SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that critically injured a 1-year-old girl from Wichita.

Just after 4:30 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a walk-in shooting victim at an area hospital, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Officers learned the girl's 44-year-old father transported the child to the hospital for treatment of a single gunshot wound to her abdominal area. 

The victim underwent surgery and is in critical but stable condition, according to Rebolledo.&nbsp;

The detectives are still working to fully determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting.&nbsp; The incident took place at the 1000 block of North Main Street in Wichita.&nbsp;The father of the girl is fully cooperating with investigators.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting that critically injured a 1-year-old girl from Wichita.Just after 4:30 a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a walk-in shooting victim at an area hospital, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Officers learned the girl's 44-year-old father transported the child to the hospital for treatment of a single gunshot wound to her abdominal area. The victim underwent surgery and is in critical but stable condition, according to Rebolledo.&nbsp;The detectives are still working to fully determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting.&nbsp; The incident took place at the 1000 block of North Main Street in Wichita.&nbsp;The father of the girl is fully cooperating with investigators.

Police: 1-year-old Kan. girl hospitalized with gunshot wound

BEIJING (AP) — China accused the United States on Thursday of spreading disinformation and suppressing TikTok following reports that the Biden administration was calling for its Chinese owners to sell their stakes in the popular video-sharing app.

The U.S. has yet to present evidence that TikTok threatens its national security and was using the excuse of data security to abuse its power to suppress foreign companies, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters at a daily briefing.

“The U.S. should stop spreading disinformation about data security, stop suppressing the relevant company, and provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for foreign businesses to invest and operate in the U.S.,” Wang said.

TikTok was dismissive Wednesday of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-threatens-to-ban-tiktok-if-chinese-founder-doesnt-sell-ownership-stake-36d7295c">report in The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;that said the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., part of the Treasury Department, was threatening a U.S. ban on the app unless its owners, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., divested.

“If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn’t solve the problem: A change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access,” TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan said.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-tiktok-ban-china-17dc11399ffed22482ed6803c80b54c3">Shanahan said TikTok was already answering concerns</a>&nbsp;through “transparent, U.S.-based protection of U.S. user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification.”

The Journal report cited anonymous “people familiar with the matter.” The Treasury Department and the White House’s National Security Council declined to comment.

In late February, the White House gave all federal agencies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-united-states-government-ap-top-news-business-95491774cf8f0fe3e2b9634658a22e56">30 days to wipe TikTok off all government devices</a>. Some agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and the State Department already have restrictions in place. The White House already does not allow TikTok on its devices.

Congress passed the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act” in December as part of a sweeping government funding package. The legislation does allow for TikTok use in certain cases, including for national security, law enforcement and research purposes.

Meanwhile, lawmakers in both the House and Senate have been moving forward with legislation that would give the Biden administration more power to clamp down on TikTok.

TikTok remains extremely popular and is used by two-thirds of teens in the U.S. But there is increasing concern that Beijing could obtain control of American user data that the app has obtained and push pro-Beijing narratives and propaganda on the app.

China has long been concerned about the influence of overseas social media and communications apps, and bans most of the best-known ones, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube — and TikTok.

WASHINGTON (AP) — TikTok was dismissive this week of reports that the Biden administration was calling for its Chinese owners to sell their stakes in the popular video-sharing app, saying such a move wouldn't help protect national security.

The company was responding to a report in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-threatens-to-ban-tiktok-if-chinese-founder-doesnt-sell-ownership-stake-36d7295c">The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;that said the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., part of the Treasury Department, was threatening a U.S. ban on the app unless its owners, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., divested.

“If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn’t solve the problem: a change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access," TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan said. "The best way to address concerns about national security is with the transparent, U.S.-based protection of U.S. user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification, which we are already implementing.”

Late last month, the White House gave all federal agencies 30 days to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-united-states-government-ap-top-news-business-95491774cf8f0fe3e2b9634658a22e56">wipe TikTok off all government devices</a>.

The Office of Management and Budget called the guidance a “critical step forward in addressing the risks presented by the app to sensitive government data.” Some agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and State, already have restrictions in place. The White House already does not allow TikTok on its devices.

Rep. Mike McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, has been a vocal critic of the app, saying the Chinese Communist Party is using it to “manipulate and monitor its users while it gobbles up Americans’ data to be used for their malign activities.”

“Anyone with TikTok downloaded on their device has given the CCP a backdoor to all their personal information. It’s a spy balloon into your phone,” the Texas Republican said.

TikTok remains extremely popular and is used by two-thirds of teens in the U.S. But there is increasing concern that Beijing could obtain control of American user data that the app has obtained.

The company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-d33e58c76bb3c13297c72816ef4e6231">has been dismissive of the ban</a>&nbsp;for federal devices and has noted that it is developing security and data privacy plans as part of the Biden administration’s ongoing national security review.

BEIJING (AP) — China accused the United States on Thursday of spreading disinformation and suppressing TikTok following reports that the Biden administration was calling for its Chinese owners to sell their stakes in the popular video-sharing app.The U.S. has yet to present evidence that TikTok threatens its national security and was using the excuse of data security to abuse its power to suppress foreign companies, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters at a daily briefing.“The U.S. should stop spreading disinformation about data security, stop suppressing the relevant company, and provide an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for foreign businesses to invest and operate in the U.S.,” Wang said.TikTok was dismissive Wednesday of a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-threatens-to-ban-tiktok-if-chinese-founder-doesnt-sell-ownership-stake-36d7295c">report in The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;that said the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., part of the Treasury Department, was threatening a U.S. ban on the app unless its owners, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., divested.“If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn’t solve the problem: A change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access,” TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan said.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-tiktok-ban-china-17dc11399ffed22482ed6803c80b54c3">Shanahan said TikTok was already answering concerns</a>&nbsp;through “transparent, U.S.-based protection of U.S. user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification.”The Journal report cited anonymous “people familiar with the matter.” The Treasury Department and the White House’s National Security Council declined to comment.In late February, the White House gave all federal agencies&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-united-states-government-ap-top-news-business-95491774cf8f0fe3e2b9634658a22e56">30 days to wipe TikTok off all government devices</a>. Some agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and the State Department already have restrictions in place. The White House already does not allow TikTok on its devices.Congress passed the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act” in December as part of a sweeping government funding package. The legislation does allow for TikTok use in certain cases, including for national security, law enforcement and research purposes.Meanwhile, lawmakers in both the House and Senate have been moving forward with legislation that would give the Biden administration more power to clamp down on TikTok.TikTok remains extremely popular and is used by two-thirds of teens in the U.S. But there is increasing concern that Beijing could obtain control of American user data that the app has obtained and push pro-Beijing narratives and propaganda on the app.China has long been concerned about the influence of overseas social media and communications apps, and bans most of the best-known ones, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube — and TikTok.-------------WASHINGTON (AP) — TikTok was dismissive this week of reports that the Biden administration was calling for its Chinese owners to sell their stakes in the popular video-sharing app, saying such a move wouldn't help protect national security.The company was responding to a report in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-threatens-to-ban-tiktok-if-chinese-founder-doesnt-sell-ownership-stake-36d7295c">The Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;that said the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S., part of the Treasury Department, was threatening a U.S. ban on the app unless its owners, Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., divested.“If protecting national security is the objective, divestment doesn’t solve the problem: a change in ownership would not impose any new restrictions on data flows or access," TikTok spokesperson Maureen Shanahan said. "The best way to address concerns about national security is with the transparent, U.S.-based protection of U.S. user data and systems, with robust third-party monitoring, vetting, and verification, which we are already implementing.”The Journal report cited anonymous “people familiar with the matter.” The Treasury Department and the White House’s National Security Council declined to comment.Late last month, the White House gave all federal agencies 30 days to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-united-states-government-ap-top-news-business-95491774cf8f0fe3e2b9634658a22e56">wipe TikTok off all government devices</a>.The Office of Management and Budget called the guidance a “critical step forward in addressing the risks presented by the app to sensitive government data.” Some agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security and State, already have restrictions in place. The White House already does not allow TikTok on its devices.Congress passed the “No TikTok on Government Devices Act” in December as part of a sweeping government funding package. The legislation does allow for TikTok use in certain cases, including for national security, law enforcement and research purposes.Meanwhile, lawmakers in both the House and Senate have been moving forward with legislation that would give the Biden administration more power to clamp down on TikTok.Rep. Mike McCaul, the chairman of the House Foreign Relations Committee, has been a vocal critic of the app, saying the Chinese Communist Party is using it to “manipulate and monitor its users while it gobbles up Americans’ data to be used for their malign activities.”“Anyone with TikTok downloaded on their device has given the CCP a backdoor to all their personal information. It’s a spy balloon into your phone,” the Texas Republican said.TikTok remains extremely popular and is used by two-thirds of teens in the U.S. But there is increasing concern that Beijing could obtain control of American user data that the app has obtained.The company&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-politics-d33e58c76bb3c13297c72816ef4e6231">has been dismissive of the ban</a>&nbsp;for federal devices and has noted that it is developing security and data privacy plans as part of the Biden administration’s ongoing national security review.

