WASHINGTON (AP) — Thunder and lightning delayed the start of the annual&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-easter-egg-roll-jill-biden-f1bbacddf2ae3b35812a5083ce12bc09">Easter egg roll</a>&nbsp;at the White House on Monday, but the event eventually rolled ahead under gray skies with a large crowd including many youngsters wearing ponchos or colorful jackets against intermittent rain.

More than 40,000 people — 10,000 more than last year — were expected to attend, with children attempting to coax colorfully dyed hard-boiled eggs across the lawn to a finish line, among other “egg-tivities.” This year's theme was “EGG-ucation,” and led by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jill-biden">Jill Biden</a>, a teacher for more than 30 years.

“Easter reminds us of the power of hope and renewal, and sacrifice and resurrection,” President Joe Biden told attendees, speaking from the White House balcony, where he was flanked by two large Easter bunnies, one wearing sunglasses fashioned like his trademark Ray-Bans. “But mainly love and grace towards one another."

Biden said it's a time to “cherish the blessings, the possibilities that we have as Americans."

“That’s what I see in our country. We’re a great nation because we’re a good people,” he said. "Our values are solid.”

The president, accompanied by the first lady, then went down to the lawn, bending down to help a few youngsters with their eggs. He blew a whistle to officially start the roll — one of the oldest White House traditions&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/whho/planyourvisit/easter-egg-roll.htm">first held in 1878</a>.

Participants included thousands of military and veteran families, their caregivers and survivors. Members of the general public claimed tickets through an online lottery. All were being admitted in nine waves until the evening.

A large schoolhouse erected on the South Lawn offered kids activities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM — including making circuit-breakers, simulating a fossil dig and learning about next week's solar eclipse. Youngsters also wrote notes to U.S. troops and first responders with Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit organization.

The American Egg Board donated 64,000 eggs to the White House for the event — 40,000 for egg rolling and 24,00 for decorating and other uses.

“I'm a teacher so I love any time when we can turn the White House into a classroom,” the first lady said, noting that the South Lawn had been turned into a "learning playground and school community.”

After blowing a whistle to help with a few egg roll games, Jill Biden went to the garden outside the East Wing and read “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” to a group.

The first couple also gave a brief interview Monday to NBC's “Today” and said Easter Sunday for them featured putting dollar bills in plastic easter eggs and holding a hunt with their grandchildren. “We’re still missing one,” joked the first lady.

The Democratic president drew criticism from top conservatives and the campaign of former President Donald Trump, a Republican who is running to reclaim the White House, by proclaiming March 31 — the same day as Easter — as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/03/29/a-proclamation-on-transgender-day-of-visibility-2024/">“Transgender Day of Visibility.</a>&nbsp;″

Asked about the criticism as he was leaving the lawn, Biden said his critics were ”thoroughly uninformed" and that he did not arrange for Easter and transgender recognition to fall on the same day.

Karine Jean-Pierre, the president's chief spokesperson, was more direct and slammed as “cruel, hateful and dishonest” what she said was being pushed “to divide us.”

At her daily press briefing, Jean-Pierre said that "folks who understand the calendar and how it works” know that the date for Easter changes every year and that this year it coincided with Transgender Day of Visibility.

Separately, Biden was asked in the NBC News interview about his final campaign as he seeks a second term. He said he was optimistic and thinks “people are so tired of the negativity" they hear from the other side that he will be reelected.

“I think people are going to surprise people again,” Biden said.

The White House Easter Egg Roll, one of its oldest traditions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehousehistory.org/questions/what-is-the-history-of-the-white-house-easter-egg-roll">dates to the presidency of</a>&nbsp;Rutherford B. Hayes, who opened the White House lawn to children after they were kicked off the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thunder and lightning delayed the start of the annual&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/white-house-easter-egg-roll-jill-biden-f1bbacddf2ae3b35812a5083ce12bc09">Easter egg roll</a>&nbsp;at the White House on Monday, but the event eventually rolled ahead under gray skies with a large crowd including many youngsters wearing ponchos or colorful jackets against intermittent rain.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">President Biden kicks off the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, which dates back to the 1870s. <a href="https://t.co/TtsiL2kMqz">pic.twitter.com/TtsiL2kMqz</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1774900182225666136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>More than 40,000 people — 10,000 more than last year — were expected to attend, with children attempting to coax colorfully dyed hard-boiled eggs across the lawn to a finish line, among other “egg-tivities.” This year's theme was “EGG-ucation,” and led by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/jill-biden">Jill Biden</a>, a teacher for more than 30 years.(click below to watch the fun)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1389389235047315%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=5" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>“Easter reminds us of the power of hope and renewal, and sacrifice and resurrection,” President Joe Biden told attendees, speaking from the White House balcony, where he was flanked by two large Easter bunnies, one wearing sunglasses fashioned like his trademark Ray-Bans. “But mainly love and grace towards one another."Biden said it's a time to “cherish the blessings, the possibilities that we have as Americans."“That’s what I see in our country. We’re a great nation because we’re a good people,” he said. "Our values are solid.”The president, accompanied by the first lady, then went down to the lawn, bending down to help a few youngsters with their eggs. He blew a whistle to officially start the roll — one of the oldest White House traditions&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/whho/planyourvisit/easter-egg-roll.htm">first held in 1878</a>.Participants included thousands of military and veteran families, their caregivers and survivors. Members of the general public claimed tickets through an online lottery. All were being admitted in nine waves until the evening.A large schoolhouse erected on the South Lawn offered kids activities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM — including making circuit-breakers, simulating a fossil dig and learning about next week's solar eclipse. Youngsters also wrote notes to U.S. troops and first responders with Operation Gratitude, a nonprofit organization.The American Egg Board donated 64,000 eggs to the White House for the event — 40,000 for egg rolling and 24,00 for decorating and other uses.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">First lady Jill Biden reads &quot;Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?&quot; at the White House Easter Egg Roll. <a href="https://t.co/5fKT52Emrs">pic.twitter.com/5fKT52Emrs</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1774890757398118778?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I'm a teacher so I love any time when we can turn the White House into a classroom,” the first lady said, noting that the South Lawn had been turned into a "learning playground and school community.”After blowing a whistle to help with a few egg roll games, Jill Biden went to the garden outside the East Wing and read “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?” to a group.The first couple also gave a brief interview Monday to NBC's “Today” and said Easter Sunday for them featured putting dollar bills in plastic easter eggs and holding a hunt with their grandchildren. “We’re still missing one,” joked the first lady.The Democratic president drew criticism from top conservatives and the campaign of former President Donald Trump, a Republican who is running to reclaim the White House, by proclaiming March 31 — the same day as Easter — as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/03/29/a-proclamation-on-transgender-day-of-visibility-2024/">“Transgender Day of Visibility.</a>&nbsp;″Asked about the criticism as he was leaving the lawn, Biden said his critics were ”thoroughly uninformed" and that he did not arrange for Easter and transgender recognition to fall on the same day.Karine Jean-Pierre, the president's chief spokesperson, was more direct and slammed as “cruel, hateful and dishonest” what she said was being pushed “to divide us.”At her daily press briefing, Jean-Pierre said that "folks who understand the calendar and how it works” know that the date for Easter changes every year and that this year it coincided with Transgender Day of Visibility.Separately, Biden was asked in the NBC News interview about his final campaign as he seeks a second term. He said he was optimistic and thinks “people are so tired of the negativity" they hear from the other side that he will be reelected.“I think people are going to surprise people again,” Biden said.The White House Easter Egg Roll, one of its oldest traditions,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehousehistory.org/questions/what-is-the-history-of-the-white-house-easter-egg-roll">dates to the presidency of</a>&nbsp;Rutherford B. Hayes, who opened the White House lawn to children after they were kicked off the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.

🎥White House Easter egg roll draws a huge crowd

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Easter Sunday crash have identified the driver who died as 41-year-old&nbsp; Brooke Hacker of Wichita, according to Wichita Police Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Just before 1:30p.m. Sunday, a car driven by Hacker was westbound on 47th Street South at Interstate 135 when she drifted off the roadway and collided with a signal pole. 

Fire and EMS arrived promptly and started to provide life-saving measures.&nbsp; Hacker was pronounced deceased at the scene. The cause of death is pending an autopsy/toxicology examination through the Sedgwick County coroner’s office, according to Rebolledo.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1712002851072.png" alt="Investigators in the scene of the fatal crash-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Investigators in the scene of the fatal crash-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal Easter Sunday crash have identified the driver who died as 41-year-old&nbsp; Brooke Hacker of Wichita, according to Wichita Police Officer Juan Rebolledo.Just before 1:30p.m. Sunday, a car driven by Hacker was westbound on 47th Street South at Interstate 135 when she drifted off the roadway and collided with a signal pole. Fire and EMS arrived promptly and started to provide life-saving measures.&nbsp; Hacker was pronounced deceased at the scene. The cause of death is pending an autopsy/toxicology examination through the Sedgwick County coroner’s office, according to Rebolledo.

Police ID Kansas woman who died after crash into signal pole

KANSAS CITY(AP) — A person in Texas has been diagnosed with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bird-flu">bird flu</a>, an infection tied to the recent discovery of the virus in dairy cows, health officials said Monday.

