JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The leader of Missouri's state Senate on Thursday said Republican senators are unified against letting transgender girls play on girls' sports teams.

Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden's comments to reporters on Thursday signal that restrictions on what teams transgender student athletes can play on have a good chance of passing the GOP-led Legislature this year.

Supporters and opponents spoke for hours during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-children-jefferson-city-missouri-lgbtq-people-adb003aedb60a1ddacc077189955831d">an intense public House committee hearing</a>&nbsp;on several bills dealing with transgender student athletes, gender-affirming treatment and drag shows. The hearing lasted through Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning.

<a href="https://www.mshsaa.org/resources/pdf/Official%20Handbook.pdf">Missouri’s current public high school sports rules</a>&nbsp;already prohibit transgender girls from competing on girls teams unless they have undergone at least a year of hormone therapy and continue taking medication to maintain their hormone levels.

The Missouri State High School Activities Association requires transgender athletes to apply and submit documentation of medical care in order to compete as the gender they identify with.

A spokesman for the association said 13 students have been approved since the organization adopted the rules in 2012, including only four transgender girls.

Senate Democratic Minority Leader John Rizzo called the focus on transgender athletics “absurd.”

“There's more bills about trans kids playing sports than there are trans kids that want to play sports,” Rizzo told reporters Thursday.

Rowden said Senate Republicans also support banning minors from receiving gender-affirming surgeries and that bans on other treatments, such as hormone blockers, are still under consideration.

“We're gonna take action on that issue,” Rowden said. “Our caucus is very united behind the idea that minors should not have gender reassignment surgery taken before the age of 18.”

Bills introduced in the Legislature would ban Missouri doctors from providing any&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-mental-ce8f5a9ee53768af03c3c65d5331045b">gender-affirming treatments for minors</a>&nbsp;and prevent insurance from covering those treatments for minors.

Transgender medical treatment for children and teens is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-health-texas-state-government-tennessee-minnesota-878a9217fa434f3ecd83738a71e40572">increasingly under attack in many states</a>, labeled child abuse and subject to criminalizing bans. But it has been available in the United States for more than a decade and is endorsed by major medical associations.

Efforts to outlaw public drag performances in Missouri appear less likely to advance.

When asked about whether he supports bills that would outlaw public drag performances, Rowden said lawmakers have “more important stuff to talk about.”

Proposed legislation would make performing in drag in public or where a minor could watch a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — The leader of Missouri's state Senate on Thursday said Republican senators are unified against letting transgender girls play on girls' sports teams.Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden's comments to reporters on Thursday signal that restrictions on what teams transgender student athletes can play on have a good chance of passing the GOP-led Legislature this year.Supporters and opponents spoke for hours during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-children-jefferson-city-missouri-lgbtq-people-adb003aedb60a1ddacc077189955831d">an intense public House committee hearing</a>&nbsp;on several bills dealing with transgender student athletes, gender-affirming treatment and drag shows. The hearing lasted through Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning.<a href="https://www.mshsaa.org/resources/pdf/Official%20Handbook.pdf">Missouri’s current public high school sports rules</a>&nbsp;already prohibit transgender girls from competing on girls teams unless they have undergone at least a year of hormone therapy and continue taking medication to maintain their hormone levels.The Missouri State High School Activities Association requires transgender athletes to apply and submit documentation of medical care in order to compete as the gender they identify with.A spokesman for the association said 13 students have been approved since the organization adopted the rules in 2012, including only four transgender girls.Senate Democratic Minority Leader John Rizzo called the focus on transgender athletics “absurd.”“There's more bills about trans kids playing sports than there are trans kids that want to play sports,” Rizzo told reporters Thursday.Rowden said Senate Republicans also support banning minors from receiving gender-affirming surgeries and that bans on other treatments, such as hormone blockers, are still under consideration.“We're gonna take action on that issue,” Rowden said. “Our caucus is very united behind the idea that minors should not have gender reassignment surgery taken before the age of 18.”Bills introduced in the Legislature would ban Missouri doctors from providing any&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-mental-ce8f5a9ee53768af03c3c65d5331045b">gender-affirming treatments for minors</a>&nbsp;and prevent insurance from covering those treatments for minors.Transgender medical treatment for children and teens is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-health-texas-state-government-tennessee-minnesota-878a9217fa434f3ecd83738a71e40572">increasingly under attack in many states</a>, labeled child abuse and subject to criminalizing bans. But it has been available in the United States for more than a decade and is endorsed by major medical associations.Efforts to outlaw public drag performances in Missouri appear less likely to advance.When asked about whether he supports bills that would outlaw public drag performances, Rowden said lawmakers have “more important stuff to talk about.”Proposed legislation would make performing in drag in public or where a minor could watch a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Battle in Missouri legislature over trans student athletes

●Assist in Planning, management, and overseeing of all elements of production.

●Develop, draft, and recommend improved production processes particularly focused on waste elimination.

●Follow product specifications and quality control measures.

●Assist in developing best practices to increase speed, repeatability, and efficiency of processes without compromising quality.

●Assist in the development and implementation of quality control measures that effectively monitor products and guarantee desired results.

●Ensure all functions of production run smoothly and efficiently.

●Develop process improvements to effectively utilize equipment and materials to maximize production.

●Perform analysis and provide recommendations to reduce downtime.

●Evaluate current production activities and make recommendations for improvements.

●Recommend cost reduction initiatives while maintaining high quality standards.

●Assist in developing operating instructions and processes for production activities.

●Investigate problems, determine corrective actions, analyze root causes, and recommend resolutions.

●Assist in development, design, and supervision of production tooling projects.

●Assist in production goal planning, development, and execution.

●Ability to effectively lead production activities in multiple fast paced departments.

●Ability to read, interpret and train staff on production drawings.

●Ability to lead, guide, train, mentor, and coach supervisory personnel.

●Follow and adhere to all state, federal and company enforced safety rules and regulations.

●Identify and correct unsafe operations and practices.

●Associates degree in Applied Science preferred.

●5+ years proven experience in production and engineering environment.

●Previous supervisory experience required.

●Possess a wide breadth of knowledge in mechanics and metal fabrication, welding, and machining in particular.

●Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written.

●Ability to effectively lead and direct employees.

●Ability to maintain positive relationships.

Full-time Regular benefits include:&nbsp;Progressive pay scale, Health Insurance w/ Dental, Paid Vacation and Holidays, Bonus and Retirement Plan, Life Insurance, Cafeteria Plan and company supplied uniforms.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673494458837.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Production Foreman</h2>Responsibilities●Assist in Planning, management, and overseeing of all elements of production.●Develop, draft, and recommend improved production processes particularly focused on waste elimination.●Follow product specifications and quality control measures.●Assist in developing best practices to increase speed, repeatability, and efficiency of processes without compromising quality.●Assist in the development and implementation of quality control measures that effectively monitor products and guarantee desired results.●Ensure all functions of production run smoothly and efficiently.●Develop process improvements to effectively utilize equipment and materials to maximize production.●Perform analysis and provide recommendations to reduce downtime.●Evaluate current production activities and make recommendations for improvements.●Recommend cost reduction initiatives while maintaining high quality standards.●Assist in developing operating instructions and processes for production activities.●Investigate problems, determine corrective actions, analyze root causes, and recommend resolutions.●Assist in development, design, and supervision of production tooling projects.●Assist in production goal planning, development, and execution.●Ability to effectively lead production activities in multiple fast paced departments.●Ability to read, interpret and train staff on production drawings.●Ability to lead, guide, train, mentor, and coach supervisory personnel.●Follow and adhere to all state, federal and company enforced safety rules and regulations.●Identify and correct unsafe operations and practices.Job Requirements:●Associates degree in Applied Science preferred.●Familiarity with CAD software a plus.●Proficiency using Microsoft office.●5+ years proven experience in production and engineering environment.●Previous supervisory experience required.●Possess a wide breadth of knowledge in mechanics and metal fabrication, welding, and machining in particular.●Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written.●Ability to effectively lead and direct employees.●Detail-oriented and efficient.●Ability to maintain positive relationships.Full-time Regular benefits include:&nbsp;Progressive pay scale, Health Insurance w/ Dental, Paid Vacation and Holidays, Bonus and Retirement Plan, Life Insurance, Cafeteria Plan and company supplied uniforms.

