WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States should look at the development of more bases in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-nato-5f084c3bde893b44dd087ec69de8c02c">Eastern Europe</a>&nbsp;to protect against Russian aggression, but rotate forces through them rather than make permanent deployments, the top U.S military officer told Congress on Tuesday.

Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the basing could be funded by other countries such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-migration-world-war-ii-warsaw-652da1c2ab1c88de3032241089bfa516">Poland</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-russia-estonia-race-and-ethnicity-soviet-union-187f098422b7a3170143de238865b526">Baltics</a>&nbsp;that want more U.S. troops. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said any effort to expand security in Eastern Europe is a “work in progress” that probably will be discussed at the NATO summit in June.

Milley and Austin were testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on the 2023 budget proposal, but much of the focus of the hearing was the Russian war against Ukraine and what the U.S. can do to better help Ukraine and strengthen security across Europe.

Milley was asked about the need to reallocate forces to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-moscow-nato-f6e92b278a0fb5b02f9e91686e6723d6">Europe’s eastern flank</a>, where NATO allies are worried that they may be Russia’s next target.

“My advice would be to create permanent bases but don’t permanently station (forces), so you get the effect of permanence by rotational forces cycling through permanent bases,” he said. “I believe that a lot of our European allies, especially those such as the Baltics or Poland and Romania, and elsewhere — they’re very, very willing to establish permanent bases. They’ll build them, they’ll pay for them.”

Austin added that he recently visited and spoke with leaders in the Baltics, noting that they made it clear they value U.S. troops there. “We’ll continue to work with NATO to assess what the requirements will be moving forward,” Austin said. “We will be part of that solution.”

The Pentagon is continuing to review its troop numbers across Europe, and whether to add more or shift some of those already there to other locations. Milley said Tuesday that while there are no decisions yet, there’s a possibility, if not a probability” of increase U.S. troops in Europe, and that need could be filled by rotational forces.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced last month that NATO is creating four new battlegroups, which usually number between 1,000 troops and 1,500 troops, to send to Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria. NATO allies are set to discuss additional security measures at the upcoming summit.

Milley has advocated using rotational forces more around the globe to defray the costs of permanently stationing troops and their families in allied countries at risk of war, such as South Korea and in the Persian Gulf. He said using this would eliminate some of the costs associated with schools, housing and other such services.

Rotational forces deploy for shorter periods of time. Permanent forces are often deployed for two years to three years.

Milley also agreed that Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine, and its ongoing demands that the U.S. and NATO reduce troops and arms in European countries along Russia’s borders, signal a lengthy conflict in the region that extends beyond Ukraine.

“I do think this is a very protracted conflict and I think it’s at least measured in years. I don’t know about decades, but at least years for sure,” said Milley. “I think that NATO, the United States, Ukraine and all of the allies and partners that are supporting Ukraine are going to be involved in this for quite some time.”

Austin added that the broad Russian demands were not acceptable to NATO, and the U.S. is looking at ways to provide additional aid and training to countries, including non-NATO allies such as Georgia and Finland.

Members of Congress pressed Austin and Milley on what could have stopped Russia from invading Ukraine, and that sanctions did not work as a deterrent.

Both said that the only possible way to deter Russian may have been to put U.S. troops on the ground inside Ukraine, but that option was rejected because it risked a broader U.S. war with Russia. Milley said he isn’t sure Russian President Vladimir Putin was deterrable since invading Ukraine has been a long-term goal for Moscow.

Milley and Austin also told the committee that the U.S. has learned a number of things as it has watched Russia struggle to fight against an unexpectedly fierce Ukrainian defense over the past month. They said Russia has significant military capabilities but has been unable to use them effectively.

Austin said Russian forces lack training among their noncommissioned officers and the Kremlin has been unable to get the supplies and logistics needed to ground troops

Austin said Ukraine has used Stinger and Javelin missiles effectively against Russian troops and weapons. Milley said that Ukraine’s junior officers, many trained by the U.S., have shown initiative and good command and control abilities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649207939036.png" alt="Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the basing could be funded by other countries-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the basing could be funded by other countries-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States should look at the development of more bases in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-biden-business-nato-5f084c3bde893b44dd087ec69de8c02c">Eastern Europe</a>&nbsp;to protect against Russian aggression, but rotate forces through them rather than make permanent deployments, the top U.S military officer told Congress on Tuesday.Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the basing could be funded by other countries such as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-biden-migration-world-war-ii-warsaw-652da1c2ab1c88de3032241089bfa516">Poland</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-russia-estonia-race-and-ethnicity-soviet-union-187f098422b7a3170143de238865b526">Baltics</a>&nbsp;that want more U.S. troops. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said any effort to expand security in Eastern Europe is a “work in progress” that probably will be discussed at the NATO summit in June.Milley and Austin were testifying before the House Armed Services Committee on the 2023 budget proposal, but much of the focus of the hearing was the Russian war against Ukraine and what the U.S. can do to better help Ukraine and strengthen security across Europe.Milley was asked about the need to reallocate forces to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-europe-moscow-nato-f6e92b278a0fb5b02f9e91686e6723d6">Europe’s eastern flank</a>, where NATO allies are worried that they may be Russia’s next target.“My advice would be to create permanent bases but don’t permanently station (forces), so you get the effect of permanence by rotational forces cycling through permanent bases,” he said. “I believe that a lot of our European allies, especially those such as the Baltics or Poland and Romania, and elsewhere — they’re very, very willing to establish permanent bases. They’ll build them, they’ll pay for them.”Austin added that he recently visited and spoke with leaders in the Baltics, noting that they made it clear they value U.S. troops there. “We’ll continue to work with NATO to assess what the requirements will be moving forward,” Austin said. “We will be part of that solution.”The Pentagon is continuing to review its troop numbers across Europe, and whether to add more or shift some of those already there to other locations. Milley said Tuesday that while there are no decisions yet, there’s a possibility, if not a probability” of increase U.S. troops in Europe, and that need could be filled by rotational forces.NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced last month that NATO is creating four new battlegroups, which usually number between 1,000 troops and 1,500 troops, to send to Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria. NATO allies are set to discuss additional security measures at the upcoming summit.Milley has advocated using rotational forces more around the globe to defray the costs of permanently stationing troops and their families in allied countries at risk of war, such as South Korea and in the Persian Gulf. He said using this would eliminate some of the costs associated with schools, housing and other such services.Rotational forces deploy for shorter periods of time. Permanent forces are often deployed for two years to three years.Milley also agreed that Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine, and its ongoing demands that the U.S. and NATO reduce troops and arms in European countries along Russia’s borders, signal a lengthy conflict in the region that extends beyond Ukraine.“I do think this is a very protracted conflict and I think it’s at least measured in years. I don’t know about decades, but at least years for sure,” said Milley. “I think that NATO, the United States, Ukraine and all of the allies and partners that are supporting Ukraine are going to be involved in this for quite some time.”Austin added that the broad Russian demands were not acceptable to NATO, and the U.S. is looking at ways to provide additional aid and training to countries, including non-NATO allies such as Georgia and Finland.Members of Congress pressed Austin and Milley on what could have stopped Russia from invading Ukraine, and that sanctions did not work as a deterrent.Both said that the only possible way to deter Russian may have been to put U.S. troops on the ground inside Ukraine, but that option was rejected because it risked a broader U.S. war with Russia. Milley said he isn’t sure Russian President Vladimir Putin was deterrable since invading Ukraine has been a long-term goal for Moscow.Milley and Austin also told the committee that the U.S. has learned a number of things as it has watched Russia struggle to fight against an unexpectedly fierce Ukrainian defense over the past month. They said Russia has significant military capabilities but has been unable to use them effectively.Austin said Russian forces lack training among their noncommissioned officers and the Kremlin has been unable to get the supplies and logistics needed to ground troopsAustin said Ukraine has used Stinger and Javelin missiles effectively against Russian troops and weapons. Milley said that Ukraine’s junior officers, many trained by the U.S., have shown initiative and good command and control abilities.

Top U.S. general wants to send more troops to eastern Europe

MONTOGMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug charges after a traffic stop.

On March 30, sheriff's deputies conducted a traffic stop on US 169 highway between 15th Street and Osage Street in Coffeyville, according to Sheriff Ron Wade. 

Law Enforcement Officials observed three vehicles, who were traveling north bound, fail to signal when changing lanes.  Deputies conducted traffic stops on all three vehicles and learned that all three vehicles were traveling together, and all three drivers were related. 

 A K9 handler with Coffeyville Police Department arrived on scene and advised one of the drivers that he was going to use his Police Service Dog (PSD) to conduct a free air sniff around the outside of the vehicle they were driving. 

