JERUSALEM — The U.S. is issuing a new warning to ships traveling through the Red Sea after a drone and missile attack launched from Yemen during the Israel-Hamas war.

The U.S. Maritime Administration warning on Tuesday urged vessels to “exercise caution when transiting this region.”

The U.S. Navy says it shot down missiles and drones believed to have been launched by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in recent days amid wider tensions across the Middle East over the war.

In addition, the U.S. Central Command reported the 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Tuesday to bolster U.S. posture to deter further aggression.&nbsp;On Monday, the U.S. military destroyed two one-way attack drones near U.S. and Coalition forces in southwest Syria before they reached their intended targets, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697765298614.png" alt="The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney transits the Suez Canal, Oct. 18. Carney is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Lau" />
 <figcaption>The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney transits the Suez Canal, Oct. 18. Carney is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region. Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Aaron Lau</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM — The U.S. is issuing a new warning to ships traveling through the Red Sea after a drone and missile attack launched from Yemen during the Israel-Hamas war.The U.S. Maritime Administration warning on Tuesday urged vessels to “exercise caution when transiting this region.”The U.S. Navy says it shot down missiles and drones believed to have been launched by Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in recent days amid wider tensions across the Middle East over the war.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698161439211.png" alt="Photo U.S. Department of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Department of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>In addition, the U.S. Central Command reported the 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility Tuesday to bolster U.S. posture to deter further aggression.&nbsp;On Monday, the U.S. military destroyed two one-way attack drones near U.S. and Coalition forces in southwest Syria before they reached their intended targets, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.&nbsp;

U.S. issues warning to ships in the Red Sea 

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A mother is suing a shuttered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-missouri-9aa2d772f73edfa09cde4d2b337fdba2">Christian boarding school</a>&nbsp;in Missouri, blaming her son's death on a gang rape and other abuse he endured there.

Agape Boarding School has been subjected to a wave of litigation as a series of abuse allegations emerged, but the case filed this month and amended Monday in federal court by Kathleen Britt is believed to be the first wrongful death suit.

The suit said that mental health problems plagued Britt's son, Jason Britt, after he left the private school, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-crime-education-kansas-city-missouri-7accbdddd9dfe3ac387533aa8fb7c102">several staffers subsequently were charged</a>. The suit said he lifted weights obsessively and ingested copious steroids so he would become so strong that he never would be victimized again.

He grew so despondent that he wrote a suicide note. But heart and kidney failure were what claimed his life in February 2022.

“The saddest part of his case is he finally found a cause to live when the circumstances of his choices ended up killing him,” said attorney Rebecca Randles. “It is one of those completely devastatingly sad situations.”

Among those named in the suit are the school, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charles-dickens-94038022dc9af71dd9f73158cd53e945">company</a>&nbsp;that transported students there, and Cedar County Sheriff James McCrary. Agape’s attorney and the sheriff didn't immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press seeking comment.

Jason Britt's parents turned to Agape because they were worried about his slipping grades and partying. In 2010, the then-16-year-old was awoken in the middle of the night while staying with his girlfriend. The men who transported him to Agape zip tied his hands and told him he had been given up for adoption, the suit said.

Instead of the counseling his parents were promised, the school was “a concentration camp or torture colony cloaked in the guise of religion," the suit said. Upon arriving, his head was shaved. And when he tried to write to his family about what was happening, he was punished. The maltreatment culminated in him being gang raped, the suit said.

The suit said the sheriff's department knew of reports of abuse at Agape and a sister boarding school. But despite those reports, deputies routinely returned runaways to their schools without effectively investigating or reporting concerns to state welfare workers.

Some of the sheriff's department staff also worked at the school, the suit said.

When Jason Britt's mother visited, she was alarmed by her son's demeanor and took him home, the suit said. The family learned he had been abused at the school, but they were ignored by Cedar County authorities, the lawsuit said. Anxious and withdrawn, he finished high school online and grew obsessed with weight lifting.

“The steroids, testosterone, high blood pressure and anxiety coupled with the drug addiction were the mechanism of his death; the cause of his death was the abuse at Agape,” the suit said.

More than a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boarding-school-missouri-abuse-lawsuits-settlement-e004668160605c5fbd2239e191292296">dozen</a>&nbsp;other former students have settled lawsuits alleging they were abused at the southwest Missouri school.

When it shut down in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-stockton-missouri-education-6d4bc69348f4349249e49b3ec7c29172">January</a>, it was the fourth and last unlicensed Christian boarding school to close in Cedar County since September 2020. The school’s former director, Bryan Clemensen, said the school, whose enrollment had tumbled, closed because it did not have the funding to continue.

Former Agape students came forward with abuse allegations in 2020. One former student said he was raped at Agape and called “seizure boy” because of his epilepsy. Others said they suffered permanent injuries from being disciplined or forced to work long hours of manual labor.

In 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-missouri-springfield-89eb20fc1edcba8cf5963abdc69e48c8">Agape’s longtime doctor, David Smock</a>, was charged with child sex crimes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-education-child-abuse-kansas-missouri-a97fcf244d041a1468945b10af5f5f76">five employees were charged</a>&nbsp;with low-level abuse counts. Then-Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office contended that 22 workers should have been charged, and with more serious crimes.

But in Missouri, only the local prosecutor can file charges, and Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither has said no additional employees would be charged.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1632608030678.png" alt="More than a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boarding-school-missouri-abuse-lawsuits-settlement-e004668160605c5fbd2239e191292296">dozen</a>&nbsp;other former students have settled lawsuits alleging they were abused at the southwest Missouri school.-Google image" />
 <figcaption>More than a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boarding-school-missouri-abuse-lawsuits-settlement-e004668160605c5fbd2239e191292296">dozen</a>&nbsp;other former students have settled lawsuits alleging they were abused at the southwest Missouri school.-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — A mother is suing a shuttered&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-kansas-city-missouri-9aa2d772f73edfa09cde4d2b337fdba2">Christian boarding school</a>&nbsp;in Missouri, blaming her son's death on a gang rape and other abuse he endured there.Agape Boarding School has been subjected to a wave of litigation as a series of abuse allegations emerged, but the case filed this month and amended Monday in federal court by Kathleen Britt is believed to be the first wrongful death suit.The suit said that mental health problems plagued Britt's son, Jason Britt, after he left the private school, where&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-crime-education-kansas-city-missouri-7accbdddd9dfe3ac387533aa8fb7c102">several staffers subsequently were charged</a>. The suit said he lifted weights obsessively and ingested copious steroids so he would become so strong that he never would be victimized again.He grew so despondent that he wrote a suicide note. But heart and kidney failure were what claimed his life in February 2022.“The saddest part of his case is he finally found a cause to live when the circumstances of his choices ended up killing him,” said attorney Rebecca Randles. “It is one of those completely devastatingly sad situations.”Among those named in the suit are the school, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/charles-dickens-94038022dc9af71dd9f73158cd53e945">company</a>&nbsp;that transported students there, and Cedar County Sheriff James McCrary. Agape’s attorney and the sheriff didn't immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press seeking comment.Jason Britt's parents turned to Agape because they were worried about his slipping grades and partying. In 2010, the then-16-year-old was awoken in the middle of the night while staying with his girlfriend. The men who transported him to Agape zip tied his hands and told him he had been given up for adoption, the suit said.Instead of the counseling his parents were promised, the school was “a concentration camp or torture colony cloaked in the guise of religion," the suit said. Upon arriving, his head was shaved. And when he tried to write to his family about what was happening, he was punished. The maltreatment culminated in him being gang raped, the suit said.The suit said the sheriff's department knew of reports of abuse at Agape and a sister boarding school. But despite those reports, deputies routinely returned runaways to their schools without effectively investigating or reporting concerns to state welfare workers.Some of the sheriff's department staff also worked at the school, the suit said.When Jason Britt's mother visited, she was alarmed by her son's demeanor and took him home, the suit said. The family learned he had been abused at the school, but they were ignored by Cedar County authorities, the lawsuit said. Anxious and withdrawn, he finished high school online and grew obsessed with weight lifting.“The steroids, testosterone, high blood pressure and anxiety coupled with the drug addiction were the mechanism of his death; the cause of his death was the abuse at Agape,” the suit said.More than a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boarding-school-missouri-abuse-lawsuits-settlement-e004668160605c5fbd2239e191292296">dozen</a>&nbsp;other former students have settled lawsuits alleging they were abused at the southwest Missouri school.When it shut down in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-stockton-missouri-education-6d4bc69348f4349249e49b3ec7c29172">January</a>, it was the fourth and last unlicensed Christian boarding school to close in Cedar County since September 2020. The school’s former director, Bryan Clemensen, said the school, whose enrollment had tumbled, closed because it did not have the funding to continue.Former Agape students came forward with abuse allegations in 2020. One former student said he was raped at Agape and called “seizure boy” because of his epilepsy. Others said they suffered permanent injuries from being disciplined or forced to work long hours of manual labor.In 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/crime-missouri-springfield-89eb20fc1edcba8cf5963abdc69e48c8">Agape’s longtime doctor, David Smock</a>, was charged with child sex crimes and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-education-child-abuse-kansas-missouri-a97fcf244d041a1468945b10af5f5f76">five employees were charged</a>&nbsp;with low-level abuse counts. Then-Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s office contended that 22 workers should have been charged, and with more serious crimes.But in Missouri, only the local prosecutor can file charges, and Cedar County Prosecuting Attorney Ty Gaither has said no additional employees would be charged.

