't begin for Social Security until 1975, after a law passed in 1972 requiring them.

It's tied to a measure of inflation called the CPI-W index, which tracks what kinds of prices are being paid by urban wage earners and clerical workers.

More specifically, the increase is based on how much the CPI-W increases from the summer of one year to the next.

IS THAT THE INFLATION MEASURE EVERYONE FOLLOWS?

No. People generally pay more attention to a much broader measure of inflation, the CPI-U index, which covers all urban consumers. That covers 93% of the total U.S. population.

The CPI-W, meanwhile, covers only about 29% of the U.S. population. It has been around longer than the CPI-U, which the government began compiling only after the legislation that required Social Security's annual increases be linked to inflation.

Yes, and some critics have argued for years that Social Security should change to a different measure, one that’s pegged to older people in particular.

Another experimental index, called CPI-E, is supposed to offer a better reflection of how Americans aged 62 and above spend their money. It has historically shown higher rates of inflation for older Americans than the CPI-U or CPI-W, but it has not taken hold. Neither have other measures compiled by organizations outside the government that hope to show how inflation affects older Americans specifically.

Recently, the CPI-E has shown a bit milder inflation than CPI-W or CPI-U.

To calculate the CPI-E, the government pulls from the same survey data used to measure the broad CPI-U. But there are relatively few older households in that data set, meaning it may not be the most accurate.

All indexes give just a rough approximation of what inflation really is. But the more pressing challenge may be that if the government switched to a different index, one that showed higher inflation for older Americans, Social Security would have to pay out higher benefits.

That in turn would mean a faster drain on Social Security's trust fund, which looks to run empty in a little more than a decade at its current pace.

HOW IS THE SIZE SET FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?

Through a complicated formula that takes into account several factors, including how much a worker made in their 35 highest-earning years. Generally, those who made more money and those who wait longer to start getting Social Security get larger benefits, up to a point.

This year, the maximum allowed benefit for someone who retired at full retirement age is $3,345 monthly.

WILL RICH PEOPLE GET THE SAME BOOST IN SOCIAL SECURITY?

Yes. Everyone gets the same percentage increase, whether they have millions of dollars in retirement savings or are just scraping by.

IF THE INCREASE IS BASED ON INFLATION IN URBAN AREAS, WILL PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS GET THE SAME BOOST?

“The COLA doesn't take into account where you live or your actual spending patterns,” said William Arnone, CEO of the National Academy of Social Insurance. "For some people, it's an overstatement of cost of living for, say, small towns in the Midwest versus urban areas like New York, D.C. or Chicago. With many older people choosing to live in suburban areas or rural areas, some will benefit more” than others from the same-sized increase.

It's great news for every beneficiary and for the businesses around them that could see more in sales.

But it also means the Social Security system is paying out more, which can add more strain on its trust fund.

One year of big increases driven by inflation won't drain the system by itself, but it's already long been heading toward an unsustainable future. The latest annual trustees report for Social Security said its trust funds that pay out retirement and survivors and disability benefits will be able to pay scheduled benefits on a timely basis until 2035. After that, incoming cash from taxes will be enough to pay 80% of scheduled benefits.

It will put&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-business-government-and-politics-4727d63afa3667d5c792a288f63b4ac2">more cash in the hands of people</a>&nbsp;who mostly really need it, and they're very likely to use it. That will feed more fuel into the economy, which could keep upward pressure on inflation.

Social Security's boost, though, will have a smaller impact on the economy than past stimulus packages provided by Washington, snarls in supply chains caused by worldwide shutdowns of businesses or other factors that economists say are behind the worst inflation in decades.

The risk of a recession seems to grow by the day, but many economists expect inflation to come down as interest-rate hikes take effect and supply chains continue to improve.

Economists at Deutsche Bank, for example, expect inflation to ease from 8.2% this past August to 7.2% in the last three months of this year. In 2023, they see it dropping to 3.9% in the second half of the year.

This is key for many Social Security beneficiaries. That would mean the COLA they receive this upcoming year would be bigger than the inflation they're feeling at the moment. That would help make up for this past year, where actual inflation far outstripped the cost-of-living increase they got in January 2022.