 The driver, who was later identified as 62-year-old James Field of Tulsa, Oklahoma, told the K9 Handler there was a large amount of marijuana inside of his vehicle. 

 Deputies searched Field’s vehicle and located five 50-gallon trash bags full of suspected marijuana covered by a tarp in the back of Field’s vehicle.  Deputies also located a handgun inside Field’s vehicle. 

 During the investigation, deputies developed enough evidence to place the other two drivers, 30-year-old Paul Dumitrache of Tulsa, Oklahoma, 53-year-old Gabriela Eastman of Tulsa, Oklahoma and one passenger 30-year-old Vania Cisneros of Tulsa, Oklahoma in custody. 

 All subjects were transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and all three vehicles were transported to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and secured for search warrants. 

Detectives with MGSO and Agents with Kansas Bureau of Investigation Agents served the search warrants on the three vehicles and located additional evidence in all three vehicles, including marijuana, a second handgun, and over $24,000.00 cash. 

 Detectives and Agents determined the weight of marijuana to be 93 pounds with a street value of $93,000.00. 

 Field and Dumitrache were booked into DOC on requested charges that include distribute certain hallucinogenic greater than 1 kilogram.• possession of drug paraphernalia w/intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance.• no drug tax stamp for marijuana or controlled substance. • criminal use of weapons; possession of firearm by person addicted/use of a controlled substance. 

  Eastman and Cisneros were booked into DOC on requested charges that include Distribute certain hallucinogenic greater than 1 kilogram.• Possession of drug paraphernalia w/intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance. • No drug tax stamp for marijuana or controlled substance.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649189074549.png" alt="Clockwise from lower right-&nbsp;Cisneros, Field, the marijuana,&nbsp;Dumitrache and Eastman-photos Montgomery Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Clockwise from lower right-&nbsp;Cisneros, Field, the marijuana,&nbsp;Dumitrache and Eastman-photos Montgomery Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTOGMERY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects on drug charges after a traffic stop.On March 30, sheriff's deputies conducted a traffic stop on US 169 highway between 15th Street and Osage Street in Coffeyville, according to Sheriff Ron Wade. Law Enforcement Officials observed three vehicles, who were traveling north bound, fail to signal when changing lanes. Deputies conducted traffic stops on all three vehicles and learned that all three vehicles were traveling together, and all three drivers were related. A K9 handler with Coffeyville Police Department arrived on scene and advised one of the drivers that he was going to use his Police Service Dog (PSD) to conduct a free air sniff around the outside of the vehicle they were driving. The driver, who was later identified as 62-year-old James Field of Tulsa, Oklahoma, told the K9 Handler there was a large amount of marijuana inside of his vehicle. Deputies searched Field’s vehicle and located five 50-gallon trash bags full of suspected marijuana covered by a tarp in the back of Field’s vehicle. Deputies also located a handgun inside Field’s vehicle. During the investigation, deputies developed enough evidence to place the other two drivers, 30-year-old Paul Dumitrache of Tulsa, Oklahoma, 53-year-old Gabriela Eastman of Tulsa, Oklahoma and one passenger 30-year-old Vania Cisneros of Tulsa, Oklahoma in custody. All subjects were transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and all three vehicles were transported to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and secured for search warrants. Detectives with MGSO and Agents with Kansas Bureau of Investigation Agents served the search warrants on the three vehicles and located additional evidence in all three vehicles, including marijuana, a second handgun, and over $24,000.00 cash. Detectives and Agents determined the weight of marijuana to be 93 pounds with a street value of $93,000.00. Field and Dumitrache were booked into DOC on requested charges that include distribute certain hallucinogenic greater than 1 kilogram.• possession of drug paraphernalia w/intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance.• no drug tax stamp for marijuana or controlled substance. • criminal use of weapons; possession of firearm by person addicted/use of a controlled substance. Eastman and Cisneros were booked into DOC on requested charges that include Distribute certain hallucinogenic greater than 1 kilogram.• Possession of drug paraphernalia w/intent to manufacture/plant/cultivate controlled substance. • No drug tax stamp for marijuana or controlled substance.

Kan. deputies find 93 pounds of pot, guns and $24,000 cash

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man after an incident at an elementary school in Garden City.

On Monday, police were dispatched to Florence Wilson Elementary, 1709 Labrador Boulevard in Garden City for criminal damage that just occurred. Officers were notified that a man slashed a tire in front of the school.

The investigation revealed a woman had arrived at school to drop off her child when a man, later identified as 81-year-old Richard Goldy of Garden City approached her vehicle and used a pocketknife to puncture a tire of the woman’s vehicle. 

Goldy then yelled profanities at the woman while punching her windows and left the school before law enforcement arrived. Officers learned that Goldy had been stalking the woman for several months.

Goldy was later located and arrested at his residence. Goldy is being held in the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Stalking, Criminal Damage to Property, and Disorderly Conduct.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649190055822.png" alt="Goldy photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Goldy photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man after an incident at an elementary school in Garden City.On Monday, police were dispatched to Florence Wilson Elementary, 1709 Labrador Boulevard in Garden City for criminal damage that just occurred. Officers were notified that a man slashed a tire in front of the school.The investigation revealed a woman had arrived at school to drop off her child when a man, later identified as 81-year-old Richard Goldy of Garden City approached her vehicle and used a pocketknife to puncture a tire of the woman’s vehicle. Goldy then yelled profanities at the woman while punching her windows and left the school before law enforcement arrived. Officers learned that Goldy had been stalking the woman for several months.Goldy was later located and arrested at his residence. Goldy is being held in the Finney County Jail on requested charges of Stalking, Criminal Damage to Property, and Disorderly Conduct.

81-year-old Kan. man arrested after violence at middle school

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects for drug trafficking after a traffic stop.

On March 28, a police detective assigned to the DEA Task Force was conducting drug interdiction activities on the KS Turnpike in South Wichita when he stopped a Cadillac Escalade exiting the Turnpike onto 47th Street South, according to a media release.

The vehicle was occupied by 35-year-old Victor Nunez, 35-year-old Huber Arzete and a 12-year-old boy off of Youngtown, Arizona.

 Suspecting possible drug trafficking, a search was conducted which resulted in the seizure of approximately 7,000 illicit fentanyl pills believed to have originated in Mexico, bound for Missouri.

Both Nunez and Arzete were booked into the Sedgwick County Jail with a hold for the DEA in requested charges of&nbsp;drug possession and distribution&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649106492811.png" alt="Nunez-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Nunez-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects for drug trafficking after a traffic stop.On March 28, a police detective assigned to the DEA Task Force was conducting drug interdiction activities on the KS Turnpike in South Wichita when he stopped a Cadillac Escalade exiting the Turnpike onto 47th Street South, according to a media release.The vehicle was occupied by 35-year-old Victor Nunez, 35-year-old Huber Arzete and a 12-year-old boy off of Youngtown, Arizona.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649106472260.png" alt="Arzete -photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Arzete -photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure> Suspecting possible drug trafficking, a search was conducted which resulted in the seizure of approximately 7,000 illicit fentanyl pills believed to have originated in Mexico, bound for Missouri.Both Nunez and Arzete were booked into the Sedgwick County Jail with a hold for the DEA in requested charges of&nbsp;drug possession and distribution&nbsp;

Police seize 7,000 fentanyl pills during Kansas traffic stop

ELLIS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects in connection with the theft of an ATM.

In the early morning hours Tuesday, officers from the Ellis Police Department and Ellis County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Golden Belt Bank, located at 901 Washington in the city of Ellis for an attempted theft of an ATM, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, officers located the bank's ATM in the middle of 9th Street, still attached to a pickup truck. This pickup was later discovered to be stolen out of WaKeeney.

Officers were able to develop a suspect vehicle description as well as a description of several suspects that were involved. Three suspects were later located in rural Russell County in the suspect vehicle that was identified as leaving the scene.

All three suspects were arrested and transported to the Ellis County Jail without incident. All three suspects are facing requested charges for felony criminal damage to property, felony theft, and possession of stolen property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649194852855.jpeg" alt="An abandoned pickup with an attached automated teller machine stolen from Golden Belt Bank was found on 9th Street early Tuesday morning by the Ellis Police Department. Three suspects were later arrested in Russell. (Photo courtesy Alisa Grauerholz)" />
 <figcaption>An abandoned pickup with an attached automated teller machine stolen from Golden Belt Bank was found on 9th Street early Tuesday morning by the Ellis Police Department. Three suspects were later arrested in Russell. (Photo courtesy Alisa Grauerholz)</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLIS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspects in connection with the theft of an ATM.In the early morning hours Tuesday, officers from the Ellis Police Department and Ellis County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Golden Belt Bank, located at 901 Washington in the city of Ellis for an attempted theft of an ATM, according to a media release.Upon arrival, officers located the bank's ATM in the middle of 9th Street, still attached to a pickup truck. This pickup was later discovered to be stolen out of WaKeeney.Officers were able to develop a suspect vehicle description as well as a description of several suspects that were involved. Three suspects were later located in rural Russell County in the suspect vehicle that was identified as leaving the scene.All three suspects were arrested and transported to the Ellis County Jail without incident. All three suspects are facing requested charges for felony criminal damage to property, felony theft, and possession of stolen property.