Biologists find 'river monster' on the Kansas River

BOSTON (AP) — When U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss decided to deliver a speech on a bill that would create a U.S.-Israel artificial intelligence center, he opted to let the AI do the talking.

The brief two-paragragh speech read by the Massachusetts Democrat on the floor of the U.S. House on Wednesday was generated by the online&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-chat-gpt-ac4967a4fb41fda31c4d27f015e32660">AI chatbot ChatGPT</a>. His staff said they believe it’s the first time an AI-written speech was read in Congress.

Auchincloss said he prompted the system in part to “write 100 words to deliver on the floor of the House of Representatives” about the legislation. Auchincloss said he had to refine the prompt several times to produce the text he ultimately read.

The bill, which Auchincloss is refiling, would establish a joint U.S.-Israel AI Center in the United States to serve as a hub for AI research and development in the public, private and education sectors.

Auchincloss said part of the decision to read a ChatGPT-generated text was to help spur debate on AI and the challenges and opportunities created by it. He said he doesn’t want to see a repeat of the advent of social media, which started small and ballooned faster than Congress could react.

“I’m the youngest parent in the Democratic caucus, AI is going to be part of my life and it could be a general purpose technology for my children,” said Auchincloss, 34.

The release of ChatGPT and other AI programs available on the internet is already posing a challenge for teachers who must now grapple with the possibility of students handing in AI-generated essays.

Researchers also worry AI chatbots could help turbocharge efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-business-artificial-intelligence-afb4618ff593db9e3e51ecbd91dc3eef">spread misinformation and propaganda.</a>

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-microsoft-corp-business-artificial-intelligence-03f157ddc482ef76f4999b929eaac7bf">OpenAI</a>, the nonprofit that created ChatGPT, has acknowledged on its website that ChatGPT “can occasionally produce incorrect answers” and that its responses will sometimes be misleading as a result of how it learns. It recommends users check whether responses are accurate or not,

The text generated from Auchincloss’s prompt includes sentences like: “We must collaborate with international partners like the Israeli government to ensure that the United States maintains a leadership role in AI research and development and responsibly explores the many possibilities evolving technologies provide.”

“There were probably about a dozen of my colleagues on the floor. I bet none of them knew it was written by a computer,” he said.

Lawmakers and others shouldn’t be reflexively hostile to the new technology, but also shouldn’t wait too long before drafting policies or new laws to help regulate it, Auchincloss said.

In particular, he argued that the country needs a “public counterweight” to the big tech firms that would help guarantee that smaller developers and universities have access to the same cloud computing, cutting edge algorithms and raw data as larger companies.

BOSTON (AP) — When U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss decided to deliver a speech on a bill that would create a U.S.-Israel artificial intelligence center, he opted to let the AI do the talking.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepAuchincloss?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepAuchincloss</a> delivers AI-generated speech on the House floor: &quot;We must collaborate with international partners like the Israeli government to ensure that the United States maintains a leadership role in AI research and development...&quot; <a href="https://t.co/xMbPIXyBJO">pic.twitter.com/xMbPIXyBJO</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1618675199678812170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The brief two-paragragh speech read by the Massachusetts Democrat on the floor of the U.S. House on Wednesday was generated by the online&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/what-is-chat-gpt-ac4967a4fb41fda31c4d27f015e32660">AI chatbot ChatGPT</a>. His staff said they believe it’s the first time an AI-written speech was read in Congress.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">AI has the potential to radically reshape how we use technology. But for now… my speechwriter has nothing to worry about. <a href="https://t.co/AADA3mwPrC">pic.twitter.com/AADA3mwPrC</a>&mdash; Rep. Jake Auchincloss (@RepAuchincloss) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepAuchincloss/status/1618299859785908227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Auchincloss said he prompted the system in part to “write 100 words to deliver on the floor of the House of Representatives” about the legislation. Auchincloss said he had to refine the prompt several times to produce the text he ultimately read.The bill, which Auchincloss is refiling, would establish a joint U.S.-Israel AI Center in the United States to serve as a hub for AI research and development in the public, private and education sectors.Auchincloss said part of the decision to read a ChatGPT-generated text was to help spur debate on AI and the challenges and opportunities created by it. He said he doesn’t want to see a repeat of the advent of social media, which started small and ballooned faster than Congress could react.“I’m the youngest parent in the Democratic caucus, AI is going to be part of my life and it could be a general purpose technology for my children,” said Auchincloss, 34.The release of ChatGPT and other AI programs available on the internet is already posing a challenge for teachers who must now grapple with the possibility of students handing in AI-generated essays.Researchers also worry AI chatbots could help turbocharge efforts to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-business-artificial-intelligence-afb4618ff593db9e3e51ecbd91dc3eef">spread misinformation and propaganda.</a><a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-science-microsoft-corp-business-artificial-intelligence-03f157ddc482ef76f4999b929eaac7bf">OpenAI</a>, the nonprofit that created ChatGPT, has acknowledged on its website that ChatGPT “can occasionally produce incorrect answers” and that its responses will sometimes be misleading as a result of how it learns. It recommends users check whether responses are accurate or not,The text generated from Auchincloss’s prompt includes sentences like: “We must collaborate with international partners like the Israeli government to ensure that the United States maintains a leadership role in AI research and development and responsibly explores the many possibilities evolving technologies provide.”“There were probably about a dozen of my colleagues on the floor. I bet none of them knew it was written by a computer,” he said.Lawmakers and others shouldn’t be reflexively hostile to the new technology, but also shouldn’t wait too long before drafting policies or new laws to help regulate it, Auchincloss said.In particular, he argued that the country needs a “public counterweight” to the big tech firms that would help guarantee that smaller developers and universities have access to the same cloud computing, cutting edge algorithms and raw data as larger companies.

🎥First: Speech on House floor totally written by artificial intelligence

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas prisoner who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-legal-proceedings-lawsuits-crime-73adb2abe585f9cd5aa54f1cf48d8501">alleged in a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;that he was not being treated properly for cancer has died, his family and attorneys said.

John Keith Calvin, 56, died Wednesday at El Dorado Correctional Facility, where he was imprisoned for a 2002 killing that his attorneys and supporters maintained he did not commit.

In a lawsuit filed last month, Calvin claimed the Kansas Department of Corrections had not provided proper treatment for his colon cancer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article271652547.html">The Kansas City Star</a><a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article271652547.html">reported</a>. An emergency filing asking that he be moved to a hospital was denied.

In a statement, Calvin’s lawyers said his family was “devastated” to share that he died after spending more than 19 years in prison for the Dec. 12, 2002, shooting death of John Coates in Kansas City, Kansas. He would have been eligible for parole in May.

His lawyers at the Midwest Innocence Project and the law firm Morgan Pilate said Calvin was innocent.

“Everyone knew this, and a whole community fought for him,” they said. “John Calvin will have a long legacy, and his fight against injustice will continue.”

Calvin’s co-defendant, Melvin Lee White Jr., was given a five-year sentence after taking a plea deal in Coates' death. White has said repeatedly in court and interviews that he shot Coates and Calvin was innocent.

