RENO COUNTY — The Hutchinson Fire Department responded Monday afternoon to Cargill Salt for a report of two workers stuck on a hydraulic man lift, according to a media release.

Firefighters found the lift about 70 feet above ground. It was having mechanical problems and could not lower the men to the ground. Hutch Fire used a 100-foot aerial ladder to maneuver into position and transfer the workers from the man lift to the aerial platform.

Using the aerial ladder, workers were safely returned to the ground and assessed for injuries within about 15 minutes.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702945936553.jpeg" alt="Photos Hutchinson Fire Dept." />
 <figcaption>Photos Hutchinson Fire Dept.</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY — The Hutchinson Fire Department responded Monday afternoon to Cargill Salt for a report of two workers stuck on a hydraulic man lift, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702945783935.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Firefighters found the lift about 70 feet above ground. It was having mechanical problems and could not lower the men to the ground. Hutch Fire used a 100-foot aerial ladder to maneuver into position and transfer the workers from the man lift to the aerial platform.Using the aerial ladder, workers were safely returned to the ground and assessed for injuries within about 15 minutes.

Fire Department rescues two Cargill workers from 70 feet in the air

SEWARD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal southwest Kansas shooting.

Early December 17, 2023 the Seward County Sheriff's Office responded to report of a gunshot victim at a property in rural Seward County, according to Sheriff Gene Ward.

First responders located 39-year-old Jose Luis Rios-Favela with&nbsp; gunshot wounds.  Seward County EMS transported him to Southwest Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased. 

 A second victim was located at the scene with minor injuries. The Seward County Sheriff's Office requested KBI assistance.

  KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to assist in the investigation. The sheriff's office indicated the shooting was an isolated incident and there is no cause for alarm in the area.&nbsp;

SEWARD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal southwest Kansas shooting.Early December 17, 2023 the Seward County Sheriff's Office responded to report of a gunshot victim at a property in rural Seward County, according to Sheriff Gene Ward.First responders located 39-year-old Jose Luis Rios-Favela with&nbsp; gunshot wounds. Seward County EMS transported him to Southwest Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased. A second victim was located at the scene with minor injuries. The Seward County Sheriff's Office requested KBI assistance. KBI agents and the Crime Scene Response Team responded to assist in the investigation. The sheriff's office indicated the shooting was an isolated incident and there is no cause for alarm in the area.&nbsp;

KBI investigating deadly southwest Kansas gunfight 

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/Legal%20experts%20have%20called%20the%20measure%20a%20flagrant%20violation%20of%20the%20U.S.%20government's%20purview%20over%20immigration%20enforcement.">Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott</a>&nbsp;on Monday approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-immigration-migrants-arrest-explainer-306f644e8bb95333b078ed3923adacf0">sweeping new powers</a>&nbsp;that allow police to arrest migrants who illegally cross the U.S. border and give local judges authority to order them to leave the country, testing the limits of how far a state can go to enforce immigration laws.

Opponents have called the measure the most dramatic attempt by a state to police immigration since a 2010 Arizona law — denounced by critics as the “Show Me Your Papers” bill — that was largely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/57fd255191214d54b420a39a96b82451">struck down</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Supreme Court. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and Texas’ law is also likely to face swift legal challenges.

The law, which takes effect in March, allows any Texas law enforcement officer to arrest people who are suspected of entering the country illegally. Once in custody, they could either agree to a Texas judge’s order to leave the U.S. or be prosecuted on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry. Migrants who don’t leave could face arrest again under more serious felony charges.

Abbott, who signed the law in front of a section of border fence in Brownsville, predicted the number of people crossing illegally into Texas would drop by “well over 50%, maybe 75%." He did not offer evidence for that estimate.

“The consequences of it are so extreme that the people being smuggled by the cartels, they will not want to be coming into the state of Texas," he said.

The law adds another tension point over immigration amid a struggle between the White House and Senate negotiators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-security-ukraine-congress-senate-biden-cb8d4e3ad8271323cfd9294b527d6615">to reach a deal on border security</a>. Republicans in Congress are demanding changes to the immigration system in exchange for any help for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs.

Texas Republicans have increasingly challenged the U.S. government’s authority over immigration, saying President Joe Biden's administration isn’t doing enough to control the 1,950-mile (3,149-kilometer) southern border. Texas has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/migrants-los-angeles-california-texas-immigration-abbott-3fdb47985b34cd8301b61251b590778c">bused more than 65,000 migrants</a>&nbsp;to cities across America since August 2022 and recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-immigration-border-wire-522e993680a4d729e538a53a788ec185">installed razor wire</a>&nbsp;along the banks of the Rio Grande, which has snagged and injured some asylum-seekers.

The U.S. government on Monday temporarily shut down two railroad border crossings in Texas, a move that rail operators said would hamper trade ahead of Christmas. Troy Miller, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s acting commissioner, said the closures at Eagle Pass and El Paso were a response to more migrants traveling on freight trains, particularly over the last week.

Miller said authorities are seeing “unprecedented” arrivals at the border, topping 10,000 crossings on some days this month.

Shortly after Abbott signed the new law, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said it would challenge the measure in court. More than 20 congressional Democrats also signed a letter urging the U.S. Justice Department to sue to stop the law, known as Senate Bill 4.

“SB 4 is dangerous for the people of Texas and interferes with the federal government’s exclusive authority over immigration and foreign affairs," the letter read.

Mexico’s government also has rebuked the measure. Under bilateral and international agreements, Mexico is required to accept deportations of its own citizens, but not those of other countries. Under the Texas law, migrants ordered to leave would be sent to ports of entry along the border with Mexico, even if they are not Mexican citizens. In September and October,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-arrests-venezuela-mexico-a89f66759ac97c7ec62e4559af4e48a3">Venezuelans were the largest nationality</a>&nbsp;arrested for illegally crossing the U.S. border.

During debate in the Texas House in November, GOP state Rep. David Spiller pushed back against concerns that the law would be used as a dragnet to arrest immigrants statewide. He said enforcement would mostly take place in border counties. But he also rebuffed several efforts by Democrats to narrow the law, including a proposed carve-out for police on college campuses.

Because the illegal entry charge is a misdemeanor, which has a statue of limitation of two years, Spiller has said the law will not be used to target immigrants who have long been settled in the U.S.

“This is not, ‘Round up everyone who is here illegally and ship them back to Mexico,’” he said during debate over the bill.

