SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp;continue to investigate a hit-and-run collision that fatally injured 49-year-old Paul Piepmeier of Wichita.

Just after 2a.m. September 30, police were dispatched to the 4500 block of South Broadway Avenue in Wichita for a vehicle vs. pedestrian collision, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders located Piepmeier unconscious and with multiple injuries.&nbsp; EMS transported him to a local hospital in critical condition. He was later pronounced deceased by medical staff.

The investigation revealed Piepmeier entered the street when he was struck by southbound dark-colored SUV.&nbsp;&nbsp;Detectives are asking for help to&nbsp;identify the driver and locate the vehicle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696522499514.png" alt="Security camera images Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera images Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities&nbsp;continue to investigate a hit-and-run collision that fatally injured 49-year-old Paul Piepmeier of Wichita.Just after 2a.m. September 30, police were dispatched to the 4500 block of South Broadway Avenue in Wichita for a vehicle vs. pedestrian collision, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696522750920.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>First responders located Piepmeier unconscious and with multiple injuries.&nbsp; EMS transported him to a local hospital in critical condition. He was later pronounced deceased by medical staff.The investigation revealed Piepmeier entered the street when he was struck by southbound dark-colored SUV.&nbsp;&nbsp;Detectives are asking for help to&nbsp;identify the driver and locate the vehicle.

Police ask for help to ID suspect in fatal Kan. hit-and-run

By MIKE COURSON Great Bend Post

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce continue to dominate the headlines in the football and entertainment world. The birding community has been chasing its own star. Last week, an American flamingo was spotted at Chase County State Fishing Lake near Strong City and Cottonwood Falls. Kansas Wetlands Education Center Director Curtis Wolf said it's only the third time a flamingo has been spotted in Kansas, and the first time in 50 years.

"One of those first sightings is actually at Quivira," he said. "They had, I think it was multiple birds that were there in the 1920s. Strangely enough, one of those was actually shot and mounted. There's a mount down at Quivira of this flamingo that was taken there at Quivira."

Hurricane Idalia moved through the Florida region at the end of August, and it is believed that storm displaced many bird species. Flamingos have been spotted as far north as Wisconsin, Missouri, and now Kansas.

"I think at one time they were a lot more common down in the Everglades area of Florida," said Wolf. "In the United States, that's the only place you can see them. I don't think they're real common there anymore."

  Bird enthusiasts have flocked to the lake in Chase County to take photos of the flamingo and cross it off their birding list. Wolf said the bird will not survive a Kansas winter, so the hope is its time in Kansas is just a brief layover.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696337625379.jpeg" alt="An American flamingo was spotted in Chase County last week, the first of its kind in Kansas in 50 years. (photo by Jarrett Thurman)" />
 <figcaption>An American flamingo was spotted in Chase County last week, the first of its kind in Kansas in 50 years. (photo by Jarrett Thurman)</figcaption>
 </figure>By MIKE COURSON Great Bend PostTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce continue to dominate the headlines in the football and entertainment world. The birding community has been chasing its own star. Last week, an American flamingo was spotted at Chase County State Fishing Lake near Strong City and Cottonwood Falls. Kansas Wetlands Education Center Director Curtis Wolf said it's only the third time a flamingo has been spotted in Kansas, and the first time in 50 years."One of those first sightings is actually at Quivira," he said. "They had, I think it was multiple birds that were there in the 1920s. Strangely enough, one of those was actually shot and mounted. There's a mount down at Quivira of this flamingo that was taken there at Quivira."Hurricane Idalia moved through the Florida region at the end of August, and it is believed that storm displaced many bird species. Flamingos have been spotted as far north as Wisconsin, Missouri, and now Kansas."I think at one time they were a lot more common down in the Everglades area of Florida," said Wolf. "In the United States, that's the only place you can see them. I don't think they're real common there anymore." Bird enthusiasts have flocked to the lake in Chase County to take photos of the flamingo and cross it off their birding list. Wolf said the bird will not survive a Kansas winter, so the hope is its time in Kansas is just a brief layover.

Bird chasers enjoying craze of flamingo spotted in Kansas

Regulators will hold a hearing on the agreement on Monday.

By ALLISON KITE, <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/04/evergy-regulators-near-deal-on-kansas-electric-rates/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Evergy is close to a deal with state regulators that would reduce electric rates in the Kansas City area and raise costs for the company’s other Kansas customers.

If the deal is approved by the Kansas Corporation Commission, Evergy’s Kansas Central territory —&nbsp;including Topeka, Manhattan and Wichita —&nbsp;would see rates increase by 4.05%, about $4.64 per month. Customers on the Kansas side of the Kansas City metro would see a 4.75% decrease, or about $6.07.

The deal,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://investors.evergy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/evergy-reaches-unanimous-settlement-parties-kansas-rate-case">announced late Friday</a>, is a major departure from the rate increases Evergy requested: a 9.7% increase for Kansas Central and a 1.95% increase for the metro.

“This settlement is a very strong result for our customers,” Evergy’s president and CEO, David Campbell, said in a news release.&nbsp;

Evergy serves 1.6 million electric customers in Kansas and Missouri. It formed from the merger of Kansas City Power &amp; Light, which supplied energy to the metro area, and Westar, which covered most of the rest of eastern and central Kansas, in 2018. Since then, it has been under a rate moratorium as a condition of the merger. This&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/11/evergy-requests-first-rate-increase-in-five-years-rates-outside-kansas-city-would-jump-10/">rate case</a>, filed with the Kansas Corporation Commission in April, is the first in five years.

In its April filing,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/portal/kscc/PSC/DocketDetails.aspx?DocketId=e82552a6-1ad1-472b-a482-162270692d33">Evergy requested rate increases</a>&nbsp;in both of its Kansas territories that would bring in a combined $218 million to the company.

For Kansas Central customers, Evergy’s request would have increased bills by $14.24. Kansas City-area customers would have seen bills jump by $3.47.

But staff of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/11/evergy-requests-first-rate-increase-in-five-years-rates-outside-kansas-city-would-jump-10/">Kansas Corporation Commission said Evergy’s request was too steep</a>.

In a filing in August, the commission’s staff recommended only a 1.66% increase for Kansas Central and a 7.32% drop for the Kansas City metro. Under staff’s recommendation, Evergy would have seen an overall decline of $40 million.

The settlement deal filed with regulators last week lands in the middle.&nbsp;

The deal —supported by Evergy, the commission staff and numerous consumer, environmental and business groups —&nbsp;still has to be approved by the commission.

If approved, the rate changes in the deal would bring in another $41 million for Evergy, less than one-fifth of the revenue it hoped to bring in from customers.

In a filing in support of the negotiated deal, Justin Grady, who works in the utilities division of the Kansas Corporation Commission, said the compromise includes “just and reasonable rates, is in the public interest and is supported by substantial competent evidence in the record.”&nbsp;

Noting the wide variety of interest groups that signed onto the deal, Grady wrote, “the fact that these varied interests were able to collaborate and present a unanimous resolution … strongly indicates the public interest standard has been met.”&nbsp;

The three-member Kansas Corporation Commission is expected to hold a hearing about the deal Monday and decide whether to approve it by December.

While this rate case could soon be settled, another one is likely to follow soon.

Normally, utilities file general rate cases every few years, but Evergy requested permission to file another one next year to deal with the spike in demand expected from the Panasonic plant planned in DeSoto.&nbsp;

