Candidates despair about Farm Bill gridlock, Israel’s war, immigration policy

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Republican U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann and Democratic challenger Paul Buskirk shared frustration Thursday that Congress failed to pass a new five-year Farm Bill despite a reprieve when gridlock blocked progress a year ago.

In 2023, President Joe Biden signed a measure extending the 2018 Farm Bill for 12 months. Expiration of that deal Sept. 30 meant Congress would return after the election for a lame-duck session starting Nov. 12 to seek another extension or complete House and Senate work on a new five-year plan for agriculture and nutrition programs. Federal funding for key USDA programs otherwise ends in December.

“It’s been very, very frustrating … to say the least,” said Mann, a Salina Republican who serves the 1st District stretching from the Colorado border to Lawrence. “I’ve gone to the floor of the House 33 times now, over the last year and a half, urging Congress to get serious in acting on getting a five-year Farm Bill locked in.”

Buskirk, a Lawrence Democrat campaigning against Mann in the November election, said Farm Bill legislation historically was the epitome of bipartisanship in Congress. He said it was a tone set years ago by the late U.S. Sens. Bob Dole of Kansas and George McGovern of South Dakota. However, he said, the current composition of Congress was wallowing in a quagmire of partisan bickering over Farm Bill policy and spending.

“The lack of a bill 12 full months after the previous five-year pact expired is a glaring example of the failure of government,” Buskirk said. “Our elected representatives, from all sides, spend more time fussing and bickering with each other over ideology and party affiliation — pointing fingers and laying blame — while taking no accountability.”

Mann, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, said he supported the version of a Farm Bill passed by that committee in May. It has yet to receive a vote of the full GOP-led House. He said the U.S. Senate offered an outline of a bill, but nothing passed the Senate floor that would be subject to normal negotiations.

“We need a fiscally conservative Farm Bill that provides a good return on investment for taxpayer dollars,” Mann said. “I’m optimistic we’re going to get a five-year Farm Bill. It seems to me that there is more momentum and … more of a desire to get something done by the end of the year. I’m not guaranteeing that’s going to happen, but I am more optimistic.”

In terms of Middle East, Mann said Israel had justifiably responded to the deadly incursion by Hamas from Gaza one year ago and was appropriately fighting with Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon and dealing with Iran’s barrage of nearly 200 missiles at Israel. The GOP congressman said the United States must continue to support Israel’s war effort.

“They are a sovereign nation and they have a right to respond. The bad actor in this is Iran,” Mann said. “There is a proxy war that’s been going on for a long time. It’s in our national security interest to stand with Israel because Iran has said they want to wipe Israel off the face of the earth.”

Buskirk said he supported Israel’s initial defense against heinous crimes committed during the invasion by Hamas. In the past 12 months, he said, there had been too much death and destruction.

“It is time for Israel and Hamas to commit to an immediate ceasefire and work toward a peaceful solution,” he said.

Buskirk said it was wrong for Mann to have voted earlier this year against sending more U.S. weapons to Ukraine in the fight against Russian forces. He said 20,000 U.S. Army troops were stationed at Fort Riley in the 1st congressional district, and some were involved in supply lines moving munitions to Ukraine.

“I fully support U.S. dollars and arms for Ukraine as they fight for their freedom,” Buskirk said. “Mr. Mann voted against U.S. arms aid to Ukraine this past spring 2024. Mr. Mann is not representing the brave people serving in the 1st Infantry Division.”

Mann said constituents in the 60-county district frequently raised questions about the U.S. border with Mexico. In terms of immigration reform, the congressman said a House-passed bill would have been adopted by now if the Senate was “serious about securing our border completely.”

“When I came to Congress almost four years ago, America was strong,” Mann said. “Our streets were safe, and our border was more secure than any other point in recent history.”

In early 2024, presidential candidate Donald Trump successfully lobbied to kill the Senate’s bipartisan immigration bill in a bid to deny President Joe Biden a policy victory. Biden has since removed himself from the race, and Vice President Kamala Harris is running against Trump.

Buskirk faulted Mann for supporting Trump’s “horrendous plan to immediately identify, arrest and deport every undocumented resident in our country — affecting tens of millions of people.” He said Kansas had at least 62,000 undocumented residents, and Trump’s plan would separate families and harm the state’s economy.

“Ranchers, feed lots, dairies and meat-packing plants would all be immediately impacted and the ripple effect to the entire state and beyond would be massive,” Buskirk said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727985281246.png" alt=" U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, a Republican seeking reelection in the 1st District of Kansas, says he was increasingly optimistic Congress could pass a new five-year Farm Bill by the end of the year. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann, a Republican seeking reelection in the 1st District of Kansas, says he was increasingly optimistic Congress could pass a new five-year Farm Bill by the end of the year. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Candidates despair about Farm Bill gridlock, Israel’s war, immigration policy</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Republican U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann and Democratic challenger Paul Buskirk shared frustration Thursday that Congress failed to pass a new five-year Farm Bill despite a reprieve when gridlock blocked progress a year ago.In 2023, President Joe Biden signed a measure extending the 2018 Farm Bill for 12 months. Expiration of that deal Sept. 30 meant Congress would return after the election for a lame-duck session starting Nov. 12 to seek another extension or complete House and Senate work on a new five-year plan for agriculture and nutrition programs. Federal funding for key USDA programs otherwise ends in December.“It’s been very, very frustrating … to say the least,” said Mann, a Salina Republican who serves the 1st District stretching from the Colorado border to Lawrence. “I’ve gone to the floor of the House 33 times now, over the last year and a half, urging Congress to get serious in acting on getting a five-year Farm Bill locked in.”Buskirk, a Lawrence Democrat campaigning against Mann in the November election, said Farm Bill legislation historically was the epitome of bipartisanship in Congress. He said it was a tone set years ago by the late U.S. Sens. Bob Dole of Kansas and George McGovern of South Dakota. However, he said, the current composition of Congress was wallowing in a quagmire of partisan bickering over Farm Bill policy and spending.“The lack of a bill 12 full months after the previous five-year pact expired is a glaring example of the failure of government,” Buskirk said. “Our elected representatives, from all sides, spend more time fussing and bickering with each other over ideology and party affiliation — pointing fingers and laying blame — while taking no accountability.”Mann, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, said he supported the version of a Farm Bill passed by that committee in May. It has yet to receive a vote of the full GOP-led House. He said the U.S. Senate offered an outline of a bill, but nothing passed the Senate floor that would be subject to normal negotiations.“We need a fiscally conservative Farm Bill that provides a good return on investment for taxpayer dollars,” Mann said. “I’m optimistic we’re going to get a five-year Farm Bill. It seems to me that there is more momentum and … more of a desire to get something done by the end of the year. I’m not guaranteeing that’s going to happen, but I am more optimistic.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727985323552.png" alt=" Democrat Paul Buskirk, who is running for U.S. House in the 1st District, said failure of Congress to pass a new five-year Farm Bill in the past year was a “glaring example of the failure of government.” (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Democrat Paul Buskirk, who is running for U.S. House in the 1st District, said failure of Congress to pass a new five-year Farm Bill in the past year was a “glaring example of the failure of government.” (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>In terms of Middle East, Mann said Israel had justifiably responded to the deadly incursion by Hamas from Gaza one year ago and was appropriately fighting with Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon and dealing with Iran’s barrage of nearly 200 missiles at Israel. The GOP congressman said the United States must continue to support Israel’s war effort.“They are a sovereign nation and they have a right to respond. The bad actor in this is Iran,” Mann said. “There is a proxy war that’s been going on for a long time. It’s in our national security interest to stand with Israel because Iran has said they want to wipe Israel off the face of the earth.”Buskirk said he supported Israel’s initial defense against heinous crimes committed during the invasion by Hamas. In the past 12 months, he said, there had been too much death and destruction.“It is time for Israel and Hamas to commit to an immediate ceasefire and work toward a peaceful solution,” he said.Buskirk said it was wrong for Mann to have voted earlier this year against sending more U.S. weapons to Ukraine in the fight against Russian forces. He said 20,000 U.S. Army troops were stationed at Fort Riley in the 1st congressional district, and some were involved in supply lines moving munitions to Ukraine.“I fully support U.S. dollars and arms for Ukraine as they fight for their freedom,” Buskirk said. “Mr. Mann voted against U.S. arms aid to Ukraine this past spring 2024. Mr. Mann is not representing the brave people serving in the 1st Infantry Division.”Mann said constituents in the 60-county district frequently raised questions about the U.S. border with Mexico. In terms of immigration reform, the congressman said a House-passed bill would have been adopted by now if the Senate was “serious about securing our border completely.”“When I came to Congress almost four years ago, America was strong,” Mann said. “Our streets were safe, and our border was more secure than any other point in recent history.”In early 2024, presidential candidate Donald Trump successfully lobbied to kill the Senate’s bipartisan immigration bill in a bid to deny President Joe Biden a policy victory. Biden has since removed himself from the race, and Vice President Kamala Harris is running against Trump.Buskirk faulted Mann for supporting Trump’s “horrendous plan to immediately identify, arrest and deport every undocumented resident in our country — affecting tens of millions of people.” He said Kansas had at least 62,000 undocumented residents, and Trump’s plan would separate families and harm the state’s economy.“Ranchers, feed lots, dairies and meat-packing plants would all be immediately impacted and the ripple effect to the entire state and beyond would be massive,” Buskirk said.

Kansas 1st District candidates Mann, Buskirk plow into Farm Bill, Middle East conflict

KANSAS CITY —Four people including two wanted suspect were injured in a three-vehicle accident during a high speed chase that occurred just after 5p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.