Opponents have accused Texas Republicans of using the law as a vehicle to force the Supreme Court’s new conservative majority to revisit its landmark 2012 Arizona decision. At the time, Justice Anthony Kennedy said Arizona may have “understandable frustrations” with immigrants who are in the country illegally but that it can’t pursue policies that “undermine federal law.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702952665492.png" alt="Gov. Greg Abbott signed three bills into law at a border wall construction site in Brownsville, Texas on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, that will broaden his border security plans and add funding for more infrastructure to deter illegal immigration. (AP Photo/Valerie Gonzalez)" />
 <figcaption>Gov. Greg Abbott signed three bills into law at a border wall construction site in Brownsville, Texas on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, that will broaden his border security plans and add funding for more infrastructure to deter illegal immigration. (AP Photo/Valerie Gonzalez)</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://pronto.associatedpress.com/Legal%20experts%20have%20called%20the%20measure%20a%20flagrant%20violation%20of%20the%20U.S.%20government's%20purview%20over%20immigration%20enforcement.">Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott</a>&nbsp;on Monday approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-immigration-migrants-arrest-explainer-306f644e8bb95333b078ed3923adacf0">sweeping new powers</a>&nbsp;that allow police to arrest migrants who illegally cross the U.S. border and give local judges authority to order them to leave the country, testing the limits of how far a state can go to enforce immigration laws.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTexasGovernor%2Fvideos%2F1979749065731909%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=40" 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>Opponents have called the measure the most dramatic attempt by a state to police immigration since a 2010 Arizona law — denounced by critics as the “Show Me Your Papers” bill — that was largely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/57fd255191214d54b420a39a96b82451">struck down</a>&nbsp;by the U.S. Supreme Court. Immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, and Texas’ law is also likely to face swift legal challenges.The law, which takes effect in March, allows any Texas law enforcement officer to arrest people who are suspected of entering the country illegally. Once in custody, they could either agree to a Texas judge’s order to leave the U.S. or be prosecuted on misdemeanor charges of illegal entry. Migrants who don’t leave could face arrest again under more serious felony charges.Abbott, who signed the law in front of a section of border fence in Brownsville, predicted the number of people crossing illegally into Texas would drop by “well over 50%, maybe 75%." He did not offer evidence for that estimate.“The consequences of it are so extreme that the people being smuggled by the cartels, they will not want to be coming into the state of Texas," he said.The law adds another tension point over immigration amid a struggle between the White House and Senate negotiators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-security-ukraine-congress-senate-biden-cb8d4e3ad8271323cfd9294b527d6615">to reach a deal on border security</a>. Republicans in Congress are demanding changes to the immigration system in exchange for any help for Ukraine, Israel and other national security needs.Texas Republicans have increasingly challenged the U.S. government’s authority over immigration, saying President Joe Biden's administration isn’t doing enough to control the 1,950-mile (3,149-kilometer) southern border. Texas has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/migrants-los-angeles-california-texas-immigration-abbott-3fdb47985b34cd8301b61251b590778c">bused more than 65,000 migrants</a>&nbsp;to cities across America since August 2022 and recently&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-immigration-border-wire-522e993680a4d729e538a53a788ec185">installed razor wire</a>&nbsp;along the banks of the Rio Grande, which has snagged and injured some asylum-seekers.The U.S. government on Monday temporarily shut down two railroad border crossings in Texas, a move that rail operators said would hamper trade ahead of Christmas. Troy Miller, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s acting commissioner, said the closures at Eagle Pass and El Paso were a response to more migrants traveling on freight trains, particularly over the last week.Miller said authorities are seeing “unprecedented” arrivals at the border, topping 10,000 crossings on some days this month.Shortly after Abbott signed the new law, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas said it would challenge the measure in court. More than 20 congressional Democrats also signed a letter urging the U.S. Justice Department to sue to stop the law, known as Senate Bill 4.“SB 4 is dangerous for the people of Texas and interferes with the federal government’s exclusive authority over immigration and foreign affairs," the letter read.Mexico’s government also has rebuked the measure. Under bilateral and international agreements, Mexico is required to accept deportations of its own citizens, but not those of other countries. Under the Texas law, migrants ordered to leave would be sent to ports of entry along the border with Mexico, even if they are not Mexican citizens. In September and October,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/border-arrests-venezuela-mexico-a89f66759ac97c7ec62e4559af4e48a3">Venezuelans were the largest nationality</a>&nbsp;arrested for illegally crossing the U.S. border.During debate in the Texas House in November, GOP state Rep. David Spiller pushed back against concerns that the law would be used as a dragnet to arrest immigrants statewide. He said enforcement would mostly take place in border counties. But he also rebuffed several efforts by Democrats to narrow the law, including a proposed carve-out for police on college campuses.Because the illegal entry charge is a misdemeanor, which has a statue of limitation of two years, Spiller has said the law will not be used to target immigrants who have long been settled in the U.S.“This is not, ‘Round up everyone who is here illegally and ship them back to Mexico,’” he said during debate over the bill.Opponents have accused Texas Republicans of using the law as a vehicle to force the Supreme Court’s new conservative majority to revisit its landmark 2012 Arizona decision. At the time, Justice Anthony Kennedy said Arizona may have “understandable frustrations” with immigrants who are in the country illegally but that it can’t pursue policies that “undermine federal law.”___

Immigration showdown: New Texas law lets police arrest illegals

MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — The U.S. and a host of other nations are creating a new force to protect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-ship-attacks-bp-yemen-houthis-dcece18717aa59648ff9a6b04fbc798c">ships transiting the Red Sea</a>&nbsp;that have come under attack by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-ship-attack-israel-hamas-69289146266b9042b5896aa4679605ef">drones and ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Tuesday in Bahrain.

The seriousness of the attacks, several of which have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-ship-attacks-us-navy-1727df3d95e548c6e4d20b51f096268f">damaged vessels,</a>&nbsp;has led multiple shipping companies to order their ships to hold in place and not enter the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until the security situation can be addressed.

The U.S. military's Central Command reported two more of the attacks on commercial vessels Monday. A strike by an attack drone and a ballistic missile hit a tanker off Yemen, at roughly the same time a cargo ship reported an explosive detonating in the water near them, the military said.

“This is an international challenge that demands collective action,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement released just after midnight in Bahrain. “Therefore today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative.”

There are about 400 commercial vessels transiting the southern Red Sea, an area roughly the size of Washington D.C. to Boston, at any given time, a senior military official told reporters who are traveling with Austin in the region.

Under the new mission, the military ships will not necessarily escort a specific vessel, but will be positioned to provide umbrella protection to as many as possible at a given time, the official said on the condition of anonymity to provide additional details not made public on how the new operation will work.

Mohammed Abdel-Salam, the Houthis’ chief negotiator and spokesman, on Tuesday, challenged the U.S.-created coalition, saying the Iranian-backed rebels would continue targeting Israel-linked vessels off Yemen.

“The American-formed coalition is to protect Israel and militarize the sea without any justification, and will not stop Yemen from continuing its legitimate operations in support of Gaza,” he wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

He said the Houthis’ attacks “are not a show of force nor a challenge to anyone,” adding, “Whoever seeks to expand the conflict must bear the consequences of his actions.”

On Tuesday the shipping company Maersk announced that for now, it had decided to re-route its ships that have been paused for days outside the strait and Red Sea, and send them around Africa through the Cape of Good Hope instead — a much longer and less efficient passage. Maersk said it welcomed the international security effort, but at the present time, the much longer route would provide "more predictable outcomes” for its customers.

In the last four weeks,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-attacks-iran-ships-retaliation-15d10ed74c7f3cc7fd36fa0f77f73e54">Houthi militants</a>&nbsp;have attacked or seized commercial ships 12 times and still hold 25 members of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-houthi-rebels-hijacked-ship-red-sea-dc9b6448690bcf5c70a0baf7c7c34b09">MV Galaxy Leader hostage in Yemen,</a>&nbsp;Austin said in remarks Tuesday in a ministerial meeting on the new maritime mission. The U.S. is still actively seeking member countries to join the mission, and increase the number of navies present and participating.

The United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain have joined the new maritime security mission, Austin said. Some of those countries will conduct joint patrols while others provide intelligence support in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

One notably absent participant is China, which has warships in the region, but those ships have not responded to previous calls for assistance by commercial vessels, even though some of the ships attacked have had ties to Hong Kong, the military official said.

Several other countries have also agreed to be involved in the operation but prefer not to be publicly named, a defense official said on the condition of anonymity to discuss additional details of the new mission that have not been publicly announced.

The new maritime security mission will be coordinated by the already existing Combined Task Force 153, which was set up in April 2022 to improve maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden. While the task force has primarily provided a headquarters structure to date, the goal of the new mission is to provide ships and other assets to carry out the protection. There have been 39 member nations in CTF 153, but officials were working to determine which of them would participate in this latest effort.

Separately, the United States has also called on the United Nations Security Council to take action against the attacks.

In a letter to council members obtained Monday by The Associated Press, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Houthi attacks targeting commercial vessels legally transiting the international waterways continue to threaten “navigational rights and freedoms, international maritime security, and international commerce.”

The 15 council members discussed the Houthi threat behind closed doors Monday but took no immediate action.

Two U.S. warships — the USS Carney and the USS Mason, Navy destroyers — are currently moving through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to help deter and respond to attacks from the Houthis.

The move to set up the expanded operation came after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-houthi-yemen-ships-attack-israel-hamas-war-gaza-strip-716770f0a780160e9abed98d3c48fbde">three commercial vessels were struck by missiles</a>&nbsp;fired by Iranian-back Houthis in Yemen on Dec. 3. Those attacks were part of an escalating campaign of violence that also included armed and other drones launched in the direction of U.S. warships.