The patient is being treated with an antiviral drug and their only reported symptom was eye redness,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/dshs-reports-first-human-case-avian-influenza-texas">Texas health officials said</a>. Health officials say the person had been in contact with cows presumed to be infected, and the risk to the public remains low.

Last week, dairy cows in Kansas and Texas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-dairy-cattle-usda-kansas-texas-c3040bb31a9a8293717d47362f006902">were reported</a>&nbsp;to be infected with bird flu — and federal agriculture officials later confirmed infections in a Michigan dairy herd that had recently received cows from Texas.

Since 2020, the bird flu virus has been spreading among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/disease-outbreaks-hong-kong-health-bird-flu-animals-75e5d058e0fda23b5359f66cafb74cdf">more animal species</a>&nbsp;– including dogs, cats, skunks, bears and even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seals-bird-flu-deaths-oceans-80184a8793fbcc21fab01b1c90b0d71b">seals</a>&nbsp;and porpoises – in scores of countries. However, the detection is U.S. livestock is an “unexpected and problematic twist,” said Dr. Ali Khan, a former CDC outbreak investigator who is now dean of the University of Nebraska’s public health college.

This bird flu was first identified as a threat to people during a 1997 outbreak in Hong Kong. More than 460 people have died in the past two decades from bird flu infections, according to the World Health Organization.

The vast majority of infected people got it directly from birds, but scientists have been on guard for any sign of spread among people. Their biggest concern is that the virus could mutate to spread easily among humans, something that hasn’t happened yet.

It’s only the second time a person in the United States has been diagnosed with what’s known as Type A H5N1 virus. In 2022, a prison inmate in a work program&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-environment-colorado-b98906e0a1899bb1f92da30a7b1dbe28">picked it up</a>&nbsp;while killing infected birds at a poultry farm in Montrose County, Colorado. His only symptom was fatigue, and he recovered.

Texas officials didn’t identify the newly infected person, nor release any details about what brought them in contact with the cows.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/11/1636037846131.jpeg" alt="Photo USDA" />
 <figcaption>Photo USDA</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY(AP) — A person in Texas has been diagnosed with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/bird-flu">bird flu</a>, an infection tied to the recent discovery of the virus in dairy cows, health officials said Monday.The patient is being treated with an antiviral drug and their only reported symptom was eye redness,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/dshs-reports-first-human-case-avian-influenza-texas">Texas health officials said</a>. Health officials say the person had been in contact with cows presumed to be infected, and the risk to the public remains low.Last week, dairy cows in Kansas and Texas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bird-flu-dairy-cattle-usda-kansas-texas-c3040bb31a9a8293717d47362f006902">were reported</a>&nbsp;to be infected with bird flu — and federal agriculture officials later confirmed infections in a Michigan dairy herd that had recently received cows from Texas.Since 2020, the bird flu virus has been spreading among&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/disease-outbreaks-hong-kong-health-bird-flu-animals-75e5d058e0fda23b5359f66cafb74cdf">more animal species</a>&nbsp;– including dogs, cats, skunks, bears and even&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seals-bird-flu-deaths-oceans-80184a8793fbcc21fab01b1c90b0d71b">seals</a>&nbsp;and porpoises – in scores of countries. However, the detection is U.S. livestock is an “unexpected and problematic twist,” said Dr. Ali Khan, a former CDC outbreak investigator who is now dean of the University of Nebraska’s public health college.This bird flu was first identified as a threat to people during a 1997 outbreak in Hong Kong. More than 460 people have died in the past two decades from bird flu infections, according to the World Health Organization.The vast majority of infected people got it directly from birds, but scientists have been on guard for any sign of spread among people. Their biggest concern is that the virus could mutate to spread easily among humans, something that hasn’t happened yet.It’s only the second time a person in the United States has been diagnosed with what’s known as Type A H5N1 virus. In 2022, a prison inmate in a work program&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-environment-colorado-b98906e0a1899bb1f92da30a7b1dbe28">picked it up</a>&nbsp;while killing infected birds at a poultry farm in Montrose County, Colorado. His only symptom was fatigue, and he recovered.Texas officials didn’t identify the newly infected person, nor release any details about what brought them in contact with the cows.___

First person diagnosed with bird flu after being in contact with cows

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

TOPEKA — Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids and former Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts share bipartisan angst about political gridlock impeding progress on a new five-year farm bill outlining federal programs in agriculture, conservation, nutrition and trade.

Davids, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, and Roberts, who was the first member of Congress to chair both the House and Senate agriculture committees, said during a joint appearance at the Olathe campus of Kansas State University that there was good reason to be concerned about reaching consensus on a farm bill. The current law enacted in 2018 was extended one year to Sept. 30, 2024, after Congress failed to make a deal last fall.

“You can see that the economy and the future of our state is so tied up on how well our farmers and producers in the ag sector are doing,” said Davids, who serves the five-county 3rd District. “The farm bill is not a partisan issue. I’ll continue working to pass a bipartisan farm bill this year.”

She said after touring a Johnson County farm and taking part in a roundtable discussion on agriculture that the tradition of the House and Senate taking a bipartisan approach to the farm bill was being challenged by combative politicians in Washington, D.C.

“I was honored to be joined by so many agriculture professionals and policymakers from both parties as we work to ensure Kansas producers have the support needed to thrive,” Davids said.

Roberts, who retired in 2021 and three terms in the U.S. Senate and eight terms in the U.S. House, said there was an 80% chance the Congress wouldn’t reach agreement this year on a new farm bill. It’s noteworthy, he said, that others with congressional experience were convinced there was no chance of a bill passing this year.

He said serving as agriculture committee chairman during work on four farm bills taught him lawmakers — urban and rural, conservative and liberal — had to set aside differences and reach across the aisle.

“We know the most important thing when you get down to it is to get a bill passed to provide farmers certainty and predictability,” Roberts said. That is the most important question you have with the farm bill. Unfortunately, that is not the most important question we see today in the House of Representatives.”

During a news conference with Davids, the Kansas agriculture secretary and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s deputy secretary, Roberts said the fate of the farm bill inspired him to speak frankly about damage caused by the House Freedom Caucus composed of the chamber’s most conservative members. He said nearly two-dozen in this furthest-right block — especially a core group of perhaps eight GOP “ideologues” —&nbsp; were eager to engage in political conflict rather than pragmatic governing.

“That’s not the House that I represented for many years or, for that matter, the Senate,” Roberts said. “If you’re an ideologue, they’re right and you’re wrong. No amount of talking or reasonable conversation or whatever is going to bring them to the table. That’s what we’re faced with. Quite frankly, the Republican Party in the House of Representatives is in danger of losing their majority due to this kind of performance, or nonperformance.”

<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/u-s-sen-jerry-moran-frustrated-by-slow-pace-of-negotiations-on-new-five-year-farm-bill/">U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, also a Kansas Republican, separately shared frustration</a>&nbsp;with pace of work on the new farm bill and raised an alarm about the potential of the bill not be completed before the clock ran out in September.

Davids was joined by Roberts, USDA deputy secretary Xochitl Torres Small, Kansas agriculture secretary Mike Beam, former U.S. Rep. Jim Slattery of Kansas and former U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota for the tour last week of Finley Farms, a family-owned farming operation in Edgerton specializing in growing corn and soybeans.

Findley Farms, which is a sixth-generation business, turned to funding provided through the USDA’s environmental quality incentives program, or EQIP, to build a tiled pipe system on terraced fields to better manage water and minimize erosion.

“It was through that investment that they were able to look at the best way, the most efficient way to grow their corn and be able to pass that farm on for generations,” Torres Small said. “We know we succeed when we invest in farmers and rural communities.”

After the tour, the group took part in a roundtable conversation on Kansas agriculture with representatives from Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Farmers Union, National Crop Insurance Services, Kansas Livestock Association and other commodity groups, grocers, and local agriculture professionals.

“It is critically important for Kansas to have bipartisan representation in Congress, and this is especially important for the agriculture committee,” said Slattery, a Democrat who served in the U.S. House from 1983 to 1995. “As someone who has a farm in Kansas, the crop insurance program is important to all producers in Kansas and is perhaps the most successful farm bill program.”

The three other U.S. House members and two U.S. senators from Kansas are Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann of the 1st District who also serves on the House Agriculture Committee.