Kansas City police and other agencies were chasing a Volkswagen Jetta following an armed robbery and kidnapping, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

The VW, occupied by two suspects, refused to stop for officers. It was pursued for several minutes until it was going south on Interstate 29 and came upon stopped traffic. The VW struck a Dodge Journey and a blue Hyundai Sante Fe. 

The Hyundai flipped onto its driver's side after impact. The two suspects were taken into custody and transported to an area hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Dodge and the Hyundai were also transported to an area hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728042700319.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the crash and arrest image courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the crash and arrest image courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Four people including two wanted suspect were injured in a three-vehicle accident during a high speed chase that occurred just after 5p.m. Thursday in Kansas City.Kansas City police and other agencies were chasing a Volkswagen Jetta following an armed robbery and kidnapping, according to KCPD&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.The VW, occupied by two suspects, refused to stop for officers. It was pursued for several minutes until it was going south on Interstate 29 and came upon stopped traffic. The VW struck a Dodge Journey and a blue Hyundai Sante Fe. The Hyundai flipped onto its driver's side after impact. The two suspects were taken into custody and transported to an area hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Dodge and the Hyundai were also transported to an area hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries.Police released no additional details

KCPD: 4 injured after 3-vehicle crash during chase of robbery suspects

SEDGWICK COUNTY –A striking worker is facing charges after an arrest while walking the picket line in Wichita.

On Wednesday, Wichita Police Officers were working a special&nbsp; assignment related to the strike activity at Textron Aviation as they have been since the strike began. Officers warned a 64-year-old Nevin Tucker of Wichita two times that morning about her conduct being a violation of a Wichita City Ordinance which prohibits impeding the free flow of traffic on any public street and is a misdemeanor, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.

Tucker, as identified by county booking records, again engaged in conduct that violated City of Wichita Ordinance and was arrested.

Prior to the strike, Wichita Police met with union leadership and Textron management to begin planning to maintain safety and order in our community.

In this instance, a specific individual refused to comply with City Ordinance after being educated at least two times regarding illegal conduct that caused a hazard to the public by quickly stepping into the roadway in front of vehicles. 

Wichita Police work to&nbsp; ensure the safety of everyone, including strikers, and preserving order in our community which includes enforcing the city code. During past strikes, there have been incidents of motor vehicle collisions causing death. Additionally, during this strike police have responded to collisions caused by strike activity.

Throughout the strike, police employees and commanders have continued to meet with strike leadership to ensure everyone is aware of applicable City of Wichita Ordinances.

Wichita Police will continue to ensure the safety of strikers, and the general public. Wichita Police are committed to protecting people’s rights as they express their opinions under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and has a duty to enforce applicable laws in order to maintain the safety of everyone in our community. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728039404412.png" alt="Nevin Tucker -photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Nevin Tucker -photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY –A striking worker is facing charges after an arrest while walking the picket line in Wichita.On Wednesday, Wichita Police Officers were working a special&nbsp; assignment related to the strike activity at Textron Aviation as they have been since the strike began. Officers warned a 64-year-old Nevin Tucker of Wichita two times that morning about her conduct being a violation of a Wichita City Ordinance which prohibits impeding the free flow of traffic on any public street and is a misdemeanor, according to Wichita Police Captain Aaron Moses.Tucker, as identified by county booking records, again engaged in conduct that violated City of Wichita Ordinance and was arrested.Prior to the strike, Wichita Police met with union leadership and Textron management to begin planning to maintain safety and order in our community.In this instance, a specific individual refused to comply with City Ordinance after being educated at least two times regarding illegal conduct that caused a hazard to the public by quickly stepping into the roadway in front of vehicles. Wichita Police work to&nbsp; ensure the safety of everyone, including strikers, and preserving order in our community which includes enforcing the city code. During past strikes, there have been incidents of motor vehicle collisions causing death. Additionally, during this strike police have responded to collisions caused by strike activity.Throughout the strike, police employees and commanders have continued to meet with strike leadership to ensure everyone is aware of applicable City of Wichita Ordinances.Wichita Police will continue to ensure the safety of strikers, and the general public. Wichita Police are committed to protecting people’s rights as they express their opinions under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and has a duty to enforce applicable laws in order to maintain the safety of everyone in our community.

Police arrest striking worker on picket line in Wichita

LINN COUNTY —Students, staff and the bus driver avoided injury after an incident on a bus trip just before 3p.m. Thursday in Linn County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 IC school bus driven by Steven&nbsp;Houston, 44, Fort Scott, was southbound on U.S. 69 just north of E 300th Road in Linn County. 

The bus blew the rear driver side outside dual tire. The driver attempted to "limp" the bus to a safe stopping location, but a fire started where the tire blew. The fire spread to the rest of the vehicle. All the occupants, 30 students and 3 adults, were able to safely exit the vehicle.

LINN COUNTY —Students, staff and the bus driver avoided injury after an incident on a bus trip just before 3p.m. Thursday in Linn County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 IC school bus driven by Steven&nbsp;Houston, 44, Fort Scott, was southbound on U.S. 69 just north of E 300th Road in Linn County. The bus blew the rear driver side outside dual tire. The driver attempted to "limp" the bus to a safe stopping location, but a fire started where the tire blew. The fire spread to the rest of the vehicle. All the occupants, 30 students and 3 adults, were able to safely exit the vehicle.There were no injuries.

Students, staff and driver escape fire on Kansas school bus

CHICAGO (AP) — Melania Trump revealed her support for abortion rights Thursday ahead of the release of her upcoming memoir, exposing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-issue-positions-worlds-apart-3f80a342c790da64e3de92a4f5760991">stark contrast with her husband</a>, Republican presidential nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, on the crucial election issue.

<a href="https://x.com/MELANIATRUMP/status/1841806743216537870">In a video</a>&nbsp;posted to her X account Thursday morning, the former first lady defended women's “individual freedoms” to do what they want with their bodies — a position at odds with much of the Republican Party and her own husband, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-harris-contraception-debate-vance-2f11a66ab4619fcb3d9917ee51a9c060">struggled to find a consistent message</a>&nbsp;on abortion while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-vance-walz-debate-2024-election-abortion-64c739e99ffa1ad51b973e420e1fe92d">wedged between</a>&nbsp;anti-abortion supporters within his base and the majority of Americans who support abortion rights.

“Individual freedom is a fundamental principle that I safeguard,” Melania Trump said in the video. “Without a doubt, there is no room for compromise when it comes to this essential right that all women possess from birth: individual freedom. What does ‘my body, my choice’ really mean?”

The video appears to confirm excerpts of her self-titled memoir&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/02/melania-trump-memoir-defends-abortion-rights">reported</a>&nbsp;by The Guardian on Wednesday.

Melania Trump has rarely publicly expressed her personal political views and has been largely absent from the campaign trail. But in her memoir, set to be released publicly next Tuesday, she argues that the decision to end a pregnancy should be left to a woman and her doctor, “free from any intervention of pressure from the government,” according to the published excerpts.

“Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body?” she wrote, according to The Guardian. “A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.”

Melania Trump writes that she has “carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life.”

These views contrast sharply with the GOP's anti-abortion platform and with Donald Trump, who has repeatedly taken credit for appointing the three Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade and boasted about returning the abortion question to the states. Democrats have blamed the former president for the severe deterioration of reproductive rights as abortion bans were implemented in large swaths of the country following the overturning of the landmark case, which had granted a constitutional right to abortion.

Donald Trump said Thursday that he had talked to his wife about the book and told her to “go with your heart.”

“We spoke about it. And I said, you have to write what you believe. I’m not going to tell you what to do. You have to write what you believe,” he told Fox News, adding, “There are some people that are very, very far right on the issue, meaning without exceptions, and then there are other people that view it a little bit differently than that.”

Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;' campaign noted Trump's role in ending Roe v. Wade in a statement reacting to Melania Trump's defense of abortion rights.

“Sadly for the women across America, Mrs. Trump’s husband firmly disagrees with her and is the reason that more than one in three American women live under a Trump Abortion Ban that threatens their health, their freedom, and their lives,” Harris campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement. “Donald Trump has made it abundantly clear: If he wins in November, he will ban abortion nationwide, punish women, and restrict women’s access to reproductive health care."

Donald Trump on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-vance-walz-debate-2024-election-abortion-64c739e99ffa1ad51b973e420e1fe92d">said he would veto</a>&nbsp;a federal abortion ban, the first time he has explicitly said so after previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-harris-contraception-debate-vance-2f11a66ab4619fcb3d9917ee51a9c060">refusing to answer questions</a>&nbsp;on the subject. Abortion rights advocates are skeptical, however, saying Trump cannot be trusted not to restrict reproductive rights.

Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said the memoir is another example of “the Trumps playing voters like a fiddle.”

“As president, (Trump) made it his mission to get Roe v. Wade overturned,” she said in a statement. “Melania stood by him, never once publicly disavowing his actions until weeks before an election where our bodies are again on the ballot and they are losing voters to this issue. Read between the lines.”

Democratic strategist Brittany Crampsie called the memoir's release a “clear attempt to appeal to more moderate voters and to moderate JD Vance’s very clearly extreme views on the issue." But she was skeptical that the move would work in favor of Trump, saying his shifting views “have already confused voters and sowed distrust.”

Melania Trump also defends abortions later in pregnancy, asserting that “most abortions conducted during the later stages of pregnancy were the result of severe fetal abnormalities that probably would have led to the death or stillbirth of the child. Perhaps even the death of the mother."

“These cases were extremely rare and typically occurred after several consultations between the woman and her doctor,” she writes.