According to filings with the KCC, the Panasonic plant is expected to use twice as much energy as Evergy’s largest current commercial customer. The plant, which will produce batteries for electric vehicles, requires an amount of energy Evergy likened to a small city.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687004047927.png" alt=" Evergy headquarters in downtown Topeka (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)." />
 <figcaption> Evergy headquarters in downtown Topeka (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector).</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Regulators will hold a hearing on the agreement on Monday.</h2>By ALLISON KITE, <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/04/evergy-regulators-near-deal-on-kansas-electric-rates/">Kansas Reflector</a>Evergy is close to a deal with state regulators that would reduce electric rates in the Kansas City area and raise costs for the company’s other Kansas customers.If the deal is approved by the Kansas Corporation Commission, Evergy’s Kansas Central territory —&nbsp;including Topeka, Manhattan and Wichita —&nbsp;would see rates increase by 4.05%, about $4.64 per month. Customers on the Kansas side of the Kansas City metro would see a 4.75% decrease, or about $6.07.The deal,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://investors.evergy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/evergy-reaches-unanimous-settlement-parties-kansas-rate-case">announced late Friday</a>, is a major departure from the rate increases Evergy requested: a 9.7% increase for Kansas Central and a 1.95% increase for the metro.“This settlement is a very strong result for our customers,” Evergy’s president and CEO, David Campbell, said in a news release.&nbsp;Evergy serves 1.6 million electric customers in Kansas and Missouri. It formed from the merger of Kansas City Power &amp; Light, which supplied energy to the metro area, and Westar, which covered most of the rest of eastern and central Kansas, in 2018. Since then, it has been under a rate moratorium as a condition of the merger. This&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/11/evergy-requests-first-rate-increase-in-five-years-rates-outside-kansas-city-would-jump-10/">rate case</a>, filed with the Kansas Corporation Commission in April, is the first in five years.In its April filing,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/portal/kscc/PSC/DocketDetails.aspx?DocketId=e82552a6-1ad1-472b-a482-162270692d33">Evergy requested rate increases</a>&nbsp;in both of its Kansas territories that would bring in a combined $218 million to the company.For Kansas Central customers, Evergy’s request would have increased bills by $14.24. Kansas City-area customers would have seen bills jump by $3.47.But staff of the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/08/11/evergy-requests-first-rate-increase-in-five-years-rates-outside-kansas-city-would-jump-10/">Kansas Corporation Commission said Evergy’s request was too steep</a>.In a filing in August, the commission’s staff recommended only a 1.66% increase for Kansas Central and a 7.32% drop for the Kansas City metro. Under staff’s recommendation, Evergy would have seen an overall decline of $40 million.The settlement deal filed with regulators last week lands in the middle.&nbsp;The deal —supported by Evergy, the commission staff and numerous consumer, environmental and business groups —&nbsp;still has to be approved by the commission.If approved, the rate changes in the deal would bring in another $41 million for Evergy, less than one-fifth of the revenue it hoped to bring in from customers.In a filing in support of the negotiated deal, Justin Grady, who works in the utilities division of the Kansas Corporation Commission, said the compromise includes “just and reasonable rates, is in the public interest and is supported by substantial competent evidence in the record.”&nbsp;Noting the wide variety of interest groups that signed onto the deal, Grady wrote, “the fact that these varied interests were able to collaborate and present a unanimous resolution … strongly indicates the public interest standard has been met.”&nbsp;The three-member Kansas Corporation Commission is expected to hold a hearing about the deal Monday and decide whether to approve it by December.While this rate case could soon be settled, another one is likely to follow soon.Normally, utilities file general rate cases every few years, but Evergy requested permission to file another one next year to deal with the spike in demand expected from the Panasonic plant planned in DeSoto.&nbsp;According to filings with the KCC, the Panasonic plant is expected to use twice as much energy as Evergy’s largest current commercial customer. The plant, which will produce batteries for electric vehicles, requires an amount of energy Evergy likened to a small city.

Evergy, regulators near deal on Kansas electric rates

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatality crash involving a bicyclist and a sport utility vehicle that occurred just before 6a.m.Thursday in Johnson County.

Officers were dispatched to the crash scene in the area of South Lone Elm Road and West 159th&nbsp;Street, according to Olathe Police. First responders found a 28-year-old bicyclist. He was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the SUV, a 64-year-old woman, remained on scene and is cooperating.&nbsp; Police have not released the victim's name.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696515388372.png" alt="First responders on the scene of the fatal crash -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>First responders on the scene of the fatal crash -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatality crash involving a bicyclist and a sport utility vehicle that occurred just before 6a.m.Thursday in Johnson County.Officers were dispatched to the crash scene in the area of South Lone Elm Road and West 159th&nbsp;Street, according to Olathe Police. First responders found a 28-year-old bicyclist. He was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the SUV, a 64-year-old woman, remained on scene and is cooperating.&nbsp; Police have not released the victim's name.

Kansas bicyclist killed after struck by SUV

WICHITA —A federal grand jury in Wichita returned a superseding indictment charging a Kansas felon with drug trafficking crimes, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Tremayne M. Darkis, 44, of Parsons is charged with a total of 55 counts including one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering, 49 counts of use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking crime, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in or near a school.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case.&nbsp;&nbsp;Darkis has previous convictions for theft and burglary, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696444107427.png" alt="Darkis has previous convictions for theft and burglary, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Darkis has previous convictions for theft and burglary, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —A federal grand jury in Wichita returned a superseding indictment charging a Kansas felon with drug trafficking crimes, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Tremayne M. Darkis, 44, of Parsons is charged with a total of 55 counts including one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, one count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering, 49 counts of use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking crime, one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in or near a school.The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is investigating the case.&nbsp;&nbsp;Darkis has previous convictions for theft and burglary, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections

Kansas felon accused of selling meth near a school

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — The Biden administration announced it waived 26 federal laws in South Texas to allow border wall construction on Wednesday, marking the administration’s first use of a sweeping executive power employed often during the Trump presidency.

The Department of Homeland Security posted the&nbsp;<a href="https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-22176.pdf?utm_campaign=pi+subscription+mailing+list&amp;utm_source=federalregister.gov&amp;utm_medium=email">announcement on the U.S. Federal Registry</a>&nbsp;with few details outlining the construction in Starr County, Texas, which is part of a busy Border Patrol sector seeing “high illegal entry.” According to government data, about 245,000 illegal entries have been recorded so far this fiscal year in the Rio Grande Valley Sector which contains 21 counties.

“There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas,” Alejandro Mayorkas, the DHS secretary, stated in the notice.

The Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and Endangered Species Act were some of the federal laws waived by DHS to make way for construction that will use funds from a congressional appropriation in 2019 for border wall construction. The waivers avoid time-consuming reviews and lawsuits challenging violation of environmental laws.

Starr County's hilly ranchlands, sitting between Zapata and McAllen, Texas, is home to about 65,000 residents sparsely populating about 1,200 square miles (3,108 square kilometers) that form part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

Although no maps were provided in the announcement, CBP announced the project in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/cbp-moves-forward-rgv-barrier-and-yuma-andrade-and-el-centro-calexico">June</a>&nbsp;and began gathering public comments in August when it shared a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbp.gov/about/environmental-management/border-barrier-environmental-planning-starr-county-texas-august-2023">map</a>&nbsp;of the additional construction that can add up to 20 miles (32 kilometers) to the existing border barrier system in the area. Starr County Judge Eloy Vera said it will start south of the Falcon Dam and go past Salineño, Texas.

“The other concern that we have is that area is highly erosive. There’s a lot of arroyos,” Eloy Vera, the county judge said, pointing out the creeks cutting through the ranchland and leading into the river.

Concern is shared with environmental advocates who say structures will run through public lands, habitats of endangered plants and species like the Ocelot, a spotted wild cat.

“A plan to build a wall through will bulldoze an impermeable barrier straight through the heart of that habitat. It will stop wildlife migrations dead in their tracks. It will destroy a huge amount of wildlife refuge land. And it’s a horrific step backwards for the borderlands,” Laiken Jordahl, a southwest conservation advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity, said Wednesday afternoon.

During the Trump administration, about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-north-america-donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-45b59be6a28e4ac68edbd435447f4a4a">450 miles (724 kilometers) of barriers</a>&nbsp;were built along the southwest border between 2017 and January 2021. Texas Governor Greg Abbott renewed those efforts after the Biden administration halted them at the start of his presidency.

The DHS decision on Wednesday contrasts the Biden administration's posturing when a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/proclamation-termination-of-emergency-with-respect-to-southern-border-of-united-states-and-redirection-of-funds-diverted-to-border-wall-construction/">proclamation</a>&nbsp;to end the construction on Jan. 20, 2021, stated, “building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution.”

In a statement Wednesday, CBP said the project is consistent with that 2021 proclamation. “Congress appropriated fiscal year 2019 funds for the construction of border barrier in the Rio Grande Valley, and DHS is required to use those funds for their appropriated purpose,” the statement said. “CBP remains committed to protecting the nation’s cultural and natural resources and will implement sound environmental practices as part of the project covered by this waiver.”

The announcement prompted political debate by the Democratic administration facing an increase of migrants entering through the southern border in recent months, including thousands who entered the U.S. through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-texas-california-border-asylum-seekers-314698bfb5644be8f8f6085ebe9b9b98">Eagle Pass</a>&nbsp;at the end of September.

“A border wall is a 14th century solution to a 21st century problem. It will not bolster border security in Starr County,” U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar said in a statement. “I continue to stand against the wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars on an ineffective border wall.”

Political proponents of the border wall said the waivers should be used as a launching pad for a shift in policy.