Beam, the state’s agriculture secretary, said the scope of the farm economy wasn’t fully appreciated in some circles. He said there were 72 sectors of agriculture contributing $85 billion to the state’s economy. He said 13% of the state’s labor force was engaged in agricultural occupations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1711982189885.png" alt=" Former U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts. a Republican, said during a news conference on agriculture issues with Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids that he was frustrated with the House Freedom Caucus members for stalling bipartisan negotiations with the House and Senate on a new five-year farm bill. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Davids news conference)" />
 <figcaption> Former U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts. a Republican, said during a news conference on agriculture issues with Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids that he was frustrated with the House Freedom Caucus members for stalling bipartisan negotiations with the House and Senate on a new five-year farm bill. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Davids news conference)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids and former Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts share bipartisan angst about political gridlock impeding progress on a new five-year farm bill outlining federal programs in agriculture, conservation, nutrition and trade.Davids, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, and Roberts, who was the first member of Congress to chair both the House and Senate agriculture committees, said during a joint appearance at the Olathe campus of Kansas State University that there was good reason to be concerned about reaching consensus on a farm bill. The current law enacted in 2018 was extended one year to Sept. 30, 2024, after Congress failed to make a deal last fall.“You can see that the economy and the future of our state is so tied up on how well our farmers and producers in the ag sector are doing,” said Davids, who serves the five-county 3rd District. “The farm bill is not a partisan issue. I’ll continue working to pass a bipartisan farm bill this year.”She said after touring a Johnson County farm and taking part in a roundtable discussion on agriculture that the tradition of the House and Senate taking a bipartisan approach to the farm bill was being challenged by combative politicians in Washington, D.C.“I was honored to be joined by so many agriculture professionals and policymakers from both parties as we work to ensure Kansas producers have the support needed to thrive,” Davids said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1711982135982.png" alt="U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, discussed following a tour of Findley Farms, a sixth-generation business specializing in production of corn and soybeans, the importance to the agriculture economy for Congress to adopt a bipartisan farm bill by end of September. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Davids news conference)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, discussed following a tour of Findley Farms, a sixth-generation business specializing in production of corn and soybeans, the importance to the agriculture economy for Congress to adopt a bipartisan farm bill by end of September. (Kansas Reflector screen capture of Davids news conference)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Ideologues on the right</h2>Roberts, who retired in 2021 and three terms in the U.S. Senate and eight terms in the U.S. House, said there was an 80% chance the Congress wouldn’t reach agreement this year on a new farm bill. It’s noteworthy, he said, that others with congressional experience were convinced there was no chance of a bill passing this year.He said serving as agriculture committee chairman during work on four farm bills taught him lawmakers — urban and rural, conservative and liberal — had to set aside differences and reach across the aisle.“We know the most important thing when you get down to it is to get a bill passed to provide farmers certainty and predictability,” Roberts said. That is the most important question you have with the farm bill. Unfortunately, that is not the most important question we see today in the House of Representatives.”During a news conference with Davids, the Kansas agriculture secretary and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s deputy secretary, Roberts said the fate of the farm bill inspired him to speak frankly about damage caused by the House Freedom Caucus composed of the chamber’s most conservative members. He said nearly two-dozen in this furthest-right block — especially a core group of perhaps eight GOP “ideologues” —&nbsp; were eager to engage in political conflict rather than pragmatic governing.“That’s not the House that I represented for many years or, for that matter, the Senate,” Roberts said. “If you’re an ideologue, they’re right and you’re wrong. No amount of talking or reasonable conversation or whatever is going to bring them to the table. That’s what we’re faced with. Quite frankly, the Republican Party in the House of Representatives is in danger of losing their majority due to this kind of performance, or nonperformance.”<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/briefs/u-s-sen-jerry-moran-frustrated-by-slow-pace-of-negotiations-on-new-five-year-farm-bill/">U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, also a Kansas Republican, separately shared frustration</a>&nbsp;with pace of work on the new farm bill and raised an alarm about the potential of the bill not be completed before the clock ran out in September.<h2>Kansas ag future</h2>Davids was joined by Roberts, USDA deputy secretary Xochitl Torres Small, Kansas agriculture secretary Mike Beam, former U.S. Rep. Jim Slattery of Kansas and former U.S. Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota for the tour last week of Finley Farms, a family-owned farming operation in Edgerton specializing in growing corn and soybeans.Findley Farms, which is a sixth-generation business, turned to funding provided through the USDA’s environmental quality incentives program, or EQIP, to build a tiled pipe system on terraced fields to better manage water and minimize erosion.“It was through that investment that they were able to look at the best way, the most efficient way to grow their corn and be able to pass that farm on for generations,” Torres Small said. “We know we succeed when we invest in farmers and rural communities.”After the tour, the group took part in a roundtable conversation on Kansas agriculture with representatives from Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Farmers Union, National Crop Insurance Services, Kansas Livestock Association and other commodity groups, grocers, and local agriculture professionals.“It is critically important for Kansas to have bipartisan representation in Congress, and this is especially important for the agriculture committee,” said Slattery, a Democrat who served in the U.S. House from 1983 to 1995. “As someone who has a farm in Kansas, the crop insurance program is important to all producers in Kansas and is perhaps the most successful farm bill program.”The three other U.S. House members and two U.S. senators from Kansas are Republicans, including U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann of the 1st District who also serves on the House Agriculture Committee.Beam, the state’s agriculture secretary, said the scope of the farm economy wasn’t fully appreciated in some circles. He said there were 72 sectors of agriculture contributing $85 billion to the state’s economy. He said 13% of the state’s labor force was engaged in agricultural occupations.

Davids, Roberts anxious about Washington gridlock inhibiting development of new farm bill

KANSAS CITY —Kansas City Police are investigating a deadly officer involved shooting.

Just before 10:20p.m. Saturday, two Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies and a Gladstone Police officer were involved in an officer-involved shooting that left one man is dead. 

Gladstone Police requested assistance from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office on a traffic stop at about 10:20 p.m. Saturday at Englewood and Garfield, just inside Kansas City, Missouri. Deputies reported shots fired at 10:36 p.m.

No law enforcement officers were injured. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department is investigating the incident.&nbsp;

Kansas City Police recovered a gun at the scene. Their investigation of the incident is ongoing. The involved deputies are on administrative leave, in accordance with Sheriff's Office policy

This is the second deadly officer involved shooting over the Easter holiday weekend. Just before 6a.m. Sunday police responded to a 911 call for help in the 4000 Block of Myrtle Avenue in Kansas City, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol in charge of the investigation.

At the scene officer located a man armed with a handgun walking in the street in front of a nearby residence. Kansas City Police officer attempted to negotiate with him to drop the handgun. The man presented the gun in the direction of officers and several officers fired their weapons.The man was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital where he died.

KANSAS CITY —Kansas City Police are investigating a deadly officer involved shooting.Just before 10:20p.m. Saturday, two Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies and a Gladstone Police officer were involved in an officer-involved shooting that left one man is dead. Gladstone Police requested assistance from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office on a traffic stop at about 10:20 p.m. Saturday at Englewood and Garfield, just inside Kansas City, Missouri. Deputies reported shots fired at 10:36 p.m.No law enforcement officers were injured. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department is investigating the incident.&nbsp;Kansas City Police recovered a gun at the scene. Their investigation of the incident is ongoing. The involved deputies are on administrative leave, in accordance with Sheriff's Office policyThis is the second deadly officer involved shooting over the Easter holiday weekend. Just before 6a.m. Sunday police responded to a 911 call for help in the 4000 Block of Myrtle Avenue in Kansas City, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol in charge of the investigation.At the scene officer located a man armed with a handgun walking in the street in front of a nearby residence. Kansas City Police officer attempted to negotiate with him to drop the handgun. The man presented the gun in the direction of officers and several officers fired their weapons.The man was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital where he died.

Police recover gun at scene of fatal KC area officer shooting

KANSAS CITY— Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal crash in Kanas City have identified the passenger who died as 18-year-old Kevin Adero of Kansas City, Miossouri, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Just before 9p.m. March 29, a Hyundai Elantra was southbound on U.S. 169 Highway at a very high rate of speed, according to Gonzalez.

 The driver of the Hyundai, for unknown reasons was passing cars on the shoulder and splitting the two lanes of travel and passing on the center lane line. 

The driver lost control of the car. It traveled off the roadway to the left, struck the guardrail and rolled. 

All four of the occupants were not wearing seatbelts. The front right passenger later identified as Adero was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver and two passengers were transported to area hospitals, with critical injuries. 

Both directions on US 169 were closed down for approximately three hours during the investigation.

KANSAS CITY— Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal crash in Kanas City have identified the passenger who died as 18-year-old Kevin Adero of Kansas City, Miossouri, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Just before 9p.m. March 29, a Hyundai Elantra was southbound on U.S. 169 Highway at a very high rate of speed, according to Gonzalez. The driver of the Hyundai, for unknown reasons was passing cars on the shoulder and splitting the two lanes of travel and passing on the center lane line. The driver lost control of the car. It traveled off the roadway to the left, struck the guardrail and rolled. All four of the occupants were not wearing seatbelts. The front right passenger later identified as Adero was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver and two passengers were transported to area hospitals, with critical injuries. Both directions on US 169 were closed down for approximately three hours during the investigation.

KCPD IDs teen who died in crash after car passed on shoulder

LAWRENCE —The University of Kansas reported breaking news Monday morning.&nbsp; According to the university's social media account, "KU archaeologists have discovered new evidence that Jayhawks were, in fact, a real species of bird, driven to extinction at the beginning of the Holocene Epoch.