NEW YORK (AP) — Tens of millions of older Americans are about to get what may be the biggest raise of their lifetimes.On Thursday, the U.S. government is set to announce how big a percentage increase Social Security beneficiaries will see in monthly payments this upcoming year. It’s virtually certain to be the largest in four decades. It’s all part of an annual ritual where Washington adjusts Social Security benefits to keep up with inflation, or at least with one narrow measure of it.Plenty of controversy accompanies the move, known as a cost-of-living adjustment or COLA. Critics say the data the government uses to set the increase doesn’t reflect what older Americans are actually spending, and thus the inflation they’re actually feeling. The increase is also one-size-fits-all, which means beneficiaries get the same raise regardless of where they live or how big a nest egg they may have.Here’s a look at what’s happening:WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?The U.S. government is about to announce an increase to how much the more than 65 million Social Security beneficiaries will get every month. Some estimates say the boost may be as big as 9%.WHAT DO BENEFICIARIES HAVE TO DO TO GET IT?Nothing.WILL THIS BE THE BIGGEST INCREASE EVER?No, but it’s likely the heftiest in 40 years, which is longer than the vast majority of Social Security beneficiaries have been getting payments. In 1981, the increase was 11.2%.WHEN WILL THE BIGGER PAYMENTS BEGIN?January. They’re also permanent, and they compound. That means the following year’s percentage increase, whatever it ends up being, will be on top of the new, larger payment beneficiaries get after this most recent raise.HOW BIG WAS THIS PAST YEAR’S INCREASE?5.9%, which itself was the biggest in nearly four decades.WHAT'S THE TYPICAL INCREASE?Since 2000, it’s averaged 2.3% as inflation remained remarkably tame through all kinds of economic swings. During some of the toughest years in that stretch, the bigger worry for the economy was actually that inflation was running too low.Since the 2008 financial crisis, the U.S. government has announced zero increases to Social Security benefits three times because inflation was so weak.SO THE INCREASE IS TO MAKE UP FOR INFLATION?That's the intent. As Americans have become painfully aware over the past year, each $1 doesn't go as far at the grocery store as it used to.HAS SOCIAL SECURITY ALWAYS GIVEN SUCH INCREASES?No. The first American to get a monthly retirement check from Social Security, Ida May Fuller from Ludlow, Vermont, got the same $22.54 monthly benefit for 10 years.Automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments didn't begin for Social Security until 1975, after a law passed in 1972 requiring them.HOW IS THE SIZE OF THE INCREASE SET?It's tied to a measure of inflation called the CPI-W index, which tracks what kinds of prices are being paid by urban wage earners and clerical workers.More specifically, the increase is based on how much the CPI-W increases from the summer of one year to the next.IS THAT THE INFLATION MEASURE EVERYONE FOLLOWS?No. People generally pay more attention to a much broader measure of inflation, the CPI-U index, which covers all urban consumers. That covers 93% of the total U.S. population.The CPI-W, meanwhile, covers only about 29% of the U.S. population. It has been around longer than the CPI-U, which the government began compiling only after the legislation that required Social Security's annual increases be linked to inflation.IS THAT WEIRD?Yes, and some critics have argued for years that Social Security should change to a different measure, one that’s pegged to older people in particular.Another experimental index, called CPI-E, is supposed to offer a better reflection of how Americans aged 62 and above spend their money. It has historically shown higher rates of inflation for older Americans than the CPI-U or CPI-W, but it has not taken hold. Neither have other measures compiled by organizations outside the government that hope to show how inflation affects older Americans specifically.Recently, the CPI-E has shown a bit milder inflation than CPI-W or CPI-U.WHY NOT USE ONE OF THOSE OTHER INDEXES?To calculate the CPI-E, the government pulls from the same survey data used to measure the broad CPI-U. But there are relatively few older households in that data set, meaning it may not be the most accurate.All indexes give just a rough approximation of what inflation really is. But the more pressing challenge may be that if the government switched to a different index, one that showed higher inflation for older Americans, Social Security would have to pay out higher benefits.That in turn would mean a faster drain on Social Security's trust fund, which looks to run empty in a little more than a decade at its current pace.HOW IS THE SIZE SET FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?Through a complicated formula that takes into account several factors, including how much a worker made in their 35 highest-earning years. Generally, those who made more money and those who wait longer to start getting Social Security get larger benefits, up to a point.This year, the maximum allowed benefit for someone who retired at full retirement age is $3,345 monthly.WILL RICH PEOPLE GET THE SAME BOOST IN SOCIAL SECURITY?Yes. Everyone gets the same percentage increase, whether they have millions of dollars in retirement savings or are just scraping by.IF THE INCREASE IS BASED ON INFLATION IN URBAN AREAS, WILL PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS GET THE SAME BOOST?Yes.“The COLA doesn't take into account where you live or your actual spending patterns,” said William Arnone, CEO of the National Academy of Social Insurance. "For some people, it's an overstatement of cost of living for, say, small towns in the Midwest versus urban areas like New York, D.C. or Chicago. With many older people choosing to live in suburban areas or rural areas, some will benefit more” than others from the same-sized increase.IS THE INCREASE BAD NEWS FOR ANYONE?It's great news for every beneficiary and for the businesses around them that could see more in sales.But it also means the Social Security system is paying out more, which can add more strain on its trust fund.One year of big increases driven by inflation won't drain the system by itself, but it's already long been heading toward an unsustainable future. The latest annual trustees report for Social Security said its trust funds that pay out retirement and survivors and disability benefits will be able to pay scheduled benefits on a timely basis until 2035. After that, incoming cash from taxes will be enough to pay 80% of scheduled benefits.WILL THIS MAKE INFLATION WORSE?It will put&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-business-government-and-politics-4727d63afa3667d5c792a288f63b4ac2">more cash in the hands of people</a>&nbsp;who mostly really need it, and they're very likely to use it. That will feed more fuel into the economy, which could keep upward pressure on inflation.Social Security's boost, though, will have a smaller impact on the economy than past stimulus packages provided by Washington, snarls in supply chains caused by worldwide shutdowns of businesses or other factors that economists say are behind the worst inflation in decades.SO EVERYTHING'S GOING TERRIBLY?The risk of a recession seems to grow by the day, but many economists expect inflation to come down as interest-rate hikes take effect and supply chains continue to improve.Economists at Deutsche Bank, for example, expect inflation to ease from 8.2% this past August to 7.2% in the last three months of this year. In 2023, they see it dropping to 3.9% in the second half of the year.This is key for many Social Security beneficiaries. That would mean the COLA they receive this upcoming year would be bigger than the inflation they're feeling at the moment. That would help make up for this past year, where actual inflation far outstripped the cost-of-living increase they got in January 2022.

US set to announce huge jump in Social Security payments

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;2,866 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday October 5, to Wednesday October 12, for a total of 883,063 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;

On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;17 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on October 5 for a total of 9,590.

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

<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.

Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”

The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Health reported&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;2,866 new coronavirus cases in Kansas from Wednesday October 5, to Wednesday October 12, for a total of 883,063 cases.&nbsp;&nbsp;On Wednesday, th<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1529/June-15-Case-Summary-PDF?bidId=">e state reported</a>&nbsp;17 additional COVID-19 deaths since the report on October 5 for a total of 9,590.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665592556487.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://www.kansasvaccine.gov/158/Data">Click here for Data</a>&nbsp;about the COVID-19 vaccine.<a href="https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/160/COVID-19-in-Kansas">Click here&nbsp;</a>for additional virus numbers from the KDHE.Kansas is providing fewer updates of its data about COVID-19 now that Gov. Laura Kelly formally declared that the state is moving toward treating COVID-19 as a disease like the flu that spreads regularly and isn't considered a pandemic.&nbsp;The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.The state continues to support access to free COVID-19 testing, works to ensure that vulnerable populations can get vaccinated, see that providers serve a broad population and give “comprehensive guidance” about the virus. She called the new phase “endemic normalcy.”The health department plans to update data about cases and vaccinations each Wednesday.

KDHE reports 17 additional COVID deaths since October 5

KANSAS CITY (AP)—Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams has been charged with misdemeanor assault for shoving a photographer to the ground as he left the field following a loss at Kansas City.

Kansas City, Missouri, police said Adams&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1579682203339960320?s=20&amp;t=8JSEJm3A22oY6JFsFe-YxQ">pushed Ryan Zebley to the ground</a>&nbsp;while running off the field following the Raiders' 30-29 loss to the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night. Police called it an “intentional, overt act” that caused whiplash, a headache and a possible minor concussion.

