NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump's defense team attacked the credibility of prosecutors' first witness in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">hush money case</a>&nbsp;on Friday, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.

<a href="https://pdfs.nycourts.gov/PeopleVs.DTrump-71543/transcripts/4-25-2024/">Click here to read transcript</a> of day 3 of the historic trial&nbsp;(-The court system is posting the daily transcripts of the trial proceedings. The transcript for each day is available before the end of the following business day.)

On the witness stand for a fourth day, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker was grilled about his memory and past statements as the defense tried to poke holes in potentially crucial testimony in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-cohen-stormy-daniels-e40532d3bce7768e296fdaf9591ef05b">first criminal trial of a former American president.</a>

Two other witnesses followed Pecker as prosecutors built the foundation of their case involving a hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, who claimed she had a sexual encounter with Trump. Trump's longtime executive assistant told jurors she recalled seeing Daniels in a reception area of Trump Tower, though the date of the visit wasn’t clear.

Pecker’s testimony provided jurors with a stunning inside look at the supermarket tabloid’s “catch-and-kill” practice of purchasing the rights to stories so they never see the light of day. He's believed to be a key witness to bolster prosecutors' theory that Trump sought to illegally influence the 2016 race by suppressing negative stories about his personal life.

Trump, who denies any wrongdoing, slammed the prosecution as he left the courthouse Friday after spending most of the week in his role as criminal defendant instead of political candidate. Trump seized on President Joe Biden's remarks Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-debates-97c527d59bac59c06d2ee0e1edb81d9b">that he's willing to debate Trump</a>. Trump told reporters he's up for it anytime, anywhere.

Under cross-examination, Trump’s lawyers appeared to be laying the groundwork to make the argument that any dealings Trump had with Pecker were intended to protect Trump, his reputation and his family — not his campaign. The defense also sought to show that the National Enquirer was publishing negative stories about Trump’s 2016 rival, Hillary Clinton, long before an August 2015 meeting that is central to the case.

During that meeting, Pecker said he told Trump and then-Trump attorney Michael Cohen he would be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-national-enquirer-d44d4a7ce66cc08edb5981b3afb882ba">“eyes and ears” of the campaign</a>, and would notify Cohen if he heard negative stories about Trump so they could be killed.

Under questioning by Trump lawyer Emil Bove, Pecker acknowledged there was no mention at that meeting of the term “catch-and-kill." Nor was there discussion at the meeting of any “financial dimension,” such as the National Enquirer paying people on Trump’s behalf for the rights to their stories, Pecker said.

Bove also confronted Pecker with statements he made to federal prosecutors in 2018 that the defense lawyer said were “inconsistent” with the former publisher’s testimony.

Pecker told jurors that Trump thanked him during a White House visit in 2017 for his help burying two stories. But according to notes Bove read in court, Pecker told federal authorities that Trump did not express any gratitude to him during the meeting.

“Was that another mistake?” Bove asked Pecker.

Pecker stuck to the account that he gave in court, adding, “I know what the truth is."

Prosecutors challenged the defense’s contention that Trump's arrangement with the National Enquirer wasn't unique. Under questioning from a prosecutor, Pecker acknowledged he had not previously sought out stories and worked the company’s sources on behalf of a presidential candidate or allowed political fixers close access to internal decision-making.

The second witness called to the stand was Rhona Graff, Trump’s longtime executive assistant. Graff, who started working for Trump in 1987 and left the Trump Organization in April 2021, has been described as his gatekeeper and right hand.

Graff testified that she believed she was the one who added contact information for Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal to the Trump Organization’s computer system. The women’s listings were shown in court, with Daniels named in the system simply as “Stormy.” Graff later noted that Trump never used computers.

Trump spoke briefly to Graff as she left the witness stand. He appeared to reach out to her with his hand as an officer guided her away from the witness stand past the defense table. Trump’s lawyers were at the bench, talking with Judge Juan Merchan, when Trump stood up and engaged with Graff.

The case will resume Tuesday with the third prosecution witness, Gary Farro, a banker. Farro testified Friday about helping Cohen form a bank account for the limited liability company he used to facilitate the Daniels payment. Farro said Cohen led him to believe the firm, Essential Consultants LLC, would be involved in real estate consulting.

Friday’s testimony caps a consequential week in the&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">criminal cases the former president faces</a>&nbsp;as he vies to reclaim the White House in November.

At the same time jurors listened to testimony in Manhattan, the Supreme Court on Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-prosecution-immunity-72c885c07c77970d4380206f87b2d8ca">signaled it was likely to reject</a>&nbsp;Trump's sweeping claims that he is immune from prosecution in his 2020 election interference case in Washington. But the conservative-majority high court seemed inclined to limit when former presidents could be prosecuted — a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-supreme-court-immunity-jan-6-riot-4813fceb6bc8b0ea2f47bf9315bf7991">ruling that could benefit Trump</a>&nbsp;by delaying that trial, potentially until after the November election.

In New York — the first of Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">four criminal cases to go to trial</a>&nbsp;— the presumptive Republican presidential nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records</a>&nbsp;in connection with the hush money payments.

The charges center on $130,000 that Trump’s company paid to Cohen on Trump’s behalf to keep&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-stormy-daniels-karen-mcdougal-26f0b7e7cf464f5fc0681e04efe5fe9b">Daniels</a>&nbsp;from going public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier. Trump has denied the encounter ever happened.

Over several days on the witness stand, Pecker described how the tabloid parlayed rumor-mongering into splashy stories that smeared Trump’s opponents and, just as crucially, leveraged his connections to suppress seamy stories about Trump.

Trump's attorney zeroed in on a nonprosecution agreement in 2018 between the federal government and American Media Inc., the parent company of the National Enquirer.

The company admitted to engaging in the “catch-and-kill” practice to help Trump's campaign, and prosecutors agreed to not prosecute the company for paying $150,000 to McDougal for the rights to her story about an alleged affair with Trump. Trump denies the affair.

Trump's attorney repeatedly suggested that Pecker may have felt pressured to accept an agreement in order to finalize a deal to sell his company to the newsstand operator Hudson News Group for a proposed $100 million.

“To consummate that deal, you knew you had to clear up the investigations,” Bove said.