 “The fossil record speaks for itself,” says Dr. Camp A. Nile, the archaeologist behind this discovery.&nbsp; It is April 1, 2024.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1711982346355.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE —The University of Kansas reported breaking news Monday morning.&nbsp; According to the university's social media account, "KU archaeologists have discovered new evidence that Jayhawks were, in fact, a real species of bird, driven to extinction at the beginning of the Holocene Epoch.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">BREAKING: KU archaeologists have discovered new evidence that Jayhawks were, in fact, a real species of bird, driven to extinction at the beginning of the Holocene Epoch. “The fossil record speaks for itself,” says Dr. Camp A. Nile, the archaeologist behind this discovery. <a href="https://t.co/gCaEFCecR3">pic.twitter.com/gCaEFCecR3</a>&mdash; University of Kansas (@UnivOfKansas) <a href="https://twitter.com/UnivOfKansas/status/1774805713551811001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div> “The fossil record speaks for itself,” says Dr. Camp A. Nile, the archaeologist behind this discovery.&nbsp; It is April 1, 2024.

April 1: KU archaeologists discover new evidence Jayhawks were real

KANSAS CITY — A man accused in killing a Kansas City area police officer and process server is now saving additional charges.

Larry D. Acree, 69, now faces 18 felony counts for his fatal shootings on Feb. 29, 2024, that killed a 16th Circuit Court process server Drexel Mack and&nbsp; Independence police officer Cody Allen and wounded others, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced.

Larry D. Acree was charged on March 1, 2024, with two counts of Murder in the 1st Degree, two Assault in the 1st Degree for wounding a police officer and a court process server and three additional counts of Armed Criminal Action charges. Today, the Jackson County Prosecutor announced additional charges were being filed as a result of a new Grand Jury indictment. New charges include additional Assault 1st Degree charges for shooting at special victims and additional Armed Criminal Action charges.*

According to court records, the process server and police officers had gone to a residence on North Elsea Smith Road in eastern Jackson County on Feb. 29, 2024,to evict any person on the property. 

The process server, Mack, after knocking and announcing their presence was shot and fell to the floor inside the front entrance. Officers responded and attempted to retrieve the victim. Officer Allen was mortally wounded and a second officer was wounded. Officers returned fire. Acree was taken into custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1709695226784.png" alt="Acree-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Acree-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY — A man accused in killing a Kansas City area police officer and process server is now saving additional charges.Larry D. Acree, 69, now faces 18 felony counts for his fatal shootings on Feb. 29, 2024, that killed a 16th Circuit Court process server Drexel Mack and&nbsp; Independence police officer Cody Allen and wounded others, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced.Larry D. Acree was charged on March 1, 2024, with two counts of Murder in the 1st Degree, two Assault in the 1st Degree for wounding a police officer and a court process server and three additional counts of Armed Criminal Action charges. Today, the Jackson County Prosecutor announced additional charges were being filed as a result of a new Grand Jury indictment. New charges include additional Assault 1st Degree charges for shooting at special victims and additional Armed Criminal Action charges.*According to court records, the process server and police officers had gone to a residence on North Elsea Smith Road in eastern Jackson County on Feb. 29, 2024,to evict any person on the property. The process server, Mack, after knocking and announcing their presence was shot and fell to the floor inside the front entrance. Officers responded and attempted to retrieve the victim. Officer Allen was mortally wounded and a second officer was wounded. Officers returned fire. Acree was taken into custody.

Suspect in killing of KC area officer, process server faces new charges

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOHN%20HANNA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;</a>

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Legislature is scrambling to address tax cuts, funding for disability services and immigration issues ahead of its annual three-week spring break starting next week. Most bills that don’t pass by then won’t be considered when lawmakers return April 29 for a short wrap-up session.

Republicans disagree over how to cut income taxes, as well as pay for other big-ticket items such as disability rights. It's all coming to a head as lawmakers approach their annual “Drop Dead Day,” a deadline to either pass legislation or let it fade away.

Lawmakers are supposed to finish a proposed $25 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.

Here is a look at some of the major issues up for consideration this week:

The Legislature is having its second go at enacting income, sales and property tax cuts this year after Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-veto-kelly-1c321169e87d69480efe91db0ef55f28">vetoed a GOP package</a>&nbsp;in January because it included a single-rate, or “flat,” income tax, which she said favored the “super rich.” With help from several GOP defectors, Democrats narrowly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-4b53850ab4aa72febec4fb728ccbc9b1">stopped the governor's veto from being overridden</a>&nbsp;in the House.

State tax collections have&nbsp;<a href="https://budget.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/08_February_Revenue_FY2024_03-01-2024_Final.pdf">fallen short</a>&nbsp;in recent months, but Kansas is still on track to end June 2025 with more than $4 billion in surplus funds. Legislators are poised to approve tax cuts worth $500 million to $600 million annually, while a plan Kelly outlined in January would be worth about $300 million a year.

The House and Senate both want to exempt retirees' Social Security benefits from income taxes, decrease the property taxes levied by the state for public schools and adjust standard personal income tax deductions.

The key difference is in proposed income tax rates.

A Senate plan would set a single rate of 5.7% — the top rate now — and decrease it over five years to 5.45%.

In the House, GOP leaders concluded a single-rate plan is unlikely to overcome another Kelly veto. Instead, they want to eliminate the lowest income tax bracket and set the top rate at 5.65%.

Kelly hasn't said publicly whether she would accept a plan with two rates.

While Senate Republicans appear to have a two-thirds majority for their plan, the House approved its version this week 123-0. The final tax plan will be drafted by three Senate and three House negotiators.

Immigration and diversity issues are both part of this year's budget negotiations in Kansas.

Republican senators have added a provision to their spending plan that would&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sr1737_00_0000.pdf">support Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's</a>&nbsp;battle with the Biden administration over border security. The measure sets aside $15.7 million for a proposed border mission before July and directs Kelly to deploy Kansas National Guard resources to help Texas.

Asked about that provision last month, Kelly said the state constitution makes her the guard's commander-in-chief, “And I make those decisions.”

Another provision in the Senate budget proposal would withhold $35.7 million from state universities until top administrators go before Kelly and legislative leaders and renounce certain&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diversity-equity-inclusion-universities-ban-kansas-69ba2c0492944b76772353289e565b19">diversity, equity and inclusion</a>&nbsp;initiatives. The lawmakers want schools to declare they won't require prospective students or job applicants to commit to DEI principles or require them to discuss their experiences with DEI programs.

Last year, Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/culture-war-kansas-abortion-diversity-eb8c355ac54b19c5efc80090accb9ce9">vetoed two anti-DEI budget provisions</a>. One would have prevented state universities from using DEI principles in hiring. The other would have barred the state board that licenses mental health professionals from requiring or incentivizing them to undergo training in diversity or anti-racism theories.

Some Kansas families&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/disability-rights-inhome-services-state-waiting-lists-cf5cfbcf99d3bc82652ec253c7028f8e">are waiting 10 years</a>&nbsp;to get in-home or community services for their children with physical or intellectual-developmental disabilities. Lawmakers are weighing solutions.

While 15,000 disabled Kansans have access to services such as day programs, employment assistance or home care, more than 7,600 are on&nbsp;<a href="ttps://kdads.ks.gov/docs/librariesprovider17/ltss/hcbs/waivers/participation-reports/2024/waiver-program-participation-report-3.15.24.pdf?sfvrsn=7c05f367_3">waiting lists</a>. A total of 23 people died in 2022 and 2023 while waiting for services, according to the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.

Kelly now proposes spending $23 million to provide services for 250 physically disabled people and 250 with intellectual-developmental disabilities who are now on waiting lists. The House proposal would double that.

Some House Democrats have pushed unsuccessfully to spend enough to service an additional 1,000 people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Yet some Republicans question whether service providers can handle such an increased workload.

“It is disingenuous to tell them they’re going to get help when we can’t even find the workers to provide the services that they need,” House Health Committee Chairperson Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican, said during a recent meeting.

