TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating after minimum-custody inmate Zachary H. Leis walked away from Wichita Work Release Facility, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Leis, a 28-year-old white male, was reported missing when he did not return to the facility after work.

Leis is serving a sentence for a convictions of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, criminal damage to property and two counts of domestic battery out of Sedgwick County. He is listed a a registered Kansas offender for aggravated assault conviction in 2017.

Leis is 6 feet 3 inches tall, 202 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair.

Anyone with information on Leis can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 316-779-5814, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672138795560.png" alt="Leis -photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Leis -photo Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA—Law enforcement authorities are investigating after minimum-custody inmate Zachary H. Leis walked away from Wichita Work Release Facility, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.Leis, a 28-year-old white male, was reported missing when he did not return to the facility after work.Leis is serving a sentence for a convictions of aggravated assault, aggravated battery, criminal damage to property and two counts of domestic battery out of Sedgwick County. He is listed a a registered Kansas offender for aggravated assault conviction in 2017.Leis is 6 feet 3 inches tall, 202 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair.Anyone with information on Leis can call the Kansas Department of Corrections at 316-779-5814, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911.

Registered violent Kan. offender walks away from work release

KANSAS CITY — Two Mexican nationals have been convicted in federal court of kidnapping and murder.

Jonathan M. Bravo-Lopez (also known as “Jonathan Vravo,” and “Shadow”), 27, and Juan D. Osorio (also known as “Spexx”), 28, both of whom are citizens of Mexico residing in Kansas City were found guilty this month, of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping resulting in death. Osorio was also found guilty of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, according to the United State's Attorney

Bravo-Lopez was also found guilty of illegally reentering the United States after having been deported in 2016.

Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Bravo-Lopez and Osorio conspired to kidnap Cristian Escutia in an attempt to rob him of money. They transported Escutia across state lines from Missouri to Kansas before fatally shooting him on April 3, 2017.

Bravo-Lopez and Osorio arranged to purchase $300 of marijuana from Escutia as a ruse to lure him into their kidnapping plan. On April 3, 2017, they met Escutia outside his residence, shot him in the arm, and forced him into their vehicle, a Chrysler Pacifica, at gunpoint. The kidnapping was captured by the video surveillance system outside a nearby residence. When they drove to the 200 block of Donovan Road in Kansas City, Kan., they forced Escutia out of the vehicle. Escutia was shot three times in the head and left to die on the side of the road.

Osorio, who is in the United States unlawfully, was in possession of an Action Arms Uzi .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol when he was arrested on April 7, 2017.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about three hours before returning guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark, ending a trial that began Dec. 5, 2022.

Under federal statutes, Bravo-Lopez and Osorio each are subject to a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671644570715.png" alt="Cristian Escutia-photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Cristian Escutia-photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — Two Mexican nationals have been convicted in federal court of kidnapping and murder.Jonathan M. Bravo-Lopez (also known as “Jonathan Vravo,” and “Shadow”), 27, and Juan D. Osorio (also known as “Spexx”), 28, both of whom are citizens of Mexico residing in Kansas City were found guilty this month, of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping resulting in death. Osorio was also found guilty of being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm, according to the United State's AttorneyBravo-Lopez was also found guilty of illegally reentering the United States after having been deported in 2016.Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Bravo-Lopez and Osorio conspired to kidnap Cristian Escutia in an attempt to rob him of money. They transported Escutia across state lines from Missouri to Kansas before fatally shooting him on April 3, 2017.Bravo-Lopez and Osorio arranged to purchase $300 of marijuana from Escutia as a ruse to lure him into their kidnapping plan. On April 3, 2017, they met Escutia outside his residence, shot him in the arm, and forced him into their vehicle, a Chrysler Pacifica, at gunpoint. The kidnapping was captured by the video surveillance system outside a nearby residence. When they drove to the 200 block of Donovan Road in Kansas City, Kan., they forced Escutia out of the vehicle. Escutia was shot three times in the head and left to die on the side of the road.Osorio, who is in the United States unlawfully, was in possession of an Action Arms Uzi .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol when he was arrested on April 7, 2017.Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for about three hours before returning guilty verdicts to U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark, ending a trial that began Dec. 5, 2022.Under federal statutes, Bravo-Lopez and Osorio each are subject to a mandatory sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The sentencing of the defendants will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing hearings will be scheduled after the completion of presentence investigations by the United States Probation Office.

Jury: Man illegally in the U.S. found guilty of murder in Kansas 

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a business robbery have a suspect in custody.

Just before 8p.m. on December 1, police responded to a robbery at a pay-day loan store at 1735 NW Topeka Blvd, in Topeka, according to Lt. Donna Eubanks&nbsp; Upon arrival officers obtained a description of male suspect.

After three weeks of investigating, police identified and located the suspect.&nbsp; Just after 11:30p.m. Saturday, police booked Christopher R. Johnson-Wettengel, 36, Topeka, into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Assault and Theft.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672072365220.png" alt="Johnson-Wettengel-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson-Wettengel-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a business robbery have a suspect in custody.Just before 8p.m. on December 1, police responded to a robbery at a pay-day loan store at 1735 NW Topeka Blvd, in Topeka, according to Lt. Donna Eubanks&nbsp; Upon arrival officers obtained a description of male suspect.After three weeks of investigating, police identified and located the suspect.&nbsp; Just after 11:30p.m. Saturday, police booked Christopher R. Johnson-Wettengel, 36, Topeka, into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Assault and Theft.

Kansas man jailed Christmas Eve for business robbery

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China’s military sent 71 planes and seven ships toward Taiwan in a 24-hour display of force directed at the self-ruled island, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said Monday, after China expressed anger at Taiwan-related provisions i<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-taiwan-politics-china-congress-0f27f16930c7f83e3a8d19bb93a1f21c">n a U.S. annual defense spending bill.</a>

China’s military harassment of Taiwan, which it claims is its own territory, has intensified in recent years, and the Communist Party’s People’s Liberation Army has sent planes or ships toward the island on a near-daily basis.

Between 6 a.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday, 47 of the Chinese planes crossed the median of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary once tacitly accepted by both sides, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense.

Among the planes China sent towards Taiwan were 18 J-16 fighter jets, 11 J-1 fighters, 6 Su-30 fighters and drones.

Taiwan said it monitored the Chinese moves through its land-based missile systems, as well as on its own navy vessels.

“This is a firm response to the current U.S.-Taiwan escalation and provocation,” said Shi Yi, the spokesman for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, in a statement on Sunday night. It announced that the PLA was holding joint combat patrols and joint strike drills in the waters around Taiwan.

Shi was referring to the U.S. defense spending bill, which calls China a strategic challenge. With regard to the Indo-Pacific region, the legislation authorizes increased security cooperation with Taiwan and requires expanded cooperation with India on emerging defense technologies, readiness and logistics.

In Washington, an official of the White House National Security Council said China's military activity near Taiwan was “destabilizing, risks miscalculations, and undermines regional peace and stability.”

The official, who was not authorized to be identified and commented on condition of anonymity, said: “The United States has an abiding interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability in line with our long-standing commitments and consistent with our one-China policy.”

China’s military has often used large military exercises as a demonstration of force in response to U.S. government actions in support of Taiwan.

It conducted large live-fire military exercises in August in response to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Beijing views visits from foreign governments to the island as de facto recognition of the island as independent and a challenge to China’s claim of sovereignty.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China’s military sent 71 planes and seven ships toward Taiwan in a 24-hour display of force directed at the self-ruled island, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said Monday, after China expressed anger at Taiwan-related provisions i<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-taiwan-politics-china-congress-0f27f16930c7f83e3a8d19bb93a1f21c">n a U.S. annual defense spending bill.</a>China’s military harassment of Taiwan, which it claims is its own territory, has intensified in recent years, and the Communist Party’s People’s Liberation Army has sent planes or ships toward the island on a near-daily basis.Between 6 a.m. Sunday and 6 a.m. Monday, 47 of the Chinese planes crossed the median of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial boundary once tacitly accepted by both sides, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense.Among the planes China sent towards Taiwan were 18 J-16 fighter jets, 11 J-1 fighters, 6 Su-30 fighters and drones.Taiwan said it monitored the Chinese moves through its land-based missile systems, as well as on its own navy vessels.“This is a firm response to the current U.S.-Taiwan escalation and provocation,” said Shi Yi, the spokesman for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, in a statement on Sunday night. It announced that the PLA was holding joint combat patrols and joint strike drills in the waters around Taiwan.Shi was referring to the U.S. defense spending bill, which calls China a strategic challenge. With regard to the Indo-Pacific region, the legislation authorizes increased security cooperation with Taiwan and requires expanded cooperation with India on emerging defense technologies, readiness and logistics.In Washington, an official of the White House National Security Council said China's military activity near Taiwan was “destabilizing, risks miscalculations, and undermines regional peace and stability.”The official, who was not authorized to be identified and commented on condition of anonymity, said: “The United States has an abiding interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. We will continue to assist Taiwan in maintaining a sufficient self-defense capability in line with our long-standing commitments and consistent with our one-China policy.”China’s military has often used large military exercises as a demonstration of force in response to U.S. government actions in support of Taiwan.It conducted large live-fire military exercises in August in response to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan. Beijing views visits from foreign governments to the island as de facto recognition of the island as independent and a challenge to China’s claim of sovereignty.___

Angry at U.S. defense bill, China sends warplanes over Taiwan 

SEDGWICK COUNTY — "Everyone is doing well and working through the healing process following the death on Thursday of popular baby chimp&nbsp;Kucheza born in November, according to a statement from the Sedgwick County Zoo.