Police find bank ATM on street, arrest 3 Kansas suspects

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The FBI agent who oversaw the investigation of a researcher accused of illegally keeping secret work he was doing for China while employed at the University of Kansas testified Monday that he didn’t learn until after the professor’s arrest that he was keeping up with his grant work and actually had been honored for his high output.

Defense attorney Peter Zeidenberg called FBI Special Agent Stephen Lampe to the stand as he began trying to cast doubt on the government’s handling of his prosecution of Feng “Franklin” Tao.

He faces charges of wire and program fraud for not disclosing on conflict-of-interest forms the work he was doing for China while employed at the university. Federal prosecutors contend it was a scheme to defraud the university, the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.

The indictment alleges the purpose of the scheme was to benefit China by participating in its “talent plan,” which prosecutors say is designed to encourage the transfer of original ideas and intellectual property from U.S. university to Chinese government institutions.

The government accuses Tao of not informing the University of Kansas that he was selected for the Changjiang Professorship or the salary for his appointment to Fuzhou University in Fuzhou, China.

The defense told jurors during last week’s opening statements that Tao was merely&nbsp;“moonlighting.”

The case against Tao was part of what the Justice Department called its China Initiative, an effort created in 2018 to crack down on trade secret theft and economic espionage. The department in February&nbsp;ended the initiative following public criticism and failed prosecutions, though officials say they still intend to pursue the threat from China.

The case also has potential political overtones in Kansas, where former Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi is now running for the Republican nomination in the state’s attorney general race. Mattivi in his campaign has touted his experience as a federal prosecutor handling terrorism cases — listing among them the Tao prosecution just before his retirement in late 2020 from the Justice Department.

In January, the department dropped its case against&nbsp;Gang Chen, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor&nbsp;charged in the final days of the Trump administration. Prosecutors concluded that they could no longer meet their burden of proof after they received information from the Department of Energy suggesting Chen had not been required to disclose certain information on his forms.

Tao’s attorneys have argued in filings that the Chen case has “direct parallels” to their client’s case in Kansas. They contend that the government did not interview anyone at the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation about whether the agencies required disclosure of foreign talent program participation or work before indicting Tao in 2019.

Prosecutors told jurors last week that Tao “concocted an elaborate lie,” telling the University of Kansas that he wanted to do research in Germany and that he would buy out the spring 2019 semester of his teaching portion of his contract. Instead, he effectively moved to China where he worked to set up a laboratory and to recruit staff for Fuzhou University on the country’s coast. The prosecution also alleged he hid that work on U.S. grant applications.

U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson has rejected vigorous defense efforts over the years that sought to dismiss the indictment. Zeidenberg made the request again Monday, arguing that no rational juror would find grounds to convict.

“The government’s case, it fell apart as far as we are concerned,” Zeidenberg said.

He stressed that Tao was so prolific that the University of Kansas announced in April 2019 — just months before his arrest — that he was one of four faculty members that were receiving an award in recognition of their scholarly or research contributions.

He added that Viviane Schwartz, a program manager with the Department of Energy, had testified that she didn’t care that Tao was setting up a lab in China and that his second job wasn’t her concern because she wasn’t his employer.

Robinson asked the attorneys to submit their arguments in writing, with the trial to proceed while she weighs the issue.

Lampe, the first defense witness, said it “simply doesn’t work” to have a full-time position at both universities. Asked whether he knew that Tao was the most productive member of the university’s chemistry department, Lampe said that he “didn’t find it relevant.”

Zeidenberg later presented binder after binder of printed out copies of the emails Tao sent to his graduate students throughout his affiliation with the Chinese university.

“That is a lot of emails,” Lampe said repeatedly.

Zeidenberg noted that graduate students testified that more research was conducted when Tao was gone because he was “constantly on their back.”

Zeidenberg also asked Lampe why Tao was publishing research in which he described himself as affiliated with both Fuzhou University and the University of Kansas if he was trying to hide the relationship.

Tao, who was born in China and moved to the U.S. in 2002, began working in August 2014 at the University of Kansas’ Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis, which conducts research on sustainable technology to conserve natural resources and energy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/8/1566425403152.png" alt="Feng “Franklin” Tao photo courtesy University of Kansas" />
 <figcaption>Feng “Franklin” Tao photo courtesy University of Kansas</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — The FBI agent who oversaw the investigation of a researcher accused of illegally keeping secret work he was doing for China while employed at the University of Kansas testified Monday that he didn’t learn until after the professor’s arrest that he was keeping up with his grant work and actually had been honored for his high output.Defense attorney Peter Zeidenberg called FBI Special Agent Stephen Lampe to the stand as he began trying to cast doubt on the government’s handling of his prosecution of Feng “Franklin” Tao.He faces charges of wire and program fraud for not disclosing on conflict-of-interest forms the work he was doing for China while employed at the university. Federal prosecutors contend it was a scheme to defraud the university, the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.The indictment alleges the purpose of the scheme was to benefit China by participating in its “talent plan,” which prosecutors say is designed to encourage the transfer of original ideas and intellectual property from U.S. university to Chinese government institutions.The government accuses Tao of not informing the University of Kansas that he was selected for the Changjiang Professorship or the salary for his appointment to Fuzhou University in Fuzhou, China.The defense told jurors during last week’s opening statements that Tao was merely&nbsp;“moonlighting.”The case against Tao was part of what the Justice Department called its China Initiative, an effort created in 2018 to crack down on trade secret theft and economic espionage. The department in February&nbsp;ended the initiative following public criticism and failed prosecutions, though officials say they still intend to pursue the threat from China.The case also has potential political overtones in Kansas, where former Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Mattivi is now running for the Republican nomination in the state’s attorney general race. Mattivi in his campaign has touted his experience as a federal prosecutor handling terrorism cases — listing among them the Tao prosecution just before his retirement in late 2020 from the Justice Department.In January, the department dropped its case against&nbsp;Gang Chen, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor&nbsp;charged in the final days of the Trump administration. Prosecutors concluded that they could no longer meet their burden of proof after they received information from the Department of Energy suggesting Chen had not been required to disclose certain information on his forms.Tao’s attorneys have argued in filings that the Chen case has “direct parallels” to their client’s case in Kansas. They contend that the government did not interview anyone at the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation about whether the agencies required disclosure of foreign talent program participation or work before indicting Tao in 2019.Prosecutors told jurors last week that Tao “concocted an elaborate lie,” telling the University of Kansas that he wanted to do research in Germany and that he would buy out the spring 2019 semester of his teaching portion of his contract. Instead, he effectively moved to China where he worked to set up a laboratory and to recruit staff for Fuzhou University on the country’s coast. The prosecution also alleged he hid that work on U.S. grant applications.U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson has rejected vigorous defense efforts over the years that sought to dismiss the indictment. Zeidenberg made the request again Monday, arguing that no rational juror would find grounds to convict.“The government’s case, it fell apart as far as we are concerned,” Zeidenberg said.He stressed that Tao was so prolific that the University of Kansas announced in April 2019 — just months before his arrest — that he was one of four faculty members that were receiving an award in recognition of their scholarly or research contributions.He added that Viviane Schwartz, a program manager with the Department of Energy, had testified that she didn’t care that Tao was setting up a lab in China and that his second job wasn’t her concern because she wasn’t his employer.Robinson asked the attorneys to submit their arguments in writing, with the trial to proceed while she weighs the issue.Lampe, the first defense witness, said it “simply doesn’t work” to have a full-time position at both universities. Asked whether he knew that Tao was the most productive member of the university’s chemistry department, Lampe said that he “didn’t find it relevant.”Zeidenberg later presented binder after binder of printed out copies of the emails Tao sent to his graduate students throughout his affiliation with the Chinese university.“That is a lot of emails,” Lampe said repeatedly.Zeidenberg noted that graduate students testified that more research was conducted when Tao was gone because he was “constantly on their back.”Zeidenberg also asked Lampe why Tao was publishing research in which he described himself as affiliated with both Fuzhou University and the University of Kansas if he was trying to hide the relationship.Tao, who was born in China and moved to the U.S. in 2002, began working in August 2014 at the University of Kansas’ Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis, which conducts research on sustainable technology to conserve natural resources and energy.