“After years of denying that a border wall and other physical barriers are effective, the DHS announcement represents a sea change in the administration’s thinking: A secure wall is an effective tool for maintaining control of our borders,” Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said in a statement. “Having made that concession, the administration needs to immediately begin construction of wall across the border to prevent the illegal traffic from simply moving to other areas of the border.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683151099285.png" alt="In January, President Joe Biden stopped in El Paso for his first visit to the U.S.-Mexico border since he became president. White House photo" />
 <figcaption>In January, President Joe Biden stopped in El Paso for his first visit to the U.S.-Mexico border since he became president. White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>McALLEN, Texas (AP) — The Biden administration announced it waived 26 federal laws in South Texas to allow border wall construction on Wednesday, marking the administration’s first use of a sweeping executive power employed often during the Trump presidency.The Department of Homeland Security posted the&nbsp;<a href="https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-22176.pdf?utm_campaign=pi+subscription+mailing+list&amp;utm_source=federalregister.gov&amp;utm_medium=email">announcement on the U.S. Federal Registry</a>&nbsp;with few details outlining the construction in Starr County, Texas, which is part of a busy Border Patrol sector seeing “high illegal entry.” According to government data, about 245,000 illegal entries have been recorded so far this fiscal year in the Rio Grande Valley Sector which contains 21 counties.“There is presently an acute and immediate need to construct physical barriers and roads in the vicinity of the border of the United States in order to prevent unlawful entries into the United States in the project areas,” Alejandro Mayorkas, the DHS secretary, stated in the notice.The Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act and Endangered Species Act were some of the federal laws waived by DHS to make way for construction that will use funds from a congressional appropriation in 2019 for border wall construction. The waivers avoid time-consuming reviews and lawsuits challenging violation of environmental laws.Starr County's hilly ranchlands, sitting between Zapata and McAllen, Texas, is home to about 65,000 residents sparsely populating about 1,200 square miles (3,108 square kilometers) that form part of the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge.Although no maps were provided in the announcement, CBP announced the project in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/local-media-release/cbp-moves-forward-rgv-barrier-and-yuma-andrade-and-el-centro-calexico">June</a>&nbsp;and began gathering public comments in August when it shared a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbp.gov/about/environmental-management/border-barrier-environmental-planning-starr-county-texas-august-2023">map</a>&nbsp;of the additional construction that can add up to 20 miles (32 kilometers) to the existing border barrier system in the area. Starr County Judge Eloy Vera said it will start south of the Falcon Dam and go past Salineño, Texas.“The other concern that we have is that area is highly erosive. There’s a lot of arroyos,” Eloy Vera, the county judge said, pointing out the creeks cutting through the ranchland and leading into the river.Concern is shared with environmental advocates who say structures will run through public lands, habitats of endangered plants and species like the Ocelot, a spotted wild cat.“A plan to build a wall through will bulldoze an impermeable barrier straight through the heart of that habitat. It will stop wildlife migrations dead in their tracks. It will destroy a huge amount of wildlife refuge land. And it’s a horrific step backwards for the borderlands,” Laiken Jordahl, a southwest conservation advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity, said Wednesday afternoon.During the Trump administration, about&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-north-america-donald-trump-us-news-ap-top-news-45b59be6a28e4ac68edbd435447f4a4a">450 miles (724 kilometers) of barriers</a>&nbsp;were built along the southwest border between 2017 and January 2021. Texas Governor Greg Abbott renewed those efforts after the Biden administration halted them at the start of his presidency.The DHS decision on Wednesday contrasts the Biden administration's posturing when a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/proclamation-termination-of-emergency-with-respect-to-southern-border-of-united-states-and-redirection-of-funds-diverted-to-border-wall-construction/">proclamation</a>&nbsp;to end the construction on Jan. 20, 2021, stated, “building a massive wall that spans the entire southern border is not a serious policy solution.”In a statement Wednesday, CBP said the project is consistent with that 2021 proclamation. “Congress appropriated fiscal year 2019 funds for the construction of border barrier in the Rio Grande Valley, and DHS is required to use those funds for their appropriated purpose,” the statement said. “CBP remains committed to protecting the nation’s cultural and natural resources and will implement sound environmental practices as part of the project covered by this waiver.”The announcement prompted political debate by the Democratic administration facing an increase of migrants entering through the southern border in recent months, including thousands who entered the U.S. through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-texas-california-border-asylum-seekers-314698bfb5644be8f8f6085ebe9b9b98">Eagle Pass</a>&nbsp;at the end of September.“A border wall is a 14th century solution to a 21st century problem. It will not bolster border security in Starr County,” U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar said in a statement. “I continue to stand against the wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars on an ineffective border wall.”Political proponents of the border wall said the waivers should be used as a launching pad for a shift in policy.“After years of denying that a border wall and other physical barriers are effective, the DHS announcement represents a sea change in the administration’s thinking: A secure wall is an effective tool for maintaining control of our borders,” Dan Stein, president of the Federation for American Immigration Reform, said in a statement. “Having made that concession, the administration needs to immediately begin construction of wall across the border to prevent the illegal traffic from simply moving to other areas of the border.”

Biden to allow border wall construction in South Texas

FINNEY COUNTY —The cause of a deadly fire in southwest Kansas has been determined as accidental, according to the Kansas Fire Marshal's office in a statement from Erin Stillwagon with the Garden City Fire Department.&nbsp; Officials released no additional specifics.

Just after 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, fire crews were dispatched to the report house fire with possible trapped individuals at 613 N. 9th Street, Garden City, according to a media release.

First arriving crews found a multi-story residence with heavy fire and visible smoke. Firefighters made contact with three victims in the front yard who alerted them of additional victims inside.

Personnel entered the house to begin fire attack and search and rescue, and were met with heavy fire and intense heat. During the search, personnel located two additional victims. After retrieving them from the home, fire personnel were joined by EMS to begin life-saving measures.

The victims were loaded into ambulances and care was transferred to EMS. Just before 3a.m., the City of Holcomb Fire Department was requested to provide mutual aid. Personnel reentered the residence to complete the primary search and fire attack.

Additional fire was located in the attic and extinguished. The fire was called under control at 3:22 a.m. and turned over to Garden City Fire Investigators.

As a result of the fire, two victims died, three victims were treated for smoke inhalation, and one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation.

The Garden City Police Department is also conducting an investigation which is standard procedure for victims of a structure fire.&nbsp;&nbsp;Authorities have not released additional details or the names victims

FINNEY COUNTY —The cause of a deadly fire in southwest Kansas has been determined as accidental, according to the Kansas Fire Marshal's office in a statement from Erin Stillwagon with the Garden City Fire Department.&nbsp; Officials released no additional specifics.Just after 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, fire crews were dispatched to the report house fire with possible trapped individuals at 613 N. 9th Street, Garden City, according to a media release.First arriving crews found a multi-story residence with heavy fire and visible smoke. Firefighters made contact with three victims in the front yard who alerted them of additional victims inside.Personnel entered the house to begin fire attack and search and rescue, and were met with heavy fire and intense heat. During the search, personnel located two additional victims. After retrieving them from the home, fire personnel were joined by EMS to begin life-saving measures.The victims were loaded into ambulances and care was transferred to EMS. Just before 3a.m., the City of Holcomb Fire Department was requested to provide mutual aid. Personnel reentered the residence to complete the primary search and fire attack.Additional fire was located in the attic and extinguished. The fire was called under control at 3:22 a.m. and turned over to Garden City Fire Investigators.As a result of the fire, two victims died, three victims were treated for smoke inhalation, and one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation.The Garden City Police Department is also conducting an investigation which is standard procedure for victims of a structure fire.&nbsp;&nbsp;Authorities have not released additional details or the names victims

Fire Marshal determines cause of deadly SW Kansas house fire 

ANTWERP, Belgium (AP) — Simone Biles and her teammates including Leanne Wong of Overland Park, Kansas were far from perfect, and yet nothing could stand in the way of a victory that set a record for both the U.S. women's team and the greatest gymnast in history.

The U.S. women earned a record seventh consecutive team title at the gymnastics world championships on Wednesday night. For Biles, it was also her 33rd major championship medal — across the worlds and Olympics — to make her the most decorated female gymnast ever.

And it's fitting that it came in Antwerp, the Belgian port city where Biles came to international prominence 10 years ago by winning her first world title in 2013.

“It wasn’t Team USA’s best day,” Biles said. "It’s crazy, we still pulled it out. So I’m really, really proud of the team.”

The American team of Biles, Leanne Wong, Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely and Joscelyn Roberson&nbsp; combined for a total of 167.729 points to edge second-place Brazil and France.

The U.S. team won by a margin of 2.199 points as the final proved to be a closer contest than anticipated after the Americans put up a dominant performance in qualifying to finish more than five points ahead of the field.

“We had some mistakes here and there, but just keep going, keep relying on our training,” Biles said. “But I think this team that we have brought this year has the most great courage and fight. ... We had so many emotions going throughout the day.”

The U.S. women have won gold in the team event at every world championship that included a team competition since 2011. Their victory in Antwerp broke a tie with the Chinese men for the longest streak of consecutive team titles.

Biles now has 26 world championship medals, 20 of them gold, to go with her seven Olympic medals, including the 2016 Olympic title. Her 33 combined medals at the sport’s two biggest events are one more than what Larisa Latynina of the Soviet Union achieved.

Russia was banned from the event because of sanctions imposed by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) as a result of the war against Ukraine. In the absence of their Russian rivals — the defending Olympic champions — the Americans were the overwhelming favorites.

But the U.S team overcame an early scare as Roberson was forced out of the event even before it started after she seemed to hurt an ankle while warming up at the vault. She was helped off the mat and subbed by Leann Wong.