China, U.S. continue war of words over TikTok app

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-texas-fda-roe-wade-5306714113f3be4233a9e11a84a992aa?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_04">lawsuit that poses a threat to the nationwide availability of a leading abortion medication.</a>&nbsp;The hearing comes as a conservative Christian group seeks to reverse federal approval of the drug mifepristone.

A two-pill combination of mifepristone and another drug is the most common form of abortion in the U.S. and the ruling would affect states where abortion is legal as well as those that outlaw it. The case has raised concerns about court transparency and so-called judge shopping.

Here's a look at some of the legal issues surrounding the case:

HOW DID THE ABORTION PILL CHALLENGE START?

Abortion opponents who helped overturn Roe v. Wade filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-business-texas-lawsuits-71b8e54b97b016bf2cc0d9380d478991">lawsuit in November</a>, asking a judge in Texas to reverse the approval of mifepristone.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-medication-abortion-783874945633">Research shows</a>&nbsp;that medication-induced abortions are safe and effective, and they were approved by the Food and Drug Administration more than 20 years ago.

But the group, Alliance Defending Freedom, argued in the lawsuit that the FDA process was flawed for mifepristone. It also took aim at more recent changes that have eased access to the drug.

The suit was filed in Amarillo, Texas, which meant that it was assigned to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-lawsuit-texas-judge-christian-kacsmaryk-3cfb483f1b9266df2e0cc31cc892d605">U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk</a>, a former attorney at a Christian law firm who previously wrote critically about Roe. He was appointed by former President Donald Trump and confirmed over fierce opposition from Democrats.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-covid-science-health-2d52ebf9efc6ef06f03e788fecd13013">Medication is the most common form of abortion</a>&nbsp;in the U.S., according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. It’s become more available as the FDA allowed it to be prescribed online and sent through the mail. Demand continued as states began banning abortion after Roe was overturned and more women traveled for access, or sought medication online.

If Kacsmaryk reverses the approval of mifepristone, it could restrict access nationwide. Such a ruling would be an unprecedented challenge to the FDA, which approved mifepristone in combination with a second pill, misoprostol, as a safe and effective method for ending a pregnancy in 2000.

That would be “nothing short of catastrophic," a group of 22 Democratic-led states said in court documents filed in the case. Another group of 22 Republican states filed briefs supporting the reversal. They argue the ability to order pills by mail undermines their laws banning abortion.

WHY IS THIS IN THE HANDS OF ONE TEXAS JUDGE?

Kacsmaryk is a federal judge and one of the major tasks of the U.S. court system has always been deciding whether laws and policy are constitutional. That means any judge weighing a case challenging a federal law or policy could make a decision that has ripple effects across the nation.

Lawyers on either side of a case can appeal a ruling, however, and federal appeals courts can block or overturn a decision. In this case, an appeal would go to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which also leans conservative. It&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-joe-biden-new-orleans-mexico-statutes-0a3b7c93a6e6bdf06b0eee4935d7dc8f">upheld Kacsmaryk's decision in another high-profile case</a>&nbsp;requiring the Biden administration to continue the “Remain in Mexico” immigration policy implemented by Trump. The ruling was later overturned by the Supreme Court.

The case has also raised concerns about judge shopping, a term for litigants seeking to file cases in front of judges they consider sympathetic to their cause. It's a tactic that's been utilized by groups across the ideological spectrum, but the volume of cases filed before Kacsmaryk and other Texas judges has raised concerns among experts.

Kacsmaryk set the first hearing in the closely watched case on a conference call with attorneys. He also asked them to for the “courtesy”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-mifepristone-transparency-fda-roe-wade-48c389dd3c892aa9bbc553e0b3de5360">of not publicizing the upcoming arguments</a>, according to a court transcript.

He said he planned to delay making the hearing public until the evening before, making it difficult for many to attend because Amarillo is hours away from major cities. Such a delay is highly unusual in the American judicial system, where hearing notices are typically quickly made public and often scheduled weeks or months in advance.

After news reports about the call, the hearing was placed on the public docket a day and a half before it was scheduled.

A ruling in the case could come any time after the arguments conclude. A decision against the FDA would almost certainly be swiftly appealed by the Justice Department.

A ruling reversing approval 20 years later is all but unprecedented, so it's not clear exactly what would happen next or how quickly access might be curtailed. If mifepristone is sidelined, clinics and doctors that prescribe the combination say they would switch to using only misoprostol, the other drug in the two-drug combination, an approach that is slightly less effective.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge heard arguments Wednesday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-texas-fda-roe-wade-5306714113f3be4233a9e11a84a992aa?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_04">lawsuit that poses a threat to the nationwide availability of a leading abortion medication.</a>&nbsp;The hearing comes as a conservative Christian group seeks to reverse federal approval of the drug mifepristone.A two-pill combination of mifepristone and another drug is the most common form of abortion in the U.S. and the ruling would affect states where abortion is legal as well as those that outlaw it. The case has raised concerns about court transparency and so-called judge shopping.Here's a look at some of the legal issues surrounding the case:HOW DID THE ABORTION PILL CHALLENGE START?Abortion opponents who helped overturn Roe v. Wade filed a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-health-business-texas-lawsuits-71b8e54b97b016bf2cc0d9380d478991">lawsuit in November</a>, asking a judge in Texas to reverse the approval of mifepristone.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-medication-abortion-783874945633">Research shows</a>&nbsp;that medication-induced abortions are safe and effective, and they were approved by the Food and Drug Administration more than 20 years ago.But the group, Alliance Defending Freedom, argued in the lawsuit that the FDA process was flawed for mifepristone. It also took aim at more recent changes that have eased access to the drug.The suit was filed in Amarillo, Texas, which meant that it was assigned to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-lawsuit-texas-judge-christian-kacsmaryk-3cfb483f1b9266df2e0cc31cc892d605">U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk</a>, a former attorney at a Christian law firm who previously wrote critically about Roe. He was appointed by former President Donald Trump and confirmed over fierce opposition from Democrats.WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-covid-science-health-2d52ebf9efc6ef06f03e788fecd13013">Medication is the most common form of abortion</a>&nbsp;in the U.S., according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. It’s become more available as the FDA allowed it to be prescribed online and sent through the mail. Demand continued as states began banning abortion after Roe was overturned and more women traveled for access, or sought medication online.If Kacsmaryk reverses the approval of mifepristone, it could restrict access nationwide. Such a ruling would be an unprecedented challenge to the FDA, which approved mifepristone in combination with a second pill, misoprostol, as a safe and effective method for ending a pregnancy in 2000.That would be “nothing short of catastrophic," a group of 22 Democratic-led states said in court documents filed in the case. Another group of 22 Republican states filed briefs supporting the reversal. They argue the ability to order pills by mail undermines their laws banning abortion.WHY IS THIS IN THE HANDS OF ONE TEXAS JUDGE?Kacsmaryk is a federal judge and one of the major tasks of the U.S. court system has always been deciding whether laws and policy are constitutional. That means any judge weighing a case challenging a federal law or policy could make a decision that has ripple effects across the nation.Lawyers on either side of a case can appeal a ruling, however, and federal appeals courts can block or overturn a decision. In this case, an appeal would go to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which also leans conservative. It&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-joe-biden-new-orleans-mexico-statutes-0a3b7c93a6e6bdf06b0eee4935d7dc8f">upheld Kacsmaryk's decision in another high-profile case</a>&nbsp;requiring the Biden administration to continue the “Remain in Mexico” immigration policy implemented by Trump. The ruling was later overturned by the Supreme Court.The case has also raised concerns about judge shopping, a term for litigants seeking to file cases in front of judges they consider sympathetic to their cause. It's a tactic that's been utilized by groups across the ideological spectrum, but the volume of cases filed before Kacsmaryk and other Texas judges has raised concerns among experts.WHAT SET OFF TRANSPARENCY ALARM BELLS?Kacsmaryk set the first hearing in the closely watched case on a conference call with attorneys. He also asked them to for the “courtesy”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-mifepristone-transparency-fda-roe-wade-48c389dd3c892aa9bbc553e0b3de5360">of not publicizing the upcoming arguments</a>, according to a court transcript.He said he planned to delay making the hearing public until the evening before, making it difficult for many to attend because Amarillo is hours away from major cities. Such a delay is highly unusual in the American judicial system, where hearing notices are typically quickly made public and often scheduled weeks or months in advance.After news reports about the call, the hearing was placed on the public docket a day and a half before it was scheduled.WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?A ruling in the case could come any time after the arguments conclude. A decision against the FDA would almost certainly be swiftly appealed by the Justice Department.A ruling reversing approval 20 years later is all but unprecedented, so it's not clear exactly what would happen next or how quickly access might be curtailed. If mifepristone is sidelined, clinics and doctors that prescribe the combination say they would switch to using only misoprostol, the other drug in the two-drug combination, an approach that is slightly less effective.