These views appear diametrically opposed to her husband, who has often parroted misinformation about abortions later in pregnancy, falsely claiming that Democrats support abortion “after birth,” though infanticide is outlawed in every state.

The national abortion group SBA Pro-Life America denounced the former first lady’s views on abortion, including her comments on abortion later in pregnancy, but said their “priority is to defeat Kamala Harris.”

“Women with unplanned pregnancies are crying out for more resources, not more abortions,” the organization’s president Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement. “We must have compassion for them and for babies in the womb who suffer from brutal abortions.”

Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law who focuses on reproductive rights law and history, said it is unclear if the memoir’s release so close to the election was an attempt to help Donald Trump. But she did note that Melania Trump's split from Trump on the issue is not uncommon historically.

There is “a pretty deep history of first ladies being more supportive of abortion rights than their husbands,” including Betty Ford, a vocal abortion rights supporter and the wife of former President Gerald Ford, Ziegler said.

Donald Trump promoted his wife's book at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9fGfm56TyA">a September rally in New York</a>, calling on supporters to “go out and get her book.” It is unclear if the former president has read the book.

“Go out and buy it,” he told the crowd. “It’s great. And if she says bad things about me, I’ll call you all up, and I’ll say, ‘Don’t buy it.’”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1602762449332.png" alt="Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) — Melania Trump revealed her support for abortion rights Thursday ahead of the release of her upcoming memoir, exposing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-issue-positions-worlds-apart-3f80a342c790da64e3de92a4f5760991">stark contrast with her husband</a>, Republican presidential nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, on the crucial election issue.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><a href="https://t.co/ZCTwZSqZND">https://t.co/ZCTwZSqZND</a> <a href="https://t.co/Y9MT3uj97b">pic.twitter.com/Y9MT3uj97b</a>&mdash; MELANIA TRUMP (@MELANIATRUMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/MELANIATRUMP/status/1841806743216537870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 3, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><a href="https://x.com/MELANIATRUMP/status/1841806743216537870">In a video</a>&nbsp;posted to her X account Thursday morning, the former first lady defended women's “individual freedoms” to do what they want with their bodies — a position at odds with much of the Republican Party and her own husband, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-harris-contraception-debate-vance-2f11a66ab4619fcb3d9917ee51a9c060">struggled to find a consistent message</a>&nbsp;on abortion while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-vance-walz-debate-2024-election-abortion-64c739e99ffa1ad51b973e420e1fe92d">wedged between</a>&nbsp;anti-abortion supporters within his base and the majority of Americans who support abortion rights.“Individual freedom is a fundamental principle that I safeguard,” Melania Trump said in the video. “Without a doubt, there is no room for compromise when it comes to this essential right that all women possess from birth: individual freedom. What does ‘my body, my choice’ really mean?”The video appears to confirm excerpts of her self-titled memoir&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/02/melania-trump-memoir-defends-abortion-rights">reported</a>&nbsp;by The Guardian on Wednesday.Melania Trump has rarely publicly expressed her personal political views and has been largely absent from the campaign trail. But in her memoir, set to be released publicly next Tuesday, she argues that the decision to end a pregnancy should be left to a woman and her doctor, “free from any intervention of pressure from the government,” according to the published excerpts.“Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body?” she wrote, according to The Guardian. “A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.”Melania Trump writes that she has “carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life.”These views contrast sharply with the GOP's anti-abortion platform and with Donald Trump, who has repeatedly taken credit for appointing the three Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade and boasted about returning the abortion question to the states. Democrats have blamed the former president for the severe deterioration of reproductive rights as abortion bans were implemented in large swaths of the country following the overturning of the landmark case, which had granted a constitutional right to abortion.Donald Trump said Thursday that he had talked to his wife about the book and told her to “go with your heart.”“We spoke about it. And I said, you have to write what you believe. I’m not going to tell you what to do. You have to write what you believe,” he told Fox News, adding, “There are some people that are very, very far right on the issue, meaning without exceptions, and then there are other people that view it a little bit differently than that.”Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;' campaign noted Trump's role in ending Roe v. Wade in a statement reacting to Melania Trump's defense of abortion rights.“Sadly for the women across America, Mrs. Trump’s husband firmly disagrees with her and is the reason that more than one in three American women live under a Trump Abortion Ban that threatens their health, their freedom, and their lives,” Harris campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement. “Donald Trump has made it abundantly clear: If he wins in November, he will ban abortion nationwide, punish women, and restrict women’s access to reproductive health care."Donald Trump on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-vance-walz-debate-2024-election-abortion-64c739e99ffa1ad51b973e420e1fe92d">said he would veto</a>&nbsp;a federal abortion ban, the first time he has explicitly said so after previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-harris-contraception-debate-vance-2f11a66ab4619fcb3d9917ee51a9c060">refusing to answer questions</a>&nbsp;on the subject. Abortion rights advocates are skeptical, however, saying Trump cannot be trusted not to restrict reproductive rights.Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said the memoir is another example of “the Trumps playing voters like a fiddle.”“As president, (Trump) made it his mission to get Roe v. Wade overturned,” she said in a statement. “Melania stood by him, never once publicly disavowing his actions until weeks before an election where our bodies are again on the ballot and they are losing voters to this issue. Read between the lines.”Democratic strategist Brittany Crampsie called the memoir's release a “clear attempt to appeal to more moderate voters and to moderate JD Vance’s very clearly extreme views on the issue." But she was skeptical that the move would work in favor of Trump, saying his shifting views “have already confused voters and sowed distrust.”Melania Trump also defends abortions later in pregnancy, asserting that “most abortions conducted during the later stages of pregnancy were the result of severe fetal abnormalities that probably would have led to the death or stillbirth of the child. Perhaps even the death of the mother."“These cases were extremely rare and typically occurred after several consultations between the woman and her doctor,” she writes.These views appear diametrically opposed to her husband, who has often parroted misinformation about abortions later in pregnancy, falsely claiming that Democrats support abortion “after birth,” though infanticide is outlawed in every state.The national abortion group SBA Pro-Life America denounced the former first lady’s views on abortion, including her comments on abortion later in pregnancy, but said their “priority is to defeat Kamala Harris.”“Women with unplanned pregnancies are crying out for more resources, not more abortions,” the organization’s president Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement. “We must have compassion for them and for babies in the womb who suffer from brutal abortions.”Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law who focuses on reproductive rights law and history, said it is unclear if the memoir’s release so close to the election was an attempt to help Donald Trump. But she did note that Melania Trump's split from Trump on the issue is not uncommon historically.There is “a pretty deep history of first ladies being more supportive of abortion rights than their husbands,” including Betty Ford, a vocal abortion rights supporter and the wife of former President Gerald Ford, Ziegler said.Donald Trump promoted his wife's book at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9fGfm56TyA">a September rally in New York</a>, calling on supporters to “go out and get her book.” It is unclear if the former president has read the book.“Go out and buy it,” he told the crowd. “It’s great. And if she says bad things about me, I’ll call you all up, and I’ll say, ‘Don’t buy it.’”CHICAGO (AP) — Melania Trump revealed her support for abortion rights Thursday ahead of the release of her upcoming memoir, exposing a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-issue-positions-worlds-apart-3f80a342c790da64e3de92a4f5760991">stark contrast with her husband</a>, Republican presidential nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>, on the crucial election issue.<a href="https://x.com/MELANIATRUMP/status/1841806743216537870">In a video</a>&nbsp;posted to her X account Thursday morning, the former first lady defended women's “individual freedoms” to do what they want with their bodies — a position at odds with much of the Republican Party and her own husband, who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-harris-contraception-debate-vance-2f11a66ab4619fcb3d9917ee51a9c060">struggled to find a consistent message</a>&nbsp;on abortion while&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-vance-walz-debate-2024-election-abortion-64c739e99ffa1ad51b973e420e1fe92d">wedged between</a>&nbsp;anti-abortion supporters within his base and the majority of Americans who support abortion rights.“Individual freedom is a fundamental principle that I safeguard,” Melania Trump said in the video. “Without a doubt, there is no room for compromise when it comes to this essential right that all women possess from birth: individual freedom. What does ‘my body, my choice’ really mean?”The video appears to confirm excerpts of her self-titled memoir&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/02/melania-trump-memoir-defends-abortion-rights">reported</a>&nbsp;by The Guardian on Wednesday.Melania Trump has rarely publicly expressed her personal political views and has been largely absent from the campaign trail. But in her memoir, set to be released publicly next Tuesday, she argues that the decision to end a pregnancy should be left to a woman and her doctor, “free from any intervention of pressure from the government,” according to the published excerpts.“Why should anyone other than the woman herself have the power to determine what she does with her own body?” she wrote, according to The Guardian. “A woman’s fundamental right of individual liberty, to her own life, grants her the authority to terminate her pregnancy if she wishes.”Melania Trump writes that she has “carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life.”These views contrast sharply with the GOP's anti-abortion platform and with Donald Trump, who has repeatedly taken credit for appointing the three Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade and boasted about returning the abortion question to the states. Democrats have blamed the former president for the severe deterioration of reproductive rights as abortion bans were implemented in large swaths of the country following the overturning of the landmark case, which had granted a constitutional right to abortion.Donald Trump said Thursday that he had talked to his wife about the book and told her to “go with your heart.”“We spoke about it. And I said, you have to write what you believe. I’m not going to tell you what to do. You have to write what you believe,” he told Fox News, adding, “There are some people that are very, very far right on the issue, meaning without exceptions, and then there are other people that view it a little bit differently than that.”Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;' campaign noted Trump's role in ending Roe v. Wade in a statement reacting to Melania Trump's defense of abortion rights.“Sadly for the women across America, Mrs. Trump’s husband firmly disagrees with her and is the reason that more than one in three American women live under a Trump Abortion Ban that threatens their health, their freedom, and their lives,” Harris campaign spokesperson Sarafina Chitika said in a statement. “Donald Trump has made it abundantly clear: If he wins in November, he will ban abortion nationwide, punish women, and restrict women’s access to reproductive health care."Donald Trump on Tuesday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-harris-vance-walz-debate-2024-election-abortion-64c739e99ffa1ad51b973e420e1fe92d">said he would veto</a>&nbsp;a federal abortion ban, the first time he has explicitly said so after previously&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-trump-harris-contraception-debate-vance-2f11a66ab4619fcb3d9917ee51a9c060">refusing to answer questions</a>&nbsp;on the subject. Abortion rights advocates are skeptical, however, saying Trump cannot be trusted not to restrict reproductive rights.Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said the memoir is another example of “the Trumps playing voters like a fiddle.”“As president, (Trump) made it his mission to get Roe v. Wade overturned,” she said in a statement. “Melania stood by him, never once publicly disavowing his actions until weeks before an election where our bodies are again on the ballot and they are losing voters to this issue. Read between the lines.”Democratic strategist Brittany Crampsie called the memoir's release a “clear attempt to appeal to more moderate voters and to moderate JD Vance’s very clearly extreme views on the issue." But she was skeptical that the move would work in favor of Trump, saying his shifting views “have already confused voters and sowed distrust.”Melania Trump also defends abortions later in pregnancy, asserting that “most abortions conducted during the later stages of pregnancy were the result of severe fetal abnormalities that probably would have led to the death or stillbirth of the child. Perhaps even the death of the mother."“These cases were extremely rare and typically occurred after several consultations between the woman and her doctor,” she writes.These views appear diametrically opposed to her husband, who has often parroted misinformation about abortions later in pregnancy, falsely claiming that Democrats support abortion “after birth,” though infanticide is outlawed in every state.The national abortion group SBA Pro-Life America denounced the former first lady’s views on abortion, including her comments on abortion later in pregnancy, but said their “priority is to defeat Kamala Harris.”“Women with unplanned pregnancies are crying out for more resources, not more abortions,” the organization’s president Marjorie Dannenfelser said in a statement. “We must have compassion for them and for babies in the womb who suffer from brutal abortions.”Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law who focuses on reproductive rights law and history, said it is unclear if the memoir’s release so close to the election was an attempt to help Donald Trump. But she did note that Melania Trump's split from Trump on the issue is not uncommon historically.There is “a pretty deep history of first ladies being more supportive of abortion rights than their husbands,” including Betty Ford, a vocal abortion rights supporter and the wife of former President Gerald Ford, Ziegler said.Donald Trump promoted his wife's book at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9fGfm56TyA">a September rally in New York</a>, calling on supporters to “go out and get her book.” It is unclear if the former president has read the book.“Go out and buy it,” he told the crowd. “It’s great. And if she says bad things about me, I’ll call you all up, and I’ll say, ‘Don’t buy it.’”___