KU researcher to mount defense over China ties at trial

BROWN COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just before 7a.m. Tuesday in Brown County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Chevy Silverado driven by Rodney Paul Lierz, 55, Powhattan, was westbound on 170th Road at Goldfinch Road one half mile south of Powhattan.

The pickup struck a northbound Hyundai Elantra driven by 34-year-old Darliss Jeneane Whitebird of Holton on the passenger side.

Whitebird and a 10-year-old boy from Horton were pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported an 8-year-old boy in the Hyundia and Lierz to the Hiawatha hospital. The boy was later transferred to Children's Mercy.  All four were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

BROWN COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just before 7a.m. Tuesday in Brown County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Chevy Silverado driven by Rodney Paul Lierz, 55, Powhattan, was westbound on 170th Road at Goldfinch Road one half mile south of Powhattan.The pickup struck a northbound Hyundai Elantra driven by 34-year-old Darliss Jeneane Whitebird of Holton on the passenger side.Whitebird and a 10-year-old boy from Horton were pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported an 8-year-old boy in the Hyundia and Lierz to the Hiawatha hospital. The boy was later transferred to Children's Mercy. All four were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Kansas woman,10-year-old dead after 2-vehicle crash

By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kelly-signs-legislation-authorizing-gold-star-family-memorial-at-capitol/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Retired Lt. Gen. Perry 
Wiggins settled in Kansas after retiring from the U.S. Army and soon 
learned the state was among the few without a Statehouse memorial 
honoring families with members who were killed or died while serving in 
the Armed Forces.

The Kansas Senate and House voted unanimously to rectify that oversight and Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law &nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA0MDEuNTU4MjUyNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtzbGVnaXNsYXR1cmUub3JnL2xpL2IyMDIxXzIyL21lYXN1cmVzL3NiMzMwLyJ9.8uTW_Is9CAy_HJeNxSB83NGbg_eSP_028j08YZPcmvw/s/1303160910/br/129215369799-l">Senate Bill 330</a>, which authorizes collection of private donations for a monument to be placed on the south side of the Capitol.

Wiggins, executive director of the Governor’s Military Council, said 
the 44-inch tall memorial would bear the official Gold Star pin and an 
inscription designating it as a tribute to families that made the 
ultimate sacrifice.

“Our true and unsung heroes of this nation are these families,” said 
Wiggins, a three-star general who commanded the 1st Infantry Division at
 Fort Riley. “Sadly, as a commander I have had to knock on a door to 
deliver the tragic news of a fallen loved one and have executed one of 
our nation’s most sacred duties and honored a fallen comrade by 
presenting a loved one on bended knee our nation’s folded flag on behalf
 of a grateful nation.”

Kelly said momentum for the Gold Star monument picked up steam when 
she met in 2020 with&nbsp;Hershel “Woody” Williams, a retired U.S. Marine 
Corps warrant officer and the only living Medal of Honor recipient from 
World War II. Williams challenged the governor to work toward 
establishment of the Gold Star Families Monument on Statehouse grounds.

The legislation prohibited use of public funds for creation or construction of the monument to Gold Star families.

In addition, Kelly signed <a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA0MDEuNTU4MjUyNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtzbGVnaXNsYXR1cmUub3JnL2xpL2IyMDIxXzIyL21lYXN1cmVzL3NiMzAwLyJ9.VbrlTsytSAxdo7rb_qWIVoG8fQluETv4xOZiW-yIEIY/s/1303160910/br/129215369799-l">&nbsp;Senate Bill 300 to</a> amend the Kansas racketeering law to cover a person who engaged in identity theft or identity fraud.

She also put her signature to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA0MDEuNTU4MjUyNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtzbGVnaXNsYXR1cmUub3JnL2xpL2IyMDIxXzIyL21lYXN1cmVzL3NiMzY3LyJ9.8apFRuLQrRISS6fGic69GQ-LTYjmwAHglQ6MPYAGHZs/s/1303160910/br/129215369799-l">Senate Bill 367 </a>to
 require officers to file copies of receipts with the court when 
property was seized under a search warrant. The bill also set out 
procedures for destruction of dangerous drugs and the possible return of
 weapons.

The state’s statute book was amended with <a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA0MDEuNTU4MjUyNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtzbGVnaXNsYXR1cmUub3JnL2xpL2IyMDIxXzIyL21lYXN1cmVzL3NiNDE5LyJ9.o8R2fSNLRBU4x5aZki4thExuYRN2TGPT91PONX0prko/s/1303160910/br/129215369799-l">Senate Bill 419</a>&nbsp;to enable certain employees of the Kansas Department of Corrections to attend the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.

Kelly signed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA0MDEuNTU4MjUyNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtzbGVnaXNsYXR1cmUub3JnL2xpL2IyMDIxXzIyL21lYXN1cmVzL3NiNDUwLyJ9.XA3sKJaIyLbsIrHAVcgBL997qVhtDH446et5n6dMScw/s/1303160910/br/129215369799-l">Senate Bill 450 e</a>liminating
 a requirement that 80% of proceeds from sale of state surplus real 
estate be conveyed to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649176195198.png" alt="Perry Wiggins, executive director of the Governor’s Military Council and a retired U.S. Army three-star general, urged the 2022 Legislature to approve a Statehouse grounds memorial to Gold Star families. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption>Perry Wiggins, executive director of the Governor’s Military Council and a retired U.S. Army three-star general, urged the 2022 Legislature to approve a Statehouse grounds memorial to Gold Star families. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure>By TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kelly-signs-legislation-authorizing-gold-star-family-memorial-at-capitol/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Retired Lt. Gen. Perry 
Wiggins settled in Kansas after retiring from the U.S. Army and soon 
learned the state was among the few without a Statehouse memorial 
honoring families with members who were killed or died while serving in 
the Armed Forces.The Kansas Senate and House voted unanimously to rectify that oversight and Gov. Laura Kelly signed into law &nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA0MDEuNTU4MjUyNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtzbGVnaXNsYXR1cmUub3JnL2xpL2IyMDIxXzIyL21lYXN1cmVzL3NiMzMwLyJ9.8uTW_Is9CAy_HJeNxSB83NGbg_eSP_028j08YZPcmvw/s/1303160910/br/129215369799-l">Senate Bill 330</a>, which authorizes collection of private donations for a monument to be placed on the south side of the Capitol.Wiggins, executive director of the Governor’s Military Council, said 
the 44-inch tall memorial would bear the official Gold Star pin and an 
inscription designating it as a tribute to families that made the 
ultimate sacrifice.“Our true and unsung heroes of this nation are these families,” said 
Wiggins, a three-star general who commanded the 1st Infantry Division at
 Fort Riley. “Sadly, as a commander I have had to knock on a door to 
deliver the tragic news of a fallen loved one and have executed one of 
our nation’s most sacred duties and honored a fallen comrade by 
presenting a loved one on bended knee our nation’s folded flag on behalf
 of a grateful nation.”Kelly said momentum for the Gold Star monument picked up steam when 
she met in 2020 with&nbsp;Hershel “Woody” Williams, a retired U.S. Marine 
Corps warrant officer and the only living Medal of Honor recipient from 
World War II. Williams challenged the governor to work toward 
establishment of the Gold Star Families Monument on Statehouse grounds.The legislation prohibited use of public funds for creation or construction of the monument to Gold Star families.In addition, Kelly signed <a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDMsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA0MDEuNTU4MjUyNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtzbGVnaXNsYXR1cmUub3JnL2xpL2IyMDIxXzIyL21lYXN1cmVzL3NiMzAwLyJ9.VbrlTsytSAxdo7rb_qWIVoG8fQluETv4xOZiW-yIEIY/s/1303160910/br/129215369799-l">&nbsp;Senate Bill 300 to</a> amend the Kansas racketeering law to cover a person who engaged in identity theft or identity fraud.She also put her signature to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDUsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA0MDEuNTU4MjUyNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtzbGVnaXNsYXR1cmUub3JnL2xpL2IyMDIxXzIyL21lYXN1cmVzL3NiMzY3LyJ9.8apFRuLQrRISS6fGic69GQ-LTYjmwAHglQ6MPYAGHZs/s/1303160910/br/129215369799-l">Senate Bill 367 </a>to
 require officers to file copies of receipts with the court when 
property was seized under a search warrant. The bill also set out 
procedures for destruction of dangerous drugs and the possible return of
 weapons.The state’s statute book was amended with <a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDcsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA0MDEuNTU4MjUyNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtzbGVnaXNsYXR1cmUub3JnL2xpL2IyMDIxXzIyL21lYXN1cmVzL3NiNDE5LyJ9.o8R2fSNLRBU4x5aZki4thExuYRN2TGPT91PONX0prko/s/1303160910/br/129215369799-l">Senate Bill 419</a>&nbsp;to enable certain employees of the Kansas Department of Corrections to attend the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.Kelly signed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMTAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMjA0MDEuNTU4MjUyNjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwOi8vd3d3LmtzbGVnaXNsYXR1cmUub3JnL2xpL2IyMDIxXzIyL21lYXN1cmVzL3NiNDUwLyJ9.XA3sKJaIyLbsIrHAVcgBL997qVhtDH446et5n6dMScw/s/1303160910/br/129215369799-l">Senate Bill 450 e</a>liminating
 a requirement that 80% of proceeds from sale of state surplus real 
estate be conveyed to the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.

