HARVEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide and have identified the body found at Harvey County East Park,&nbsp;14 N East Lake Road in Newton, on Sunday as 31-year-old Tyler Lee Ford of Hutchinson, according to a media release from the Harvey County Sheriff's office.

Ford's body was found by a passerby on Sunday in the Sunset Ridge area of East Park, west of North East Lake Road and north of Northeast 12th Street on the ground of a dried-out portion of the lake bed.&nbsp;Much of the lake is without standing water due to drought conditions.

Ford’s death is being investigated as a homicide.

Ford is believed to have died within the past week, and the body placed in the park within the past week. An autopsy by the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center determined Ford died of a gunshot wound. Ford had numerous previous convictions for burglary, theft and robbery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695141146007.png" alt="A passerby found Ford's body on park property west of North East Lake Road near Northeast 12th Street on the ground of a dried-out portion of the lake bed.-Google image" />
 <figcaption>A passerby found Ford's body on park property west of North East Lake Road near Northeast 12th Street on the ground of a dried-out portion of the lake bed.-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a homicide and have identified the body found at Harvey County East Park,&nbsp;14 N East Lake Road in Newton, on Sunday as 31-year-old Tyler Lee Ford of Hutchinson, according to a media release from the Harvey County Sheriff's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695141349395.png" alt="Tyler Lee Ford had numerous previous convictions for burglary, theft and robbery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections" />
 <figcaption>Tyler Lee Ford had numerous previous convictions for burglary, theft and robbery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections</figcaption>
 </figure>Ford's body was found by a passerby on Sunday in the Sunset Ridge area of East Park, west of North East Lake Road and north of Northeast 12th Street on the ground of a dried-out portion of the lake bed.&nbsp;Much of the lake is without standing water due to drought conditions.Ford’s death is being investigated as a homicide.Ford is believed to have died within the past week, and the body placed in the park within the past week. An autopsy by the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center determined Ford died of a gunshot wound. Ford had numerous previous convictions for burglary, theft and robbery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Homicide: Body found on dried-out portion of the Kan. lake bed

JOHNSON COUNTY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of an apartment building fire in Johnson County.

Just after 4a.m. Tuesday, crews from Overland Park and Leawood responded to a fire at the Whispering Hills apartments in the 9100 Block of west 124th Street in Overland Park, according to a media release.

First responders observed smoke and fire coming from a second story balcony of the two-story apartment building. Overland Park police assisted with evacuating residents from the building.

The fire spread to the attic and interior of one unit. It took 45 minutes for fire crews to bring the fire under control. Fire damage was contained to two apartments. Another three apartments had some and water damage. The attic of the building also sustained moderate fire damage.

 There were no injuries reported. Residents of the five apartments were displaced. Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695119452133.png" alt="photos Overland Park Fire Department" />
 <figcaption>photos Overland Park Fire Department</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of an apartment building fire in Johnson County.Just after 4a.m. Tuesday, crews from Overland Park and Leawood responded to a fire at the Whispering Hills apartments in the 9100 Block of west 124th Street in Overland Park, according to a media release.First responders observed smoke and fire coming from a second story balcony of the two-story apartment building. Overland Park police assisted with evacuating residents from the building.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695124423839.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The fire spread to the attic and interior of one unit. It took 45 minutes for fire crews to bring the fire under control. Fire damage was contained to two apartments. Another three apartments had some and water damage. The attic of the building also sustained moderate fire damage. There were no injuries reported. Residents of the five apartments were displaced. Check the Post for additional details as they become available.

Residents displaced after Kansas apartment building fire

UNITED NATIONS (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;made a robust case before the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday that the world must remain united in defending Ukraine against Russian aggression, warning that no nation can be secure if “we allow Ukraine to be carved up" as he tries to rally support for Kyiv's effort to repel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">a nearly 19-month-old Russian invasion</a>&nbsp;that has no end in sight.

(click below to watch a replay of the President's address)

The U.S. president called on world leaders to not let support for Ukraine diminish, arguing that Russia is counting on countries to grow tired of prolonged conflict in Kyiv which will “allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence.” Russia alone is standing in the way of a resolution, Biden argued, saying that Moscow's price for peace was “Ukraine’s capitulation, Ukraine’s territory and Ukraine’s children.”

"I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the United States to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected?” Biden said in his address. “If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?

He continued: “I'd respectfully suggest the answer is no.” He implored the leaders to stand up to "this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow."

During his address, Biden described the partnerships that the U.S. government was fostering around the globe — from Africa to the Indo-Pacific — that he said were creating economic and other advancements, even as he stressed that those relationships were not about “containing any country" — a clear reference to Beijing.

“When it comes to China, let me be clear and consistent,” Biden said. “We seek to responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict.'

In his 30-minute address, Biden repeatedly emphasized the value of institutions such as the United Nations and international coalitions that has helped the world confront significant challenges such as poverty and disease, as well as echoing his defense of democracy, a common theme of his presidency.

“We will not retreat from the values that make us strong," Biden said. “We will defend democracy — our best tool to meet the challenges that we face around the world. And we're working to show how democracy can deliver in ways that matter to people's lives."

The annual forum is a chance for Biden to showcase to other world leaders — and the 2024 U.S. electorate — that he’s reestablished U.S. leadership on the world stage that he says was diminished under former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.

Biden previewed his thinking in a pair of fundraisers on Monday evening, telling supporters that he stood up to Vladimir Putin’s invasion, and questioning whether Trump, the 2024 GOP presidential front-runner, would have even attempted to help Ukraine stop the Russian land grab if he were in power.

“I will not side with dictators like Putin. Maybe Trump and his MAGA friends can bow down but I won’t,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-broadway-fundraiser-new-york-fc92b7f04ad2ac20c119e60337da5cfb">Biden told supporters at a Broadway fundraiser.</a>

There were some notable absences as Biden made his case before the General Assembly: British Prime&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rishi-sunak">Rishi Sunak</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/emmanuel-macron">French President Emmanuel Macron</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/xi-jinping">Chinese President Xi Jinping</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">Putin</a>&nbsp;are all skipping the gathering.

For Biden, the more important audience for Tuesday’s speech could be closer to home as he looks to make the case to voters that he’s skillfully handled a complicated foreign policy agenda and that the experience that comes with age has proved to be an asset. It’s an argument that the 80-year-old president is likely to continue to make to try to counter skepticism — even in his own Democratic Party —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-2024-poll-old-corrupt-12b806876e2072790f9a67793761c688">among voters who are concerned about his age.</a>

“We rallied the world to support Ukraine and united NATO because I was convinced from the beginning that Putin’s counting on NATO not being able to stick together,” Biden said at another Monday fundraiser. “He’s still trying. And our allies know once again, the United States can be counted on.”

Biden's message of unwavering support for Ukraine will play out as Congress is increasingly divided over providing additional funding for Kyiv.

Biden has sought a package of $13.1 billion in additional military aid for Ukraine and $8.5 billion for humanitarian support. But conservative Republican lawmakers have been pushing for broad federal spending cuts and some of those allied with Trump are specifically looking to stop money to Ukraine.

In addition to underscoring continued U.S. support for Ukraine, Biden is expected to touch on mobilizing global resources to combat climate change and bolstering multilateral organizations to help poor and middle-income countries, according to senior administration officials.