Here is what's at stake in abortion medication case

By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/kansas-house-agrees-to-raise-legal-smoking-age-to-21/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Alejandro Rangel-Lopez says lawmakers who refuse to legalize medical marijuana are responsible for the needless suffering of Kansans.

After two days of Senate hearings on proposed legislation, there appears to be little hope for change this year.

Rangel-Lopez, a Dodge City resident who has appeared before the Legislature previously to advocate for voting rights and immigration policy, said there were 17 arrests for possession of marijuana in Ford County between November and February.

“These are folks my age. I recognize a lot of those names from elementary school, from high school. I graduated with a lot of them,” Rangel-Lopez said. “And it’s heartbreaking because you know what’s going to happen. They get sucked into the criminal justice system, and they end up in parole for years, if not decades. And it ruins their lives. And for what? For what? I don’t think we have anything to show for the criminalization of marijuana. So I’m tired of seeing folks suffer needlessly due to inaction from our lawmakers.”

The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee tabled debate on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb135/">Senate Bill 135</a>, which would implement a medical marijuana program in 2025. The committee decision means the legislation is unlikely to advance before lawmakers finish their work in early April, although any policy could resurface as part of a late-session deal.

Rangel-Lopez and dozens of other advocates for medical marijuana offered vocal and written testimony in support of the bill during a hearing Wednesday. The following day, law enforcement and others warned the bill would have negative consequences.

Sen. Alicia Straub, R-Ellinwood questioned Rangel-Lopez about why his “friends” use drugs, although Rangel-Lopez never described them as friends.

“Do you know if these people were using for medical reasons? Or were they just simply using to feel good?” Straub said.

Rangel-Lopez said there is little access to mental health resources in southwest Kansas, and “there’s a lot of self medication.”

“I don’t know what they were using it for, but a lot of them are first-time offenders, and it’s just unjust,” Rangel-Lopez said. “There’s no good reason to arrest them and keep them in jail for that, in my opinion.”

The proposed legislation, introduced by Sen. Jeff Longbine, R-Emporia, would regulate the cultivation, testing, processing, distribution and sale of marijuana. Four state agencies would provide oversight: the Department of Health and Environment; Board of Healing Arts; Department of Revenue’s Alcohol and Beverage Control, which would be renamed to Alcohol and Cannabis Control; and the Board of Pharmacy.

Cultivators would pay $20,000 for a license and $20 per plant. Processors, distributors and retailers also would pay $20,000 for a license. Patients would pay $50 for a registration card and a 10% excise tax on purchases.

The legal limit for THC would be 35% for plant materials, 60% for oils and concentrates, 3.5 grams for edibles and 10 milligrams for patches. Smoking and vaporizing would remain illegal.

Mandy Sohosky, who identified herself as a private citizen, said she had tried “everything” to treat chronic migraines. She compared the “sudden, piercing pain” to the kind of “brain freeze” someone gets after eating ice cream, except that it can last for hours or days.

She estimates that she has spent half of the past 20 years in pain that prohibits her from watching movies, attending sporting events or going to church.

Sohosky said she tried medications, trigger point injections, sleep studies, MRIs, bloodwork, physical therapy, diets, acupuncture and even “crazy” things like daith piercings, specific body wash, supplements and exercise.

“The doctors don’t have anything else to try, so they prescribe me muscle relaxers and opioids,” Sohosky said. “When I picked up my last refill at the pharmacy, the pharmacist asked if I needed them to request Narcan for me to have on hand.”

Narcan is used to reverse an opioid overdose.

A few months ago, she said, she nervously tried medical marijuana in a state where it is legal. Ten minutes later, the pain was gone. She cried.

“There is a solution for my migraines” Sohosky said. “It’s not a perfect solution, but it would help me be a more present parent for my kids. I could attend karate practice, go to choir concerts. I could be there for family movie night. There is a solution for my pain. Please allow me to use it while my kids are still young, and my parents are still alive. I have so many memories left to make. Please allow me to make them.”

Tuck Duncan, a lobbyist for the Kansas Cannabis Industry Association, said 70% of Kansans and 90% of Americans favor some form of legal marijuana.

“Those who oppose medical marijuana, quite honestly, in my opinion, are on the wrong side of history,” Duncan said. “If not this year, it will happen.”

Debbie Mize, co-founder of the prominent anti-vaccine group Kansans for Health Freedom, joined law enforcement officials and former state Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook in providing opposition to the bill.

Mize, a Louisburg resident who sells herbal supplements, advocated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for the rights of individuals to decide what goes into their bodies. But in her written testimony, she said the proposed legislation for medical marijuana was a “guise” to legalize a “dangerous substance that is tied to the foreign cartels.”

“We all know that the cartels are noncompliant of all legal authority creating a very dangerous situation for unsuspecting marijuana users,” Mize said, without providing any evidence to support her claims.

<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3150163-1024x576.jpg" alt="&nbsp;Alejandro Rangel-Lopez appears before a Senate panel March 15, 2023, to advocate for the legalization of medical marijuana. He says lawmakers are responsible for needless suffering of Kansans. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Alejandro Rangel-Lopez appears before a Senate panel March 15, 2023, to advocate for the legalization of medical marijuana. He says lawmakers are responsible for needless suffering of Kansans. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By SHERMAN SMITH <a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/briefs/kansas-house-agrees-to-raise-legal-smoking-age-to-21/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Alejandro Rangel-Lopez says lawmakers who refuse to legalize medical marijuana are responsible for the needless suffering of Kansans.After two days of Senate hearings on proposed legislation, there appears to be little hope for change this year.Rangel-Lopez, a Dodge City resident who has appeared before the Legislature previously to advocate for voting rights and immigration policy, said there were 17 arrests for possession of marijuana in Ford County between November and February.“These are folks my age. I recognize a lot of those names from elementary school, from high school. I graduated with a lot of them,” Rangel-Lopez said. “And it’s heartbreaking because you know what’s going to happen. They get sucked into the criminal justice system, and they end up in parole for years, if not decades. And it ruins their lives. And for what? For what? I don’t think we have anything to show for the criminalization of marijuana. So I’m tired of seeing folks suffer needlessly due to inaction from our lawmakers.”The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee tabled debate on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb135/">Senate Bill 135</a>, which would implement a medical marijuana program in 2025. The committee decision means the legislation is unlikely to advance before lawmakers finish their work in early April, although any policy could resurface as part of a late-session deal.Rangel-Lopez and dozens of other advocates for medical marijuana offered vocal and written testimony in support of the bill during a hearing Wednesday. The following day, law enforcement and others warned the bill would have negative consequences.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3150194.jpg" alt="Sen. Alicia Straub questions Alejandro Rangel-Lopez about whether people he knows use marijuana for medical purposes or just to feel good. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Alicia Straub questions Alejandro Rangel-Lopez about whether people he knows use marijuana for medical purposes or just to feel good. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Sen. Alicia Straub, R-Ellinwood questioned Rangel-Lopez about why his “friends” use drugs, although Rangel-Lopez never described them as friends.“Do you know if these people were using for medical reasons? Or were they just simply using to feel good?” Straub said.Rangel-Lopez said there is little access to mental health resources in southwest Kansas, and “there’s a lot of self medication.”“I don’t know what they were using it for, but a lot of them are first-time offenders, and it’s just unjust,” Rangel-Lopez said. “There’s no good reason to arrest them and keep them in jail for that, in my opinion.”The proposed legislation, introduced by Sen. Jeff Longbine, R-Emporia, would regulate the cultivation, testing, processing, distribution and sale of marijuana. Four state agencies would provide oversight: the Department of Health and Environment; Board of Healing Arts; Department of Revenue’s Alcohol and Beverage Control, which would be renamed to Alcohol and Cannabis Control; and the Board of Pharmacy.Cultivators would pay $20,000 for a license and $20 per plant. Processors, distributors and retailers also would pay $20,000 for a license. Patients would pay $50 for a registration card and a 10% excise tax on purchases.The legal limit for THC would be 35% for plant materials, 60% for oils and concentrates, 3.5 grams for edibles and 10 milligrams for patches. Smoking and vaporizing would remain illegal.<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3150042.jpg" alt="Mandy Sohosky describes the pain of her chronic migraines during a March 15, 2023, legislative hearing. She says medical marijuana is the only treatment that can bring her relief. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Mandy Sohosky describes the pain of her chronic migraines during a March 15, 2023, legislative hearing. She says medical marijuana is the only treatment that can bring her relief. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Mandy Sohosky, who identified herself as a private citizen, said she had tried “everything” to treat chronic migraines. She compared the “sudden, piercing pain” to the kind of “brain freeze” someone gets after eating ice cream, except that it can last for hours or days.She estimates that she has spent half of the past 20 years in pain that prohibits her from watching movies, attending sporting events or going to church.Sohosky said she tried medications, trigger point injections, sleep studies, MRIs, bloodwork, physical therapy, diets, acupuncture and even “crazy” things like daith piercings, specific body wash, supplements and exercise.“The doctors don’t have anything else to try, so they prescribe me muscle relaxers and opioids,” Sohosky said. “When I picked up my last refill at the pharmacy, the pharmacist asked if I needed them to request Narcan for me to have on hand.”Narcan is used to reverse an opioid overdose.A few months ago, she said, she nervously tried medical marijuana in a state where it is legal. Ten minutes later, the pain was gone. She cried.“There is a solution for my migraines” Sohosky said. “It’s not a perfect solution, but it would help me be a more present parent for my kids. I could attend karate practice, go to choir concerts. I could be there for family movie night. There is a solution for my pain. Please allow me to use it while my kids are still young, and my parents are still alive. I have so many memories left to make. Please allow me to make them.”<figure>
 <img src="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/P3150137.jpg" alt="-Lobbyist Tuck Duncan says those who oppose the legalization of medical marijuana are on the wrong side of history. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>-Lobbyist Tuck Duncan says those who oppose the legalization of medical marijuana are on the wrong side of history. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Tuck Duncan, a lobbyist for the Kansas Cannabis Industry Association, said 70% of Kansans and 90% of Americans favor some form of legal marijuana.“Those who oppose medical marijuana, quite honestly, in my opinion, are on the wrong side of history,” Duncan said. “If not this year, it will happen.”Debbie Mize, co-founder of the prominent anti-vaccine group Kansans for Health Freedom, joined law enforcement officials and former state Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook in providing opposition to the bill.Mize, a Louisburg resident who sells herbal supplements, advocated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic for the rights of individuals to decide what goes into their bodies. But in her written testimony, she said the proposed legislation for medical marijuana was a “guise” to legalize a “dangerous substance that is tied to the foreign cartels.”“We all know that the cartels are noncompliant of all legal authority creating a very dangerous situation for unsuspecting marijuana users,” Mize said, without providing any evidence to support her claims.