“My ankle just ... popped,” Roberson said.

Jones then kicked off the competition smoothly for the Americans with a Double Twist Yurchenko, with only a small hop. Wong responded to the last-minute call with a clean effort before Biles opted for the slightly safer “Cheng” vault rather than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmFMXk3WQow">Yurchenko Double Pike she performed during qualifying on Sunday.</a>

The Americans amassed 42.966 points and were second behind China after the first rotation following the Chinese gymnasts' excellent display on uneven bars.

Biles and her teammates then bested their Chinese opponents’ performance on bars as they took the overall lead with a margin of 1.467 points. They increased it a bit further after the beam — despite a sixth-place finish on that apparatus — as Biles made up for the modest 11.700 Wong received by scoring 14.300 with a solid routine.

Biles capped off a successful night for the U.S team with a spectacular floor routine rewarded by a 15.166.

Biles is competing at her first international competition following a two-year absence. Her previous appearance was at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics, where she was hampered by a bout with a mental block known as “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2020-tokyo-olympics-gymnastics-simone-biles-twisties-9a0a4d25bb485ab0a2b237c4847f09ce">the twisties</a>&nbsp;” that gymnasts can experience while in the air, and withdrew from several events.

Now she's back in the same city that catapulted her to international fame a decade ago, winning the first of her five world all-around titles as a 16-year-old prodigy.

“Each and every time you are crowned world champion, it feels a little bit different,” Biles said. “I'm still surprised that I'm still going, I'm 26, I'm a little bit older. It's different, but it's exciting.”

Biles, who posted an overall score of 58.732 points, is also the favorite to add a sixth all-around title on Friday, although she will likely face a strong challenge from Brazilian Rebeca Andrade, the reigning world all-around champion. The event finals are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

Andrade led Brazil to its first medal ever in the women's team competition. The French team, spurred on by the hundreds of fans cheering for them, secured their first women’s team medal at the world championships since a silver in 1950.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693184669443.png" alt="<a href="https://members.usagym.org/pages/athletes/nationalTeamWomen.html?id=431412">Leanne Wong,</a>&nbsp;a graduate of&nbsp;Blue Valley High School&nbsp;in Overland Park, Kansas, photo courtesy University of Florida" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://members.usagym.org/pages/athletes/nationalTeamWomen.html?id=431412">Leanne Wong,</a>&nbsp;a graduate of&nbsp;Blue Valley High School&nbsp;in Overland Park, Kansas, photo courtesy University of Florida</figcaption>
 </figure>ANTWERP, Belgium (AP) — Simone Biles and her teammates including Leanne Wong of Overland Park, Kansas were far from perfect, and yet nothing could stand in the way of a victory that set a record for both the U.S. women's team and the greatest gymnast in history.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">On top of the world! 🌎 What a team effort from <a href="https://twitter.com/Simone_Biles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Simone_Biles</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/skyeblakely_?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@skyeblakely_</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/kayladicello?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kayladicello</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/ShileseJ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShileseJ</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Josc_Roberson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Josc_Roberson</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/leannewong03?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@leannewong03</a>! <a href="https://t.co/hpUQHGD4hy">pic.twitter.com/hpUQHGD4hy</a>&mdash; USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) <a href="https://twitter.com/USAGym/status/1709662774270292039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 4, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The U.S. women earned a record seventh consecutive team title at the gymnastics world championships on Wednesday night. For Biles, it was also her 33rd major championship medal — across the worlds and Olympics — to make her the most decorated female gymnast ever.And it's fitting that it came in Antwerp, the Belgian port city where Biles came to international prominence 10 years ago by winning her first world title in 2013.“It wasn’t Team USA’s best day,” Biles said. "It’s crazy, we still pulled it out. So I’m really, really proud of the team.”The American team of Biles, Leanne Wong, Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely and Joscelyn Roberson&nbsp; combined for a total of 167.729 points to edge second-place Brazil and France.The U.S. team won by a margin of 2.199 points as the final proved to be a closer contest than anticipated after the Americans put up a dominant performance in qualifying to finish more than five points ahead of the field.“We had some mistakes here and there, but just keep going, keep relying on our training,” Biles said. “But I think this team that we have brought this year has the most great courage and fight. ... We had so many emotions going throughout the day.”The U.S. women have won gold in the team event at every world championship that included a team competition since 2011. Their victory in Antwerp broke a tie with the Chinese men for the longest streak of consecutive team titles.Biles now has 26 world championship medals, 20 of them gold, to go with her seven Olympic medals, including the 2016 Olympic title. Her 33 combined medals at the sport’s two biggest events are one more than what Larisa Latynina of the Soviet Union achieved.Russia was banned from the event because of sanctions imposed by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) as a result of the war against Ukraine. In the absence of their Russian rivals — the defending Olympic champions — the Americans were the overwhelming favorites.But the U.S team overcame an early scare as Roberson was forced out of the event even before it started after she seemed to hurt an ankle while warming up at the vault. She was helped off the mat and subbed by Leann Wong.“My ankle just ... popped,” Roberson said.Jones then kicked off the competition smoothly for the Americans with a Double Twist Yurchenko, with only a small hop. Wong responded to the last-minute call with a clean effort before Biles opted for the slightly safer “Cheng” vault rather than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmFMXk3WQow">Yurchenko Double Pike she performed during qualifying on Sunday.</a>The Americans amassed 42.966 points and were second behind China after the first rotation following the Chinese gymnasts' excellent display on uneven bars.Biles and her teammates then bested their Chinese opponents’ performance on bars as they took the overall lead with a margin of 1.467 points. They increased it a bit further after the beam — despite a sixth-place finish on that apparatus — as Biles made up for the modest 11.700 Wong received by scoring 14.300 with a solid routine.Biles capped off a successful night for the U.S team with a spectacular floor routine rewarded by a 15.166.Biles is competing at her first international competition following a two-year absence. Her previous appearance was at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics, where she was hampered by a bout with a mental block known as “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2020-tokyo-olympics-gymnastics-simone-biles-twisties-9a0a4d25bb485ab0a2b237c4847f09ce">the twisties</a>&nbsp;” that gymnasts can experience while in the air, and withdrew from several events.Now she's back in the same city that catapulted her to international fame a decade ago, winning the first of her five world all-around titles as a 16-year-old prodigy.“Each and every time you are crowned world champion, it feels a little bit different,” Biles said. “I'm still surprised that I'm still going, I'm 26, I'm a little bit older. It's different, but it's exciting.”Biles, who posted an overall score of 58.732 points, is also the favorite to add a sixth all-around title on Friday, although she will likely face a strong challenge from Brazilian Rebeca Andrade, the reigning world all-around champion. The event finals are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.Andrade led Brazil to its first medal ever in the women's team competition. The French team, spurred on by the hundreds of fans cheering for them, secured their first women’s team medal at the world championships since a silver in 1950.

Kansas gymnast helps U.S. win gold at world championships

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal&nbsp; &nbsp;shooting in Wichita are asking the public for help to locate a suspect identified as Luis Jackson, according to a Crime Stoppers report.

Just after 2a.m. September 10, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 4000 block of West Memory Lane in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders&nbsp; located&nbsp;19-year-old Zyles James of Wichita unconscious and not breathing with gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body.

Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. James was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

During the initial response, officers located another victim with a graze wound to the arm. The victim was transported to a local hospital and was treated and released.

If you see Jackson or know his location, call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694602061567.png" alt="Jackson-photo Wichita PD" />
 <figcaption>Jackson-photo Wichita PD</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal&nbsp; &nbsp;shooting in Wichita are asking the public for help to locate a suspect identified as Luis Jackson, according to a Crime Stoppers report.Just after 2a.m. September 10, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 4000 block of West Memory Lane in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.First responders&nbsp; located&nbsp;19-year-old Zyles James of Wichita unconscious and not breathing with gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body.Officers began providing life-saving efforts until EMS arrived. James was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.During the initial response, officers located another victim with a graze wound to the arm. The victim was transported to a local hospital and was treated and released.If you see Jackson or know his location, call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

Kansas murder suspect still at large 

GRAHAM COUNTY—A man admitted in a Kansas court to hunting without permission or a deer permit.

In December of 2022, Game Warden Jake Brooke received a call from a landowner in Graham county who reported hearing a rifle shot at sundown close to his residence, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

 Upon investigation, the landowner discovered an individual claiming to have just shot a coyote on the landowner's property from the roadway. 

After the brief discussion with the alleged coyote shooter, the shooter drove off, after which the landowner contacted Game Warden Brooke. 

Warden Brooke responded with K9 Kreed who quickly located a .243 shell casing along the roadway. While searching the adjoining field, K9 Kreed located a freshly killed mule deer doe. 