Calvin’s case had been referred to the Wyandotte County district attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit, which investigates complaints of police misconduct and wrongful conviction.

In their lawsuit, Calvin’s lawyers alleged he was “yet another victim” of police corruption in Kansas City, Kansas, “as exemplified” by former detective Roger Golubski.

Golubski has been accused by federal prosecutors and civil rights groups of framing Black citizens and sexually harassing Black women and girls for years in Kansas City, Kansas.

He is currently on house arrest facing two federal indictments alleging he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-kansas-city-indictments-civil-rights-violations-c465a1483c9295eb465847fb8c3463eb">sexually assaulted and kidnapped</a>&nbsp;a woman and a teenager between 1998 and 2002, and that he was part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-kansas-city-indictments-337f9df63faf6c5ff8d3d50623b902c2">a sex trafficking ring</a>&nbsp;involving underage girls in Kansas City, Kansas, between 1996 and 1998.

Golubski has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1672953153801.png" alt="Calvin- has convictions for murder, robbery and theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Calvin- has convictions for murder, robbery and theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas prisoner who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-city-legal-proceedings-lawsuits-crime-73adb2abe585f9cd5aa54f1cf48d8501">alleged in a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;that he was not being treated properly for cancer has died, his family and attorneys said.John Keith Calvin, 56, died Wednesday at El Dorado Correctional Facility, where he was imprisoned for a 2002 killing that his attorneys and supporters maintained he did not commit.In a lawsuit filed last month, Calvin claimed the Kansas Department of Corrections had not provided proper treatment for his colon cancer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article271652547.html">The Kansas City Star</a><a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article271652547.html">reported</a>. An emergency filing asking that he be moved to a hospital was denied.In a statement, Calvin’s lawyers said his family was “devastated” to share that he died after spending more than 19 years in prison for the Dec. 12, 2002, shooting death of John Coates in Kansas City, Kansas. He would have been eligible for parole in May.His lawyers at the Midwest Innocence Project and the law firm Morgan Pilate said Calvin was innocent.“Everyone knew this, and a whole community fought for him,” they said. “John Calvin will have a long legacy, and his fight against injustice will continue.”Calvin’s co-defendant, Melvin Lee White Jr., was given a five-year sentence after taking a plea deal in Coates' death. White has said repeatedly in court and interviews that he shot Coates and Calvin was innocent.Calvin’s case had been referred to the Wyandotte County district attorney’s Conviction Integrity Unit, which investigates complaints of police misconduct and wrongful conviction.In their lawsuit, Calvin’s lawyers alleged he was “yet another victim” of police corruption in Kansas City, Kansas, “as exemplified” by former detective Roger Golubski.Golubski has been accused by federal prosecutors and civil rights groups of framing Black citizens and sexually harassing Black women and girls for years in Kansas City, Kansas.He is currently on house arrest facing two federal indictments alleging he&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-kansas-city-indictments-civil-rights-violations-c465a1483c9295eb465847fb8c3463eb">sexually assaulted and kidnapped</a>&nbsp;a woman and a teenager between 1998 and 2002, and that he was part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arrests-kansas-city-indictments-337f9df63faf6c5ff8d3d50623b902c2">a sex trafficking ring</a>&nbsp;involving underage girls in Kansas City, Kansas, between 1996 and 1998.Golubski has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Kansas inmate who sued over cancer treatment has died

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An asteroid the size of a delivery truck will whip past Earth on Thursday night, one of the closest such encounters ever recorded.

NASA insists it will be a near miss with no chance of the asteroid hitting Earth.

NASA said Wednesday that this newly discovered asteroid will zoom 2,200 miles above the southern tip of South America. That's 10 times closer than the bevy of communication satellites circling overhead.

The closest approach will occur at 6:27 p.m. CST&nbsp;

Even if the space rock came a lot closer, scientists said most of it would burn up in the atmosphere, with some of the bigger pieces possibly falling as meteorites.

NASA's impact hazard assessment system, called Scout, quickly ruled out a strike, said its developer, Davide Farnocchia, an engineer at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

"But despite the very few observations, it was nonetheless able to predict that the asteroid would make an extraordinarily close approach with Earth,” Farnocchia said in a statement. “In fact, this is one of the closest approaches by a known near-Earth object ever recorded.”

Discovered Saturday, the asteroid known as 2023 BU is believed to be between 11 feet (3.5 meters) and 28 feet (8.5 meters) feet across. It was first spotted by the same amateur astronomer in Crimea, Gennady Borisov, who discovered an interstellar comet in 2019. Within a few days, dozens of observations were made by astronomers around the world, allowing them to refine the asteroid's orbit.

The asteroid's path drastically will be altered by Earth's gravity once it zips by. Instead of circling the sun every 359 days, it will move into an oval orbit lasting 425 days, according to NASA.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674749374434.png" alt="This orbital diagram from CNEOS’s close approach viewer shows 2023 BU’s trajectory – in red – during its close approach with Earth on Jan. 26, 2023. The asteroid will pass about 10 times closer to Earth than the orbit of geosynchronous satellites, shown in green line. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech" />
 <figcaption>This orbital diagram from CNEOS’s close approach viewer shows 2023 BU’s trajectory – in red – during its close approach with Earth on Jan. 26, 2023. The asteroid will pass about 10 times closer to Earth than the orbit of geosynchronous satellites, shown in green line. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech</figcaption>
 </figure>CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An asteroid the size of a delivery truck will whip past Earth on Thursday night, one of the closest such encounters ever recorded.NASA insists it will be a near miss with no chance of the asteroid hitting Earth.NASA said Wednesday that this newly discovered asteroid will zoom 2,200 miles above the southern tip of South America. That's 10 times closer than the bevy of communication satellites circling overhead.The closest approach will occur at 6:27 p.m. CST&nbsp;Even if the space rock came a lot closer, scientists said most of it would burn up in the atmosphere, with some of the bigger pieces possibly falling as meteorites.NASA's impact hazard assessment system, called Scout, quickly ruled out a strike, said its developer, Davide Farnocchia, an engineer at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California."But despite the very few observations, it was nonetheless able to predict that the asteroid would make an extraordinarily close approach with Earth,” Farnocchia said in a statement. “In fact, this is one of the closest approaches by a known near-Earth object ever recorded.”Discovered Saturday, the asteroid known as 2023 BU is believed to be between 11 feet (3.5 meters) and 28 feet (8.5 meters) feet across. It was first spotted by the same amateur astronomer in Crimea, Gennady Borisov, who discovered an interstellar comet in 2019. Within a few days, dozens of observations were made by astronomers around the world, allowing them to refine the asteroid's orbit.The asteroid's path drastically will be altered by Earth's gravity once it zips by. Instead of circling the sun every 359 days, it will move into an oval orbit lasting 425 days, according to NASA.___

Asteroid set to whip past Earth; closest encounter ever

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/24/new-bill-seen-as-first-step-toward-fixing-problems-in-kansas-juvenile-justice-system/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA
 — Lawmakers have begun evaluating legislation in an effort to fix years
 of built-up problems within the juvenile justice system.

First up: A bill that could expand access to behavioral health treatment through crisis intervention centers.

During a House Corrections and 
Juvenile Justice Committee meeting Monday, a week after lawmakers heard 
from attorneys and foster care workers <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/19/kansas-juvenile-justice-reform-effort-left-major-flaws-in-system-officials-say/">who urged for more juvenile crisis intervention centers</a>
 and adequate resources, lawmakers said they were trying to quickly come
 up with solutions for young offenders who need more intensive help.