To date, the U.S. has not struck back at the Iranian-back Houthis operating in Yemen or targeted any of the militants’ weapons or other sites. On Monday Austin did not answer a question as to why the Pentagon had not conducted a counterstrike.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702947351254.png" alt="Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III greets Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, Israel, Dec. 18, 2023. Austin traveled to Israel to meet with counterparts and underscore unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law.&nbsp;Photo By:Chad McNeeley, DOD" />
 <figcaption>Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III greets Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Tel Aviv, Israel, Dec. 18, 2023. Austin traveled to Israel to meet with counterparts and underscore unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law.&nbsp;Photo By:Chad McNeeley, DOD</figcaption>
 </figure>MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — The U.S. and a host of other nations are creating a new force to protect&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-ship-attacks-bp-yemen-houthis-dcece18717aa59648ff9a6b04fbc798c">ships transiting the Red Sea</a>&nbsp;that have come under attack by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-ship-attack-israel-hamas-69289146266b9042b5896aa4679605ef">drones and ballistic missiles</a>&nbsp;fired from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Tuesday in Bahrain.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696803172229.png" alt="The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in mid October-photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in mid October-photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>The seriousness of the attacks, several of which have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-ship-attacks-us-navy-1727df3d95e548c6e4d20b51f096268f">damaged vessels,</a>&nbsp;has led multiple shipping companies to order their ships to hold in place and not enter the Bab el-Mandeb Strait until the security situation can be addressed.The U.S. military's Central Command reported two more of the attacks on commercial vessels Monday. A strike by an attack drone and a ballistic missile hit a tanker off Yemen, at roughly the same time a cargo ship reported an explosive detonating in the water near them, the military said.“This is an international challenge that demands collective action,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement released just after midnight in Bahrain. “Therefore today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative.”There are about 400 commercial vessels transiting the southern Red Sea, an area roughly the size of Washington D.C. to Boston, at any given time, a senior military official told reporters who are traveling with Austin in the region.Under the new mission, the military ships will not necessarily escort a specific vessel, but will be positioned to provide umbrella protection to as many as possible at a given time, the official said on the condition of anonymity to provide additional details not made public on how the new operation will work.Mohammed Abdel-Salam, the Houthis’ chief negotiator and spokesman, on Tuesday, challenged the U.S.-created coalition, saying the Iranian-backed rebels would continue targeting Israel-linked vessels off Yemen.“The American-formed coalition is to protect Israel and militarize the sea without any justification, and will not stop Yemen from continuing its legitimate operations in support of Gaza,” he wrote on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.He said the Houthis’ attacks “are not a show of force nor a challenge to anyone,” adding, “Whoever seeks to expand the conflict must bear the consequences of his actions.”On Tuesday the shipping company Maersk announced that for now, it had decided to re-route its ships that have been paused for days outside the strait and Red Sea, and send them around Africa through the Cape of Good Hope instead — a much longer and less efficient passage. Maersk said it welcomed the international security effort, but at the present time, the much longer route would provide "more predictable outcomes” for its customers.In the last four weeks,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-attacks-iran-ships-retaliation-15d10ed74c7f3cc7fd36fa0f77f73e54">Houthi militants</a>&nbsp;have attacked or seized commercial ships 12 times and still hold 25 members of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-houthi-rebels-hijacked-ship-red-sea-dc9b6448690bcf5c70a0baf7c7c34b09">MV Galaxy Leader hostage in Yemen,</a>&nbsp;Austin said in remarks Tuesday in a ministerial meeting on the new maritime mission. The U.S. is still actively seeking member countries to join the mission, and increase the number of navies present and participating.The United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain have joined the new maritime security mission, Austin said. Some of those countries will conduct joint patrols while others provide intelligence support in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.One notably absent participant is China, which has warships in the region, but those ships have not responded to previous calls for assistance by commercial vessels, even though some of the ships attacked have had ties to Hong Kong, the military official said.Several other countries have also agreed to be involved in the operation but prefer not to be publicly named, a defense official said on the condition of anonymity to discuss additional details of the new mission that have not been publicly announced.The new maritime security mission will be coordinated by the already existing Combined Task Force 153, which was set up in April 2022 to improve maritime security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden. While the task force has primarily provided a headquarters structure to date, the goal of the new mission is to provide ships and other assets to carry out the protection. There have been 39 member nations in CTF 153, but officials were working to determine which of them would participate in this latest effort.Separately, the United States has also called on the United Nations Security Council to take action against the attacks.In a letter to council members obtained Monday by The Associated Press, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Houthi attacks targeting commercial vessels legally transiting the international waterways continue to threaten “navigational rights and freedoms, international maritime security, and international commerce.”The 15 council members discussed the Houthi threat behind closed doors Monday but took no immediate action.Two U.S. warships — the USS Carney and the USS Mason, Navy destroyers — are currently moving through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to help deter and respond to attacks from the Houthis.The move to set up the expanded operation came after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/red-sea-houthi-yemen-ships-attack-israel-hamas-war-gaza-strip-716770f0a780160e9abed98d3c48fbde">three commercial vessels were struck by missiles</a>&nbsp;fired by Iranian-back Houthis in Yemen on Dec. 3. Those attacks were part of an escalating campaign of violence that also included armed and other drones launched in the direction of U.S. warships.To date, the U.S. has not struck back at the Iranian-back Houthis operating in Yemen or targeted any of the militants’ weapons or other sites. On Monday Austin did not answer a question as to why the Pentagon had not conducted a counterstrike.___

Operation Prosperity Guardian: US will focus on attacks in the Red Sea

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident just before 9p.m. Monday in Kansas City.

&nbsp;A KIA Rondo was southbound on Cleaver II&nbsp; at a very high rate of speed. Just before Elmwood, the KIA traveled off the road to the left through the grassy median and struck a large tree, according to KCPD Captain Corey Carlisle.

The driver and sole occupant of the KIA was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to Carlisle.

This is fatality #100 compared to #84 at this time last year.&nbsp; Police no release the name of the victim.

KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident just before 9p.m. Monday in Kansas City.&nbsp;A KIA Rondo was southbound on Cleaver II&nbsp; at a very high rate of speed. Just before Elmwood, the KIA traveled off the road to the left through the grassy median and struck a large tree, according to KCPD Captain Corey Carlisle.The driver and sole occupant of the KIA was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver was not wearing a seat belt, according to Carlisle.This is fatality #100 compared to #84 at this time last year.&nbsp; Police no release the name of the victim.

One dead after car strikes a tree along KC-area street

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged mail theft.

Just after 9:30 a.m. Dec. 15,&nbsp; the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a report of mail theft in the 10,000 Block of SW 53rd Street, according to Sheriff's Lt. Scott Wanamaker. The reporting party advised that a gold Ford Ranger truck was involved in the theft and was last seen traveling eastbound on SW 53rd Street.

Approximately 30 minutes later, a deputy spotted the Ford Ranger traveling southbound on southwest Auburn Rd. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the Ford Ranger failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated. A short time later, the Ford Ranger was involved in a single vehicle accident in the 6900 block SW Morrill Rd., where both the driver and passenger fled on foot. A 25-year-old female suspect was apprehended after a short foot pursuit and a second male subject was able to avoid apprehension. Upon further investigation, deputies found illegal narcotics and stolen mail inside the Ford Ranger.

The driver, Emily Kratochvil, 25, of Topeka was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections (SNDOC) on two warrants through the City of Topeka and requested charges that include possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of a prescription only drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony theft, possession of stolen property, attempted identify theft, failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, driving while revoked, tag not assigned, speeding and two charges of failing to stop at a stop sign.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702744572865.png" alt="Kratochvil-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Kratochvil-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged mail theft.Just after 9:30 a.m. Dec. 15,&nbsp; the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a report of mail theft in the 10,000 Block of SW 53rd Street, according to Sheriff's Lt. Scott Wanamaker. The reporting party advised that a gold Ford Ranger truck was involved in the theft and was last seen traveling eastbound on SW 53rd Street.Approximately 30 minutes later, a deputy spotted the Ford Ranger traveling southbound on southwest Auburn Rd. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the Ford Ranger failed to stop and a pursuit was initiated. A short time later, the Ford Ranger was involved in a single vehicle accident in the 6900 block SW Morrill Rd., where both the driver and passenger fled on foot. A 25-year-old female suspect was apprehended after a short foot pursuit and a second male subject was able to avoid apprehension. Upon further investigation, deputies found illegal narcotics and stolen mail inside the Ford Ranger.The driver, Emily Kratochvil, 25, of Topeka was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections (SNDOC) on two warrants through the City of Topeka and requested charges that include possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of a prescription only drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony theft, possession of stolen property, attempted identify theft, failing to yield to an emergency vehicle, fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, driving while revoked, tag not assigned, speeding and two charges of failing to stop at a stop sign.

Rural family reported woman in gold pickup was stealing mail

ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it.

The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office, released Monday, elaborates on a letter Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conservatives-synod-lgbtq-5c6e33d4d45aea1b0b5553d3acc799e1">sent to two conservative cardinals</a>&nbsp;that was published in October. In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if they didn’t confuse the ritual with the sacrament of marriage.

The new document repeats that condition and elaborates on it, reaffirming that marriage is a lifelong sacrament between a man and a woman. And it stresses that blessings in question must be non-liturgical in nature and should not be conferred at the same time as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-endorse-same-sex-civil-unions-eb3509b30ebac35e91aa7cbda2013de2">a civil union</a>, using set rituals or even with the clothing and gestures that belong in a wedding.