The case was recently settled in court, where the suspect plead guilty to hunting without written permission and taking a deer without a permit, paid $1,500 in fines and forfeited the rifle that he used.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696453820387.png" alt="Photo Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens" />
 <figcaption>Photo Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks Game Wardens</figcaption>
 </figure>GRAHAM COUNTY—A man admitted in a Kansas court to hunting without permission or a deer permit.In December of 2022, Game Warden Jake Brooke received a call from a landowner in Graham county who reported hearing a rifle shot at sundown close to his residence, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Upon investigation, the landowner discovered an individual claiming to have just shot a coyote on the landowner's property from the roadway. After the brief discussion with the alleged coyote shooter, the shooter drove off, after which the landowner contacted Game Warden Brooke. Warden Brooke responded with K9 Kreed who quickly located a .243 shell casing along the roadway. While searching the adjoining field, K9 Kreed located a freshly killed mule deer doe. The case was recently settled in court, where the suspect plead guilty to hunting without written permission and taking a deer without a permit, paid $1,500 in fines and forfeited the rifle that he used.

Kan. Game Warden: Poacher shot a mule deer not a coyote 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon said Thursday the U.S. military shot down an armed Turkish drone that came within 500 meters (yards) of American troops in northeastern Syria, in a rare use of force by one NATO member against another.

Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, called it a “regrettable incident” and said U.S. troops were forced to go to bunkers for safety as Turkey bombed targets nearby.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Turkish counterpart and stressed the importance of close coordination between their two countries to prevent any risk to American forces or to the global coalition’s mission to defeat Islamic State militants in the region, Ryder said.

“The decision was made out due diligence and the inherent right of self-defense to take appropriate action to protect U.S. forces,” Ryder said, adding that “we have no indication that Turkey was intentionally targeting U.S. forces.”

U.S. officials earlier told The Associated Press the shootdown was ordered after more than a dozen calls to Turkish military officials stating that U.S. forces were on the ground in the area and that the U.S. military would take action to protect them if the drone didn’t leave. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of a sensitive military incident.

Ryder said U.S. forces observed Turkish drones doing airstrikes around Hasakah at about 7:30 a.m. local time, and some strikes were inside a so-called American “restricted operating zone” just a kilometer (about a half mile) from U.S. troops. He said a bit later a Turkish drone re-entered the restricted area “on a heading toward where U.S. forces were located.”

Commanders determined it was a threat and U.S. F-16 fighter jets shot it down around 11:40 a.m., Ryder said, adding that no U.S. forces were injured.

Typically, the U.S. and Turkish militaries, which are NATO allies, work in close coordination in conducting air maneuvers. But American troops also work closely with Kurdish-led forces to counter the Islamic State group in the region.

The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria conducting missions to counter Islamic State group militants.

There was no immediate comment from Turkey on the shooting of the drone.

The country’s state-run Anadolu Agency reported, however, that the Turkish intelligence service, MIT, carried out an operation against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, and its affiliated Kurdish militia group in Syria, which is known as People’s Defense Units, or YPG. The report said the Turks struck suspected arms and ammunition depots and buildings believed to have been used by the groups’ “sabotage” teams. It did not provide further details on the operation.

On Wednesday, Turkey had carried out airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Kurdish militant targets following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/turkish-minister-retaliation-suicide-attack-78f57d472c0d1f827ec343e59e06d814">suicide attack</a>&nbsp;outside Turkey’s interior ministry building earlier this week.

In a press conference following the attack, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkish intelligence officials have established that the two assailants arrived from Syria, where they had been trained. He said Turkey would now target facilities in Syria and Iraq belonging to the PKK or YPG.

Thursday's incident risks adding to longstanding tensions between Turkey and the United States, even though Turkey is a strategically important ally and NATO member. U.S. officials and lawmakers have criticized Turkey’s human rights record and its delays in agreeing to Sweden's membership in NATO. Turkey has been frustrated by U.S. delays in approving 40 new F-16 fighter jets as well as kits to upgrade its existing fleet.

Ryder told reporters that the U.S. stands “firmly with our NATO ally Turkey and the Turkish people in their fight against the PKK.”

The U.S. has designated the PKK as a “foreign terrorist organization” but has declined to make a similar determination regarding the YPG, which have been a key partner of the U.S. in the fight against the Islamic State group in northern Syria. The U.S. does not believe the YPG represent a threat to Turkey.

As recently as Wednesday, the State Department said there was no change in how the U.S. regards the YPG.

In 2016, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused the U.S. of supporting a failed coup attempt against his government. The U.S. has flatly rejected the claims but has also refused to extradite the leader of the group Erdogan claims was behind the attempt, cleric Fetullah Gulen, who lives in exile in Pennsylvania.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1693011275570.png" alt="The drone was shot down by a U.S. F-16 fighter jet. File&nbsp;Photo By:Air Force Tech. Sgt. Hampton E. Stramler" />
 <figcaption>The drone was shot down by a U.S. F-16 fighter jet. File&nbsp;Photo By:Air Force Tech. Sgt. Hampton E. Stramler</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon said Thursday the U.S. military shot down an armed Turkish drone that came within 500 meters (yards) of American troops in northeastern Syria, in a rare use of force by one NATO member against another.Air Force Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, called it a “regrettable incident” and said U.S. troops were forced to go to bunkers for safety as Turkey bombed targets nearby.Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Turkish counterpart and stressed the importance of close coordination between their two countries to prevent any risk to American forces or to the global coalition’s mission to defeat Islamic State militants in the region, Ryder said.“The decision was made out due diligence and the inherent right of self-defense to take appropriate action to protect U.S. forces,” Ryder said, adding that “we have no indication that Turkey was intentionally targeting U.S. forces.”U.S. officials earlier told The Associated Press the shootdown was ordered after more than a dozen calls to Turkish military officials stating that U.S. forces were on the ground in the area and that the U.S. military would take action to protect them if the drone didn’t leave. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details of a sensitive military incident.Ryder said U.S. forces observed Turkish drones doing airstrikes around Hasakah at about 7:30 a.m. local time, and some strikes were inside a so-called American “restricted operating zone” just a kilometer (about a half mile) from U.S. troops. He said a bit later a Turkish drone re-entered the restricted area “on a heading toward where U.S. forces were located.”Commanders determined it was a threat and U.S. F-16 fighter jets shot it down around 11:40 a.m., Ryder said, adding that no U.S. forces were injured.Typically, the U.S. and Turkish militaries, which are NATO allies, work in close coordination in conducting air maneuvers. But American troops also work closely with Kurdish-led forces to counter the Islamic State group in the region.The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria conducting missions to counter Islamic State group militants.There was no immediate comment from Turkey on the shooting of the drone.The country’s state-run Anadolu Agency reported, however, that the Turkish intelligence service, MIT, carried out an operation against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, and its affiliated Kurdish militia group in Syria, which is known as People’s Defense Units, or YPG. The report said the Turks struck suspected arms and ammunition depots and buildings believed to have been used by the groups’ “sabotage” teams. It did not provide further details on the operation.On Wednesday, Turkey had carried out airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Kurdish militant targets following a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/turkish-minister-retaliation-suicide-attack-78f57d472c0d1f827ec343e59e06d814">suicide attack</a>&nbsp;outside Turkey’s interior ministry building earlier this week.In a press conference following the attack, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Turkish intelligence officials have established that the two assailants arrived from Syria, where they had been trained. He said Turkey would now target facilities in Syria and Iraq belonging to the PKK or YPG.Thursday's incident risks adding to longstanding tensions between Turkey and the United States, even though Turkey is a strategically important ally and NATO member. U.S. officials and lawmakers have criticized Turkey’s human rights record and its delays in agreeing to Sweden's membership in NATO. Turkey has been frustrated by U.S. delays in approving 40 new F-16 fighter jets as well as kits to upgrade its existing fleet.Ryder told reporters that the U.S. stands “firmly with our NATO ally Turkey and the Turkish people in their fight against the PKK.”The U.S. has designated the PKK as a “foreign terrorist organization” but has declined to make a similar determination regarding the YPG, which have been a key partner of the U.S. in the fight against the Islamic State group in northern Syria. The U.S. does not believe the YPG represent a threat to Turkey.As recently as Wednesday, the State Department said there was no change in how the U.S. regards the YPG.In 2016, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused the U.S. of supporting a failed coup attempt against his government. The U.S. has flatly rejected the claims but has also refused to extradite the leader of the group Erdogan claims was behind the attempt, cleric Fetullah Gulen, who lives in exile in Pennsylvania.___

US shoots down armed Turkish drone over Syria

PINEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.4 billion after no players matched all six numbers and hit it rich Wednesday night.

The winning numbers announced were: 9, 35, 54, 63, 64 and the Powerball 1.

Players will next have a shot at the Powerball jackpot Saturday night in hopes of ending an 11-week stretch without a big winner. No matter how large the prize grows the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-lottery-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-b5572da1e5d74f6e974bea45c707b5cb">odds stay the same</a>&nbsp;— and they’re terrible.