After pausing for several seconds, Pecker replied in the affirmative. But Pecker also said he felt “no pressure” to finalize the nonprosecution agreement to complete the transaction.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714184700078.png" alt="One piece of evidence from Trump's civil trial on Tuesday -provided by New York State Court System" />
 <figcaption>One piece of evidence from Trump's civil trial on Tuesday -provided by New York State Court System</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump's defense team attacked the credibility of prosecutors' first witness in his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">hush money case</a>&nbsp;on Friday, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.<a href="https://pdfs.nycourts.gov/PeopleVs.DTrump-71543/transcripts/4-25-2024/">Click here to read transcript</a> of day 3 of the historic trial&nbsp;(-The court system is posting the daily transcripts of the trial proceedings. The transcript for each day is available before the end of the following business day.)On the witness stand for a fourth day, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker was grilled about his memory and past statements as the defense tried to poke holes in potentially crucial testimony in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-michael-cohen-stormy-daniels-e40532d3bce7768e296fdaf9591ef05b">first criminal trial of a former American president.</a>Two other witnesses followed Pecker as prosecutors built the foundation of their case involving a hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, who claimed she had a sexual encounter with Trump. Trump's longtime executive assistant told jurors she recalled seeing Daniels in a reception area of Trump Tower, though the date of the visit wasn’t clear.Pecker’s testimony provided jurors with a stunning inside look at the supermarket tabloid’s “catch-and-kill” practice of purchasing the rights to stories so they never see the light of day. He's believed to be a key witness to bolster prosecutors' theory that Trump sought to illegally influence the 2016 race by suppressing negative stories about his personal life.Trump, who denies any wrongdoing, slammed the prosecution as he left the courthouse Friday after spending most of the week in his role as criminal defendant instead of political candidate. Trump seized on President Joe Biden's remarks Friday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-donald-trump-debates-97c527d59bac59c06d2ee0e1edb81d9b">that he's willing to debate Trump</a>. Trump told reporters he's up for it anytime, anywhere.Under cross-examination, Trump’s lawyers appeared to be laying the groundwork to make the argument that any dealings Trump had with Pecker were intended to protect Trump, his reputation and his family — not his campaign. The defense also sought to show that the National Enquirer was publishing negative stories about Trump’s 2016 rival, Hillary Clinton, long before an August 2015 meeting that is central to the case.During that meeting, Pecker said he told Trump and then-Trump attorney Michael Cohen he would be the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-national-enquirer-d44d4a7ce66cc08edb5981b3afb882ba">“eyes and ears” of the campaign</a>, and would notify Cohen if he heard negative stories about Trump so they could be killed.Under questioning by Trump lawyer Emil Bove, Pecker acknowledged there was no mention at that meeting of the term “catch-and-kill." Nor was there discussion at the meeting of any “financial dimension,” such as the National Enquirer paying people on Trump’s behalf for the rights to their stories, Pecker said.Bove also confronted Pecker with statements he made to federal prosecutors in 2018 that the defense lawyer said were “inconsistent” with the former publisher’s testimony.Pecker told jurors that Trump thanked him during a White House visit in 2017 for his help burying two stories. But according to notes Bove read in court, Pecker told federal authorities that Trump did not express any gratitude to him during the meeting.“Was that another mistake?” Bove asked Pecker.Pecker stuck to the account that he gave in court, adding, “I know what the truth is."Prosecutors challenged the defense’s contention that Trump's arrangement with the National Enquirer wasn't unique. Under questioning from a prosecutor, Pecker acknowledged he had not previously sought out stories and worked the company’s sources on behalf of a presidential candidate or allowed political fixers close access to internal decision-making.“It’s the only one,” Pecker said.The second witness called to the stand was Rhona Graff, Trump’s longtime executive assistant. Graff, who started working for Trump in 1987 and left the Trump Organization in April 2021, has been described as his gatekeeper and right hand.Graff testified that she believed she was the one who added contact information for Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal to the Trump Organization’s computer system. The women’s listings were shown in court, with Daniels named in the system simply as “Stormy.” Graff later noted that Trump never used computers.Trump spoke briefly to Graff as she left the witness stand. He appeared to reach out to her with his hand as an officer guided her away from the witness stand past the defense table. Trump’s lawyers were at the bench, talking with Judge Juan Merchan, when Trump stood up and engaged with Graff.The case will resume Tuesday with the third prosecution witness, Gary Farro, a banker. Farro testified Friday about helping Cohen form a bank account for the limited liability company he used to facilitate the Daniels payment. Farro said Cohen led him to believe the firm, Essential Consultants LLC, would be involved in real estate consulting.Friday’s testimony caps a consequential week in the&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">criminal cases the former president faces</a>&nbsp;as he vies to reclaim the White House in November.At the same time jurors listened to testimony in Manhattan, the Supreme Court on Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-trump-capitol-riot-prosecution-immunity-72c885c07c77970d4380206f87b2d8ca">signaled it was likely to reject</a>&nbsp;Trump's sweeping claims that he is immune from prosecution in his 2020 election interference case in Washington. But the conservative-majority high court seemed inclined to limit when former presidents could be prosecuted — a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-supreme-court-immunity-jan-6-riot-4813fceb6bc8b0ea2f47bf9315bf7991">ruling that could benefit Trump</a>&nbsp;by delaying that trial, potentially until after the November election.In New York — the first of Trump's&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">four criminal cases to go to trial</a>&nbsp;— the presumptive Republican presidential nominee&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-arraignment-hush-money-81225510ef7638494852816878f612f0">faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records</a>&nbsp;in connection with the hush money payments.The charges center on $130,000 that Trump’s company paid to Cohen on Trump’s behalf to keep&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-stormy-daniels-karen-mcdougal-26f0b7e7cf464f5fc0681e04efe5fe9b">Daniels</a>&nbsp;from going public with her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump a decade earlier. Trump has denied the encounter ever happened.Over several days on the witness stand, Pecker described how the tabloid parlayed rumor-mongering into splashy stories that smeared Trump’s opponents and, just as crucially, leveraged his connections to suppress seamy stories about Trump.Trump's attorney zeroed in on a nonprosecution agreement in 2018 between the federal government and American Media Inc., the parent company of the National Enquirer.The company admitted to engaging in the “catch-and-kill” practice to help Trump's campaign, and prosecutors agreed to not prosecute the company for paying $150,000 to McDougal for the rights to her story about an alleged affair with Trump. Trump denies the affair.Trump's attorney repeatedly suggested that Pecker may have felt pressured to accept an agreement in order to finalize a deal to sell his company to the newsstand operator Hudson News Group for a proposed $100 million.“To consummate that deal, you knew you had to clear up the investigations,” Bove said.After pausing for several seconds, Pecker replied in the affirmative. But Pecker also said he felt “no pressure” to finalize the nonprosecution agreement to complete the transaction.In the end, the deal didn't go through.

Read transcript: Day 3 of historic Trump civil trial

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities who served a search warrant on a  residence in the 400 block of East 6th Street in Holton Tuesday in connection with a cold case investigation also made an arrest, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim Morse

The search warrant stemmed from a missing person investigation and an investigation into the death of another person. Russian immigrant Yulia Shevtensko Larrison went missing in 2001 and Elena Kristova Larrison, also a Russian immigrant, was killed in a reported accident in Holton in 2006.

Over 60 law enforcement officers, scientists and subject matter experts took part in the search over the last three days.

Investigators searched the 3.7-acre property and numerous outbuildings and uninhabited houses. Numerous exhibits were collected. The search warrant concluded mid-morning on Thursday.

Authorities arrested a resident of the property identified as 64-year-old Rex Dwaine Larrison of Holton, on a requested charges of criminal use of an explosive. He is being held in the Jackson County Jail, according to Morse.

The search for Yulia Shevtensko Larrison and the investigation into the death of Elena Kristova Larrison continues.

&nbsp;Other agencies involved in the investigation this week included the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, Topeka Police Department Hazardous Devices Unit, Olathe Fire Department, and the U.S. Marshal Service.

If anyone has any information regarding either of these two cases, they are asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 785-364-2251 or the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME.&nbsp; Anonymous tips can be submitted online at https:www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714127569794.png" alt="Larrison-photo Jackson County" />
 <figcaption>Larrison-photo Jackson County</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities who served a search warrant on a residence in the 400 block of East 6th Street in Holton Tuesday in connection with a cold case investigation also made an arrest, according to Jackson County Sheriff Tim MorseThe search warrant stemmed from a missing person investigation and an investigation into the death of another person. Russian immigrant Yulia Shevtensko Larrison went missing in 2001 and Elena Kristova Larrison, also a Russian immigrant, was killed in a reported accident in Holton in 2006.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713901671162.png" alt="-Yulia Shevtensko Larrison went missing in 2001-photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>-Yulia Shevtensko Larrison went missing in 2001-photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>Over 60 law enforcement officers, scientists and subject matter experts took part in the search over the last three days.Investigators searched the 3.7-acre property and numerous outbuildings and uninhabited houses. Numerous exhibits were collected. The search warrant concluded mid-morning on Thursday.Authorities arrested a resident of the property identified as 64-year-old Rex Dwaine Larrison of Holton, on a requested charges of criminal use of an explosive. He is being held in the Jackson County Jail, according to Morse.The search for Yulia Shevtensko Larrison and the investigation into the death of Elena Kristova Larrison continues.&nbsp;Other agencies involved in the investigation this week included the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, Topeka Police Department Hazardous Devices Unit, Olathe Fire Department, and the U.S. Marshal Service.If anyone has any information regarding either of these two cases, they are asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 785-364-2251 or the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME.&nbsp; Anonymous tips can be submitted online at https:www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.

Arrest made at scene of Kansas cold case investigation

DOUGLAS COUNTY —A convicted Kansas felon accused in a violent attack at a residence in Lawrence has entered a plea in the case.&nbsp;

Major C. Edwards, Jr., 44, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to aggravated battery, according to&nbsp;Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez.

Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred in the early morning on June 10, 2023, when Lawrence Police were called to an apartment in the 1400 block of W. 7th. Street.

According to court records, Edwards, while naked, had broken into a then 19-year-old woman’s bedroom and tackled her to the ground.&nbsp; Another woman in the apartment was able to intervene and called police. At the time of the battery, Edwards was on parole for a 2006 voluntary manslaughter conviction in Douglas County.

Edwards faces between 7 and 23 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for the crime.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714006949978.png" alt="Edwards-photo Douglas Co." />
 <figcaption>Edwards-photo Douglas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY —A convicted Kansas felon accused in a violent attack at a residence in Lawrence has entered a plea in the case.&nbsp;Major C. Edwards, Jr., 44, of Lawrence, pleaded guilty to aggravated battery, according to&nbsp;Douglas County District Attorney Suzanne Valdez.Charges stemmed from an incident that occurred in the early morning on June 10, 2023, when Lawrence Police were called to an apartment in the 1400 block of W. 7th. Street.According to court records, Edwards, while naked, had broken into a then 19-year-old woman’s bedroom and tackled her to the ground.&nbsp; Another woman in the apartment was able to intervene and called police. At the time of the battery, Edwards was on parole for a 2006 voluntary manslaughter conviction in Douglas County.Edwards faces between 7 and 23 months in the Kansas Department of Corrections for the crime.