Medical marijuana advocate blames Kansas lawmakers for needless suffering

CASS COUNTY —The search for one of two inmates who escaped Dec. 5 from&nbsp;the jail in Cass County, Missouri south of Kansas City continues.

Authorities took 33-year-0ld Trevor Sparks of Kansas City into custody Dec. 30, in the 400 Block of Olive Street, according to the FBI.

The U.S. Marshals Service continues to offer a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads directly to the capture of 43-year-old Sergio Perez- Martinez of Panorama City, Calif.&nbsp; The FBI is also offering $10k for anyone who can provide information leading to his capture.&nbsp;

Perez Mertinez&nbsp; was being held for possession of dangerous drugs. Sparks was jailed on money laundering charges, according to the Cass County sheriff's office.

A third individual, Steven Lydell Williams, Sr., 64, Kansas City, has been charged&nbsp; with aiding or assisting in the escape.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at (816) 380-5200, or call 911.&nbsp; Submit a tip to the Marshals<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/tips/index.htm?fbclid=IwAR2np8V0SoqQyr6Znkz_ykiw2FsK7SY3PkQN_uuUCJz41bCD_XDGusIXZJw"> here</a>&nbsp; or contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at <a href="https://t.co/49eEgggFOb" target="_blank">http://tips.fbi.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670539649262.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CASS COUNTY —The search for one of two inmates who escaped Dec. 5 from&nbsp;the jail in Cass County, Missouri south of Kansas City continues.Authorities took 33-year-0ld Trevor Sparks of Kansas City into custody Dec. 30, in the 400 Block of Olive Street, according to the FBI.The U.S. Marshals Service continues to offer a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads directly to the capture of 43-year-old Sergio Perez- Martinez of Panorama City, Calif.&nbsp; The FBI is also offering $10k for anyone who can provide information leading to his capture.&nbsp;Perez Mertinez&nbsp; was being held for possession of dangerous drugs. Sparks was jailed on money laundering charges, according to the Cass County sheriff's office.A third individual, Steven Lydell Williams, Sr., 64, Kansas City, has been charged&nbsp; with aiding or assisting in the escape. Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Cass County Sheriff’s Office at (816) 380-5200, or call 911.&nbsp; Submit a tip to the Marshals<a href="https://www.usmarshals.gov/tips/index.htm?fbclid=IwAR2np8V0SoqQyr6Znkz_ykiw2FsK7SY3PkQN_uuUCJz41bCD_XDGusIXZJw"> here</a>&nbsp; or contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at <a href="https://t.co/49eEgggFOb" target="_blank">http://tips.fbi.gov</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Inmate who escaped KC-area jail in December still missing

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) —&nbsp;Top Republicans, including some of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;potential rivals for the GOP's 2024 presidential nomination, rushed to his defense Saturday after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-arrested-indicted-hush-money-manhattan-prosecutor-a48428984cf99d23f46b4157b34160ae?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_01">Trump said he is bracing for possible arrest.</a>

“The idea of indicting a former president of the United States is deeply troubling to me as it is to tens of millions of Americans," said former Vice President Mike Pence, a likely Trump rival, during a visit to Iowa, an early-voting state. 

Tech investor Vivek Ramaswamy, campaigning in South Carolina, said he didn't want to live in a country where “the party in power is able to use police force to arrest its political opposition."

The reaction underscores the political risks faced by would-be opponents who are eager to convince voters that it is time to move on from the former president, but who must contend with the fact that he remains the most popular figure in the party. The multiple investigations Trump is facing — his&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/110044039949982181">post on social media</a>&nbsp;about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-stormy-daniels-michael-cohen-indictment-new-york-f3ce87a1b4ec50fbeaefcbe21f87ab0b">the Manhattan district attorney's probe</a>&nbsp;led to the public declarations of support — remain deeply unpopular with his supporters and criticizing Trump too harshly risks alienating his loyal base.

Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-9e8d683afe87389407950af7ccfdbdd6">garnered similar support</a>&nbsp;last summer after the FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago club as part of an investigation into his handling of classified documents. The search also proved a fundraising boon.

Among those coming to Trump's defense were House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who said a possible indictment would be “an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance" against Trump.

McCarthy, R-Calif., said he would direct relevant GOP-led House committees “to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions.” McCarthy has not endorsed Trump’s White House campaign, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-us-republican-party-0938c7358f41c83759246f8949ac7c15">Trump helped McCarthy secure the speakership</a>&nbsp;after a contentious campaign that required multiple rounds of voting.

New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, the third-ranking House Republican and an early Trump endorser, said action by the district attorney would be “unAmerican.”

The comments came hours after Trump claimed in a social media post that he expects to be arrested this coming week as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drug-crimes-united-states-government-new-york-city-donald-trump-manhattan-6c5ace7d704c944fe2e4bc66c71a42ba">New York prosecutor Alvin Bragg</a>&nbsp;mulls charges in an investigation into hush money payments to women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump. A Trump lawyer and spokesman said Saturday that Trump, who has long denied the charges, had been responding in that post to media reports and had no independent knowledge of any pending legal action.

Trump, in a message on his Truth Social network, nonetheless declared that, “THE FAR &amp; AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE &amp; FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK.” He then called on his supporters to "PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!” recalling the pleas he made before the deadly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">insurrection at the U.S. Capitol</a>&nbsp;on Jan. 6, 2021.

Any potential violence spurred by Trump's comments could change the tenor of reaction. But on Saturday, several of Trump's declared and potential rivals were quick to blast the district attorney's investigation.

Pence, who has been escalating his criticism of the former president in recent weeks, said the news was particularly troubling, "happening in what appears to be a politically-charged environment in New York where the attorney general and other elected officials literally campaigned on a pledge to prosecutor the former president."