But it says requests for such blessings for same-sex couples should not be denied full stop. It offers an extensive and broad definition of the term “blessing” in Scripture to insist that people seeking a transcendent relationship with God and looking for his love and mercy should not be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” as a precondition for receiving it.

“Ultimately, a blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God,” the document said. “The request for a blessing, thus, expresses and nurtures openness to the transcendence, mercy, and closeness to God in a thousand concrete circumstances of life, which is no small thing in the world in which we live.”

He added: "It is a seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured, not hindered.”

The document marks the latest gesture of outreach from a pope who has made welcoming LGBTQ+ Catholics a hallmark of his papacy. From his 2013 quip, “Who am I to judge?” about a purportedly gay priest, to his 2023 comment to The Associated Press that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212">“Being homosexual is not a crime,”</a>&nbsp;Francis has distinguished himself from all his predecessors with his message of welcome.

“The significance of this news cannot be overstated,” said Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, which supports LGBTQ+ Catholics. “It is one thing to formally approve same-gender blessings, which he had already pastorally permitted, but to say that people should not be subjected to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive God’s love and mercy is an even more significant step.”

The Vatican holds that marriage is an indissoluble union between man and woman. As a result, it has long opposed same-sex marriage.

And in 2021, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said flat-out that the church couldn’t bless the unions of two men or two women because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-decree-same-sex-unions-cannot-bless-sin-077944750c975313ad253328e4cf7443">“God cannot bless sin.”</a>

That document created an outcry, one it appeared even Francis was blindsided by even though he had technically approved its publication. Soon after it was published, he removed the official responsible for it and set about laying the groundwork for a reversal.

In the new document, the Vatican said the church must shy away from “doctrinal or disciplinary schemes, especially when they lead to a narcissistic and authoritarian elitism whereby instead of evangelizing, one analyzes and classifies others, and instead of opening the door to grace, one exhausts his or her energies in inspecting and verifying."

It stressed that people in “irregular” unions of extramarital sex — gay or straight — are in a state of sin. But it said that shouldn’t deprive them of God’s love or mercy. “Even when a person’s relationship with God is clouded by sin, he can always ask for a blessing, stretching out his hand to God,” the document said.

Offering such a blessing isn't legitimizing anything. But at the same time, the church shouldn't judge, he said.

“Thus, when people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it,” the document said.

The Rev. James Martin, who advocates for a greater welcome for LGBTQ+ Catholics, praised the new document as a “huge step forward” and a “dramatic shift” from the Vatican's 2021 policy.

The new document “recognizes the deep desire in many Catholic same-sex couples for God’s presence and help in their committed relationships,” he said in an email. "Along with many Catholic priests, I will now be delighted to bless my friends in same-sex marriages.”

Traditionalists, however, were outraged. The traditionalist blogger Luigi Casalini of Messa in Latino (Latin Mass) blog wrote that the document appeared to be a form of heresy.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603292366279.png" alt="File photo Pope Francis photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo Pope Francis photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pope-francis">Pope Francis</a>&nbsp;has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples, with a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it.The document from the Vatican’s doctrine office, released Monday, elaborates on a letter Francis&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-conservatives-synod-lgbtq-5c6e33d4d45aea1b0b5553d3acc799e1">sent to two conservative cardinals</a>&nbsp;that was published in October. In that preliminary response, Francis suggested such blessings could be offered under some circumstances if they didn’t confuse the ritual with the sacrament of marriage.The new document repeats that condition and elaborates on it, reaffirming that marriage is a lifelong sacrament between a man and a woman. And it stresses that blessings in question must be non-liturgical in nature and should not be conferred at the same time as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-endorse-same-sex-civil-unions-eb3509b30ebac35e91aa7cbda2013de2">a civil union</a>, using set rituals or even with the clothing and gestures that belong in a wedding.But it says requests for such blessings for same-sex couples should not be denied full stop. It offers an extensive and broad definition of the term “blessing” in Scripture to insist that people seeking a transcendent relationship with God and looking for his love and mercy should not be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” as a precondition for receiving it.“Ultimately, a blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God,” the document said. “The request for a blessing, thus, expresses and nurtures openness to the transcendence, mercy, and closeness to God in a thousand concrete circumstances of life, which is no small thing in the world in which we live.”He added: "It is a seed of the Holy Spirit that must be nurtured, not hindered.”The document marks the latest gesture of outreach from a pope who has made welcoming LGBTQ+ Catholics a hallmark of his papacy. From his 2013 quip, “Who am I to judge?” about a purportedly gay priest, to his 2023 comment to The Associated Press that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-gay-rights-ap-interview-1359756ae22f27f87c1d4d6b9c8ce212">“Being homosexual is not a crime,”</a>&nbsp;Francis has distinguished himself from all his predecessors with his message of welcome.“The significance of this news cannot be overstated,” said Francis DeBernardo of New Ways Ministry, which supports LGBTQ+ Catholics. “It is one thing to formally approve same-gender blessings, which he had already pastorally permitted, but to say that people should not be subjected to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive God’s love and mercy is an even more significant step.”The Vatican holds that marriage is an indissoluble union between man and woman. As a result, it has long opposed same-sex marriage.And in 2021, the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said flat-out that the church couldn’t bless the unions of two men or two women because&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vatican-decree-same-sex-unions-cannot-bless-sin-077944750c975313ad253328e4cf7443">“God cannot bless sin.”</a>That document created an outcry, one it appeared even Francis was blindsided by even though he had technically approved its publication. Soon after it was published, he removed the official responsible for it and set about laying the groundwork for a reversal.In the new document, the Vatican said the church must shy away from “doctrinal or disciplinary schemes, especially when they lead to a narcissistic and authoritarian elitism whereby instead of evangelizing, one analyzes and classifies others, and instead of opening the door to grace, one exhausts his or her energies in inspecting and verifying."It stressed that people in “irregular” unions of extramarital sex — gay or straight — are in a state of sin. But it said that shouldn’t deprive them of God’s love or mercy. “Even when a person’s relationship with God is clouded by sin, he can always ask for a blessing, stretching out his hand to God,” the document said.Offering such a blessing isn't legitimizing anything. But at the same time, the church shouldn't judge, he said.“Thus, when people ask for a blessing, an exhaustive moral analysis should not be placed as a precondition for conferring it,” the document said.The Rev. James Martin, who advocates for a greater welcome for LGBTQ+ Catholics, praised the new document as a “huge step forward” and a “dramatic shift” from the Vatican's 2021 policy.The new document “recognizes the deep desire in many Catholic same-sex couples for God’s presence and help in their committed relationships,” he said in an email. "Along with many Catholic priests, I will now be delighted to bless my friends in same-sex marriages.”Traditionalists, however, were outraged. The traditionalist blogger Luigi Casalini of Messa in Latino (Latin Mass) blog wrote that the document appeared to be a form of heresy.

Pope issues controversial new document on same-sex unions

GARDNER, Kansas. –Kansas Department of Corrections inmate 52-year-old Clifford Leon Evans has been placed on escape status after it was reported at 2:45pm that he did not return to the facility while serving his sentence at the Johnson County Work Release center on Monday, according to a statement from the KDOC.

Evans is described as a white male, has brown hair, brown eyes, is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 131 pounds.

He currently serving a sentence for violating his parole. Evans was convicted in Johnson County for possession of opiates. He is serving that sentence at the Johnson County Department of Corrections (JCDOC) Adult Residential Center (ARC) from which he walked away. Under an agreement between the KDOC and JCDOC, residents who have release plans that are appropriate to Johnson County are housed at the ARC to promote their successful reintegration back into the community.

Anyone with information on Evans can call EAI at 816-266-2102, JCDOC 913-715-6539, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911. Kansans can also contact EAI via email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:KDOC_EAI_Intel@ks.gov">KDOC_EAI_Intel@ks.gov</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702994862044.png" alt="Evans photo" />
 <figcaption>Evans photo</figcaption>
 </figure>GARDNER, Kansas. –Kansas Department of Corrections inmate 52-year-old Clifford Leon Evans has been placed on escape status after it was reported at 2:45pm that he did not return to the facility while serving his sentence at the Johnson County Work Release center on Monday, according to a statement from the KDOC.Evans is described as a white male, has brown hair, brown eyes, is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 131 pounds.He currently serving a sentence for violating his parole. Evans was convicted in Johnson County for possession of opiates. He is serving that sentence at the Johnson County Department of Corrections (JCDOC) Adult Residential Center (ARC) from which he walked away. Under an agreement between the KDOC and JCDOC, residents who have release plans that are appropriate to Johnson County are housed at the ARC to promote their successful reintegration back into the community.Anyone with information on Evans can call EAI at 816-266-2102, JCDOC 913-715-6539, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (800) 572-7463 or local law enforcement at 911. Kansans can also contact EAI via email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:KDOC_EAI_Intel@ks.gov">KDOC_EAI_Intel@ks.gov</a>

Kan. inmate in prison for parole violation walks away from work release

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Monday afternoon announced the new Kansas standard-issue license plate design, which was chosen by a majority of the public after a week-long voting process that elicited nearly 270,000 votes from Kansans in all 105 counties, according to a media release from her office.