Mother files wrongful death lawsuit against Christian boarding school 

WILSON COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just before 12:30 a.m. Tuesday in Wilson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Chevy Express van driven by Dustin Hale, 29, Rogers, Arkansas, was eastbound on U.S. 400 three miles from Kansas 47 Highway.

The van crossed the center line and struck a 2022 Ford Escape driven by&nbsp; Scott Allen Bryant, 52, Wichita, head-on.&nbsp; After impact the SUV&nbsp;spun counter clockwise into the eastbound ditch where it caught fire.

Hale and Bryant were pronounced dead at the scene. Hale was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP. The agency had not seat belt information for Bryant.

WILSON COUNTY—Two people died in an accident just before 12:30 a.m. Tuesday in Wilson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Chevy Express van driven by Dustin Hale, 29, Rogers, Arkansas, was eastbound on U.S. 400 three miles from Kansas 47 Highway.The van crossed the center line and struck a 2022 Ford Escape driven by&nbsp; Scott Allen Bryant, 52, Wichita, head-on.&nbsp; After impact the SUV&nbsp;spun counter clockwise into the eastbound ditch where it caught fire.Hale and Bryant were pronounced dead at the scene. Hale was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP. The agency had not seat belt information for Bryant.

Kansas man among 2 dead in head-on SUV, van crash and fire

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 261 officials are investigating after a student brought a gun to&nbsp; Campus High School Tuesday in Haysville.

According to a message sent to parents, on Tuesday the Campus administration was made aware that a student brought a gun into the building. 

The Haysville Police Department was immediately notified and the building was placed in a “HOLD” mode. Students were to stay in their classroom or area and the hallways were to be cleared. The school administrators located the student and the gun was confiscated by the Haysville Police Department. 

No threats were made toward staff or students and no one was hurt during the incident. There will be additional police presence at the building.

Campus administration is working with the Haysville Police Department as they are investigating the incident.&nbsp; 

"Our staff and administrators strive to always communicate with parents and guardians when it comes to the well-being of students. We appreciate the people who reported the situation to the administration."&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 261 officials are investigating after a student brought a gun to&nbsp; Campus High School Tuesday in Haysville.According to a message sent to parents, on Tuesday the Campus administration was made aware that a student brought a gun into the building. The Haysville Police Department was immediately notified and the building was placed in a “HOLD” mode. Students were to stay in their classroom or area and the hallways were to be cleared. The school administrators located the student and the gun was confiscated by the Haysville Police Department. No threats were made toward staff or students and no one was hurt during the incident. There will be additional police presence at the building.Campus administration is working with the Haysville Police Department as they are investigating the incident.&nbsp; "Our staff and administrators strive to always communicate with parents and guardians when it comes to the well-being of students. We appreciate the people who reported the situation to the administration."&nbsp;

Police investigate after student brought gun to Kansas high school

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting.

Just after 8:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to the 4200 block of Benton Boulevard in Kansas City on a sound of shots call, according to Police Sergeant Jacob Becchina

While officers were on the way they received several more 911 calls for sound of gunshots. On arrival officers located evidence of gunfire at the location. Minutes later Central Patrol officers were dispatched to University Health for a shooting victim that showed up by private vehicle. 

The shooting was reported to have happened at the 4200 block of Benton location. That shooting victim, an adult male, was declared deceased at the hospital.

Homicide detectives are at both locations along with Crime Scene investigators, processing the scene for evidence and canvassing for witnesses. Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698156676640.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting-photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting-photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting.Just after 8:30p.m. Monday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to the 4200 block of Benton Boulevard in Kansas City on a sound of shots call, according to Police Sergeant Jacob BecchinaWhile officers were on the way they received several more 911 calls for sound of gunshots. On arrival officers located evidence of gunfire at the location. Minutes later Central Patrol officers were dispatched to University Health for a shooting victim that showed up by private vehicle. The shooting was reported to have happened at the 4200 block of Benton location. That shooting victim, an adult male, was declared deceased at the hospital.Homicide detectives are at both locations along with Crime Scene investigators, processing the scene for evidence and canvassing for witnesses. Police released no additional details.

KCPD: Shooting victim dies after private vehicle trip to hospital

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects in connection with a car theft in Barton County.

Just after 10:30a.m.&nbsp; Oct. 20, police were dispatched to report of a car theft in the 2200 block of Tyler Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.

Officers were advised a 2015 Nissan Altima was taken from this location within the last few minutes. While officers were still on scene, a State Trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol spotted a vehicle matching the description eastbound on Highway 56, exiting the City of Great Bend.&nbsp;

As the State Trooper turned around to check the vehicle, the car stopped on the shoulder of the road and two occupants fled from the vehicle. Kansas Highway Patrol troopers and the Barton County Sheriff's Office were able to locate and detain both suspects.

Joshua Kelly was arrested on requested charges of theft of a motor vehicle. Tyler Partington was a passenger in the vehicle and was also arrested on charges from the Kansas Highway Patrol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091099757.jpeg" alt="Joshua Kelly-photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Joshua Kelly-photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects in connection with a car theft in Barton County.Just after 10:30a.m.&nbsp; Oct. 20, police were dispatched to report of a car theft in the 2200 block of Tyler Street in Great Bend, according to a media release.Officers were advised a 2015 Nissan Altima was taken from this location within the last few minutes. While officers were still on scene, a State Trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol spotted a vehicle matching the description eastbound on Highway 56, exiting the City of Great Bend.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698091122853.jpeg" alt="Tyler Partington" />
 <figcaption>Tyler Partington</figcaption>
 </figure>As the State Trooper turned around to check the vehicle, the car stopped on the shoulder of the road and two occupants fled from the vehicle. Kansas Highway Patrol troopers and the Barton County Sheriff's Office were able to locate and detain both suspects.Joshua Kelly was arrested on requested charges of theft of a motor vehicle. Tyler Partington was a passenger in the vehicle and was also arrested on charges from the Kansas Highway Patrol.

KHP helps catch two suspects in stolen car

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a police chase and crash.

Just before 11p.m. Sunday., Sugar Creek Police notified officers in Liberty that they were involved in a vehicle pursuit which was coming into the city Liberty, according to a media release.

A short time later, police learned the suspect's vehicle had crashed into a house and the suspect fled on foot.

Officers quickly located the suspect and engaged in a foot pursuit. After a short distance, police took the person into custody. 

A person in the house sustained serious injuries. EMS transported them to a hospital. On Tuesday, police identified the suspect as 28-year-old Brandon Trent of Kansas City. On Monday, the Clay County Prosecutor's Office charged him with Assault 2nd Degree, Felony Resisting Arrest and Property Damage 1st Degree.&nbsp; He is scheduled for court on Thursday, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698155643234.png" alt="Photo Liberty Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Liberty Police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a police chase and crash.Just before 11p.m. Sunday., Sugar Creek Police notified officers in Liberty that they were involved in a vehicle pursuit which was coming into the city Liberty, according to a media release.A short time later, police learned the suspect's vehicle had crashed into a house and the suspect fled on foot.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698156093596.png" alt="Trent is being held in Clay County" />
 <figcaption>Trent is being held in Clay County</figcaption>
 </figure>Officers quickly located the suspect and engaged in a foot pursuit. After a short distance, police took the person into custody. A person in the house sustained serious injuries. EMS transported them to a hospital. On Tuesday, police identified the suspect as 28-year-old Brandon Trent of Kansas City. On Monday, the Clay County Prosecutor's Office charged him with Assault 2nd Degree, Felony Resisting Arrest and Property Damage 1st Degree.&nbsp; He is scheduled for court on Thursday, according to online jail records.

Resident injured after car crash into home during KC-area police chase 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/samantha-dietel/">SAMANTHA DIETEL</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

WASHINGTON — The eight Republican candidates to be speaker of the U.S. House made their cases to their colleagues Monday evening, as the House Republican Conference restarted its process to choose a candidate.

Nine had filed on Sunday to run for speaker but on Monday night Pennsylvania Rep. Dan Meuser dropped out, after announcing just the day before he would make a bid for the post. Meuser cited his promise to run former President Donald Trump’s campaign in Pennsylvania as one of the reasons he exited the race.

The chamber has been in turmoil since eight Republicans voted with all House Democrats to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the post last month. The conference has been unable to unite behind a single candidate.

After Monday night’s speeches, the conference was expected to hold a vote or likely multiple votes behind closed doors Tuesday to try to settle on a nominee, then bring that nominee to the floor.

With the exception of Minnesota’s Tom Emmer, the House majority whip, the group is not particularly well known outside of their districts.

Six of the eight voted to object to certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election, in line with Trump’s position.

With Republicans holding only a 221-212 majority, any would-be speaker will need near-unanimous support from Republicans —&nbsp;a tall order for a deeply divided conference largely still loyal to the former president, but with some members in vulnerable seats.

“It’s a nearly impossible task,” Peter Loge, a professor at the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, told States Newsroom. “Because you have to be as conservative and angry and election-denying as Matt Gaetz, but as reasonable and a believer in compromise and democratic institutions as the New York moderates. And you can’t be both at the same time.”