Charges were filed Wednesday morning in Municipal Court of Kansas City.

Adams apologized in his postgame comments to the media and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/tae15adams/status/1579687398686228480?s=20&amp;t=jZwbBGXeaBWRP2YcD4TL5A">later on Twitter</a>.

“He jumped in front of me coming off the field. I kind of pushed him. He ended up on the ground,” Adams said after the game. “I want to apologize to him for that. That was just frustration mixed with him really just running in front of me.

“I shouldn’t have responded that way, but that’s the way I responded. I want to apologize to him for that.”

The NFL is also investigating Adams' actions. A person familiar with the process told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Adams could face possible punishment, including a fine or suspension.

Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said Tuesday that he supports Adams and will cooperate in any investigation.

Adams had three catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns in the game. He has 29 catches for 414 yards and five TDs so far in his first season with the Raiders.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1665590421736.png" alt="Citation from Kansas City Municipal Court" />
 <figcaption>Citation from Kansas City Municipal Court</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP)—Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams has been charged with misdemeanor assault for shoving a photographer to the ground as he left the field following a loss at Kansas City.Kansas City, Missouri, police said Adams&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/SportsCenter/status/1579682203339960320?s=20&amp;t=8JSEJm3A22oY6JFsFe-YxQ">pushed Ryan Zebley to the ground</a>&nbsp;while running off the field following the Raiders' 30-29 loss to the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on Monday night. Police called it an “intentional, overt act” that caused whiplash, a headache and a possible minor concussion.Charges were filed Wednesday morning in Municipal Court of Kansas City.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sorry to the guy I pushed over after the game. Obviously very frustrated at the way the game ended and when he ran infront of me as I exited that was my reaction and I felt horrible immediately. Thats not me..MY APOLOGIES man hope you see this.&mdash; Davante Adams (@tae15adams) <a href="https://twitter.com/tae15adams/status/1579687398686228480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Adams apologized in his postgame comments to the media and&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/tae15adams/status/1579687398686228480?s=20&amp;t=jZwbBGXeaBWRP2YcD4TL5A">later on Twitter</a>.“He jumped in front of me coming off the field. I kind of pushed him. He ended up on the ground,” Adams said after the game. “I want to apologize to him for that. That was just frustration mixed with him really just running in front of me.“I shouldn’t have responded that way, but that’s the way I responded. I want to apologize to him for that.”The NFL is also investigating Adams' actions. A person familiar with the process told The Associated Press on Tuesday that Adams could face possible punishment, including a fine or suspension.Raiders coach Josh McDaniels said Tuesday that he supports Adams and will cooperate in any investigation.Adams had three catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns in the game. He has 29 catches for 414 yards and five TDs so far in his first season with the Raiders.

Raiders Adams charged for shoving photographer in KC

SALINE COUNTY —Police investigating the discharge of a firearm in the parking lot at Salina South High School on Tuesday released additional details Wednesday morning.

At school dismissal, a vehicle occupied by several individuals was leaving the west parking lot of Salina South High School, 730 E. Magnolia. Just before turning East onto East Magnolia, an occupant of the vehicle was seen firing a weapon from the passenger’s side of the car in the direction of the school building. No injuries or damage were reported.

A witness provided the police department with vehicle and suspect information. The driver of the vehicle, Tyler Kerr (age 17, South High Student), was located at his residence, and the suspect vehicle was located parked around the corner from Kerr’s home.

Through their investigation, police detectives established probable cause to believe that Elijah Schmidt (age 16, Salina Virtual Innovation Academy) was the person who fired the handgun from the passenger’s side of the vehicle and that Robert Wood (age 15, South High Student) was identified as having possessed the handgun in the vehicle while on school property.

Kerr, Schmidt and Wood have been booked into juvenile detention

Tyler Kerr is being held on requested charges of Discharge of a Firearm and Obstructing Apprehension.

Elijah Schmidt faces requested charges of Criminal Discharge of a Firearm, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, and Criminal Use of a Weapon. Robert Wood is accused of Criminal Use of a Weapon.

Police have no information to indicate that the handgun used was ever in the school building.

"The Salina Police Department takes these threats seriously and will work to identify suspect(s) and make an arrest as quickly as possible when probable cause exists."

"This is the second example where citizen information has led to the quick arrest of individuals involved in criminal acts committed at Salina South High School. As a reminder, citizen tips are often instrumental in helping clear criminal cases. Parents, please talk to your children about reporting suspicious activity or criminal acts they may be aware of to you, a school official and/or the police."

"The police department believes we have identified and spoken to all of the occupants who were in the suspect vehicle. With that said, this investigation is still on going. If you have information relative to this case please call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS. You can also make an on—line tip at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210."

SALINE COUNTY—Police investigating the discharge of a firearm in the parking lot at Salina South High School on Tuesday have taken the alleged shooter into custody, according to a Wednesday morning statement from Salina Police.

"We have identified and spoken to the other occupants of the vehicle as well.   At this time, we do not suspect there are any other persons involved in this incident." Police also thanked the public the information provided to assist with the investigation.

SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the discharge of a firearm in the parking lot of Salina South High School, 730 East Magnolia, on Tuesday, according to a media release from police.

The incident occurred at school dismissal. No one was injured as a result of the gunfire. Salina Police Detectives are actively following up on investigative leads. 

Please know that the police department is in regular communication with USD305 administration. More information will be released when it becomes available. If you have information relative to this investigation, please call the police department at 785-826-7210 or you can call Crimestoppers at 785-825-TIPS.