"The chimp family has been quiet and subdued, but have started vocally greeting keepers again which is a good sign."

"Sukari, one of the zoo's other female chimps, has been giving&nbsp;Kucheza's mother Mahale lots of extra attention and grooming. The chimps are all staying close together and nesting near each other."

When the chimp was born, he had to be put on oxygen for a few days. Click below to watch the video, that received national attention, of the moment mother and baby were reunited.

The zoo reports they have been utilizing extra enrichment to keep the family distracted and provide comfort as they heal and process the week’s events.&nbsp; The zoo veterinarians have performed a necropsy now waiting on results to determine the cause of Kucheza’s death.&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A popular baby chimp born in mid-November at The Sedgwick County Zoo died Thursday morning.

According to a statement from the zoo, "Friends, our hearts are broken. It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Kucheza, 5-week-old chimpanzee."

Keepers found Kucheza (koo-CHAY-zuh) which means “play” in Swahili, deceased, and cradled in his mother Mahale’s arms, when they arrived at the zoo Thursday morning.

"Mahale is not quite ready to part with him, but when our team is able, a full medical assessment will be done to determine the cause of death."

"Mahale’s love for Kucheza was and will continue to be felt by billions of people around the world. In his few short weeks of life, Kucheza brought joy and light to so many, and sparked an opportunity to educate the world about chimpanzees, the dangers they face in the wild, and most importantly - why we should care."

"We’ll continue to share these messages and inspire respect and conservation for Kucheza’s wild counterparts in his honor."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1668771125682.png" alt="photo courtesy Sedgwick County zoo" />
 <figcaption>photo courtesy Sedgwick County zoo</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — "Everyone is doing well and working through the healing process following the death on Thursday of popular baby chimp&nbsp;Kucheza born in November, according to a statement from the Sedgwick County Zoo."The chimp family has been quiet and subdued, but have started vocally greeting keepers again which is a good sign.""Sukari, one of the zoo's other female chimps, has been giving&nbsp;Kucheza's mother Mahale lots of extra attention and grooming. The chimps are all staying close together and nesting near each other."When the chimp was born, he had to be put on oxygen for a few days. Click below to watch the video, that received national attention, of the moment mother and baby were reunited.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=322&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSedgwickCountyZoo%2Fvideos%2F492332559533758%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" width="560" height="322" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The zoo reports they have been utilizing extra enrichment to keep the family distracted and provide comfort as they heal and process the week’s events.&nbsp; The zoo veterinarians have performed a necropsy now waiting on results to determine the cause of Kucheza’s death.&nbsp; ----------SEDGWICK COUNTY —A popular baby chimp born in mid-November at The Sedgwick County Zoo died Thursday morning.According to a statement from the zoo, "Friends, our hearts are broken. It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Kucheza, 5-week-old chimpanzee."Keepers found Kucheza (koo-CHAY-zuh) which means “play” in Swahili, deceased, and cradled in his mother Mahale’s arms, when they arrived at the zoo Thursday morning."Mahale is not quite ready to part with him, but when our team is able, a full medical assessment will be done to determine the cause of death."When the chimp was born, he had to be put on oxygen for a few days. Click below to watch the video, that received national attention, of the moment mother and baby were reunited.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=322&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSedgwickCountyZoo%2Fvideos%2F492332559533758%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" width="560" height="322" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>"Mahale’s love for Kucheza was and will continue to be felt by billions of people around the world. In his few short weeks of life, Kucheza brought joy and light to so many, and sparked an opportunity to educate the world about chimpanzees, the dangers they face in the wild, and most importantly - why we should care.""We’ll continue to share these messages and inspire respect and conservation for Kucheza’s wild counterparts in his honor."

Kan. zoo working to determine cause of beloved chimp's death

SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person was injured in a&nbsp; fire at a home on Christmas Day.

Just after 5a.m. Sunday, crews responded to report of a fire in a single-story home at 408 SW Lincoln Street, according to Fire Marshal Alan Stahl.

The four adults and one child escaped prior to fire crews arrival.&nbsp; Preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be accidental, more likely than not associated with an electric space heater left too close to combustibles.

One adult sustained non-life threatening injuries during the fire event. He refused to be transported to the hospital and was treated on scene.

The estimated dollar loss – $90,000.00; of which $60,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $30,000.00 contents loss. Three adults were displaced as a result of the fire. Investigators did not find working smoke detectors within the home, according to Stahl.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person was injured in a&nbsp; fire at a home on Christmas Day.Just after 5a.m. Sunday, crews responded to report of a fire in a single-story home at 408 SW Lincoln Street, according to Fire Marshal Alan Stahl.The four adults and one child escaped prior to fire crews arrival.&nbsp; Preliminary investigation indicates the fire cause to be accidental, more likely than not associated with an electric space heater left too close to combustibles.One adult sustained non-life threatening injuries during the fire event. He refused to be transported to the hospital and was treated on scene.The estimated dollar loss – $90,000.00; of which $60,000.00 is associated with structural loss and $30,000.00 contents loss. Three adults were displaced as a result of the fire. Investigators did not find working smoke detectors within the home, according to Stahl.

Man injured in Kansas house fire on Christmas morning

Tips on how to dispose of, use Christmas trees at the end of the season&nbsp;

K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;

MANHATTAN, Kan. —&nbsp;Christmas trees bring Christmas glee, but they can bring even more than that once the holiday season is past, says Kansas State University forester Charlie Barden.&nbsp;

“An old Christmas tree can be used to benefit birds, fish and the landscape by placing it in a corner of your deck, and spreading some birdseed nearby, or tying it to a deciduous tree or post near a bird feeder,” he said.&nbsp;

Christmas trees can give birds an escape from hawks or cats and keep them protected from the wind chill on cool nights. Or, Barden said, a tree can improve fish habitat and fishing by sinking it into a pond.&nbsp;

“The tree serves as little coral reef, in that the branches provide substrate for water plants to grow, and cover for minnows and other forms of small aquatic life,” Barden said.&nbsp;

Barden said sinking a tree is simple: Tie a cinder block with a short, stout rope to the base of the tree and drop it in -- with permission from the pond owner.&nbsp;

Christmas trees can also be allowed to dry and used as firewood. But, Barden cautions, “beware that most conifer species tend to spark and pop more than hardwoods, as resin pockets in the wood make tiny explosions.”&nbsp;

Another option, according to Barden: Many municipalities allow Christmas trees to be placed on the curb for pickup, then burned or ground for mulch.&nbsp;

Barden and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with more tips on maintaining home landscapes. The newsletter is&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html">available to view online</a>&nbsp;or can be delivered by email each week.&nbsp;

Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Ward Upham at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:wupham@ksu.edu">wupham@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.&nbsp;

<h2>Tips on how to dispose of, use Christmas trees at the end of the season&nbsp;</h2>K-State Research and Extension news service&nbsp;MANHATTAN, Kan. —&nbsp;Christmas trees bring Christmas glee, but they can bring even more than that once the holiday season is past, says Kansas State University forester Charlie Barden.&nbsp;“An old Christmas tree can be used to benefit birds, fish and the landscape by placing it in a corner of your deck, and spreading some birdseed nearby, or tying it to a deciduous tree or post near a bird feeder,” he said.&nbsp;Christmas trees can give birds an escape from hawks or cats and keep them protected from the wind chill on cool nights. Or, Barden said, a tree can improve fish habitat and fishing by sinking it into a pond.&nbsp;“The tree serves as little coral reef, in that the branches provide substrate for water plants to grow, and cover for minnows and other forms of small aquatic life,” Barden said.&nbsp;Barden said sinking a tree is simple: Tie a cinder block with a short, stout rope to the base of the tree and drop it in -- with permission from the pond owner.&nbsp;Christmas trees can also be allowed to dry and used as firewood. But, Barden cautions, “beware that most conifer species tend to spark and pop more than hardwoods, as resin pockets in the wood make tiny explosions.”&nbsp;Another option, according to Barden: Many municipalities allow Christmas trees to be placed on the curb for pickup, then burned or ground for mulch.&nbsp;Barden and his colleagues in K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources produce a weekly Horticulture Newsletter with more tips on maintaining home landscapes. The newsletter is&nbsp;<a href="https://hnr.k-state.edu/extension/info-center/newsletters/index.html">available to view online</a>&nbsp;or can be delivered by email each week.&nbsp;Interested persons can also send their garden- and yard-related questions to Ward Upham at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:wupham@ksu.edu">wupham@ksu.edu</a>, or contact your&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ksre.k-state.edu/about/stateandareamaps.html">local K-State Research and Extension office</a>.&nbsp;

Once Christmas is over, what happens to the tree? 