In hopes that Republicans will rally around whoever the party nominates this time, Rep. Mike Flood of Nebraska introduced a “<a target="_blank" href="https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-flood-launches-unity-pledge-speakers-race">unity pledge</a>” for members to sign. As of Monday afternoon, eight of the nine original candidates — all but Gary Palmer of Alabama — have signed the pledge, according to Flood’s office.

“Everyone running for Speaker should sign this,” Michigan Republican Jack Bergman, one of the contenders,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RepJackBergman/status/1715529170271309938">wrote on X</a>.

Loge said the field can be divided into long-term members with institutionalist tendencies —&nbsp;Emmer and Texas’ Pete Sessions, for example — and newer members such as Florida’s Byron Donalds, who are more in line with the conference’s anti-establishment wing.

The next speaker will immediately face a challenge in passing spending bills or a short-term funding measure to keep the government open past a Nov. 17 deadline, as well as an aid package to Israel and Ukraine amid ongoing wars and a farm bill reauthorization.

States Newsroom put together the guide below to help readers get to know the candidates.

First elected in 2016, Bergman is a retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant general. He sits on the Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs and Budget committees.

He’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/2023/10/21/rep-bergman-says-his-hat-is-in-the-ring-for-u-s-house-speaker/">said</a>&nbsp;his priorities as speaker would include funding the government, especially the military, homeland security and aid to foreign allies.

In&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://bergman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1131">announcing his candidacy</a>, Bergman suggested he would stay in the position only through the end of the current Congress,

“We need a leader who shuns permanent power and recognizes the current crisis of leadership,” he said.

Who’s supporting him: Other members of Michigan’s House GOP delegation. They are John James, John Moolenaar, Tim Walberg and Lisa McClain.

A member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, Donalds is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/10/20/floridas-byron-donalds-is-now-a-candidate-for-u-s-house-speaker/">a favorite of the Trump wing</a>&nbsp;of the party. He voted against certifying the 2020 election and has said as recently&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/07/ron-desantis-florida-successor-freedom-caucus-byron-donalds">as July</a>&nbsp;that President Joe Biden is not legitimate.

First elected in 2020, Donalds, 44, is the youngest to join the field and has been in the House for the shortest time.

He has said his priorities would be to improve border security and “responsibly” pass funding bills.

He sits on the Financial Services Committee. Before coming to Congress, he worked in the finance industry.

The only non-white Republican candidate for speaker, Donalds would be the first Black speaker.

Who’s supporting him: fellow Florida Republicans Carlos Gimenez, Mario Diaz-Balart and Mike Waltz.

Currently the No. 3 House Republican, Emmer is considered by some the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/10/23/handicapping-u-s-rep-tom-emmers-chances-to-become-the-next-speaker/">frontrunner</a>&nbsp;for the top spot and has McCarthy’s endorsement.

In an appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday, McCarthy praised Emmer’s experience as part of his leadership team.

“He sets himself, head and shoulders, above all those others who want to run,” McCarthy said.

Emmer also developed relationships across the conference when he chaired the House Republican campaign operation in the 2020 and 2022 cycles.

Emmer is one of only two candidates for speaker who voted consistently to certify the 2020 election results. That could make his path harder with the most fervent Trump supporters in the House GOP.

Emmer&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/GOPMajorityWhip/status/1716536001819017487?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">posted a video</a>&nbsp;of Trump on Monday saying that he had “always gotten along” with Emmer and saying he would stay out of the speaker race. Emmer wrote that as speaker he would continue their “strong working relationship.”

He won his House seat in 2014 following an unsuccessful run for Minnesota governor.

In his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/GOPMajorityWhip/status/1715744128166760891/photo/1">letter to colleagues</a>&nbsp;announcing his candidacy, Emmer highlighted national debt and spending, national security and border security as major issues.

The chair of the conservative House Republican Study Committee, Hern could seek support from budget hawks.

The Institute for Legislative Analysis, a limited-government group, gave Hern the highest marks of any candidate for fiscal and tax issues.

Hern has not been shy about his leadership aspirations. He publicly weighed a run for speaker shortly after McCarthy stepped down, but opted not to join that race. He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/repkevinhern/status/1631785840316674050">has said</a>&nbsp;he at one time dreamed of being an astronaut.

In a letter to colleagues, Hern said Congress has not run well for decades, citing the number of unauthorized programs and a lack of regular order for spending bills. He also listed illegal immigration and drug overdose deaths as problems that Congress should address.

Hern won a special election for his House seat in 2018. Hern owns several McDonald’s franchises in Oklahoma.

As the vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, Johnson is something of an establishment candidate. He’s also a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, which Rep. Jim Jordan, the conference’s previous nominee, chairs.

But Johnson also has conservative bonafides, having previously chaired the House Republican Study Committee.

In&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RepMikeJohnson/status/1715753985540239776/photo/1">his letter</a>&nbsp;to colleagues asking for support, Johnson highlighted the national debt, border security, crime and inflation as major issues.

An attorney, Johnson was on Trump’s defense team for the former president’s Senate impeachment trials in 2019 and 2020.

Palmer called for GOP unity in his speaker candidacy&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://alabamareflector.com/2023/10/23/alabama-congressman-gary-palmer-to-run-for-u-s-house-speaker/">announcement</a>.

“There is a distinct difference between our vision for a prosperous and strong America and the vision of the Democrats that has done so much harm,” Palmer said in his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/USRepGaryPalmer/status/1716219033798717549">statement on X</a>.

Palmer said he “decided to step forward” as a candidate “to do what I can to put our differences behind us and unite Republicans behind a clear path forward, so we can do our job for the benefit of the American people.”

His statement also cited the concerns American families have about the cost of living, child safety, crime in urban areas, fentanyl, federal bankruptcy and national security.

Palmer was first elected to the House in 2014.

Palmer&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://palmer.house.gov/about/committees-and-caucuses">serves</a>&nbsp;as the chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. He also sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://palmer.house.gov/about/full-biography">led</a>&nbsp;the Alabama Policy Institute for 24 years before joining Congress. The Alabama Policy Institute is a conservative think tank with core values surrounding free markets, limited government and “strong families,” according to the organization’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://alabamapolicy.org/about/">website</a>.

Scott received&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/ohios-jordan-latest-us-house-gop-nominee-speaker-after-days-turmoil">81</a>&nbsp;votes when he&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2023/10/13/ohios-jordan-the-latest-u-s-house-gop-nominee-for-speaker-after-days-of-turmoil/">ran</a>&nbsp;for speaker earlier this month against Jordan, an Ohio Republican.

“If we are going to be the majority we need to act like the majority, and that means we have to do the right things the right way,” Scott said in his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/AustinScottGA08/status/1715441064096436424">announcement</a>&nbsp;Friday that he will run again for speaker of the House following Jordan’s withdrawal.

He is one of only two members to vote consistently to certify the 2020 presidential election.

Scott has been a House member since 2011.

Scott sits on the House Armed Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee. He chairs the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management and Credit.

Sessions has been in Congress the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/who-pete-sessions-and-why-he-running-house-speaker">longest of any of the candidates</a>.

Sessions was initially elected to represent the eastern Dallas district in 1999 and continued to serve until he lost to Rep. Colin Allred in 2018. Sessions was then reelected in 2020, this time to represent the district surrounding Waco.

He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sessions.house.gov/about">chaired</a>&nbsp;the National Republican Congressional Committee from 2009 to 2012. Republicans regained control of the House in 2010. He also chaired the House Rules Committee from 2013 to 2019.

Sessions voted against the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act last year, as well as the codification of same-sex marriage.

In 2019, Sessions was caught in a scandal when he was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.texastribune.org/2019/10/10/pete-sessions-congressman-1-guliani-associates-indictment/">referred to in an indictment</a>&nbsp;of two men charged with violating campaign finance rules.