Rep. John Carmichael, D-Wichita, 
recounted an incident from a few years ago, when he was in a community 
discussion about a young offender who repeatedly committed car 
burglaries. Carmichael said because of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2016/b2015_16/measures/documents/summary_sb_367_2016.pdf">Senate Bill 367</a>, which was implemented in 2016, the young man never experienced significant consequences.

“We used to be able to lock this kid 
up, but we can’t do this anymore,” Carmichael said. “All we can do is 
catch and release. And of course everybody in the room looked at me 
because I voted for the bill. That wasn’t pleasant.”

SB367 shifted practices away from 
holding youths in group homes or state custody, instead funneling money 
into an account to be used on community programs and treatment. The 
legislation included limits on probation and case lengths, making it 
less common for youths to be detained or sent to correctional 
facilities.

While youth incarceration rates have 
decreased, officials in the community have said young offenders weren’t 
receiving the proper treatment and had high recidivism rates. To fix 
gaps in the system, lawmakers have discussed new legislation. On Monday,
 they heard testimony on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2033_00_0000.pdf">House Bill 2033</a>.

The bill stipulates that substance 
abuse services should be offered by juvenile crisis intervention 
centers. The legislation also would make behavioral health conditions 
part of an assessment of whether or not youths are likely to cause harm 
to themselves or others.

HB2033 would also add a definition of
 behavioral health crisis to the Kansas code of care for children, and 
change wording in some of the custody and court statutes. The bill would
 change the term “mental health crisis” to “behavioral health crisis” in
 statutes that deal with law enforcement officers taking a child into 
custody and on the criteria used to refer and admit youths to a juvenile
 crisis intervention center, among others.

Tim DeWeese, director of the Johnson 
County Mental Health Center, said the change in wording would help cover
 more areas and better serve the community.

“By redefining it from mental health 
crisis to behavioral crisis, you’re not only encompassing the mental 
health issues, but you’re addressing the substance abuse issues and also
 those issues where a young person may be emotionally deregulated — 
they’re having a fit, they’re a little out of control, they’re not able 
to manage their emotions,” DeWeese said.&nbsp;

Committee Chairman Rep. Stephan Owens, R-Hesston, said the legislation would open the door to opening crisis intervention centers across the state.

Kansas has millions set aside for 
juvenile crisis center funding, which is thought to be a potential 
solution to the current lack of resources for juvenile offenders, but 
hasn’t used any of the funding. In 2018, Johnson County applied to 
create a center but the state government dropped the project.

“This is one of the steps to make sure they get built and utilized,” Owens said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674585057932.png" alt="Rep. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston, right, confers with Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, D-Topeka, during a hearing Monday on juvenile justice reform. Owens said he is committed to fixing issues within the juvenile justice system. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector) " />
 <figcaption>Rep. Stephen Owens, R-Hesston, right, confers with Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, D-Topeka, during a hearing Monday on juvenile justice reform. Owens said he is committed to fixing issues within the juvenile justice system. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector) </figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/24/new-bill-seen-as-first-step-toward-fixing-problems-in-kansas-juvenile-justice-system/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA
 — Lawmakers have begun evaluating legislation in an effort to fix years
 of built-up problems within the juvenile justice system.First up: A bill that could expand access to behavioral health treatment through crisis intervention centers.During a House Corrections and 
Juvenile Justice Committee meeting Monday, a week after lawmakers heard 
from attorneys and foster care workers <a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/01/19/kansas-juvenile-justice-reform-effort-left-major-flaws-in-system-officials-say/">who urged for more juvenile crisis intervention centers</a>
 and adequate resources, lawmakers said they were trying to quickly come
 up with solutions for young offenders who need more intensive help.Rep. John Carmichael, D-Wichita, 
recounted an incident from a few years ago, when he was in a community 
discussion about a young offender who repeatedly committed car 
burglaries. Carmichael said because of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li_2016/b2015_16/measures/documents/summary_sb_367_2016.pdf">Senate Bill 367</a>, which was implemented in 2016, the young man never experienced significant consequences.“We used to be able to lock this kid 
up, but we can’t do this anymore,” Carmichael said. “All we can do is 
catch and release. And of course everybody in the room looked at me 
because I voted for the bill. That wasn’t pleasant.”SB367 shifted practices away from 
holding youths in group homes or state custody, instead funneling money 
into an account to be used on community programs and treatment. The 
legislation included limits on probation and case lengths, making it 
less common for youths to be detained or sent to correctional 
facilities.While youth incarceration rates have 
decreased, officials in the community have said young offenders weren’t 
receiving the proper treatment and had high recidivism rates. To fix 
gaps in the system, lawmakers have discussed new legislation. On Monday,
 they heard testimony on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/hb2033_00_0000.pdf">House Bill 2033</a>.The bill stipulates that substance 
abuse services should be offered by juvenile crisis intervention 
centers. The legislation also would make behavioral health conditions 
part of an assessment of whether or not youths are likely to cause harm 
to themselves or others.HB2033 would also add a definition of
 behavioral health crisis to the Kansas code of care for children, and 
change wording in some of the custody and court statutes. The bill would
 change the term “mental health crisis” to “behavioral health crisis” in
 statutes that deal with law enforcement officers taking a child into 
custody and on the criteria used to refer and admit youths to a juvenile
 crisis intervention center, among others.Tim DeWeese, director of the Johnson 
County Mental Health Center, said the change in wording would help cover
 more areas and better serve the community.“By redefining it from mental health 
crisis to behavioral crisis, you’re not only encompassing the mental 
health issues, but you’re addressing the substance abuse issues and also
 those issues where a young person may be emotionally deregulated — 
they’re having a fit, they’re a little out of control, they’re not able 
to manage their emotions,” DeWeese said.&nbsp;Committee Chairman Rep. Stephan Owens, R-Hesston, said the legislation would open the door to opening crisis intervention centers across the state.Kansas has millions set aside for 
juvenile crisis center funding, which is thought to be a potential 
solution to the current lack of resources for juvenile offenders, but 
hasn’t used any of the funding. In 2018, Johnson County applied to 
create a center but the state government dropped the project.“This is one of the steps to make sure they get built and utilized,” Owens said.

New bill aims to begin fix of Kansas juvenile justice system

KANSAS CITY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after they seized more fentanyl in the Kansas City, Kansas area.&nbsp;

On January 22, the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department Narcotics Unit seized over 10,000 counterfeit prescription pills laced with the highly potent drug fentanyl.

The seizure, made during a routine sweep of a local shipping distribution center, has a street value of upwards of $100,000.

"We want dealers and suppliers to know that Kansas City, Kansas is not the place to be doing business," Captain John Diaz of the KCKPD Narcotics Unit said. 

"We are conducting routine sweeps with the assistance of drug-sniffing k-9s in a variety of facilities, including those that process packages. Last year, as part of the Violent Crimes Task Force we seized about 150,000 pills and expect to seize even more in 2023."

The pills seized are nearly identical to those dispensed by pharmacies but contain potentially lethal amounts of fentanyl, a drug that is 50 times stronger than heroin and&nbsp;100 times stronger than morphine. Once ingested or inhaled, an overdose can occur in a matter of seconds or minutes.&nbsp;

 In 2022,&nbsp; Kansas City, Kansas recorded 174 drug overdoses and 40 were fatal. The majority were related to fentanyl.