Kan. felon was naked when he broke into bedroom, attacked woman

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Rep. Adam Smith doesn’t care for five-year financial projections.

The Weskan Republican wants big tax cuts — and he wants them now. He’s even willing to “draw a line in the sand” to get them.

Financial forecasts are unreliable, he argued Friday before House members voted to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s vetoes of income, property and sales tax cuts that would lower state revenue by about $520 million per year. Combined with other legislation that increases spending and lowers revenue, the state would burn through its $3 billion surplus and face a budget shortfall by 2029.

But five years ago, Smith said, the Chiefs hadn’t won a Super Bowl in 49 years. They have hoisted the Lombardi trophy three times since then. And five years ago, the United Kingdom was still part of the European Union, X was still Twitter, and 66 of the chamber’s 125 members weren’t in office.

Also five years ago, he said, the University of Kansas football team hadn’t won a conference championship since 1968 — so some things never change. But his point remained: “A lot can change in five years.”

Even a three-year financial outlook is pretty hazy, Smith said. That’s why financial experts convene twice a year to produce new revenue estimates for the state.

“I’m not worried about that. We’ve got plenty of time,” Smith said. “If the economy’s moving along, doing great, we’ll be fine. If the economy takes a downturn, we’ve got plenty of options. This isn’t locking things in for five years. We can make adjustments. We can make adjustments in our spending, we can make other adjustments in different tax incentives that we provide. There’s plenty of chance.”

The House voted 104-15, with Democrats divided, on whether to override the governor’s veto on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2036/">House Bill 2036</a>, which features a dramatic overhaul of income tax rates and a reduction in the statewide mill levy. The House then voted 99-20 to override the veto of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2098/">House Bill 2098</a>, which provides sales tax relief on vehicle sales, as well as sales tax exemptions for telecommunications, meat processing, State Schools for the Deaf and Blind, Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation, Exploration Place in Wichita, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Topeka, and Doorstep Inc. in Topeka.

The bills await action in the Senate, where 27 out of 40 members are needed to override a veto.

Kelly proposed an alternative package this week that would provide about $430 million in annual tax relief. Her plan would lower income tax rates for existing brackets to 5.65%, 5.2% and 3%, raise standard deductions, and increase the residential property tax exemption from $40,000 to $125,000.

“We must cut taxes for Kansans, but we have to do so in a fiscally responsible, sustainable way,” Kelly said. “The plan I unveiled this week ensures we can continue fully funding our essential services and puts more than $430 million back in Kansans’ pockets each year.”

The House gave no consideration to the governor’s plan before moving to override the veto of HB 2036, which had passed in the final hours of the regular session by a 119-0 vote.

Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, D-Overland Park, said in posts on X that her constituents have repeatedly asked her for tax cuts.

“When I see a responsible tax cut, I support it,” Sawyer Clayton wrote. “And I continue to support it. I’ll do so today. I owe you consistent behavior and complete honesty. I’ll also gladly support the Governor’s tax plan.”

She voted to override the veto on HB 2036 and against the override of HB 2098.

Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, D-Leawood, said she second-guessed the vote she had made “in the wee hours of the night” in early April, when she supported the tax cut package. Now, after confirming that “information available to me at the time was incomplete at best and purposely false at worst,” she opposed the package.

Rep. Patrick Penn, R-Wichita, made a procedural motion to strike Poskin’s comments from the record because, he alleged, she had impugned Smith’s motives, legislative speak for a breach of chamber decorum. But House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, overruled Penn because Poskin hadn’t named names. She was allowed to continue.

Poskin said her constituents don’t complain about income taxes, but they fill her inbox with pleas for relief when they get their property tax notices.

“We have room to trim this overall package and deliver on the most demanded tax cuts,” Poskin said.

Rep. Linda Featherston, D-Overland Park, said legislators shouldn’t be working at 2 a.m., which is when they finished an overnight marathon of votes on April 6.

“It is disrespectful to our constituents and irresponsible for our state,” Featherston said. “I am thankful that the governor and her team had plenty of time to examine this bill in the light of day.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714174089114.png" alt=" Rep. Adam Smith says he is drawing “a line in the stand” and refusing to back down on plans to reduce tax collections by $520 million per year. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Rep. Adam Smith says he is drawing “a line in the stand” and refusing to back down on plans to reduce tax collections by $520 million per year. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Rep. Adam Smith doesn’t care for five-year financial projections.The Weskan Republican wants big tax cuts — and he wants them now. He’s even willing to “draw a line in the sand” to get them.Financial forecasts are unreliable, he argued Friday before House members voted to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s vetoes of income, property and sales tax cuts that would lower state revenue by about $520 million per year. Combined with other legislation that increases spending and lowers revenue, the state would burn through its $3 billion surplus and face a budget shortfall by 2029.But five years ago, Smith said, the Chiefs hadn’t won a Super Bowl in 49 years. They have hoisted the Lombardi trophy three times since then. And five years ago, the United Kingdom was still part of the European Union, X was still Twitter, and 66 of the chamber’s 125 members weren’t in office.Also five years ago, he said, the University of Kansas football team hadn’t won a conference championship since 1968 — so some things never change. But his point remained: “A lot can change in five years.”Even a three-year financial outlook is pretty hazy, Smith said. That’s why financial experts convene twice a year to produce new revenue estimates for the state.“I’m not worried about that. We’ve got plenty of time,” Smith said. “If the economy’s moving along, doing great, we’ll be fine. If the economy takes a downturn, we’ve got plenty of options. This isn’t locking things in for five years. We can make adjustments. We can make adjustments in our spending, we can make other adjustments in different tax incentives that we provide. There’s plenty of chance.”The House voted 104-15, with Democrats divided, on whether to override the governor’s veto on&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2036/">House Bill 2036</a>, which features a dramatic overhaul of income tax rates and a reduction in the statewide mill levy. The House then voted 99-20 to override the veto of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/hb2098/">House Bill 2098</a>, which provides sales tax relief on vehicle sales, as well as sales tax exemptions for telecommunications, meat processing, State Schools for the Deaf and Blind, Kansas Fairgrounds Foundation, Exploration Place in Wichita, Kansas Children’s Discovery Center in Topeka, and Doorstep Inc. in Topeka.The bills await action in the Senate, where 27 out of 40 members are needed to override a veto.Kelly proposed an alternative package this week that would provide about $430 million in annual tax relief. Her plan would lower income tax rates for existing brackets to 5.65%, 5.2% and 3%, raise standard deductions, and increase the residential property tax exemption from $40,000 to $125,000.“We must cut taxes for Kansans, but we have to do so in a fiscally responsible, sustainable way,” Kelly said. “The plan I unveiled this week ensures we can continue fully funding our essential services and puts more than $430 million back in Kansans’ pockets each year.”The House gave no consideration to the governor’s plan before moving to override the veto of HB 2036, which had passed in the final hours of the regular session by a 119-0 vote.Rep. Stephanie Sawyer Clayton, D-Overland Park, said in posts on X that her constituents have repeatedly asked her for tax cuts.“When I see a responsible tax cut, I support it,” Sawyer Clayton wrote. “And I continue to support it. I’ll do so today. I owe you consistent behavior and complete honesty. I’ll also gladly support the Governor’s tax plan.”She voted to override the veto on HB 2036 and against the override of HB 2098.Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin, D-Leawood, said she second-guessed the vote she had made “in the wee hours of the night” in early April, when she supported the tax cut package. Now, after confirming that “information available to me at the time was incomplete at best and purposely false at worst,” she opposed the package.Rep. Patrick Penn, R-Wichita, made a procedural motion to strike Poskin’s comments from the record because, he alleged, she had impugned Smith’s motives, legislative speak for a breach of chamber decorum. But House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, overruled Penn because Poskin hadn’t named names. She was allowed to continue.Poskin said her constituents don’t complain about income taxes, but they fill her inbox with pleas for relief when they get their property tax notices.“We have room to trim this overall package and deliver on the most demanded tax cuts,” Poskin said.Rep. Linda Featherston, D-Overland Park, said legislators shouldn’t be working at 2 a.m., which is when they finished an overnight marathon of votes on April 6.“It is disrespectful to our constituents and irresponsible for our state,” Featherston said. “I am thankful that the governor and her team had plenty of time to examine this bill in the light of day.”