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/jacob-fischler/">JACOB FISCHLER</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/samantha-dietel/">SAMANTHA DIETEL</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>WASHINGTON — The eight Republican candidates to be speaker of the U.S. House made their cases to their colleagues Monday evening, as the House Republican Conference restarted its process to choose a candidate.Nine had filed on Sunday to run for speaker but on Monday night Pennsylvania Rep. Dan Meuser dropped out, after announcing just the day before he would make a bid for the post. Meuser cited his promise to run former President Donald Trump’s campaign in Pennsylvania as one of the reasons he exited the race.The chamber has been in turmoil since eight Republicans voted with all House Democrats to remove Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the post last month. The conference has been unable to unite behind a single candidate.After Monday night’s speeches, the conference was expected to hold a vote or likely multiple votes behind closed doors Tuesday to try to settle on a nominee, then bring that nominee to the floor.With the exception of Minnesota’s Tom Emmer, the House majority whip, the group is not particularly well known outside of their districts.Six of the eight voted to object to certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election, in line with Trump’s position.With Republicans holding only a 221-212 majority, any would-be speaker will need near-unanimous support from Republicans —&nbsp;a tall order for a deeply divided conference largely still loyal to the former president, but with some members in vulnerable seats.“It’s a nearly impossible task,” Peter Loge, a professor at the School of Media and Public Affairs at George Washington University, told States Newsroom. “Because you have to be as conservative and angry and election-denying as Matt Gaetz, but as reasonable and a believer in compromise and democratic institutions as the New York moderates. And you can’t be both at the same time.”In hopes that Republicans will rally around whoever the party nominates this time, Rep. Mike Flood of Nebraska introduced a “<a target="_blank" href="https://flood.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-flood-launches-unity-pledge-speakers-race">unity pledge</a>” for members to sign. As of Monday afternoon, eight of the nine original candidates — all but Gary Palmer of Alabama — have signed the pledge, according to Flood’s office.“Everyone running for Speaker should sign this,” Michigan Republican Jack Bergman, one of the contenders,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RepJackBergman/status/1715529170271309938">wrote on X</a>.Loge said the field can be divided into long-term members with institutionalist tendencies —&nbsp;Emmer and Texas’ Pete Sessions, for example — and newer members such as Florida’s Byron Donalds, who are more in line with the conference’s anti-establishment wing.The next speaker will immediately face a challenge in passing spending bills or a short-term funding measure to keep the government open past a Nov. 17 deadline, as well as an aid package to Israel and Ukraine amid ongoing wars and a farm bill reauthorization.States Newsroom put together the guide below to help readers get to know the candidates.<h2>Jack Bergman of Michigan</h2>First elected in 2016, Bergman is a retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant general. He sits on the Armed Services, Veterans’ Affairs and Budget committees.He’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://michiganadvance.com/2023/10/21/rep-bergman-says-his-hat-is-in-the-ring-for-u-s-house-speaker/">said</a>&nbsp;his priorities as speaker would include funding the government, especially the military, homeland security and aid to foreign allies.In&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://bergman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1131">announcing his candidacy</a>, Bergman suggested he would stay in the position only through the end of the current Congress,“We need a leader who shuns permanent power and recognizes the current crisis of leadership,” he said.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: No</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: Yes</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: Yes</li>
 </ul>Who’s supporting him: Other members of Michigan’s House GOP delegation. They are John James, John Moolenaar, Tim Walberg and Lisa McClain.<h2>Byron Donalds of Florida</h2>A member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, Donalds is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://floridaphoenix.com/2023/10/20/floridas-byron-donalds-is-now-a-candidate-for-u-s-house-speaker/">a favorite of the Trump wing</a>&nbsp;of the party. He voted against certifying the 2020 election and has said as recently&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/07/ron-desantis-florida-successor-freedom-caucus-byron-donalds">as July</a>&nbsp;that President Joe Biden is not legitimate.First elected in 2020, Donalds, 44, is the youngest to join the field and has been in the House for the shortest time.He has said his priorities would be to improve border security and “responsibly” pass funding bills.He sits on the Financial Services Committee. Before coming to Congress, he worked in the finance industry.The only non-white Republican candidate for speaker, Donalds would be the first Black speaker.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: No</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: Did not vote</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: No</li>
 </ul>Who’s supporting him: fellow Florida Republicans Carlos Gimenez, Mario Diaz-Balart and Mike Waltz.<h2>Tom Emmer of Minnesota</h2>Currently the No. 3 House Republican, Emmer is considered by some the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://minnesotareformer.com/2023/10/23/handicapping-u-s-rep-tom-emmers-chances-to-become-the-next-speaker/">frontrunner</a>&nbsp;for the top spot and has McCarthy’s endorsement.In an appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday, McCarthy praised Emmer’s experience as part of his leadership team.“He sets himself, head and shoulders, above all those others who want to run,” McCarthy said.Emmer also developed relationships across the conference when he chaired the House Republican campaign operation in the 2020 and 2022 cycles.Emmer is one of only two candidates for speaker who voted consistently to certify the 2020 election results. That could make his path harder with the most fervent Trump supporters in the House GOP.Emmer&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/GOPMajorityWhip/status/1716536001819017487?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet">posted a video</a>&nbsp;of Trump on Monday saying that he had “always gotten along” with Emmer and saying he would stay out of the speaker race. Emmer wrote that as speaker he would continue their “strong working relationship.”He won his House seat in 2014 following an unsuccessful run for Minnesota governor.In his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/GOPMajorityWhip/status/1715744128166760891/photo/1">letter to colleagues</a>&nbsp;announcing his candidacy, Emmer highlighted national debt and spending, national security and border security as major issues.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: Yes</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: Yes</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: Yes</li>
 </ul>Who’s supporting him: McCarthy.<h2>Kevin Hern of Oklahoma</h2>The chair of the conservative House Republican Study Committee, Hern could seek support from budget hawks.The Institute for Legislative Analysis, a limited-government group, gave Hern the highest marks of any candidate for fiscal and tax issues.Hern has not been shy about his leadership aspirations. He publicly weighed a run for speaker shortly after McCarthy stepped down, but opted not to join that race. He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/repkevinhern/status/1631785840316674050">has said</a>&nbsp;he at one time dreamed of being an astronaut.In a letter to colleagues, Hern said Congress has not run well for decades, citing the number of unauthorized programs and a lack of regular order for spending bills. He also listed illegal immigration and drug overdose deaths as problems that Congress should address.Hern won a special election for his House seat in 2018. Hern owns several McDonald’s franchises in Oklahoma.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: No</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: No</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: No</li>
 </ul><h2>Mike Johnson of Louisiana</h2>As the vice chairman of the House Republican Conference, Johnson is something of an establishment candidate. He’s also a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, which Rep. Jim Jordan, the conference’s previous nominee, chairs.But Johnson also has conservative bonafides, having previously chaired the House Republican Study Committee.In&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RepMikeJohnson/status/1715753985540239776/photo/1">his letter</a>&nbsp;to colleagues asking for support, Johnson highlighted the national debt, border security, crime and inflation as major issues.An attorney, Johnson was on Trump’s defense team for the former president’s Senate impeachment trials in 2019 and 2020.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: No</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: No</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: No</li>
 </ul><h2>Gary Palmer of Alabama</h2>Palmer called for GOP unity in his speaker candidacy&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://alabamareflector.com/2023/10/23/alabama-congressman-gary-palmer-to-run-for-u-s-house-speaker/">announcement</a>.“There is a distinct difference between our vision for a prosperous and strong America and the vision of the Democrats that has done so much harm,” Palmer said in his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/USRepGaryPalmer/status/1716219033798717549">statement on X</a>.Palmer said he “decided to step forward” as a candidate “to do what I can to put our differences behind us and unite Republicans behind a clear path forward, so we can do our job for the benefit of the American people.”His statement also cited the concerns American families have about the cost of living, child safety, crime in urban areas, fentanyl, federal bankruptcy and national security.Palmer was first elected to the House in 2014.Palmer&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://palmer.house.gov/about/committees-and-caucuses">serves</a>&nbsp;as the chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee. He also sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, as well as the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://palmer.house.gov/about/full-biography">led</a>&nbsp;the Alabama Policy Institute for 24 years before joining Congress. The Alabama Policy Institute is a conservative think tank with core values surrounding free markets, limited government and “strong families,” according to the organization’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://alabamapolicy.org/about/">website</a>.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: No</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: No</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: No</li>
 </ul><h2>Austin Scott of Georgia</h2>Scott received&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/ohios-jordan-latest-us-house-gop-nominee-speaker-after-days-turmoil">81</a>&nbsp;votes when he&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://georgiarecorder.com/2023/10/13/ohios-jordan-the-latest-u-s-house-gop-nominee-for-speaker-after-days-of-turmoil/">ran</a>&nbsp;for speaker earlier this month against Jordan, an Ohio Republican.“If we are going to be the majority we need to act like the majority, and that means we have to do the right things the right way,” Scott said in his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/AustinScottGA08/status/1715441064096436424">announcement</a>&nbsp;Friday that he will run again for speaker of the House following Jordan’s withdrawal.He is one of only two members to vote consistently to certify the 2020 presidential election.Scott has been a House member since 2011.Scott sits on the House Armed Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee. He chairs the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management and Credit.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: Yes</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: Yes</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: Yes</li>
 </ul><h2>Pete Sessions of Texas</h2>Sessions has been in Congress the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/who-pete-sessions-and-why-he-running-house-speaker">longest of any of the candidates</a>.Sessions was initially elected to represent the eastern Dallas district in 1999 and continued to serve until he lost to Rep. Colin Allred in 2018. Sessions was then reelected in 2020, this time to represent the district surrounding Waco.He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://sessions.house.gov/about">chaired</a>&nbsp;the National Republican Congressional Committee from 2009 to 2012. Republicans regained control of the House in 2010. He also chaired the House Rules Committee from 2013 to 2019.Sessions voted against the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act last year, as well as the codification of same-sex marriage.In 2019, Sessions was caught in a scandal when he was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.texastribune.org/2019/10/10/pete-sessions-congressman-1-guliani-associates-indictment/">referred to in an indictment</a>&nbsp;of two men charged with violating campaign finance rules.How he’s voted:<ul>
 <li>Certifying the 2020 election: No</li><li>Sept. 30 continuing resolution to keep government open: Yes</li><li>Sept. 28 Ukraine aid bill: Yes</li>
 </ul>

Your guide to the 8 Republicans running for U.S. House speaker

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a Kansas City-area man.