“No one is above the law," he added. “I’m confident President Trump can take care of himself. My focus is going to continue to be on the issues that are affecting the American people.”

Pence had been noncommittal when asked Thursday if Trump should drop out if he is indicted. “I think it’s a free country. Everybody can make their own decisions,” he said.

Trump has said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cpac-gop-nomination-campaign-a7017a5d45abbb9d631a422514f9f12f">he would continue his presidential campaign even if indicted</a>.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-and-politics-united-states-government-2022-midterm-elections-ohio-e1c1cbe47763bd979b6b47557aee043d">Ramaswamy</a>, who is already a declared candidate, earlier called on Bragg to “reconsider."

“A Trump indictment would be a national disaster,” Ramaswamy tweeted. “It is un-American for the ruling party to use police power to arrest its political rivals.”

Representatives for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another potential candidate who is seen as Trump's most serious rival, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday — a decision publicized by a super PAC supporting Trump's candidacy. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, another declared candidate, did not address the investigation while campaigning in South Carolina.

Ramaswamy called on Haley and DeSantis to join him in condemning the possible indictment.

Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who won his race in 2022 with Trump’s endorsement, said he had been asked by multiple reporters if an indictment would lead him to rescind support for Trump's campaign.

"The answer is: hell no. A politically motivated prosecution makes the argument for Trump stronger,” he tweeted. “We simply don’t have a real country if justice depends on politics.”

Prosecutors have been investigating hush money payments made to two women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump decades ago. A grand jury has been hearing from witnesses including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-grand-jury-hush-money-stormy-daniels-fb5c515d90c607d8e954431e271f9e16">former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen</a>, who says he orchestrated payments in 2016 to the women in exchange for their silence.

Trump denies the encounters and has cast the investigation as a “witch hunt” by a Democratic prosecutor bent on sabotaging Trump's latest presidential campaign. Trump has said he believes an indictment would help him in the 2024 race.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a longtime ally, said he agreed.

“The prosecutor in New York has done more to help Donald Trump get elected,” Graham said Saturday at the Vision ’24 conference in North Charleston, South Carolina. “They’re doing this because they’re afraid of Donald Trump."

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) —&nbsp;Top Republicans, including some of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;potential rivals for the GOP's 2024 presidential nomination, rushed to his defense Saturday after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-arrested-indicted-hush-money-manhattan-prosecutor-a48428984cf99d23f46b4157b34160ae?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_01">Trump said he is bracing for possible arrest.</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Great being at the <a href="https://twitter.com/KUHoops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KUHoops</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RazorbackMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RazorbackMBB</a> game in Des Moines today! Congratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/RazorbackMBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RazorbackMBB</a>! 🏀 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MarchMadness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MarchMadness</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZjQxqWuatu">pic.twitter.com/ZjQxqWuatu</a>&mdash; Mike Pence (@Mike_Pence) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mike_Pence/status/1637239788938969089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“The idea of indicting a former president of the United States is deeply troubling to me as it is to tens of millions of Americans," said former Vice President Mike Pence, a likely Trump rival, during a visit to Iowa, an early-voting state. Tech investor Vivek Ramaswamy, campaigning in South Carolina, said he didn't want to live in a country where “the party in power is able to use police force to arrest its political opposition."The reaction underscores the political risks faced by would-be opponents who are eager to convince voters that it is time to move on from the former president, but who must contend with the fact that he remains the most popular figure in the party. The multiple investigations Trump is facing — his&nbsp;<a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/110044039949982181">post on social media</a>&nbsp;about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-stormy-daniels-michael-cohen-indictment-new-york-f3ce87a1b4ec50fbeaefcbe21f87ab0b">the Manhattan district attorney's probe</a>&nbsp;led to the public declarations of support — remain deeply unpopular with his supporters and criticizing Trump too harshly risks alienating his loyal base.Trump&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-government-and-politics-9e8d683afe87389407950af7ccfdbdd6">garnered similar support</a>&nbsp;last summer after the FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago club as part of an investigation into his handling of classified documents. The search also proved a fundraising boon.Among those coming to Trump's defense were House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who said a possible indictment would be “an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance" against Trump.McCarthy, R-Calif., said he would direct relevant GOP-led House committees “to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions.” McCarthy has not endorsed Trump’s White House campaign, but&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-house-of-representatives-kevin-mccarthy-us-republican-party-0938c7358f41c83759246f8949ac7c15">Trump helped McCarthy secure the speakership</a>&nbsp;after a contentious campaign that required multiple rounds of voting.New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, the third-ranking House Republican and an early Trump endorser, said action by the district attorney would be “unAmerican.”The comments came hours after Trump claimed in a social media post that he expects to be arrested this coming week as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/drug-crimes-united-states-government-new-york-city-donald-trump-manhattan-6c5ace7d704c944fe2e4bc66c71a42ba">New York prosecutor Alvin Bragg</a>&nbsp;mulls charges in an investigation into hush money payments to women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump. A Trump lawyer and spokesman said Saturday that Trump, who has long denied the charges, had been responding in that post to media reports and had no independent knowledge of any pending legal action.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679143938516.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Trump, in a message on his Truth Social network, nonetheless declared that, “THE FAR &amp; AWAY LEADING REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE &amp; FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, WILL BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK.” He then called on his supporters to "PROTEST, PROTEST, PROTEST!!!” recalling the pleas he made before the deadly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">insurrection at the U.S. Capitol</a>&nbsp;on Jan. 6, 2021.Any potential violence spurred by Trump's comments could change the tenor of reaction. But on Saturday, several of Trump's declared and potential rivals were quick to blast the district attorney's investigation.Pence, who has been escalating his criticism of the former president in recent weeks, said the news was particularly troubling, "happening in what appears to be a politically-charged environment in New York where the attorney general and other elected officials literally campaigned on a pledge to prosecutor the former president."“No one is above the law," he added. “I’m confident President Trump can take care of himself. My focus is going to continue to be on the issues that are affecting the American people.”Pence had been noncommittal when asked Thursday if Trump should drop out if he is indicted. “I think it’s a free country. Everybody can make their own decisions,” he said.Trump has said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-cpac-gop-nomination-campaign-a7017a5d45abbb9d631a422514f9f12f">he would continue his presidential campaign even if indicted</a>.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-and-politics-united-states-government-2022-midterm-elections-ohio-e1c1cbe47763bd979b6b47557aee043d">Ramaswamy</a>, who is already a declared candidate, earlier called on Bragg to “reconsider."“A Trump indictment would be a national disaster,” Ramaswamy tweeted. “It is un-American for the ruling party to use police power to arrest its political rivals.”Representatives for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, another potential candidate who is seen as Trump's most serious rival, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday — a decision publicized by a super PAC supporting Trump's candidacy. Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, another declared candidate, did not address the investigation while campaigning in South Carolina.Ramaswamy called on Haley and DeSantis to join him in condemning the possible indictment.Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, who won his race in 2022 with Trump’s endorsement, said he had been asked by multiple reporters if an indictment would lead him to rescind support for Trump's campaign."The answer is: hell no. A politically motivated prosecution makes the argument for Trump stronger,” he tweeted. “We simply don’t have a real country if justice depends on politics.”Prosecutors have been investigating hush money payments made to two women who alleged sexual encounters with Trump decades ago. A grand jury has been hearing from witnesses including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-grand-jury-hush-money-stormy-daniels-fb5c515d90c607d8e954431e271f9e16">former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen</a>, who says he orchestrated payments in 2016 to the women in exchange for their silence.Trump denies the encounters and has cast the investigation as a “witch hunt” by a Democratic prosecutor bent on sabotaging Trump's latest presidential campaign. Trump has said he believes an indictment would help him in the 2024 race.Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a longtime ally, said he agreed.“The prosecutor in New York has done more to help Donald Trump get elected,” Graham said Saturday at the Vision ’24 conference in North Charleston, South Carolina. “They’re doing this because they’re afraid of Donald Trump."

Former VP attends KU game, is against a Trump indictment

DOUGLAS COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help locating a suspect in the shooting death of a teen in Lawrence.

Just after 5p.m. Saturday, police in Lawrence along with Deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, arrived at 1100 Block of E. 13th Street in Lawrence to find a teen who had been shot. EMS transported the teen to a local hospital where he later died, according to police spokesperson&nbsp;Laura McCabe.

Witnesses told police the teen arrived at the apartment complex address wounded, but the shooting occurred in the 1300 block of Maple Lane.