🎥In new video Melania Trump explains her support for abortion rights

KANSAS CITY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a hotel in Kansas City.

Just after 4p.m. Thursday, crews responded to a reported fire at the 4-story Days Inn hotel in the 8600 block of Hillcrest, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

 On arrival crews reported fire showing from a second-floor room.&nbsp; Searches of the structure came back all clear. Fire had extended from the interior of the second-floor room to the exterior but was contained to the exterior.

EMS transported one occupant for evaluation due to smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728007390438.png" alt="Photo courtesy KMBC TV" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy KMBC TV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Authorities are investigating the cause of a fire at a hotel in Kansas City.Just after 4p.m. Thursday, crews responded to a reported fire at the 4-story Days Inn hotel in the 8600 block of Hillcrest, according to Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins. On arrival crews reported fire showing from a second-floor room.&nbsp; Searches of the structure came back all clear. Fire had extended from the interior of the second-floor room to the exterior but was contained to the exterior.EMS transported one occupant for evaluation due to smoke inhalation. No other injuries were reported.

One hospitalized after fire at hotel in Kansas City

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman who says she worked as a hair-and-makeup stylist for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/garth-brooks">Garth Brooks</a>&nbsp;alleged in a lawsuit filed Thursday that he raped her in a Los Angeles hotel in 2019.

The woman does not use her name and goes by Jane Roe in the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. Brooks forcefully denied the allegations in a statement and acknowledged he tried to get a court to stop Thursday's lawsuit from being filed.

The woman says in the lawsuit she had worked for Brooks' wife, country singer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/trisha-yearwood">Trisha Yearwood</a>, since 1999, and had started also working for Brooks in 2017.

She said the assault occurred when she traveled from Nashville to Los Angeles with Brooks, who was performing with soul singer Sam Moore at a Grammy Awards tribute to Moore in October 2019.

Brooks normally traveled with an entourage, but the two were alone on his private jet, and he booked just one hotel suite for both of them, the lawsuit says.

The woman alleges that in the suite, he appeared naked in the doorway to the bedroom and raped her.

The suit says that he then proceeded as though nothing had happened and expected her to do his hair and makeup immediately after.

The woman's lawsuit alleges that earlier in 2019, when she was at Brooks' home, he had appeared naked in front of her, grabbed her hands, and put them on his genitals.

Brooks filed a preemptive lawsuit in federal court in Mississippi last month, in which both him and the woman are anonymous.

In court filings in that case, the plaintiff, going by John Doe, says the allegations are “wholly untrue,” and he first learned of them in July when she threatened to publicly sue him unless he gave her millions of dollars.

He asked a judge to stop the woman from “intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, and false light invasion of privacy.”

“For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars,” Brooks’ statement said. “It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face."

Brooks said he filed the case anonymously “for the sake of families on both sides.”

“I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be," his statement concluded.

The woman's suit also says Brooks exposed himself to her many other times and talked about sexual fantasies with her and sent her explicit text messages.

She said she was forced to keep working for Brooks because of financial hardship, which he knew about and took advantage of.

An email to the woman's attorney asking whether she had reported her allegations to police was not immediately answered.

The 62-year-old Oklahoma-born Brooks was the biggest star in country music of the 1990s, with hits including “Friends in Low Places" and “The Thunder Rolls.” He brought arena-rock theatrics to his concerts and a pop-music sensibility to his recordings. He had huge success that went beyond typical country audiences.

He married fellow country star Yearwood in 2005. There was no immediate response to a message to a Yearwood representative seeking comment on the lawsuit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728005993484.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) — A woman who says she worked as a hair-and-makeup stylist for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/garth-brooks">Garth Brooks</a>&nbsp;alleged in a lawsuit filed Thursday that he raped her in a Los Angeles hotel in 2019.The woman does not use her name and goes by Jane Roe in the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. Brooks forcefully denied the allegations in a statement and acknowledged he tried to get a court to stop Thursday's lawsuit from being filed.The woman says in the lawsuit she had worked for Brooks' wife, country singer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/trisha-yearwood">Trisha Yearwood</a>, since 1999, and had started also working for Brooks in 2017.She said the assault occurred when she traveled from Nashville to Los Angeles with Brooks, who was performing with soul singer Sam Moore at a Grammy Awards tribute to Moore in October 2019.Brooks normally traveled with an entourage, but the two were alone on his private jet, and he booked just one hotel suite for both of them, the lawsuit says.The woman alleges that in the suite, he appeared naked in the doorway to the bedroom and raped her.The suit says that he then proceeded as though nothing had happened and expected her to do his hair and makeup immediately after.The woman's lawsuit alleges that earlier in 2019, when she was at Brooks' home, he had appeared naked in front of her, grabbed her hands, and put them on his genitals.Brooks filed a preemptive lawsuit in federal court in Mississippi last month, in which both him and the woman are anonymous.In court filings in that case, the plaintiff, going by John Doe, says the allegations are “wholly untrue,” and he first learned of them in July when she threatened to publicly sue him unless he gave her millions of dollars.He asked a judge to stop the woman from “intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, and false light invasion of privacy.”“For the last two months, I have been hassled to no end with threats, lies, and tragic tales of what my future would be if I did not write a check for many millions of dollars,” Brooks’ statement said. “It has been like having a loaded gun waved in my face."Brooks said he filed the case anonymously “for the sake of families on both sides.”“I trust the system, I do not fear the truth, and I am not the man they have painted me to be," his statement concluded.The woman's suit also says Brooks exposed himself to her many other times and talked about sexual fantasies with her and sent her explicit text messages.She said she was forced to keep working for Brooks because of financial hardship, which he knew about and took advantage of.An email to the woman's attorney asking whether she had reported her allegations to police was not immediately answered.The 62-year-old Oklahoma-born Brooks was the biggest star in country music of the 1990s, with hits including “Friends in Low Places" and “The Thunder Rolls.” He brought arena-rock theatrics to his concerts and a pop-music sensibility to his recordings. He had huge success that went beyond typical country audiences.He married fellow country star Yearwood in 2005. There was no immediate response to a message to a Yearwood representative seeking comment on the lawsuit.

Garth Brooks responds to lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault

DETROIT (AP) — The union representing 45,000 striking U.S. dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports reached a deal Thursday to suspend a three-day strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract.

The union, the International Longshoremen’s Association, is to resume working immediately. The temporary end to the strike came after the union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies, reached a tentative agreement on wages, the union and ports said in a joint statement.