But advocates for the disabled have questioned whether another 500 slots for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities will even shrink their waiting list, given that hundreds more individuals were added to it in each of the last two years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1711976540476.png" alt="Photo Kansas Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOHN%20HANNA%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;</a>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Legislature is scrambling to address tax cuts, funding for disability services and immigration issues ahead of its annual three-week spring break starting next week. Most bills that don’t pass by then won’t be considered when lawmakers return April 29 for a short wrap-up session.Republicans disagree over how to cut income taxes, as well as pay for other big-ticket items such as disability rights. It's all coming to a head as lawmakers approach their annual “Drop Dead Day,” a deadline to either pass legislation or let it fade away.Lawmakers are supposed to finish a proposed $25 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1.Here is a look at some of the major issues up for consideration this week:GOP WAVERING ON ‘FLAT TAX’The Legislature is having its second go at enacting income, sales and property tax cuts this year after Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-veto-kelly-1c321169e87d69480efe91db0ef55f28">vetoed a GOP package</a>&nbsp;in January because it included a single-rate, or “flat,” income tax, which she said favored the “super rich.” With help from several GOP defectors, Democrats narrowly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-income-tax-cuts-budget-4b53850ab4aa72febec4fb728ccbc9b1">stopped the governor's veto from being overridden</a>&nbsp;in the House.State tax collections have&nbsp;<a href="https://budget.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/08_February_Revenue_FY2024_03-01-2024_Final.pdf">fallen short</a>&nbsp;in recent months, but Kansas is still on track to end June 2025 with more than $4 billion in surplus funds. Legislators are poised to approve tax cuts worth $500 million to $600 million annually, while a plan Kelly outlined in January would be worth about $300 million a year.The House and Senate both want to exempt retirees' Social Security benefits from income taxes, decrease the property taxes levied by the state for public schools and adjust standard personal income tax deductions.The key difference is in proposed income tax rates.A Senate plan would set a single rate of 5.7% — the top rate now — and decrease it over five years to 5.45%.In the House, GOP leaders concluded a single-rate plan is unlikely to overcome another Kelly veto. Instead, they want to eliminate the lowest income tax bracket and set the top rate at 5.65%.Kelly hasn't said publicly whether she would accept a plan with two rates.While Senate Republicans appear to have a two-thirds majority for their plan, the House approved its version this week 123-0. The final tax plan will be drafted by three Senate and three House negotiators.IMMIGRATION AND DIVERSITYImmigration and diversity issues are both part of this year's budget negotiations in Kansas.Republican senators have added a provision to their spending plan that would&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sr1737_00_0000.pdf">support Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's</a>&nbsp;battle with the Biden administration over border security. The measure sets aside $15.7 million for a proposed border mission before July and directs Kelly to deploy Kansas National Guard resources to help Texas.Asked about that provision last month, Kelly said the state constitution makes her the guard's commander-in-chief, “And I make those decisions.”Another provision in the Senate budget proposal would withhold $35.7 million from state universities until top administrators go before Kelly and legislative leaders and renounce certain&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/diversity-equity-inclusion-universities-ban-kansas-69ba2c0492944b76772353289e565b19">diversity, equity and inclusion</a>&nbsp;initiatives. The lawmakers want schools to declare they won't require prospective students or job applicants to commit to DEI principles or require them to discuss their experiences with DEI programs.Last year, Kelly&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/culture-war-kansas-abortion-diversity-eb8c355ac54b19c5efc80090accb9ce9">vetoed two anti-DEI budget provisions</a>. One would have prevented state universities from using DEI principles in hiring. The other would have barred the state board that licenses mental health professionals from requiring or incentivizing them to undergo training in diversity or anti-racism theories.SERVICES FOR THE DISABLEDSome Kansas families&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/disability-rights-inhome-services-state-waiting-lists-cf5cfbcf99d3bc82652ec253c7028f8e">are waiting 10 years</a>&nbsp;to get in-home or community services for their children with physical or intellectual-developmental disabilities. Lawmakers are weighing solutions.While 15,000 disabled Kansans have access to services such as day programs, employment assistance or home care, more than 7,600 are on&nbsp;<a href="ttps://kdads.ks.gov/docs/librariesprovider17/ltss/hcbs/waivers/participation-reports/2024/waiver-program-participation-report-3.15.24.pdf?sfvrsn=7c05f367_3">waiting lists</a>. A total of 23 people died in 2022 and 2023 while waiting for services, according to the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.Kelly now proposes spending $23 million to provide services for 250 physically disabled people and 250 with intellectual-developmental disabilities who are now on waiting lists. The House proposal would double that.Some House Democrats have pushed unsuccessfully to spend enough to service an additional 1,000 people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Yet some Republicans question whether service providers can handle such an increased workload.“It is disingenuous to tell them they’re going to get help when we can’t even find the workers to provide the services that they need,” House Health Committee Chairperson Brenda Landwehr, a Wichita Republican, said during a recent meeting.But advocates for the disabled have questioned whether another 500 slots for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities will even shrink their waiting list, given that hundreds more individuals were added to it in each of the last two years.

Kansas lawmakers race to solve big fiscal issues before their spring break

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly weekend shooting and have made an arrest.

On Saturday, sheriff's deputies responded to reported suspicious death at a home in the 500 Block of West Edgewood in Edgerton, according to Sheriff Calvin Hayden.

First responders found a deceased man later identified as 27-year-old Cade H. Blackburn inside the home. After an investigation it was determined the death was a homicide.

Investigators began looking for a suspects known to Blackburn. The suspect was later arrested in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, according to Hayden. According to online jail records, deputies booked 31-year-old Joseph Wacaster into the Osage County jail just after 4:31a.m. Saturday. He is being held for authorities in Johnson County, Kansas as a fugitive from justice.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711935581168.png" alt="Wacaster photo Osaage Co. Oklahoma Jail" />
 <figcaption>Wacaster photo Osaage Co. Oklahoma Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly weekend shooting and have made an arrest.On Saturday, sheriff's deputies responded to reported suspicious death at a home in the 500 Block of West Edgewood in Edgerton, according to Sheriff Calvin Hayden.First responders found a deceased man later identified as 27-year-old Cade H. Blackburn inside the home. After an investigation it was determined the death was a homicide.Investigators began looking for a suspects known to Blackburn. The suspect was later arrested in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, according to Hayden. According to online jail records, deputies booked 31-year-old Joseph Wacaster into the Osage County jail just after 4:31a.m. Saturday. He is being held for authorities in Johnson County, Kansas as a fugitive from justice.

Kansas murder suspect captured in Oklahoma

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an Easter Sunday homicide in Kansas City and have a suspect in custody.

Around 9:00am officers responded to a shooting in 1300 block of E. 89th Street, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

First responders located a man later identified as 28-year-old Da'Shawn L. Bell suffering from a gunshot wound.  He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

Investigators believed an argument ensued between an adult female and Bell where shots were fired, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez. Police took the female subject into custody for further investigation. Police released no additional details Sunday.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711916009796.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an Easter Sunday homicide in Kansas City and have a suspect in custody.Around 9:00am officers responded to a shooting in 1300 block of E. 89th Street, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.First responders located a man later identified as 28-year-old Da'Shawn L. Bell suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;Investigators believed an argument ensued between an adult female and Bell where shots were fired, according to KCPD Officer&nbsp;Alayna Gonzalez. Police took the female subject into custody for further investigation. Police released no additional details Sunday.

Homicide: Woman in custody after shooting on Easter in Kansas City

CAIRO (AP) — The U.S. military said Sunday its forces destroyed one unmanned aerial vehicle in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Houthi</a>&nbsp;rebel-held area of war-ravaged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/yemen">Yemen</a>&nbsp;and another over a crucial shipping route in the Red Sea. It was the latest development in months of tension between the Iran-backed rebels and the U.S.

The drones, which were destroyed Saturday morning, posed a threat to U.S. and coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region, said the U.S. Central Command.

It said that one done was destroyed over the Red Sea, while the second was destroyed on the ground as it was prepared to launch.

“These actions are necessary to protect our forces, ensure freedom of navigation, and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels,” CENTCOM said.

There was no comment from the Houthi rebels, which control much of Yemen’s north and west.

The rebels launched a campaign of drone and missile attacks on shipping in the Red Sea in November. They have also fired missiles toward Israel, although those have largely fallen short or been intercepted.

The rebels have described their campaign as an effort to pressure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel to end its war on Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the Gaza Strip. The ships targeted by the Houthis, however, largely have had little or no connection to Israel, the U.S. or other nations involved in the war.

The Houthis have kept up their campaign of attacks despite more than two months of U.S.-led airstrikes.

Earlier this month, CENTCOM said its forces also destroyed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthi-yemen-airstrikes-military-red-sea-0f9ec3c7f85340f9b7f627b9c863f201">four unmanned aerial vehicles</a>&nbsp;in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. It also said Houthis fired four anti-ship ballistic missiles toward the Red Sea, but no injuries or damages were reported by U.S., coalition or commercial ships.

The escalation in the Red Sea and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza impacted the U.N.-led efforts to relaunch political talks to end Yemen’s yearslong conflict, according to the U.N. envoy for Yemen.

Hans Grundberg told the U.N. Security Council in mid-March that he had hoped to reach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-yemen-houthi-gaza-war-red-sea-1dcc903129785cf9f49a88d4135af260">an agreement on a nationwide cease-fire</a>&nbsp;in Yemen by the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began early in March.

He warned that Yemen could be propelled back into war, saying that “the longer the escalatory environment (in the region) continues, the more challenging Yemen’s mediation space will become.”

The war between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/yemen-dirty-war">the Houthis and pro-government forces</a>&nbsp;backed by a coalition of Gulf Arab states has raged since 2014, when the Houthis swept down from the mountains, seized much of northern Yemen and the country’s capital, Sanaa, and forced the internationally recognized government to flee into exile to Saudi Arabia.

Since then, more than 150,000 people have been killed by the violence and 3 million have been displaced.