Just before 10p.m. Saturday, a pewter color 2011-2014 Ford Edge was&nbsp; westbound on Truman Road in Kansas City and failed to yield while making a left turn traveling south onto 71 Highway, according to Police&nbsp;Sergeant Jake Becchina

A dirt bike driven by 19-year-old&nbsp; Joshua Thomas Matthias was eastbound&nbsp; and collided with the front left of the Ford Edge.

  The driver of the Ford Edge left the scene without stopping. Matthias was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The Ford Edge will have damage to the front left bumper and a fog lamp is missing.&nbsp; &nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698106423531.png" alt="Photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a Kansas City-area man.Just before 10p.m. Saturday, a pewter color 2011-2014 Ford Edge was&nbsp; westbound on Truman Road in Kansas City and failed to yield while making a left turn traveling south onto 71 Highway, according to Police&nbsp;Sergeant Jake BecchinaA dirt bike driven by 19-year-old&nbsp; Joshua Thomas Matthias was eastbound&nbsp; and collided with the front left of the Ford Edge. The driver of the Ford Edge left the scene without stopping. Matthias was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Ford Edge will have damage to the front left bumper and a fog lamp is missing.&nbsp; &nbsp;

KCPD asks for help to ID SUV in deadly hit-and-run crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration Monday designated 31&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/raimondo-tech-hubs-biotech-computer-chips-f2ed91786be265099eec274777aa5c5b">technology hubs</a>&nbsp;touching Kansas, Missouri, 30 other states and Puerto Rico to help spur innovation and create jobs in the industries that are concentrated in these areas.

President Joe Biden made the announcement at the White House with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

(click below to watch Secretary Raimond's announcement)

“No matter where I go or who I meet with — CEOs, governors, senators, congresspeople, university presidents — everyone wants to tell me about their application and how excited they are,” said Raimondo.

The tech hubs are the result of a process Raimondo's department launched in May to distribute a total of $500 million in grants to cities.

The $500 million came from a $10 billion authorization in last year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-covid-science-technology-health-fdcb2db42f91dcdbdd844d6dd463f95a">CHIPS and Science Act</a>&nbsp;to stimulate investments in new technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and biotech. It’s an attempt to expand tech investment that is largely concentrated around a few U.S. cities — Austin, Texas; Boston; New York; San Francisco; and Seattle — to the rest of the country.

Enabling Safe and Effective Autonomous Systems

Advancing Biotechnology in Drugs and Medical Devices

Advancing Biotechnology Precision and Prediction

Accelerating America’s Clean Energy Transition

Strengthening Our Critical Minerals Supply Chain

Regaining Leadership in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Growing the Future of Materials Manufacturing

Supporting Tech Hubs Through an All-of-Government StrategyTo ensure these Tech Hubs have the tools they need to compete on a global scale, the Administration is bringing the full resources of the federal government to identify and provide funding, technical assistance, and planning for the 31 coalitions, including:

You can learn more about the benefits of receiving a Tech Hub designation&nbsp;<a href="http://www.techhubs.gov/">here</a>.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Biden administration Monday designated 31&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/raimondo-tech-hubs-biotech-computer-chips-f2ed91786be265099eec274777aa5c5b">technology hubs</a>&nbsp;touching Kansas, Missouri, 30 other states and Puerto Rico to help spur innovation and create jobs in the industries that are concentrated in these areas.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The wins keep coming for Kansas City. Out of 300+ applications nationwide, we were selected as one of 31 communities to be designated a Tech Hub by the <a href="https://twitter.com/CommerceGov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CommerceGov</a> . This means millions in federal investment and thousands of jobs in bio manufacturing from Columbia to Manhattan. <a href="https://t.co/hSZASf1EAp">pic.twitter.com/hSZASf1EAp</a>&mdash; Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) <a href="https://twitter.com/QuintonLucasKC/status/1716549230645367237?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 23, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>President Joe Biden made the announcement at the White House with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.(click below to watch Secretary Raimond's announcement)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F1034657897847568%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=6" 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>“No matter where I go or who I meet with — CEOs, governors, senators, congresspeople, university presidents — everyone wants to tell me about their application and how excited they are,” said Raimondo.The tech hubs are the result of a process Raimondo's department launched in May to distribute a total of $500 million in grants to cities.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FQQ3Dzo7LSM?si=pivwj9gP04v4ib_8&amp;start=75" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The $500 million came from a $10 billion authorization in last year’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-covid-science-technology-health-fdcb2db42f91dcdbdd844d6dd463f95a">CHIPS and Science Act</a>&nbsp;to stimulate investments in new technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and biotech. It’s an attempt to expand tech investment that is largely concentrated around a few U.S. cities — Austin, Texas; Boston; New York; San Francisco; and Seattle — to the rest of the country.Read more about the award winners below.Enabling Safe and Effective Autonomous Systems<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Tulsa-Hub-for-Equitable-Trustworthy-Autonomy">Tulsa Hub for Equitable &amp; Trustworthy Autonomy (THETA)</a>&nbsp;(OK), led by Tulsa Innovation Labs, aims to become a global leader in developing and commercializing autonomous systems for use cases ranging from agriculture and pipeline inspections to regional transportation.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Ocean-Tech-Hub">Ocean Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(RI, MA), led by the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, aims to develop, test, and commercialize emerging maritime artificial intelligence and machine learning-enabled robotics and sensors.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Headwaters-Hub">Headwaters Hub</a>&nbsp;(MT), led by Accelerate Montana, aims to become a global leader in smart technologies for automating complex processes, such as industrial manufacturing.</li>
 </ul>Maintaining Our Quantum Edge<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Elevate-Quantum-Colorado">Elevate Quantum Colorado</a>&nbsp;(CO), led by Elevate Quantum, aims to solidify the region’s global leadership in quantum information technology (QIT) to increase infrastructure resilience and strengthen the quantum hardware supply chain.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/The-Bloch-Tech-Hub">The Bloch Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(IL, IN, WI), led by the Chicago Quantum Exchange (CQE), aims to lead quantum computing, communications, and related solutions.</li>
 </ul>Advancing Biotechnology in Drugs and Medical Devices<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Advanced-Pharmaceutical-Manufacturing-Tech-Hub">Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(VA), led by the Commonwealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing, aims to accelerate the growth, innovation, and sustainability of the U.S.-based Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing industry to re-shore safe and affordable medicines via innovative hybrid and continuous flow manufacturing technologies.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/ReGen-Valley-Tech-Hub">ReGen Valley Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(NH), led by the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute (ARMI), aims to make New Hampshire a global leader in biofabrication to produce cost-effective regenerative therapies that address chronic disease and organ failure.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/iFAB-Tech-Hub">iFAB Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(IL), led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, aim to scale precision fermentation to convert underutilized corn feedstocks into high-value, customized alternative proteins, food ingredients, materials, chemicals, and more.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Kansas-City-Inclusive-Biologics-and-Biomanufacturing-Tech-Hub">Kansas City Inclusive Biologics and Biomanufacturing Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(MO, KS), led by BioNexus KC, aims to position eastern Kansas and western Missouri as a global leader in biologics and biomanufacturing, increasing domestic production of life-saving vaccines and other preventative technologies.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Heartland-BioWorks">Heartland BioWorks</a>&nbsp;(IN), led by the Applied Research Institute, aims to develop central Indiana into a global leader in biotechnology and biomanufacturing by increasing the region’s capacity to make and deploy life-saving medicines.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/PRBio-Tech-Hub">PRBio Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(PR), led by the Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust, aims to&nbsp;advance the region as a global leader in biotechnology through fast-tracking the discovery, development, manufacturing, and supply of next generation biotechnology and medical device products to detect, treat, and cure diseases and ailments.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>Advancing Biotechnology Precision and Prediction<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Wisconsin-Biohealth-Tech-Hub">Wisconsin Biohealth Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(WI), led by BioForward Wisconsin, aims to position Wisconsin as a global leader in personalized medicine, an emerging healthcare approach that tailors tests, treatments, and therapies informed by a patient’s unique genetic code, medical record, and environment.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Baltimore-Tech-Hub">Baltimore Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(MD), led by the Greater Baltimore Committee, aims to develop innovative predictive healthcare technologies by applying artificial intelligence to biotechnologies.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Birmingham-Biotechnology-Hub">Birmingham Biotechnology Hub</a>&nbsp;(AL), led by Southern Research Institute, aims to become a global leader in drug, vaccine, and diagnostics development by applying artificial intelligence-driven biotechnology to increase representation in clinical genomic data and clinical trials.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Greater-Philadelphia-Region-Precision-Medicine-Tech-Hub">Greater Philadelphia Region Precision Medicine Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(PA, DE, MD, NJ), led by the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern PA, aims to become a global leader in end-to-end precision medicine.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Minnesota-MedTech-Hub-3.0">Minnesota MedTech Hub 3.0</a>&nbsp;(MMT3.0) (MN, WI), led by the Minneapolis Saint Paul Economic Development Partnership, aims to position Minnesota as a global center for “Smart MedTech” by integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science into medical technology.</li>
 </ul>Accelerating America’s Clean Energy Transition<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Gulf-Louisiana-Offshore-Wind-Propeller">Gulf Louisiana Offshore Wind Propeller</a>&nbsp;(LA), led by Louisiana State University, aims to transition Louisiana’s energy economy from its legacy of oil and gas to offshore wind and renewable energy.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Intermountain-West-Nuclear-Energy-Tech-Hub">Intermountain-West Nuclear Energy Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(ID, WY), led by the Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium, aims to position Idaho and Wyoming as a global leader in small modular reactors (SMR) and advanced nuclear energy to contribute to a clean energy future.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/SC-Nexus-for-Advanced-Resilient-Energy">SC Nexus for Advanced Resilient Energy</a>&nbsp;(SC, GA) led by the South Carolina Department of Commerce, aims to be a global leader in advanced energy by developing, testing, and deploying exportable electricity technologies.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/South-Florida-Climate-Resilience-Tech-Hub">South Florida Climate Resilience Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(FL), led by the Miami Dade County Innovation and Economic Development Office, aims to advance its global leadership in Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure (SRI) solutions for the global climate crisis.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/New-Energy-New-York-Battery-Tech-Hub">New Energy New York (NENY) Battery Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(NY), led by the State University of New York (SUNY) Binghamton, aims to bolster battery technology development and manufacturing across the entire value chain.</li>
 </ul>Strengthening Our Critical Minerals Supply Chain<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Nevada-Lithium-Batteries-and-Other-EV-Material-Loop">Nevada Lithium Batteries and Other EV Material Loop</a>&nbsp;(NV), led by the University of Nevada, Reno, aims to build a self-sustaining and globally competitive full lithium lifecycle cluster, spanning extraction, processing, manufacturing, and recycling.&nbsp;</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Critical-Minerals-and-Materials-for-Advanced-Energy-Tech-Hub">Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy (CM2AE) Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(MO), led by the University of Missouri System, aims to position south-central Missouri as a global leader in critical minerals processing to provide the materials needed to support battery technology.</li>
 </ul>Regaining Leadership in Semiconductor Manufacturing<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Texoma-Semiconductor-Tech-Hub">Texoma Semiconductor Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(TX, OK), led by Southern Methodist University, aims to unify existing and planned semiconductor supply chain infrastructure by enhancing regional collaboration and uplifting underserved communities through workforce expansion.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Corvallis-Microfluidics-Tech-Hub">Corvallis Microfluidics Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(OR), led by Oregon State University, aims to establish global leadership in the development, scaling, and commercialization of microfluidics technology for use in semiconductor and electronic cooling.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/NY-SMART-I-Corridor-Tech-Hub">NY SMART I-Corridor Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(NY), led by CenterState Corporation for Economic Opportunity, aims to enhance regional semiconductor manufacturing capabilities while ensuring economic opportunity for underserved communities.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Advancing-Gallium-Nitride-Tech-Hub">Advancing Gallium Nitride (GaN) Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(VT), led by the University of Vermont, aims to innovate in GaN manufacturing, a critical materials technology for wireless communication.</li>
 </ul>Growing the Future of Materials Manufacturing<ul>
 <li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Sustainable-Polymers-Tech-Hub">Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(OH), led by the Greater Akron Chamber, aims to tackle the severe climate and environmental impacts resulting from the use of fossil fuel-derived polymers (rubbers and plastics) through accelerating sustainable polymer manufacturing and commercialization in the United States.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Forest-Bioproducts-Advanced-Manufacturing-Tech-Hub">Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(ME), led by the Maine Technology Institute, aims to become a global leader in forest-based biomaterial production and manufacturing by innovating the process of extracting biological building blocks to manufacture environmentally sustainable products.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/American-Aerospace-Materials-Manufacturing-Tech-Hub">American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(WA, ID), led by Gonzaga University, aims to develop new domestic supply chains to meet the immediate demand for high-rate production of advanced composite aerostructures in defense and commercial markets.</li><li><a href="https://eda.gov/funding/programs/regional-technology-and-innovation-hubs/2023/Pacific-Northwest-Smart-Energy-Strategy-Development-Consortium">Pacific Northwest Mass Timber Tech Hub</a>&nbsp;(OR, WA), led by Oregon State University, aims to be a global leader in mass timber design and manufacturing to lower the construction industry’s carbon footprint and improve housing affordability.</li>
 </ul>Supporting Tech Hubs Through an All-of-Government StrategyTo ensure these Tech Hubs have the tools they need to compete on a global scale, the Administration is bringing the full resources of the federal government to identify and provide funding, technical assistance, and planning for the 31 coalitions, including:<ul>
 <li>Providing Tech Hubs access to follow-on funding from across the federal government, such as future Tech Hubs implementation funding, Economic Development Administration funding opportunities, and the U.S. Department of Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) programs</li><li>Tech Hubs will have access to a range of technical assistance from agencies such as the Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Small Business Administration, and will have access to exclusive Tech Hubs branding</li><li>Tech Hubs will have support attracting foreign direct investment and receive export market access assistance, including having a dedicated presence at the SelectUSA Investment Summit Exhibition Hall in June 2024 and will have access to export assistance navigators that offer a global resilience stress test for each Tech Hubs Designee.</li><li>Tech Hubs will also receive technical assistance and program support on intellectual property issues</li>
 </ul>You can learn more about the benefits of receiving a Tech Hub designation&nbsp;<a href="http://www.techhubs.gov/">here</a>.