Investigators worked overnight to identify possible suspects and are asking for the public’s help in locating 17-year-old Derrick Del Reed. He is described as a white male,5-foot-10, weighing about 175 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

Police also looking for his car, which is a dark 2015 Chrysler 300 with Kansas tag 369REG.&nbsp;

Investigators have interviewed several witnesses and have evidence to believe the parties are known to each other. Reed should be considered armed and dangerous and you should call 911 if you encounter him.  If you have any information about the crime, you can make an anonymous tip by calling Douglas County Crime Stoppers at 785-843-TIPS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679241583054.png" alt="Del Reed-photo Lawrence PD" />
 <figcaption>Del Reed-photo Lawrence PD</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help locating a suspect in the shooting death of a teen in Lawrence.Just after 5p.m. Saturday, police in Lawrence along with Deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, arrived at 1100 Block of E. 13th Street in Lawrence to find a teen who had been shot. EMS transported the teen to a local hospital where he later died, according to police spokesperson&nbsp;Laura McCabe.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679241544157.png" alt="Del Reed photo Lawrence PD" />
 <figcaption>Del Reed photo Lawrence PD</figcaption>
 </figure>Witnesses told police the teen arrived at the apartment complex address wounded, but the shooting occurred in the 1300 block of Maple Lane.Investigators worked overnight to identify possible suspects and are asking for the public’s help in locating 17-year-old Derrick Del Reed. He is described as a white male,5-foot-10, weighing about 175 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679241785200.png" alt="photo Lawrence PD" />
 <figcaption>photo Lawrence PD</figcaption>
 </figure>Police also looking for his car, which is a dark 2015 Chrysler 300 with Kansas tag 369REG.&nbsp;Investigators have interviewed several witnesses and have evidence to believe the parties are known to each other. Reed should be considered armed and dangerous and you should call 911 if you encounter him. If you have any information about the crime, you can make an anonymous tip by calling Douglas County Crime Stoppers at 785-843-TIPS.

Armed and dangerous: Suspect wanted for killing Kansas teen

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces felony charges in the fatal beating of Dickens F. Taima with a metal bolt in a Kansas City residence, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Charles E. Stamper, 57,, faces Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Acion Criminal Action, and Violation of an Order of Protection.

According to court records, Stamper beat the victim in the head and body with an industrial metal bolt tied with fabric. 

A witness in the apartment said the victim was asleep and she took a shower. During the shower she heard yelling. She came out and saw the Stamper covered in blood. He told the witnesses not to call 911 and locked himself in victim’s room. 

Police found the victim on the floor at the foot of a bed. He had sustained extremely severe injuries to his skull and body and face, as well as to his hands and forearms; the murder weapon was found on the victim’s bed.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679091397751.png" alt="Stamper-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Stamper-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man faces felony charges in the fatal beating of Dickens F. Taima with a metal bolt in a Kansas City residence, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Charles E. Stamper, 57,, faces Murder 2nd Degree and Armed Criminal Acion Criminal Action, and Violation of an Order of Protection.According to court records, Stamper beat the victim in the head and body with an industrial metal bolt tied with fabric. A witness in the apartment said the victim was asleep and she took a shower. During the shower she heard yelling. She came out and saw the Stamper covered in blood. He told the witnesses not to call 911 and locked himself in victim’s room. Police found the victim on the floor at the foot of a bed. He had sustained extremely severe injuries to his skull and body and face, as well as to his hands and forearms; the murder weapon was found on the victim’s bed.&nbsp;Stamper is being held a $150,000 bond.

KC man charged in fatal beating with a metal bolt 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Authorities are investigating a fatal accident at a refinery in Montgomery County, Kansas.

An employee at the Coffeyville refinery,&nbsp;808 E New Street, Coffeyville,&nbsp; was transported from the refinery to an area hospital following an incident on Friday, according to a statement from Brandee Stephens, Director of Corporate Affairs at the refinery.&nbsp;The employee died.

The refinery was undergoing maintenance activities at the time. The company has reported the incident to regulators and an investigation is underway.&nbsp; Officials have not released the victim's name or additional details.

CVR Energy is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in the renewable fuels, petroleum refining and marketing business through its interest in CVR Refining and the nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing business through its interest in CVR Partners, LP.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Authorities are investigating a fatal accident at a refinery in Montgomery County, Kansas.An employee at the Coffeyville refinery,&nbsp;808 E New Street, Coffeyville,&nbsp; was transported from the refinery to an area hospital following an incident on Friday, according to a statement from Brandee Stephens, Director of Corporate Affairs at the refinery.&nbsp;The employee died.The refinery was undergoing maintenance activities at the time. The company has reported the incident to regulators and an investigation is underway.&nbsp; Officials have not released the victim's name or additional details.CVR Energy is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in the renewable fuels, petroleum refining and marketing business through its interest in CVR Refining and the nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing business through its interest in CVR Partners, LP.

Man dies in Kansas refinery accident

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Three people involved in a botched drug deal that left a 19-year-old man dead have been sentenced.&nbsp;

On March 3, a judge sentenced 20-year-old Brian Youngman to nine years in prison for the killing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

On Thursday, 19-year-old Lanita Baugh was&nbsp;sentenced to eight years in prison and 20-year-old&nbsp; Myrashia Griffin&nbsp; was sentenced to one year of probation.

On July 11,2022, sheriff's deputies were sent to a shooting call near the intersection of 47th Street South and Clifton in Wichita, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick.

 The call location was quickly updated to the QuikTrip at 47th Street South and Hydraulic. When deputies arrived at the convenience store they found a 19-year-old later identified as Donovan Graves of Wichita, in a vehicle deceased from a gunshot wound. Baugh and Griffin were with him.

Deputies were directed to a mobile home in the 5200 block of south Clifton where the shooting occurred. 

Investigators learned that Graves, Baugh and Griffin drove to the 5200 Block of South Clifton for a drug transaction, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter. 

Graves attempted to rob a 17-year-old girl of marijuana, according to Easter.&nbsp; Youngman pulled a gun and shot Graves during the robbery.

Deputies arrested Youngman, the two women with Graves and the 17-year-old girl for marijuana possession with intent to sell, according to Easter.&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Three suspects arrested after a fatal drug deal shooting will return to court for a preliminary hearing Thursday afternoon.

Brian Youngman, 20 of Wichita, was charged with 1st degree murder and attempted distribution of a controlled substance, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Myrashia Griffin, 20 and&nbsp;Lanita Baugh, 19, both of Wichita, were charged with 1st degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery, according to the DA's office.

Just after 7:30p.m. July 11, deputies were sent to a shooting call near the intersection of 47th Street South and Clifton in Wichita, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick.

 The call location was quickly updated to the QuikTrip at 47th Street South and Hydraulic. When deputies arrived at the convenience store they found a 19-year-old later identified as Donovan Graves of Wichita, in a vehicle deceased from a gunshot wound. Two adult woman were with him.

Deputies arrested 20-year-old Brian Youngman of Wichita at the mobile home and booked him on requested charges of first degree murder.

Investigators learned that Graves, 19-year-old Lanita Baugh and 20-year-old Myrashia Griffin drove to the 5200 Block of South Clifton for a drug transaction, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter. 

Graves attempted to rob a 17-year-old girl of marijuana, according to Easter. Youngman pulled a gun and shot Graves during the robbery.