A person briefed on the agreement said the ports sweetened their wage offer from about 50% over six years to 62%. The person didn’t want to be identified because the agreement is tentative. Any wage increase would have to be approved by union members as part of the ratification of a final contract.

The union went on strike early Tuesday after its contract expired in a dispute over pay and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/longshoremen-dockworkers-strike-union-automation-4707b764692f6061cd5948d3c73b3c53">the automation of tasks</a>&nbsp;at 36 ports stretching from Maine to Texas. The strike came at the peak of the holiday shopping season at the ports, which handle about half the cargo from ships coming into and out of the United States.

The walkout raised the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/longshoremen-strike-holidays-shortages-inflation-c195bedec63d41afcec3c942ebb27e93">risk of shortages</a>&nbsp;of goods on store shelves if it lasted more than a few weeks. Most retailers, though, had stocked up or shipped items early in anticipation of the dockworkers' strike.

“With the grace of God, and the goodwill of neighbors, it’s gonna hold,” President Joe Biden told reporters Thursday night after the agreement.

In a statement later, Biden applauded both sides “for acting patriotically to reopen our ports and ensure the availability of critical supplies for Hurricane Helene recovery and rebuilding.”

Biden said that collective bargaining is “critical to building a stronger economy from the middle out and the bottom up.”

The union's membership won't need to vote on the temporary suspension of the strike, meaning that giant cranes should start loading and unloading shipping containers Thursday night. Until Jan. 15, the workers will be covered under the old contract, which expired on Sept. 30.

The union had been demanding a 77% raise over six years, plus a complete ban on the use of automation at the ports, which members see as a threat to their jobs. Both sides also have been apart on the issues of pension contributions and the distribution of royalties paid on containers that are moved by workers.

Thomas Kohler, who teaches labor and employment law at Boston College, said the agreement to halt the strike means that the two sides are close to a final deal.

“I’m sure that if they weren’t going anywhere they wouldn’t have suspended (the strike),” he said. “They’ve got wages. They’ll work out the language on automation, and I’m sure that what this really means is it gives the parties time to sit down and get exactly the language they can both live with.”

Industry analysts have said that for every day of a port strike it takes four to six days to recover. But they said a short strike of a few days probably wouldn’t gum up the supply chain too badly.

Kohler said the surprise end to the strike may catch railroads with cars, engines and crews out of position. But railroads are likely to work quickly to fix that.

Just before the strike had begun, the Maritime Alliance said both sides had moved off their original wage offers, a tentative sign of progress.

The settlement pushes the strike and any potential shortages past the November presidential election, eliminating a potential liability for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. It's also a big plus for the Biden-Harris administration, which has billed itself as the most union-friendly in American history. Shortages could have driven up prices and reignited inflation.

Thursday's deal came after administration officials met with foreign-owned shipping companies before dawn on Zoom, according to a person briefed on the day's events who asked not to be identified because the talks were private. The White House wanted to increase pressure to settle, emphasizing the responsibility to reopen the ports to help with recovery from Hurricane Helene, the person said.

Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su told them she could get the union to the bargaining table to extend the contract if the carriers made a higher wage offer. Chief of Staff Jeff Zients told the carriers they had to make an offer by the end of the day so a manmade strike wouldn't worsen a natural disaster, the person said.

By midday the Maritime Alliance members agreed to a large increase, bringing about the agreement, according to the person.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727996714529.png" alt="Photo courtesy ILA" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy ILA</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — The union representing 45,000 striking U.S. dockworkers at East and Gulf coast ports reached a deal Thursday to suspend a three-day strike until Jan. 15 to provide time to negotiate a new contract.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FILAUnion%2Fposts%2Fpfbid09yphJDe2LCn4Be71qibtsJ6cmiaZP8rp9WW613EZHTCKFLSASZW1SnsvDiyQLUF8l&show_text=true&width=500" width="500" height="512" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share"></iframe></div>The union, the International Longshoremen’s Association, is to resume working immediately. The temporary end to the strike came after the union and the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies, reached a tentative agreement on wages, the union and ports said in a joint statement.A person briefed on the agreement said the ports sweetened their wage offer from about 50% over six years to 62%. The person didn’t want to be identified because the agreement is tentative. Any wage increase would have to be approved by union members as part of the ratification of a final contract.The union went on strike early Tuesday after its contract expired in a dispute over pay and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/longshoremen-dockworkers-strike-union-automation-4707b764692f6061cd5948d3c73b3c53">the automation of tasks</a>&nbsp;at 36 ports stretching from Maine to Texas. The strike came at the peak of the holiday shopping season at the ports, which handle about half the cargo from ships coming into and out of the United States.The walkout raised the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/longshoremen-strike-holidays-shortages-inflation-c195bedec63d41afcec3c942ebb27e93">risk of shortages</a>&nbsp;of goods on store shelves if it lasted more than a few weeks. Most retailers, though, had stocked up or shipped items early in anticipation of the dockworkers' strike.“With the grace of God, and the goodwill of neighbors, it’s gonna hold,” President Joe Biden told reporters Thursday night after the agreement.In a statement later, Biden applauded both sides “for acting patriotically to reopen our ports and ensure the availability of critical supplies for Hurricane Helene recovery and rebuilding.”Biden said that collective bargaining is “critical to building a stronger economy from the middle out and the bottom up.”The union's membership won't need to vote on the temporary suspension of the strike, meaning that giant cranes should start loading and unloading shipping containers Thursday night. Until Jan. 15, the workers will be covered under the old contract, which expired on Sept. 30.The union had been demanding a 77% raise over six years, plus a complete ban on the use of automation at the ports, which members see as a threat to their jobs. Both sides also have been apart on the issues of pension contributions and the distribution of royalties paid on containers that are moved by workers.Thomas Kohler, who teaches labor and employment law at Boston College, said the agreement to halt the strike means that the two sides are close to a final deal.“I’m sure that if they weren’t going anywhere they wouldn’t have suspended (the strike),” he said. “They’ve got wages. They’ll work out the language on automation, and I’m sure that what this really means is it gives the parties time to sit down and get exactly the language they can both live with.”Industry analysts have said that for every day of a port strike it takes four to six days to recover. But they said a short strike of a few days probably wouldn’t gum up the supply chain too badly.Kohler said the surprise end to the strike may catch railroads with cars, engines and crews out of position. But railroads are likely to work quickly to fix that.Just before the strike had begun, the Maritime Alliance said both sides had moved off their original wage offers, a tentative sign of progress.The settlement pushes the strike and any potential shortages past the November presidential election, eliminating a potential liability for Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee. It's also a big plus for the Biden-Harris administration, which has billed itself as the most union-friendly in American history. Shortages could have driven up prices and reignited inflation.Thursday's deal came after administration officials met with foreign-owned shipping companies before dawn on Zoom, according to a person briefed on the day's events who asked not to be identified because the talks were private. The White House wanted to increase pressure to settle, emphasizing the responsibility to reopen the ports to help with recovery from Hurricane Helene, the person said.Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su told them she could get the union to the bargaining table to extend the contract if the carriers made a higher wage offer. Chief of Staff Jeff Zients told the carriers they had to make an offer by the end of the day so a manmade strike wouldn't worsen a natural disaster, the person said.By midday the Maritime Alliance members agreed to a large increase, bringing about the agreement, according to the person.

Port strike ends: Workers agree to tentative deal on wages, contract extension

KANSAS CITY– Two Kansas City men were sentenced in federal court Wednesday for their roles in the thefts of more than 100 firearms from numerous vehicles in the Westport entertainment district and elsewhere in the metropolitan area, which were later sold on social media accounts, according to the United State's Attorney.

Rayquan Duane Pettaway, 25, and Roy Rushing, 27, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays. Pettaway was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in federal prison without parole; the court ordered the federal sentence be served consecutively to Pettaway’s sentence in two unrelated cases in Cass County, Mo., and Harris County, Texas. Rushing was sentenced to nine years and two months in federal prison without parole; the court ordered the federal sentence be served consecutively to Rushing’s sentence in two unrelated cases in Jackson County, Mo., and Cass County. The court also ordered Pettaway and Rushing to pay $1,500 in restitution, for which all of the defendants in this case are jointly and severally liable.

On Oct. 26, 2023, Pettaway pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy to receive, possess, and dispose of stolen firearms and to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Pettaway admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to break into vehicles and steal firearms and other items. Conspirators used social media to advertise the stolen firearms for sale, which included sales to individuals who were prohibited by law from possessing firearms. According to court documents, Pettaway and his co-conspirators stole more than 100 firearms obtained from vehicle break-ins from June 18 to Nov. 19, 2021.

Pettaway also admitted that he was in possession of a Glock 9mm handgun and a Glock .40-caliber handgun when he was arrested on July 11, 2021.

Police patrol cars converged on a location in the Westport entertainment district when officers saw Pettaway and co-defendant Drevion Hooker, 22, of Kansas City, Mo., acting suspiciously. Hooker attempted to flee on foot but was detained. Pettaway fled in a silver Chevrolet Impala at a high rate of speed. Investigators attempted to follow and eventually located the Impala south of 39th Street and Central Street. Pettaway fled from the vehicle — which had sustained damage — and was apprehended. Officers found the Glock 9mm handgun on the floorboard of the driver’s seat and the Glock .40-caliber handgun in the front passenger’s seat of the vehicle.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Pettaway has a felony conviction for felony assault and unlawful use of a weapon.

On July 26, 2023, Rushing pleaded guilty to possessing stolen firearms. Rushing admitted he was in possession of a Radical Firearms AR-type rifle, a Glock .40-caliber handgun, and a Glock .45-caliber handgun, all of which had been reported as stolen, on Nov. 4, 2021. Federal agents found seven firearms, including the three stolen firearms, when they executed a search warrant at Rushing’s residence.