Biden aims to send a message that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is in violation of the U.N. charter and to emphasize that every country has a stake in defending a nation’s sovereignty, especially when it is under attack, said the officials, who previewed Biden’s activities in New York this week on condition of anonymity.

After the speech, Biden planned to meet with António Guterres, the U.N. secretary-general, as well as leaders from the so-called C5 group of Central Asian nations, which include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The meeting was expected to focus on regional security, trade, climate change, ongoing reforms to improve governance and other issues.

Xi has stepped up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-central-asia-energy-terrorism-security-f20090e0bacf961d0c87d50f1bcbd052">his own courting of those countries</a>. During his own summit in May with the Central Asian leaders, Xi promised to build more railway and other trade links with the region and proposed jointly developing oil and gas sources.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters last week that Biden’s meeting with those leaders should not be seen as an effort to counterbalance Chinese influence in the region.

“Look, this summit is not against any country,” Sullivan said in previewing the meeting. “It is for a positive agenda that we want to work through with these countries.”

The officials played down the fact that the leaders of the other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council -– the UK, France, Russia and China — won’t be in New York this week and instead emphasized the importance that Biden attaches to showing up at the annual diplomatic forum.

However, Biden does not plan to attend a special summit on climate that Guterres will host on Wednesday, where countries are encouraged to bring new ideas and proposals on how to further cut emissions and combat climate change. Officials played down Biden’s absence at the climate summit, saying the issue will be interspersed through the president’s remarks and events throughout the week. John Kerry, the U.S. climate envoy, is to attend in Biden’s place.

Biden plans to meet with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva">Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/benjamin-netanyahu">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.</a>&nbsp;Senior administration officials said the two leaders will discuss issues including Iran but declined to elaborate further.

Biden is scheduled to host talks Thursday at the White House with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.</a>

UNITED NATIONS (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;made a robust case before the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday that the world must remain united in defending Ukraine against Russian aggression, warning that no nation can be secure if “we allow Ukraine to be carved up" as he tries to rally support for Kyiv's effort to repel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine">a nearly 19-month-old Russian invasion</a>&nbsp;that has no end in sight.(click below to watch a replay of the President's address)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oVIm3oMmIm0?si=nbK3RnpNu595T0lH&amp;start=1315" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The U.S. president called on world leaders to not let support for Ukraine diminish, arguing that Russia is counting on countries to grow tired of prolonged conflict in Kyiv which will “allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence.” Russia alone is standing in the way of a resolution, Biden argued, saying that Moscow's price for peace was “Ukraine’s capitulation, Ukraine’s territory and Ukraine’s children.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695138092476.png" alt="Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the UN during President Biden's address" />
 <figcaption>Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the UN during President Biden's address</figcaption>
 </figure>"I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the United States to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected?” Biden said in his address. “If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?He continued: “I'd respectfully suggest the answer is no.” He implored the leaders to stand up to "this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow."During his address, Biden described the partnerships that the U.S. government was fostering around the globe — from Africa to the Indo-Pacific — that he said were creating economic and other advancements, even as he stressed that those relationships were not about “containing any country" — a clear reference to Beijing.“When it comes to China, let me be clear and consistent,” Biden said. “We seek to responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict.'In his 30-minute address, Biden repeatedly emphasized the value of institutions such as the United Nations and international coalitions that has helped the world confront significant challenges such as poverty and disease, as well as echoing his defense of democracy, a common theme of his presidency.“We will not retreat from the values that make us strong," Biden said. “We will defend democracy — our best tool to meet the challenges that we face around the world. And we're working to show how democracy can deliver in ways that matter to people's lives."The annual forum is a chance for Biden to showcase to other world leaders — and the 2024 U.S. electorate — that he’s reestablished U.S. leadership on the world stage that he says was diminished under former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>.Biden previewed his thinking in a pair of fundraisers on Monday evening, telling supporters that he stood up to Vladimir Putin’s invasion, and questioning whether Trump, the 2024 GOP presidential front-runner, would have even attempted to help Ukraine stop the Russian land grab if he were in power.“I will not side with dictators like Putin. Maybe Trump and his MAGA friends can bow down but I won’t,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-broadway-fundraiser-new-york-fc92b7f04ad2ac20c119e60337da5cfb">Biden told supporters at a Broadway fundraiser.</a>There were some notable absences as Biden made his case before the General Assembly: British Prime&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rishi-sunak">Rishi Sunak</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/emmanuel-macron">French President Emmanuel Macron</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/xi-jinping">Chinese President Xi Jinping</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/vladimir-putin">Putin</a>&nbsp;are all skipping the gathering.For Biden, the more important audience for Tuesday’s speech could be closer to home as he looks to make the case to voters that he’s skillfully handled a complicated foreign policy agenda and that the experience that comes with age has proved to be an asset. It’s an argument that the 80-year-old president is likely to continue to make to try to counter skepticism — even in his own Democratic Party —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-2024-poll-old-corrupt-12b806876e2072790f9a67793761c688">among voters who are concerned about his age.</a>“We rallied the world to support Ukraine and united NATO because I was convinced from the beginning that Putin’s counting on NATO not being able to stick together,” Biden said at another Monday fundraiser. “He’s still trying. And our allies know once again, the United States can be counted on.”Biden's message of unwavering support for Ukraine will play out as Congress is increasingly divided over providing additional funding for Kyiv.Biden has sought a package of $13.1 billion in additional military aid for Ukraine and $8.5 billion for humanitarian support. But conservative Republican lawmakers have been pushing for broad federal spending cuts and some of those allied with Trump are specifically looking to stop money to Ukraine.In addition to underscoring continued U.S. support for Ukraine, Biden is expected to touch on mobilizing global resources to combat climate change and bolstering multilateral organizations to help poor and middle-income countries, according to senior administration officials.Biden aims to send a message that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is in violation of the U.N. charter and to emphasize that every country has a stake in defending a nation’s sovereignty, especially when it is under attack, said the officials, who previewed Biden’s activities in New York this week on condition of anonymity.After the speech, Biden planned to meet with António Guterres, the U.N. secretary-general, as well as leaders from the so-called C5 group of Central Asian nations, which include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.The meeting was expected to focus on regional security, trade, climate change, ongoing reforms to improve governance and other issues.Xi has stepped up&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-central-asia-energy-terrorism-security-f20090e0bacf961d0c87d50f1bcbd052">his own courting of those countries</a>. During his own summit in May with the Central Asian leaders, Xi promised to build more railway and other trade links with the region and proposed jointly developing oil and gas sources.White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters last week that Biden’s meeting with those leaders should not be seen as an effort to counterbalance Chinese influence in the region.“Look, this summit is not against any country,” Sullivan said in previewing the meeting. “It is for a positive agenda that we want to work through with these countries.”The officials played down the fact that the leaders of the other permanent members of the U.N. Security Council -– the UK, France, Russia and China — won’t be in New York this week and instead emphasized the importance that Biden attaches to showing up at the annual diplomatic forum.However, Biden does not plan to attend a special summit on climate that Guterres will host on Wednesday, where countries are encouraged to bring new ideas and proposals on how to further cut emissions and combat climate change. Officials played down Biden’s absence at the climate summit, saying the issue will be interspersed through the president’s remarks and events throughout the week. John Kerry, the U.S. climate envoy, is to attend in Biden’s place.Biden plans to meet with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/luiz-inacio-lula-da-silva">Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/benjamin-netanyahu">Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.</a>&nbsp;Senior administration officials said the two leaders will discuss issues including Iran but declined to elaborate further.Biden is scheduled to host talks Thursday at the White House with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/volodymyr-zelenskyy">Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.</a>

🎥 Biden exhorts world leaders at the UN to stand up to Russia

DETROIT (AP) —The leader of the United Auto Workers said that a limited strike targeting plants in Missouri, Michigan and Ohio may be expanded if “serious progress” toward an new contract agreement isn't made by Friday at noon.