Kansans chose the design featuring the Kansas Statehouse dome within a cutout of the state and a yellow, white, and blue gradient background. It received over 140,000, or 53%, of the total votes.

“It’s great to see Kansans’ passion for representing our great state,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “Now, we can move forward on a design that received majority support and get clearer, safer license plates on the streets as soon as possible.”

The results for the runners-up were:&nbsp;

This is the first time the state has allowed public input on the standard tag. Governor Kelly has asked the Kansas Department of Revenue to review their process for selecting license plate designs moving forward.

“The Department of Revenue is pleased to have a design selected so it can promptly get to work issuing the updated plates,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;David Harper, Director of the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Division of Vehicles.

Votes cast with non-Kansas zip codes were removed from the vote totals.&nbsp;

The State of Kansas incurred no additional costs for designing the new license plate options or the voting website; existing contracts with Kansas-based firms covered both.

Governor Kelly also addressed the license plate designs that were not part of the voting process but have circulated widely on social media.

“So many of the designs circulated on social media and sent to my office are beautiful works of art but, unfortunately cannot be used given the strict public safety, printing, and branding guidelines the new license plate has to meet,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“Kansans will notice that license plates across the country are moving to simpler designs – that’s because of law enforcement and license plate reader requirements. Our number one priority with these license plates is safety.”

TOPEKA –&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly on Monday afternoon announced the new Kansas standard-issue license plate design, which was chosen by a majority of the public after a week-long voting process that elicited nearly 270,000 votes from Kansans in all 105 counties, according to a media release from her office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702308987773.png" alt="The winning design" />
 <figcaption>The winning design</figcaption>
 </figure>Kansans chose the design featuring the Kansas Statehouse dome within a cutout of the state and a yellow, white, and blue gradient background. It received over 140,000, or 53%, of the total votes.“It’s great to see Kansans’ passion for representing our great state,”&nbsp;Governor Laura Kelly said. “Now, we can move forward on a design that received majority support and get clearer, safer license plates on the streets as soon as possible.”The results for the runners-up were:&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702308965517.png" alt="Received 19 % of the vote" />
 <figcaption>Received 19 % of the vote</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702308955637.png" alt="Received 13% of the vote" />
 <figcaption>Received 13% of the vote</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702308943999.png" alt="Received 10% of the vote" />
 <figcaption>Received 10% of the vote</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702308978061.png" alt="Received 5% of the vote" />
 <figcaption>Received 5% of the vote</figcaption>
 </figure>This is the first time the state has allowed public input on the standard tag. Governor Kelly has asked the Kansas Department of Revenue to review their process for selecting license plate designs moving forward.“The Department of Revenue is pleased to have a design selected so it can promptly get to work issuing the updated plates,”&nbsp;said&nbsp;David Harper, Director of the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Division of Vehicles.Votes cast with non-Kansas zip codes were removed from the vote totals.&nbsp;The State of Kansas incurred no additional costs for designing the new license plate options or the voting website; existing contracts with Kansas-based firms covered both.Governor Kelly also addressed the license plate designs that were not part of the voting process but have circulated widely on social media.“So many of the designs circulated on social media and sent to my office are beautiful works of art but, unfortunately cannot be used given the strict public safety, printing, and branding guidelines the new license plate has to meet,”&nbsp;Governor Kelly said.&nbsp;“Kansans will notice that license plates across the country are moving to simpler designs – that’s because of law enforcement and license plate reader requirements. Our number one priority with these license plates is safety.”

Kan. governor reveals your choice for new license plate design

HARVEY COUNTY— A train derailment in Newton Monday closed a road at the crossing briefly on Monday.

According to Rod Zook, three cars were on their sides with two more off the tracks and SW 14th in Newton was closed at the crossing with the BNSF rail line. 

According to a statement from BNSF, the cars were carrying grain and it was a minor incident and there were no injuries.

Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702929469387.jpeg" alt="Photo by Rod Zook" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Rod Zook</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY— A train derailment in Newton Monday closed a road at the crossing briefly on Monday.According to Rod Zook, three cars were on their sides with two more off the tracks and SW 14th in Newton was closed at the crossing with the BNSF rail line. According to a statement from BNSF, the cars were carrying grain and it was a minor incident and there were no injuries.Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Train derailment briefly closes road in Newton

WASHINGTON&nbsp;– On Sunday, Kansas. U.S. Senator Roger Marshall joined&nbsp;14&nbsp;of his Senate GOP colleagues in sending a letter to Conference Chair John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.)&nbsp;requesting a&nbsp;meeting of the&nbsp;Conference the week of January 8, 2024&nbsp;to discuss&nbsp;the negotiations&nbsp;with President Biden and Senate Democrats regarding border security.&nbsp;

On social media Marshall wrote, "We have 300 Americans dying every single day from fentanyl poisoning, hundreds of terrorists trying to exploit our borders, &amp; millions of ‘gotaways’ here in our communities nationwide."

"Americans deserve a transparent process with REAL, thoughtful solutions - not closed-door rushed negotiations from the same individuals whose policies created the crisis in the first place."

<a href="https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/services/files/CA681490-0BC6-493A-86EA-7D1D03162E72">Click here </a>to read the full text of the letter

Sen. Marshall was joined on this letter by Senators&nbsp;Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho.), Ron Johnson (R-WI.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683898210525.png" alt="Migrants at the border -photo Texas Dept. of Public Safety" />
 <figcaption>Migrants at the border -photo Texas Dept. of Public Safety</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON&nbsp;– On Sunday, Kansas. U.S. Senator Roger Marshall joined&nbsp;14&nbsp;of his Senate GOP colleagues in sending a letter to Conference Chair John Barrasso, M.D. (R-Wyo.)&nbsp;requesting a&nbsp;meeting of the&nbsp;Conference the week of January 8, 2024&nbsp;to discuss&nbsp;the negotiations&nbsp;with President Biden and Senate Democrats regarding border security.&nbsp;On social media Marshall wrote, "We have 300 Americans dying every single day from fentanyl poisoning, hundreds of terrorists trying to exploit our borders, &amp; millions of ‘gotaways’ here in our communities nationwide.""Americans deserve a transparent process with REAL, thoughtful solutions - not closed-door rushed negotiations from the same individuals whose policies created the crisis in the first place."<a href="https://www.ronjohnson.senate.gov/services/files/CA681490-0BC6-493A-86EA-7D1D03162E72">Click here </a>to read the full text of the letterSen. Marshall was joined on this letter by Senators&nbsp;Mike Lee (R-Utah), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho.), Ron Johnson (R-WI.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Kan. U.S. Senator joins call for a meeting of the Conference on border security 

HARPER COUNTY —Federal officials investigating a small plane crash that occurred just after 7:30p.m. December 11, in Harper County released the name of the pilot as 60-year-old Tracy Copenhaver of Anthony, Kansas, according to the Harper County Sheriff's Office.

A single-engine Piper PA-24 piloted by Copenhaver struck power lines on approach to the Municipal Airport, 15 NW 20 Avenue, Anthony, Kansas, and crashed into a field, according to National Transportation Safety Board.

The pilot was the only person on board.&nbsp;&nbsp;EMS transported him the to Patterson Health Center, according to Sheriff Tracy Chance, where he was treated and released.

Witnesses to the accident or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the NTSB at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:witness@ntsb.gov">witness@ntsb.gov</a>&nbsp;

HARPER COUNTY —Federal officials investigating a small plane crash that occurred just after 7:30p.m. December 11, in Harper County released the name of the pilot as 60-year-old Tracy Copenhaver of Anthony, Kansas, according to the Harper County Sheriff's Office.A single-engine Piper PA-24 piloted by Copenhaver struck power lines on approach to the Municipal Airport, 15 NW 20 Avenue, Anthony, Kansas, and crashed into a field, according to National Transportation Safety Board.The pilot was the only person on board.&nbsp;&nbsp;EMS transported him the to Patterson Health Center, according to Sheriff Tracy Chance, where he was treated and released.Witnesses to the accident or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the NTSB at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:witness@ntsb.gov">witness@ntsb.gov</a>&nbsp;

Authorities release name of Kan. pilot injured in small plane crash

WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sandra-day-oconnor">The late Justice Sandra Day O'Connor</a>, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court and an unwavering voice of moderate conservatism for more than two decades, lies in repose in the court's Great Hall on Monday.