Kelly signs law authorizing Gold Star memorial at Kan. Capitol

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Someone fired a gun at Kansas City officers who were conducting a traffic stop, but no one was injured in the shooting, police said.

The shooting happened around 11 a.m. Monday along Denver Avenue as officers were checking a car,&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/kcpd-reports-drive-by-shooting-during-traffic-stop/">television station WDAF reported</a>. Police spokesman, Sgt. Jake Becchina, said a gray car pulled up at an intersection near the traffic stop, and someone in the car fired a shot toward officers. The car then fled.

Police said the officers did not return fire. Police have not reported an arrest in the shooting, and officers were searching for suspects.

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Someone fired a gun at Kansas City officers who were conducting a traffic stop, but no one was injured in the shooting, police said.The shooting happened around 11 a.m. Monday along Denver Avenue as officers were checking a car,&nbsp;<a href="https://fox4kc.com/news/kcpd-reports-drive-by-shooting-during-traffic-stop/">television station WDAF reported</a>. Police spokesman, Sgt. Jake Becchina, said a gray car pulled up at an intersection near the traffic stop, and someone in the car fired a shot toward officers. The car then fled.Police said the officers did not return fire. Police have not reported an arrest in the shooting, and officers were searching for suspects.

 KCPD: Drive-by shooting at officers during traffic stop

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — With surplus state revenues rolling in each month, the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature is poised to slash taxes again only a decade after a GOP governor launched a tax-cutting experiment that became nationally notorious for the budget shortfalls that followed.

And this time Democrats aren’t warning that big tax cuts will tank the budget, endangering funding for schools or social services. Instead, they’re arguing about how taxes should be cut, favoring proposals from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to lower the cost of groceries and give&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-personal-taxes-kansas-topeka-state-taxes-9c8e53d13a10b9bdd113db8a64be5d52">a $250 rebate</a>&nbsp;to Kansas residents who filed state income tax returns last year.

Legislators could cut taxes by nearly $1.5 billion over the next three years, starting in July. Before they began their annual spring break last week, lawmakers approved&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2239_01_033122pmrev.pdf" target="_blank">about $310 million worth of cuts</a>&nbsp;over three years. When lawmakers reconvene April 25 to wrap up business for the year, two bills with other, larger cuts await final votes.

Kelly still invokes voters’ memories of the past GOP tax-cutting experiment in running for reelection this year, but she and fellow Democrats also argue that Kansas has plenty of surplus cash to afford her big proposals. In resisting them, Republican lawmakers sometimes play the same card Kelly has.

“I wanted to be a little bit moderate on the amount of tax cuts that we did impose,” western Kansas Republican state Rep. Adam Smith, chair of the House tax committee, said Monday in an interview. “I don’t want to be back here in five or six years trying to raise taxes because we went and enacted too many permanent tax cuts that we couldn’t sustain.”

When legislators opened their annual session in January, their research staff told them Kansas was on track to end June 2023 with a record $3.8 billion in cash reserves. The state has since kept collecting more taxes than it anticipated — it’s had surpluses for 20 consecutive months — and lawmakers in both parties are frustrated that bigger tax bills didn’t pass earlier.

“We are not making a priority to pass this tax money back to the Kansas taxpayers,” Senate tax committee Chair Caryn Tyson, a conservative southeast Kansas Republican, said in a speech before lawmakers adjourned.

The state’s strong run of better-than-expected monthly tax collections began immediately after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e4f794cd96cb488cb04ab1cd48b1458d">bipartisan majorities in the Legislature reversed</a>&nbsp;most of the Republican tax cutting experiment&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-topeka-kansas-economy-state-governments-0fc7c5cc0bf149dcabe4bd2ac0c236be">begun in 2012</a>&nbsp;under then-GOP Gov. Sam Brownback. In the nearly five years since, the state has failed to hit its tax-collection projections only three times.

Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WqsdSn-usA" target="_blank">first television ad</a>&nbsp;of her reelection campaign, which started broadcasting over the weekend, briefly features a photo of Brownback. The 30-second spot recalls the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f5741d8d0d8c40979857c9d2d6afae9f">GOP’s “reckless tax experiment”</a>&nbsp;from his administration before adding, “so Kansans voted for change” in electing Kelly in 2018.

Yet Kelly also keeps stumping for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-kansas-topeka-derek-schmidt-fe33c829200bb2c9345ee37534cf2b07">ending the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries,</a>&nbsp;saving taxpayers $1.4 billion on their grocery bills over the next three years. In announcing another good month for tax collections in March — a 13.4% surplus or $80 million in collections — Kelly said the numbers demonstrated that Kansas could get rid of the tax.

Kelly’s likely GOP opponent in November, Attorney General Derek Schmidt, also called for reducing or eliminating the tax as well. One of the two bills still awaiting final votes would&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2106_01_033122pm.pdf" target="_blank">phase out the tax over three years.</a>&nbsp;Democrats are annoyed that it wouldn’t happen by this fall.

“So we don’t have the money? Now, come on, guys,” state Rep. Jim Gartner, of Topeka, the top Democrat on the House tax committee, said during an interview.

Republicans largely have ignored Kelly’s proposal for a $250 income tax rebate, a one-time break worth $460 million. Some have argued that it is a political gimmick, while Smith says it’s better to do something “in perpetuity” for taxpayers.

Republicans have pursued two dozen other smaller tax income, sales and property tax proposals, split between the bill already on its way to Kelly’s desk and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2597_01_033122pm.pdf" target="_blank">one of the two measures</a>&nbsp;still awaiting final votes.

“To me, it’s all about just kind of ripping the Band-Aid off. Do you do it all at once or do you just kind of slowly pull it off?” Smith said. “Normally I’m a the kind of guy who wants to just rip that sucker off of there, but you know, if you do that, and you’re not all the way healed up, it kind of creates more problems, so I’m wanting to make sure that we do it in a fiscally responsible way.”

Democrats scoff at such comments, believing Republicans simply want to deny Kelly a big policy victory heading into November election.