Kansas House overrides governor’s veto of tax cut bills despite gloomy five-year forecast

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– The McConnell Air Force Base flightline is emptying out Friday and Saturday, with most of the base’s KC-135R Stratotanker and KC-46A Pegasus aircraft being launched and relocated away from the local area due to forecasted severe weather, according to a media release.

The aircraft, flown by aircrews from the 22nd and 931st Air Refueling Wings, began departing Friday and due to a forecasted of high winds, hail potential and the possibility of tornadoes for Saturday evening and Sunday morning. The remaining aircraft, undergoing various phases of maintenance, along with a range of flightline vehicles and equipment, are being stored in hangars.

The relocation protects the aircraft from potential damage, preserving mission capability for McConnell Air Force Base to provide worldwide air refueling, airlift and aeromedical evacuation support. While off-station, McConnell aircrews will coordinate training activities with other military units around the country, to perform that training while away from Kansas, and when enroute back to Kansas.

This is the second time this month the the base moved aircraft assigned to McConnell Air Force Base due to potential severe weather.&nbsp; The base relocated aircraft April 15.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714150582109.png" alt="File photo April 16, 2024 A KC-46 Pegasus takes off from McConnell Air Force Base -U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class William Lunn" />
 <figcaption>File photo April 16, 2024 A KC-46 Pegasus takes off from McConnell Air Force Base -U.S. Air Force photo by Airman First Class William Lunn</figcaption>
 </figure>MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan.&nbsp;– The McConnell Air Force Base flightline is emptying out Friday and Saturday, with most of the base’s KC-135R Stratotanker and KC-46A Pegasus aircraft being launched and relocated away from the local area due to forecasted severe weather, according to a media release.The aircraft, flown by aircrews from the 22nd and 931st Air Refueling Wings, began departing Friday and due to a forecasted of high winds, hail potential and the possibility of tornadoes for Saturday evening and Sunday morning. The remaining aircraft, undergoing various phases of maintenance, along with a range of flightline vehicles and equipment, are being stored in hangars.The relocation protects the aircraft from potential damage, preserving mission capability for McConnell Air Force Base to provide worldwide air refueling, airlift and aeromedical evacuation support. While off-station, McConnell aircrews will coordinate training activities with other military units around the country, to perform that training while away from Kansas, and when enroute back to Kansas.This is the second time this month the the base moved aircraft assigned to McConnell Air Force Base due to potential severe weather.&nbsp; The base relocated aircraft April 15.

Kansas Air Force Base relocates aircraft ahead of severe weather

EMPORIA — Kaila Mock says Medicaid expansion would help small business owners like her, the people she employs at Trox Gallery and the 104 artists whose work appears in the store.

And she isn’t fond of GOP legislative leaders who claim that Medicaid expansion would serve “able-bodied adults” who don’t want to work.

“I mean, it’s kind of bulls***,” Mock said. “There are a lot of people who work really hard but just aren’t making the ends meet, especially with everything being so expensive now. I know a ton of these artists work really hard at their craft and are hustling and going to different craft shows and selling stuff here and doing everything they can, but it’s just not enough.”

Mock met with Gov. Laura Kelly, who purchased a small crotched cat from the art gallery during a tour Thursday of main street businesses in Emporia.

Kelly made her final pitch for Medicaid expansion in a speech at the Granada Theatre, after months of touring the state and pressuring lawmakers to embrace her plan to provide health care coverage to 152,000 low-income Kansans at no additional cost to the state’s taxpayers. She urged the crowd of about 75 people to call legislators ahead of a procedural vote Friday in the Senate.

But she acknowledged the odds were against the Legislature approving Medicaid expansion this year.

“I’m not a bookie,” she said, before adding: “Honestly, I will be surprised.”

The governor said she has met with leaders in health care, child care, retail, hospitality, banking, real estate, aerospace, law enforcement and the medical community during her statewide campaign to support Medicaid expansion. House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, responded by calling her efforts a “welfare tour.”

Kelly said Hawkins and Masterson have “skewed the facts,” “spread myths” and peddled “false rhetoric” to the public while working behind the scenes to prevent a vote on legislation that would expand Medicaid.

Before lawmakers adjourned for a three-week break earlier this month, Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, made a motion to advance a Medicaid expansion bill. That procedural vote, which required approval from 24 out of 40 senators, failed on Friday when only 18 senators voted in favor of it. Even if it were successful, a second procedural vote would have required approval from 27 senators before they could consider the actual bill.

“I think that’s evidence quite honestly of the fact that if rank-and-file legislators were given an opportunity to debate and vote on Medicaid expansion, it would pass, and that’s why there’s been a reluctance to give them the opportunity,” Kelly said.

Kansas is one of 10 states that haven’t expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Currently, the federal government covers 60% of the state’s program costs. If expanded, the federal government would pay for 90% of the additional costs. That would bring about $700 million in federal money into the state every year. Instead, tax collections from Kansas are being distributed to other states.

The Kansas version of Medicaid is available to people who earn up to 38% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, the annual income limit is $11,400. By expanding eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty rate, the annual income threshold for a family of four would be $41,400.

About 70% of the adults who would benefit from Medicaid expansion are already working. Others are college students, caretakers or suffering from chronic illness.

While in Emporia, the governor toured the Axe Shedd, where she declined to throw an axe, and the Sweet Granada, a candy store physically connected to the theater, where the governor snagged some chocolate-covered popcorn.

At the Trox Gallery, she was approached by Jean-Ellen Kegler, a former director of the city’s visitor’s bureau, who said she moved back to Kansas after being gone for 25 years because Kelly was governor.

Kegler, now retired, also expressed dismay about the messaging from GOP leaders that Medicaid expansion would benefit people who are too lazy to work.

“We’ve heard that ever since the New Deal: ‘People are lazy. People are trying to bilk the government.’ And I think if we’re honest with ourselves, we see who is bilking the government, and it’s not the poor,” Kegler said. “It’s those who have money. And I don’t like to use the word ‘greed,’ but in this case, we’re seeing the greedy side of capitalism.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714154338391.png" alt=" Gov. Laura Kelly visits Trox Gallery during an April 25, 2024, tour of Emporia main street businesses. Kelly made her final pitch for Medicaid expansion ahead of a procedural vote Friday in the Senate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Gov. Laura Kelly visits Trox Gallery during an April 25, 2024, tour of Emporia main street businesses. Kelly made her final pitch for Medicaid expansion ahead of a procedural vote Friday in the Senate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>EMPORIA — Kaila Mock says Medicaid expansion would help small business owners like her, the people she employs at Trox Gallery and the 104 artists whose work appears in the store.And she isn’t fond of GOP legislative leaders who claim that Medicaid expansion would serve “able-bodied adults” who don’t want to work.“I mean, it’s kind of bulls***,” Mock said. “There are a lot of people who work really hard but just aren’t making the ends meet, especially with everything being so expensive now. I know a ton of these artists work really hard at their craft and are hustling and going to different craft shows and selling stuff here and doing everything they can, but it’s just not enough.”Mock met with Gov. Laura Kelly, who purchased a small crotched cat from the art gallery during a tour Thursday of main street businesses in Emporia.Kelly made her final pitch for Medicaid expansion in a speech at the Granada Theatre, after months of touring the state and pressuring lawmakers to embrace her plan to provide health care coverage to 152,000 low-income Kansans at no additional cost to the state’s taxpayers. She urged the crowd of about 75 people to call legislators ahead of a procedural vote Friday in the Senate.But she acknowledged the odds were against the Legislature approving Medicaid expansion this year.“I’m not a bookie,” she said, before adding: “Honestly, I will be surprised.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714154386145.png" alt=" Kaila Mock, owner of Trox Gallery, shows Gov. Laura Kelly around the store during the governor’s April 25, 2024, visit to Emporia. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> Kaila Mock, owner of Trox Gallery, shows Gov. Laura Kelly around the store during the governor’s April 25, 2024, visit to Emporia. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>The governor said she has met with leaders in health care, child care, retail, hospitality, banking, real estate, aerospace, law enforcement and the medical community during her statewide campaign to support Medicaid expansion. House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, and Senate President Ty Masterson, R-Andover, responded by calling her efforts a “welfare tour.”Kelly said Hawkins and Masterson have “skewed the facts,” “spread myths” and peddled “false rhetoric” to the public while working behind the scenes to prevent a vote on legislation that would expand Medicaid.Before lawmakers adjourned for a three-week break earlier this month, Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa, made a motion to advance a Medicaid expansion bill. That procedural vote, which required approval from 24 out of 40 senators, failed on Friday when only 18 senators voted in favor of it. Even if it were successful, a second procedural vote would have required approval from 27 senators before they could consider the actual bill.“I think that’s evidence quite honestly of the fact that if rank-and-file legislators were given an opportunity to debate and vote on Medicaid expansion, it would pass, and that’s why there’s been a reluctance to give them the opportunity,” Kelly said.Kansas is one of 10 states that haven’t expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Currently, the federal government covers 60% of the state’s program costs. If expanded, the federal government would pay for 90% of the additional costs. That would bring about $700 million in federal money into the state every year. Instead, tax collections from Kansas are being distributed to other states.The Kansas version of Medicaid is available to people who earn up to 38% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, the annual income limit is $11,400. By expanding eligibility to 138% of the federal poverty rate, the annual income threshold for a family of four would be $41,400.About 70% of the adults who would benefit from Medicaid expansion are already working. Others are college students, caretakers or suffering from chronic illness.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714154291847.png" alt="Gov. Laura Kelly talks with Calebh Shedd, owner of the Axe Shedd, during an April 25, 2024, visit to Emporia. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Laura Kelly talks with Calebh Shedd, owner of the Axe Shedd, during an April 25, 2024, visit to Emporia. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>While in Emporia, the governor toured the Axe Shedd, where she declined to throw an axe, and the Sweet Granada, a candy store physically connected to the theater, where the governor snagged some chocolate-covered popcorn.At the Trox Gallery, she was approached by Jean-Ellen Kegler, a former director of the city’s visitor’s bureau, who said she moved back to Kansas after being gone for 25 years because Kelly was governor.Kegler, now retired, also expressed dismay about the messaging from GOP leaders that Medicaid expansion would benefit people who are too lazy to work.“We’ve heard that ever since the New Deal: ‘People are lazy. People are trying to bilk the government.’ And I think if we’re honest with ourselves, we see who is bilking the government, and it’s not the poor,” Kegler said. “It’s those who have money. And I don’t like to use the word ‘greed,’ but in this case, we’re seeing the greedy side of capitalism.”