The UAW for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-ford-gm-stellantis-78ff5706878c1308cb45d63c8db7e99b">first time in its history</a>&nbsp;is striking at all three Detroit automakers, but the 13,000 workers on the picket lines for a fifth day Tuesday are hitting only three facilities, one each at GM, Ford and Stellantis, in a novel strategy.

The union can stretch the funds it maintains for striking autoworkers if it limits picketing, but the targeted strikes can still ripple through integrated production systems.

In a video statement late Monday, UAW President Shawn Fain said more factories may be picketed if there is no significant progress in talks by the end of the week.

“We’re not messing around,” he said.

Stellantis resumed negotiations with the UAW this week and on Tuesday, the company's North American Chief Operating Officer Mart Stewart said common ground is still being sought to end the standoff.

“I hope that we're able to do that by Friday,” Stewart said on CNBC.

A spokesman for General Motors said representatives of the company and the United Auto Workers also were continuing to negotiate.

Fain said on NPR that there is “a long way to go,” and if significant progress is not made, "then we will escalate action.”

The union's strategy hinges on its ability to escalate the strike quickly, and the carmakers are warning of potential layoffs as the limited strike reduces the amount of material needed at plants that remain open.

GM said Monday that 2,000 UAW-represented workers at an assembly plant in Kansas City are “expected to be idled as soon as early this week" because of a shortage of supplies from a GM plant near St. Louis, where workers walked off the job Friday.

Workers at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gm.com/company/facilities/fairfax">Kansas City plant</a>&nbsp;build the Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XT4.

The strike could begin to affect suppliers and their employees too. CIE Newcor told Michigan officials that it expects a one-month closure of four plants in the state to start Oct. 2 and idle nearly 300 workers.

In a sign of concern of the strike's potential economic and political fallout, the Biden administration stepped up its response.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she is hoping for a quick resolution, while adding that is too soon to gauge the strike's impact.

“It's premature to be making forecasts about what it means for the economy. It would depend on how long the strike lasts and who would be affected by it,” she said on CNBC.

Strikes by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/writers-strike-hollywood-wga-926179281803e10b1d501dcab93e305d">Hollywood writers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/actors-strike-explained-2607dd29da6c16c0a406359a7e86d7fb">actors</a>, by workers at about 150 Starbucks locations and walkouts that were narrowly averted at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ups-teamsters-contract-union-voting-b104ca459ddb810f2018c68046d063ed">United Parcel Service</a>&nbsp;and West Coast ports — has been driven by a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-inflation-layoffs-economy-federal-reserve-9a0309b7644eb10f4069d9cab0d66687">strong labor market</a>&nbsp;and high demand for workers as well as living costs that have risen rapidly.

President Joe Biden is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strike-automakers-uaw-gm-50d3fbb70714b2faff3b87b596fc0455">sending two top administration officials</a>&nbsp;to Detroit to meet with both sides. Biden has backed the UAW in brief public comments, saying that the automakers have not fairly shared their record profits with workers.

An administration official said Monday that acting Labor Secretary Julie Su and senior aide Gene Sperling will not serve as mediators — they won't be at the bargaining table — but are going to Detroit “to help support the negotiations in any way the parties feel is constructive.” The official was not authorized to discuss private discussions and spoke anonymously.

Fain said the Biden administration won't broker a deal

“This is our battle. Our members are out there manning the picket lines," he said Monday on MSNBC. “This battle is not about the president, it’s not about the former president” —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-debate-strike-f79e9f0db53694206805d0bd3ae6683a">a reference to reports</a>&nbsp;that former President Donald Trump plans to skip a debate for Republican presidential candidates next week to meet with striking autoworkers in Detroit.

And Fain came back to the issue early Tuesday, dismissing Trump's planned visit with striking workers.

“Every fiber of our union is being poured into fighting the billionaire class and an economy that enriches people like Donald Trump at the expense of workers," Fain said in a prepared statement. "We can’t keep electing billionaires and millionaires that don’t have any understanding what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to get by and expecting them to solve the problems of the working class.”

Ford workers on a picket line outside a plant in the Detroit suburb of Wayne this week were joined by members of other unions and the occasional politician.

Tevita Uhatafe, an aircraft-maintenance worker from Arlington, Texas, showed his support and saw what it might look like if UAW members strike against a GM truck plant in his hometown.

“This is a fight that is most likely going to happen in our backyard,” Uhatafe said.