🎥 Commerce Dept. names Kansas City among 31 new tech hubs

SYRIA – On Monday, the U.S. military destroyed two one-way attack drones near U.S. and Coalition forces in southwest Syria before they reached their intended targets, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command

"In this moment of heightened alert, we are vigilantly monitoring the situation in the region and will take necessary and proportionate action to defend U.S. and Coalition forces."

SYRIA – On Monday, the U.S. military destroyed two one-way attack drones near U.S. and Coalition forces in southwest Syria before they reached their intended targets, according to a statement from the U.S. Central CommandThere are no casualties or damage."In this moment of heightened alert, we are vigilantly monitoring the situation in the region and will take necessary and proportionate action to defend U.S. and Coalition forces."

Officials: US troops in Syria targeted by drones

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver Justyn Ross on felony allegations after an arrest on Monday.

According to online booking records, police arrested the 23-year-old Ross just before 3p.m. Monday in Shawnee, Kansas, on a requested charge of criminal damage of more than $25,000.

As of late Monday, the Chiefs had not released a statement on the arrest. Ross, from Phenix City, Alabama played college football at Clemson and is in his second NFL season, according to his bio on the team web site.&nbsp; He played Sunday in the win over the Los Angeles Chargers but did not catch a pass, according stats on the team web site.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698113130170.png" alt="Justyn Ross-photo courtesy Kansas City Chiefs" />
 <figcaption>Justyn Ross-photo courtesy Kansas City Chiefs</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver Justyn Ross on felony allegations after an arrest on Monday.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698112997285.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>According to online booking records, police arrested the 23-year-old Ross just before 3p.m. Monday in Shawnee, Kansas, on a requested charge of criminal damage of more than $25,000.As of late Monday, the Chiefs had not released a statement on the arrest. Ross, from Phenix City, Alabama played college football at Clemson and is in his second NFL season, according to his bio on the team web site.&nbsp; He played Sunday in the win over the Los Angeles Chargers but did not catch a pass, according stats on the team web site.

Chiefs wide receiver arrested in Kansas on felony allegations

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on child sex allegations.

On October 19, 2023, the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office's Criminal Investigations Division conducted an investigation into child sex crimes, according to Sheriff Brian Hill.

Deputies arrested 39-year-old Craig H. Miller, 39, of Topeka and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of attempted electronic solicitation of a child, attempted indecent liberties with a child, attempted aggravated criminal sodomy, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698088124128.png" alt="Miller-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Miller-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on child sex allegations.On October 19, 2023, the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office's Criminal Investigations Division conducted an investigation into child sex crimes, according to Sheriff Brian Hill.Deputies arrested 39-year-old Craig H. Miller, 39, of Topeka and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of attempted electronic solicitation of a child, attempted indecent liberties with a child, attempted aggravated criminal sodomy, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kansas man accused of child sex and drug crimes

SEDGWICK COUNTY— A man&nbsp;&nbsp;accused in the fatal shooting of a convenience store security guard in May of 2021 has been convicted of murder.

On Friday a jury found 44-year-old Laroy West guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated assault and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office.

Just after 10p.m. May 5, 2021 police responded to report of a shooting near the QuikTrip convience store at Broadway and Murdoch in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

At the scene, officers located 39-year-old Will Robinson, the Quick Trip security guard, in the alley across from the business with a gunshot wound to his upper body. 

EMS transported him to a local hospital where he died two days later, according to Officer Charley Davidson.

Investigators learned Robinson encountered West who was causing a disruption inside the store. He escorted the man from the store and ultimately to the edge of the property where the disturbance continued and West shot him.&nbsp;

Robinson had worked as a security guard at QuikTrip for about a year. Before that he was a Wichita police officer. He was a married father of two children. QuikTrip, in a statement, said it is “absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the tragic loss of Will.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697891476279.png" alt="West as seen on security cameras the night of the deadly shooting -Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>West as seen on security cameras the night of the deadly shooting -Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY— A man&nbsp;&nbsp;accused in the fatal shooting of a convenience store security guard in May of 2021 has been convicted of murder.On Friday a jury found 44-year-old Laroy West guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated assault and criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office.Just after 10p.m. May 5, 2021 police responded to report of a shooting near the QuikTrip convience store at Broadway and Murdoch in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/5/1620393217853.png" alt="West-photo Sedgwick County Jail" />
 <figcaption>West-photo Sedgwick County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>At the scene, officers located 39-year-old Will Robinson, the Quick Trip security guard, in the alley across from the business with a gunshot wound to his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he died two days later, according to Officer Charley Davidson.Investigators learned Robinson encountered West who was causing a disruption inside the store. He escorted the man from the store and ultimately to the edge of the property where the disturbance continued and West shot him.&nbsp;Robinson had worked as a security guard at QuikTrip for about a year. Before that he was a Wichita police officer. He was a married father of two children. QuikTrip, in a statement, said it is “absolutely devastated and heartbroken by the tragic loss of Will.”-----------

Man guilty of killing Kan. convenience store security guard

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident involving a small plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Wichita.