GRAHAM COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 11p.m. Saturday in Graham County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Cadillac Deville driven by Ali K. Swanson, 40, Salina, was eastbound on N Road 

The driver of failed to negotiate a curve at 255th Avenue. The Cadillac left the roadway, rolled and came to a rest on its top facing west.

&nbsp;Swanson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp; Stinemetz Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

GRAHAM COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just after 11p.m. Saturday in Graham County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1996 Cadillac Deville driven by Ali K. Swanson, 40, Salina, was eastbound on N Road The driver of failed to negotiate a curve at 255th Avenue. The Cadillac left the roadway, rolled and came to a rest on its top facing west.&nbsp;Swanson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp; Stinemetz Funeral Home. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies in rollover crash on Christmas Eve

NEW YORK (AP) — Holiday sales rose this year as American spending remained resilient during the critical shopping season despite surging prices on everything from food to rent, according to one measure.

Holiday sales rose 7.6, a slower pace than the 8.5% increase from a year earlier when shoppers began spending the money they had saved during the early part of the pandemic, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards.

Mastercard SpendingPulse had expected a 7.1% increase. The data released Monday excludes the automotive industry and is not adjusted for inflation, which has eased somewhat but remains painfully high.

U.S. sales between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, a period that is critical for retailers, were fueled by spending at restaurants and on clothing.

By category, clothing rose 4.4%, while jewelry and electronics dipped roughly 5%. Online sales jumped 10.6% from a year ago and in-person spending rose 6.8%. Department stores registered a modest 1% increase over 2021.

“This holiday retail season looked different than years past,” Steve Sadove, the former CEO and chairman at Saks and a senior advisor for Mastercard, said in a prepared statement. “Retailers discounted heavily, but consumers diversified their holiday spending to accommodate rising prices and an appetite for experiences and festive gatherings post-pandemic.”

Some of the increase reflected the impact of higher prices across the board.

Consumer spending accounts for nearly 70% of U.S. economic activity, and Americans have remained resilient ever since inflation first spiked almost 18 months ago. Cracks have begun to show, however, as higher prices for basic necessities take up an increasingly large share of everyone's take-home pay.

Inflation has retreated from the four-decade high it reached this summer, but it's still sapping the spending power of consumers. Prices rose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-november-report-c3764250d475b1149d344462adff53d6">7.1%</a>&nbsp;in November from a year ago, down from a peak of 9.1% in June.

Overall spending has slowed from the pandemic-infused splurges and shifted increasingly toward necessities like food, while spending on electronics, furniture, new clothes and other non-necessities has faded. Many shoppers been trading down to private label goods, which are typically less expensive than national brands. They've been going to cheaper stores like dollar chains and big box stores like Walmart.

Consumers also waited for deals. Stores expected more procrastinators to hit stores in the last few days before Christmas compared with a year ago when people began shopping earlier due to a global disruption of the supply chain that created thousands of product shortages.

“Consumers are trying to spread out their budget, and they are evaluating and shopping at different stores,” said Katie Thompson, the lead of consultancy Kearney’s Consumer Institute.

In November, shoppers cut back sharply on retail spending compared with the previous month. Retail sales fell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-business-consumer-products-and-services-164db0f7a76020f27c176b1b21e23608">0.6%</a>&nbsp;from October to November after a sharp&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-holidays-business-ae530b4148fcf19da4aa69d92c85add9">1.3%</a>&nbsp;rise the previous month, the government said in mid-December. Sales fell at furniture, electronics, and home and garden stores.

A broader picture of how Americans spent their money arrives next month when the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, comes out with its combined two-month results based on November-December sales figures from the Commerce Department.

The trade group expects holiday sales growth will slow to a range of 6% to 8%, compared with the blistering 13.5% growth of a year ago.

Analysts will also be dissecting fourth-quarter financial results from major retailers in February.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1575032314075.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Holiday sales rose this year as American spending remained resilient during the critical shopping season despite surging prices on everything from food to rent, according to one measure.Holiday sales rose 7.6, a slower pace than the 8.5% increase from a year earlier when shoppers began spending the money they had saved during the early part of the pandemic, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards.Mastercard SpendingPulse had expected a 7.1% increase. The data released Monday excludes the automotive industry and is not adjusted for inflation, which has eased somewhat but remains painfully high.U.S. sales between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, a period that is critical for retailers, were fueled by spending at restaurants and on clothing.By category, clothing rose 4.4%, while jewelry and electronics dipped roughly 5%. Online sales jumped 10.6% from a year ago and in-person spending rose 6.8%. Department stores registered a modest 1% increase over 2021.“This holiday retail season looked different than years past,” Steve Sadove, the former CEO and chairman at Saks and a senior advisor for Mastercard, said in a prepared statement. “Retailers discounted heavily, but consumers diversified their holiday spending to accommodate rising prices and an appetite for experiences and festive gatherings post-pandemic.”Some of the increase reflected the impact of higher prices across the board.Consumer spending accounts for nearly 70% of U.S. economic activity, and Americans have remained resilient ever since inflation first spiked almost 18 months ago. Cracks have begun to show, however, as higher prices for basic necessities take up an increasingly large share of everyone's take-home pay.Inflation has retreated from the four-decade high it reached this summer, but it's still sapping the spending power of consumers. Prices rose&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-november-report-c3764250d475b1149d344462adff53d6">7.1%</a>&nbsp;in November from a year ago, down from a peak of 9.1% in June.Overall spending has slowed from the pandemic-infused splurges and shifted increasingly toward necessities like food, while spending on electronics, furniture, new clothes and other non-necessities has faded. Many shoppers been trading down to private label goods, which are typically less expensive than national brands. They've been going to cheaper stores like dollar chains and big box stores like Walmart.Consumers also waited for deals. Stores expected more procrastinators to hit stores in the last few days before Christmas compared with a year ago when people began shopping earlier due to a global disruption of the supply chain that created thousands of product shortages.“Consumers are trying to spread out their budget, and they are evaluating and shopping at different stores,” said Katie Thompson, the lead of consultancy Kearney’s Consumer Institute.In November, shoppers cut back sharply on retail spending compared with the previous month. Retail sales fell&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-business-consumer-products-and-services-164db0f7a76020f27c176b1b21e23608">0.6%</a>&nbsp;from October to November after a sharp&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-holidays-business-ae530b4148fcf19da4aa69d92c85add9">1.3%</a>&nbsp;rise the previous month, the government said in mid-December. Sales fell at furniture, electronics, and home and garden stores.A broader picture of how Americans spent their money arrives next month when the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, comes out with its combined two-month results based on November-December sales figures from the Commerce Department.The trade group expects holiday sales growth will slow to a range of 6% to 8%, compared with the blistering 13.5% growth of a year ago.Analysts will also be dissecting fourth-quarter financial results from major retailers in February.

Holiday sales up despite the squeeze of inflation

By ROBERT ZULLO <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/after-substation-shooting-federal-regulator-orders-review-security-standards">States Newsroom</a>

Less than a month after gunfire <a href="https://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2022/12/05/destruction-of-moore-county-substations-carry-steep-penalties-especially-if-linked-to-domestic-terrorism/#sthash.dMxxzOXD.dpbs" target="_blank">damaged </a>two
 Duke Energy substations in Moore County, N.C., knocking out power to 
about 45,000 people, federal regulators ordered a review of security 
standards at electric transmission facilities and control centers.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday ordered the 
North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), which sets and 
enforces reliability standards for the bulk power system in the U.S., 
Canada and part of Mexico, to review existing “physical security” rules 
for the components of the power system.&nbsp;

The order, which requires NERC to deliver within 120 days its report 
on the effectiveness and applicability of current standards and whether 
improvements are necessary, comes amid reports of similar attacks at 
other sites across the country.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, three men in Ohio <a href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2022/02/24/three-men-plead-guilty-to-plotting-a-white-supremacist-attack-on-power-grid/" target="_blank">pleaded guilty</a>
 to planning an attack on electric substations as part of a white 
supremacist plot. In November, shots were fired at an American Electric 
Power substation near Centerburg, Ohio, knocking out power, <a href="https://www.knoxpages.com/news/authorities-discuss-shots-fired-at-centerburg-substation-that-led-to-power-outage/article_c1fbc59a-7005-11ed-bb7a-43652d401e3b.html" target="_blank">a local news outlet</a> reported. The FBI is also investigating a string of attacks at substations that happened in Washington and Oregon, per <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/pse-substations-among-five-attacked-in-pacific-northwest-in-november/" target="_blank">The Seattle Times</a>.