If you are with someone who exhibits symptoms of overdose such as shallow or no breathing and becomes unresponsive after ingesting or snorting a drug, call 911 immediately. If you have any information regarding the sale of fentanyl, or any illegal drugs, please call the KCKPD Narcotics 24-hour Hotline at 913-573-6287. You may remain anonymous

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674663817922.png" alt="10,000 counterfeit prescription pills-Photo KCK Police" />
 <figcaption>10,000 counterfeit prescription pills-Photo KCK Police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after they seized more fentanyl in the Kansas City, Kansas area.&nbsp;On January 22, the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department Narcotics Unit seized over 10,000 counterfeit prescription pills laced with the highly potent drug fentanyl.The seizure, made during a routine sweep of a local shipping distribution center, has a street value of upwards of $100,000."We want dealers and suppliers to know that Kansas City, Kansas is not the place to be doing business," Captain John Diaz of the KCKPD Narcotics Unit said. "We are conducting routine sweeps with the assistance of drug-sniffing k-9s in a variety of facilities, including those that process packages. Last year, as part of the Violent Crimes Task Force we seized about 150,000 pills and expect to seize even more in 2023."The pills seized are nearly identical to those dispensed by pharmacies but contain potentially lethal amounts of fentanyl, a drug that is 50 times stronger than heroin and&nbsp;100 times stronger than morphine. Once ingested or inhaled, an overdose can occur in a matter of seconds or minutes.&nbsp; In 2022,&nbsp; Kansas City, Kansas recorded 174 drug overdoses and 40 were fatal. The majority were related to fentanyl.If you are with someone who exhibits symptoms of overdose such as shallow or no breathing and becomes unresponsive after ingesting or snorting a drug, call 911 immediately. If you have any information regarding the sale of fentanyl, or any illegal drugs, please call the KCKPD Narcotics 24-hour Hotline at 913-573-6287. You may remain anonymous

Police in Kansas seized pills laced with fentanyl worth $100,000

WASHINGTON (AP) — Supporters of abortion rights filed separate lawsuits Wednesday challenging two states' abortion pill restrictions, the opening salvo in what’s expected to a be a protracted legal battle over access to the medications.

The lawsuits argue that limits on the drugs in North Carolina and West Virginia run afoul of the federal authority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which has approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-covid-science-health-2d52ebf9efc6ef06f03e788fecd13013">the abortion pill</a>&nbsp;as a safe and effective method for ending pregnancy.

The cases were brought by a North Carolina physician who prescribes the pill, mifepristone, and GenBioPro, which makes a generic version of the drug and sued in West Virginia.

While the lawsuits target specific state laws, they represent key legal tests that could determine access to abortion for millions of women.

The litigation turns on a longstanding legal principle that federal law, including FDA decisions, pre-empt state laws. Indeed, few states have ever tried to fully ban an FDA-approved drug because of past rulings in the agency’s favor.

But with the fall of Roe v. Wade there’s little precedent for the current legal patchwork of laws governing abortion.

After the Supreme Court overturned the decision in June, previously adopted restrictions on abortion kicked in and two states adopted new ones. Currently, bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy are being followed in 13 states and enforcement is being held up in several other states because of legal challenges.

On top of that, 19 states — including North Carolina and West Virginia — impose limits on how physicians can prescribe and dispense abortion medications.

“West Virginia cannot override the FDA’s safety and efficacy determinations, nor can it disrupt the national market for this medication,” David Frederick, an attorney representing GenBioPro, said in a statement.

Legal experts foresee years of court battles over access to the pills.

North Carolina bans nearly all abortions after 20 weeks, with narrow exceptions for urgent medical emergencies. Any physician prescribing medication abortion is required to be in the same room as the patient when administering the drug. The state also requires counseling before receiving the drug.

The lawsuit, filed by Dr. Amy Bryant, argues that such requirements contradict FDA-approved labeling for the drug and interfere with her ability to treat patients.

“We know from years of research and use that medication abortion is safe and effective — there’s no medical reason for politicians to interfere or restrict access to it,” Bryant said in a statement provided by the Expanding Medication Abortion Access project, an abortion rights group working on legal challenges to state laws.

The office of Attorney General Josh Stein, who is a defendant in the complaint because he’s the state chief law enforcement officer, was reviewing the complaint on Wednesday, Stein spokesperson Nazneen Ahmed wrote in an email. Stein, a Democrat who announced last week a bid for governor in 2024, is a strong abortion-rights supporter.

The FDA approved mifepristone in 2000 to end pregnancy, when used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol. The combination is approved for use up to the 10th week of pregnancy.

For more than 20 years, FDA limited dispensing of the drug to a subset of specialty offices and clinics, due to safety concerns. In rare cases the drug combination can cause excess bleeding, requiring emergency care. But since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency has repeatedly eased restrictions and expanded access, increasing demand even as state laws make the pills harder to get more many women.

In late 2021, the agency eliminated the in-person requirement for the pill, saying a new scientific review showed no increase in safety complications if the drug is taken at home. That change also permitted the pill to be prescribed via telehealth consultations and shipped by mail-order pharmacies.

Earlier this year the FDA further loosened restrictions by allowing brick-and-mortar pharmacies to dispense the drug, provided they undergo certification.

That change was made at the request of the two drug manufactures: GenBioPro and Danco Laboratories, which makes brand-name Mifeprex.

In its West Virginia lawsuit, GenBioPro argues that state laws interfere with drug regulations crafted by the FDA, which has sole authority over the approval and labeling of all U.S. drugs.

West Virginia’s law outlaws most abortions, with some exceptions for rape and incest victims and in cases of life-threatening medical emergencies and nonviable pregnancies.

“The ban and restrictions make it impossible for GenBioPro to market and distribute mifepristone in West Virginia in accordance with FDA’s requirements,” the company states in its suit filed in the state’s southern federal district.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said he would defend the state's new abortion law. “While it may not sit well with manufacturers of abortion drugs, the U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear that regulating abortion is a state issue,” he said in a statement.

Abortion opponents have filed their own lawsuits seeking to block use of the pill, including a Texas suit arguing that the FDA overstepped its authority in approving the pill and easing limitations on its use. A decision in that case is expected next month.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-science-health-medication-56972af9e9b0fc2fc97e06041f6e96ce">More than half</a>&nbsp;of U.S. abortions are now done with pills rather than surgery, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights.