Just after 6:30p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a plane crash on Tracy Street, just east of Towne West Square, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders learned that the pilot a 27-year-old woman from Wichita had to complete an emergency landing after having engine problems in her single-engine Cessna plane. There were no injuries, according to Rebolledo.&nbsp;

The plane and some street signs were damaged. The pilot was not injured, according to Rebolledo.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697848914882.png" alt="A view of the single engine Cessna -courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>A view of the single engine Cessna -courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident involving a small plane was forced to make an emergency landing in Wichita.Just after 6:30p.m. Friday, police were dispatched to a plane crash on Tracy Street, just east of Towne West Square, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.First responders learned that the pilot a 27-year-old woman from Wichita had to complete an emergency landing after having engine problems in her single-engine Cessna plane. There were no injuries, according to Rebolledo.&nbsp;The plane and some street signs were damaged. The pilot was not injured, according to Rebolledo.

Investigation continues after small plane lands near Kan. shopping mall

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas released two elderly Israeli women held hostage in Gaza on Monday, as the United States expressed increasing concern that the escalating Israel-Hamas war will spark a wider conflict in the region, including attacks on American troops.

The death toll in Gaza rose rapidly as Israel ramped up airstrikes, flattening residential buildings in what it says was preparation for an eventual ground assault. The United States advised Israel to delay an expected ground invasion to allow time to negotiate the release of more hostages taken by Hamas during its brutal incursion two weeks ago.

A third small aid convoy from Egypt entered Gaza, where the population of 2.3 million has been running out of food, water and medicine under Israel’s two-week seal. With Israel still barring entry of fuel, the U.N. said its distribution of aid would grind to a halt within days when it can no longer fuel its trucks. Gaza hospitals flooded by a constant stream of wounded are struggling to keep generators running to power life-saving medical equipment and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-babies-crisis-9ec2e404e16a132821dac644af110ef6">incubators for premature babies</a>.

The two freed hostages, 85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz and 79-year-old Nurit Cooper, were taken out of Gaza at the Rafah crossing into Egypt, where they were put into ambulances, according to footage shown on Egyptian TV. The two women, along with their husbands, were snatched from their homes in the kibbutz of Nir Oz near the Gaza border during Hamas’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-attack-military-war-a8f63b07641212f0de61861844e5e71e">Oct. 7 rampage</a>&nbsp;into southern Israeli communities. Their husbands were not released.

Hamas said it had released them for humanitarian reasons, days after freeing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-ed6875f15ea0d2bc196e4033b54b7194">an American woman and her teenage daughter</a>. Hamas and other militants in Gaza are believed to have taken roughly 220 people, including an unconfirmed number of foreigners and dual nationals.

Israel is widely expected to launch&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-military-urban-battle-89e45b149f3b88cd647cf6376dbfe0ac">a ground offensive in Gaza</a>, vowing to destroy Hamas.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-marines-bombing-beirut-1983-hezbollah-israel-hamas-iran-34f61ac47909c52de800dd35b375e782">Iranian-backed fighters around the region are warning of possible escalation</a>&nbsp;if that happens, including targeting U.S. forces deployed in the Mideast.

The U.S. has told Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and other groups not to join the fight.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-clashes-cadccde8c6ce5400ee36fd12d3bfea52">Israel and Hezbollah have traded fire almost daily across the Israel-Lebanon border</a>, and Israeli warplanes have struck targets in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-west-bank-gaza-militants-25b93d7eda4f2972360fe384d381bbff">the occupied West Bank</a>, Syria and Lebanon in recent days.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said there had been an uptick in rocket and drone attacks by Iranian-backed militias on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, and the U.S. was “deeply concerned about the possibility for any significant escalation” in attacks in coming days.

He said U.S. officials were having “active conversations” with Israeli counterparts about the potential ramifications of escalated military action.

The U.S. advised Israeli officials that delaying a ground offensive would give Washington more time to work with regional mediators on securing the release of more hostages, according to a U.S. official.

Israeli tanks and ground forces have been massed at the Gaza border, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told troops there Monday to keep preparing for an offensive “because it will come.” He said it will be a combined offensive from air, land and sea but did not give a timeframe.

A ground offensive is likely to dramatically increase casualties in what is already the deadliest by far&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-war-middle-east-palestinians-e6d44f4e478cced2cfaeac61385020ac">of five wars</a>&nbsp;fought between Israel and Hamas since the militant seized power in Gaza in 2007.

More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed — mostly civilians slain during the initial Hamas attack. At least 222 people were captured and dragged back to Gaza, including foreigners, the military said Monday, updating a previous figure.

More than 5,000 Palestinians, including some 2,000 minors and around 1,100 women, have been killed, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said Monday. That includes the disputed toll from an explosion at a hospital last week. The toll has climbed rapidly in recent days, with the ministry reporting 436 additional deaths in just the last 24 hours.

Israel said it had struck 320 militant targets throughout Gaza over the last 24 hours. The military says it does not target civilians, and that Palestinian militants have fired over 7,000 rockets at Israel since the start of the war.

Israel carried out limited ground forays into Gaza. On Sunday, Hamas said it destroyed an Israeli tank and two armored bulldozers inside Gaza. The Israeli military said a soldier was killed and three others were wounded by an anti-tank missile during a raid inside Gaza.

Intense airstrikes continued Monday across Gaza. After a strike in Gaza City, a woman with blood on her face wept as she clasped the hand of a dead relative. At least three bodies were sprawled on the street, one lying in a gray stream of water. After a series of strikes in the south, Rafah’s Abou Youssef Al-Najjar Hospital registered 61 deaths Monday, its spokesperson said. Bodies of the dead were laid out in the hospital grounds, spokesperson Talaat Barghout said.

On Monday the Palestinian Red Crescent said 20 trucks entered Gaza carrying food, water, medicine and medical supplies, through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, the only way into Gaza not controlled by Israel. It was the third delivery in as many days, each around the same size.

The aid coming in so far is “a drop in the ocean” compared to the needs of the population, said Thomas White, the Gaza director of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. The U.N. has said 20 trucks amounts to 4% of an average day’s imports before the war and that hundreds of trucks a day are needed.

White said the agency had only three days of fuel left for its trucks. The supplies coming through Rafah are reloaded onto UNRWA and the Red Crescent trucks to take to hospitals and U.N. schools in the south of Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are taking shelter, running low on food and largely drinking contaminated water.

At least 1.4 million Palestinians in Gaza have fled their homes, and nearly 580,000 of them are sheltering in U.N.-run schools and shelters, the U.N. said Monday.

No aid will be distributed in Gaza City and other parts of the north, where hundreds of thousands of people remain. Gaza City’s main al-Shifa Hospital, with a normal capacity of 700 patients, is currently overwhelmed with 5,000 patients, and around 45,000 displaced people are gathered in and around its grounds for shelter, the U.N. said.