“One, it reminds us that we need to take physical security into 
account just as we do cyber security,” FERC Chairman Richard Glick said 
last week at the commission meeting, cautioning that the motives for the
 Moore County attack and some similar incidents elsewhere remain murky 
and under investigation by local and state law enforcement.

“But in the meantime I think it’s a good idea and this is a good step
 of trying to reassess our existing physical security standards and 
whether changes need to be made.”

In 2014, following a <a href="https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/-/media/cpuc-website/divisions/safety-policy-division/reports/r1506009--physical-security-executive-summary.pdf" target="_blank">sniper attack</a>
 the year before on a Pacific Gas and Electric’s Metcalf substation in 
California, FERC approved a physical security reliability standard for 
owners of electric transmission facilities. The standard requires 
utilities and other transmission owners to conduct regular risk 
assessments on transmission stations and substations “that, if rendered 
inoperable or damaged, could result in instability, uncontrolled 
separation or <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/what-causes-cascading-power-grid-failures#toggle-gdpr" target="_blank">cascading</a>
 within an interconnection,” Mark Hegerle, director of FERC’s Division 
of Operation and Planning Standards, told the commission.&nbsp;

That means facilities that could create hazards for the larger grid 
if they are knocked out, a risk not posed by the North Carolina outages,
 said Rachel Sherrard, a spokeswoman for NERC.

“The assets in North Carolina were not individually deemed critical 
to the grid and the recent attack did not create an uncontrolled or 
cascading outage, which is what the standards are designed to protect 
from,” she said. “However, this does raise the question of the need to 
review an event that impacts several non-critical assets that 
collectively can have impact beyond any single asset failure.”

Substations <a href="https://www.osha.gov/etools/electric-power/illustrated-glossary/sub-station#accordion-72238-collapse1" target="_blank">serve a variety of purposes</a>,
 including stepping down voltage from the transmission system that 
transports electricity across long distances to the distribution wires 
that bring into homes and businesses. Asked if the shootings had made 
Duke re-examine how it protects substations, a spokeswoman said the 
company wouldn’t discuss specific security measures.&nbsp;

“We have multiple layers of security across our system that allow us 
to monitor and protect critical infrastructure,” the spokeswoman, Logan 
Kureczka, wrote in an email. “As the largest grid operator in the 
country, our responsibility to protect the power grid is paramount, and 
our security evolves as threats do.”

In a statement earlier this month, the Electricity Subsector 
Coordinating Council, which describes itself as the “principal liaison 
between leadership in the federal government and in the electric power 
sector,” said investor-owned electric companies, electric cooperatives 
and public power utilities “continuously monitor and prepare for threats
 to the grid and other infrastructure.”

The organization, which coordinates efforts to guard against threats 
to critical infrastructure to improve the reliability and resilience of 
the grid, said it was working with law enforcement investigating the 
attacks.&nbsp;

“Understanding what happened in North Carolina will be important to 
minimize future threats and to keep our industry’s defenses at the 
forefront,” the organization <a href="https://www.electricitysubsector.org/-/media/Files/ESCC/Documents/1252022ESCCPressReleaseFINAL.pdf" target="_blank">said</a>.&nbsp;

FERC Commissioner Mark Christie, a former Virginia utility regulator, said attacks on <a href="https://www.aep.com/assets/docs/safety/What's%20on%20Pole_AEP.pdf" target="_blank">transformers</a>,
 the drum-shaped devices on utility poles that lower the voltage before 
electricity is delivered to residences and businesses, are relatively 
common.&nbsp;

“They’re vulnerable to a drunk with a gun and an attitude. We have a 
lot of incidents of that. That’s not unusual,” he said. “The substations
 are a different ballgame. … A transformer knocks out a block or two. A 
substation, several tens of thousands of people.”

Noting that it was likely that NERC would come back with a 
recommendation to upgrade security standards, Christie said he hoped the
 Department of Energy would find a way to use grid resilience money from
 the <a href="https://www.energy.gov/gdo/bipartisan-infrastructure-law" target="_blank">bipartisan infrastructure law</a> to lessen the blow for electric ratepayers.

“It’s going to cost money and I hope this doesn’t all flow through to ratepayers,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671572040645.jpg" alt="The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week called for a review of the physical security of the utility’s power systems. The order comes after attacks on substations in North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon and Washington state. Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last week called for a review of the physical security of the utility’s power systems. The order comes after attacks on substations in North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon and Washington state. Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By ROBERT ZULLO <a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/after-substation-shooting-federal-regulator-orders-review-security-standards">States Newsroom</a>Less than a month after gunfire <a href="https://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2022/12/05/destruction-of-moore-county-substations-carry-steep-penalties-especially-if-linked-to-domestic-terrorism/#sthash.dMxxzOXD.dpbs" target="_blank">damaged </a>two
 Duke Energy substations in Moore County, N.C., knocking out power to 
about 45,000 people, federal regulators ordered a review of security 
standards at electric transmission facilities and control centers.The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Thursday ordered the 
North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), which sets and 
enforces reliability standards for the bulk power system in the U.S., 
Canada and part of Mexico, to review existing “physical security” rules 
for the components of the power system.&nbsp;The order, which requires NERC to deliver within 120 days its report 
on the effectiveness and applicability of current standards and whether 
improvements are necessary, comes amid reports of similar attacks at 
other sites across the country.&nbsp;Earlier this year, three men in Ohio <a href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2022/02/24/three-men-plead-guilty-to-plotting-a-white-supremacist-attack-on-power-grid/" target="_blank">pleaded guilty</a>
 to planning an attack on electric substations as part of a white 
supremacist plot. In November, shots were fired at an American Electric 
Power substation near Centerburg, Ohio, knocking out power, <a href="https://www.knoxpages.com/news/authorities-discuss-shots-fired-at-centerburg-substation-that-led-to-power-outage/article_c1fbc59a-7005-11ed-bb7a-43652d401e3b.html" target="_blank">a local news outlet</a> reported. The FBI is also investigating a string of attacks at substations that happened in Washington and Oregon, per <a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/pse-substations-among-five-attacked-in-pacific-northwest-in-november/" target="_blank">The Seattle Times</a>.“One, it reminds us that we need to take physical security into 
account just as we do cyber security,” FERC Chairman Richard Glick said 
last week at the commission meeting, cautioning that the motives for the
 Moore County attack and some similar incidents elsewhere remain murky 
and under investigation by local and state law enforcement.“But in the meantime I think it’s a good idea and this is a good step
 of trying to reassess our existing physical security standards and 
whether changes need to be made.”In 2014, following a <a href="https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/-/media/cpuc-website/divisions/safety-policy-division/reports/r1506009--physical-security-executive-summary.pdf" target="_blank">sniper attack</a>
 the year before on a Pacific Gas and Electric’s Metcalf substation in 
California, FERC approved a physical security reliability standard for 
owners of electric transmission facilities. The standard requires 
utilities and other transmission owners to conduct regular risk 
assessments on transmission stations and substations “that, if rendered 
inoperable or damaged, could result in instability, uncontrolled 
separation or <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/what-causes-cascading-power-grid-failures#toggle-gdpr" target="_blank">cascading</a>
 within an interconnection,” Mark Hegerle, director of FERC’s Division 
of Operation and Planning Standards, told the commission.&nbsp;That means facilities that could create hazards for the larger grid 
if they are knocked out, a risk not posed by the North Carolina outages,
 said Rachel Sherrard, a spokeswoman for NERC.“The assets in North Carolina were not individually deemed critical 
to the grid and the recent attack did not create an uncontrolled or 
cascading outage, which is what the standards are designed to protect 
from,” she said. “However, this does raise the question of the need to 
review an event that impacts several non-critical assets that 
collectively can have impact beyond any single asset failure.”Substations <a href="https://www.osha.gov/etools/electric-power/illustrated-glossary/sub-station#accordion-72238-collapse1" target="_blank">serve a variety of purposes</a>,
 including stepping down voltage from the transmission system that 
transports electricity across long distances to the distribution wires 
that bring into homes and businesses. Asked if the shootings had made 
Duke re-examine how it protects substations, a spokeswoman said the 
company wouldn’t discuss specific security measures.&nbsp;“We have multiple layers of security across our system that allow us 
to monitor and protect critical infrastructure,” the spokeswoman, Logan 
Kureczka, wrote in an email. “As the largest grid operator in the 
country, our responsibility to protect the power grid is paramount, and 
our security evolves as threats do.”In a statement earlier this month, the Electricity Subsector 
Coordinating Council, which describes itself as the “principal liaison 
between leadership in the federal government and in the electric power 
sector,” said investor-owned electric companies, electric cooperatives 
and public power utilities “continuously monitor and prepare for threats
 to the grid and other infrastructure.”The organization, which coordinates efforts to guard against threats 
to critical infrastructure to improve the reliability and resilience of 
the grid, said it was working with law enforcement investigating the 
attacks.&nbsp;“Understanding what happened in North Carolina will be important to 
minimize future threats and to keep our industry’s defenses at the 
forefront,” the organization <a href="https://www.electricitysubsector.org/-/media/Files/ESCC/Documents/1252022ESCCPressReleaseFINAL.pdf" target="_blank">said</a>.&nbsp;FERC Commissioner Mark Christie, a former Virginia utility regulator, said attacks on <a href="https://www.aep.com/assets/docs/safety/What's%20on%20Pole_AEP.pdf" target="_blank">transformers</a>,
 the drum-shaped devices on utility poles that lower the voltage before 
electricity is delivered to residences and businesses, are relatively 
common.&nbsp;“They’re vulnerable to a drunk with a gun and an attitude. We have a 
lot of incidents of that. That’s not unusual,” he said. “The substations
 are a different ballgame. … A transformer knocks out a block or two. A 
substation, several tens of thousands of people.”Noting that it was likely that NERC would come back with a 
recommendation to upgrade security standards, Christie said he hoped the
 Department of Energy would find a way to use grid resilience money from
 the <a href="https://www.energy.gov/gdo/bipartisan-infrastructure-law" target="_blank">bipartisan infrastructure law</a> to lessen the blow for electric ratepayers.“It’s going to cost money and I hope this doesn’t all flow through to ratepayers,” he said.