O’Connor, an Arizona native,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oconnor-first-woman-justice-304f91633f069c46350bdfff540ff9fe">died Dec. 1</a>&nbsp;at age 93.

Her casket was carried up the steps in front of the court, passing under the iconic words engraved on the pediment, “Equal Justice Under Law," and placed in the court's Great Hall. C-SPAN will broadcast a private ceremony held before the hall is open to the public, allowing people to pay their respects afterward, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The last justice who lay in repose at the court was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ruth-bader-ginsburg-voting-rights-politics-joe-biden-elections-bf6704fa6e900967a705054c801a5495">Ruth Bader Ginsburg</a>, the second female justice. After her death in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-ruth-bader-ginsburg-ap-top-news-virus-outbreak-courts-1b5420d9b3582e7ab8419989cea43a6f">mourners passed by her casket</a>&nbsp;outside the building, on the portico at the top of the steps.

Funeral services for O'Connor are set for Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral, where President Joe Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts are scheduled to speak.

O'Connor was nominated in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-us-supreme-court-politics-environment-kamala-harris-ddd600db8fd6930ebfd438c251b8a39a">subsequently confirmed by the Senate,</a>&nbsp;ending 191 years of male exclusivity on the high court. A rancher's daughter who was largely unknown on the national scene until her appointment, she received more letters than any one member in the court’s history in her first year and would come to be referred to as the nation’s most powerful woman.

She wielded considerable sway on the nine-member court, generally favoring states in disputes with the federal government and often siding with police when they faced claims of violating people’s rights. Her influence could perhaps best be seen, though, on the court’s rulings on abortion. She twice joined the majority in decisions that upheld and reaffirmed Roe v. Wade, the decision that said women have a constitutional right to abortion.

Thirty years after that decision,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">a more conservative court</a>&nbsp;overturned Roe, and the opinion was written by the man who took her place, Justice Samuel Alito.

O’Connor grew up riding horses, rounding up cattle and driving trucks and tractors on the family's sprawling Arizona ranch and developed a tenacious, independent spirit.

She was a top-ranked graduate of Stanford’s law school in 1952, but quickly discovered that most large law firms at the time did not hire women. One Los Angeles firm offered her a job as a secretary.

She built a career that included service as a member of the Arizona Legislature and state judge before her appointment to the Supreme Court at age 51. When she first arrived, she didn’t even have a place anywhere near the courtroom to go to the bathroom. That was soon rectified, but she remained the court’s only woman until 1993.

She retired at age 75, citing her husband’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease as her primary reason for leaving the court. John O'Connor died three years later, in 2009.

After her retirement, O'Connor remained active, sitting as a judge on several federal appeals courts, advocating for judicial independence and serving on the Iraq Study Group. President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

She expressed regret that a woman had not been chosen to replace her, but lived to see a record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oconnor-obituary-women-justices-fdda04cb0d18c0fd2086a062494f5f24">four women</a>&nbsp;now serving at the same time on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/members_text.aspx">Supreme Court</a>.

She died in Phoenix, of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness. Her survivors include her three sons, Scott, Brian and Jay, six grandchildren and a brother.

The family has asked that donations be made to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.icivics.org/">iCivics</a>, the group she founded to promote civics education.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702914683695.png" alt="Funeral services for O'Connor are set for Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral,Image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Funeral services for O'Connor are set for Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral,Image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sandra-day-oconnor">The late Justice Sandra Day O'Connor</a>, the first woman to serve on the Supreme Court and an unwavering voice of moderate conservatism for more than two decades, lies in repose in the court's Great Hall on Monday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Justice Sonia Sotomayor: &quot;Sandra was a living example that women could take on any challenge, could more than hold their own in spaces dominated by men and could do so with grace.&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SCOTUS?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SCOTUS</a> <a href="https://t.co/oH7ZkE6IuZ">pic.twitter.com/oH7ZkE6IuZ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1736766873826443570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>O’Connor, an Arizona native,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oconnor-first-woman-justice-304f91633f069c46350bdfff540ff9fe">died Dec. 1</a>&nbsp;at age 93.Her casket was carried up the steps in front of the court, passing under the iconic words engraved on the pediment, “Equal Justice Under Law," and placed in the court's Great Hall. C-SPAN will broadcast a private ceremony held before the hall is open to the public, allowing people to pay their respects afterward, from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702915002478.png" alt="Sandra Day O’Connor, the nation’s first woman Supreme Court justice, lies in repose at the nation’s highest court in the land. She died at the age of 93 on December 1, 2023." />
 <figcaption>Sandra Day O’Connor, the nation’s first woman Supreme Court justice, lies in repose at the nation’s highest court in the land. She died at the age of 93 on December 1, 2023.</figcaption>
 </figure>The last justice who lay in repose at the court was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ruth-bader-ginsburg-voting-rights-politics-joe-biden-elections-bf6704fa6e900967a705054c801a5495">Ruth Bader Ginsburg</a>, the second female justice. After her death in 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-ruth-bader-ginsburg-ap-top-news-virus-outbreak-courts-1b5420d9b3582e7ab8419989cea43a6f">mourners passed by her casket</a>&nbsp;outside the building, on the portico at the top of the steps.Funeral services for O'Connor are set for Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral, where President Joe Biden and Chief Justice John Roberts are scheduled to speak.O'Connor was nominated in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ketanji-brown-jackson-us-supreme-court-politics-environment-kamala-harris-ddd600db8fd6930ebfd438c251b8a39a">subsequently confirmed by the Senate,</a>&nbsp;ending 191 years of male exclusivity on the high court. A rancher's daughter who was largely unknown on the national scene until her appointment, she received more letters than any one member in the court’s history in her first year and would come to be referred to as the nation’s most powerful woman.She wielded considerable sway on the nine-member court, generally favoring states in disputes with the federal government and often siding with police when they faced claims of violating people’s rights. Her influence could perhaps best be seen, though, on the court’s rulings on abortion. She twice joined the majority in decisions that upheld and reaffirmed Roe v. Wade, the decision that said women have a constitutional right to abortion.Thirty years after that decision,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">a more conservative court</a>&nbsp;overturned Roe, and the opinion was written by the man who took her place, Justice Samuel Alito.O’Connor grew up riding horses, rounding up cattle and driving trucks and tractors on the family's sprawling Arizona ranch and developed a tenacious, independent spirit.She was a top-ranked graduate of Stanford’s law school in 1952, but quickly discovered that most large law firms at the time did not hire women. One Los Angeles firm offered her a job as a secretary.She built a career that included service as a member of the Arizona Legislature and state judge before her appointment to the Supreme Court at age 51. When she first arrived, she didn’t even have a place anywhere near the courtroom to go to the bathroom. That was soon rectified, but she remained the court’s only woman until 1993.She retired at age 75, citing her husband’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease as her primary reason for leaving the court. John O'Connor died three years later, in 2009.After her retirement, O'Connor remained active, sitting as a judge on several federal appeals courts, advocating for judicial independence and serving on the Iraq Study Group. President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.She expressed regret that a woman had not been chosen to replace her, but lived to see a record&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-oconnor-obituary-women-justices-fdda04cb0d18c0fd2086a062494f5f24">four women</a>&nbsp;now serving at the same time on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/members_text.aspx">Supreme Court</a>.She died in Phoenix, of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness. Her survivors include her three sons, Scott, Brian and Jay, six grandchildren and a brother.The family has asked that donations be made to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.icivics.org/">iCivics</a>, the group she founded to promote civics education.

🎥Justice Sandra Day O'Connor lies in repose at Supreme Court

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas teen accused in a deadly shooting made a first court appearance Friday.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=744587">Philip Walls,</a> 18 of Derby, is charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and two counts of attempted aggravated robbery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Around 2:00 a.m. Dec. 6, the Blackwell, Oklahoma Police Department contacted Sedgwick County Dispatch, reporting a shooting investigation involving two individuals who had entered a Blackwell hospital, with one of them sustaining a gunshot wound, according to Officer Andrew Ford.

Following discussions with the subjects, Blackwell Police shared information with Sedgwick County Dispatch. Consequently, the Wichita Police Department was alerted to respond to the Hydraulic and MacArthur area based on information suggesting that the shooting victim, 34-year-old Daniel McPherson, would be found there.