SALINE COUNTY —Police investigating the discharge of a firearm in the parking lot at Salina South High School on Tuesday released additional details Wednesday morning.At school dismissal, a vehicle occupied by several individuals was leaving the west parking lot of Salina South High School, 730 E. Magnolia. Just before turning East onto East Magnolia, an occupant of the vehicle was seen firing a weapon from the passenger’s side of the car in the direction of the school building. No injuries or damage were reported.A witness provided the police department with vehicle and suspect information. The driver of the vehicle, Tyler Kerr (age 17, South High Student), was located at his residence, and the suspect vehicle was located parked around the corner from Kerr’s home.Through their investigation, police detectives established probable cause to believe that Elijah Schmidt (age 16, Salina Virtual Innovation Academy) was the person who fired the handgun from the passenger’s side of the vehicle and that Robert Wood (age 15, South High Student) was identified as having possessed the handgun in the vehicle while on school property.Kerr, Schmidt and Wood have been booked into juvenile detentionTyler Kerr is being held on requested charges of Discharge of a Firearm and Obstructing Apprehension.Elijah Schmidt faces requested charges of Criminal Discharge of a Firearm, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, and Criminal Use of a Weapon. Robert Wood is accused of Criminal Use of a Weapon.Police have no information to indicate that the handgun used was ever in the school building."The Salina Police Department takes these threats seriously and will work to identify suspect(s) and make an arrest as quickly as possible when probable cause exists.""This is the second example where citizen information has led to the quick arrest of individuals involved in criminal acts committed at Salina South High School. As a reminder, citizen tips are often instrumental in helping clear criminal cases. Parents, please talk to your children about reporting suspicious activity or criminal acts they may be aware of to you, a school official and/or the police.""The police department believes we have identified and spoken to all of the occupants who were in the suspect vehicle. With that said, this investigation is still on going. If you have information relative to this case please call Crimestoppers at 825-TIPS. You can also make an on—line tip at:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#">https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=950#</a>. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tipsters may also contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210."-------------------SALINE COUNTY—Police investigating the discharge of a firearm in the parking lot at Salina South High School on Tuesday have taken the alleged shooter into custody, according to a Wednesday morning statement from Salina Police."We have identified and spoken to the other occupants of the vehicle as well. At this time, we do not suspect there are any other persons involved in this incident." Police also thanked the public the information provided to assist with the investigation.------------SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the discharge of a firearm in the parking lot of Salina South High School, 730 East Magnolia, on Tuesday, according to a media release from police.The incident occurred at school dismissal. No one was injured as a result of the gunfire. Salina Police Detectives are actively following up on investigative leads. Please know that the police department is in regular communication with USD305 administration. More information will be released when it becomes available. If you have information relative to this investigation, please call the police department at 785-826-7210 or you can call Crimestoppers at 785-825-TIPS.

3 teens face charges after gun fired outside Salina high school

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. on Wednesday authorized updated COVID-19 boosters for children as young as 5, seeking to expand protection ahead of an expected winter wave.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-omicron-booster-shot-227514678d25a99b65b7ee092735fb03">Tweaked boosters</a>&nbsp;rolled out for Americans 12 and older last month, doses modified to target&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-pandemics-flu-c92b8653683afbac3d81eebff8f5d29d">today’s most common and contagious omicron relative</a>. While there wasn't a big rush, federal health officials are urging that people seek the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-covid-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-government-politics-551906ac80381a5e9aaf8383ea32ccab">extra protection ahead of holiday gatherings</a>.

Now the Food and Drug Administration has given a green light for elementary school-age kids to get the updated booster doses, too -- one made by Pfizer for 5- to 11-year-olds, and a version from rival Moderna for those as young as 6.

There’s one more step before parents can bring their kids in for the new shot: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends how vaccines are used, must sign off.

Americans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-science-health-covid-infectious-diseases-8ab56452a9490de2819c73bd302feccc">may be tired of repeated calls to get boosted</a>&nbsp;against COVID-19 but experts say the updated shots have an advantage: They contain half the recipe that targeted the original coronavirus strain and half protection against the dominant BA.4 and BA.5 omicron versions.

These combination or “bivalent” boosters are designed to broaden immune defenses so that people are better protected against serious illness whether they encounter an omicron relative in the coming months -- or a different mutant that’s more like the original virus.

“We want to have the best of both worlds,” Pfizer’s Dr. Bill Gruber, a pediatrician, told The Associated Press. He hopes the updated shots will “re-energize interest in protecting children for the winter.”

The updated boosters are “extremely important” for keeping kids healthy and in school, said Dr. Jason Newland, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Washington University in St. Louis.

Parents should know “there is no concern from the safety perspective with the bivalent vaccines, whether Moderna or Pfizer,” Newland added.

Only people who’ve gotten their initial vaccinations -- with any of the original-formula versions -- qualify for an updated booster. That means about three-fourths of Americans 12 and older are eligible. As of last weekend, only at least 13 million had gotten an updated booster, White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha estimated Tuesday.

To pediatricians’ chagrin, getting children their first vaccinations has been tougher. Less than a third of 5- to 11-year-olds have had their two primary doses and thus would qualify for the new booster.

This age group will get kid-size doses of the updated booster — and they can receive it at least two months after their last dose, whether that was a primary vaccination or an earlier booster, the FDA said.

Pfizer said it could ship up to 6 million kid-sized doses within a week of authorization, in addition to ongoing adult-dose shipments.

Until now, Moderna’s updated booster was cleared only for adults. Wednesday's FDA action authorized the booster for teens as well as children as young as age 6.

As for even younger tots, first vaccinations didn’t open for the under-5 age group until mid-June -- and it will be several more months before regulators decide if they’ll also need a booster using the updated recipe.

Exactly how much protection does an updated COVID-19 booster shot offer? That’s hard to know. Pfizer and Moderna are starting studies in young children.

But the FDA cleared the COVID-19 booster tweaks without requiring human test results -- just like it approves yearly changes to flu vaccines. That’s partly because both companies already had studied experimental shots tweaked to target prior COVID-19 variants, including an earlier omicron version, and found they safely revved up virus-fighting antibodies.

“It's clearly a better vaccine, an important upgrade from what we had before,” Jha said earlier this week.

Jha urged adults to get their updated shot in October — like they get flu vaccinations — or at least well before holiday gatherings with high-risk family and friends. People who've recently had COVID-19 still need the booster but can wait about three months, he added.