Mifepristone dilates the cervix and blocks the effects of the hormone progesterone, which is needed to sustain a pregnancy. Misoprostol, a drug also used to treat stomach ulcers, is taken 24 to 48 hours later. It causes the uterus to cramp and contract, causing bleeding and expelling pregnancy tissue.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/2/1581004285984.jpeg" alt="Photo Credit Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Photo Credit Celia Llopis-Jepsen / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Supporters of abortion rights filed separate lawsuits Wednesday challenging two states' abortion pill restrictions, the opening salvo in what’s expected to a be a protracted legal battle over access to the medications.The lawsuits argue that limits on the drugs in North Carolina and West Virginia run afoul of the federal authority of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which has approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-covid-science-health-2d52ebf9efc6ef06f03e788fecd13013">the abortion pill</a>&nbsp;as a safe and effective method for ending pregnancy.The cases were brought by a North Carolina physician who prescribes the pill, mifepristone, and GenBioPro, which makes a generic version of the drug and sued in West Virginia.While the lawsuits target specific state laws, they represent key legal tests that could determine access to abortion for millions of women.The litigation turns on a longstanding legal principle that federal law, including FDA decisions, pre-empt state laws. Indeed, few states have ever tried to fully ban an FDA-approved drug because of past rulings in the agency’s favor.But with the fall of Roe v. Wade there’s little precedent for the current legal patchwork of laws governing abortion.After the Supreme Court overturned the decision in June, previously adopted restrictions on abortion kicked in and two states adopted new ones. Currently, bans on abortion at all stages of pregnancy are being followed in 13 states and enforcement is being held up in several other states because of legal challenges.On top of that, 19 states — including North Carolina and West Virginia — impose limits on how physicians can prescribe and dispense abortion medications.“West Virginia cannot override the FDA’s safety and efficacy determinations, nor can it disrupt the national market for this medication,” David Frederick, an attorney representing GenBioPro, said in a statement.Legal experts foresee years of court battles over access to the pills.North Carolina bans nearly all abortions after 20 weeks, with narrow exceptions for urgent medical emergencies. Any physician prescribing medication abortion is required to be in the same room as the patient when administering the drug. The state also requires counseling before receiving the drug.The lawsuit, filed by Dr. Amy Bryant, argues that such requirements contradict FDA-approved labeling for the drug and interfere with her ability to treat patients.“We know from years of research and use that medication abortion is safe and effective — there’s no medical reason for politicians to interfere or restrict access to it,” Bryant said in a statement provided by the Expanding Medication Abortion Access project, an abortion rights group working on legal challenges to state laws.The office of Attorney General Josh Stein, who is a defendant in the complaint because he’s the state chief law enforcement officer, was reviewing the complaint on Wednesday, Stein spokesperson Nazneen Ahmed wrote in an email. Stein, a Democrat who announced last week a bid for governor in 2024, is a strong abortion-rights supporter.The FDA approved mifepristone in 2000 to end pregnancy, when used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol. The combination is approved for use up to the 10th week of pregnancy.For more than 20 years, FDA limited dispensing of the drug to a subset of specialty offices and clinics, due to safety concerns. In rare cases the drug combination can cause excess bleeding, requiring emergency care. But since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency has repeatedly eased restrictions and expanded access, increasing demand even as state laws make the pills harder to get more many women.In late 2021, the agency eliminated the in-person requirement for the pill, saying a new scientific review showed no increase in safety complications if the drug is taken at home. That change also permitted the pill to be prescribed via telehealth consultations and shipped by mail-order pharmacies.Earlier this year the FDA further loosened restrictions by allowing brick-and-mortar pharmacies to dispense the drug, provided they undergo certification.That change was made at the request of the two drug manufactures: GenBioPro and Danco Laboratories, which makes brand-name Mifeprex.In its West Virginia lawsuit, GenBioPro argues that state laws interfere with drug regulations crafted by the FDA, which has sole authority over the approval and labeling of all U.S. drugs.West Virginia’s law outlaws most abortions, with some exceptions for rape and incest victims and in cases of life-threatening medical emergencies and nonviable pregnancies.“The ban and restrictions make it impossible for GenBioPro to market and distribute mifepristone in West Virginia in accordance with FDA’s requirements,” the company states in its suit filed in the state’s southern federal district.West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said he would defend the state's new abortion law. “While it may not sit well with manufacturers of abortion drugs, the U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear that regulating abortion is a state issue,” he said in a statement.Abortion opponents have filed their own lawsuits seeking to block use of the pill, including a Texas suit arguing that the FDA overstepped its authority in approving the pill and easing limitations on its use. A decision in that case is expected next month.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-science-health-medication-56972af9e9b0fc2fc97e06041f6e96ce">More than half</a>&nbsp;of U.S. abortions are now done with pills rather than surgery, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights.Mifepristone dilates the cervix and blocks the effects of the hormone progesterone, which is needed to sustain a pregnancy. Misoprostol, a drug also used to treat stomach ulcers, is taken 24 to 48 hours later. It causes the uterus to cramp and contract, causing bleeding and expelling pregnancy tissue.

New lawsuits target state restrictions on abortion pills

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities and USD 259 are investigating a student brought a grenade to school.

Just after 2:30p.m. Wednesday, a student reported seeing an image on Snapchat of another student having a grenade at Derby High School, 920 Rock Road in Derby, according to the school district's social media page.

This was immediately investigated and the student in question shared that the device in the image was not live. 

The Derby Police Department was notified and the Wichita Police bomb squad was brought in. Police advised the school to be evacuated while they ensured there was no active threat. 

Police later determined that the grenade was not a live or a threat. Because of this, students were allowed to re-enter the building to gather their personal items.

"We appreciate the diligent student who reported seeing an alarming image as well as the immediate response of our school staff and police department." Thank you for your understanding and patience as we worked through this unexpected end to the school day.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities and USD 259 are investigating a student brought a grenade to school.Just after 2:30p.m. Wednesday, a student reported seeing an image on Snapchat of another student having a grenade at Derby High School, 920 Rock Road in Derby, according to the school district's social media page.This was immediately investigated and the student in question shared that the device in the image was not live. The Derby Police Department was notified and the Wichita Police bomb squad was brought in. Police advised the school to be evacuated while they ensured there was no active threat. Police later determined that the grenade was not a live or a threat. Because of this, students were allowed to re-enter the building to gather their personal items."We appreciate the diligent student who reported seeing an alarming image as well as the immediate response of our school staff and police department." Thank you for your understanding and patience as we worked through this unexpected end to the school day.

Kan. high school evacuated after student found with grenade 

WASHINGTON (AP) — For months, U.S. officials balked at sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, insisting they were too complicated and too hard to maintain and repair.

On Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-military-technology-germany-7b63726a3935da3f03424e98e52a85b2">that abruptly changed</a>. Ukraine's desperate pleas for tanks were answered with a sweeping,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-german-tanks-435da2221bf452a8aae9d2e58d23acae">trans-Atlantic yes</a>.

The dramatic reversal was the culmination of intense international pressure and diplomatic arm-twisting that played out over the last week. And it resulted in in a quick succession of announcements: The U.S. said it will send 31 of the 70-ton Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine, and Germany announced it will send 14 Leopard 2 tanks and allow other countries to do the same.

<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/01/25/remarks-by-president-biden-on-continued-support-for-ukraine/">Click here to read President Biden's</a>&nbsp;statement on sending tanks

A look at the massive battle weapon, why it is important to Ukraine's war with Russia, and what drove the Biden administration's tank turnabout.

(click below to watch the statement from President Biden)

M1 Abrams tanks have led American battle assaults for decades.

Carrying a crew of four, the Abrams was first deployed to war in 1991. It has thick armor, a 120 mm main gun, armor piercing capabilities, advanced targeting systems, thick tracked wheels and a 1,500-horsepower turbine engine with a top speed of about 42 miles per hour (68 kilometers per hour).

Crews interviewed in a 1992 Government Accountability Office review after the Persian Gulf War praised its high survivability and said “several M1A1 crews reported receiving direct frontal hits from Iraqi T-72s with minimal damage.”

More recently, the battle titans led the charge to Baghdad during America’s 2003 invasion of Iraq, as 3rd Infantry Division units conducted what was dubbed “Thunder Runs” to break through Iraqi defenses.

The Abrams' powerful jet engine can propel the tank through almost any terrain, whether heavy snow or heavy mud, said Kevin Butler, a former Army lieutenant who served as an Abrams tank platoon leader. Butler recalled a muddy exercise in the late 1990s at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he’d voiced concern about the tanks getting stuck because it had already stuck the Humvees.

The Abrams, he said, "didn’t even notice” the mud.

The Abrams' jet engine needs hundreds of gallons of fuel to operate.

It will burn through fuel at a rate of at least two gallons per mile (4.7 liters per kilometer), whether the tank is moving or idling, Butler said, which means a constant supply convoy of fuel trucks must stay within reach so it can keep moving forward.

The U.S. worried that the fuel demands would create a logistical nightmare for Ukrainian forces. While an Abrams can storm through the snow and mud, fuel trucks can't. In addition, like any jet engine, the Abrams' turbine needs air to breathe, which it sucks in through filtered rear vents. When those vent filters get clogged — whether by sand, as soldiers reported to GAO in 1992, or by debris they might encounter in Ukraine — they can't perform.