By JOHN HANNATOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — With surplus state revenues rolling in each month, the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature is poised to slash taxes again only a decade after a GOP governor launched a tax-cutting experiment that became nationally notorious for the budget shortfalls that followed.And this time Democrats aren’t warning that big tax cuts will tank the budget, endangering funding for schools or social services. Instead, they’re arguing about how taxes should be cut, favoring proposals from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly to lower the cost of groceries and give&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-personal-taxes-kansas-topeka-state-taxes-9c8e53d13a10b9bdd113db8a64be5d52">a $250 rebate</a>&nbsp;to Kansas residents who filed state income tax returns last year.Legislators could cut taxes by nearly $1.5 billion over the next three years, starting in July. Before they began their annual spring break last week, lawmakers approved&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2239_01_033122pmrev.pdf" target="_blank">about $310 million worth of cuts</a>&nbsp;over three years. When lawmakers reconvene April 25 to wrap up business for the year, two bills with other, larger cuts await final votes.Kelly still invokes voters’ memories of the past GOP tax-cutting experiment in running for reelection this year, but she and fellow Democrats also argue that Kansas has plenty of surplus cash to afford her big proposals. In resisting them, Republican lawmakers sometimes play the same card Kelly has.“I wanted to be a little bit moderate on the amount of tax cuts that we did impose,” western Kansas Republican state Rep. Adam Smith, chair of the House tax committee, said Monday in an interview. “I don’t want to be back here in five or six years trying to raise taxes because we went and enacted too many permanent tax cuts that we couldn’t sustain.”When legislators opened their annual session in January, their research staff told them Kansas was on track to end June 2023 with a record $3.8 billion in cash reserves. The state has since kept collecting more taxes than it anticipated — it’s had surpluses for 20 consecutive months — and lawmakers in both parties are frustrated that bigger tax bills didn’t pass earlier.“We are not making a priority to pass this tax money back to the Kansas taxpayers,” Senate tax committee Chair Caryn Tyson, a conservative southeast Kansas Republican, said in a speech before lawmakers adjourned.The state’s strong run of better-than-expected monthly tax collections began immediately after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/e4f794cd96cb488cb04ab1cd48b1458d">bipartisan majorities in the Legislature reversed</a>&nbsp;most of the Republican tax cutting experiment&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-topeka-kansas-economy-state-governments-0fc7c5cc0bf149dcabe4bd2ac0c236be">begun in 2012</a>&nbsp;under then-GOP Gov. Sam Brownback. In the nearly five years since, the state has failed to hit its tax-collection projections only three times.Kelly’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WqsdSn-usA" target="_blank">first television ad</a>&nbsp;of her reelection campaign, which started broadcasting over the weekend, briefly features a photo of Brownback. The 30-second spot recalls the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f5741d8d0d8c40979857c9d2d6afae9f">GOP’s “reckless tax experiment”</a>&nbsp;from his administration before adding, “so Kansans voted for change” in electing Kelly in 2018.Yet Kelly also keeps stumping for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-kansas-topeka-derek-schmidt-fe33c829200bb2c9345ee37534cf2b07">ending the state’s 6.5% sales tax on groceries,</a>&nbsp;saving taxpayers $1.4 billion on their grocery bills over the next three years. In announcing another good month for tax collections in March — a 13.4% surplus or $80 million in collections — Kelly said the numbers demonstrated that Kansas could get rid of the tax.Kelly’s likely GOP opponent in November, Attorney General Derek Schmidt, also called for reducing or eliminating the tax as well. One of the two bills still awaiting final votes would&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2106_01_033122pm.pdf" target="_blank">phase out the tax over three years.</a>&nbsp;Democrats are annoyed that it wouldn’t happen by this fall.“So we don’t have the money? Now, come on, guys,” state Rep. Jim Gartner, of Topeka, the top Democrat on the House tax committee, said during an interview.Republicans largely have ignored Kelly’s proposal for a $250 income tax rebate, a one-time break worth $460 million. Some have argued that it is a political gimmick, while Smith says it’s better to do something “in perpetuity” for taxpayers.Republicans have pursued two dozen other smaller tax income, sales and property tax proposals, split between the bill already on its way to Kelly’s desk and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2021_22/measures/documents/ccrb_hb2597_01_033122pm.pdf" target="_blank">one of the two measures</a>&nbsp;still awaiting final votes.“To me, it’s all about just kind of ripping the Band-Aid off. Do you do it all at once or do you just kind of slowly pull it off?” Smith said. “Normally I’m a the kind of guy who wants to just rip that sucker off of there, but you know, if you do that, and you’re not all the way healed up, it kind of creates more problems, so I’m wanting to make sure that we do it in a fiscally responsible way.”Democrats scoff at such comments, believing Republicans simply want to deny Kelly a big policy victory heading into November election.“It’s all politics,” Gartner said.

Kan. lawmakers set to slash taxes again, this time with Dems joining

WASHINGTON—President Biden took time from his busy schedule to acknowledge the University of Knsas Jayhawks' come-from-behind win over North Carolina to take the men's NCAA basketball championship.

On social media the President wrote, "my brackets may have been wrong, but I could not be more proud of Kansas basketball and <a href="https://twitter.com/GamecockWBB">South Carolina Women's </a>basketball for their NCAA championship wins.

"Your schools, your nation, and your president are proud of you. I’m looking forward to your visit to the White House."

The national championship celebration will continue Tuesday in Kansas. The team is scheduled to arrive at Forbes Field in Topeka at approximately 3p.m.&nbsp; The university has a welcome home event scheduled for Memorial Stadium at approximately 4:15 p.m., according to the university athletic department. Gates to the stadium will open at 3p.m.

A shuttle will be available from the Vermont Street garage and Riverfront Plaza.

A parade is also being planned for the weekend. Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649153078416.png" alt="Photo courtesy University of Kansas Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy University of Kansas Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON—President Biden took time from his busy schedule to acknowledge the University of Knsas Jayhawks' come-from-behind win over North Carolina to take the men's NCAA basketball championship.On social media the President wrote, "my brackets may have been wrong, but I could not be more proud of Kansas basketball and <a href="https://twitter.com/GamecockWBB">South Carolina Women's </a>basketball for their NCAA championship wins. "Your schools, your nation, and your president are proud of you. I’m looking forward to your visit to the White House."The national championship celebration will continue Tuesday in Kansas. The team is scheduled to arrive at Forbes Field in Topeka at approximately 3p.m.&nbsp; The university has a welcome home event scheduled for Memorial Stadium at approximately 4:15 p.m., according to the university athletic department. Gates to the stadium will open at 3p.m.A shuttle will be available from the Vermont Street garage and Riverfront Plaza.A parade is also being planned for the weekend. Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

President Biden invites KU basketball team to White House

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Salina man for alleged sex crimes involving a 10-year-old girl.

On Sunday, the Bennington girl was in the bathroom of a residence in the 400 block of E. Mulberry Street in Salina when she found on a shelf a cellphone with a photo of her on it, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. The girl regularly stays at that residence.

The girl also found other photos of herself on the phone that belongs to Caden Starmer, 20, of Salina, according to Forrester. The girl told the person whose residence she was in about the photos and the resident confronted Starmer.

"He admitted to the resident that he had taken pictures of the 10-year-old while she was in the bathroom," Forrester said.

The resident then reported the incident to the police.

During the investigation that followed, police learned "that over the last six months, the 20-year-old had been sexually assaulting the 10-year-old," Forrester said. Starmer also had allegedly photographed her on numerous occasions while she was in the bathroom, according to Forrester.

Starmer was booked into the Saline County Jail late Sunday on the equested charges that include twenty-six counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, five counts of aggravated indecent solicitation and seven counts of breach of privacy

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649078951643.png" alt="Caden Starmer-photo&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Caden Starmer-photo&nbsp;Saline County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostLaw enforcement authorities are investigating a Salina man for alleged sex crimes involving a 10-year-old girl.On Sunday, the Bennington girl was in the bathroom of a residence in the 400 block of E. Mulberry Street in Salina when she found on a shelf a cellphone with a photo of her on it, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. The girl regularly stays at that residence.The girl also found other photos of herself on the phone that belongs to Caden Starmer, 20, of Salina, according to Forrester. The girl told the person whose residence she was in about the photos and the resident confronted Starmer."He admitted to the resident that he had taken pictures of the 10-year-old while she was in the bathroom," Forrester said.The resident then reported the incident to the police.During the investigation that followed, police learned "that over the last six months, the 20-year-old had been sexually assaulting the 10-year-old," Forrester said. Starmer also had allegedly photographed her on numerous occasions while she was in the bathroom, according to Forrester.Starmer was booked into the Saline County Jail late Sunday on the equested charges that include twenty-six counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, five counts of aggravated indecent solicitation and seven counts of breach of privacy

Police: Sex assault victim finds pictures on Kan. man's phone

LAWRENCE —An estimated 70,000 fans celebrated the University of Kansas National championship in downtown Lawrence on Monday night, according to Lawrence Police.

Lawrence's main downtown strip, Massachusetts Street, was crammed sidewalk to sidewalk as fans watched the game on an enormous flat-screen TV suspended high over the street from a construction lift.&nbsp;

According to a social media report, the police ended the party with minimal incidents. Preliminary reports show 3 arrests and one person issued a notice to appear without a physical arrest.  None included serious injuries.

The celebration will continue Tuesday with a welcome home event scheduled for Memorial Stadium at approximately 4:15 p.m. Gates to the stadium will open at 3p.m., according to the University of Kansas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649164529657.png" alt="Police in Lawrence celebrate the Jayhawk national championship with fans early Tuesday-image courtesy Lawrence Police" />
 <figcaption>Police in Lawrence celebrate the Jayhawk national championship with fans early Tuesday-image courtesy Lawrence Police</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE —An estimated 70,000 fans celebrated the University of Kansas National championship in downtown Lawrence on Monday night, according to Lawrence Police.Lawrence's main downtown strip, Massachusetts Street, was crammed sidewalk to sidewalk as fans watched the game on an enormous flat-screen TV suspended high over the street from a construction lift.&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CAN YOU SAY NATIONAL CHAMPS?!?! Enjoy this one, Lawrence, and make sure you celebrate responsibly. GO JAYHAWKS!! 🥳💙❤️🏀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RockChalk?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RockChalk</a> <a href="https://t.co/ekgdQzpXpR">pic.twitter.com/ekgdQzpXpR</a>&mdash; City of Lawrence KS (@lawrenceks) <a href="https://twitter.com/lawrenceks/status/1511219201582804995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Can I get a Rock Chalk <a href="https://twitter.com/ChiefLockhart?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ChiefLockhart</a> ? <a href="https://t.co/Ho8ZsKITrp">pic.twitter.com/Ho8ZsKITrp</a>&mdash; Lawrence Police (@LawrenceKS_PD) <a href="https://twitter.com/LawrenceKS_PD/status/1511197390308622337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>According to a social media report, the police ended the party with minimal incidents. Preliminary reports show 3 arrests and one person issued a notice to appear without a physical arrest. None included serious injuries.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649155572347.png" alt="Post game celebration at Allen Fieldhouse on Monday night" />
 <figcaption>Post game celebration at Allen Fieldhouse on Monday night</figcaption>
 </figure>The celebration will continue Tuesday with a welcome home event scheduled for Memorial Stadium at approximately 4:15 p.m. Gates to the stadium will open at 3p.m., according to the University of Kansas.A shuttle will be available from the Vermont Street garage and Riverfront Plaza.A parade is also being planned for the weekend. Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Thousands pour into Lawrence streets to celebrate KU national title

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney say they will vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic elevation to the Supreme Court, giving President Joe Biden’s nominee a burst of bipartisan support and all but assuring she’ll become the first Black female justice.