After substation shooting, feds order review of security standards

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A woman is charged with two counts of first-degree murder after she tracked down her stolen car and allegedly killed two men outside a gas station, police said.

Demesha Coleman, 35, of Spanish Lake, was charged in the deaths of Darius Jackson, 19, and Joseph Farrar, 49. Another man was shot in the head during the shootout but survived.

It was not immediately clear which, if any, of the three men were suspected of stealing Coleman's car, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-police-woman-tracks-down-her-stolen-hyundai-kills-2-in-gas-station-shootout/article_0b98fbe0-c484-5f24-9da4-1c071defc0f0.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter_stltoday">reported</a>.

Surveillance video showed Coleman walking up to a Hyundai Tucson at the gas station with a man who was also carrying a weapon, according to a police detective. Police have not released the man's name.

The video shows Coleman opening the car door with her gun raised, while the man opens another door, also with his gun raised.

Coleman opened fire and sparked the shootout, police said.

She told detectives during a recorded interview that she went to the gas station to take her stolen car back, police said.

Coleman, who has no prior criminal history, is charged with two counts of murder, one count of assault and three counts of armed criminal action. Online court records do not name an attorney for Coleman.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672058055484.png" alt="Coleman-photo St. Louis PD" />
 <figcaption>Coleman-photo St. Louis PD</figcaption>
 </figure>ST. LOUIS (AP) — A woman is charged with two counts of first-degree murder after she tracked down her stolen car and allegedly killed two men outside a gas station, police said.Demesha Coleman, 35, of Spanish Lake, was charged in the deaths of Darius Jackson, 19, and Joseph Farrar, 49. Another man was shot in the head during the shootout but survived.It was not immediately clear which, if any, of the three men were suspected of stealing Coleman's car, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/st-louis-police-woman-tracks-down-her-stolen-hyundai-kills-2-in-gas-station-shootout/article_0b98fbe0-c484-5f24-9da4-1c071defc0f0.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter_stltoday">reported</a>.Surveillance video showed Coleman walking up to a Hyundai Tucson at the gas station with a man who was also carrying a weapon, according to a police detective. Police have not released the man's name.The video shows Coleman opening the car door with her gun raised, while the man opens another door, also with his gun raised.Coleman opened fire and sparked the shootout, police said.She told detectives during a recorded interview that she went to the gas station to take her stolen car back, police said.Coleman, who has no prior criminal history, is charged with two counts of murder, one count of assault and three counts of armed criminal action. Online court records do not name an attorney for Coleman.

Police: Woman tracked stolen car, killed two men

WASHINGTON (AP)—Congress on Friday gave final passage to legislation changing the arcane law that governs the certification of a presidential contest, the strongest effort yet to avoid a repeat of Donald Trump's violence-inflaming push to reverse his loss in the 2020 election.

The House passed an overhaul of the Electoral Count Act as part of its massive, end-of-the-year spending bill, after the Senate approved identical wording Thursday. The legislation now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature.

Biden hailed the provisions' inclusion in the spending bill in a statement Friday, calling it “critical bipartisan action that will help ensure that the will of the people is preserved.”

It's the most significant legislative response Congress has made yet to Trump’s aggressive efforts to upend the popular vote, and a step that been urged by the House select committee that conducted the most thorough investigation into the violent siege of the Capitol.

The provisions amending the 1887 law — which has long been criticized as poorly and confusingly written — won bipartisan support and would make it harder for future presidential losers to prevent the ascension of their foes, as Trump tried to do on Jan. 6, 2021.

“It's a monumental accomplishment, particularly in this partisan atmosphere, for such a major rewrite of a law that's so crucial to our democracy,” said Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California Los Angeles. “This law goes a long way toward shutting down the avenues Trump and his allies tried to use in 2020, and could have been exploited in future elections.”

On Jan. 6, Trump targeted Congress' ratification of the Electoral College's vote. He tried to exploit the vice president's role in reading out the states' electors to get Mike Pence to block Biden from becoming the next president by omitting some states Biden won from the roll. The new provisions make clear that the vice president's responsibilities in the process are merely ceremonial and that the vice president has no say in determining who actually won the election.

The new legislation also raises the threshold required for members of Congress to object to certifying the electors. Before, only one member of the House and Senate respectively had to object to force a roll call vote on a state's electors. That helped make objections to new presidents something of a routine partisan tactic — Democrats objected to certifying both of George W. Bush's elections and Trump's in 2016.

Those objections, however, were mainly symbolic and came after Democrats had conceded that the Republican candidates won the presidency. On Jan. 6, 2021, Republicans forced a vote on certifying Biden's wins in Arizona and Pennsylvania even after the violent attack on the Capitol, as Trump continued to insist falsely that he won the election. That led some members of Congress to worry the process could be too easily manipulated.

Under the new rules, one-fifth of each chamber would be required to force a vote on states' slates of electors.

The new provisions also ensure only one slate of electors makes it to Congress after Trump and his allies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-joe-biden-presidential-elections-election-2020-electoral-college-311f88768b65f7196f52a4757dc162e4">unsuccessfully tried to create alternative slates of electors</a>&nbsp;in states Biden won. Each governor would now be required to sign off on electors, and Congress cannot consider slates submitted by different officials. The bill creates a legal process if any of those electors are challenged by a presidential candidate.

The legislation would also close a loophole that wasn't used in 2020 but election experts feared could be, a provision that state legislatures can name electors in defiance of their state's popular vote in the event of a “failed” election. That term has been understood to mean a contest that was disrupted or so in doubt that there's no way to determine the actual winner, but it is not well-defined in the prior law.

Now a state could move the date of its presidential election — but only in the event of “extraordinary and catastrophic events,” like a natural disaster.

Hasen said that while the changes are significant, dangers still remain to democracy, noting that in Arizona, the Republican nominee for governor, Kari Lake, was waiting on a ruling Friday in a lawsuit she filed to overturn the victory of her Democratic opponent, Katie Hobbs.