Upon arrival, officers discovered McPherson with a gunshot wound to his head. He&nbsp;was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide investigators were dispatched to conduct the investigation and later traveled to Blackwell, Oklahoma where the two male suspects were in custody.&nbsp; Walls was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail December 13, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=744587">according to online jail records.</a> He is being held on a $750,000 bond.&nbsp;Co-defendant James Sawyer, 19 of Wichita, remains in Oklahoma and is fighting extradition to Kansas.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702588818825.png" alt="Walls-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Walls-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas teen accused in a deadly shooting made a first court appearance Friday.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=744587">Philip Walls,</a> 18 of Derby, is charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder and two counts of attempted aggravated robbery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Around 2:00 a.m. Dec. 6, the Blackwell, Oklahoma Police Department contacted Sedgwick County Dispatch, reporting a shooting investigation involving two individuals who had entered a Blackwell hospital, with one of them sustaining a gunshot wound, according to Officer Andrew Ford.Following discussions with the subjects, Blackwell Police shared information with Sedgwick County Dispatch. Consequently, the Wichita Police Department was alerted to respond to the Hydraulic and MacArthur area based on information suggesting that the shooting victim, 34-year-old Daniel McPherson, would be found there.Upon arrival, officers discovered McPherson with a gunshot wound to his head. He&nbsp;was pronounced dead at the scene. Homicide investigators were dispatched to conduct the investigation and later traveled to Blackwell, Oklahoma where the two male suspects were in custody.&nbsp; Walls was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail December 13, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=744587">according to online jail records.</a> He is being held on a $750,000 bond.&nbsp;Co-defendant James Sawyer, 19 of Wichita, remains in Oklahoma and is fighting extradition to Kansas.&nbsp;

Kansas teen charged with murder during robbery 

CHICAGO (AP) — Quaker Oats on Friday recalled several of its granola products, including granola bars and cereals, saying the foods could be contaminated with salmonella.

<a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/174880/download?attachment">Click here to see </a>the complete list of recalled items

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-salmonella-cantaloupes-outbreak-9a32fba45d330f89fd0f7565d1fcbc10">Salmonella infections</a>&nbsp;can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, according to the Food and Drug Administration. In rare cases, the bacterial disease can be fatal.

Quaker, which is owned by PepsiCo, said in a news release that it has not received any reports of salmonella infections related to the recalled granola products. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/quaker-recalls-granola-bars-and-granola-cereals-due-possible-health-risk#recall-announcement">full list</a>&nbsp;of recalled foods includes granola oats cereals and Quaker Chewy Bars, which are also sold in PepsiCo’s snack mixes.

The affected products have been sold in all 50 U.S. states, as well as U.S. territories, Quaker said. The company is asking customers with recalled products to throw them away and contact its customer support line or visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.quakergranolarecall.com/">recall website</a>&nbsp;for more information and reimbursement.

According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 1.35 million cases of salmonella infection occur in the U.S. each year, causing approximately 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702823846753.png" alt="Photo Quaker Oats" />
 <figcaption>Photo Quaker Oats</figcaption>
 </figure>CHICAGO (AP) — Quaker Oats on Friday recalled several of its granola products, including granola bars and cereals, saying the foods could be contaminated with salmonella.<a href="https://www.fda.gov/media/174880/download?attachment">Click here to see </a>the complete list of recalled items<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-salmonella-cantaloupes-outbreak-9a32fba45d330f89fd0f7565d1fcbc10">Salmonella infections</a>&nbsp;can cause fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain, according to the Food and Drug Administration. In rare cases, the bacterial disease can be fatal.Quaker, which is owned by PepsiCo, said in a news release that it has not received any reports of salmonella infections related to the recalled granola products. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/quaker-recalls-granola-bars-and-granola-cereals-due-possible-health-risk#recall-announcement">full list</a>&nbsp;of recalled foods includes granola oats cereals and Quaker Chewy Bars, which are also sold in PepsiCo’s snack mixes.The affected products have been sold in all 50 U.S. states, as well as U.S. territories, Quaker said. The company is asking customers with recalled products to throw them away and contact its customer support line or visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.quakergranolarecall.com/">recall website</a>&nbsp;for more information and reimbursement.According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 1.35 million cases of salmonella infection occur in the U.S. each year, causing approximately 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths.

Quaker Oats recalls granola bars, cereals due to possible health risk

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp;investigating an armed bank robbery at Great Southern Bank, 5206 W 95th Street in Prairie Village.

Just after 10:30 a.m., police were dispatched to report of a robbery at the bank, according to a media release..

Bank employees informed officers that the suspect who was armed with a handgun had left the bank and walked north with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The suspect is described as white and was wearing a black fleece jacket, blue jeans, black stocking hat and a black face mask.&nbsp;

There were no injuries during the robbery and no customers were inside the bank at the time, according to police.

Anyone with information to call the Prarie Village Police at 913/642-5151 or call the TIPS Hotline at 816/474-TIPS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702817029294.png" alt="Security camera image Prairie Village Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image Prairie Village Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are&nbsp;investigating an armed bank robbery at Great Southern Bank, 5206 W 95th Street in Prairie Village.Just after 10:30 a.m., police were dispatched to report of a robbery at the bank, according to a media release..Bank employees informed officers that the suspect who was armed with a handgun had left the bank and walked north with an undisclosed amount of cash.The suspect is described as white and was wearing a black fleece jacket, blue jeans, black stocking hat and a black face mask.&nbsp;There were no injuries during the robbery and no customers were inside the bank at the time, according to police.Anyone with information to call the Prarie Village Police at 913/642-5151 or call the TIPS Hotline at 816/474-TIPS.

Search underway for Kansas bank robbery suspect

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a deadly shooting at a home in Kansas City have identified the victim as 14-year-old&nbsp;Dadrien Alvarez.

Just after 7p.m. Friday, police responded to report of a shooting at a home near St. John and White Avenue, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp;&nbsp;

First responders found the boy inside the home with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police released no additional details or suspect information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702730077462.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting investigation -photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp; investigating a deadly shooting at a home in Kansas City have identified the victim as 14-year-old&nbsp;Dadrien Alvarez.Just after 7p.m. Friday, police responded to report of a shooting at a home near St. John and White Avenue, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.&nbsp;&nbsp; First responders found the boy inside the home with a gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; &nbsp;Police released no additional details or suspect information.

Homicide: Police ID 14-year-old found dead in Kansas City home

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is on a multi-day trip to the Middle East with stops in Israel, Qatar and Bahrain, according to&nbsp;&nbsp;C. Todd Lopez&nbsp;, in a statement from the Department of Defense. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, also arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday, according to the Associated Press.

On Saturday, a U.S. warship shot down 14 suspected attack drones over the Red Sea and a Royal Navy destroyer downed another drone that was targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthis-shipping-red-sea-navy-israel-6dc5fbff6d28fead5d6ef1224cba5a14">commercial ships,</a>&nbsp;the British and American militaries said.

Austin's trip also includes a visit to the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is underway now in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

In Israel, Austin will underscore the unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law, and he will also discuss steps Israel is taking to mitigate civilian harm.

The secretary is also expected to discuss with Israeli military leaders what are to be the next steps in the conflict after an eventual cessation of high-intensity ground operations and airstrikes, said a senior defense official at the Pentagon today.

"[Secretary Austin] has been having discussions with his Israeli counterparts the entire time about the different phases of their campaign, how they assess the different phases of their campaign, and what their operational milestones are in order to feel that their population can be secure enough given their stated objective of the military dismantlement of Hamas," the official said. "He wants to talk to them about how you move through those different phases."

While the conflict between Israel and Hamas is an Israeli campaign and it will ultimately be Israeli's decision on how to move to the next phase of operations, Austin is interested in learning more about their plans going forward, the official said.

"It's for [Israel] to determine when they assess that Hamas has been sufficiently degraded [so] that they can shift to the next phase of their campaign," the official said. "We, as the Department of Defense, and Secretary Austin in particular, I think, [have] incredibly valuable perspectives on this and that's what he wants to consult with them about."

In Bahrain, Austin is expected to visit U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. Part of the discussions there between the U.S. and Bahrain will involve U.S. efforts to convene multilateral coalitions to respond to aggression at sea that threatens shipping and the global economy.

"We will talk with them in a multinational framework about the work we're doing, particularly in light of increasing Houthi aggression in the Red Sea," the official said.