The senators from Alaska and Utah announced their decisions Monday night ahead of a procedural vote to advance the nomination and as Democrats pressed to confirm Jackson by the end of the week. GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine announced last week that she would back Jackson, noting her “stellar qualifications” as a federal judge, public defender and member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

All three Republicans said they did not expect to agree with all of Jackson’s decisions, but they found her extremely well qualified. Romney said Jackson “more than meets the standard of excellence and integrity.” Murkowski said she will “bring to the Supreme Court a range of experience from the courtroom that few can match given her background in litigation.”

With three Republicans supporting her in the 50-50 split Senate, Jackson is on a glide path to confirmation and on the brink of making history as the third Black justice and only the sixth woman in the court’s more than 200-year history. Beyond the historic element, Democrats have cited her deep experience in nine years on the federal bench and the chance for her to become the first former public defender on the court.

Both Collins and Murkowski said they believed that the Senate nomination process has become broken as it has become more partisan in the past several decades.

Murkowski, who is up for reelection this year, said her decision partly rests “on my rejection of the corrosive politicization of the review process for Supreme Court nominees, which, on both sides of the aisle, is growing worse and more detached from reality by the year.”

After the vote, Murkowski said she had “assumed a level of risk” but “there’s three of us that found ourselves in this place where I believe the strength, qualifications of the candidate are such that are appropriate for the court.”

Biden nominated Jackson to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer, who will step down after the court’s session ends this summer. Biden has sought bipartisan backing for his pick, making repeated calls to senators and inviting Republicans to the White House. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that administration officials would work the phones until the last minute to maximize support.

“Judge Jackson will bring extraordinary qualifications, deep experience and intellect, and a rigorous judicial record to the Supreme Court,” Biden tweeted earlier Monday. “She deserves to be confirmed as the next justice.”

The Senate’s 53-47 vote Monday evening, including no votes by Kansas GOP Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, was to “discharge” Jackson’s nomination from the Senate Judiciary Committee after the panel deadlocked, 11-11, on whether to send the nomination to the Senate floor.

The committee vote, split along party lines, was the first deadlock on a Supreme Court nomination in three decades.

The Judiciary committee’s top Republican, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, said he opposed Jackson’s nomination because “she and I have fundamental, different views on the role of judges and the role that they should play in our system of government.”

The committee hadn’t deadlocked since 1991, when Biden was chairman and a motion to send the nomination of current Justice Clarence Thomas to the floor with a “favorable” recommendation failed on a 7-7 vote. The committee then voted to send the nomination to the floor without a recommendation, meaning it could still be brought up for a vote.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky set the tone for most of his party last week when he said he “cannot and will not” support Jackson, citing GOP concerns raised in hearings about her sentencing record and her backing from liberal advocacy groups.

Republicans on the Judiciary panel continued their push Monday to paint Jackson as soft on crime, defending their repeated questions about her sentencing on sex crimes.

“Questions are not attacks,” said Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, one of several GOP senators on the panel who hammered the point in the hearings two weeks ago.

Jackson pushed back on the GOP narrative, declaring that “nothing could be further from the truth” and explaining her reasoning in detail. Democrats said she was in line with other judges in her decisions. And on Monday they criticized their GOP counterparts’ questioning.

“You could try and create a straw man here, but it does not hold,” said New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.

The questioning was filled with “absurdities of disrespect,” said Booker, who also is Black. He said he will “rejoice” when Jackson is confirmed.

Derrick Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the NAACP, expressed disappointment with the committee tie, even as he noted that Jackson had cleared an important hurdle. He said “history will be watching” during the full Senate vote later this week.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649155037669.png" alt="&nbsp;The Senate’s 53-47 vote Monday evening was to “discharge” Jackson’s nomination from the Senate Judiciary Committee after the panel deadlocked, 11-11,&nbsp;on whether to send the nomination to the Senate floor. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted against advancing the nomination." />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;The Senate’s 53-47 vote Monday evening was to “discharge” Jackson’s nomination from the Senate Judiciary Committee after the panel deadlocked, 11-11,&nbsp;on whether to send the nomination to the Senate floor. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted against advancing the nomination.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mitt Romney say they will vote to confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic elevation to the Supreme Court, giving President Joe Biden’s nominee a burst of bipartisan support and all but assuring she’ll become the first Black female justice.The senators from Alaska and Utah announced their decisions Monday night ahead of a procedural vote to advance the nomination and as Democrats pressed to confirm Jackson by the end of the week. GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine announced last week that she would back Jackson, noting her “stellar qualifications” as a federal judge, public defender and member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission.All three Republicans said they did not expect to agree with all of Jackson’s decisions, but they found her extremely well qualified. Romney said Jackson “more than meets the standard of excellence and integrity.” Murkowski said she will “bring to the Supreme Court a range of experience from the courtroom that few can match given her background in litigation.”With three Republicans supporting her in the 50-50 split Senate, Jackson is on a glide path to confirmation and on the brink of making history as the third Black justice and only the sixth woman in the court’s more than 200-year history. Beyond the historic element, Democrats have cited her deep experience in nine years on the federal bench and the chance for her to become the first former public defender on the court.Both Collins and Murkowski said they believed that the Senate nomination process has become broken as it has become more partisan in the past several decades.Murkowski, who is up for reelection this year, said her decision partly rests “on my rejection of the corrosive politicization of the review process for Supreme Court nominees, which, on both sides of the aisle, is growing worse and more detached from reality by the year.”After the vote, Murkowski said she had “assumed a level of risk” but “there’s three of us that found ourselves in this place where I believe the strength, qualifications of the candidate are such that are appropriate for the court.”Biden nominated Jackson to replace retiring Justice Stephen Breyer, who will step down after the court’s session ends this summer. Biden has sought bipartisan backing for his pick, making repeated calls to senators and inviting Republicans to the White House. White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that administration officials would work the phones until the last minute to maximize support.“Judge Jackson will bring extraordinary qualifications, deep experience and intellect, and a rigorous judicial record to the Supreme Court,” Biden tweeted earlier Monday. “She deserves to be confirmed as the next justice.”The Senate’s 53-47 vote Monday evening, including no votes by Kansas GOP Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, was to “discharge” Jackson’s nomination from the Senate Judiciary Committee after the panel deadlocked, 11-11, on whether to send the nomination to the Senate floor.The committee vote, split along party lines, was the first deadlock on a Supreme Court nomination in three decades.The Judiciary committee’s top Republican, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, said he opposed Jackson’s nomination because “she and I have fundamental, different views on the role of judges and the role that they should play in our system of government.”The committee hadn’t deadlocked since 1991, when Biden was chairman and a motion to send the nomination of current Justice Clarence Thomas to the floor with a “favorable” recommendation failed on a 7-7 vote. The committee then voted to send the nomination to the floor without a recommendation, meaning it could still be brought up for a vote.Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky set the tone for most of his party last week when he said he “cannot and will not” support Jackson, citing GOP concerns raised in hearings about her sentencing record and her backing from liberal advocacy groups.Republicans on the Judiciary panel continued their push Monday to paint Jackson as soft on crime, defending their repeated questions about her sentencing on sex crimes.“Questions are not attacks,” said Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, one of several GOP senators on the panel who hammered the point in the hearings two weeks ago.Jackson pushed back on the GOP narrative, declaring that “nothing could be further from the truth” and explaining her reasoning in detail. Democrats said she was in line with other judges in her decisions. And on Monday they criticized their GOP counterparts’ questioning.“You could try and create a straw man here, but it does not hold,” said New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.The questioning was filled with “absurdities of disrespect,” said Booker, who also is Black. He said he will “rejoice” when Jackson is confirmed.Derrick Johnson, president and chief executive officer of the NAACP, expressed disappointment with the committee tie, even as he noted that Jackson had cleared an important hurdle. He said “history will be watching” during the full Senate vote later this week.