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., said she walked the picket line because the strike “is showcasing a modern movement for worker justice and worker fairness.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695120321769.png" alt="So far the strike is limited to about 13,000 workers at three factories — one each at GM, Ford and Stellantis, the successor to Fiat Chrysler.-photo UAW" />
 <figcaption>So far the strike is limited to about 13,000 workers at three factories — one each at GM, Ford and Stellantis, the successor to Fiat Chrysler.-photo UAW</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) —The leader of the United Auto Workers said that a limited strike targeting plants in Missouri, Michigan and Ohio may be expanded if “serious progress” toward an new contract agreement isn't made by Friday at noon.The UAW for the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-ford-gm-stellantis-78ff5706878c1308cb45d63c8db7e99b">first time in its history</a>&nbsp;is striking at all three Detroit automakers, but the 13,000 workers on the picket lines for a fifth day Tuesday are hitting only three facilities, one each at GM, Ford and Stellantis, in a novel strategy.The union can stretch the funds it maintains for striking autoworkers if it limits picketing, but the targeted strikes can still ripple through integrated production systems.In a video statement late Monday, UAW President Shawn Fain said more factories may be picketed if there is no significant progress in talks by the end of the week.“We’re not messing around,” he said.Stellantis resumed negotiations with the UAW this week and on Tuesday, the company's North American Chief Operating Officer Mart Stewart said common ground is still being sought to end the standoff.“I hope that we're able to do that by Friday,” Stewart said on CNBC.A spokesman for General Motors said representatives of the company and the United Auto Workers also were continuing to negotiate.Fain said on NPR that there is “a long way to go,” and if significant progress is not made, "then we will escalate action.”The union's strategy hinges on its ability to escalate the strike quickly, and the carmakers are warning of potential layoffs as the limited strike reduces the amount of material needed at plants that remain open.GM said Monday that 2,000 UAW-represented workers at an assembly plant in Kansas City are “expected to be idled as soon as early this week" because of a shortage of supplies from a GM plant near St. Louis, where workers walked off the job Friday.Workers at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gm.com/company/facilities/fairfax">Kansas City plant</a>&nbsp;build the Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XT4.The strike could begin to affect suppliers and their employees too. CIE Newcor told Michigan officials that it expects a one-month closure of four plants in the state to start Oct. 2 and idle nearly 300 workers.In a sign of concern of the strike's potential economic and political fallout, the Biden administration stepped up its response.Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she is hoping for a quick resolution, while adding that is too soon to gauge the strike's impact.“It's premature to be making forecasts about what it means for the economy. It would depend on how long the strike lasts and who would be affected by it,” she said on CNBC.Strikes by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/writers-strike-hollywood-wga-926179281803e10b1d501dcab93e305d">Hollywood writers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/actors-strike-explained-2607dd29da6c16c0a406359a7e86d7fb">actors</a>, by workers at about 150 Starbucks locations and walkouts that were narrowly averted at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ups-teamsters-contract-union-voting-b104ca459ddb810f2018c68046d063ed">United Parcel Service</a>&nbsp;and West Coast ports — has been driven by a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-inflation-layoffs-economy-federal-reserve-9a0309b7644eb10f4069d9cab0d66687">strong labor market</a>&nbsp;and high demand for workers as well as living costs that have risen rapidly.President Joe Biden is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strike-automakers-uaw-gm-50d3fbb70714b2faff3b87b596fc0455">sending two top administration officials</a>&nbsp;to Detroit to meet with both sides. Biden has backed the UAW in brief public comments, saying that the automakers have not fairly shared their record profits with workers.An administration official said Monday that acting Labor Secretary Julie Su and senior aide Gene Sperling will not serve as mediators — they won't be at the bargaining table — but are going to Detroit “to help support the negotiations in any way the parties feel is constructive.” The official was not authorized to discuss private discussions and spoke anonymously.Fain said the Biden administration won't broker a deal“This is our battle. Our members are out there manning the picket lines," he said Monday on MSNBC. “This battle is not about the president, it’s not about the former president” —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-debate-strike-f79e9f0db53694206805d0bd3ae6683a">a reference to reports</a>&nbsp;that former President Donald Trump plans to skip a debate for Republican presidential candidates next week to meet with striking autoworkers in Detroit.And Fain came back to the issue early Tuesday, dismissing Trump's planned visit with striking workers.“Every fiber of our union is being poured into fighting the billionaire class and an economy that enriches people like Donald Trump at the expense of workers," Fain said in a prepared statement. "We can’t keep electing billionaires and millionaires that don’t have any understanding what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to get by and expecting them to solve the problems of the working class.”Ford workers on a picket line outside a plant in the Detroit suburb of Wayne this week were joined by members of other unions and the occasional politician.Tevita Uhatafe, an aircraft-maintenance worker from Arlington, Texas, showed his support and saw what it might look like if UAW members strike against a GM truck plant in his hometown.“This is a fight that is most likely going to happen in our backyard,” Uhatafe said.U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Mich., said she walked the picket line because the strike “is showcasing a modern movement for worker justice and worker fairness.”___

UAW sets deadline to expand strike if demands aren't met

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans detained for years in Iran arrived home Tuesday, tearfully hugged their loved ones and declared “Freedom!” after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-prisoner-swap-sanctions-assets-4e1fa477f8e6af45fb764acd259c2f1a">being let go as part of a politically risky deal</a>&nbsp;that saw President Joe Biden agree to the release of nearly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

The prisoners landed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, with clapping and cheers heard in the predawn hours. Siamak Namazi, the first off the jet, paused for a moment, closed his eyes and took a deep breath before leaving the plane. Loved ones, some holding small American flags, enveloped them in hugs and exchanged greetings in English and Farsi, the main language of Iran.

“The nightmare is finally over,” Namazi’s brother, Babak, said at the airport.

“We haven’t had this moment is over eight years,” he added, his arm around his brother and his formerly detained father, Baquer, who had been earlier released by Iran. “It’s unbelievable.”

The former prisoners later posed for a group photograph with their families, calling out: “Freedom!”

The successful negotiations for the Americans' freedom brought Biden profuse thanks from their families but heat from Republican presidential rivals and other opponents for the monetary arrangement with one of America's top adversaries.

“Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home,” the Democratic president said in a statement released as the plane carrying the group from Tehran landed in Doha, Qatar, on Monday.

Iran’s hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, on hand for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-general-assembly-2023-what-to-know-9f3f99a3c99594a2a36d83e11e206975">the United Nations General Assembly in New York</a>, suggested the exchange could be “a step in the direction of a humanitarian action between us and America.”

“It can definitely help in building trust,” Raisi told journalists.

However,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-tensions-prisoner-swap-analysis-e168c0bd2f15e794caa0079a0a97b251">tensions are almost certain to remain high</a>&nbsp;between the U.S. and Iran, which are locked in disputes over Tehran’s nuclear program and other matters. Iran says the program is peaceful, but it now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.

The prisoner release unfolded amid a major American military buildup in the Persian Gulf, with the possibility of U.S. troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/persian-gulf-tensions-us-armed-guards-57295a81dc45c9e0755bd6a83ece86d9">boarding and guarding commercial ships</a>&nbsp;in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all oil shipments pass.

After the plane slowed to a stop in Doha, three of the prisoners — Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharghi and Morad Tahbaz — emerged.

They hugged the U.S. ambassador to Qatar, Timmy Davis, and others. The three then threw their arms over one another's shoulders and walked off toward the airport.

In a statement issued on his behalf, Namazi said: “I would not be free today, if it wasn’t for all of you who didn’t allow the world to forget me.”

“Thank you for being my voice when I could not speak for myself and for making sure I was heard when I mustered the strength to scream from behind the impenetrable walls of Evin Prison,” he said.

The United States did not immediately identify the other two freed Americans. All were released in exchange for five Iranians in U.S. custody and for the deal over the frozen Iranian assets owed by South Korea. The Biden administration said the five freed Iranians pose no threat to U.S. national security.

Two of the imprisoned Americans' family members, Effie Namazi and Vida Tahbaz, who had been under travel bans in Iran, also were on the plane.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said two of the Iranian prisoners will stay in the U.S. Meanwhile, Nour News, a website believed to be close to Iran’s security apparatus, said two of the Iranian prisoners were in Doha for the swap.

Nour News identified the two in Doha as: Mehrdad Ansari, an Iranian sentenced by the U.S. to 63 months in prison in 2021 for obtaining equipment that could be used in missiles, electronic warfare, nuclear weapons and other military gear, and Reza Sarhangpour Kafrani, an Iranian charged in 2021 over allegedly unlawfully exporting laboratory equipment to Iran.

The $5.9 billion in cash released to Iran represents money South Korea owed Iran — but had not yet paid — for oil purchased before the U.S. imposed sanctions on such transactions in 2019.

The U.S. maintains that, once in Qatar, the money will be held in restricted accounts to be used only for humanitarian goods, such as medicine and food. Those transactions are currently allowed under American sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic over its advancing nuclear program.

Iranian government officials have largely concurred, though some hard-liners have insisted, without evidence, that there would be no restrictions on how Tehran spends the money.

The deal has already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-hostage-state-department-51bb853cfd64bb824aed264038afe6d9">opened Biden to fresh criticism</a>&nbsp;from Republicans and others who say the administration is helping boost the Iranian economy at a time when Iran poses a growing threat to American troops and Mideast allies. That could have implications in his re-election campaign.

Former President Donald Trump, currently the lead Republican challenger in that race, called it an “absolutely ridiculous” deal on the Truth Social social media site. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell accused Biden of “rewarding and incentivizing Tehran's bad behavior.”