It’s those odds of 1 in 292.2 million that make the jackpot so hard to win and that result in such giant prizes for the lucky player or players who manage to pick the game’s six winning numbers. The latest Powerball jackpot is the world’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lottery-jackpot-mega-millions-powerball-b77dd9c7de3f0ab09545a01113b1f111">seventh-largest lottery prize</a>. The last time someone won the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-winner-california-9f0e98a47c96c2b3087a68b33195dd50">top prize was July 19</a>.

In most states, Powerball tickets cost $2 and buyers can chose their own numbers and single Powerball or leave that task to a computer. Powerball drawings are held three times a week at 10:59 p.m. EDT on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturday, with the numbers selected at the Florida Lottery in Tallahassee.

Once the numbers are chosen, it usually takes a couple hours to determine if there is a jackpot winner. If there isn't a winner, state lottery officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-iowa-us-news-ap-top-news-sc-state-wire-0b640d4306324592839d5454caff765a">release a jackpot estimate</a>&nbsp;for the next drawing. If there is a winner, the jackpot reverts to $20 million and begins the long process of growing until there is another winner.

Gale Groseclose, who was buying Powerball tickets in Pineville, North Carolina, said a $1 million prize would be plenty for her but that the Wednesday's $1.2 billion jackpot certainly caught her attention.

“I don’t usually do this on a regular basis, but like I said, when it gets to be, what is it? I don’t even know what, over 1 billion dollars," Groseclose said. “It’s exciting.”

The jackpot is based on revenue from ticket sales, so the more people who play the game, the faster the top prize grows. However, even though the current jackpot is advertised as $1.4 billion, the lottery has less than half that amount available for the top prize. That's why the cash prize — which most winners take — would be $643.7 million.

Players also can&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-annuity-vs-cash-0e741f164106c0f4dba89707c5763c99">choose an annuity</a>, in which that $643.7 million would be paid to a company that would guarantee a return over 30 years of $1.4 billion. If a winner dies before collecting all their money, the remainder would go to the winner's estate.

State lotteries will immediately deduct 24% of jackpot winnings for federal taxes, and additional federal taxes may be required when filing federal tax returns.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/50aedbc64d214666b60ed93542b9e517/powerball-take-home-depends-highly-taxes-where-you-live">State taxes will vary</a>&nbsp;as some states don't tax lottery winnings at all and others tax the money at different rates.

Players who buy winning grand prize tickets in a state different from where they live will pay taxes based on where they bought the ticket.

DO POWERBALL ODDS CHANGE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS?

The game's odds remain 1 in 292.2 million regardless of how big the jackpot is and the number of people buying tickets. Those odds mean there are 292.2 million possible number combinations.

To put the immensity of that into context, note that for Monday's drawing players across the country chose just over 20% of those possible combinations. That means nearly 80% of the possible combinations were not selected, so the odds were pretty good that there wouldn't be a winner.

Typically, the larger the jackpot grows, the more people play and the more combinations are covered. People also usually buy more tickets on Saturdays, which increases the chance of a winner for those drawings.

Eric Warner, who also was buying tickets in Pineville, said he would immediately buy a Porsche if he won the big jackpot and then invest most of the money for himself and his community. Warner said he never really expects to win but enjoys buying a ticket now and then.

“It’s something that I run into and maybe I’m feeling lucky," he said. “Then I’ll go ahead and pick up a ticket and just kind of hope for the best.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/067009cee9004217a03a029b4a4895e6">Rules vary from state to state</a>&nbsp;with some requiring that jackpot winners be named and others allowing anonymity. Some states have more detailed rules, such as in Florida, where winners can remain anonymous for 90 days before the state lottery releases their name.

PINEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — The Powerball jackpot climbed to an estimated $1.4 billion after no players matched all six numbers and hit it rich Wednesday night.The winning numbers announced were: 9, 35, 54, 63, 64 and the Powerball 1.Players will next have a shot at the Powerball jackpot Saturday night in hopes of ending an 11-week stretch without a big winner. No matter how large the prize grows the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-lottery-us-news-ap-top-news-ia-state-wire-b5572da1e5d74f6e974bea45c707b5cb">odds stay the same</a>&nbsp;— and they’re terrible.It’s those odds of 1 in 292.2 million that make the jackpot so hard to win and that result in such giant prizes for the lucky player or players who manage to pick the game’s six winning numbers. The latest Powerball jackpot is the world’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lottery-jackpot-mega-millions-powerball-b77dd9c7de3f0ab09545a01113b1f111">seventh-largest lottery prize</a>. The last time someone won the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-winner-california-9f0e98a47c96c2b3087a68b33195dd50">top prize was July 19</a>.GAME DETAILSIn most states, Powerball tickets cost $2 and buyers can chose their own numbers and single Powerball or leave that task to a computer. Powerball drawings are held three times a week at 10:59 p.m. EDT on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturday, with the numbers selected at the Florida Lottery in Tallahassee.Once the numbers are chosen, it usually takes a couple hours to determine if there is a jackpot winner. If there isn't a winner, state lottery officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-america-iowa-us-news-ap-top-news-sc-state-wire-0b640d4306324592839d5454caff765a">release a jackpot estimate</a>&nbsp;for the next drawing. If there is a winner, the jackpot reverts to $20 million and begins the long process of growing until there is another winner.Gale Groseclose, who was buying Powerball tickets in Pineville, North Carolina, said a $1 million prize would be plenty for her but that the Wednesday's $1.2 billion jackpot certainly caught her attention.“I don’t usually do this on a regular basis, but like I said, when it gets to be, what is it? I don’t even know what, over 1 billion dollars," Groseclose said. “It’s exciting.”HOW IS THE JACKPOT DETERMINED?The jackpot is based on revenue from ticket sales, so the more people who play the game, the faster the top prize grows. However, even though the current jackpot is advertised as $1.4 billion, the lottery has less than half that amount available for the top prize. That's why the cash prize — which most winners take — would be $643.7 million.Players also can&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/powerball-jackpot-annuity-vs-cash-0e741f164106c0f4dba89707c5763c99">choose an annuity</a>, in which that $643.7 million would be paid to a company that would guarantee a return over 30 years of $1.4 billion. If a winner dies before collecting all their money, the remainder would go to the winner's estate.WHAT ABOUT TAXES?State lotteries will immediately deduct 24% of jackpot winnings for federal taxes, and additional federal taxes may be required when filing federal tax returns.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/50aedbc64d214666b60ed93542b9e517/powerball-take-home-depends-highly-taxes-where-you-live">State taxes will vary</a>&nbsp;as some states don't tax lottery winnings at all and others tax the money at different rates.Players who buy winning grand prize tickets in a state different from where they live will pay taxes based on where they bought the ticket.DO POWERBALL ODDS CHANGE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS?The game's odds remain 1 in 292.2 million regardless of how big the jackpot is and the number of people buying tickets. Those odds mean there are 292.2 million possible number combinations.To put the immensity of that into context, note that for Monday's drawing players across the country chose just over 20% of those possible combinations. That means nearly 80% of the possible combinations were not selected, so the odds were pretty good that there wouldn't be a winner.Typically, the larger the jackpot grows, the more people play and the more combinations are covered. People also usually buy more tickets on Saturdays, which increases the chance of a winner for those drawings.Eric Warner, who also was buying tickets in Pineville, said he would immediately buy a Porsche if he won the big jackpot and then invest most of the money for himself and his community. Warner said he never really expects to win but enjoys buying a ticket now and then.“It’s something that I run into and maybe I’m feeling lucky," he said. “Then I’ll go ahead and pick up a ticket and just kind of hope for the best.”CAN WINNERS REMAIN ANONYMOUS?<a href="https://apnews.com/067009cee9004217a03a029b4a4895e6">Rules vary from state to state</a>&nbsp;with some requiring that jackpot winners be named and others allowing anonymity. Some states have more detailed rules, such as in Florida, where winners can remain anonymous for 90 days before the state lottery releases their name.WHERE IS THE GAME PLAYED?

Powerball jackpot up to $1.4 billion after no one matches all 6 winning numbers

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man who stole a family's SUV and dragged a 13-year-old girl to her death is going to prison.

On Wednesday, a judge sentenced 36-year-old Kevin Palmer to 41- years in prison for the death of Brianna Ibarra, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In August, Palmer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

In February of 2021 Brianna Ibarra, was sitting in a running SUV waiting for her family to pick up food when Palmer jumped in and drove away, according to officer Charley Davidson.

She became tangled in a seat belt when she tried to escape as the vehicle was moving and was dragged several miles.

Police arrested Palmer after he tried to run away from the vehicle.&nbsp; First responders pronounced the girl dead at the scene.