Moran, Marshall vote against advancing Supreme Court nomination

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an off duty officer in connection with an alleged domestic incident.

Just after 2:00 a.m. Monday, deputies with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 1900 block of SE 37th St. at the request of Topeka Police Department personnel, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.

Upon arrival, two adult males were detained, while deputies investigated a possible physical altercation.

As a result of the investigation, off-duty Topeka Police Officer, Jordan D. Sterbenz, 32 of Topeka, was arrested for domestic battery.

Justin D. Sterbenz, 35 of Topeka, was arrested for an outstanding failure to appear warrant.&nbsp; Both were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and later released on bond.

Jordan Sterbenz has been placed on administrative leave pending the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office review of all reports. The Topeka Police Department is conducting its internal administrative review of the incident.&nbsp; The police department released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649107097730.png" alt="Officer Jordan Sterbenz" />
 <figcaption>Officer Jordan Sterbenz</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an off duty officer in connection with an alleged domestic incident.Just after 2:00 a.m. Monday, deputies with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 1900 block of SE 37th St. at the request of Topeka Police Department personnel, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.Upon arrival, two adult males were detained, while deputies investigated a possible physical altercation.As a result of the investigation, off-duty Topeka Police Officer, Jordan D. Sterbenz, 32 of Topeka, was arrested for domestic battery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649107426447.png" alt="Justin Sterbenz" />
 <figcaption>Justin Sterbenz</figcaption>
 </figure>Justin D. Sterbenz, 35 of Topeka, was arrested for an outstanding failure to appear warrant.&nbsp; Both were booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and later released on bond.Jordan Sterbenz has been placed on administrative leave pending the Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office review of all reports. The Topeka Police Department is conducting its internal administrative review of the incident.&nbsp; The police department released no additional details.

2 jailed including Kan. police officer for alleged domestic incident

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A federal judge has blocked the military from disciplining a dozen U.S. Air Force officers who are asking for religious exemptions to the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine.

The officers, mostly from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton,&nbsp;Ohio, along with a handful of airmen and reservists, filed a lawsuit in February after their exemption requests were denied.

U.S. District Court Judge Matthew McFarland in Cincinnati granted a preliminary injunction last Thursday that stops the Air Force from acting against the officers, airmen and reservists until their lawsuit is resolved.

The plaintiffs accuse the Air Force of using a double standard when it comes to approving exemption requests, saying it had allowed thousands of medical and administrative exemptions but only a handful for religious reasons.

Last week, a federal judge in&nbsp;Texas&nbsp;barred the Navy from taking action for now against sailors who have objected to being vaccinated on religious grounds.

U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor had, in January, issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Navy from disciplining or discharging 35 sailors who sued over the Navy’s vaccine policy while their case played out. A week ago, O’Connor agreed the case could go forward as a class action lawsuit and issued a preliminary injunction covering about 4,000 sailors who have objected on religious grounds to being vaccinated.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last year made vaccinations mandatory for service members, saying the vaccine is critical to maintaining military readiness and the health of the force. But members of Congress, the military and the public have questioned if the exemption reviews have been fair.

Those who refuse the vaccine can face discipline up to being discharged from the service.

The officers who filed the lawsuit in Ohio said they had followed their chain of command and each had talked with an Air Force chaplain to determine the sincerity of their beliefs.

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — A federal judge has blocked the military from disciplining a dozen U.S. Air Force officers who are asking for religious exemptions to the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine.The officers, mostly from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton,&nbsp;Ohio, along with a handful of airmen and reservists, filed a lawsuit in February after their exemption requests were denied.U.S. District Court Judge Matthew McFarland in Cincinnati granted a preliminary injunction last Thursday that stops the Air Force from acting against the officers, airmen and reservists until their lawsuit is resolved.The plaintiffs accuse the Air Force of using a double standard when it comes to approving exemption requests, saying it had allowed thousands of medical and administrative exemptions but only a handful for religious reasons.Last week, a federal judge in&nbsp;Texas&nbsp;barred the Navy from taking action for now against sailors who have objected to being vaccinated on religious grounds.U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor had, in January, issued a preliminary injunction preventing the Navy from disciplining or discharging 35 sailors who sued over the Navy’s vaccine policy while their case played out. A week ago, O’Connor agreed the case could go forward as a class action lawsuit and issued a preliminary injunction covering about 4,000 sailors who have objected on religious grounds to being vaccinated.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin last year made vaccinations mandatory for service members, saying the vaccine is critical to maintaining military readiness and the health of the force. But members of Congress, the military and the public have questioned if the exemption reviews have been fair.Those who refuse the vaccine can face discipline up to being discharged from the service.The officers who filed the lawsuit in Ohio said they had followed their chain of command and each had talked with an Air Force chaplain to determine the sincerity of their beliefs.

Judge blocks Air Force discipline over vaccine objections

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man involved in a fatal 2019 car crash made a court appearance in the case Friday.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20048806">Jerry Batts, 30, Wichita, </a>was charged with 2nd degree murder or in the alternative, involuntary manslaughter, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

In November of 2019, Batts was driving a Ford Escape and did not stop at the posted stop sign at the intersection of North Charles Street and&nbsp;West 53rd Street in Wichita, according to Wichita Police.

The Ford struck a Honda passenger vehicle, rolled and struck power pole.

A passenger in the Ford identified as 28-year-old Sierra Frost of Wichita died in the crash, according to police. Batts and the 72-year-old driver of the Honda were not injured.

Batts next court appearance is scheduled for April 11, according to the District Attorney's office. <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20048806">He remains in jail on a $150,000 bond.</a>

Cases can be charged alternatively if there are two or more theories of how the crime was committed. Each charge can be presented to a jury and a defendant may be convicted of more than one of the alternative charges.  However, the defendant can only be sentenced for one of the alternative counts, that being the most severe offense, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1648843964955.png" alt="Batts-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Batts-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man involved in a fatal 2019 car crash made a court appearance in the case Friday.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20048806">Jerry Batts, 30, Wichita, </a>was charged with 2nd degree murder or in the alternative, involuntary manslaughter, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.In November of 2019, Batts was driving a Ford Escape and did not stop at the posted stop sign at the intersection of North Charles Street and&nbsp;West 53rd Street in Wichita, according to Wichita Police.The Ford struck a Honda passenger vehicle, rolled and struck power pole.A passenger in the Ford identified as 28-year-old Sierra Frost of Wichita died in the crash, according to police. Batts and the 72-year-old driver of the Honda were not injured.Batts next court appearance is scheduled for April 11, according to the District Attorney's office. <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20048806">He remains in jail on a $150,000 bond.</a>Cases can be charged alternatively if there are two or more theories of how the crime was committed. Each charge can be presented to a jury and a defendant may be convicted of more than one of the alternative charges. However, the defendant can only be sentenced for one of the alternative counts, that being the most severe offense, according to the district attorney's office.

Man charged for 2019 crash that killed Kansas woman

&nbsp;KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the murder of a Kansas City man are asking the public for help to identify a vehicle they believe was involved.

The Kansas City Police department shared a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/kcpolice/status/1511026178081140739?s=20&amp;t=d3-x4I0FzRNLzEeh2nMMPg" target="_blank">surveillance video from a Ring doorbell camera</a>&nbsp;recorded on January 15.

Homicide detectives believe the light colored SUV shown in the street in this video is involved in the murder of 45-year-old Maurice Ball&nbsp; near 78th St and Hickman Mills Drive.

It may be damaged in the front and/or have limited functionality. 
If you recognize this SUV or know who the occupants are please call detectives or @KCCrimeStop 816-474-TIPS a reward of $25,000 is available

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/4/1649100590045.png" alt="Image courtesy KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities investigating the murder of a Kansas City man are asking the public for help to identify a vehicle they believe was involved.The Kansas City Police department shared a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/kcpolice/status/1511026178081140739?s=20&amp;t=d3-x4I0FzRNLzEeh2nMMPg" target="_blank">surveillance video from a Ring doorbell camera</a>&nbsp;recorded on January 15.Homicide detectives believe the light colored SUV shown in the street in this video is involved in the murder of 45-year-old Maurice Ball&nbsp; near 78th St and Hickman Mills Drive.It may be damaged in the front and/or have limited functionality. 
If you recognize this SUV or know who the occupants are please call detectives or @KCCrimeStop 816-474-TIPS a reward of $25,000 is available