Biden held what the White House described as an emotional phone call with the families of the freed Americans after their release.

In his statement, Biden demanded more information on what happened to Bob Levinson, an American who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-levinson-iran-22c7a2b7b68fe693ff2ab49e16b732e6">went missing years ago.</a>&nbsp;The Biden administration also announced fresh sanctions on former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence.

The U.S. government, the prisoners’ families and activists have denounced the charges against the five Americans as baseless.

The Americans included Namazi, who was detained in 2015 and later sentenced to 10 years in prison on spying charges; Sharghi, a venture capitalist sentenced to 10 years; and Tahbaz, a British-American conservationist of Iranian descent who was arrested in 2018 and also received a 10-year sentence.

In a statement, Sharghi’s sister, Neda, said she “can’t wait to hug my brother and never let him go.”

“This is my brother, not an abstract policy," she added. "We are talking about human lives. There is nothing partisan about saving the lives of innocent Americans and today should be a moment of American unity as we welcome them home.”

Iran and the U.S. have a history of prisoner swaps dating back to the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover and hostage crisis following the Islamic Revolution.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695125209993.png" alt="Family members embrace freed American Emad Shargi after he and four fellow detainees were released in a prisoner swap deal between U.S and Iran, as he arrives at Davison Army Airfield, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 at Fort Belvoir, Va. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool via AP)" />
 <figcaption>Family members embrace freed American Emad Shargi after he and four fellow detainees were released in a prisoner swap deal between U.S and Iran, as he arrives at Davison Army Airfield, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 at Fort Belvoir, Va. (Jonathan Ernst/Pool via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans detained for years in Iran arrived home Tuesday, tearfully hugged their loved ones and declared “Freedom!” after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-prisoner-swap-sanctions-assets-4e1fa477f8e6af45fb764acd259c2f1a">being let go as part of a politically risky deal</a>&nbsp;that saw President Joe Biden agree to the release of nearly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">American citizens imprisoned by Iran for years are welcomed by family and friends upon arrival in Fort Belvior, Virginia. <a href="https://t.co/7ocQ2FwIyN">pic.twitter.com/7ocQ2FwIyN</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1704135205831729594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The prisoners landed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, with clapping and cheers heard in the predawn hours. Siamak Namazi, the first off the jet, paused for a moment, closed his eyes and took a deep breath before leaving the plane. Loved ones, some holding small American flags, enveloped them in hugs and exchanged greetings in English and Farsi, the main language of Iran.“The nightmare is finally over,” Namazi’s brother, Babak, said at the airport.“We haven’t had this moment is over eight years,” he added, his arm around his brother and his formerly detained father, Baquer, who had been earlier released by Iran. “It’s unbelievable.”The former prisoners later posed for a group photograph with their families, calling out: “Freedom!”The successful negotiations for the Americans' freedom brought Biden profuse thanks from their families but heat from Republican presidential rivals and other opponents for the monetary arrangement with one of America's top adversaries.“Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home,” the Democratic president said in a statement released as the plane carrying the group from Tehran landed in Doha, Qatar, on Monday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Joe Biden releases 5 prisoners &amp; $6B to Iran, a leading state sponsor of terrorism. On the day we pay tribute &amp; remember the victims of 9/11, one of the most horrific attacks on American soil, the Biden Admin brokered a deal with terrorists who openly shout ‘Death to America.’ <a href="https://t.co/2AqTHG0Wso">https://t.co/2AqTHG0Wso</a>&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1701355511201902602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Iran’s hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, on hand for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-general-assembly-2023-what-to-know-9f3f99a3c99594a2a36d83e11e206975">the United Nations General Assembly in New York</a>, suggested the exchange could be “a step in the direction of a humanitarian action between us and America.”“It can definitely help in building trust,” Raisi told journalists.However,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-tensions-prisoner-swap-analysis-e168c0bd2f15e794caa0079a0a97b251">tensions are almost certain to remain high</a>&nbsp;between the U.S. and Iran, which are locked in disputes over Tehran’s nuclear program and other matters. Iran says the program is peaceful, but it now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.The prisoner release unfolded amid a major American military buildup in the Persian Gulf, with the possibility of U.S. troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/persian-gulf-tensions-us-armed-guards-57295a81dc45c9e0755bd6a83ece86d9">boarding and guarding commercial ships</a>&nbsp;in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all oil shipments pass.After the plane slowed to a stop in Doha, three of the prisoners — Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharghi and Morad Tahbaz — emerged.They hugged the U.S. ambassador to Qatar, Timmy Davis, and others. The three then threw their arms over one another's shoulders and walked off toward the airport.In a statement issued on his behalf, Namazi said: “I would not be free today, if it wasn’t for all of you who didn’t allow the world to forget me.”“Thank you for being my voice when I could not speak for myself and for making sure I was heard when I mustered the strength to scream from behind the impenetrable walls of Evin Prison,” he said.The United States did not immediately identify the other two freed Americans. All were released in exchange for five Iranians in U.S. custody and for the deal over the frozen Iranian assets owed by South Korea. The Biden administration said the five freed Iranians pose no threat to U.S. national security.Two of the imprisoned Americans' family members, Effie Namazi and Vida Tahbaz, who had been under travel bans in Iran, also were on the plane.Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said two of the Iranian prisoners will stay in the U.S. Meanwhile, Nour News, a website believed to be close to Iran’s security apparatus, said two of the Iranian prisoners were in Doha for the swap.Nour News identified the two in Doha as: Mehrdad Ansari, an Iranian sentenced by the U.S. to 63 months in prison in 2021 for obtaining equipment that could be used in missiles, electronic warfare, nuclear weapons and other military gear, and Reza Sarhangpour Kafrani, an Iranian charged in 2021 over allegedly unlawfully exporting laboratory equipment to Iran.The $5.9 billion in cash released to Iran represents money South Korea owed Iran — but had not yet paid — for oil purchased before the U.S. imposed sanctions on such transactions in 2019.The U.S. maintains that, once in Qatar, the money will be held in restricted accounts to be used only for humanitarian goods, such as medicine and food. Those transactions are currently allowed under American sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic over its advancing nuclear program.Iranian government officials have largely concurred, though some hard-liners have insisted, without evidence, that there would be no restrictions on how Tehran spends the money.The deal has already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-hostage-state-department-51bb853cfd64bb824aed264038afe6d9">opened Biden to fresh criticism</a>&nbsp;from Republicans and others who say the administration is helping boost the Iranian economy at a time when Iran poses a growing threat to American troops and Mideast allies. That could have implications in his re-election campaign.Former President Donald Trump, currently the lead Republican challenger in that race, called it an “absolutely ridiculous” deal on the Truth Social social media site. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell accused Biden of “rewarding and incentivizing Tehran's bad behavior.”Biden held what the White House described as an emotional phone call with the families of the freed Americans after their release.In his statement, Biden demanded more information on what happened to Bob Levinson, an American who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/robert-levinson-iran-22c7a2b7b68fe693ff2ab49e16b732e6">went missing years ago.</a>&nbsp;The Biden administration also announced fresh sanctions on former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence.The U.S. government, the prisoners’ families and activists have denounced the charges against the five Americans as baseless.The Americans included Namazi, who was detained in 2015 and later sentenced to 10 years in prison on spying charges; Sharghi, a venture capitalist sentenced to 10 years; and Tahbaz, a British-American conservationist of Iranian descent who was arrested in 2018 and also received a 10-year sentence.In a statement, Sharghi’s sister, Neda, said she “can’t wait to hug my brother and never let him go.”“This is my brother, not an abstract policy," she added. "We are talking about human lives. There is nothing partisan about saving the lives of innocent Americans and today should be a moment of American unity as we welcome them home.”Iran and the U.S. have a history of prisoner swaps dating back to the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover and hostage crisis following the Islamic Revolution.