WASHINGTON (AP) —The U.S. on Wednesday authorized updated COVID-19 boosters for children as young as 5, seeking to expand protection ahead of an expected winter wave.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-omicron-booster-shot-227514678d25a99b65b7ee092735fb03">Tweaked boosters</a>&nbsp;rolled out for Americans 12 and older last month, doses modified to target&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-pandemics-flu-c92b8653683afbac3d81eebff8f5d29d">today’s most common and contagious omicron relative</a>. While there wasn't a big rush, federal health officials are urging that people seek the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-covid-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-government-politics-551906ac80381a5e9aaf8383ea32ccab">extra protection ahead of holiday gatherings</a>.Now the Food and Drug Administration has given a green light for elementary school-age kids to get the updated booster doses, too -- one made by Pfizer for 5- to 11-year-olds, and a version from rival Moderna for those as young as 6.There’s one more step before parents can bring their kids in for the new shot: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends how vaccines are used, must sign off.Americans&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-science-health-covid-infectious-diseases-8ab56452a9490de2819c73bd302feccc">may be tired of repeated calls to get boosted</a>&nbsp;against COVID-19 but experts say the updated shots have an advantage: They contain half the recipe that targeted the original coronavirus strain and half protection against the dominant BA.4 and BA.5 omicron versions.These combination or “bivalent” boosters are designed to broaden immune defenses so that people are better protected against serious illness whether they encounter an omicron relative in the coming months -- or a different mutant that’s more like the original virus.“We want to have the best of both worlds,” Pfizer’s Dr. Bill Gruber, a pediatrician, told The Associated Press. He hopes the updated shots will “re-energize interest in protecting children for the winter.”The updated boosters are “extremely important” for keeping kids healthy and in school, said Dr. Jason Newland, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Washington University in St. Louis.Parents should know “there is no concern from the safety perspective with the bivalent vaccines, whether Moderna or Pfizer,” Newland added.Only people who’ve gotten their initial vaccinations -- with any of the original-formula versions -- qualify for an updated booster. That means about three-fourths of Americans 12 and older are eligible. As of last weekend, only at least 13 million had gotten an updated booster, White House COVID-19 coordinator Dr. Ashish Jha estimated Tuesday.To pediatricians’ chagrin, getting children their first vaccinations has been tougher. Less than a third of 5- to 11-year-olds have had their two primary doses and thus would qualify for the new booster.This age group will get kid-size doses of the updated booster — and they can receive it at least two months after their last dose, whether that was a primary vaccination or an earlier booster, the FDA said.Pfizer said it could ship up to 6 million kid-sized doses within a week of authorization, in addition to ongoing adult-dose shipments.Until now, Moderna’s updated booster was cleared only for adults. Wednesday's FDA action authorized the booster for teens as well as children as young as age 6.As for even younger tots, first vaccinations didn’t open for the under-5 age group until mid-June -- and it will be several more months before regulators decide if they’ll also need a booster using the updated recipe.Exactly how much protection does an updated COVID-19 booster shot offer? That’s hard to know. Pfizer and Moderna are starting studies in young children.But the FDA cleared the COVID-19 booster tweaks without requiring human test results -- just like it approves yearly changes to flu vaccines. That’s partly because both companies already had studied experimental shots tweaked to target prior COVID-19 variants, including an earlier omicron version, and found they safely revved up virus-fighting antibodies.“It's clearly a better vaccine, an important upgrade from what we had before,” Jha said earlier this week.Jha urged adults to get their updated shot in October — like they get flu vaccinations — or at least well before holiday gatherings with high-risk family and friends. People who've recently had COVID-19 still need the booster but can wait about three months, he added.___

FDA authorizes omicron booster shots for children as young as 5

BUCHANAN COUNTY —Two teens were injured in an accident just before 10:30a.m. Tuesday in Buchanan&nbsp; County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Jeep Liberty driven by a 15-year-old St. Joseph, Missouri, girl was southbound on Highway 371 at SE Barnett Road.

The driver of the Jeep was fixing her hair and allowing the passenger to control the vehicle.&nbsp; The 15-year-old female passenger from Agency lost control of the Jeep. 

The driver attempted to regain control of the vehicle, overcorrected and the Jeep traveled off the east side of the road, struck an embankment and rolled onto its top. Both the driver and passenger were ejected.

Buchanan County ambulance transported both teens to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

BUCHANAN COUNTY —Two teens were injured in an accident just before 10:30a.m. Tuesday in Buchanan&nbsp; County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2005 Jeep Liberty driven by a 15-year-old St. Joseph, Missouri, girl was southbound on Highway 371 at SE Barnett Road.The driver of the Jeep was fixing her hair and allowing the passenger to control the vehicle.&nbsp; The 15-year-old female passenger from Agency lost control of the Jeep. The driver attempted to regain control of the vehicle, overcorrected and the Jeep traveled off the east side of the road, struck an embankment and rolled onto its top. Both the driver and passenger were ejected.Buchanan County ambulance transported both teens to Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP.

Jeep rolls after teen, fixing her hair, let passenger steer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' Republican attorney general told a racial justice commission two years ago that racial bias “obviously” exists in law enforcement, but he said Tuesday that he wasn't saying systemic racism exists and stood by campaign attacks on the state's Democratic governor for using that phrase.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt and fellow Republicans are portraying Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly as anti-police as Schmidt tries to unseat Kelly in the Nov. 8 election. George Floyd's death in 2020 led Kelly to form a Commission on Racial Justice and Equity to examine policing, declaring as she did, "Systemic racism within law enforcement must end.”

Schmidt argues that saying systemic racism exists is calling law enforcement officers racist. His own comments that racial bias “obviously” exists in policing came during&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bofBgFjXXro">a Zoom meeting of the governor's commission</a>&nbsp;in October 2020. He told reporters Tuesday that when “a rare bad apple" commits misconduct, “There are mechanisms in place to deal with those individual problems.”

“They are two different things,” Schmidt said during an impromptu news conference following an event at the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's forensics center in Topeka. “I certainly don’t argue that there is systemic racism in law enforcement, and I think the governor’s decision to appoint an entire separate commission to focus on that problem was ill-advised.”

Both parties expect the Kansas governor's race to be close, and Schmidt has joined other Republican candidates across the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-health-police-covid-campaigns-13d5f83a6604df1bc6a33779fa159e93">in pivoting to crime</a>&nbsp;as a big issue as he tries to win back independent and moderate Republican voters who backed Kelly in 2018. Part of his strategy is painting Kelly as antagonistic toward the police.

Kelly's campaign responded Tuesday with the same statement it issued last week, saying Schmidt is engaged in “false smears” and that Kelly has delivered “historic investments” in law enforcement. Since Kelly took office in January 2019, spending on the prison system and Kansas Highway Patrol has grown by nearly 33%, though funding for the KBI under Schmidt’s control has remained flat.