Hooker was sentenced on Sept. 4, 2024, to seven years and one month in federal prison without parole.

Co-defendant Bobby Lamb, 22, was sentenced on July 27, 2024, to 11 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to his role in the conspiracy and to possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and possessing a stolen firearm.

The final defendant in this case, Treyon Bloodsoe, 22, of Kansas City, Mo., is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, Oct. 3. Bloodsoe pleaded guilty on Oct. 26, 2023, to his role in the conspiracy and to possessing a stolen firearm.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719436168113.png" alt="Co-defendant Bobby Lamb, 22, was sentenced on July 27." />
 <figcaption>Co-defendant Bobby Lamb, 22, was sentenced on July 27.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY– Two Kansas City men were sentenced in federal court Wednesday for their roles in the thefts of more than 100 firearms from numerous vehicles in the Westport entertainment district and elsewhere in the metropolitan area, which were later sold on social media accounts, according to the United State's Attorney.Rayquan Duane Pettaway, 25, and Roy Rushing, 27, were sentenced in separate appearances before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays. Pettaway was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in federal prison without parole; the court ordered the federal sentence be served consecutively to Pettaway’s sentence in two unrelated cases in Cass County, Mo., and Harris County, Texas. Rushing was sentenced to nine years and two months in federal prison without parole; the court ordered the federal sentence be served consecutively to Rushing’s sentence in two unrelated cases in Jackson County, Mo., and Cass County. The court also ordered Pettaway and Rushing to pay $1,500 in restitution, for which all of the defendants in this case are jointly and severally liable.On Oct. 26, 2023, Pettaway pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy to receive, possess, and dispose of stolen firearms and to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.Pettaway admitted that he participated in a conspiracy to break into vehicles and steal firearms and other items. Conspirators used social media to advertise the stolen firearms for sale, which included sales to individuals who were prohibited by law from possessing firearms. According to court documents, Pettaway and his co-conspirators stole more than 100 firearms obtained from vehicle break-ins from June 18 to Nov. 19, 2021.Pettaway also admitted that he was in possession of a Glock 9mm handgun and a Glock .40-caliber handgun when he was arrested on July 11, 2021.Police patrol cars converged on a location in the Westport entertainment district when officers saw Pettaway and co-defendant Drevion Hooker, 22, of Kansas City, Mo., acting suspiciously. Hooker attempted to flee on foot but was detained. Pettaway fled in a silver Chevrolet Impala at a high rate of speed. Investigators attempted to follow and eventually located the Impala south of 39th Street and Central Street. Pettaway fled from the vehicle — which had sustained damage — and was apprehended. Officers found the Glock 9mm handgun on the floorboard of the driver’s seat and the Glock .40-caliber handgun in the front passenger’s seat of the vehicle.Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Pettaway has a felony conviction for felony assault and unlawful use of a weapon.On July 26, 2023, Rushing pleaded guilty to possessing stolen firearms. Rushing admitted he was in possession of a Radical Firearms AR-type rifle, a Glock .40-caliber handgun, and a Glock .45-caliber handgun, all of which had been reported as stolen, on Nov. 4, 2021. Federal agents found seven firearms, including the three stolen firearms, when they executed a search warrant at Rushing’s residence.Hooker was sentenced on Sept. 4, 2024, to seven years and one month in federal prison without parole.Co-defendant Bobby Lamb, 22, was sentenced on July 27, 2024, to 11 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to his role in the conspiracy and to possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and possessing a stolen firearm.The final defendant in this case, Treyon Bloodsoe, 22, of Kansas City, Mo., is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, Oct. 3. Bloodsoe pleaded guilty on Oct. 26, 2023, to his role in the conspiracy and to possessing a stolen firearm.

2 more sentenced for 100 guns stolen in KC and sold on social media

WICHITA, KAN. –&nbsp;&nbsp;Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF) resident Joshua Degroot, 44, died Thursday, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Degroot was serving a 44-month sentence for two convictions of aggravated battery in Leavenworth County, Kansas. He had nearly a dozen previous convictions including three for kidnapping, theft, burglary, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, harassment by telephone, criminal discharge of a firearm and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

 Degroot was found unresponsive at his workplace in the Wichita community. EMS was called to administer life-saving measures. Coworkers performed life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived but were unsuccessful. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.

Degroot’s death is being investigated by the Wichita Police Department with assistance from KDOC. The investigation is ongoing.

The WWRF is a minimum-custody work release facility with a capacity of 250 male residents.&nbsp; The purpose of the work release program is to prepare selected residents for release and to assist them in making a successful transition from the institutional environment back into society.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727988489051.png" alt="Degroot had nearly a dozen previous convictions including three for kidnapping, theft, burglary, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, harassment by telephone, criminal discharge of a firearm and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Degroot had nearly a dozen previous convictions including three for kidnapping, theft, burglary, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, harassment by telephone, criminal discharge of a firearm and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. –&nbsp;&nbsp;Wichita Work Release Facility (WWRF) resident Joshua Degroot, 44, died Thursday, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections.Degroot was serving a 44-month sentence for two convictions of aggravated battery in Leavenworth County, Kansas. He had nearly a dozen previous convictions including three for kidnapping, theft, burglary, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, harassment by telephone, criminal discharge of a firearm and criminal possession of a firearm, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. Degroot was found unresponsive at his workplace in the Wichita community. EMS was called to administer life-saving measures. Coworkers performed life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived but were unsuccessful. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy.Degroot’s death is being investigated by the Wichita Police Department with assistance from KDOC. The investigation is ongoing.The WWRF is a minimum-custody work release facility with a capacity of 250 male residents.&nbsp; The purpose of the work release program is to prepare selected residents for release and to assist them in making a successful transition from the institutional environment back into society.

Kansas felon on work release found dead on the job

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City and asking for help to locate a suspect vehicle.

Just before 10:30a.m. Thursday police responded to a shooting near East 55th Street and College Avenue, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

When officers arrived to the area, they located a man in the middle of the street suffering from apparent gunshot trauma and unresponsive. EMS responded and declared the victim deceased on scene, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez.

Investigators believed the victim and a suspect were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated to shots being fired and the victim was struck. Detectives are requesting assistance locating the suspect described as an adult black male, wearing all dark clothing, and occupying a burgundy over tan mid-2000s Ford F-150 pickup truck. The suspect left the area in an unknown direction in the pickup.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727981132348.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation photo Sheriff Daryl Forte" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation photo Sheriff Daryl Forte</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City and asking for help to locate a suspect vehicle.Just before 10:30a.m. Thursday police responded to a shooting near East 55th Street and College Avenue, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727984542912.png" alt="-Burgundy over tan Ford F150 4-door Lic# 8FHB06 (MO). The vehicle was stolen with the bed cover rolled up and the tailgate down." />
 <figcaption>-Burgundy over tan Ford F150 4-door Lic# 8FHB06 (MO). The vehicle was stolen with the bed cover rolled up and the tailgate down.</figcaption>
 </figure>When officers arrived to the area, they located a man in the middle of the street suffering from apparent gunshot trauma and unresponsive. EMS responded and declared the victim deceased on scene, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez.Investigators believed the victim and a suspect were involved in a verbal altercation that escalated to shots being fired and the victim was struck. Detectives are requesting assistance locating the suspect described as an adult black male, wearing all dark clothing, and occupying a burgundy over tan mid-2000s Ford F-150 pickup truck. The suspect left the area in an unknown direction in the pickup.This being investigated as a homicide.

KCPD asking for help to locate pickup, suspect in deadly shooting

RILEY COUNTY —The family of a woman injured&nbsp; in an&nbsp;incident that occurred near the Aggieville district in the early morning hours of Friday, August 30, are offering an additional $10,000 reward for information in the case, according to the Riley County Police Department.

The initial report received by police indicated the young woman identified as 22-year-old Kenna Hibbs, was found in the 800 block of Laramie Street after walking home from a local establishment.

&nbsp;Police are reviewing surveillance footage from Aggieville and surrounding areas and are following up on any leads to determine the cause of her injuries. Police encourage anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has any information to come forward and assist with the investigation. 

Tips may be called in directly to RCPD using 785-537-2112 or you can always contact Crime Stoppers at 785-539-7777 or toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous.

In a media release on September 3, police said,&nbsp;"We understand the concerns that have been raised on social media regarding the safety of our community. It is important to note that based on the information available at this time, there is no evidence to suggest there is an ongoing threat to the public."&nbsp;

"While we take all reports seriously, it is critical to rely on verified information rather than speculation."&nbsp;

"At this time, we want to clarify that this incident is under investigation and we are working diligently to gather all relevant information."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727977325305.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>RILEY COUNTY —The family of a woman injured&nbsp; in an&nbsp;incident that occurred near the Aggieville district in the early morning hours of Friday, August 30, are offering an additional $10,000 reward for information in the case, according to the Riley County Police Department.The initial report received by police indicated the young woman identified as 22-year-old Kenna Hibbs, was found in the 800 block of Laramie Street after walking home from a local establishment.&nbsp;Police are reviewing surveillance footage from Aggieville and surrounding areas and are following up on any leads to determine the cause of her injuries. Police encourage anyone who may have witnessed this incident or has any information to come forward and assist with the investigation. Tips may be called in directly to RCPD using 785-537-2112 or you can always contact Crime Stoppers at 785-539-7777 or toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Using Crime Stoppers allows you to remain anonymous.In a media release on September 3, police said,&nbsp;"We understand the concerns that have been raised on social media regarding the safety of our community. It is important to note that based on the information available at this time, there is no evidence to suggest there is an ongoing threat to the public."&nbsp;"While we take all reports seriously, it is critical to rely on verified information rather than speculation."&nbsp;"At this time, we want to clarify that this incident is under investigation and we are working diligently to gather all relevant information."