Gov. makes last pitch for Medicaid expansion in visit to Emporia main street businesses

SEDGWICK COUNTY —On this date in 1991, the infamous "Andover Tornado" tore through south central Kansas. The tornado was rated an F5 and  killed 17 people, 13 of which were in the Golden Spur mobile home park.

The storm also caused significant damage at the McConnell Air Force base The tornado had a path length of 46 miles.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/Apr26Review">Click here to read more on t</a>he tornado from the National Weather Service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714146309535.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —On this date in 1991, the infamous "Andover Tornado" tore through south central Kansas. The tornado was rated an F5 and killed 17 people, 13 of which were in the Golden Spur mobile home park.The storm also caused significant damage at the McConnell Air Force base The tornado had a path length of 46 miles.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.weather.gov/ict/Apr26Review">Click here to read more on t</a>he tornado from the National Weather Service.

Anniversary of the deadly 1991 Kansas tornado outbreak

HAYS —A woman who lived in Hays was found dying from a gunshot wound. Evidence at the scene did not add up. Prosecutors came up with a new way-they say-to find out what really happened.&nbsp; 

At 9p.m. CDT Saturday on KWCH, WIBW in Topeka or KCTV in Kansas City, Erin Moriarty reports in “48 Hours: Kristen Trickle: Autopsy of the Mind."&nbsp;

In the early morning hours of Halloween 2019 in Hays, Kansas, Colby Trickle called 911 and said he woke up to his ears ringing and saw his wife, Kristen Trickle, bleeding next to him in the bed. 

Responding officers found Kristen Trickle, 26, clinging to life. What happened was a mystery.

Hays&nbsp; Police Sergeant Brandon Hauptman says Kristen Trickle was barely alive. “I kind of focused in, on her jaw moving. I can see the movement of her jaw,” Hauptman tells 48 HOURS. Kristen Trickle would not survive. 

The coroner ruled her death was a suicide. But prosecutor Aaron Cunningham questioned if she could have fired the large caliber revolver that killed her.

“It’s awkward to maneuver, not something that you’d easily turn on yourself,” says Cunningham.&nbsp; Instead, he thinks Colby Trickle killed his wife. 

Colby Trickle’s attorney, Cassy Zeigler, points out that Colby didn’t hesitate to call 911. “I do not believe he did it ... He called and she was still showing signs of life,” Zeigler says.

<a href="https://eaglepost.netlify.app/dashboard/hays/posts/0379c4b5-8e93-4dcb-8d83-cfb4b8537b90">Click here to read</a> more about the case.

Since authorities were divided on the evidence they saw at the crime scene, they tried something new and ordered a very different type of autopsy, an autopsy of Kristen Trickle’s mind.

“So basically, this is a psychological autopsy ... trying to figure out the state of mind of a person who died. That’s difficult to do, isn’t it?” Moriarty asks Cunningham.“Yeah,” Cunningham responds.“And had this ever been done in the state of Kansas before?” Moriarty asks.“Never in a criminal case, No,” says Cunningham.

Investigators also began digging into Colby Trickle’s story. They pored over the data in his cellphone and discovered Trickle had been exchanging flirtatious Snapchat messages with another woman. 

According to detective JB Burkholder, there was also evidence on Trickle’s cellphone that contradicted what he had first told investigators when asked about life insurance on his wife. 

Trickle told authorities when questioned, “I have some on me from military, but that’s it.”Prosecutors say cellphone data revealed that not only was Colby Trickle aware his wife Kristen Trickle was covered by a life insurance policy called SGLI for spouses of military members, in the days before her death he also Googled the amount the policy would pay out.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714087456755.png" alt="Kristen Trickle courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kristen Trickle courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>HAYS —A woman who lived in Hays was found dying from a gunshot wound. Evidence at the scene did not add up. Prosecutors came up with a new way-they say-to find out what really happened.&nbsp; At 9p.m. CDT Saturday on KWCH, WIBW in Topeka or KCTV in Kansas City, Erin Moriarty reports in “48 Hours: Kristen Trickle: Autopsy of the Mind."&nbsp;In the early morning hours of Halloween 2019 in Hays, Kansas, Colby Trickle called 911 and said he woke up to his ears ringing and saw his wife, Kristen Trickle, bleeding next to him in the bed. Responding officers found Kristen Trickle, 26, clinging to life. What happened was a mystery.Hays&nbsp; Police Sergeant Brandon Hauptman says Kristen Trickle was barely alive. “I kind of focused in, on her jaw moving. I can see the movement of her jaw,” Hauptman tells 48 HOURS. Kristen Trickle would not survive. The coroner ruled her death was a suicide. But prosecutor Aaron Cunningham questioned if she could have fired the large caliber revolver that killed her.“It’s awkward to maneuver, not something that you’d easily turn on yourself,” says Cunningham.&nbsp; Instead, he thinks Colby Trickle killed his wife. Colby Trickle’s attorney, Cassy Zeigler, points out that Colby didn’t hesitate to call 911. “I do not believe he did it ... He called and she was still showing signs of life,” Zeigler says.<a href="https://eaglepost.netlify.app/dashboard/hays/posts/0379c4b5-8e93-4dcb-8d83-cfb4b8537b90">Click here to read</a> more about the case.Since authorities were divided on the evidence they saw at the crime scene, they tried something new and ordered a very different type of autopsy, an autopsy of Kristen Trickle’s mind.“So basically, this is a psychological autopsy ... trying to figure out the state of mind of a person who died. That’s difficult to do, isn’t it?” Moriarty asks Cunningham.“Yeah,” Cunningham responds.“And had this ever been done in the state of Kansas before?” Moriarty asks.“Never in a criminal case, No,” says Cunningham.Investigators also began digging into Colby Trickle’s story. They pored over the data in his cellphone and discovered Trickle had been exchanging flirtatious Snapchat messages with another woman. According to detective JB Burkholder, there was also evidence on Trickle’s cellphone that contradicted what he had first told investigators when asked about life insurance on his wife. Trickle told authorities when questioned, “I have some on me from military, but that’s it.”Prosecutors say cellphone data revealed that not only was Colby Trickle aware his wife Kristen Trickle was covered by a life insurance policy called SGLI for spouses of military members, in the days before her death he also Googled the amount the policy would pay out.

CBS 48 Hours to feature Kan. murder: 'Kristen Trickle: Autopsy of the Mind'

The city is asking the court to overturn an arbitration decision that the firefighter could only be suspended for three days

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-kite/">ALLISON KITE</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Kansas City officials are hoping to overturn an arbitrator’s decision that a firefighter who crashed a fire truck and killed three people could only receive a three-day suspension.