“The Abrams tank is a very complicated piece of equipment. It’s expensive, it’s hard to train on. ... It is not the easiest system to maintain. It may or may not be the right system,” The under secretary of defense for policy, Colin Kahl, told reporters last week at the Pentagon.

The Abrams also will require months of training. Ukrainian forces will have to learn how to operate its more complex systems, and how to keep it running and fueled.

Despite all the drawbacks expressed by the U.S., when all was said and done, it came down to political realities and a diplomatic dance.

Germany had been reluctant to send the Leopards, or allow allies to send them, unless the U.S. put its Abrams on the table, due to concerns that supplying the tanks would incur Russia’s wrath. The U.S., meanwhile, argued that the German-made Leopards were a better fit because Ukrainian troops could get them and get trained on them far more quickly and easily.

The impasse frustrated European allies, such as Poland, who wanted to send Leopards but couldn’t without Germany’s OK. Thus began the more fierce negotiations.

U.S. and German officials both used the word “intensive” to describe the talks that ultimately led to the tank turnabout by both countries.

“This is the result of intensive consultations, once again, with our allies and international partners,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in an address to German lawmakers on Wednesday.

Echoing Scholz, a senior U.S. administration official said talks had been going on for some time but “in a much more intensified way over the last number of weeks.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details on the decision.

From President Joe Biden on down, calls were made, including to Scholz. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke and met with their German counterparts and other allies.

Last Friday, the pressure was palpable.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-politics-military-technology-joint-chiefs-of-staff-lloyd-austin-1b505c88a5a6f331cd482762c62fa29c">Top defense leaders from more than 50 countries</a>&nbsp;met at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to discuss Ukraine's ongoing weapons and equipment needs. Tanks were a key subject. Leaders from countries that have Leopard tanks met with the new German defense minister.

Gradually, the German stance began to publicly soften, leading to Wednesday's announcements. Asked repeatedly what changed, Biden administration officials sidestepped. Asked directly about German pressure, Biden told reporters, “Germany didn’t force me to change our mind.”

Timing for both delivery of the tanks to Ukraine and the training of Ukrainian troops is fuzzy. U.S. officials would only say that it will take “many months” to deliver the Abrams tanks, but that the Leopards will arrive faster.

Doug Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, said the U.S. no longer buys new Abrams, but uses older ones as “seed vehicles” and refurbishes them. Doing that, however, isn't quick or easy, he said.

The training can begin more quickly, and the Pentagon is developing a program.

“We want to make sure that they (the tanks) fall on ready hands, and that the Ukrainians know how to use them, they know how to keep them running, and they’ve got the supply chain in place for spare parts and supplies," said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

Bush said the Ukrainians have shown they have the knowledge and capabilities to learn new systems quickly.

“We can often abbreviate and accelerate what we can do in terms of training for Ukrainian army soldiers,” he told reporters Wednesday. "With enough motivation and dedicated 24/7 access to them, we can train people really quickly,” he said. "The U.S. Army knows how to do that.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674695685962.png" alt="At noon Wednesday, President Biden delivered remarks on continued support for Ukraine-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>At noon Wednesday, President Biden delivered remarks on continued support for Ukraine-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — For months, U.S. officials balked at sending M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, insisting they were too complicated and too hard to maintain and repair.On Wednesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-military-technology-germany-7b63726a3935da3f03424e98e52a85b2">that abruptly changed</a>. Ukraine's desperate pleas for tanks were answered with a sweeping,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-german-tanks-435da2221bf452a8aae9d2e58d23acae">trans-Atlantic yes</a>.The dramatic reversal was the culmination of intense international pressure and diplomatic arm-twisting that played out over the last week. And it resulted in in a quick succession of announcements: The U.S. said it will send 31 of the 70-ton Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine, and Germany announced it will send 14 Leopard 2 tanks and allow other countries to do the same.<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/01/25/remarks-by-president-biden-on-continued-support-for-ukraine/">Click here to read President Biden's</a>&nbsp;statement on sending tanksA look at the massive battle weapon, why it is important to Ukraine's war with Russia, and what drove the Biden administration's tank turnabout.(click below to watch the statement from President Biden)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F586264320182077%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=146" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>WHAT ARE THE ABRAMS?M1 Abrams tanks have led American battle assaults for decades.Carrying a crew of four, the Abrams was first deployed to war in 1991. It has thick armor, a 120 mm main gun, armor piercing capabilities, advanced targeting systems, thick tracked wheels and a 1,500-horsepower turbine engine with a top speed of about 42 miles per hour (68 kilometers per hour).Crews interviewed in a 1992 Government Accountability Office review after the Persian Gulf War praised its high survivability and said “several M1A1 crews reported receiving direct frontal hits from Iraqi T-72s with minimal damage.”More recently, the battle titans led the charge to Baghdad during America’s 2003 invasion of Iraq, as 3rd Infantry Division units conducted what was dubbed “Thunder Runs” to break through Iraqi defenses.The Abrams' powerful jet engine can propel the tank through almost any terrain, whether heavy snow or heavy mud, said Kevin Butler, a former Army lieutenant who served as an Abrams tank platoon leader. Butler recalled a muddy exercise in the late 1990s at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he’d voiced concern about the tanks getting stuck because it had already stuck the Humvees.The Abrams, he said, "didn’t even notice” the mud.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671662635298.png" alt="Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his trip to Washington in December. On Wednesday, he hailed the creation of what he described as a “tank coalition.”-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his trip to Washington in December. On Wednesday, he hailed the creation of what he described as a “tank coalition.”-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WHY THE U.S. KEPT SAYING NOThe Abrams' jet engine needs hundreds of gallons of fuel to operate.It will burn through fuel at a rate of at least two gallons per mile (4.7 liters per kilometer), whether the tank is moving or idling, Butler said, which means a constant supply convoy of fuel trucks must stay within reach so it can keep moving forward.The U.S. worried that the fuel demands would create a logistical nightmare for Ukrainian forces. While an Abrams can storm through the snow and mud, fuel trucks can't. In addition, like any jet engine, the Abrams' turbine needs air to breathe, which it sucks in through filtered rear vents. When those vent filters get clogged — whether by sand, as soldiers reported to GAO in 1992, or by debris they might encounter in Ukraine — they can't perform.“The Abrams tank is a very complicated piece of equipment. It’s expensive, it’s hard to train on. ... It is not the easiest system to maintain. It may or may not be the right system,” The under secretary of defense for policy, Colin Kahl, told reporters last week at the Pentagon.The Abrams also will require months of training. Ukrainian forces will have to learn how to operate its more complex systems, and how to keep it running and fueled.THE ARM-TWISTING TURNABOUTDespite all the drawbacks expressed by the U.S., when all was said and done, it came down to political realities and a diplomatic dance.Germany had been reluctant to send the Leopards, or allow allies to send them, unless the U.S. put its Abrams on the table, due to concerns that supplying the tanks would incur Russia’s wrath. The U.S., meanwhile, argued that the German-made Leopards were a better fit because Ukrainian troops could get them and get trained on them far more quickly and easily.The impasse frustrated European allies, such as Poland, who wanted to send Leopards but couldn’t without Germany’s OK. Thus began the more fierce negotiations.U.S. and German officials both used the word “intensive” to describe the talks that ultimately led to the tank turnabout by both countries.“This is the result of intensive consultations, once again, with our allies and international partners,” Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in an address to German lawmakers on Wednesday.Echoing Scholz, a senior U.S. administration official said talks had been going on for some time but “in a much more intensified way over the last number of weeks.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details on the decision.From President Joe Biden on down, calls were made, including to Scholz. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Army Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke and met with their German counterparts and other allies.Last Friday, the pressure was palpable.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-politics-military-technology-joint-chiefs-of-staff-lloyd-austin-1b505c88a5a6f331cd482762c62fa29c">Top defense leaders from more than 50 countries</a>&nbsp;met at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to discuss Ukraine's ongoing weapons and equipment needs. Tanks were a key subject. Leaders from countries that have Leopard tanks met with the new German defense minister.Gradually, the German stance began to publicly soften, leading to Wednesday's announcements. Asked repeatedly what changed, Biden administration officials sidestepped. Asked directly about German pressure, Biden told reporters, “Germany didn’t force me to change our mind.”HOW LONG WILL IT TAKETiming for both delivery of the tanks to Ukraine and the training of Ukrainian troops is fuzzy. U.S. officials would only say that it will take “many months” to deliver the Abrams tanks, but that the Leopards will arrive faster.Doug Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, said the U.S. no longer buys new Abrams, but uses older ones as “seed vehicles” and refurbishes them. Doing that, however, isn't quick or easy, he said.The training can begin more quickly, and the Pentagon is developing a program.“We want to make sure that they (the tanks) fall on ready hands, and that the Ukrainians know how to use them, they know how to keep them running, and they’ve got the supply chain in place for spare parts and supplies," said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.Bush said the Ukrainians have shown they have the knowledge and capabilities to learn new systems quickly.“We can often abbreviate and accelerate what we can do in terms of training for Ukrainian army soldiers,” he told reporters Wednesday. "With enough motivation and dedicated 24/7 access to them, we can train people really quickly,” he said. "The U.S. Army knows how to do that.”___