🎥 $6 billion deal: Americans released by Iran arrive home, declare Freedom!

FINNEY COUNTY —A woman accused in the death of a southwest Kansas man has been extradited to Kansas.

Just after 3p.m. Sunday, 32-year-old Samantha Smith was booked into the Finney County jail in requested charges of&nbsp; Murder in the 1st degree. In the commission of a felony and Aggravated robbery, according to online jail records.

In September 2019, Ernie Ortiz was found shot outside of his family restaurant in Garden City and he later died at the hospital. It is believed Ortiz was shot during a robbery after he closed the business for the night.

On September 6, U.S. Marshals arrested Smith in connection with the&nbsp;homicide&nbsp; in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

In June 2023, the Garden City Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for First-Degree Murder and Aggravated Robbery against Smith in connection with the case. 

In January, Crime Stoppers in southwest Kansas offered a&nbsp;$21,500 reward for information in the&nbsp;shooting death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695074941566.png" alt="Smith photo Finney Co." />
 <figcaption>Smith photo Finney Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —A woman accused in the death of a southwest Kansas man has been extradited to Kansas.Just after 3p.m. Sunday, 32-year-old Samantha Smith was booked into the Finney County jail in requested charges of&nbsp; Murder in the 1st degree. In the commission of a felony and Aggravated robbery, according to online jail records.In September 2019, Ernie Ortiz was found shot outside of his family restaurant in Garden City and he later died at the hospital. It is believed Ortiz was shot during a robbery after he closed the business for the night.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673628423977.png" alt="Ernie Ortiz died during a robbery in Sept. of 2019- photo Garden City Police" />
 <figcaption>Ernie Ortiz died during a robbery in Sept. of 2019- photo Garden City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>On September 6, U.S. Marshals arrested Smith in connection with the&nbsp;homicide&nbsp; in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1694046768318.png" alt="Smith-photo Horry County, South Carolina Jail" />
 <figcaption>Smith-photo Horry County, South Carolina Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>In June 2023, the Garden City Police Department obtained an arrest warrant for First-Degree Murder and Aggravated Robbery against Smith in connection with the case. In January, Crime Stoppers in southwest Kansas offered a&nbsp;$21,500 reward for information in the&nbsp;shooting death.

Suspect in 4-year-old murder case is back in a Kansas jail

TOPEKA —Former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland is recovering from surgery&nbsp; to remove a lesion found on his brain. His team provided an update on social media Monday.

Woodland, a four-time PGA Tour winner, announced last month that&nbsp;he was diagnosed with the lesion a few months ago and has been trying to treat the symptoms with medication.

“After consulting with multiple specialists and discussing with his family, they made the decision that surgery to remove the lesion was the best course of action,” Woodland wrote. 

Woodland, 39, failed to reach the PGA Tour postseason for the first time since 2012, finishing at No. 94 in the FedEx Cup in a year when only the top 70 advanced.

Woodland, a three-sport star growing up in Kansas, won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in 2019 by holding off Brooks Koepka in the final round.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695088356940.png" alt="Gary Woodland photo <a href="https://www.cobragolf.com/pages/cobra-tour-staff">courtesy Cobra Golf</a>" />
 <figcaption>Gary Woodland photo <a href="https://www.cobragolf.com/pages/cobra-tour-staff">courtesy Cobra Golf</a></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —Former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland is recovering from surgery&nbsp; to remove a lesion found on his brain. His team provided an update on social media Monday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/p54pQBDj6W">pic.twitter.com/p54pQBDj6W</a>&mdash; Gary Woodland (@GaryWoodland) <a href="https://twitter.com/GaryWoodland/status/1703899453906628713?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 18, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Woodland, a four-time PGA Tour winner, announced last month that&nbsp;he was diagnosed with the lesion a few months ago and has been trying to treat the symptoms with medication.“After consulting with multiple specialists and discussing with his family, they made the decision that surgery to remove the lesion was the best course of action,” Woodland wrote. <div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Thank you for your support during this time. GW <a href="https://t.co/QSDlQqXFd0">pic.twitter.com/QSDlQqXFd0</a>&mdash; Gary Woodland (@GaryWoodland) <a href="https://twitter.com/GaryWoodland/status/1696889462817431606?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Woodland, 39, failed to reach the PGA Tour postseason for the first time since 2012, finishing at No. 94 in the FedEx Cup in a year when only the top 70 advanced.Woodland, a three-sport star growing up in Kansas, won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in 2019 by holding off Brooks Koepka in the final round.

Kan. native, former U.S. Open champ recovering from brain surgery 

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal&nbsp; weekend crash have identified the victim as 74-year-old William Ennis Jr. of Tonganoxie, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Department spokesman George Diepenbrock.

Just before 5:30p.m. Saturday, a westbound 2015 Ford Fusion driven by Ennis, Jr. and an eastbound 2014 Toyota Sienna driven by Priscilla Franks, 47, collided head-on in the eastbound lane of U.S. Highway 24-40 between 1600 and E 1675 Roads.

Ennis Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;Franks suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital, as was a 15-year-old passenger who suffered physical injuries believed to be minor, according to Diepenbrock.

Douglas County was under a severe storm warning at the time of the crash.&nbsp;

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Collison Investigation Unit responded and examined the crash scene on Saturday and will submit its findings in a completed crash report.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal crash that occurred just before 5:30p.m. Saturday in Douglas County.

The crash shut down U.S. Highway 24-40 between E 1600 and E 1675 Road after a 2-vehicle crash. Douglas County was under a severe storm warning at the time of the crash.&nbsp;

Authorities released no additional details late Saturday.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal&nbsp; weekend crash have identified the victim as 74-year-old William Ennis Jr. of Tonganoxie, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Department spokesman George Diepenbrock.Just before 5:30p.m. Saturday, a westbound 2015 Ford Fusion driven by Ennis, Jr. and an eastbound 2014 Toyota Sienna driven by Priscilla Franks, 47, collided head-on in the eastbound lane of U.S. Highway 24-40 between 1600 and E 1675 Roads.Ennis Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;Franks suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital, as was a 15-year-old passenger who suffered physical injuries believed to be minor, according to Diepenbrock.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Douglas County is under a severe thunderstorm warning until 5:45 pm. Northern parts of the county including Lawrence could be impacted by large hail and wind gusts up to 60mph. 9/16/23 5:20p EM5 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a>&mdash; Douglas Co. EM (@dgcoem) <a href="https://twitter.com/dgcoem/status/1703171793215803485?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 16, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Douglas County was under a severe storm warning at the time of the crash.&nbsp;The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Collison Investigation Unit responded and examined the crash scene on Saturday and will submit its findings in a completed crash report.-------------DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal crash that occurred just before 5:30p.m. Saturday in Douglas County.The crash shut down U.S. Highway 24-40 between E 1600 and E 1675 Road after a 2-vehicle crash. Douglas County was under a severe storm warning at the time of the crash.&nbsp;Authorities released no additional details late Saturday.