“The north didn’t receive anything” from incoming aid, said Mahmoud Shalabi, an aid worker with Medical Aid for Palestinians aid group based in the northern town of Beit Lahia. “It’s like a death sentence for the people in the north of Gaza.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698094669144.png" alt="Nurit Cooper, who was held as hostage by Palestinian Hamas militants, is seen in this undated handout photo. The International Committee of the Red Cross says Hamas militants have released Cooper along with Yocheved Lifshitz it had been holding captive in the Gaza Strip. (Hostages and Missing Families Forum via AP)" />
 <figcaption>Nurit Cooper, who was held as hostage by Palestinian Hamas militants, is seen in this undated handout photo. The International Committee of the Red Cross says Hamas militants have released Cooper along with Yocheved Lifshitz it had been holding captive in the Gaza Strip. (Hostages and Missing Families Forum via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas released two elderly Israeli women held hostage in Gaza on Monday, as the United States expressed increasing concern that the escalating Israel-Hamas war will spark a wider conflict in the region, including attacks on American troops.The death toll in Gaza rose rapidly as Israel ramped up airstrikes, flattening residential buildings in what it says was preparation for an eventual ground assault. The United States advised Israel to delay an expected ground invasion to allow time to negotiate the release of more hostages taken by Hamas during its brutal incursion two weeks ago.A third small aid convoy from Egypt entered Gaza, where the population of 2.3 million has been running out of food, water and medicine under Israel’s two-week seal. With Israel still barring entry of fuel, the U.N. said its distribution of aid would grind to a halt within days when it can no longer fuel its trucks. Gaza hospitals flooded by a constant stream of wounded are struggling to keep generators running to power life-saving medical equipment and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-babies-crisis-9ec2e404e16a132821dac644af110ef6">incubators for premature babies</a>.The two freed hostages, 85-year-old Yocheved Lifshitz and 79-year-old Nurit Cooper, were taken out of Gaza at the Rafah crossing into Egypt, where they were put into ambulances, according to footage shown on Egyptian TV. The two women, along with their husbands, were snatched from their homes in the kibbutz of Nir Oz near the Gaza border during Hamas’&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-attack-military-war-a8f63b07641212f0de61861844e5e71e">Oct. 7 rampage</a>&nbsp;into southern Israeli communities. Their husbands were not released.Hamas said it had released them for humanitarian reasons, days after freeing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-ed6875f15ea0d2bc196e4033b54b7194">an American woman and her teenage daughter</a>. Hamas and other militants in Gaza are believed to have taken roughly 220 people, including an unconfirmed number of foreigners and dual nationals.Israel is widely expected to launch&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-military-urban-battle-89e45b149f3b88cd647cf6376dbfe0ac">a ground offensive in Gaza</a>, vowing to destroy Hamas.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-marines-bombing-beirut-1983-hezbollah-israel-hamas-iran-34f61ac47909c52de800dd35b375e782">Iranian-backed fighters around the region are warning of possible escalation</a>&nbsp;if that happens, including targeting U.S. forces deployed in the Mideast.The U.S. has told Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and other groups not to join the fight.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-clashes-cadccde8c6ce5400ee36fd12d3bfea52">Israel and Hezbollah have traded fire almost daily across the Israel-Lebanon border</a>, and Israeli warplanes have struck targets in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-west-bank-gaza-militants-25b93d7eda4f2972360fe384d381bbff">the occupied West Bank</a>, Syria and Lebanon in recent days.National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said there had been an uptick in rocket and drone attacks by Iranian-backed militias on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, and the U.S. was “deeply concerned about the possibility for any significant escalation” in attacks in coming days.He said U.S. officials were having “active conversations” with Israeli counterparts about the potential ramifications of escalated military action.The U.S. advised Israeli officials that delaying a ground offensive would give Washington more time to work with regional mediators on securing the release of more hostages, according to a U.S. official.Israeli tanks and ground forces have been massed at the Gaza border, and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told troops there Monday to keep preparing for an offensive “because it will come.” He said it will be a combined offensive from air, land and sea but did not give a timeframe.A ground offensive is likely to dramatically increase casualties in what is already the deadliest by far&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-hamas-war-middle-east-palestinians-e6d44f4e478cced2cfaeac61385020ac">of five wars</a>&nbsp;fought between Israel and Hamas since the militant seized power in Gaza in 2007.More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed — mostly civilians slain during the initial Hamas attack. At least 222 people were captured and dragged back to Gaza, including foreigners, the military said Monday, updating a previous figure.More than 5,000 Palestinians, including some 2,000 minors and around 1,100 women, have been killed, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said Monday. That includes the disputed toll from an explosion at a hospital last week. The toll has climbed rapidly in recent days, with the ministry reporting 436 additional deaths in just the last 24 hours.Israel said it had struck 320 militant targets throughout Gaza over the last 24 hours. The military says it does not target civilians, and that Palestinian militants have fired over 7,000 rockets at Israel since the start of the war.Israel carried out limited ground forays into Gaza. On Sunday, Hamas said it destroyed an Israeli tank and two armored bulldozers inside Gaza. The Israeli military said a soldier was killed and three others were wounded by an anti-tank missile during a raid inside Gaza.Intense airstrikes continued Monday across Gaza. After a strike in Gaza City, a woman with blood on her face wept as she clasped the hand of a dead relative. At least three bodies were sprawled on the street, one lying in a gray stream of water. After a series of strikes in the south, Rafah’s Abou Youssef Al-Najjar Hospital registered 61 deaths Monday, its spokesperson said. Bodies of the dead were laid out in the hospital grounds, spokesperson Talaat Barghout said.On Monday the Palestinian Red Crescent said 20 trucks entered Gaza carrying food, water, medicine and medical supplies, through the Rafah crossing with Egypt, the only way into Gaza not controlled by Israel. It was the third delivery in as many days, each around the same size.The aid coming in so far is “a drop in the ocean” compared to the needs of the population, said Thomas White, the Gaza director of the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. The U.N. has said 20 trucks amounts to 4% of an average day’s imports before the war and that hundreds of trucks a day are needed.White said the agency had only three days of fuel left for its trucks. The supplies coming through Rafah are reloaded onto UNRWA and the Red Crescent trucks to take to hospitals and U.N. schools in the south of Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are taking shelter, running low on food and largely drinking contaminated water.At least 1.4 million Palestinians in Gaza have fled their homes, and nearly 580,000 of them are sheltering in U.N.-run schools and shelters, the U.N. said Monday.No aid will be distributed in Gaza City and other parts of the north, where hundreds of thousands of people remain. Gaza City’s main al-Shifa Hospital, with a normal capacity of 700 patients, is currently overwhelmed with 5,000 patients, and around 45,000 displaced people are gathered in and around its grounds for shelter, the U.N. said.“The north didn’t receive anything” from incoming aid, said Mahmoud Shalabi, an aid worker with Medical Aid for Palestinians aid group based in the northern town of Beit Lahia. “It’s like a death sentence for the people in the north of Gaza.”

Hamas frees 2 more hostages as US advises delaying ground war 

KANSAS CITY (AP) —The United Auto Workers union has once again escalated its strikes against big Detroit automakers, this time adding a factory that makes Ram pickup trucks for Stellantis.

The union says that 6,800 members walked out Monday morning and shut down the Sterling Heights, Michigan, Assembly Plant, a huge profit center for the company.

The newest strike action comes just three days after union&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-union-uaw-shawn-fain-0e3e71f44f075fda066f499bb2165b48">President Shawn Fain</a>&nbsp;reported progress in talks with General Motors and Stellantis but said the companies will have to make better offers. No progress was reported with Ford, which last week said it had the best offer of the three.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695471687000.png" alt="About 41,000 workers are now on strike against all three automakers.-photo UAW" />
 <figcaption>About 41,000 workers are now on strike against all three automakers.-photo UAW</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —The United Auto Workers union has once again escalated its strikes against big Detroit automakers, this time adding a factory that makes Ram pickup trucks for Stellantis.The union says that 6,800 members walked out Monday morning and shut down the Sterling Heights, Michigan, Assembly Plant, a huge profit center for the company.The newest strike action comes just three days after union&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-union-uaw-shawn-fain-0e3e71f44f075fda066f499bb2165b48">President Shawn Fain</a>&nbsp;reported progress in talks with General Motors and Stellantis but said the companies will have to make better offers. No progress was reported with Ford, which last week said it had the best offer of the three.The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-uaw-workers-strike-gm-ford-stellantis-7ce3ca9d94b911250d07556b7af376c7">union went on strike Sept. 15</a>&nbsp;at one assembly plant from each company. About 41,000 workers are now on strike against all three automakers. The strikes, now in their sixth week, cover seven assembly plants and 38 parts warehouses. About 28% of the union's work force at the three companies are now on strike.General Motors, which increased its offer last week, and Ford were spared in the latest escalation. At first the union avoided striking at pickup and large SUV plants, which at all three produce vehicles that make the most money for the companies. But that changed two weeks ago when the UAW took out a giant Ford heavy-duty pickup and SUV plant in Louisville, Kentucky.In previous strikes the union has targeted a particular company and reached an agreement that served as a pattern for a deal with the other two.In a statement, the union said that offers from Stellantis, formed in the 2021 merger of Fiat Chrysler and France's PSA Groupe, lag Ford and GM despite the automaker having the most revenue and highest profits of the three.Stellantis has the worst offer on cost of living raises, how fast workers move to the top of the pay scale, temporary worker pay, converting temps to full time, and other issues, the union said.In a statement, Stellantis said it was “outraged” that the Sterling Heights plant was added to the strike list because the company improved its offer on Thursday but has not received a response from the UAW. The new offer included a 23% wage increase over four years, nearly a 50% increase in retirement savings contributions and added job security provisions, the company said.“Our very strong offer would address member demands and provide immediate financial gains for our employees,” the statement said. “Instead the UAW has decided to cause further harm to the entire automotive industry as well as our local, state and national economies.”With every plant it adds, the union “sacrifices domestic market share to nonunion competition,” hurting the company's ability to invest and compete, the statement said.The union expects to make counteroffers to Stellantis and GM soon.By taking down the Stellantis factory, the union is signaling Ford and GM to improve their offers, Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said. Last week it appeared a deal might be in the works, but Fain said Friday that the companies will need to pay more.“It takes a potential deal that appeared on the table -- at least for now -- off of it,” Ives said, predicting the the union will announce new strike locations later this week. "There could be some tough talks ahead,” Ives said.On Friday, Fain said Stellantis and GM have made wage offers that matched Ford’s 23% over the life of a four year contract. But, speaking in his characteristic sharp tones, the union president insisted that the companies can go further.“We’ve got cards left to play, and they’ve got money left to spend,” Fain said.While Fain said the companies keep touting that they’ve made record offers to the UAW, he said they’re insufficient to make up for how much ground workers have lost during the past two decades. Each time the automakers make an offer, Fain said, they insist it’s the best they can do, only to return days later with a better offer.“What that should tell you,” Fain said, is that “there’s room to move.”____