Kelly formed her racial justice commission in June 2020 after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derek-chauvin-trial-live-updates-04-20-2021-955a78df9a7a51835ad63afb8ce9b5c1">the police killing of Floyd</a>&nbsp;in Minneapolis. In a column she wrote afterward, Kelly said she wanted the panel to recommend “meaningful and lasting change.”

“Racial inequality and injustice have been part of our nation's history from the beginning,” Kelly wrote. “Communities of color do not have the luxury of time for leaders to ignore these issues any longer."

The commission’s numerous recommendations in 2020 and 2021 included ensuring robust anti-bias training, prohibiting fired officers from working again in law enforcement, and revising local policies on the use of force. Despite Kelly's call for lasting change,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-george-floyd-ahmaud-arbery-politics-fa050ad76069e35ae20c6e114492d437">her administration did not push</a>&nbsp;the Republican-controlled Legislature to enact them.

Schmidt said that although if he were governor, he would have condemned Floyd's death and called on Minnesota to deal with officers' conduct, he also would have condemned violence during protests over Floyd's death and suggested that some leaders then were “elevating this issue in an inflammatory manner.”

During his Zoom presentation to Kelly's racial justice commission in October 2020, Schmidt briefed members on the role of the attorney general's office and the state Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training in reviewing allegations of racial bias against officers. CPOST certifies and disciplines law enforcement officers.

During the meeting, commission member Mark McCormick asked Schmidt, “To what degree do you think racial bias exists in our system here in the state?"

Schmidt replied: “You know, Mark, I mean, obviously, it does exist. It exists in human relations, and so it therefore exists in the subset of human relations that include law enforcement interactions with people.”

Schmidt added that he believes that the CPOST and individual law enforcement agencies take complaints of racial bias “quite seriously” and that “it’s not an also-ran consideration.”

He told reporters Tuesday that law enforcement officers “overwhelmingly are honorable" and that it's a disservice to them for the governor to suggest that policing is “systemically racist.”

By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' Republican attorney general told a racial justice commission two years ago that racial bias “obviously” exists in law enforcement, but he said Tuesday that he wasn't saying systemic racism exists and stood by campaign attacks on the state's Democratic governor for using that phrase.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I will always Back the Blue. I have as your attorney general and I will as your governor. It’s the most important thing we can do to keep Kansas families safe. <a href="https://t.co/EQVuZAp35N">pic.twitter.com/EQVuZAp35N</a>&mdash; Derek Schmidt (@DerekSchmidtKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DerekSchmidtKS/status/1578406642093285379?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 7, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Attorney General Derek Schmidt and fellow Republicans are portraying Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly as anti-police as Schmidt tries to unseat Kelly in the Nov. 8 election. George Floyd's death in 2020 led Kelly to form a Commission on Racial Justice and Equity to examine policing, declaring as she did, "Systemic racism within law enforcement must end.”Schmidt argues that saying systemic racism exists is calling law enforcement officers racist. His own comments that racial bias “obviously” exists in policing came during&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bofBgFjXXro">a Zoom meeting of the governor's commission</a>&nbsp;in October 2020. He told reporters Tuesday that when “a rare bad apple" commits misconduct, “There are mechanisms in place to deal with those individual problems.”“They are two different things,” Schmidt said during an impromptu news conference following an event at the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's forensics center in Topeka. “I certainly don’t argue that there is systemic racism in law enforcement, and I think the governor’s decision to appoint an entire separate commission to focus on that problem was ill-advised.”Both parties expect the Kansas governor's race to be close, and Schmidt has joined other Republican candidates across the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-health-police-covid-campaigns-13d5f83a6604df1bc6a33779fa159e93">in pivoting to crime</a>&nbsp;as a big issue as he tries to win back independent and moderate Republican voters who backed Kelly in 2018. Part of his strategy is painting Kelly as antagonistic toward the police.Kelly's campaign responded Tuesday with the same statement it issued last week, saying Schmidt is engaged in “false smears” and that Kelly has delivered “historic investments” in law enforcement. Since Kelly took office in January 2019, spending on the prison system and Kansas Highway Patrol has grown by nearly 33%, though funding for the KBI under Schmidt’s control has remained flat.Kelly formed her racial justice commission in June 2020 after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/derek-chauvin-trial-live-updates-04-20-2021-955a78df9a7a51835ad63afb8ce9b5c1">the police killing of Floyd</a>&nbsp;in Minneapolis. In a column she wrote afterward, Kelly said she wanted the panel to recommend “meaningful and lasting change.”“Racial inequality and injustice have been part of our nation's history from the beginning,” Kelly wrote. “Communities of color do not have the luxury of time for leaders to ignore these issues any longer."The commission’s numerous recommendations in 2020 and 2021 included ensuring robust anti-bias training, prohibiting fired officers from working again in law enforcement, and revising local policies on the use of force. Despite Kelly's call for lasting change,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/death-of-george-floyd-ahmaud-arbery-politics-fa050ad76069e35ae20c6e114492d437">her administration did not push</a>&nbsp;the Republican-controlled Legislature to enact them.Schmidt said that although if he were governor, he would have condemned Floyd's death and called on Minnesota to deal with officers' conduct, he also would have condemned violence during protests over Floyd's death and suggested that some leaders then were “elevating this issue in an inflammatory manner.”During his Zoom presentation to Kelly's racial justice commission in October 2020, Schmidt briefed members on the role of the attorney general's office and the state Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training in reviewing allegations of racial bias against officers. CPOST certifies and disciplines law enforcement officers.During the meeting, commission member Mark McCormick asked Schmidt, “To what degree do you think racial bias exists in our system here in the state?"Schmidt replied: “You know, Mark, I mean, obviously, it does exist. It exists in human relations, and so it therefore exists in the subset of human relations that include law enforcement interactions with people.”Schmidt added that he believes that the CPOST and individual law enforcement agencies take complaints of racial bias “quite seriously” and that “it’s not an also-ran consideration.”He told reporters Tuesday that law enforcement officers “overwhelmingly are honorable" and that it's a disservice to them for the governor to suggest that policing is “systemically racist.”____

Talk about police bias scrutinized in Kansas governor's race

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Tuesday urged President Biden to stop depleting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), which is at its lowest point in four decades, and unleash American energy production.