Fighting has decreased markedly in Yemen since a truce in April 2022, but there are still hotspots in the country.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1703990687604.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>CAIRO (AP) — The U.S. military said Sunday its forces destroyed one unmanned aerial vehicle in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/houthis">Houthi</a>&nbsp;rebel-held area of war-ravaged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/yemen">Yemen</a>&nbsp;and another over a crucial shipping route in the Red Sea. It was the latest development in months of tension between the Iran-backed rebels and the U.S.The drones, which were destroyed Saturday morning, posed a threat to U.S. and coalition forces and merchant vessels in the region, said the U.S. Central Command.It said that one done was destroyed over the Red Sea, while the second was destroyed on the ground as it was prepared to launch.“These actions are necessary to protect our forces, ensure freedom of navigation, and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S., coalition, and merchant vessels,” CENTCOM said.There was no comment from the Houthi rebels, which control much of Yemen’s north and west.The rebels launched a campaign of drone and missile attacks on shipping in the Red Sea in November. They have also fired missiles toward Israel, although those have largely fallen short or been intercepted.The rebels have described their campaign as an effort to pressure&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel to end its war on Hamas</a>&nbsp;in the Gaza Strip. The ships targeted by the Houthis, however, largely have had little or no connection to Israel, the U.S. or other nations involved in the war.The Houthis have kept up their campaign of attacks despite more than two months of U.S.-led airstrikes.Earlier this month, CENTCOM said its forces also destroyed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthi-yemen-airstrikes-military-red-sea-0f9ec3c7f85340f9b7f627b9c863f201">four unmanned aerial vehicles</a>&nbsp;in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. It also said Houthis fired four anti-ship ballistic missiles toward the Red Sea, but no injuries or damages were reported by U.S., coalition or commercial ships.The escalation in the Red Sea and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza impacted the U.N.-led efforts to relaunch political talks to end Yemen’s yearslong conflict, according to the U.N. envoy for Yemen.Hans Grundberg told the U.N. Security Council in mid-March that he had hoped to reach&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-yemen-houthi-gaza-war-red-sea-1dcc903129785cf9f49a88d4135af260">an agreement on a nationwide cease-fire</a>&nbsp;in Yemen by the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began early in March.He warned that Yemen could be propelled back into war, saying that “the longer the escalatory environment (in the region) continues, the more challenging Yemen’s mediation space will become.”The war between&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/yemen-dirty-war">the Houthis and pro-government forces</a>&nbsp;backed by a coalition of Gulf Arab states has raged since 2014, when the Houthis swept down from the mountains, seized much of northern Yemen and the country’s capital, Sanaa, and forced the internationally recognized government to flee into exile to Saudi Arabia.Since then, more than 150,000 people have been killed by the violence and 3 million have been displaced.Fighting has decreased markedly in Yemen since a truce in April 2022, but there are still hotspots in the country.

US military destroyed more terrorist drones over the Red Sea 

TEXAS COUNTY&nbsp; –Law enforcement authorities are investigating the suspicious disappearance of two women from Hugoton, Kansas.

On March 30, 2024, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/texascountysheriff?__cft__[0]=AZUN1RbenGKKSTbhUwrfs2POzCdB0jT1o_05xNnWDgxTOZM_kvYFhwzInEC_7C8da2AWdqEU2gV11pDpCTW1Mb3giHbODc12L4vGEmh7E5t8xvqag-qf2Mm9KZTsbAIg-4go4YlbXRBdW644Wiw2ID31O72PX0ulgCqL_gJRUQ9DEOk4GBSdNGTLD4p3iAeLs10&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Texas County Sheriff's Department</a> requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to investigate the suspicious disappearance of 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley.

Their vehicle was found abandoned near Highway 95 and Road L, south of Elkhart, Kansas, in rural Texas County. 

&nbsp;Special agents with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation along with local law enforcement agencies continue working to locate the two women.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the OSBI at tips@osbi.ok.gov or 1-800-522-8017. This is still an ongoing investigation. The OSBI would like to thank the Texas County Sheriff’s Office, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Oklahoma.Highway.Patrol?__cft__[0]=AZUN1RbenGKKSTbhUwrfs2POzCdB0jT1o_05xNnWDgxTOZM_kvYFhwzInEC_7C8da2AWdqEU2gV11pDpCTW1Mb3giHbODc12L4vGEmh7E5t8xvqag-qf2Mm9KZTsbAIg-4go4YlbXRBdW644Wiw2ID31O72PX0ulgCqL_gJRUQ9DEOk4GBSdNGTLD4p3iAeLs10&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Oklahoma Highway Patrol</a>, and several other local agencies for assisting us with this case.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1711966773270.png" alt="Butler-photo OSBI" />
 <figcaption>Butler-photo OSBI</figcaption>
 </figure>TEXAS COUNTY&nbsp; –Law enforcement authorities are investigating the suspicious disappearance of two women from Hugoton, Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1711967700182.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> On March 30, 2024, the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/texascountysheriff?__cft__[0]=AZUN1RbenGKKSTbhUwrfs2POzCdB0jT1o_05xNnWDgxTOZM_kvYFhwzInEC_7C8da2AWdqEU2gV11pDpCTW1Mb3giHbODc12L4vGEmh7E5t8xvqag-qf2Mm9KZTsbAIg-4go4YlbXRBdW644Wiw2ID31O72PX0ulgCqL_gJRUQ9DEOk4GBSdNGTLD4p3iAeLs10&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Texas County Sheriff's Department</a> requested the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to investigate the suspicious disappearance of 27-year-old Veronica Butler and 39-year-old Jilian Kelley.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/4/1711966638486.png" alt="Kelly-photo OSBI" />
 <figcaption>Kelly-photo OSBI</figcaption>
 </figure>Their vehicle was found abandoned near Highway 95 and Road L, south of Elkhart, Kansas, in rural Texas County. &nbsp;Special agents with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation along with local law enforcement agencies continue working to locate the two women.Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the OSBI at tips@osbi.ok.gov or 1-800-522-8017. This is still an ongoing investigation. The OSBI would like to thank the Texas County Sheriff’s Office, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Oklahoma.Highway.Patrol?__cft__[0]=AZUN1RbenGKKSTbhUwrfs2POzCdB0jT1o_05xNnWDgxTOZM_kvYFhwzInEC_7C8da2AWdqEU2gV11pDpCTW1Mb3giHbODc12L4vGEmh7E5t8xvqag-qf2Mm9KZTsbAIg-4go4YlbXRBdW644Wiw2ID31O72PX0ulgCqL_gJRUQ9DEOk4GBSdNGTLD4p3iAeLs10&amp;__tn__=-]K-R">Oklahoma Highway Patrol</a>, and several other local agencies for assisting us with this case.&nbsp;

Police: Vehicle found, 2 Kansas women missing

KANSAS CITY—Two people died in an accident just after 11a.m. Sunday in Kansas City.

A Hino box truck was northbound on Interstate 435 at U.S. 200 in Kansas City, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez. The truck rear-ended a Ford Fusion that&nbsp;may have been slowing down or stopped in the #3 lane of travel.

The driver and rear seat passenger in the Ford Fusion were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Gonzalez. 

EMS transported the front seat passenger of the Ford Fusion was to an area hospital, with critical injuries. The driver of the Honi truck was transported to an area hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries. The northbound lanes of Interstate 435 were closed for approximately four hours, according to Gonzalez. Police have not released the names of the victims or additional details

KANSAS CITY—Two people died in an accident just after 11a.m. Sunday in Kansas City.A Hino box truck was northbound on Interstate 435 at U.S. 200 in Kansas City, according to KCPD Officer Alayna Gonzalez. The truck rear-ended a Ford Fusion that&nbsp;may have been slowing down or stopped in the #3 lane of travel.The driver and rear seat passenger in the Ford Fusion were pronounced dead at the scene, according to Gonzalez. EMS transported the front seat passenger of the Ford Fusion was to an area hospital, with critical injuries. The driver of the Honi truck was transported to an area hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries. The northbound lanes of Interstate 435 were closed for approximately four hours, according to Gonzalez. Police have not released the names of the victims or additional details

Police: 2 dead after rear-end crash in Kansas City

NEW YORK (AP) — The theft of sensitive information belonging to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/att-data-breach-dark-web-passcodes-fbef4afe0c1deec9ffb470f2ec134f41">millions of AT&amp;T's current and former customers</a>&nbsp;has been recently discovered online, the telecommunications giant said this weekend.

In a Saturday announcement addressing the data breach, AT&amp;T said that a dataset found on the “dark web” contains information including some Social Security numbers and passcodes for about 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former account holders.

Whether the data “originated from AT&amp;T or one of its vendors" is still unknown, the Dallas-based company noted — adding that it had launched an investigation into the incident. AT&amp;T has also begun notifying customers whose personal information was compromised.

WHAT INFORMATION WAS COMPROMISED IN THIS BREACH?

Although varying by each customer and account, AT&amp;T says that information involved in this breach included Social Security numbers and passcodes — which, unlike passwords, are numerical PINS that are typically four digits long.

Full names, email addresses, mailing address, phone numbers, dates of birth and AT&amp;T account numbers may have also been compromised. The impacted data is from 2019 or earlier and does not appear to include financial information or call history, the company said.

Consumers impacted by this breach should be receiving an email or letter directly from AT&amp;T about the incident. The email notices began going out on Saturday, an AT&amp;T spokesperson confirmed to The Associated Press.

Beyond these notifications, AT&amp;T said that it had already reset the passcodes of current users. The company added that it would pay for credit monitoring services where applicable.

AT&amp;T also said that it “launched a robust investigation” with internal and external cybersecurity experts to investigate the situation further.

HAS AT&amp;T SEEN DATA BREACHES LIKE THIS BEFORE?

AT&amp;T has seen several data breaches that range in size and impact&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/at-t-employee-improperly-viewed-customer-accounts-d67d2f088d7c4edbb4a79a5f20445b41">over the years</a>.

While the company says the data in this latest breach surfaced on a hacking forum nearly two weeks ago, it closely resembles a similar breach that surfaced in 2021 but which AT&amp;T never acknowledged,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/739a98e040034eb79be4f951e72d52f8">cybersecurity researcher Troy Hunt</a>&nbsp;told the AP Saturday.