At the time, Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay said&nbsp; the girl's death is "one of the saddest cases I have been associated with in my years of law enforcement."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/2/1612732717380.png" alt="Palmer photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Palmer photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A man who stole a family's SUV and dragged a 13-year-old girl to her death is going to prison.On Wednesday, a judge sentenced 36-year-old Kevin Palmer to 41- years in prison for the death of Brianna Ibarra, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In August, Palmer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.In February of 2021 Brianna Ibarra, was sitting in a running SUV waiting for her family to pick up food when Palmer jumped in and drove away, according to officer Charley Davidson.She became tangled in a seat belt when she tried to escape as the vehicle was moving and was dragged several miles.Police arrested Palmer after he tried to run away from the vehicle.&nbsp; First responders pronounced the girl dead at the scene.At the time, Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay said&nbsp; the girl's death is "one of the saddest cases I have been associated with in my years of law enforcement."

Man sentenced in death of Kan. girl dragged by stolen SUV

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on child sex allegations.&nbsp;

On Tuesday police arrested 24-year-old&nbsp; Jayln C. Cluke of Atchison on a District Court warrant charging him with aggravated criminal sodomy, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

This warrant is the result of a May 2021 police investigation involving a victim under the age of 14. Cluke is being held on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696438270226.png" alt="Cluke photo Atchison Co." />
 <figcaption>Cluke photo Atchison Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on child sex allegations.&nbsp;On Tuesday police arrested 24-year-old&nbsp; Jayln C. Cluke of Atchison on a District Court warrant charging him with aggravated criminal sodomy, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.This warrant is the result of a May 2021 police investigation involving a victim under the age of 14. Cluke is being held on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records.

Kansas man accused of child sex crimes

WICHITA —A Kansas felon is under investigation for a crime involving a laser pointer.

Cletis Ringwald, 68, of Lyons was indicted on one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft, according to the United State's Attorney.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Kansas Highway Patrol are investigating the case.

Ringwald has a previous conviction for drug possession, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696444782028.png" alt="Image from a similar KHP investigation in 2018" />
 <figcaption>Image from a similar KHP investigation in 2018</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA —A Kansas felon is under investigation for a crime involving a laser pointer.Cletis Ringwald, 68, of Lyons was indicted on one count of aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft, according to the United State's Attorney.The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Kansas Highway Patrol are investigating the case.Ringwald has a previous conviction for drug possession, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Indictment: Kansas felon aimed laser pointer at aircraft

WASHINGTON —President Biden has long believed that college should be a ticket to the middle class, not a burden that weighs on families. That’s why from day one, his Administration has taken unprecedented steps to fix the broken student loan system, make college more affordable, and bring the promise of higher education in reach for more Americans, according to a statement from the White House.

Marking a key step forward in that effort, President Biden is announcing that an additional 125,000 Americans have been approved for $9 billion in debt relief through fixes his Administration has made to income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and by cancelling debt for borrowers with total and permanent disabilities.&nbsp;Today’s announcement brings the total approved debt cancellation by the Biden-Harris Administration to $127 billion for nearly 3.6 million Americans.

The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing it has approved:

The Department of Education is also releasing state-by-state totals of debt relief approved under the Biden-Harris Administration through fixes to IDR and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-announces-additional-9-billion-student-debt-relief">this link</a>&nbsp;to see the state-by-state breakdown.

Today’s announcement builds on all that the Biden-Harris Administration has done to make college more affordable and ensure that student loans aren’t a barrier to opportunity for students and families. The Biden-Harris Administration earlier this year launched the most affordable student loan repayment plan –&nbsp;<a href="http://www.studentaid.gov/SAVE">SAVE</a>&nbsp;– which makes many borrowers’ monthly payments as low as $0 and prevents balances from growing because of unpaid interest. The Administration secured the largest increase to Pell Grants in a decade, and finalized new rules to protect borrowers from career programs that leave graduates with unaffordable debts or insufficient earnings. And, in the wake of the Supreme Court decision on the Administration’s original student debt relief plan, President Biden announced his Administration was pursuing an alternative path to debt relief through negotiated rulemaking under the Higher Education Act.

The Administration took an important step forward in the negotiated rulemaking process last week as the Department of Education announced individuals who will serve on the negotiating committee and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-moves-forward-student-debt-relief-negotiated-rulemaking-deliver-support-many-borrowers-possible-quickly-possible">released</a>&nbsp;an issue paper to guide the first negotiating session. The paper asks the committee to consider how the Administration can help borrowers, including borrowers whose balances are greater than what they originally borrowed, those who would be eligible for relief under existing repayment plans but have not applied, and borrowers who have experienced financial hardship on their loans that the current loan system doesn’t address.

To date, the Biden-Harris Administration has approved $127 billion in debt cancellation for nearly 3.6 million borrowers, including:

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696429291383.png" alt="White House image" />
 <figcaption>White House image</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —President Biden has long believed that college should be a ticket to the middle class, not a burden that weighs on families. That’s why from day one, his Administration has taken unprecedented steps to fix the broken student loan system, make college more affordable, and bring the promise of higher education in reach for more Americans, according to a statement from the White House.(Click below to watch the announcement)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWhiteHouse%2Fvideos%2F644911331125814%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=8" 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>Marking a key step forward in that effort, President Biden is announcing that an additional 125,000 Americans have been approved for $9 billion in debt relief through fixes his Administration has made to income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and by cancelling debt for borrowers with total and permanent disabilities.&nbsp;Today’s announcement brings the total approved debt cancellation by the Biden-Harris Administration to $127 billion for nearly 3.6 million Americans.The Biden-Harris Administration is announcing it has approved:<ul>
 <li>$5.2 billion&nbsp;in additional debt relief for&nbsp;53,000 borrowers&nbsp;under Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs.</li><li>Nearly&nbsp;$2.8 billion&nbsp;in new debt relief for nearly&nbsp;51,000 borrowers&nbsp;through fixes to income-driven repayment. These are borrowers who made 20 years or more of payments but never got the relief they were entitled to.</li><li>$1.2 billion&nbsp;for nearly&nbsp;22,000 borrowers&nbsp;who have a total or permanent disability who have been identified and approved for discharge through a data match with the Social Security Administration.</li>
 </ul>The Department of Education is also releasing state-by-state totals of debt relief approved under the Biden-Harris Administration through fixes to IDR and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-announces-additional-9-billion-student-debt-relief">this link</a>&nbsp;to see the state-by-state breakdown.Today’s announcement builds on all that the Biden-Harris Administration has done to make college more affordable and ensure that student loans aren’t a barrier to opportunity for students and families. The Biden-Harris Administration earlier this year launched the most affordable student loan repayment plan –&nbsp;<a href="http://www.studentaid.gov/SAVE">SAVE</a>&nbsp;– which makes many borrowers’ monthly payments as low as $0 and prevents balances from growing because of unpaid interest. The Administration secured the largest increase to Pell Grants in a decade, and finalized new rules to protect borrowers from career programs that leave graduates with unaffordable debts or insufficient earnings. And, in the wake of the Supreme Court decision on the Administration’s original student debt relief plan, President Biden announced his Administration was pursuing an alternative path to debt relief through negotiated rulemaking under the Higher Education Act.The Administration took an important step forward in the negotiated rulemaking process last week as the Department of Education announced individuals who will serve on the negotiating committee and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/biden-harris-administration-moves-forward-student-debt-relief-negotiated-rulemaking-deliver-support-many-borrowers-possible-quickly-possible">released</a>&nbsp;an issue paper to guide the first negotiating session. The paper asks the committee to consider how the Administration can help borrowers, including borrowers whose balances are greater than what they originally borrowed, those who would be eligible for relief under existing repayment plans but have not applied, and borrowers who have experienced financial hardship on their loans that the current loan system doesn’t address.To date, the Biden-Harris Administration has approved $127 billion in debt cancellation for nearly 3.6 million borrowers, including:<ul>
 <li>Nearly $42 billion for almost 855,000 borrowers who are eligible for forgiveness through income-driven repayment by fixing historical inaccuracies in the count of payments that qualify toward forgiveness;</li><li>Almost $51 billion for 715,000 public servants through Public Service Loan Forgiveness programs;</li><li>$11.7 billion for almost 513,000 borrowers with a total and permanent disability; and</li><li>$22.5 billion for more than 1.3 million borrowers who were cheated by their schools, saw their institutions precipitously close, or are covered by related court settlements.&nbsp;</li>
 </ul>

🎥 Biden announces more student debt relief as payments resume

WASHINGTON (AP) —It's the end of an era for a once-critical pandemic document: The ubiquitous white COVID-19 vaccination cards are being phased out.

Now that COVID-19 vaccines are not being distributed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-delays-cdc-moderna-pfizer-ba66d06cbcc31ba4b22d60e93d3d5024">by the federal government</a>, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stopped printing new cards.

The federal government shipped more than 980 million cards between late 2020, when the first vaccines came out, through May 10, according to the latest available data from the CDC.

Federal and local health officials don't expect the discontinuation of the cards to be a particularly big change, since the days of keeping them tucked in purses and wallets to ensure entry into festivals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-6ae309aff77864cb108fbf9a2dbcf449">bars and restaurants</a>&nbsp;are largely over. If you’ve held on to your card, it’s still valid as proof of vaccination. Otherwise, people who need their COVID-19 immunization records will need to request them just like any other vaccine.