“Nobody should think that passage of this legislation means we're out of the woods,” Hasen said. “This is not one and done.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1609956651601.png" alt="On Jan. 6, 2020, Trump targeted Congress' ratification of the Electoral College's vote. He tried to exploit the vice president's role in reading out the states' electors to get Mike Pence to block Biden from becoming the next president by omitting some states Biden won from the roll.-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>On Jan. 6, 2020, Trump targeted Congress' ratification of the Electoral College's vote. He tried to exploit the vice president's role in reading out the states' electors to get Mike Pence to block Biden from becoming the next president by omitting some states Biden won from the roll.-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)—Congress on Friday gave final passage to legislation changing the arcane law that governs the certification of a presidential contest, the strongest effort yet to avoid a repeat of Donald Trump's violence-inflaming push to reverse his loss in the 2020 election.The House passed an overhaul of the Electoral Count Act as part of its massive, end-of-the-year spending bill, after the Senate approved identical wording Thursday. The legislation now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature.Biden hailed the provisions' inclusion in the spending bill in a statement Friday, calling it “critical bipartisan action that will help ensure that the will of the people is preserved.”It's the most significant legislative response Congress has made yet to Trump’s aggressive efforts to upend the popular vote, and a step that been urged by the House select committee that conducted the most thorough investigation into the violent siege of the Capitol.The provisions amending the 1887 law — which has long been criticized as poorly and confusingly written — won bipartisan support and would make it harder for future presidential losers to prevent the ascension of their foes, as Trump tried to do on Jan. 6, 2021.“It's a monumental accomplishment, particularly in this partisan atmosphere, for such a major rewrite of a law that's so crucial to our democracy,” said Rick Hasen, a law professor at the University of California Los Angeles. “This law goes a long way toward shutting down the avenues Trump and his allies tried to use in 2020, and could have been exploited in future elections.”On Jan. 6, Trump targeted Congress' ratification of the Electoral College's vote. He tried to exploit the vice president's role in reading out the states' electors to get Mike Pence to block Biden from becoming the next president by omitting some states Biden won from the roll. The new provisions make clear that the vice president's responsibilities in the process are merely ceremonial and that the vice president has no say in determining who actually won the election.The new legislation also raises the threshold required for members of Congress to object to certifying the electors. Before, only one member of the House and Senate respectively had to object to force a roll call vote on a state's electors. That helped make objections to new presidents something of a routine partisan tactic — Democrats objected to certifying both of George W. Bush's elections and Trump's in 2016.Those objections, however, were mainly symbolic and came after Democrats had conceded that the Republican candidates won the presidency. On Jan. 6, 2021, Republicans forced a vote on certifying Biden's wins in Arizona and Pennsylvania even after the violent attack on the Capitol, as Trump continued to insist falsely that he won the election. That led some members of Congress to worry the process could be too easily manipulated.Under the new rules, one-fifth of each chamber would be required to force a vote on states' slates of electors.The new provisions also ensure only one slate of electors makes it to Congress after Trump and his allies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-joe-biden-presidential-elections-election-2020-electoral-college-311f88768b65f7196f52a4757dc162e4">unsuccessfully tried to create alternative slates of electors</a>&nbsp;in states Biden won. Each governor would now be required to sign off on electors, and Congress cannot consider slates submitted by different officials. The bill creates a legal process if any of those electors are challenged by a presidential candidate.The legislation would also close a loophole that wasn't used in 2020 but election experts feared could be, a provision that state legislatures can name electors in defiance of their state's popular vote in the event of a “failed” election. That term has been understood to mean a contest that was disrupted or so in doubt that there's no way to determine the actual winner, but it is not well-defined in the prior law.Now a state could move the date of its presidential election — but only in the event of “extraordinary and catastrophic events,” like a natural disaster.Hasen said that while the changes are significant, dangers still remain to democracy, noting that in Arizona, the Republican nominee for governor, Kari Lake, was waiting on a ruling Friday in a lawsuit she filed to overturn the victory of her Democratic opponent, Katie Hobbs.“Nobody should think that passage of this legislation means we're out of the woods,” Hasen said. “This is not one and done.”

New election rules approved in response to Jan. 6 violence

ELLSWORTH COUNTY—A Kansas sheriff's deputy was injured in an accident just after 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Ellsworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Ford Explorer&nbsp;with emergency equipment activated and driven by Ellsworth County Deputy Adam M. Macy, 27, Salina, was responding to a collision on&nbsp;Kansas 14 one quarter miles north of Ave H.

The driver lost control on the ice. The SUV entered the ditch and rolled one time.&nbsp; EMS transported Macy to the hospital in Ellsworth. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY—A Kansas sheriff's deputy was injured in an accident just after 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Ellsworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Ford Explorer&nbsp;with emergency equipment activated and driven by Ellsworth County Deputy Adam M. Macy, 27, Salina, was responding to a collision on&nbsp;Kansas 14 one quarter miles north of Ave H.The driver lost control on the ice. The SUV entered the ditch and rolled one time.&nbsp; EMS transported Macy to the hospital in Ellsworth. He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kan. deputy hospitalized after SUV rolls on icy road

By LAURA UNGAR and ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL Associated Press

Could the COVID-19 surge in China unleash a new coronavirus mutant on the world?

Scientists don’t know but worry that might happen. It could be similar to omicron variants circulating there now. It could be a combination of strains. Or something entirely different, they say.

“China has a population that is very large and there’s limited immunity. And that seems to be the setting in which we may see an explosion of a new variant," said Dr. Stuart Campbell Ray, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins University.

Every new infection offers a chance for the coronavirus to mutate, and the virus is spreading rapidly in China. The country of 1.4 billion has largely abandoned its “zero COVID” policy. Though overall reported vaccination rates are high, booster levels are lower, especially among older people. Domestic vaccines have proven less effective against serious infection than Western-made messenger RNA versions. Many were given more than a year ago, meaning immunity has waned.

The result? Fertile ground for the virus to change.

“When we’ve seen big waves of infection, it’s often followed by new variants being generated,” Ray said.

About three years ago, the original version of the coronavirus spread from China to the rest of the world and was eventually replaced by the delta variant, then omicron and its descendants, which continue plaguing the world today.

Dr. Shan-Lu Liu, who studies viruses at Ohio State University, said many existing omicron variants have been detected in China, including BF.7, which is extremely adept at evading immunity and is believed to be driving the current surge.

Experts said a partially immune population like China’s puts particular pressure on the virus to change. Ray compared the virus to a boxer that “learns to evade the skills that you have and adapt to get around those.”

One big unknown is whether a new variant will cause more severe disease. Experts say there’s no inherent biological reason the virus has to become milder over time.

“Much of the mildness we’ve experienced over the past six to 12 months in many parts of the world has been due to accumulated immunity either through vaccination or infection, not because the virus has changed" in severity, Ray said.

In China, most people have never been exposed to the coronavirus. China's vaccines rely on an older technology producing fewer antibodies than messenger RNA vaccines.

Given those realities, Dr. Gagandeep Kang, who studies viruses at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, India, said it remains to be seen if the virus will follow the same pattern of evolution in China as it has in the rest of the world after vaccines came out. “Or," she asked, “will the pattern of evolution be completely different?”

Recently, the World Health Organization expressed concern about reports of severe disease in China. Around the cities of Baoding and Langfang outside Beijing, hospitals have run out of intensive care beds and staff as severe cases surge.

China’s plan to track the virus centers around three city hospitals in each province, where samples will be collected from walk-in patients who are very sick and all those who die every week, Xu Wenbo of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said at a briefing Tuesday.

He said 50 of the 130 omicron versions detected in China had resulted in outbreaks. The country is creating a national genetic database “to monitor in real time” how different strains were evolving and the potential implications for public health, he said.

At this point, however, there’s limited information about genetic viral sequencing coming out of China, said Jeremy Luban, a virologist at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

“We don’t know all of what’s going on,” Luban said. But clearly, "the pandemic is not over.”

By LAURA UNGAR and ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL Associated PressCould the COVID-19 surge in China unleash a new coronavirus mutant on the world?Scientists don’t know but worry that might happen. It could be similar to omicron variants circulating there now. It could be a combination of strains. Or something entirely different, they say.“China has a population that is very large and there’s limited immunity. And that seems to be the setting in which we may see an explosion of a new variant," said Dr. Stuart Campbell Ray, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins University.Every new infection offers a chance for the coronavirus to mutate, and the virus is spreading rapidly in China. The country of 1.4 billion has largely abandoned its “zero COVID” policy. Though overall reported vaccination rates are high, booster levels are lower, especially among older people. Domestic vaccines have proven less effective against serious infection than Western-made messenger RNA versions. Many were given more than a year ago, meaning immunity has waned.The result? Fertile ground for the virus to change.“When we’ve seen big waves of infection, it’s often followed by new variants being generated,” Ray said.About three years ago, the original version of the coronavirus spread from China to the rest of the world and was eventually replaced by the delta variant, then omicron and its descendants, which continue plaguing the world today.Dr. Shan-Lu Liu, who studies viruses at Ohio State University, said many existing omicron variants have been detected in China, including BF.7, which is extremely adept at evading immunity and is believed to be driving the current surge.Experts said a partially immune population like China’s puts particular pressure on the virus to change. Ray compared the virus to a boxer that “learns to evade the skills that you have and adapt to get around those.”One big unknown is whether a new variant will cause more severe disease. Experts say there’s no inherent biological reason the virus has to become milder over time.“Much of the mildness we’ve experienced over the past six to 12 months in many parts of the world has been due to accumulated immunity either through vaccination or infection, not because the virus has changed" in severity, Ray said.In China, most people have never been exposed to the coronavirus. China's vaccines rely on an older technology producing fewer antibodies than messenger RNA vaccines.Given those realities, Dr. Gagandeep Kang, who studies viruses at the Christian Medical College in Vellore, India, said it remains to be seen if the virus will follow the same pattern of evolution in China as it has in the rest of the world after vaccines came out. “Or," she asked, “will the pattern of evolution be completely different?”Recently, the World Health Organization expressed concern about reports of severe disease in China. Around the cities of Baoding and Langfang outside Beijing, hospitals have run out of intensive care beds and staff as severe cases surge.China’s plan to track the virus centers around three city hospitals in each province, where samples will be collected from walk-in patients who are very sick and all those who die every week, Xu Wenbo of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention said at a briefing Tuesday.He said 50 of the 130 omicron versions detected in China had resulted in outbreaks. The country is creating a national genetic database “to monitor in real time” how different strains were evolving and the potential implications for public health, he said.At this point, however, there’s limited information about genetic viral sequencing coming out of China, said Jeremy Luban, a virologist at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.“We don’t know all of what’s going on,” Luban said. But clearly, "the pandemic is not over.”