“If they assess this and they made the wrong call on it, and we’ve had a course of years pass without them being able to notify impacted customers,” then it’s likely the company will soon face class action lawsuits, said Hunt, founder of an Australia-based website that warns people when their personal information has been exposed.

A spokesperson for AT&amp;T declined to comment further when asked about these similarities Sunday.

Avoiding data breaches entirely can be tricky in our ever-digitized world, but consumers can take some steps to help protect themselves going forward.

The basics include creating hard-to-guess passwords and using&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-software-mobile-phones-b9110ad02f8d5e17d130b259fa19d852">multifactor authentication</a>&nbsp;when possible. If you receive a notice about a breach, it's good idea to change your password and monitor account activity for any suspicious transactions. You'll also want to visit a company's official website for reliable contact information — as scammers sometimes try to take advantage of news like data breaches to gain your trust through look-alike phishing emails or phone calls.

In addition, the Federal Trade Commission&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-credit-freezes-fraud-alerts">notes</a>&nbsp;that nationwide credit bureaus — such as Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — offer free credit freezes and fraud alerts that consumers can set up to help protect themselves from identity theft and other malicious activity.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1711934822314.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — The theft of sensitive information belonging to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/att-data-breach-dark-web-passcodes-fbef4afe0c1deec9ffb470f2ec134f41">millions of AT&amp;T's current and former customers</a>&nbsp;has been recently discovered online, the telecommunications giant said this weekend.In a Saturday announcement addressing the data breach, AT&amp;T said that a dataset found on the “dark web” contains information including some Social Security numbers and passcodes for about 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former account holders.Whether the data “originated from AT&amp;T or one of its vendors" is still unknown, the Dallas-based company noted — adding that it had launched an investigation into the incident. AT&amp;T has also begun notifying customers whose personal information was compromised.Here's what you need to know.WHAT INFORMATION WAS COMPROMISED IN THIS BREACH?Although varying by each customer and account, AT&amp;T says that information involved in this breach included Social Security numbers and passcodes — which, unlike passwords, are numerical PINS that are typically four digits long.Full names, email addresses, mailing address, phone numbers, dates of birth and AT&amp;T account numbers may have also been compromised. The impacted data is from 2019 or earlier and does not appear to include financial information or call history, the company said.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?Consumers impacted by this breach should be receiving an email or letter directly from AT&amp;T about the incident. The email notices began going out on Saturday, an AT&amp;T spokesperson confirmed to The Associated Press.WHAT ACTION HAS AT&amp;T TAKEN?Beyond these notifications, AT&amp;T said that it had already reset the passcodes of current users. The company added that it would pay for credit monitoring services where applicable.AT&amp;T also said that it “launched a robust investigation” with internal and external cybersecurity experts to investigate the situation further.HAS AT&amp;T SEEN DATA BREACHES LIKE THIS BEFORE?AT&amp;T has seen several data breaches that range in size and impact&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/at-t-employee-improperly-viewed-customer-accounts-d67d2f088d7c4edbb4a79a5f20445b41">over the years</a>.While the company says the data in this latest breach surfaced on a hacking forum nearly two weeks ago, it closely resembles a similar breach that surfaced in 2021 but which AT&amp;T never acknowledged,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/739a98e040034eb79be4f951e72d52f8">cybersecurity researcher Troy Hunt</a>&nbsp;told the AP Saturday.“If they assess this and they made the wrong call on it, and we’ve had a course of years pass without them being able to notify impacted customers,” then it’s likely the company will soon face class action lawsuits, said Hunt, founder of an Australia-based website that warns people when their personal information has been exposed.A spokesperson for AT&amp;T declined to comment further when asked about these similarities Sunday.HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF GOING FORWARD?Avoiding data breaches entirely can be tricky in our ever-digitized world, but consumers can take some steps to help protect themselves going forward.The basics include creating hard-to-guess passwords and using&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-software-mobile-phones-b9110ad02f8d5e17d130b259fa19d852">multifactor authentication</a>&nbsp;when possible. If you receive a notice about a breach, it's good idea to change your password and monitor account activity for any suspicious transactions. You'll also want to visit a company's official website for reliable contact information — as scammers sometimes try to take advantage of news like data breaches to gain your trust through look-alike phishing emails or phone calls.In addition, the Federal Trade Commission&nbsp;<a href="https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-credit-freezes-fraud-alerts">notes</a>&nbsp;that nationwide credit bureaus — such as Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — offer free credit freezes and fraud alerts that consumers can set up to help protect themselves from identity theft and other malicious activity.

AT&T: Data breach leaked millions of customers' information online

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal&nbsp; &nbsp; officer involved shooting in Kansas City.

Just before 6a.m. Sunday police responded to a 911 call for help in the 4000 Block of Myrtle Avenue in Kansas City, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol in charge of the investigation.

Police have not released the name of the man who died or additional details.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal&nbsp; &nbsp; officer involved shooting in Kansas City.Just before 6a.m. Sunday police responded to a 911 call for help in the 4000 Block of Myrtle Avenue in Kansas City, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol in charge of the investigation.At the scene officer located a man armed with a handgun walking in the street in front of a nearby residence. Kansas City Police officer attempted to negotiate with him to drop the handgun. The man presented the gun in the direction of officers and several officers fired their weapons.The man was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital where he died.Police have not released the name of the man who died or additional details.

Man dies in Kansas City police officer-shooting

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/endangered-species-biden-trump-rollbacks-9791aaaa955d26b599ba802d7c931e7c">on Thursday restored</a>&nbsp;rules to protect imperiled plants and animals that had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/david-bernhardt-animals-ap-top-news-politics-donald-trump-9bf4541d89e6444783814e53302ce479">rolled back</a>&nbsp;under former President Donald Trump.

Among the changes, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will reinstate a decades-old regulation that mandates blanket protections for species newly classified as threatened. That means officials won't have to craft time-intensive plans to shield each individual species while protections are pending, as has been done recently with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wolverine-species-endangered-climate-change-024ec09a032851a26a248fab93ad7d0e">North American wolverines</a>&nbsp;in the Rocky Mountains,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/environment-and-nature-lakes-wildlife-turtles-alligators-bd236f66da0ffd11fd46aa42ccc505d3">alligator snapping turtles</a>&nbsp;in the southeastern U.S. and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-us-fish-and-wildlife-service-california-climate-environment-owls-fe794372cf1650407ef60f12da663958">spotted owls in California</a>.

The restoration of more protective regulations rankled Republicans who said the Endangered Species Act was being wielded too broadly and to the detriment of economic growth. Meanwhile, wildlife advocates were only partially satisfied, saying some potentially harmful changes under Trump were untouched.

The blanket protections rule had been dropped in 2019 as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/david-bernhardt-animals-ap-top-news-politics-donald-trump-9bf4541d89e6444783814e53302ce479">a suite of changes to the application of the species law</a>&nbsp;under Trump that were encouraged by industry. Those changes came as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-science-aaf1091c5aae40b0a110daaf04950672">extinctions accelerate</a>&nbsp;globally due to habitat loss and other pressures.

Another rule Thursday said officials will not&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ms-state-wire-mt-state-wire-ap-top-news-tx-state-wire-la-state-wire-643be5ec34895c008809a9ab4cfcd518">consider economic impacts</a>&nbsp;when deciding if animals and plants need protection. The rules from the wildlife service and National Marine Fisheries Service make it easier to designate areas as critical for a species’ survival, even if it is no longer found in those locations.

Species that could benefit from the rules include imperiled fish and freshwater mussels in the Southeast, where the aquatic animals in many cases are absent from portions of their historical range, officials have said.

Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in a statement that the rule changes underscored the agency's commitment to using the best available science to halt population declines as “climate change, degraded and fragmented habitat, invasive species, and wildlife disease” threaten many species.

Details on the rules were obtained by The Associated Press in advance of their public release. Officials said almost a half-million public comments were submitted on the three rules.

Environmentalists expressed frustration that it took years for Democratic President Joe Biden to act on some of the Trump-era rollbacks. Stoking their urgency is the prospect of a new Republican administration following the 2024 election that could yet again ease protections.

Jamie Rappaport Clark, a former Fish and Wildlife Service director and now president at Defenders of Wildlife, characterized Thursday's announcement as a “marginal win” that restores essential protections for wildlife, but leaves in place some of the changes made in 2019 under Trump. The environmental group said the retained provisions would open the door to the destruction of habitat critical for some species to survive.

The rules have gotten strong pushback from Republican lawmakers, who say Biden's Democratic administration has hampered oil, gas and coal development, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-lands-conservation-leases-biden-c96bb20ed80e2b5f459bb7afc366f651">favors conservation over development</a>.

“We know the Endangered Species Act is an outdated piece of legislation that has repeatedly failed its primary goal of recovering listed species, yet Biden is now undoing crucial reforms and issuing new regulations that will not benefit listed species,” said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman, a Republican from Arkansas.

Many energy companies, ranchers, developers and representatives of other industries have long viewed the 1973 Endangered Species Act as an impediment. Under Trump, they successfully lobbied to weaken the law’s regulations as part of a broad dismantling of environmental safeguards.