Family of woman injured in Manhattan offers reward for information

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Helene's death toll&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-florida-carolinas-georgia-tennessee-8f4b65a0ca5278dbac9faaf49f1ecce6">reached 200</a>&nbsp;on Thursday and could rise higher still, as searchers made their way toward the hardest to reach places in the mountains of western North Carolina, where the storm washed out roads and knocked out electricity, water and cellular service.

Officials in Georgia and North Carolina added to their states' grim tallies, padding an overall count that has already made Helene the deadliest storm to hit the U.S. mainland since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-katrina">Hurricane Katrina</a>&nbsp;in 2005.

A week after the storm came ashore in Florida before carving a path of destruction through the Southeast, connections between friends, neighbors and even strangers have provided hope in the worst-affected areas.

While government cargo planes brought food and water to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-hurricane-helene-flooding-north-carolina-f49b2a6bf2b549473e0211f883332592">these areas</a>&nbsp;and rescue crews waded through creeks searching for survivors, those who made it through the storm leaned on one another for support.

Sarah Vekasi, who makes and sells pottery out of her Sarah Sunshine Pottery store in Black Mountain, North Carolina, said she’s struggling with the trauma of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/world-news/weather-general-news-domestic-news-1a071b5de822e51f741a193374a49c26">Hurricane Helene</a>&nbsp;and uncertainty about the future of her business.

“All I can say is that I’m alive. I’m not doing great. I’m not doing good. But I’m extremely grateful to be alive, especially when so many are not,” Vekasi said.

One thing that makes her feel a little better is the fellowship of the daily town meeting at the square.

“It’s incredible being able to meet in person,” said Vekasi, who was cut off by impassible roads for days. More than 150 people gathered for Wednesday's session, as local leaders stood atop a picnic table shouting updates.

Martha Sullivan took careful notes so she could share the information — roads reopened, progress in getting power restored, work on trying to get water flowing again — with others.

Sullivan, who has lived in Black Mountain for 43 years, said her children invited her to come to Charlotte after the storm, but she wants to stay in her community and look after her neighbors.

“I’m going to stay as long as I feel like I’m being useful,” Sullivan said.

Helping one another in the hardest-hit areas

In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-hurricane-helene-flooding-north-carolina-f49b2a6bf2b549473e0211f883332592">remote mountain areas,</a>&nbsp;helicopters hoisted the stranded to safety while search crews moved toppled trees so they could look door to door for survivors. In some places, homes teetered on hillsides and washed-out riverbanks.

Electricity is being slowly restored, as the number of homes and businesses&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-power-outages-32958ff95f6e51e8c69e56e587de46d2">without power</a>&nbsp;dipped below 1 million for the first time since last weekend, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://poweroutage.us/">poweroutage.us</a>. Most of the outages are in the Carolinas and Georgia, where Helene struck after barreling over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-climate-change-florida-big-bend-182d68761b3d2328e56e3fb8d9cdb802">Florida’s Gulf Coast</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 26 as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-florida-georgia-mexico-42fb7cc90604b7f87179920f97627873">Category 4 hurricane.</a>&nbsp;Deaths have been reported in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia, in addition to the Carolinas.

Robin Wynn lost power at her Asheville home early last Friday and was able to grab a bag of canned goods and water before getting to a shelter despite water up to her knees.

“I didn’t know where I was going, didn’t know what was going to happen next. But I got out and I’m alive,” Wynn said Wednesday.

Now that she’s back home, her neighbors have been watching out for one another. Plenty of people have come around to make sure everyone has a hot meal and water, she said.

Eric Williamson, who works at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, normally makes home visits to members who can’t physically get to church. This week, he’s their lifeline, delivering food that meets dietary restrictions and tossing out food that had spoiled.

Beyond checking in on the essentials, he says it’s important to just socialize with folks in a moment like this to help them know they aren’t alone.

He has a handwritten list of everyone he needs to visit. “They don’t have telephone service, even if they have a landline, a lot of that isn’t working,” Williamson said. "So we're bringing them food and water, but also just bringing them a smile and a prayer with them just to give them comfort.”

Volunteers in Asheville gathered Wednesday before going out to help find people who have been unreachable because of phone and internet outages. They took along boxes of drinking water and instructions to return in person with their results.

Even notifying relatives of people who died in the storm has been difficult.

“That has been our challenge, quite honestly, is no cell service, no way to reach out to next of kin,” said Avril Pinder, an official in Buncombe County where at least 61 people have died. “We have a confirmed body count, but we don’t have identifications on everyone or next-of-kin notifications.”

Thursday marked the seventh day of search and rescue operations, Pinder said, adding the county doesn’t have an official tally of people who are unaccounted for or missing.

“We’re continuing to find people. We know we have pockets of people who are isolated due to landslides and bridges out,” she said. “So they are disconnected but not missing.”

Biden meets Florida survivors and surveys damage

President Joe Biden spoke with survivors and first responders and surveyed damage Thursday in Keaton Beach, Florida, walking past mountains of splintered wood, demolished homes and massive pieces of siding crumpled like paper. Biden met with people who had lost homes; one couple was living out of a trailer near the wreckage of their home, their personal belongings strewn on the ground.

The president also was due to visit Georgia Thursday.

Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-harris-hurricane-helene-survey-damage-48baf62af5560a9617ae2032f8776d1e">flew over the devastation</a>&nbsp;in North and South Carolina on Wednesday. The administration announced a federal commitment to foot the bill for debris removal and emergency protective measures for six months in North Carolina and three months in Georgia. The money will address the impacts of landslides and flooding and cover costs of first responders, search and rescue teams, shelters, and mass feeding.

Employees at a plastics factory in rural Tennessee who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-tennessee-f7c4a460de588df7a4d5bc9efa756ecb">kept working last week</a>&nbsp;until water flooded their parking lot and power went out at the plant were among those killed. The floodwaters swept 11 workers away, and only five were rescued. Two are confirmed dead.

Tennessee state authorities said they are investigating the company that owns the factory after some employees said they weren’t allowed to leave in time to avoid the storm’s impact.

Hospitals and health care organizations in the Southeast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/helene-asheville-hospitals-southeast-recovery-3076ac4366152f19a84a004f4ccf7e9e">mostly stayed open</a>&nbsp;despite dealing with blackouts, wind damage, supply issues and flooding. Many hospitals halted elective procedures, while only a few closed completely.

In Florida, officials were turning to “low-risk” state prisoners to help clear the mountains of debris left behind.