Sheriff IDs Kan. man who died in head-on crash during storm warning

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A relative of a slain Black 14-year-old is calling for a white Kansas teen to be tried on federal hate crime charges in the shooting death, noting recent testimony about threatening racial slurs.

Michael Berry, a cousin of Kamarjay Shaw, called for federal involvement in a letter to the U.S. attorney for Kansas, Kate Brubacher, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/public-safety/2023/sep/15/relative-of-slain-14-year-old-calls-for-fbi-to-investigate-lawrence-shooting-as-a-federal-hate-crime/">Lawrence Journal-World reported</a>.

Derrick Del Reed was 17 when Shaw was killed in March but is charged as an adult with first-degree murder. The trial is set to start on Nov. 27, and the now-18-year-old is jailed on $500,000 bond.

During the preliminary hearing in August, a detective testified Reed used threatening racial slurs in Snapchat messages sent the morning of the shooting. Reed said in the messages he was tired of fighting with Shaw and his friends and was ready to start shooting, the detective testified.

The hearing ended with the judge finding enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.

Reed’s defense attorney didn't immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press on Saturday inquiring about the request.

The defense previously tried to gain immunity from prosecution via a self-defense claim, but that was denied. Testimony showed the shooting happened after a teenage girl called one of the boys hanging out with Shaw via Snapchat and told Shaw to come outside because Reed wanted to fight him.

Shaw was at least half a football field away from Reed’s front door when gunfire erupted, witness testimony showed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679241544157.png" alt="Del Reed-photo Lawrence Police" />
 <figcaption>Del Reed-photo Lawrence Police</figcaption>
 </figure>LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — A relative of a slain Black 14-year-old is calling for a white Kansas teen to be tried on federal hate crime charges in the shooting death, noting recent testimony about threatening racial slurs.Michael Berry, a cousin of Kamarjay Shaw, called for federal involvement in a letter to the U.S. attorney for Kansas, Kate Brubacher, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www2.ljworld.com/news/public-safety/2023/sep/15/relative-of-slain-14-year-old-calls-for-fbi-to-investigate-lawrence-shooting-as-a-federal-hate-crime/">Lawrence Journal-World reported</a>.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We&#39;re looking for the suspect in the shooting death of a local teen. Be on the lookout for 17-year-old Derrick Del Reed and his car with KS tag 369REG. You can make an anonymous tip with Douglas County Crime Stoppers: 785-843-TIPS or if you encounter the suspect, call 911. <a href="https://t.co/ky1itBhL4a">pic.twitter.com/ky1itBhL4a</a>&mdash; Lawrence Police (@LawrenceKS_PD) <a href="https://twitter.com/LawrenceKS_PD/status/1637503401142493184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Derrick Del Reed was 17 when Shaw was killed in March but is charged as an adult with first-degree murder. The trial is set to start on Nov. 27, and the now-18-year-old is jailed on $500,000 bond.During the preliminary hearing in August, a detective testified Reed used threatening racial slurs in Snapchat messages sent the morning of the shooting. Reed said in the messages he was tired of fighting with Shaw and his friends and was ready to start shooting, the detective testified.The hearing ended with the judge finding enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial.Reed’s defense attorney didn't immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press on Saturday inquiring about the request.The defense previously tried to gain immunity from prosecution via a self-defense claim, but that was denied. Testimony showed the shooting happened after a teenage girl called one of the boys hanging out with Shaw via Snapchat and told Shaw to come outside because Reed wanted to fight him.Shaw was at least half a football field away from Reed’s front door when gunfire erupted, witness testimony showed.

Relative of slain Black teen calls for white Kan. teen to face federal hate crime charges

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a Monday morning homicide in Kansas City.

Just after 9:00am police responded to report of a shooting in 3900 block of South Benton, according to Sheriff&nbsp;Darryl Forte'.

First responders found a man located inside the front entrance of a residence. He was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; Police took a subject of interest&nbsp; into custody. Police released no additional details.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695054290166.png" alt="Photo Sheriff&nbsp;Darryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff&nbsp;Darryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating a Monday morning homicide in Kansas City.Just after 9:00am police responded to report of a shooting in 3900 block of South Benton, according to Sheriff&nbsp;Darryl Forte'.First responders found a man located inside the front entrance of a residence. He was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; Police took a subject of interest&nbsp; into custody. Police released no additional details.

Suspect in deadly Kansas City shooting is in custody

BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple allegations following a two county chase.

Just after 1 a.m. Sunday, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office was taking a report of a stolen vehicle in the 3800 block of 2nd Street, just southwest of the City of Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

While at the scene, the deputy broadcast the description of the vehicle on the police radio.

A unit with the Great Bend Police Department observed the vehicle at about 1:39 a.m. eastbound on U.S. 56 Highway leaving Great Bend. Deputies intercepted the vehicle on E. Barton County Road and attempted to stop it.

The vehicle fled east toward the city of Ellinwood where an Ellinwood police unit was able to deploy stop sticks, which the vehicle ran over, flattening one tire. 

The vehicle continued east out of Ellinwood into Rice County at which point the Rice County Sheriff’s Office and Lyons Police Department joined the pursuit. Stop sticks were again deployed east of Chase flattening another tire. 

The vehicle continued into the city of Lyons where it struck two patrol units from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office and one from the Sterling Police Department. The vehicle was then forced to stop after being struck by units from several agencies.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as Luis Cerna, 24 of Great Bend. Cerna was arrested and transported to the Rice County Jail where is being held on a $75,000 bond on requested charges of felony flee and elude, driving while habitual violator, possession of stolen property and criminal damage to property. 

&nbsp;He will be transferred to Barton County after facing the Rice County charges.&nbsp;Cerna has a previous felony conviction for criminal threat, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695054990109.jpeg" alt="Cerna has a previous felony conviction for criminal threat, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections -photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Cerna has a previous felony conviction for criminal threat, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections -photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple allegations following a two county chase.Just after 1 a.m. Sunday, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office was taking a report of a stolen vehicle in the 3800 block of 2nd Street, just southwest of the City of Great Bend, according to Sheriff Brian Bellendir.While at the scene, the deputy broadcast the description of the vehicle on the police radio.A unit with the Great Bend Police Department observed the vehicle at about 1:39 a.m. eastbound on U.S. 56 Highway leaving Great Bend. Deputies intercepted the vehicle on E. Barton County Road and attempted to stop it.The vehicle fled east toward the city of Ellinwood where an Ellinwood police unit was able to deploy stop sticks, which the vehicle ran over, flattening one tire. The vehicle continued east out of Ellinwood into Rice County at which point the Rice County Sheriff’s Office and Lyons Police Department joined the pursuit. Stop sticks were again deployed east of Chase flattening another tire. The vehicle continued into the city of Lyons where it struck two patrol units from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office and one from the Sterling Police Department. The vehicle was then forced to stop after being struck by units from several agencies.The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as Luis Cerna, 24 of Great Bend. Cerna was arrested and transported to the Rice County Jail where is being held on a $75,000 bond on requested charges of felony flee and elude, driving while habitual violator, possession of stolen property and criminal damage to property. &nbsp;He will be transferred to Barton County after facing the Rice County charges.&nbsp;Cerna has a previous felony conviction for criminal threat, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections

Kan. felon jailed after 2-county chase, crash into patrol vehicles

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 12:30a.m. Monday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Jeep Wrangler driven by Jason W.&nbsp;Sutcliffe, 44, Valley Center, was northbound on Interstate 135 at the Interstate 235-Kansas 96 interchange in the left lane. 