Trump officials also rolled back endangered species rules and protections for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-wildlife-washington-oregon-environment-7b9c53a88608054d521ac7d6025461fa">northern spotted owl</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-white-environment-and-nature-wildlife-wolves-0961f3065ab154ee693936295c18a5a0">gray wolves</a>&nbsp;and other species.

The spotted owl decision was reversed in 2021 after officials said Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-business-california-forests-oregon-48c1dc3a59bda47c178437d6b1e538bd">political appointees used faulty science</a>&nbsp;to justify opening millions of acres of West Coast forest to potential logging. Protections for wolves across most of the U.S. were restored by a federal court in 2021.

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Biden administration&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/endangered-species-biden-trump-rollbacks-9791aaaa955d26b599ba802d7c931e7c">on Thursday restored</a>&nbsp;rules to protect imperiled plants and animals that had been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/david-bernhardt-animals-ap-top-news-politics-donald-trump-9bf4541d89e6444783814e53302ce479">rolled back</a>&nbsp;under former President Donald Trump.Among the changes, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will reinstate a decades-old regulation that mandates blanket protections for species newly classified as threatened. That means officials won't have to craft time-intensive plans to shield each individual species while protections are pending, as has been done recently with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wolverine-species-endangered-climate-change-024ec09a032851a26a248fab93ad7d0e">North American wolverines</a>&nbsp;in the Rocky Mountains,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/environment-and-nature-lakes-wildlife-turtles-alligators-bd236f66da0ffd11fd46aa42ccc505d3">alligator snapping turtles</a>&nbsp;in the southeastern U.S. and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-us-fish-and-wildlife-service-california-climate-environment-owls-fe794372cf1650407ef60f12da663958">spotted owls in California</a>.The restoration of more protective regulations rankled Republicans who said the Endangered Species Act was being wielded too broadly and to the detriment of economic growth. Meanwhile, wildlife advocates were only partially satisfied, saying some potentially harmful changes under Trump were untouched.The blanket protections rule had been dropped in 2019 as part of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/david-bernhardt-animals-ap-top-news-politics-donald-trump-9bf4541d89e6444783814e53302ce479">a suite of changes to the application of the species law</a>&nbsp;under Trump that were encouraged by industry. Those changes came as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-nations-north-america-us-news-ap-top-news-science-aaf1091c5aae40b0a110daaf04950672">extinctions accelerate</a>&nbsp;globally due to habitat loss and other pressures.Another rule Thursday said officials will not&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ms-state-wire-mt-state-wire-ap-top-news-tx-state-wire-la-state-wire-643be5ec34895c008809a9ab4cfcd518">consider economic impacts</a>&nbsp;when deciding if animals and plants need protection. The rules from the wildlife service and National Marine Fisheries Service make it easier to designate areas as critical for a species’ survival, even if it is no longer found in those locations.Species that could benefit from the rules include imperiled fish and freshwater mussels in the Southeast, where the aquatic animals in many cases are absent from portions of their historical range, officials have said.Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said in a statement that the rule changes underscored the agency's commitment to using the best available science to halt population declines as “climate change, degraded and fragmented habitat, invasive species, and wildlife disease” threaten many species.Details on the rules were obtained by The Associated Press in advance of their public release. Officials said almost a half-million public comments were submitted on the three rules.Environmentalists expressed frustration that it took years for Democratic President Joe Biden to act on some of the Trump-era rollbacks. Stoking their urgency is the prospect of a new Republican administration following the 2024 election that could yet again ease protections.Jamie Rappaport Clark, a former Fish and Wildlife Service director and now president at Defenders of Wildlife, characterized Thursday's announcement as a “marginal win” that restores essential protections for wildlife, but leaves in place some of the changes made in 2019 under Trump. The environmental group said the retained provisions would open the door to the destruction of habitat critical for some species to survive.The rules have gotten strong pushback from Republican lawmakers, who say Biden's Democratic administration has hampered oil, gas and coal development, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/public-lands-conservation-leases-biden-c96bb20ed80e2b5f459bb7afc366f651">favors conservation over development</a>.“We know the Endangered Species Act is an outdated piece of legislation that has repeatedly failed its primary goal of recovering listed species, yet Biden is now undoing crucial reforms and issuing new regulations that will not benefit listed species,” said House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman, a Republican from Arkansas.Many energy companies, ranchers, developers and representatives of other industries have long viewed the 1973 Endangered Species Act as an impediment. Under Trump, they successfully lobbied to weaken the law’s regulations as part of a broad dismantling of environmental safeguards.Trump officials also rolled back endangered species rules and protections for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-wildlife-washington-oregon-environment-7b9c53a88608054d521ac7d6025461fa">northern spotted owl</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-white-environment-and-nature-wildlife-wolves-0961f3065ab154ee693936295c18a5a0">gray wolves</a>&nbsp;and other species.The spotted owl decision was reversed in 2021 after officials said Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-business-california-forests-oregon-48c1dc3a59bda47c178437d6b1e538bd">political appointees used faulty science</a>&nbsp;to justify opening millions of acres of West Coast forest to potential logging. Protections for wolves across most of the U.S. were restored by a federal court in 2021.

Biden restores threatened species protections dropped by Trump

Thousands of Fraudulent Tax Returns, Using Stolen Identities, Funneled Refunds to Bank Accounts in Russia

KANSAS CITY —A Russian national sentenced in federal court in Kansas City on Friday for his role in a conspiracy to use stolen identities to file thousands of federal income tax returns that claimed more than $11 million in fraudulent refunds, according&nbsp; to the United State's Attorney.

Anton Vikharev, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Vikharev to pay $2,020,569 in restitution and to forfeit to the government $537,000.

On July 26, 2023, Vikharev pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Vikharev admitted that he engaged in a scheme to defraud the United States by filing false and fraudulent federal income tax returns using stolen identities from January 2015 through March 1, 2018.

In this scheme, 7,167 false and fraudulent tax returns were filed for tax years 2011- 2016. The returns, which used the stolen names and Social Security numbers of other people, claimed $11,178,361 in fraudulent refunds. The Internal Revenue Service actually paid at least $2,020,569 in fraudulent tax refunds.

Fraudulent refunds were deposited into bank accounts the conspirators controlled. Vikharev’s role in the conspiracy was to withdraw fraudulent tax refunds from bank ATMs in cash, launder the cash through gold purchases and through high volume cash deposits into other accounts, and send the stolen money to Russia via wire transfers. Conspirators bought gold bullion with some of the proceeds. After the proceeds were laundered, conspirators wired at least $1,411,082 to accounts in Russia. Vikharev personally received $156,120 in proceeds wired to Russian bank accounts in his control.

Vikharev laundered some of the proceeds from the fraud conspiracy by purchasing a total of $537,000 in gold, some of which was sold with the proceeds wired to co-conspirators in Russia, which is the basis for the forfeiture money judgment.

Thousands of Fraudulent Tax Returns, Using Stolen Identities, Funneled Refunds to Bank Accounts in RussiaKANSAS CITY —A Russian national sentenced in federal court in Kansas City on Friday for his role in a conspiracy to use stolen identities to file thousands of federal income tax returns that claimed more than $11 million in fraudulent refunds, according&nbsp; to the United State's Attorney.Anton Vikharev, 32, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann Ketchmark to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Vikharev to pay $2,020,569 in restitution and to forfeit to the government $537,000.On July 26, 2023, Vikharev pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Vikharev admitted that he engaged in a scheme to defraud the United States by filing false and fraudulent federal income tax returns using stolen identities from January 2015 through March 1, 2018.In this scheme, 7,167 false and fraudulent tax returns were filed for tax years 2011- 2016. The returns, which used the stolen names and Social Security numbers of other people, claimed $11,178,361 in fraudulent refunds. The Internal Revenue Service actually paid at least $2,020,569 in fraudulent tax refunds.Fraudulent refunds were deposited into bank accounts the conspirators controlled. Vikharev’s role in the conspiracy was to withdraw fraudulent tax refunds from bank ATMs in cash, launder the cash through gold purchases and through high volume cash deposits into other accounts, and send the stolen money to Russia via wire transfers. Conspirators bought gold bullion with some of the proceeds. After the proceeds were laundered, conspirators wired at least $1,411,082 to accounts in Russia. Vikharev personally received $156,120 in proceeds wired to Russian bank accounts in his control.Vikharev laundered some of the proceeds from the fraud conspiracy by purchasing a total of $537,000 in gold, some of which was sold with the proceeds wired to co-conspirators in Russia, which is the basis for the forfeiture money judgment.Vikharev left the United States in early July 2017. He exited the United States at the southern border into Mexico. From Mexico, Vikharev flew to Cuba and then to Russia. On June 4, 2021, Vikharev was arrested in Toronto, Canada. Vikharev was detained in custody while he litigated extradition to the United States for approximately two years.According to court documents, Vikharev, a Russian citizen, originally came to the United States on June 12, 2012, on a student visa that expired on Sept. 9, 2012. Vikharev stayed illegally in the United States for five more years. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Vikharev agreed to a judicial order of removal from the United States following incarceration.Two co-defendants in this case are last known to be in Russia, which does not have an extradition treaty with the United States.