“Given that the United States consumes nearly twenty million barrels of oil per day, the recent decision to release another ten million barrels from the SPR is not only reckless, but it will have a minimal effect on lowering prices at the pump,”&nbsp;wrote Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“Draining our emergency supplies is a short-sighted and dangerous choice that imperils our energy security at a critical time of global uncertainty.” “The concerning announcement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to reduce oil production underlines the importance of American energy independence,”&nbsp;continued. Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“The United States can no longer stand by as OPEC continues to consolidate power over the world’s energy markets. Now is the time to unleash the domestic oil and gas industry to lower prices, support American jobs, and decrease our persistent reliance on adversaries for our energy.” The full letter can be found&nbsp;and below. October 11, 2022 The Honorable Joseph R. Biden President

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20500 President Biden, I write to express my concern regarding the continued release of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), now at its lowest point in four decades. Given that the United States consumes nearly twenty million barrels of oil per day, the recent decision to release another ten million barrels from the SPR is not only reckless, but it will have a minimal effect on lowering prices at the pump.&nbsp; Draining our emergency supplies is a short-sighted and dangerous choice that imperils our energy security at a critical time of global uncertainty. Furthermore, the concerning announcement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to reduce oil production underlines the importance of American energy independence. The OPEC decision should result in your administration working to increase domestic oil and gas production, not continuing to tap the SPR at unsustainable levels or easing sanctions on oppressive governments in countries like Venezuela. The current geopolitical turmoil requires robust exploration and production of oil to boost American energy security. Rather than support American energy production, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced it would raise royalty rates for onshore leases and cut acreage available for leasing by 80 percent.&nbsp; Even after the emergency oil reserves had been depleted, DOI’s proposed five-year offshore oil and gas leasing plan opened the door to allowing zero lease sales through 2028, an unprecedented policy.&nbsp; With this program now lapsed, and many other offshore leases canceled, your administration is jeopardizing our nation’s ability to use our vast resources for energy independence. In turn, I urge you to replenish the SPR with increased domestic oil production instead of draining our emergency reserves. The United States can no longer stand by as OPEC continues to consolidate power over the world’s energy markets. Now is the time to unleash the domestic oil and gas industry to lower prices, support American jobs, and decrease our persistent reliance on adversaries for our energy. Sincerely,

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran on Tuesday urged President Biden to stop depleting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), which is at its lowest point in four decades, and unleash American energy production.“Given that the United States consumes nearly twenty million barrels of oil per day, the recent decision to release another ten million barrels from the SPR is not only reckless, but it will have a minimal effect on lowering prices at the pump,”&nbsp;wrote Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“Draining our emergency supplies is a short-sighted and dangerous choice that imperils our energy security at a critical time of global uncertainty.” “The concerning announcement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to reduce oil production underlines the importance of American energy independence,”&nbsp;continued. Sen. Moran.&nbsp;“The United States can no longer stand by as OPEC continues to consolidate power over the world’s energy markets. Now is the time to unleash the domestic oil and gas industry to lower prices, support American jobs, and decrease our persistent reliance on adversaries for our energy.” The full letter can be found&nbsp;and below. October 11, 2022 The Honorable Joseph R. Biden President1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, D.C. 20500 President Biden, I write to express my concern regarding the continued release of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), now at its lowest point in four decades. Given that the United States consumes nearly twenty million barrels of oil per day, the recent decision to release another ten million barrels from the SPR is not only reckless, but it will have a minimal effect on lowering prices at the pump.&nbsp; Draining our emergency supplies is a short-sighted and dangerous choice that imperils our energy security at a critical time of global uncertainty. Furthermore, the concerning announcement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to reduce oil production underlines the importance of American energy independence. The OPEC decision should result in your administration working to increase domestic oil and gas production, not continuing to tap the SPR at unsustainable levels or easing sanctions on oppressive governments in countries like Venezuela. The current geopolitical turmoil requires robust exploration and production of oil to boost American energy security. Rather than support American energy production, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced it would raise royalty rates for onshore leases and cut acreage available for leasing by 80 percent.&nbsp; Even after the emergency oil reserves had been depleted, DOI’s proposed five-year offshore oil and gas leasing plan opened the door to allowing zero lease sales through 2028, an unprecedented policy.&nbsp; With this program now lapsed, and many other offshore leases canceled, your administration is jeopardizing our nation’s ability to use our vast resources for energy independence. In turn, I urge you to replenish the SPR with increased domestic oil production instead of draining our emergency reserves. The United States can no longer stand by as OPEC continues to consolidate power over the world’s energy markets. Now is the time to unleash the domestic oil and gas industry to lower prices, support American jobs, and decrease our persistent reliance on adversaries for our energy. Sincerely,Jerry Moran

Moran calls on Biden to stop depleting strategic petroleum reserve

FRANKLIN COUNTY —A Missouri woman died in an accident just after 3p.m. Tuesday in Franklin County.

The Kansas Highway&nbsp; Patrol reported a 2014 Kia Sorento driven by Tina M. Milburn, 50, Sedalia, Missouri, was southbound on Kansas 33 just north of Pawnee Road.

The Kia crossed the center line and into oncoming traffic and sideswiped a northbound 2010 Dodge truck pulling a Razor on a trailer and driven by Joe R. Bowen, Jr., 50, Paola.

&nbsp;After impact the Kia rotated and came to rest in the west ditch. The Dodge and continued north and traveled into the east ditch.

Milburn was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics. Bowen and a passenger were not transported for treatment of minor injuries. Milburn, Bowen and the passenger in the Dodge were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

FRANKLIN COUNTY —A Missouri woman died in an accident just after 3p.m. Tuesday in Franklin County. The Kansas Highway&nbsp; Patrol reported a 2014 Kia Sorento driven by Tina M. Milburn, 50, Sedalia, Missouri, was southbound on Kansas 33 just north of Pawnee Road.The Kia crossed the center line and into oncoming traffic and sideswiped a northbound 2010 Dodge truck pulling a Razor on a trailer and driven by Joe R. Bowen, Jr., 50, Paola.&nbsp;After impact the Kia rotated and came to rest in the west ditch. The Dodge and continued north and traveled into the east ditch.Milburn was pronounced dead at the scene and transported to Frontier Forensics. Bowen and a passenger were not transported for treatment of minor injuries. Milburn, Bowen and the passenger in the Dodge were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Woman dies after SUV sideswipes truck, trailer on Kan. highway

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is reevaluating America's relationship with Saudi Arabia as the Riyadh-led OPEC+ alliance moves to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-inflation-health-germany-elections-d873521f8b165774de3902439dd5a6ee">cut oil production</a>&nbsp;and Democratic lawmakers call for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-middle-east-business-saudi-arabia-jamal-khashoggi-6a5e19fb72f176c320bf727591f46d4b">freeze on cooperation</a>&nbsp;with the Saudis.