Deputies arrested the two women with Graves, according to Blick.&nbsp; Deputies also arrested the 17-year-old girl for marijuana possession with intent to sell, according to Easter. She and Graves knew each other.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657641940268.png" alt="Youngman-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Youngman-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — Three people involved in a botched drug deal that left a 19-year-old man dead have been sentenced.&nbsp;On March 3, a judge sentenced 20-year-old Brian Youngman to nine years in prison for the killing, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.On Thursday, 19-year-old Lanita Baugh was&nbsp;sentenced to eight years in prison and 20-year-old&nbsp; Myrashia Griffin&nbsp; was sentenced to one year of probation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657636527733.png" alt="Baugh-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Baugh-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>On July 11,2022, sheriff's deputies were sent to a shooting call near the intersection of 47th Street South and Clifton in Wichita, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick. The call location was quickly updated to the QuikTrip at 47th Street South and Hydraulic. When deputies arrived at the convenience store they found a 19-year-old later identified as Donovan Graves of Wichita, in a vehicle deceased from a gunshot wound. Baugh and Griffin were with him.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657636612949.png" alt="Griffin-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Griffin-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies were directed to a mobile home in the 5200 block of south Clifton where the shooting occurred. Investigators learned that Graves, Baugh and Griffin drove to the 5200 Block of South Clifton for a drug transaction, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter. Graves attempted to rob a 17-year-old girl of marijuana, according to Easter.&nbsp; Youngman pulled a gun and shot Graves during the robbery.Deputies arrested Youngman, the two women with Graves and the 17-year-old girl for marijuana possession with intent to sell, according to Easter.&nbsp;-------------SEDGWICK COUNTY —Three suspects arrested after a fatal drug deal shooting will return to court for a preliminary hearing Thursday afternoon.Brian Youngman, 20 of Wichita, was charged with 1st degree murder and attempted distribution of a controlled substance, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Myrashia Griffin, 20 and&nbsp;Lanita Baugh, 19, both of Wichita, were charged with 1st degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery, according to the DA's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657634255367.png" alt="Deputies on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Deputies on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 7:30p.m. July 11, deputies were sent to a shooting call near the intersection of 47th Street South and Clifton in Wichita, according to Lt. Benjamin Blick. The call location was quickly updated to the QuikTrip at 47th Street South and Hydraulic. When deputies arrived at the convenience store they found a 19-year-old later identified as Donovan Graves of Wichita, in a vehicle deceased from a gunshot wound. Two adult woman were with him.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657636612949.png" alt="Griffin-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Griffin-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies were directed to a mobile home in the 5200 block of south Clifton where the shooting occurred. Deputies arrested 20-year-old Brian Youngman of Wichita at the mobile home and booked him on requested charges of first degree murder.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1657636527733.png" alt="Baugh-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Baugh-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Investigators learned that Graves, 19-year-old Lanita Baugh and 20-year-old Myrashia Griffin drove to the 5200 Block of South Clifton for a drug transaction, according to Sheriff Jeff Easter. Graves attempted to rob a 17-year-old girl of marijuana, according to Easter. Youngman pulled a gun and shot Graves during the robbery.Deputies arrested the two women with Graves, according to Blick.&nbsp; Deputies also arrested the 17-year-old girl for marijuana possession with intent to sell, according to Easter. She and Graves knew each other.Each is being held on a $500,000 bond

Three sentenced for drug deal killing of Kansas teen

Garden City, Kan. (AP) — The remains of a Kansas man who died during World War II in Germany have been identified and will be returned to Kansas for burial later this year.

The body of U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory V. Knoll, 22, of Garden City. was identified in January but his family was only recently received a full briefing, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Friday.

Knoll was assigned to Company M, 3rd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. In November 1944, his battalion was overrun by German forces as they tried to capture Schmidt, Germany, in the Hurtgen Forest.

Survivors of the attack withdrew to Kommerscheidt, where Knoll was reported killed in action on Nov. 7, 1944.

The American Graves Registration Command conducted several investigations in the Hürtgen area between 1946 and 1950 but were unable to find or identify Knoll's remains.

A DPAA historian later determined one set of unidentified remains recovered at Kommerschedt in April 1946 possibly belonged to Knoll. The remains had been buried in Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium in 1949.

They were disinterred in July 2021 and sent to the DPAA laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, where scientists used DNA and other analysis to identify Knoll’s remains

Knoll will be buried on July 7 in Garden City.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679169268745.png" alt="U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory V. Knoll- photo courtesy&nbsp;Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory V. Knoll- photo courtesy&nbsp;Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency</figcaption>
 </figure>Garden City, Kan. (AP) — The remains of a Kansas man who died during World War II in Germany have been identified and will be returned to Kansas for burial later this year.The body of U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory V. Knoll, 22, of Garden City. was identified in January but his family was only recently received a full briefing, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Friday.Knoll was assigned to Company M, 3rd Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. In November 1944, his battalion was overrun by German forces as they tried to capture Schmidt, Germany, in the Hurtgen Forest.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679169343660.png" alt="image courtesy&nbsp; Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency" />
 <figcaption>image courtesy&nbsp; Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency</figcaption>
 </figure>Survivors of the attack withdrew to Kommerscheidt, where Knoll was reported killed in action on Nov. 7, 1944.The American Graves Registration Command conducted several investigations in the Hürtgen area between 1946 and 1950 but were unable to find or identify Knoll's remains.A DPAA historian later determined one set of unidentified remains recovered at Kommerschedt in April 1946 possibly belonged to Knoll. The remains had been buried in Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium in 1949.They were disinterred in July 2021 and sent to the DPAA laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, where scientists used DNA and other analysis to identify Knoll’s remainsKnoll will be buried on July 7 in Garden City.

Kansas man killed in Germany in World War II identified

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.

Just after 3:30a.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a shooting in 2100 block of South Ellis in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.&nbsp; 

Detectives learned that the victim witnessed an unknown suspect enter a vehicle belonging to his neighbor and began to rummage around in the vehicle with a flashlight.&nbsp; The victim confronted the suspect, who then shot the victim.

Detectives found evidence that shows the suspect walking southbound from the area of 1700 and 1800 S. Greenwood Aveue between the times of 11:45 p.m. on March 14 to 12:05 am on March 15.&nbsp;

Police are asking for assistance with this investigation by having those who live in the neighborhood to review your Ring video footage.&nbsp; Additionally, the WPD is interested in any video showing individuals walking on foot in the area, checking vehicles for unlocked doors, or tampering with an automobile.&nbsp;

The suspect is a white male, 18 to 22-years-old, wearing a black hoodie, red pajama pants, black shoes, and a blue surgical/Covid mask.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679082593063.png" alt="Photo courtesy Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.Just after 3:30a.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a shooting in 2100 block of South Ellis in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.&nbsp; Detectives learned that the victim witnessed an unknown suspect enter a vehicle belonging to his neighbor and began to rummage around in the vehicle with a flashlight.&nbsp; The victim confronted the suspect, who then shot the victim.Detectives found evidence that shows the suspect walking southbound from the area of 1700 and 1800 S. Greenwood Aveue between the times of 11:45 p.m. on March 14 to 12:05 am on March 15.&nbsp;Police are asking for assistance with this investigation by having those who live in the neighborhood to review your Ring video footage.&nbsp; Additionally, the WPD is interested in any video showing individuals walking on foot in the area, checking vehicles for unlocked doors, or tampering with an automobile.&nbsp;The suspect is a white male, 18 to 22-years-old, wearing a black hoodie, red pajama pants, black shoes, and a blue surgical/Covid mask.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. burglary suspect shot neighbor who confronted him

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government's response to the failure of two large banks has already involved hundreds of billions of dollars. So will ordinary Americans end up paying for it, one way or another? And what will the price tag be?

It could be months before the answers are fully known. The Biden administration said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-wall-street-silicon-valley-banks-trump-e6c27850d35d7f782fc6af9498925e7f">it will guarantee</a>&nbsp;uninsured deposits at both banks. The Federal Reserve announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/silicon-valley-bank-uk-bailout-hsbc-sale-4d2da0e9c6f39c0fd8faf321a2b295cf">a new lending program</a>&nbsp;for all banks that need to borrow money to pay for withdrawals.

On Thursday, the Fed provided the first glimpse of the scale of the response: It said banks had borrowed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/banks-federal-reserve-silicon-valley-lending-fa9cea4bf6a24f881337630acf04ecfd">about $300 billion in emergency funding in the past week</a>, with nearly half that amount going to holding companies for the two failed banks to pay depositors. The Fed did not say how many other banks borrowed money and added that it expects the loans to be repaid.

The goal is to prevent a broadening panic in which customers rush to pull out so much money that even healthy banks buckle. That scenario would unsettle the entire financial system and risk derailing the economy.

Taxpayers will probably bear no direct cost for the failure of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. But other banks may have to help defray the cost of covering uninsured deposits. Over time, those banks could pass higher costs on to customers, forcing everyone to pay more for services.

Here are some questions and answers about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/banks-federal-reserve-silicon-valley-lending-rescue-a04875a164165b50e971ff4576bf4e27">the cost of the bank collapses</a>:

Most of the cost of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/silicon-valley-bank-uk-bailout-hsbc-sale-4d2da0e9c6f39c0fd8faf321a2b295cf">guaranteeing all deposits at both banks</a>&nbsp;will likely be covered by the proceeds the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. receives from winding down the two banks — either by selling them to other financial institutions or by auctioning off their assets.

Any costs beyond that would be paid for out of the FDIC's deposit insurance fund, which is typically used in the event of a bank failure to reimburse depositors for up to $250,000 per account. The fund is maintained with fees paid by participating banks.

Both Silicon Valley and Signature banks had a strikingly high share of deposits above that amount: 94% of Silicon Valley’s deposits were uninsured, as were 90% of deposits at Signature. The average figure for large banks is about half that level.

If necessary, the insurance fund will be replenished by a “special assessment” on banks, the FDIC, Fed and Treasury said in a joint statement. Though the cost of that assessment could ultimately be borne by bank customers, it's not clear how much money would be involved.