“Department of Corrections, they do prison labor anyways. So they’re bringing them to do debris removal,” Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters on Wednesday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1727712742274.png" alt="Photo Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson" />
 <figcaption>Photo Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson</figcaption>
 </figure>BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. (AP) — Hurricane Helene's death toll&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-florida-carolinas-georgia-tennessee-8f4b65a0ca5278dbac9faaf49f1ecce6">reached 200</a>&nbsp;on Thursday and could rise higher still, as searchers made their way toward the hardest to reach places in the mountains of western North Carolina, where the storm washed out roads and knocked out electricity, water and cellular service.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 Drone pilots: Do not fly your drone near or around rescue and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene. Interfering with emergency response operations impacts search and rescue operations on the ground. For more information on temporary flight restrictions follow: <a href="https://twitter.com/FAADroneZone?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FAADroneZone</a> <a href="https://t.co/muxHefL1sH">pic.twitter.com/muxHefL1sH</a>&mdash; U.S. Department of Transportation (@USDOT) <a href="https://twitter.com/USDOT/status/1841565072360968304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Officials in Georgia and North Carolina added to their states' grim tallies, padding an overall count that has already made Helene the deadliest storm to hit the U.S. mainland since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hurricane-katrina">Hurricane Katrina</a>&nbsp;in 2005.A week after the storm came ashore in Florida before carving a path of destruction through the Southeast, connections between friends, neighbors and even strangers have provided hope in the worst-affected areas.While government cargo planes brought food and water to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-hurricane-helene-flooding-north-carolina-f49b2a6bf2b549473e0211f883332592">these areas</a>&nbsp;and rescue crews waded through creeks searching for survivors, those who made it through the storm leaned on one another for support.Sarah Vekasi, who makes and sells pottery out of her Sarah Sunshine Pottery store in Black Mountain, North Carolina, said she’s struggling with the trauma of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/world-news/weather-general-news-domestic-news-1a071b5de822e51f741a193374a49c26">Hurricane Helene</a>&nbsp;and uncertainty about the future of her business.“All I can say is that I’m alive. I’m not doing great. I’m not doing good. But I’m extremely grateful to be alive, especially when so many are not,” Vekasi said.One thing that makes her feel a little better is the fellowship of the daily town meeting at the square.“It’s incredible being able to meet in person,” said Vekasi, who was cut off by impassible roads for days. More than 150 people gathered for Wednesday's session, as local leaders stood atop a picnic table shouting updates.Martha Sullivan took careful notes so she could share the information — roads reopened, progress in getting power restored, work on trying to get water flowing again — with others.Sullivan, who has lived in Black Mountain for 43 years, said her children invited her to come to Charlotte after the storm, but she wants to stay in her community and look after her neighbors.“I’m going to stay as long as I feel like I’m being useful,” Sullivan said.<h2>Helping one another in the hardest-hit areas</h2>In&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/climate-change-hurricane-helene-flooding-north-carolina-f49b2a6bf2b549473e0211f883332592">remote mountain areas,</a>&nbsp;helicopters hoisted the stranded to safety while search crews moved toppled trees so they could look door to door for survivors. In some places, homes teetered on hillsides and washed-out riverbanks.Electricity is being slowly restored, as the number of homes and businesses&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-power-outages-32958ff95f6e51e8c69e56e587de46d2">without power</a>&nbsp;dipped below 1 million for the first time since last weekend, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://poweroutage.us/">poweroutage.us</a>. Most of the outages are in the Carolinas and Georgia, where Helene struck after barreling over&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-climate-change-florida-big-bend-182d68761b3d2328e56e3fb8d9cdb802">Florida’s Gulf Coast</a>&nbsp;on Sept. 26 as a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-florida-georgia-mexico-42fb7cc90604b7f87179920f97627873">Category 4 hurricane.</a>&nbsp;Deaths have been reported in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia, in addition to the Carolinas.Robin Wynn lost power at her Asheville home early last Friday and was able to grab a bag of canned goods and water before getting to a shelter despite water up to her knees.“I didn’t know where I was going, didn’t know what was going to happen next. But I got out and I’m alive,” Wynn said Wednesday.Now that she’s back home, her neighbors have been watching out for one another. Plenty of people have come around to make sure everyone has a hot meal and water, she said.Eric Williamson, who works at First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, normally makes home visits to members who can’t physically get to church. This week, he’s their lifeline, delivering food that meets dietary restrictions and tossing out food that had spoiled.Beyond checking in on the essentials, he says it’s important to just socialize with folks in a moment like this to help them know they aren’t alone.He has a handwritten list of everyone he needs to visit. “They don’t have telephone service, even if they have a landline, a lot of that isn’t working,” Williamson said. "So we're bringing them food and water, but also just bringing them a smile and a prayer with them just to give them comfort.”Volunteers in Asheville gathered Wednesday before going out to help find people who have been unreachable because of phone and internet outages. They took along boxes of drinking water and instructions to return in person with their results.Even notifying relatives of people who died in the storm has been difficult.“That has been our challenge, quite honestly, is no cell service, no way to reach out to next of kin,” said Avril Pinder, an official in Buncombe County where at least 61 people have died. “We have a confirmed body count, but we don’t have identifications on everyone or next-of-kin notifications.”Thursday marked the seventh day of search and rescue operations, Pinder said, adding the county doesn’t have an official tally of people who are unaccounted for or missing.“We’re continuing to find people. We know we have pockets of people who are isolated due to landslides and bridges out,” she said. “So they are disconnected but not missing.”<h2>Biden meets Florida survivors and surveys damage</h2>President Joe Biden spoke with survivors and first responders and surveyed damage Thursday in Keaton Beach, Florida, walking past mountains of splintered wood, demolished homes and massive pieces of siding crumpled like paper. Biden met with people who had lost homes; one couple was living out of a trailer near the wreckage of their home, their personal belongings strewn on the ground.The president also was due to visit Georgia Thursday.Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-harris-hurricane-helene-survey-damage-48baf62af5560a9617ae2032f8776d1e">flew over the devastation</a>&nbsp;in North and South Carolina on Wednesday. The administration announced a federal commitment to foot the bill for debris removal and emergency protective measures for six months in North Carolina and three months in Georgia. The money will address the impacts of landslides and flooding and cover costs of first responders, search and rescue teams, shelters, and mass feeding.<h2>Devastation from Florida to Tennessee</h2>Employees at a plastics factory in rural Tennessee who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-tennessee-f7c4a460de588df7a4d5bc9efa756ecb">kept working last week</a>&nbsp;until water flooded their parking lot and power went out at the plant were among those killed. The floodwaters swept 11 workers away, and only five were rescued. Two are confirmed dead.Tennessee state authorities said they are investigating the company that owns the factory after some employees said they weren’t allowed to leave in time to avoid the storm’s impact.Hospitals and health care organizations in the Southeast&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/helene-asheville-hospitals-southeast-recovery-3076ac4366152f19a84a004f4ccf7e9e">mostly stayed open</a>&nbsp;despite dealing with blackouts, wind damage, supply issues and flooding. Many hospitals halted elective procedures, while only a few closed completely.In Florida, officials were turning to “low-risk” state prisoners to help clear the mountains of debris left behind.“Department of Corrections, they do prison labor anyways. So they’re bringing them to do debris removal,” Gov. Ron DeSantis told reporters on Wednesday.___

Helene's death toll climbs as crews try to reach remote areas hit by the storm

By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Customers of Kansas’ largest natural gas utilities will see their bills rise slightly next month after regulators approved a rate increase Thursday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/tag/kansas-gas-service/">Kansas Gas Service</a>, which serves almost 650,000 residential customers, filed a request with the Kansas Corporation Commission this spring to increase rates. The requested rate increase would have boosted the utility’s revenue by $58.1 million annually.

But following negotiations with consumer advocates and staff of the KCC, which regulates monopoly utilities,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-gas-service-agrees-to-smaller-rate-hike-for-customers/#:~:text=By%3A%20Allison%20Kite%20%2D%20August%208%2C%202024%2012%3A12%20pm&amp;text=Kansas%20Gas%20Service%20agreed%20to,by%20the%20Kansas%20Corporation%20Commission.">Kansas Gas Service agreed to a $35 million increase</a>. For the average customer, that means monthly bills will increase by $3.83.&nbsp;

The three-member Kansas Corporation Commission approved the negotiated rate increase Thursday with little discussion. It takes effect Nov. 1.&nbsp;

Kansas Gas Services’ original request would have pushed bills even higher and created a tiered rate system, imposing a larger percentage increase on customers who use less gas. Customers with lower usage would have seen a 10.41% hike, or average $6.71 per month. Larger customers’ rates would have increased by 8.25%, resulting in an increase of $9.48 on their bills.

At a&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/14/theres-too-much-profit-customers-decry-proposed-natural-gas-rate-increase/">public hearing on the requested rate increase in June</a>, customers decried the requested rate increase as unnecessary and unconscionable.&nbsp;

The Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board, which advocates for residential and small commercial utility customers, recommended a much smaller increase in rates, to bring in $10.7 million. Staff of the KCC recommended $31.7 million before reaching the $35 million settlement.

Staff of the KCC said in a release that the settlement “strikes the proper balance between KGS’ desire for reasonable assurances that it will meet its financial obligations and the need to keep rates as low as possible for customers while still providing reliable natural gas distribution service.”&nbsp;

In an email, KGS spokeswoman Dawn Trip said the new rates would allow the utility to “recover upfront investments we made to continue providing safe and reliable service Kansans depend on.”

“We recognize that any increase in prices can be challenging for our customers,” Tripp said. “We encourage them to contact us for payment options if they have difficulty paying their natural gas bill.”

Information about financial assistance can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://kansasgasservice.com/cares" target="_blank">kansasgasservice.com/cares</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1727977882596.png" alt="Kansas Gas Service customers will see an increase in their bills next month under a negotiated increase approved by the Kansas Corporation Commission. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Gas Service customers will see an increase in their bills next month under a negotiated increase approved by the Kansas Corporation Commission. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ALLISON KITE <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>Customers of Kansas’ largest natural gas utilities will see their bills rise slightly next month after regulators approved a rate increase Thursday.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/tag/kansas-gas-service/">Kansas Gas Service</a>, which serves almost 650,000 residential customers, filed a request with the Kansas Corporation Commission this spring to increase rates. The requested rate increase would have boosted the utility’s revenue by $58.1 million annually.But following negotiations with consumer advocates and staff of the KCC, which regulates monopoly utilities,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/kansas-gas-service-agrees-to-smaller-rate-hike-for-customers/#:~:text=By%3A%20Allison%20Kite%20%2D%20August%208%2C%202024%2012%3A12%20pm&amp;text=Kansas%20Gas%20Service%20agreed%20to,by%20the%20Kansas%20Corporation%20Commission.">Kansas Gas Service agreed to a $35 million increase</a>. For the average customer, that means monthly bills will increase by $3.83.&nbsp;The three-member Kansas Corporation Commission approved the negotiated rate increase Thursday with little discussion. It takes effect Nov. 1.&nbsp;Kansas Gas Services’ original request would have pushed bills even higher and created a tiered rate system, imposing a larger percentage increase on customers who use less gas. Customers with lower usage would have seen a 10.41% hike, or average $6.71 per month. Larger customers’ rates would have increased by 8.25%, resulting in an increase of $9.48 on their bills.At a&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/06/14/theres-too-much-profit-customers-decry-proposed-natural-gas-rate-increase/">public hearing on the requested rate increase in June</a>, customers decried the requested rate increase as unnecessary and unconscionable.&nbsp;The Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board, which advocates for residential and small commercial utility customers, recommended a much smaller increase in rates, to bring in $10.7 million. Staff of the KCC recommended $31.7 million before reaching the $35 million settlement.Staff of the KCC said in a release that the settlement “strikes the proper balance between KGS’ desire for reasonable assurances that it will meet its financial obligations and the need to keep rates as low as possible for customers while still providing reliable natural gas distribution service.”&nbsp;In an email, KGS spokeswoman Dawn Trip said the new rates would allow the utility to “recover upfront investments we made to continue providing safe and reliable service Kansans depend on.”“We recognize that any increase in prices can be challenging for our customers,” Tripp said. “We encourage them to contact us for payment options if they have difficulty paying their natural gas bill.”Information about financial assistance can be found at&nbsp;<a href="http://kansasgasservice.com/cares" target="_blank">kansasgasservice.com/cares</a>.