John Kirby, the strategic communications coordinator for the National Security Council at the White House, said Tuesday that Biden believes “it’s time to take another look at this relationship and make sure that it’s serving our national security interests.”

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Rep. Ro Khanna of California on Tuesday introduced legislation that would immediately pause all U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia for one year. This pause would also halt sales of spare and repair parts, support services and logistical support.

But it remains to be seen how far Biden is willing to go in showing his displeasure with the Saudis, a vital but complicated ally in the Middle East. Biden came into office vowing to recalibrate the U.S. relationship because of Saudi Arabia's human rights record but then paid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-middle-east-saudi-arabia-83c27ca7357e41efedaa2318da59d0ab">a visit to the kingdom earlier this year.</a>

Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday the White House has no timeline for its review nor has the president appointed an adviser to serve as point person.

Meanwhile, officials underscore the central role that Saudi Arabia plays in addressing broader national security concerns in the Middle East.

Blumenthal and Khanna unveiled their legislation one day after Sen. Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, said it was unacceptable that OPEC+ had moved to cut oil production and effectively bolster Russian coffers as Moscow prosecutes its war on Ukraine. Menendez promised to use his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to block any future arms sales to the Saudis.

At the White House, Kirby said, “We’re going to take a look at this relationship seriously as well as taking seriously the concerns of members of Congress.”

Menendez did not warn the White House before announcing his intention to block future Saudi arms sales, Kirby said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657900907332.png" alt="Follow the subdued airport greeting in July, a fist bump between President Biden and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Al Salam Royal Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Follow the subdued airport greeting in July, a fist bump between President Biden and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Al Salam Royal Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is reevaluating America's relationship with Saudi Arabia as the Riyadh-led OPEC+ alliance moves to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-inflation-health-germany-elections-d873521f8b165774de3902439dd5a6ee">cut oil production</a>&nbsp;and Democratic lawmakers call for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-middle-east-business-saudi-arabia-jamal-khashoggi-6a5e19fb72f176c320bf727591f46d4b">freeze on cooperation</a>&nbsp;with the Saudis.John Kirby, the strategic communications coordinator for the National Security Council at the White House, said Tuesday that Biden believes “it’s time to take another look at this relationship and make sure that it’s serving our national security interests.”Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Rep. Ro Khanna of California on Tuesday introduced legislation that would immediately pause all U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia for one year. This pause would also halt sales of spare and repair parts, support services and logistical support.But it remains to be seen how far Biden is willing to go in showing his displeasure with the Saudis, a vital but complicated ally in the Middle East. Biden came into office vowing to recalibrate the U.S. relationship because of Saudi Arabia's human rights record but then paid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-israel-middle-east-saudi-arabia-83c27ca7357e41efedaa2318da59d0ab">a visit to the kingdom earlier this year.</a>Press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday the White House has no timeline for its review nor has the president appointed an adviser to serve as point person.Meanwhile, officials underscore the central role that Saudi Arabia plays in addressing broader national security concerns in the Middle East.Blumenthal and Khanna unveiled their legislation one day after Sen. Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, said it was unacceptable that OPEC+ had moved to cut oil production and effectively bolster Russian coffers as Moscow prosecutes its war on Ukraine. Menendez promised to use his position as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to block any future arms sales to the Saudis.At the White House, Kirby said, “We’re going to take a look at this relationship seriously as well as taking seriously the concerns of members of Congress.”Menendez did not warn the White House before announcing his intention to block future Saudi arms sales, Kirby said.OPEC+, which includes Russia as well as Saudi Arabia, announced last week it would cut production by 2 million barrels a day, which will help prop up oil prices that are allowing Russian President Vladimir Putin to keep paying for his eight-month invasion of Ukraine. The production cut also hurts U.S.-led efforts to make the war financially unsustainable for Russia, threatens a global economy already destabilized by the Ukraine conflict and risks saddling Biden and Democrats with newly rising gasoline prices just ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.Biden and European leaders have urged more oil production to ease gasoline prices and punish Moscow for its aggression in Ukraine. Putin has been accused of using energy as a weapon against countries opposing Russia's invasion.“They are certainly aligning themselves with Russia," Jean-Pierre said. "This is not a time to be aligning with Russia”As for the Saudis, Sen. Blumenthal said, “We cannot continue selling highly sensitive arms technology to a nation aligned with an abhorrent terrorist adversary.”However, the White House takes note that its weapon sales to Riyadh serve, in part, as an important counterweight in the region to Iran, which is quickly moving toward becoming a nuclear power.“There’s 70,000 Americans living in Saudi Arabia right now, not to mention all the other troops we have throughout the region,” Kirby said. "So, it’s not only in our interest that missile defense in the region become more integrated and cooperative. It’s in the interest of our allies and partners in that part of the world as well."Still, the pressure is mounting for Biden. As a candidate for the White House, he vowed that Saudi rulers would “pay the price” under his watch for the 2018 killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of the kingdom's leadership. Biden said that he'd look to make the oil-rich country a “pariah."But in July, amid rising prices at the pump around the globe, Biden decided to pay a visit to Saudi Arabia. During the visit, he met with the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who he once shunned as a killer for the death of Khashoggi. The U.S. intelligence community determined that the crown prince, often referred to by his initials MBS,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-saudi-crown-prince-khashoggi-killing-26c37f6d603737de7509f5ee09ae7f9d">likely approved the killing of Khashoggi</a>&nbsp;inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. MBS denies he was involved.The Saudis have also drawn international criticism for airstrikes killing civilians in the years-long war between the kingdom and Houthi rebels in Yemen — as well as for embargoes that exacerbated hunger and pushed Yemen to the brink of famine.“Saudi Arabia’s disastrous decision to slash oil production by two million barrels a day makes it clear that Riyadh is seeking to harm the U.S. and reaffirms the need to reassess the U.S.-Saudi relationship," Rep. Khanna said. “There is no reason for the U.S. to kowtow to a regime that has massacred countless civilians in Yemen, hacked to death a Washington-based journalist and is now extorting Americans at the pump.”