Kathryn Judge, a law professor at Columbia University, said a bigger cost to consumers and the economy could stem from potentially major changes to the financial system that result from this episode.

If all customer deposits were considered guaranteed by the government, formally or informally, then regulations would need to be strengthened to prevent bank failures or lessen their costs when they do happen. Banks might have to pay permanently higher fees to the FDIC.

“It's going to require us to revisit the entire bank regulatory framework," Judge said. “That's far more significant than the modest costs that other banks will pay.”

President Joe Biden has insisted that no taxpayer money will be used to resolve the crisis. The White House is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/silicon-valley-bank-failure-deposits-fdic-8011ea377d8f9941032790ce1d704c5a">desperate to avoid</a>&nbsp;any perception that average Americans are “bailing out” the two banks in a way similar to the highly unpopular bailouts of the biggest financial firms during the 2008 financial crisis.

“No losses associated with the resolution of Silicon Valley Bank will be borne by the taxpayer,” read the joint statement from the Treasury, Fed and FDIC.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen defended that view Thursday under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yellen-banking-federal-reserve-silicon-valley-bank-dfd110d0b55d3284afaafc4677616b9e?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_06">tough questioning from GOP lawmakers</a>.

The Fed's lending program to help banks pay depositors is backed by $25 billion of taxpayer funds that would cover any losses on the loans. But the Fed says it's unlikely that the money will be needed because the loans will be backed by Treasury bonds and other safe securities as collateral.

Even if taxpayers aren't directly on the hook, some economists say the banks' customers still stand to benefit from government support.

“Saying that the taxpayer won’t pay anything ignores the fact that providing insurance to somebody who didn’t pay for insurance is a gift,” said Anil Kashyap, an economics professor at the University of Chicago. “And that’s kind of what happened.”

Biden and other Democrats in Washington deny that their actions amount to a bailout of any kind.

“It's not a bailout as happened in 2008,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, said this week while proposing legislation to toughen bank regulation. “It is, in effect, protection of depositors and a preventive measure to stop a run on other banks all around the country."

Biden has stressed that the banks' managers will be fired and their investors will not be protected. Both banks will cease to exist. In the 2008 crisis, some financial institutions that received government financial aid, like the insurer AIG, were rescued from near-certain bankruptcy.

Yet many economists say the depositors at Silicon Valley Bank, which included wealthy venture capitalists and tech startups, are still receiving government help.

“Why is it sensible capitalism for somebody to take a risk, and then be protected from that risk when that risk actually happens?” asked Raghuram Rajan, a finance professor at the University of Chicago and former head of India's central bank. “It’s probably good for the short term in the sense that you don’t have a widespread panic. ... But it is problematic for the system long term."

Many Republicans on Capitol Hill argue that smaller community banks and their customers will shoulder some of the cost.

Banks in rural Oklahoma "are about to pay a special fee to be able to bail out millionaires in San Francisco,” Sen. James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, said on the Senate floor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678567122405.png" alt="Silicon Vally Bank branch in Santa Clara, California -Google image" />
 <figcaption>Silicon Vally Bank branch in Santa Clara, California -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The government's response to the failure of two large banks has already involved hundreds of billions of dollars. So will ordinary Americans end up paying for it, one way or another? And what will the price tag be?It could be months before the answers are fully known. The Biden administration said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-wall-street-silicon-valley-banks-trump-e6c27850d35d7f782fc6af9498925e7f">it will guarantee</a>&nbsp;uninsured deposits at both banks. The Federal Reserve announced&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/silicon-valley-bank-uk-bailout-hsbc-sale-4d2da0e9c6f39c0fd8faf321a2b295cf">a new lending program</a>&nbsp;for all banks that need to borrow money to pay for withdrawals.On Thursday, the Fed provided the first glimpse of the scale of the response: It said banks had borrowed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/banks-federal-reserve-silicon-valley-lending-fa9cea4bf6a24f881337630acf04ecfd">about $300 billion in emergency funding in the past week</a>, with nearly half that amount going to holding companies for the two failed banks to pay depositors. The Fed did not say how many other banks borrowed money and added that it expects the loans to be repaid.The goal is to prevent a broadening panic in which customers rush to pull out so much money that even healthy banks buckle. That scenario would unsettle the entire financial system and risk derailing the economy.Taxpayers will probably bear no direct cost for the failure of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. But other banks may have to help defray the cost of covering uninsured deposits. Over time, those banks could pass higher costs on to customers, forcing everyone to pay more for services.Here are some questions and answers about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/banks-federal-reserve-silicon-valley-lending-rescue-a04875a164165b50e971ff4576bf4e27">the cost of the bank collapses</a>:HOW IS THE RESPONSE BEING PAID FOR?Most of the cost of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/silicon-valley-bank-uk-bailout-hsbc-sale-4d2da0e9c6f39c0fd8faf321a2b295cf">guaranteeing all deposits at both banks</a>&nbsp;will likely be covered by the proceeds the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. receives from winding down the two banks — either by selling them to other financial institutions or by auctioning off their assets.Any costs beyond that would be paid for out of the FDIC's deposit insurance fund, which is typically used in the event of a bank failure to reimburse depositors for up to $250,000 per account. The fund is maintained with fees paid by participating banks.Both Silicon Valley and Signature banks had a strikingly high share of deposits above that amount: 94% of Silicon Valley’s deposits were uninsured, as were 90% of deposits at Signature. The average figure for large banks is about half that level.If necessary, the insurance fund will be replenished by a “special assessment” on banks, the FDIC, Fed and Treasury said in a joint statement. Though the cost of that assessment could ultimately be borne by bank customers, it's not clear how much money would be involved.Kathryn Judge, a law professor at Columbia University, said a bigger cost to consumers and the economy could stem from potentially major changes to the financial system that result from this episode.If all customer deposits were considered guaranteed by the government, formally or informally, then regulations would need to be strengthened to prevent bank failures or lessen their costs when they do happen. Banks might have to pay permanently higher fees to the FDIC.“It's going to require us to revisit the entire bank regulatory framework," Judge said. “That's far more significant than the modest costs that other banks will pay.”WILL TAXPAYERS BE ON THE HOOK?President Joe Biden has insisted that no taxpayer money will be used to resolve the crisis. The White House is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/silicon-valley-bank-failure-deposits-fdic-8011ea377d8f9941032790ce1d704c5a">desperate to avoid</a>&nbsp;any perception that average Americans are “bailing out” the two banks in a way similar to the highly unpopular bailouts of the biggest financial firms during the 2008 financial crisis.“No losses associated with the resolution of Silicon Valley Bank will be borne by the taxpayer,” read the joint statement from the Treasury, Fed and FDIC.Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen defended that view Thursday under&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yellen-banking-federal-reserve-silicon-valley-bank-dfd110d0b55d3284afaafc4677616b9e?utm_source=homepage&amp;utm_medium=TopNews&amp;utm_campaign=position_06">tough questioning from GOP lawmakers</a>.The Fed's lending program to help banks pay depositors is backed by $25 billion of taxpayer funds that would cover any losses on the loans. But the Fed says it's unlikely that the money will be needed because the loans will be backed by Treasury bonds and other safe securities as collateral.Even if taxpayers aren't directly on the hook, some economists say the banks' customers still stand to benefit from government support.“Saying that the taxpayer won’t pay anything ignores the fact that providing insurance to somebody who didn’t pay for insurance is a gift,” said Anil Kashyap, an economics professor at the University of Chicago. “And that’s kind of what happened.”SO IS THIS A BAILOUT?Biden and other Democrats in Washington deny that their actions amount to a bailout of any kind.“It's not a bailout as happened in 2008,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, said this week while proposing legislation to toughen bank regulation. “It is, in effect, protection of depositors and a preventive measure to stop a run on other banks all around the country."Biden has stressed that the banks' managers will be fired and their investors will not be protected. Both banks will cease to exist. In the 2008 crisis, some financial institutions that received government financial aid, like the insurer AIG, were rescued from near-certain bankruptcy.Yet many economists say the depositors at Silicon Valley Bank, which included wealthy venture capitalists and tech startups, are still receiving government help.“Why is it sensible capitalism for somebody to take a risk, and then be protected from that risk when that risk actually happens?” asked Raghuram Rajan, a finance professor at the University of Chicago and former head of India's central bank. “It’s probably good for the short term in the sense that you don’t have a widespread panic. ... But it is problematic for the system long term."Many Republicans on Capitol Hill argue that smaller community banks and their customers will shoulder some of the cost.Banks in rural Oklahoma "are about to pay a special fee to be able to bail out millionaires in San Francisco,” Sen. James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, said on the Senate floor.___