On Tuesday, the city of Kansas City filed a motion in Jackson County Circuit Court to vacate an arbitration decision that determined Dominic Biscari could only be suspended for three days after he ran a red light in a fire department pumper truck and crashed into a car in the Westport neighborhood, killing both the driver and passenger.

Biscari then veered and hit three parked cars, killing a pedestrian and running into a building that ultimately collapsed. He was charged with three felonies, and according to the city, lawsuits by loved ones of the deceased and the building’s owner have cost Kansas City $3.2 million.

After the crash, the city sought to suspend Biscari pending an investigation, citing the three felony charges. The city told him, according to documents filed Tuesday in circuit court, that the suspension would remain in effect until his felony charges were adjudicated.

But the firefighters’ union, International Association of Firefighters Local 42, filed a grievance against the city, stating it was shocked at the suspension, which it said violated a previous arbitration decision, according to the city’s filing. The decision that Biscari could only be suspended for three days came as a result of that grievance.

According to the city’s petition, the arbitrator reached the decision, which it argues was an overreach, “without any explanation of how he arrived at a three-day suspension,”

“But it amounted to one day for each death and one day for each million dollars that (the) firefighter’s fatality accident cost the city,” the petition says.

Representatives from the union and attorneys for Biscari did not respond to requests for comment.

In February 2023, roughly 15 months after the crash, Bascari was charged with three felony counts of involuntary manslaughter in the second degree. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years of probation and 40 hours of community service.

The city notified him of his suspension that same week. Interim Fire Chief Ross Grundyson told the Kansas City Star at the time that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article272564992.html">the department was suspending Biscari</a>&nbsp;without pay and seeking to terminate his employment.

A few weeks later in March 2023, the union filed its grievance concerning Biscari’s suspension, saying it violated a previous arbitration decision concerning whether suspending firefighters pending an investigation violated their just cause and due process rights.

The city’s petition emphasizes that the union’s grievance dealt with the suspension —&nbsp;not the investigation of the crash or any ultimate disciplinary action.

The issue went to an arbitrator to determine whether the city had cause to suspend Bascari and whether it gave him due process. The arbitrator decided last month in favor of the union. The decision, however, went beyond the question of whether the suspension was justified, the city argues in its petition.

“The arbitrator issued discipline on the underlying fatality accident: that (the) firefighter only be suspended for three days and that most references to the underlying fatality accident be removed from his personnel file,” the city’s motion says. The arbitrator also ordered that the city pay Local 42 for its costs in pursuing the grievance.

In its Tuesday filing, the city says Missouri’s Uniform Arbitration Act requires that a court overturn an arbitration decision if the arbitrator “exceeds their powers,” which the city argues occurred.

The city repeatedly emphasizes that the arbitrator should have only issued an order on the suspension. It also says its collective bargaining agreement with Local 42 states parties to an arbitration will bear their own costs and that the arbitrator overstepped in awarding the union fees.

“The city had not found him negligent with respect to the underlying fatality accident and had not fashioned discipline for such a finding were it to occur,” the motion says. “Despite this, the arbitrator took it upon himself to write a prospective cure for a future, hypothetical dispute that was not before him.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/12/1639665850854.png" alt="File photo- of the Dec. 15 2021 crash in the Westport entertainment district -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>File photo- of the Dec. 15 2021 crash in the Westport entertainment district -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>The city is asking the court to overturn an arbitration decision that the firefighter could only be suspended for three days</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/allison-kite/">ALLISON KITE</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>Kansas City officials are hoping to overturn an arbitrator’s decision that a firefighter who crashed a fire truck and killed three people could only receive a three-day suspension.On Tuesday, the city of Kansas City filed a motion in Jackson County Circuit Court to vacate an arbitration decision that determined Dominic Biscari could only be suspended for three days after he ran a red light in a fire department pumper truck and crashed into a car in the Westport neighborhood, killing both the driver and passenger.Biscari then veered and hit three parked cars, killing a pedestrian and running into a building that ultimately collapsed. He was charged with three felonies, and according to the city, lawsuits by loved ones of the deceased and the building’s owner have cost Kansas City $3.2 million.After the crash, the city sought to suspend Biscari pending an investigation, citing the three felony charges. The city told him, according to documents filed Tuesday in circuit court, that the suspension would remain in effect until his felony charges were adjudicated.But the firefighters’ union, International Association of Firefighters Local 42, filed a grievance against the city, stating it was shocked at the suspension, which it said violated a previous arbitration decision, according to the city’s filing. The decision that Biscari could only be suspended for three days came as a result of that grievance.According to the city’s petition, the arbitrator reached the decision, which it argues was an overreach, “without any explanation of how he arrived at a three-day suspension,”“But it amounted to one day for each death and one day for each million dollars that (the) firefighter’s fatality accident cost the city,” the petition says.Representatives from the union and attorneys for Biscari did not respond to requests for comment.In February 2023, roughly 15 months after the crash, Bascari was charged with three felony counts of involuntary manslaughter in the second degree. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years of probation and 40 hours of community service.The city notified him of his suspension that same week. Interim Fire Chief Ross Grundyson told the Kansas City Star at the time that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article272564992.html">the department was suspending Biscari</a>&nbsp;without pay and seeking to terminate his employment.A few weeks later in March 2023, the union filed its grievance concerning Biscari’s suspension, saying it violated a previous arbitration decision concerning whether suspending firefighters pending an investigation violated their just cause and due process rights.The city’s petition emphasizes that the union’s grievance dealt with the suspension —&nbsp;not the investigation of the crash or any ultimate disciplinary action.The issue went to an arbitrator to determine whether the city had cause to suspend Bascari and whether it gave him due process. The arbitrator decided last month in favor of the union. The decision, however, went beyond the question of whether the suspension was justified, the city argues in its petition.“The arbitrator issued discipline on the underlying fatality accident: that (the) firefighter only be suspended for three days and that most references to the underlying fatality accident be removed from his personnel file,” the city’s motion says. The arbitrator also ordered that the city pay Local 42 for its costs in pursuing the grievance.In its Tuesday filing, the city says Missouri’s Uniform Arbitration Act requires that a court overturn an arbitration decision if the arbitrator “exceeds their powers,” which the city argues occurred.The city repeatedly emphasizes that the arbitrator should have only issued an order on the suspension. It also says its collective bargaining agreement with Local 42 states parties to an arbitration will bear their own costs and that the arbitrator overstepped in awarding the union fees.“The city had not found him negligent with respect to the underlying fatality accident and had not fashioned discipline for such a finding were it to occur,” the motion says. “Despite this, the arbitrator took it upon himself to write a prospective cure for a future, hypothetical dispute that was not before him.”

Kansas City seeks stiffer punishment for firefighter who killed 3 in crash

TOPEKA —Former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt on Friday announced his candidacy for the Republic nomination in Kansas second congressional district seat being&nbsp;vacated by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner.

Schmidt served as attorney general for twelve years and served in the Kansas Senate from 2001 to 2011. He&nbsp;lost a bid for governor to Laura Kelly in 2022.

In a statement on the campaign web site, Schmidt wrote,&nbsp;“President Biden and the radicals he enables have unleashed a dangerous agenda on our country. Those of us who represent Kansas conservative values need to stand up and fight back. In Congress, I will work to secure our border, fight overreach from a federal government that doesn’t understand or respect our way of life, and stop the federal government from making daily life increasingly expensive and difficult."

“My steady guidepost will be what is best for the people of the Second District and for America. These past four years have made clear that America was stronger when President Trump served in the White House, and I look forward to working with him and others next year – yes, to truly make America great again."

“Kansans know me and my longstanding support for our freedoms that generations of Americans have sacrificed so much to defend, for law and order, for Veterans and those currently serving in our armed forces, for farmers and ranchers, for small businesses, for our great Kansas colleges and universities,&nbsp;for life, and for the Second Amendment. They know I am proud to be a Kansan. Always have been. It would be an honor to be your voice in Congress. I respectfully ask for your vote.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662124757926.png" alt="courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Former Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt on Friday announced his candidacy for the Republic nomination in Kansas second congressional district seat being&nbsp;vacated by U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner.Schmidt served as attorney general for twelve years and served in the Kansas Senate from 2001 to 2011. He&nbsp;lost a bid for governor to Laura Kelly in 2022.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I&#39;m in. I am proud to be a Kansan. Always have been. It would be an honor to be your voice in Congress. I respectfully ask for your vote. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KS02?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KS02</a> Join us at <a href="https://t.co/FYSSFQMXMs">https://t.co/FYSSFQMXMs</a>. <a href="https://t.co/oH8wSg8sA7">pic.twitter.com/oH8wSg8sA7</a>&mdash; Derek Schmidt (@DerekSchmidtKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DerekSchmidtKS/status/1783835923244867930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In a statement on the campaign web site, Schmidt wrote,&nbsp;“President Biden and the radicals he enables have unleashed a dangerous agenda on our country. Those of us who represent Kansas conservative values need to stand up and fight back. In Congress, I will work to secure our border, fight overreach from a federal government that doesn’t understand or respect our way of life, and stop the federal government from making daily life increasingly expensive and difficult."“My steady guidepost will be what is best for the people of the Second District and for America. These past four years have made clear that America was stronger when President Trump served in the White House, and I look forward to working with him and others next year – yes, to truly make America great again."“Kansans know me and my longstanding support for our freedoms that generations of Americans have sacrificed so much to defend, for law and order, for Veterans and those currently serving in our armed forces, for farmers and ranchers, for small businesses, for our great Kansas colleges and universities,&nbsp;for life, and for the Second Amendment. They know I am proud to be a Kansan. Always have been. It would be an honor to be your voice in Congress. I respectfully ask for your vote.”