In many cases, the clinic, pharmacy or health department that provided the shot can provide those records. Every state and some cities have an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/contacts-locate-records.html">immunization registry</a>, though rules vary on when records are included and options for obtaining copies of your records.

For example, Texas requires patients' written consent to be included in the registry, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District spokesman David Andres Alegria said. Other places, including Wyoming and Philadelphia's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/get-vaccinated/request-your-immunization-record/">city-specific</a>&nbsp;record system, require vaccine providers to log all vaccinations.

Many states offer digital vaccination records for individuals either online or through an app. Users can save a certificate or a QR code that proves they are vaccinated. And some websites will even track and alert patients when they're due for another one.

“One of the positives (during the pandemic) was having increased autonomy on your patient record, especially the immunization record,” said Jeff Chorath, who manages the immunization information system in Washington state. Washington offers two digital options for obtaining vaccination records — a&nbsp;<a href="https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/immunization/access-your-familys-immunization-information">comprehensive</a>&nbsp;list of all of a person's vaccinations noted in the state database and&nbsp;<a href="https://waverify.doh.wa.gov/">one specific to COVID-19 vaccines.</a>

Other states don't have the same options, so it might take longer to get your records. There could also be gaps in state databases; for example, if you were vaccinated by a federal health provider, those records may be tracked in a separate system.

As for your old card — if you still have it — maybe don't&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e4b5dd577f75d4c012a3cecaf252d654">mail it off to the Smithsonian</a>&nbsp;quite yet. You should save it like any other health record, Wyoming Department of Health nurse consultant Heidi Gurov said.

“It's always good to keep those in a safe spot," she said.

Four million people in the U.S. have received the latest COVID-19 vaccine since it was approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccines-coronavirus-234f27c74438fb4812a014dbd98ddbde">last month</a>, CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen said Wednesday, and a total of 10 million doses have been shipped to providers.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623442333610.png" alt="A Department of Health and Human Services employee holds a COVID-19 vaccine record card Nov. 13, 2020, at Operation Warp Speed headquarters in Washington, D.C..&nbsp; (EJ Hersom/U.S. Department of Defense)" />
 <figcaption>A Department of Health and Human Services employee holds a COVID-19 vaccine record card Nov. 13, 2020, at Operation Warp Speed headquarters in Washington, D.C..&nbsp; (EJ Hersom/U.S. Department of Defense)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —It's the end of an era for a once-critical pandemic document: The ubiquitous white COVID-19 vaccination cards are being phased out.Now that COVID-19 vaccines are not being distributed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-delays-cdc-moderna-pfizer-ba66d06cbcc31ba4b22d60e93d3d5024">by the federal government</a>, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stopped printing new cards.The federal government shipped more than 980 million cards between late 2020, when the first vaccines came out, through May 10, according to the latest available data from the CDC.Federal and local health officials don't expect the discontinuation of the cards to be a particularly big change, since the days of keeping them tucked in purses and wallets to ensure entry into festivals,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-business-health-coronavirus-pandemic-6ae309aff77864cb108fbf9a2dbcf449">bars and restaurants</a>&nbsp;are largely over. If you’ve held on to your card, it’s still valid as proof of vaccination. Otherwise, people who need their COVID-19 immunization records will need to request them just like any other vaccine.In many cases, the clinic, pharmacy or health department that provided the shot can provide those records. Every state and some cities have an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/contacts-locate-records.html">immunization registry</a>, though rules vary on when records are included and options for obtaining copies of your records.For example, Texas requires patients' written consent to be included in the registry, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District spokesman David Andres Alegria said. Other places, including Wyoming and Philadelphia's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.phila.gov/services/mental-physical-health/get-vaccinated/request-your-immunization-record/">city-specific</a>&nbsp;record system, require vaccine providers to log all vaccinations.Many states offer digital vaccination records for individuals either online or through an app. Users can save a certificate or a QR code that proves they are vaccinated. And some websites will even track and alert patients when they're due for another one.“One of the positives (during the pandemic) was having increased autonomy on your patient record, especially the immunization record,” said Jeff Chorath, who manages the immunization information system in Washington state. Washington offers two digital options for obtaining vaccination records — a&nbsp;<a href="https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/immunization/access-your-familys-immunization-information">comprehensive</a>&nbsp;list of all of a person's vaccinations noted in the state database and&nbsp;<a href="https://waverify.doh.wa.gov/">one specific to COVID-19 vaccines.</a>Other states don't have the same options, so it might take longer to get your records. There could also be gaps in state databases; for example, if you were vaccinated by a federal health provider, those records may be tracked in a separate system.As for your old card — if you still have it — maybe don't&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/e4b5dd577f75d4c012a3cecaf252d654">mail it off to the Smithsonian</a>&nbsp;quite yet. You should save it like any other health record, Wyoming Department of Health nurse consultant Heidi Gurov said.“It's always good to keep those in a safe spot," she said.Four million people in the U.S. have received the latest COVID-19 vaccine since it was approved&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccines-coronavirus-234f27c74438fb4812a014dbd98ddbde">last month</a>, CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen said Wednesday, and a total of 10 million doses have been shipped to providers.___

Say goodbye to COVID-19 vaxx card; CDC has stopped printing them

WASHINGTON (AP) — “THIS IS A TEST": If you have a cellphone, were listening to the radio or watching television Wednesday, you should have seen that message flash across your screen as the federal government tested its emergency alert system used to tell people about emergencies.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system">Integrated Public Alert and Warning System</a>&nbsp;sends out messages via the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public/emergency-alert-system">Emergency Alert System</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public/wireless-emergency-alerts">Wireless Emergency Alerts</a>.

The Emergency Alert System is a national public warning system that's designed to allow the president to speak to the American people within 10 minutes during a national emergency via specific outlets such as radio and television. And Wireless Emergency Alerts are short messages — 360 characters or less — that go to mobile phones to alert their owner to important information.

While these types of alerts are frequently used in targeted areas to alert people in the area to thing like tornadoes, Wednesday's test was done across the country.

The test started at 2:20 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday. Wireless phone customers in the United States whose phones were on got a message saying: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” The incoming message also made a loud noise.

Customers whose phones were set to the Spanish language should have gotten the message in Spanish.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696445573397.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — “THIS IS A TEST": If you have a cellphone, were listening to the radio or watching television Wednesday, you should have seen that message flash across your screen as the federal government tested its emergency alert system used to tell people about emergencies.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system">Integrated Public Alert and Warning System</a>&nbsp;sends out messages via the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public/emergency-alert-system">Emergency Alert System</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/integrated-public-alert-warning-system/public/wireless-emergency-alerts">Wireless Emergency Alerts</a>.The Emergency Alert System is a national public warning system that's designed to allow the president to speak to the American people within 10 minutes during a national emergency via specific outlets such as radio and television. And Wireless Emergency Alerts are short messages — 360 characters or less — that go to mobile phones to alert their owner to important information.While these types of alerts are frequently used in targeted areas to alert people in the area to thing like tornadoes, Wednesday's test was done across the country.The test started at 2:20 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday. Wireless phone customers in the United States whose phones were on got a message saying: “THIS IS A TEST of the National Wireless Emergency Alert System. No action is needed.” The incoming message also made a loud noise.Customers whose phones were set to the Spanish language should have gotten the message in Spanish.The test is conducted over a 30-minute window, although mobile phone owners should only get the message once. If their phones were turned off at 2:20 p.m. and then turned on in the next 30 minutes, they should have gotten the message when they turned their phones back on. If they turn their phones on after the 30 minutes have expired they should not get the message.The message also went to people watching broadcast or cable television or listening to the radio. That messages said: “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 14:20 to 14:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public."<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/1180">Federal law requires</a>&nbsp;the systems be tested at least once every three years. The last nationwide test was Aug. 11, 2021.The test&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-fema-hydroxychloroquine-rand-paul-ukraine-cf1d1adb0f179593b64d92be0a5d5507">has spurred falsehoods on social media</a>&nbsp;that it's part of a plot to send a signal to cellphones nationwide to activate nanoparticles such as graphene oxide that have been introduced into people’s bodies. Experts and FEMA officials have dismissed those claims, but some social media users said they planned to shut off their cellphones Wednesday.People also suggested turning off phones for other reasons, such as not disturbing students and teachers in classrooms or children during naptimes at day care. At the White House, messages taped to chairs in the press briefing room asked members of the media to turn off their cellphones.Not everyone did. As alerts went off during the briefing, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said: “There you go ... it works, every couple of years, folks.”The test also sparked discussion about how it could affect people in abusive situations. Some people in abusive situations have secret cellphones — usually with notifications muted — hidden from their abuser that allow them to keep contact with the outside world. Organizations that work with abuse survivors recommended they turn off their phones entirely during the 30-minute-long test Wednesday so as to not have the blaring noise give away to their abuser the fact that they have a secret phone.