China's COVID surge could unleash a new virus mutant 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt prepares to hand over the office to fellow Republican Kris Kobach, he notes that the amount of suing of the federal executive branch that happens now is more than he anticipated when he took the job 12 years ago.

"We've really been part of the pioneering generation of state attorneys general, both Republicans and Democrats, who have pushed back against federal actions that we think are not just bad policy, that's not our role, but are illegal. That is our role, to police the boundaries of the federal system. It's become increasingly necessary, because Congress has become increasingly dysfunctional, so their oversight function, that tended to work reasonably well in the 1980s and 1990s, maybe even the early 2000s, it just rarely functions at all now, and because of that, federal agencies have been allowed to operate, really, in an unchecked manner."

One of the issues Kobach will face as he comes in next month is whether or not there is any legal recourse for the federal designation of the lesser prairie chicken as threatened.

"The last time the federal government tried this, we brought suit and prevailed when the Obama Administration tried the same thing, and we blocked the effort then to list. We had started to engage on this one when there was emerging, what looked like one of these sue and settle lawsuits, where activist groups bring a suit against a sympathetic federal&nbsp;bureaucracy and then both of them agree to settle the suit before anybody else can get in it. We were prepared to jump in that."

Sue and settle is a strategy sometimes used by the government and interest groups that agree with it to speed along actions it already wants to do, because doing things at a court's behest does not require the notice and comment that is supposed to happen under the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946. 

The Act includes requirements for publishing notices of proposed and final rulemaking in the Federal Register, and provides opportunities for the public to comment on notices of proposed rulemaking. 

The Title 42 controversy that is currently playing out at the U.S. Supreme Court is not necessarily as much about the border for that court as it is about not allowing sue and settle strategy to continue to promulgate across the federal government. 

If a precedent can be set that tamps down sue and settle as a strategy, it could limit the power of future AG's to challenge in the way they do now, but it also could provide the public the opportunity to properly lobby its lawmakers and work the process through Congress rather than rulemaking in the first place.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583409290272.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — As Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt prepares to hand over the office to fellow Republican Kris Kobach, he notes that the amount of suing of the federal executive branch that happens now is more than he anticipated when he took the job 12 years ago."We've really been part of the pioneering generation of state attorneys general, both Republicans and Democrats, who have pushed back against federal actions that we think are not just bad policy, that's not our role, but are illegal. That is our role, to police the boundaries of the federal system. It's become increasingly necessary, because Congress has become increasingly dysfunctional, so their oversight function, that tended to work reasonably well in the 1980s and 1990s, maybe even the early 2000s, it just rarely functions at all now, and because of that, federal agencies have been allowed to operate, really, in an unchecked manner."One of the issues Kobach will face as he comes in next month is whether or not there is any legal recourse for the federal designation of the lesser prairie chicken as threatened."The last time the federal government tried this, we brought suit and prevailed when the Obama Administration tried the same thing, and we blocked the effort then to list. We had started to engage on this one when there was emerging, what looked like one of these sue and settle lawsuits, where activist groups bring a suit against a sympathetic federal&nbsp;bureaucracy and then both of them agree to settle the suit before anybody else can get in it. We were prepared to jump in that."Sue and settle is a strategy sometimes used by the government and interest groups that agree with it to speed along actions it already wants to do, because doing things at a court's behest does not require the notice and comment that is supposed to happen under the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946. The Act includes requirements for publishing notices of proposed and final rulemaking in the Federal Register, and provides opportunities for the public to comment on notices of proposed rulemaking. The Title 42 controversy that is currently playing out at the U.S. Supreme Court is not necessarily as much about the border for that court as it is about not allowing sue and settle strategy to continue to promulgate across the federal government. If a precedent can be set that tamps down sue and settle as a strategy, it could limit the power of future AG's to challenge in the way they do now, but it also could provide the public the opportunity to properly lobby its lawmakers and work the process through Congress rather than rulemaking in the first place.

Schmidt: Role of state AG's in limiting federal government bigger now

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a corrections officer for an alleged sexual relationship with a juvenile inmate, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

On Dec. 15, officials arrested 24-year-old&nbsp; Catherine Michelle Dutcher. She remains in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a $10,000 bond, according to online jail records.

&nbsp;The Kansas Dept. of Corrections hired Dutcher in August. She was fired on the day deputies arrested her. The case will be presented to the Shawnee Co. District Attorney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671499323691.png" alt="Dutcher-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Dutcher-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a corrections officer for an alleged sexual relationship with a juvenile inmate, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.On Dec. 15, officials arrested 24-year-old&nbsp; Catherine Michelle Dutcher. She remains in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on a $10,000 bond, according to online jail records.&nbsp;The Kansas Dept. of Corrections hired Dutcher in August. She was fired on the day deputies arrested her. The case will be presented to the Shawnee Co. District Attorney.

Kan. corrections officer remains jailed for alleged sex with inmate 

KANSAS CITY – Three men have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a scheme to transport tens of thousands of stolen catalytic converters across state lines as part of a multi-million-dollar business, according to the United State's Attorney.

“These three defendants were the ringleaders of a scheme that impacted thousands of area residents,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. “We worked closely with a number of our law enforcement partners to shut down their multi-million-dollar operation and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Evan Marshall, 25, of Rogersville, Cody Ryder, 31, of Springfield, and Camren Joseph Davis, 25, of Rogersville, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool on Monday, Dec. 19.

Marshall was sentenced to five years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. The court also imposed a $750,000 money judgment against Marshall to be forfeited to the government, ordered Marshall to pay $19,133 in restitution to victims of the conspiracy who law enforcement were able to identify, and forfeiture to the government of the following items that were seized by law enforcement: 33 rifles, 20 scopes, six shotguns, 26 handguns, a Glock sub conversion kit, eight ammunition magazines, a 2011 Ram 3500 one-ton pickup, a 2004 Dodge Ram, a flatbed trailer, two 42-foot gooseneck flatbed trailers, a 16-foot livestock trailer, a 2021 Load N Go utility trailer, a 2007 car hauler trailer, a Volkswagen dune buggy, two Harley Davidson motorcycles, a 2012 Keystone 5th wheel camper, a Caterpillar skid steer, a 2019 Honda Talon SXS 1000 side by side, a 2016 Polaris RZR side by side, a Polaris Ranger 4x4,&nbsp; and 191 catalytic converters.

Ryder was sentenced to two years and five months in federal prison without parole. Davis was sentenced to five years of probation. The court imposed money judgments against Ryder and Davis to forfeit to the government $125,000 each.

“We are pleased to be a part of, and to see the successful ending, to this long-term investigation,” said Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams. “It is good to see the main participants in this crime being held accountable, and the potential for restitution for victims in our community.”

“Our community is painfully aware that catalytic converter thefts are not victimless crimes,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of the HSI Kansas City Area of Responsibility Josh Armstrong. “While many may consider catalytic converter thefts to be victimless, all too often criminals involved in these types of thefts sometimes funnel the profits gained to organized criminal networks to fund additional, more dangerous crimes.”

On June 16, 2022, Marshall pleaded guilty to one count of transporting stolen property across state lines. Ryder pleaded guilty on June 13, 2022, and Davis pleaded guilty on April 21, 2022, to their roles in a conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines.

Co-defendants Enx Khoshaba, 30, Leslie Ice, 38, and Eric Kaltenbach, 38, all of Springfield, and Danielle Ice, 34, of Columbia (formerly of Springfield), have pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines and await sentencing.

Marshall admitted that he transported stolen catalytic converters, valued at $1 million or more, across state lines from December 2019 to October 2021. Marshall also admitted that he bought tens of thousands of stolen catalytic converters directly from his co-defendants and from other thieves, and sold the stolen catalytic converters for a total of approximately $1 million.

Marshall began selling the catalytic converters to a company in Mountain Home, Arkansas, in the fall of 2019. At that time, Marshall would purchase junk vehicles and sell the vehicles’ parts, including the catalytic converters. In the late fall of 2019, the owners of the Mountain Home company asked Marshall if he would begin purchasing catalytic converters in southwest Missouri and sell to them exclusively. Marshall agreed to do so; in return, they regularly provided Marshall with cash so that Marshall had the funds to purchase a higher volume of catalytic converters. They also provided Marshall with a list of valuable catalytic converters. By December 2019, Marshall had mostly ceased buying junk vehicles and scrapping them out for parts, and instead began purchasing already-detached catalytic converters from scrap yards and individual sellers.

By January 2020, the owners of the Mountain Home company were wiring Marshall hundreds of thousands of dollars on a monthly basis so that Marshall could purchase a higher volume of detached catalytic converters.

By December 2019, Marshall had also enlisted Davis to work for him and another company, which Marshall also established in December 2019. Davis’s job was to purchase catalytic converters using cash that Marshall provided him. During that time period, Marshall provided Davis with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to purchase catalytic converters on Marshall’s behalf. As part of the arrangement, Davis exclusively sold the catalytic converters he purchased to Marshall. On at least one occasion, Marshall provided Davis with $40,000 in cash for the purchase of catalytic converters on Marshall’s behalf.