Former Kansas AG announces Congressional run in 2nd District

KANSAS CITY (AP) —United Methodist delegates have overwhelmingly endorsed a constitutional amendment seen by advocates as a way of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congregations-leaving-united-methodist-church-lgbtq-bans-70b8c89ea49174597f4548c249bab24f">defusing debates</a>&nbsp;over the role of LGBTQ people in the church by giving rule-making autonomy to each region of the international church.

Delegates voted 586-164 on Thursday for the “regionalization” proposal on the third day of their 11-day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodists-schism-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-8b428597c86901b2d5886afeca5069c8">General Conference</a>, the legislative body of the United Methodist Church, meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The plan would create multiple regional conferences — one for the United States and others covering areas ranging from the Philippines to Europe to Africa.

Existing regions outside the United States — known as central conferences — already have the flexibility to adapt church rules to their local contexts, but the jurisdictions in the United States do not. This constitutional change would give the U.S. church that flexibility, while defining autonomy more closely for all of the regions.

The vote total easily passed the two-thirds majority required for an amendment to the United Methodist Church’s constitution. To become official, however, it will require approval by two-thirds of total votes cast in its annual conferences, or local governing bodies.

If ratified, one effect of the change is that it could allow for the American church — where support has been growing for the ordination of LGBTQ people and for same-sex marriage — to authorize such rites, even as international churches with more conservative positions on sexuality would not.

"The big change this petition brings is really for our brothers and sisters here in the United States, where you would finally be given the right to decide things which only concern you among yourselves, the same right that we have enjoyed for a long time," said Christine Schneider-Oesch of Switzerland, a member of the committee proposing the changes.

The measure comes during the first General Conference since one-quarter of U.S. congregations left the denomination over the past four years — most of them conservative churches reacting to the denomination's failure to enforce rules against same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination.

Advocates hailed the proposal as a way of decolonizing a church some say is too focused on U.S. issues, though one opponent, a Zimbabwean pastor, said the details of the plan are reminiscent of colonial-era divide-and-conquer strategies.

LGBTQ issues weren't central to the debate on Thursday, but they are expected to arise in the coming days at the General Conference. Some proposals would lift the current bans on ordaining LGBTQ people and on same-sex marriage.

“I believe that the values upon which worldwide regionalization is rooted will give renewed strength, life and vitality to the church,” said the Rev. Jonathan Ulanday of the Philippines. He said it gives autonomy while maintaining connection to the worldwide denomination, which he noted has been helpful in areas ranging from disaster relief to aiding Filipinos working abroad.

But the Rev. Forbes Matonga of Zimbabwe said the plan actually perpetuates colonial structures by creating multiple regional conferences in Africa along national lines, compared with a single one in the United States. He noted that many African national borders were created arbitrarily by European colonial mapmakers.

“It is this divide and rule,” Matonga said. “Create a region for Africans. Creates a platform for Africans so that we speak as a continent and not as small colonies.”

The Rev. Ande Emmanuel of Nigeria said he has been to multiple General Conferences and that many of the discussions are “U.S.-centric,” not relevant to African delegates. Regionalization would let each area of the church manage such issues, he said. “We are not here to control the Americans,” he said. “Neither are our brothers from America here to control us. We are trying to build a platform that is mutual. We’re trying to build an understanding that would move our church together.”

But in a small yet notable sign of fragmentation in the denomination, the General Conference also approved the departure of churches in several former Soviet countries which owed their growth in part to post-Cold War missionary work.

The conference approved the request of local conferences in parts of its Eurasia Episcopal Area — including Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan — to become independent. The departing conferences have 66 churches and 1,123 members, according to UM News.

While the reasons weren't spelled out explicitly at the General Conference, the Russian-area churches are more conservative on matters such as LGBTQ issues.

Bishop Eduard Khegay, who leads the Eurasia area, alluded to both theological controversies and “geopolitical struggles between superpowers" in an address Thursday to the General Conference. He also thanked United Methodists for their years of help to the churches in the region and for enabling them to become independent in an orderly way.

“Sisters and brothers, I stand in gratitude for your decision,” Khegay said.

By PETER SMITH&nbsp;KANSAS CITY (AP) —United Methodist delegates have overwhelmingly endorsed a constitutional amendment seen by advocates as a way of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congregations-leaving-united-methodist-church-lgbtq-bans-70b8c89ea49174597f4548c249bab24f">defusing debates</a>&nbsp;over the role of LGBTQ people in the church by giving rule-making autonomy to each region of the international church.Delegates voted 586-164 on Thursday for the “regionalization” proposal on the third day of their 11-day&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-methodists-schism-lgbtq-samesex-marriage-8b428597c86901b2d5886afeca5069c8">General Conference</a>, the legislative body of the United Methodist Church, meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina.The plan would create multiple regional conferences — one for the United States and others covering areas ranging from the Philippines to Europe to Africa.Existing regions outside the United States — known as central conferences — already have the flexibility to adapt church rules to their local contexts, but the jurisdictions in the United States do not. This constitutional change would give the U.S. church that flexibility, while defining autonomy more closely for all of the regions.The vote total easily passed the two-thirds majority required for an amendment to the United Methodist Church’s constitution. To become official, however, it will require approval by two-thirds of total votes cast in its annual conferences, or local governing bodies.If ratified, one effect of the change is that it could allow for the American church — where support has been growing for the ordination of LGBTQ people and for same-sex marriage — to authorize such rites, even as international churches with more conservative positions on sexuality would not."The big change this petition brings is really for our brothers and sisters here in the United States, where you would finally be given the right to decide things which only concern you among yourselves, the same right that we have enjoyed for a long time," said Christine Schneider-Oesch of Switzerland, a member of the committee proposing the changes.The measure comes during the first General Conference since one-quarter of U.S. congregations left the denomination over the past four years — most of them conservative churches reacting to the denomination's failure to enforce rules against same-sex marriage and LGBTQ ordination.Advocates hailed the proposal as a way of decolonizing a church some say is too focused on U.S. issues, though one opponent, a Zimbabwean pastor, said the details of the plan are reminiscent of colonial-era divide-and-conquer strategies.LGBTQ issues weren't central to the debate on Thursday, but they are expected to arise in the coming days at the General Conference. Some proposals would lift the current bans on ordaining LGBTQ people and on same-sex marriage.“I believe that the values upon which worldwide regionalization is rooted will give renewed strength, life and vitality to the church,” said the Rev. Jonathan Ulanday of the Philippines. He said it gives autonomy while maintaining connection to the worldwide denomination, which he noted has been helpful in areas ranging from disaster relief to aiding Filipinos working abroad.But the Rev. Forbes Matonga of Zimbabwe said the plan actually perpetuates colonial structures by creating multiple regional conferences in Africa along national lines, compared with a single one in the United States. He noted that many African national borders were created arbitrarily by European colonial mapmakers.“It is this divide and rule,” Matonga said. “Create a region for Africans. Creates a platform for Africans so that we speak as a continent and not as small colonies.”The Rev. Ande Emmanuel of Nigeria said he has been to multiple General Conferences and that many of the discussions are “U.S.-centric,” not relevant to African delegates. Regionalization would let each area of the church manage such issues, he said. “We are not here to control the Americans,” he said. “Neither are our brothers from America here to control us. We are trying to build a platform that is mutual. We’re trying to build an understanding that would move our church together.”But in a small yet notable sign of fragmentation in the denomination, the General Conference also approved the departure of churches in several former Soviet countries which owed their growth in part to post-Cold War missionary work.The conference approved the request of local conferences in parts of its Eurasia Episcopal Area — including Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan — to become independent. The departing conferences have 66 churches and 1,123 members, according to UM News.While the reasons weren't spelled out explicitly at the General Conference, the Russian-area churches are more conservative on matters such as LGBTQ issues.Bishop Eduard Khegay, who leads the Eurasia area, alluded to both theological controversies and “geopolitical struggles between superpowers" in an address Thursday to the General Conference. He also thanked United Methodists for their years of help to the churches in the region and for enabling them to become independent in an orderly way.“Sisters and brothers, I stand in gratitude for your decision,” Khegay said.___

General Conference: United Methodists endorse change to diffuse  LGBTQ and other issues

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a bomb threat on the campus of Wichita University overnight.