🎥Why the US flipped on sending tanks to battle Russia in Ukraine

BARTON COUNTY —Authorities reported a man intentionally set a vacant, rural home on fire and left it unattended in rural Barton County Tuesday.&nbsp; Nearby residents and fire crews did not know.

Just after 2p.m. Tuesday, Barton County Fire District 2, Hoisington, received a call to a reported structure fire near the intersection of NE 140 Road and NE 30 Avenue, according to a social media report from the fire district.

A one story house had flames showing from windows and the attic area. Once firefighters arrived on scene the house was fully engulfed with no one around the property. 

Firefighters battled the fire from the outside due to the amount of fire inside, and the stability of the house. By the time crews arrived, the roof had collapsed.

 During extinguishment, it was found that there was no electricity or propane leading in to the house, which indicated it was a vacant house. 

Investigators learned the property owner was going to tear the house down and lit the house on fire the same day, and left the structure to burn down unattended. 

Smoke and flames were visible for quite a distance and prompted several 911 calls. Many resources were used to fight the fire.

Barton Fire District 2 was assisted by Hoisington EMS, Barton Co. Sheriffs Dept and the Beaver Fire Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674696326003.png" alt="Photos Barton Co. Fire District 2" />
 <figcaption>Photos Barton Co. Fire District 2</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Authorities reported a man intentionally set a vacant, rural home on fire and left it unattended in rural Barton County Tuesday.&nbsp; Nearby residents and fire crews did not know.Just after 2p.m. Tuesday, Barton County Fire District 2, Hoisington, received a call to a reported structure fire near the intersection of NE 140 Road and NE 30 Avenue, according to a social media report from the fire district.A one story house had flames showing from windows and the attic area. Once firefighters arrived on scene the house was fully engulfed with no one around the property. Firefighters battled the fire from the outside due to the amount of fire inside, and the stability of the house. By the time crews arrived, the roof had collapsed.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1674696326003.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> During extinguishment, it was found that there was no electricity or propane leading in to the house, which indicated it was a vacant house. Investigators learned the property owner was going to tear the house down and lit the house on fire the same day, and left the structure to burn down unattended. Smoke and flames were visible for quite a distance and prompted several 911 calls. Many resources were used to fight the fire.Barton Fire District 2 was assisted by Hoisington EMS, Barton Co. Sheriffs Dept and the Beaver Fire Department.

Man set rural Kan. house on fire, left and did not report blaze

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today urged employers to be
 aware of the January deadline to file Forms W-2 and other wage 
statements. Filing these documents timely prevents late-filing penalties
 for employers, helps employees file their income tax returns and 
prevents tax fraud.

Employers must file copies of their 2022 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-2">Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statements</a>, and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-3">Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements</a>,
 with the Social Security Administration by January 31, 2023. This 
deadline applies for all Forms W-2 and W-3, whether filing by paper 
forms or electronically.

Employers must also provide copies B, C and 2 of Form W-2 to their 
employees by January 31, 2023. For more information on filing Form W-2, 
see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw2w3">General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today urged employers to be
 aware of the January deadline to file Forms W-2 and other wage 
statements. Filing these documents timely prevents late-filing penalties
 for employers, helps employees file their income tax returns and 
prevents tax fraud.Employers must file copies of their 2022 <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-2">Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statements</a>, and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-w-3">Form W-3, Transmittal of Wage and Tax Statements</a>,
 with the Social Security Administration by January 31, 2023. This 
deadline applies for all Forms W-2 and W-3, whether filing by paper 
forms or electronically.Employers must also provide copies B, C and 2 of Form W-2 to their 
employees by January 31, 2023. For more information on filing Form W-2, 
see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw2w3">General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3</a>.<h2>Use same employer identification number on all forms</h2>Employers need to make sure the employer identification number (EIN) 
on their wage and tax statements (Forms W-2, W-3, etc.) and their 
payroll tax returns (Forms 941, 943, 944, etc.) match the EIN the IRS 
assigned to their business.Do not use a Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer 
Identification number (ITIN) on forms that ask for an EIN. Do not 
truncate the employer's EIN or the employee's SSN on any of the forms.If an employer used an EIN (including a prior owner's EIN) on their 
payroll tax returns that's different from the EIN reported on their W-3,
 they should review General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3, Specific
 Instructions for Form W-3, Box h—Other EIN used this year.Filing wage and tax statements and payroll tax returns with 
inconsistent EINs or using another business's EIN may result in 
penalties and delays in processing an employer's returns. Even if an 
employer uses a third-party payer (such as a Certified Professional 
Employer Organization, Professional Employer Organization, or other 
third party) or a different entity within their business to file these 
documents, the name and EIN on all statements and forms filed must be 
consistent and exactly match the EIN the IRS assigned to their business.For more information on third-party arrangements, see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-publication-15">Publication 15, (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide</a>.<h2>Extensions</h2>Employers may request a 30-day extension to file Forms W-2 with SSA by submitting a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8809">Form 8809, Application for Extension of Time to File Information Returns</a>,
 by January 31. However, they must meet one of the criteria on Line 7 of
 Form 8809 to be granted an extension. For detailed information, see 
Form 8809 and <a href="https://www.irs.gov/instructions/iw2w3">General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3</a>.Filing Form 8809 does not extend the due date for furnishing wage 
statements to employees. Filing a separate extension of time to furnish 
Forms W-2 to employees must occur by January 31. Detailed information 
and instructions on how to file an extension of time to furnish Forms 
W-2 to employees is in the General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3.<h2>Electronic filing</h2>The IRS and SSA encourage all employers to <a href="https://www.irs.gov/e-file-providers/electronic-filing-options-for-business-and-self-employed-taxpayers">e-file</a>.
 It is the quickest, most accurate and convenient way to file these 
forms. E-filing is mandatory if an employer is filing 250 or more 
information returns.For more information about e-filing Forms W-2 visit the SSA's <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/bso/bsowelcome.htm">Business Services Online</a>, and <a href="https://www.ssa.gov/employer/">Employer W-2 Filing Instructions &amp; Information</a>.