Davis admitted that he bought at least 1,500 stolen catalytic converters from various thieves and sold them to Marshall for a total of approximately $250,000.

In February 2021, Marshall enlisted Ryder to work for him and his company. As with Davis, Ryder’s job was to purchase catalytic converters using cash that Marshall provided him. From February 2021 through October 2021, Marshall provided Ryder with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to purchase catalytic converters on Marshall’s behalf. As part of the arrangement, Ryder exclusively sold the catalytic converters he purchased to Marshall. On at least one occasion, Marshall provided Ryder with $10,000 in cash for the purchase of catalytic converters on Marshall’s behalf.

Ryder admitted that he bought at least 1,500 stolen catalytic converters from thieves and sold them to Marshall for an aggregate amount of approximately $250,000.

Many of the catalytic converters that Davis and Ryder purchased with the cash Marshall provided them were stolen, and Marshall knew at the time that many of them were stolen. Marshall paid Davis and Ryder an agreed-upon percentage amount over their purchase price for the catalytic converters, less the amount of cash Marshall had fronted them.

From December 2019 through October 2021, in addition to utilizing Davis and Ryder as buyers of stolen catalytic converters, Marshall also purchased stolen catalytic converters directly from thieves. In July 2020, a Springfield, Mo., police detective contacted Marshall regarding the purchase of catalytic converters from individuals known to be thieves. Despite being put on notice that he was purchasing stolen catalytic converters, Marshall continued to purchase stolen catalytic converters, including from at least one of the individuals identified by the detective.

Marshall admitted that he knowingly purchased stolen catalytic converters from co-defendants Davis, Ryder, Ice, Kaltenbach, Khoshaba, and at least six other thieves. Marshall transported and sold almost all of the catalytic converters, including the stolen catalytic converters, to the owners of the Mountain Home business.

Marshall, Davis, Ryder and others loaded the catalytic converters, including the stolen catalytic converters, into bins that were placed on trailers at Marshall’s residence. They hauled the trailers, which each contained between 800 and 1,200 catalytic converters, many of which were stolen, from Rogersville to Mountain Home. Marshall transported catalytic converters from Rogersville to Mountain Home approximately every two weeks from December 2019 through October 2021.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1655461710974.png" alt="Marshall -photo Greene Co." />
 <figcaption>Marshall -photo Greene Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY – Three men have been sentenced in federal court for their roles in a scheme to transport tens of thousands of stolen catalytic converters across state lines as part of a multi-million-dollar business, according to the United State's Attorney.“These three defendants were the ringleaders of a scheme that impacted thousands of area residents,” said U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore. “We worked closely with a number of our law enforcement partners to shut down their multi-million-dollar operation and bring the perpetrators to justice.”Evan Marshall, 25, of Rogersville, Cody Ryder, 31, of Springfield, and Camren Joseph Davis, 25, of Rogersville, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool on Monday, Dec. 19.Marshall was sentenced to five years and 10 months in federal prison without parole. The court also imposed a $750,000 money judgment against Marshall to be forfeited to the government, ordered Marshall to pay $19,133 in restitution to victims of the conspiracy who law enforcement were able to identify, and forfeiture to the government of the following items that were seized by law enforcement: 33 rifles, 20 scopes, six shotguns, 26 handguns, a Glock sub conversion kit, eight ammunition magazines, a 2011 Ram 3500 one-ton pickup, a 2004 Dodge Ram, a flatbed trailer, two 42-foot gooseneck flatbed trailers, a 16-foot livestock trailer, a 2021 Load N Go utility trailer, a 2007 car hauler trailer, a Volkswagen dune buggy, two Harley Davidson motorcycles, a 2012 Keystone 5th wheel camper, a Caterpillar skid steer, a 2019 Honda Talon SXS 1000 side by side, a 2016 Polaris RZR side by side, a Polaris Ranger 4x4,&nbsp; and 191 catalytic converters.Ryder was sentenced to two years and five months in federal prison without parole. Davis was sentenced to five years of probation. The court imposed money judgments against Ryder and Davis to forfeit to the government $125,000 each.“We are pleased to be a part of, and to see the successful ending, to this long-term investigation,” said Springfield Police Chief Paul Williams. “It is good to see the main participants in this crime being held accountable, and the potential for restitution for victims in our community.”“Our community is painfully aware that catalytic converter thefts are not victimless crimes,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of the HSI Kansas City Area of Responsibility Josh Armstrong. “While many may consider catalytic converter thefts to be victimless, all too often criminals involved in these types of thefts sometimes funnel the profits gained to organized criminal networks to fund additional, more dangerous crimes.”On June 16, 2022, Marshall pleaded guilty to one count of transporting stolen property across state lines. Ryder pleaded guilty on June 13, 2022, and Davis pleaded guilty on April 21, 2022, to their roles in a conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines.Co-defendants Enx Khoshaba, 30, Leslie Ice, 38, and Eric Kaltenbach, 38, all of Springfield, and Danielle Ice, 34, of Columbia (formerly of Springfield), have pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy to transport stolen property across state lines and await sentencing.Marshall admitted that he transported stolen catalytic converters, valued at $1 million or more, across state lines from December 2019 to October 2021. Marshall also admitted that he bought tens of thousands of stolen catalytic converters directly from his co-defendants and from other thieves, and sold the stolen catalytic converters for a total of approximately $1 million.Marshall began selling the catalytic converters to a company in Mountain Home, Arkansas, in the fall of 2019. At that time, Marshall would purchase junk vehicles and sell the vehicles’ parts, including the catalytic converters. In the late fall of 2019, the owners of the Mountain Home company asked Marshall if he would begin purchasing catalytic converters in southwest Missouri and sell to them exclusively. Marshall agreed to do so; in return, they regularly provided Marshall with cash so that Marshall had the funds to purchase a higher volume of catalytic converters. They also provided Marshall with a list of valuable catalytic converters. By December 2019, Marshall had mostly ceased buying junk vehicles and scrapping them out for parts, and instead began purchasing already-detached catalytic converters from scrap yards and individual sellers.By January 2020, the owners of the Mountain Home company were wiring Marshall hundreds of thousands of dollars on a monthly basis so that Marshall could purchase a higher volume of detached catalytic converters.By December 2019, Marshall had also enlisted Davis to work for him and another company, which Marshall also established in December 2019. Davis’s job was to purchase catalytic converters using cash that Marshall provided him. During that time period, Marshall provided Davis with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to purchase catalytic converters on Marshall’s behalf. As part of the arrangement, Davis exclusively sold the catalytic converters he purchased to Marshall. On at least one occasion, Marshall provided Davis with $40,000 in cash for the purchase of catalytic converters on Marshall’s behalf.Davis admitted that he bought at least 1,500 stolen catalytic converters from various thieves and sold them to Marshall for a total of approximately $250,000.In February 2021, Marshall enlisted Ryder to work for him and his company. As with Davis, Ryder’s job was to purchase catalytic converters using cash that Marshall provided him. From February 2021 through October 2021, Marshall provided Ryder with hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to purchase catalytic converters on Marshall’s behalf. As part of the arrangement, Ryder exclusively sold the catalytic converters he purchased to Marshall. On at least one occasion, Marshall provided Ryder with $10,000 in cash for the purchase of catalytic converters on Marshall’s behalf.Ryder admitted that he bought at least 1,500 stolen catalytic converters from thieves and sold them to Marshall for an aggregate amount of approximately $250,000.Many of the catalytic converters that Davis and Ryder purchased with the cash Marshall provided them were stolen, and Marshall knew at the time that many of them were stolen. Marshall paid Davis and Ryder an agreed-upon percentage amount over their purchase price for the catalytic converters, less the amount of cash Marshall had fronted them.From December 2019 through October 2021, in addition to utilizing Davis and Ryder as buyers of stolen catalytic converters, Marshall also purchased stolen catalytic converters directly from thieves. In July 2020, a Springfield, Mo., police detective contacted Marshall regarding the purchase of catalytic converters from individuals known to be thieves. Despite being put on notice that he was purchasing stolen catalytic converters, Marshall continued to purchase stolen catalytic converters, including from at least one of the individuals identified by the detective.Marshall admitted that he knowingly purchased stolen catalytic converters from co-defendants Davis, Ryder, Ice, Kaltenbach, Khoshaba, and at least six other thieves. Marshall transported and sold almost all of the catalytic converters, including the stolen catalytic converters, to the owners of the Mountain Home business.Marshall, Davis, Ryder and others loaded the catalytic converters, including the stolen catalytic converters, into bins that were placed on trailers at Marshall’s residence. They hauled the trailers, which each contained between 800 and 1,200 catalytic converters, many of which were stolen, from Rogersville to Mountain Home. Marshall transported catalytic converters from Rogersville to Mountain Home approximately every two weeks from December 2019 through October 2021.