At around 10 p.m. Thursday, a call was made to Wichita State University Police indicating the presence of a bomb on the campus at Wallace Hall,&nbsp;3704-3786 Perimeter Road and the Starbucks on 21st Street, according to a social media report from the university.

Just after 2a.m. Wichita State police gave the all-clear to the campus. They reported no devices were found. The university will now resume normal activities.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a bomb threat on the campus of Wichita University overnight.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714126788149.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>At around 10 p.m. Thursday, a call was made to Wichita State University Police indicating the presence of a bomb on the campus at Wallace Hall,&nbsp;3704-3786 Perimeter Road and the Starbucks on 21st Street, according to a social media report from the university.Just after 2a.m. Wichita State police gave the all-clear to the campus. They reported no devices were found. The university will now resume normal activities.

Police investigating after bomb threat at Wichita State University

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Monday homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 13-year-old Trvion Stewart, according to KCPD.

Just after 4:00p.m. Monday, police responded to a shooting in the 2700 block of Quincy, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

First responders located the boy in the street suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead. Police have not reported suspect information or reported an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1713832553087.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Monday homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as 13-year-old Trvion Stewart, according to KCPD.Just after 4:00p.m. Monday, police responded to a shooting in the 2700 block of Quincy, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.First responders located the boy in the street suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead. Police have not reported suspect information or reported an arrest.

Police ID 13-year-old who died in KC shooting

CHEYENNE COUNTY — Thursday's storm brought heavy rain, hail, gusty winds and a tornado to portions of northwest Kansas.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Cheyenne County just after 5p.m. Thursday. The rope tornado was reported south of Bird City and was briefly on the ground.&nbsp;

There are no reports of damage or injury, according to the Cheyenne County Sheriff's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714129246676.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CHEYENNE COUNTY — Thursday's storm brought heavy rain, hail, gusty winds and a tornado to portions of northwest Kansas.The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Cheyenne County just after 5p.m. Thursday. The rope tornado was reported south of Bird City and was briefly on the ground.&nbsp;There are no reports of damage or injury, according to the Cheyenne County Sheriff's office.

No damage after tornado reported in Northwest Kansas

SUMNER COUNTY—A pilot avoided injury after a mishap while crop dusting just after 10:30a.m. Thursday in Sumner County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Air-tractor AT-602 crop duster piloted by James&nbsp;Roberson, 48, Caldwell, Texas, was flying near&nbsp;400 N Hydraulic in Sumner County.

The plane struck a power line and damaged several lines in the process. The pilot was able to land the plane at a nearby municipal airport. The plane was undamaged and the pilot, sole occupant, was not injured.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1714089315833.png" alt="Location of the mishap-Google map" />
 <figcaption>Location of the mishap-Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY—A pilot avoided injury after a mishap while crop dusting just after 10:30a.m. Thursday in Sumner County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1998 Air-tractor AT-602 crop duster piloted by James&nbsp;Roberson, 48, Caldwell, Texas, was flying near&nbsp;400 N Hydraulic in Sumner County.The plane struck a power line and damaged several lines in the process. The pilot was able to land the plane at a nearby municipal airport. The plane was undamaged and the pilot, sole occupant, was not injured.

KHP: Crop duster struck power lines in Kansas 

JERUSALEM (AP) — A ship traveling in the Gulf of Aden came under attack Thursday, officials said, the latest assault carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels over Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The attack comes after the U.S. military said early Thursday an allied warship shot down a Houthi missile targeting a vessel the day before near the same area. The Houthis claimed that Wednesday assault, which comes after a period of relatively few rebel attacks on shipping in the region over Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

In Thursday’s attack, a ship was targeted just over 25 kilometers (15 miles) southwest of Aden, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said.

The captain “reports a loud bang heard and a splash and smoke seen coming from the sea,” the UKMTO said. “Vessel and all crew are safe.”

The attack was also reported by the private security firm Ambrey.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed the attack late Thursday, identifying the ship the rebels tried to target as the MSC Darwin.

European Union forces separately shot down a drone launched from Houthi territory on Thursday, Gen. Robert Brieger said. Separately on Wednesday, the British warship HMS Diamond began the first in the Royal Navy to shoot down a missile since 1991 when it destroyed a Houthi missile targeting merchant ships.

The Houthis have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebel-attack-israel-hamas-war-bf077f026a9f177ec87f4131d695cafc">launched more than 50 attacks</a>&nbsp;on shipping, seized one vessel and sank another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.

Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen and shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined because of the threat. American officials have speculated that the rebels may be running out of weapons as a result of the U.S.-led campaign against them and firing off drones and missiles steadily in the last months.

However, Wednesday’s attack was the first one by rebels in some time. An explosion struck some 130 kilometers (80 miles) southeast of Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden, the UKMTO said.

Early Thursday, the U.S. military’s Central Command said the explosion came from a coalition warship shooting down the missile likely targeting the MV Yorktown, a U.S.-flagged, owned and operated vessel with 18 U.S. and four Greek crew members.

“There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition or commercial ships,” Central Command said.

Saree claimed that attack but insisted without evidence that the missile hit the Yorktown. Saree also claimed the Houthis targeted another ship in the Indian Ocean, without providing proof. The Houthis have made repeated claims that turned out to not be true during their yearslong war in Yemen.

The Houthis have said they will continue their attacks until Israel ends its war in Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians there. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage.

Most of the ships targeted by the Houthis have had little or no direct connection to Israel, the U.S. or other nations involved in the war. The rebels have also fired missiles toward Israel, though they have largely fallen short or been intercepted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703990687604.png" alt="File Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>File Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) — A ship traveling in the Gulf of Aden came under attack Thursday, officials said, the latest assault carried out by Yemen’s Houthi rebels over Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.The attack comes after the U.S. military said early Thursday an allied warship shot down a Houthi missile targeting a vessel the day before near the same area. The Houthis claimed that Wednesday assault, which comes after a period of relatively few rebel attacks on shipping in the region over Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.In Thursday’s attack, a ship was targeted just over 25 kilometers (15 miles) southwest of Aden, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said.The captain “reports a loud bang heard and a splash and smoke seen coming from the sea,” the UKMTO said. “Vessel and all crew are safe.”The attack was also reported by the private security firm Ambrey.Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed the attack late Thursday, identifying the ship the rebels tried to target as the MSC Darwin.European Union forces separately shot down a drone launched from Houthi territory on Thursday, Gen. Robert Brieger said. Separately on Wednesday, the British warship HMS Diamond began the first in the Royal Navy to shoot down a missile since 1991 when it destroyed a Houthi missile targeting merchant ships.The Houthis have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebel-attack-israel-hamas-war-bf077f026a9f177ec87f4131d695cafc">launched more than 50 attacks</a>&nbsp;on shipping, seized one vessel and sank another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration.Houthi attacks have dropped in recent weeks as the rebels have been targeted by a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in Yemen and shipping through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden has declined because of the threat. American officials have speculated that the rebels may be running out of weapons as a result of the U.S.-led campaign against them and firing off drones and missiles steadily in the last months.However, Wednesday’s attack was the first one by rebels in some time. An explosion struck some 130 kilometers (80 miles) southeast of Djibouti in the Gulf of Aden, the UKMTO said.Early Thursday, the U.S. military’s Central Command said the explosion came from a coalition warship shooting down the missile likely targeting the MV Yorktown, a U.S.-flagged, owned and operated vessel with 18 U.S. and four Greek crew members.“There were no injuries or damage reported by U.S., coalition or commercial ships,” Central Command said.Saree claimed that attack but insisted without evidence that the missile hit the Yorktown. Saree also claimed the Houthis targeted another ship in the Indian Ocean, without providing proof. The Houthis have made repeated claims that turned out to not be true during their yearslong war in Yemen.The Houthis have said they will continue their attacks until Israel ends its war in Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians there. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage.Most of the ships targeted by the Houthis have had little or no direct connection to Israel, the U.S. or other nations involved in the war. The rebels have also fired missiles toward Israel, though they have largely fallen short or been intercepted.