Since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, the official said Qatar has played a critical role in helping the U.S. communicate with Hamas. That effort was critical in securing the agreement for the release of some hostages. Qatar was also recently named a "major non-NATO ally" of the U.S. and plays host to U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base. The secretary will visit that installation.

"Secretary Austin will express our gratitude to Qatar's national leaders for their partnership and their work with us on a range of regional and global objectives," the official said. He will also discuss with Qataris the upgrades they’re investing in at Al Udeid.

Another part of this trip, the official said, is a visit to the Ford.

"Secretary Austin wants to visit with the troops on that carrier," the official said. "They are missing the holidays with their families, and they have done an incredible service — not only for our country, but for the region."

The Ford, like the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, is in the Middle East now as part of the U.S. effort to make it clear that neither state or nonstate actors should hope to escalate the ongoing conflict beyond Gaza.

"What this visit to the Ford is about is an acknowledgment that we demonstrated what the National Defense Strategy means," the official said. "The Department of Defense retains the capability to dynamically and expeditiously flow force into any theater in response to a crisis or contingency while maintaining our commitments in other theaters. And that is exactly what we've done."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702861605041.png" alt="The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete for a scheduled port visit, Dec. 2, 2023. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa's area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.&nbsp;Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Delaney S. Jensen" />
 <figcaption>The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford arrives in Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete for a scheduled port visit, Dec. 2, 2023. The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa's area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.&nbsp;Photo By:Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Delaney S. Jensen</figcaption>
 </figure>Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is on a multi-day trip to the Middle East with stops in Israel, Qatar and Bahrain, according to&nbsp;&nbsp;C. Todd Lopez&nbsp;, in a statement from the Department of Defense. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. CQ Brown, also arrived in Tel Aviv on Monday, according to the Associated Press. On Saturday, a U.S. warship shot down 14 suspected attack drones over the Red Sea and a Royal Navy destroyer downed another drone that was targeting&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthis-shipping-red-sea-navy-israel-6dc5fbff6d28fead5d6ef1224cba5a14">commercial ships,</a>&nbsp;the British and American militaries said.Austin's trip also includes a visit to the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is underway now in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.In Israel, Austin will underscore the unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international humanitarian law, and he will also discuss steps Israel is taking to mitigate civilian harm.The secretary is also expected to discuss with Israeli military leaders what are to be the next steps in the conflict after an eventual cessation of high-intensity ground operations and airstrikes, said a senior defense official at the Pentagon today."[Secretary Austin] has been having discussions with his Israeli counterparts the entire time about the different phases of their campaign, how they assess the different phases of their campaign, and what their operational milestones are in order to feel that their population can be secure enough given their stated objective of the military dismantlement of Hamas," the official said. "He wants to talk to them about how you move through those different phases."While the conflict between Israel and Hamas is an Israeli campaign and it will ultimately be Israeli's decision on how to move to the next phase of operations, Austin is interested in learning more about their plans going forward, the official said."It's for [Israel] to determine when they assess that Hamas has been sufficiently degraded [so] that they can shift to the next phase of their campaign," the official said. "We, as the Department of Defense, and Secretary Austin in particular, I think, [have] incredibly valuable perspectives on this and that's what he wants to consult with them about."In Bahrain, Austin is expected to visit U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. Part of the discussions there between the U.S. and Bahrain will involve U.S. efforts to convene multilateral coalitions to respond to aggression at sea that threatens shipping and the global economy."We will talk with them in a multinational framework about the work we're doing, particularly in light of increasing Houthi aggression in the Red Sea," the official said.Since the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, the official said Qatar has played a critical role in helping the U.S. communicate with Hamas. That effort was critical in securing the agreement for the release of some hostages. Qatar was also recently named a "major non-NATO ally" of the U.S. and plays host to U.S. forces at Al Udeid Air Base. The secretary will visit that installation."Secretary Austin will express our gratitude to Qatar's national leaders for their partnership and their work with us on a range of regional and global objectives," the official said. He will also discuss with Qataris the upgrades they’re investing in at Al Udeid.Another part of this trip, the official said, is a visit to the Ford."Secretary Austin wants to visit with the troops on that carrier," the official said. "They are missing the holidays with their families, and they have done an incredible service — not only for our country, but for the region."The Ford, like the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, is in the Middle East now as part of the U.S. effort to make it clear that neither state or nonstate actors should hope to escalate the ongoing conflict beyond Gaza."What this visit to the Ford is about is an acknowledgment that we demonstrated what the National Defense Strategy means," the official said. "The Department of Defense retains the capability to dynamically and expeditiously flow force into any theater in response to a crisis or contingency while maintaining our commitments in other theaters. And that is exactly what we've done."

Pentagon chief arrives in Middle East as attacks on US forces spike

KANSAS CITY —Three people died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Kansas City over the weekend.

Just before 7a.m. Saturday, fire crews responded to a carbon monoxide call at a house at 1018 Fuller Avenue in Kansas City, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.

On arrival crews encountered high levels of carbon monoxide readings on their CO monitor (1100 parts per million). Upon entering the home Crews discovered three men, ages approximately 20 to 40-years-old and of Hispanic heritage, who had succumb to the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

A fourth man was discovered alive but in critical condition and was transported to a local hospital. The cause of the CO exposure has been identified as a gas-powered generator that was being operated indoors.&nbsp;

The Kansas City Fire Department reminded the public to never run any type of combustion engine indoors, and to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home or business. 

Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause you to become very ill, and potentially cause death. Common symptoms of CO poisoning include nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and lethargy. If you experience any of these symptoms and suspect carbon monoxide, exit the structure to fresh air and call the fire department.

The KCMO fire department provides free smoke detectors. A&nbsp;CO detector is also available by sending an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:healthy.homes@kcmo.org">healthy.homes@kcmo.org</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702902800728.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Three people died from carbon monoxide poisoning in Kansas City over the weekend.Just before 7a.m. Saturday, fire crews responded to a carbon monoxide call at a house at 1018 Fuller Avenue in Kansas City, according to&nbsp;Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins.On arrival crews encountered high levels of carbon monoxide readings on their CO monitor (1100 parts per million). Upon entering the home Crews discovered three men, ages approximately 20 to 40-years-old and of Hispanic heritage, who had succumb to the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. A fourth man was discovered alive but in critical condition and was transported to a local hospital. The cause of the CO exposure has been identified as a gas-powered generator that was being operated indoors.&nbsp;The Kansas City Fire Department reminded the public to never run any type of combustion engine indoors, and to install carbon monoxide detectors in your home or business. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. Carbon monoxide can cause you to become very ill, and potentially cause death. Common symptoms of CO poisoning include nausea, headache, vomiting, dizziness, and lethargy. If you experience any of these symptoms and suspect carbon monoxide, exit the structure to fresh air and call the fire department.The KCMO fire department provides free smoke detectors. A&nbsp;CO detector is also available by sending an email to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:healthy.homes@kcmo.org">healthy.homes@kcmo.org</a>.

3 dead from carbon monoxide poisoning in Kansas City home

BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple drug allegations.

On Thursday, the&nbsp;Brown County Sheriff's office received information about recent drug related activity in Hiawatha, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

Deputies investigated the concern and were&nbsp; able to obtain a search warrant.&nbsp; The Brown County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force and Hiawatha Police executed that warrant&nbsp; at&nbsp; a residence at 1104 Utah Street.

Deputies arrested 20-year-old Francis Gonzales of Hiawatha was on requested charges of Possession of Cocaine, Marijuana and&nbsp; Drug Paraphernalia.

Yiesson Porter, 22, Hiawatha was arrested on requested charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of psilocybin w intent to distribute, possession of marijuana w intent to distribute, possession of illegal drugs wo a tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702678869408.png" alt="Gonzales-photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Gonzales-photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple drug allegations.On Thursday, the&nbsp;Brown County Sheriff's office received information about recent drug related activity in Hiawatha, according to Sheriff John Merchant.Deputies investigated the concern and were&nbsp; able to obtain a search warrant.&nbsp; The Brown County Sheriff's Office Drug Task Force and Hiawatha Police executed that warrant&nbsp; at&nbsp; a residence at 1104 Utah Street.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702678904562.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies arrested 20-year-old Francis Gonzales of Hiawatha was on requested charges of Possession of Cocaine, Marijuana and&nbsp; Drug Paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702678932902.png" alt="Porter photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Porter photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Yiesson Porter, 22, Hiawatha was arrested on requested charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of psilocybin w intent to distribute, possession of marijuana w intent to distribute, possession of illegal drugs wo a tax stamp, and possession of drug paraphernalia.