The jeep left the roadway to the left, struck a KDOT construction sign, a guardrail and overturned.

Sutcliffe was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Sedgwick County Forensics Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man died in an accident just after 12:30a.m. Monday in Sedgwick County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2020 Jeep Wrangler driven by Jason W.&nbsp;Sutcliffe, 44, Valley Center, was northbound on Interstate 135 at the Interstate 235-Kansas 96 interchange in the left lane. The jeep left the roadway to the left, struck a KDOT construction sign, a guardrail and overturned.Sutcliffe was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Sedgwick County Forensics Center. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies after jeep strikes KDOT sign, overturns

KANSAS CITY (AP)—The auto workers' strike against Detroit's Big Three went into its fourth day with no signs of an early breakthrough and against the threat that the walkout could soon spread.

A spokesman for General Motors said that representatives of the company and the United Auto Workers were continuing to negotiate on Monday.

So far the strike is limited to about 13,000 workers at three factories — one each at GM, Ford and Stellantis.&nbsp; The GM plant in Kansas City, Kansas and the Ford Plant in Claycomo wefre not included in the initial UAW walkout.

On Monday, GM warned that 2,000 UAW-represented workers at their assembly plant in Kansas City are “expected to be idled as soon as early this week" because of a shortage of supplies from a GM plant near St. Louis, where workers walked off the job Friday.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she is hoping for a quick resolution, and that it is too soon to gauge the impact of the strike.

Yellen said labor activism this year — strikes by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/writers-strike-hollywood-wga-926179281803e10b1d501dcab93e305d">Hollywood writers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/actors-strike-explained-2607dd29da6c16c0a406359a7e86d7fb">actors</a>, by workers at about 150 Starbucks locations and walkouts that were narrowly averted at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ups-teamsters-contract-union-voting-b104ca459ddb810f2018c68046d063ed">United Parcel Service</a>&nbsp;and West Coast ports — has been driven by a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-inflation-layoffs-economy-federal-reserve-9a0309b7644eb10f4069d9cab0d66687">strong labor market</a>&nbsp;and high demand for workers.

In a sign of the potential economic and political of a long strike, President Joe Biden is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strike-automakers-uaw-gm-50d3fbb70714b2faff3b87b596fc0455">sending two top administration officials</a>&nbsp;to Detroit this week to meet with both sides. Biden has sided with the UAW in brief public comments, saying that the automakers have not fairly shared their record profits with workers.

UAW President Shawn Fain said Monday that the Biden administration won't broker a deal.

“This is our battle. Our members are out there manning the picket lines," Fain said on MSNBC. "This battle is not about the president, it’s not about the former president.”

The UAW is seeking wage increases of 36% over four years, while the companies have offered about 20%. The union is also demanding a 32-hour work week for 40 hours of pay, and other changes.

Rather than launching an all-out strike of its 146,000 members, the union opted to target three factories a plan that could make the union's $825 million strike fund last longer. Workers walked out of a GM plant in Wentzville, Missouri, a Ford plant near Detroit, and a Stellantis factory in Toledo, Ohio, that produces Jeeps.

A key feature of the UAW strategy is the threat of escalating the strike if the union is unhappy with the pace of bargaining. On Friday, Fain said more factories could be targeted: “It could be in a day, it could be in a week.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695067603080.png" alt="#UAW&nbsp;Local 2250 holding strong in Wentzville, Missouri on Monday afternoon-photo courtesy UAW" />
 <figcaption>#UAW&nbsp;Local 2250 holding strong in Wentzville, Missouri on Monday afternoon-photo courtesy UAW</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP)—The auto workers' strike against Detroit's Big Three went into its fourth day with no signs of an early breakthrough and against the threat that the walkout could soon spread.A spokesman for General Motors said that representatives of the company and the United Auto Workers were continuing to negotiate on Monday.So far the strike is limited to about 13,000 workers at three factories — one each at GM, Ford and Stellantis.&nbsp; The GM plant in Kansas City, Kansas and the Ford Plant in Claycomo wefre not included in the initial UAW walkout.On Monday, GM warned that 2,000 UAW-represented workers at their assembly plant in Kansas City are “expected to be idled as soon as early this week" because of a shortage of supplies from a GM plant near St. Louis, where workers walked off the job Friday.Workers at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gm.com/company/facilities/fairfax">Kansas City plant</a>&nbsp;build the Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XT4.Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she is hoping for a quick resolution, and that it is too soon to gauge the impact of the strike.“It's premature to be making forecasts about what it means for the economy. It would depend on how long the strike lasts and who would be affected by it,” she said on CNBC.Yellen said labor activism this year — strikes by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/writers-strike-hollywood-wga-926179281803e10b1d501dcab93e305d">Hollywood writers</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/actors-strike-explained-2607dd29da6c16c0a406359a7e86d7fb">actors</a>, by workers at about 150 Starbucks locations and walkouts that were narrowly averted at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ups-teamsters-contract-union-voting-b104ca459ddb810f2018c68046d063ed">United Parcel Service</a>&nbsp;and West Coast ports — has been driven by a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jobs-unemployment-inflation-layoffs-economy-federal-reserve-9a0309b7644eb10f4069d9cab0d66687">strong labor market</a>&nbsp;and high demand for workers.In a sign of the potential economic and political of a long strike, President Joe Biden is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-strike-automakers-uaw-gm-50d3fbb70714b2faff3b87b596fc0455">sending two top administration officials</a>&nbsp;to Detroit this week to meet with both sides. Biden has sided with the UAW in brief public comments, saying that the automakers have not fairly shared their record profits with workers.An administration official said Monday that acting Labor Secretary Julie Su and senior aide Gene Sperling will not serve as mediators — they won't be at the bargaining table — but are going to Detroit “to help support the negotiations in any way the parties feel is constructive.” The official was not authorized to discuss private discussions and spoke anonymously.UAW President Shawn Fain said Monday that the Biden administration won't broker a deal.“This is our battle. Our members are out there manning the picket lines," Fain said on MSNBC. "This battle is not about the president, it’s not about the former president.”The UAW is seeking wage increases of 36% over four years, while the companies have offered about 20%. The union is also demanding a 32-hour work week for 40 hours of pay, and other changes.Rather than launching an all-out strike of its 146,000 members, the union opted to target three factories a plan that could make the union's $825 million strike fund last longer. Workers walked out of a GM plant in Wentzville, Missouri, a Ford plant near Detroit, and a Stellantis factory in Toledo, Ohio, that produces Jeeps.A key feature of the UAW strategy is the threat of escalating the strike if the union is unhappy with the pace of bargaining. On Friday, Fain said more factories could be targeted: “It could be in a day, it could be in a week.”

GM: Auto workers in Kansas City could join strike this week

GRAY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 10a.m. Monday in Gray County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Dodge pickup driven by Tyson E. Good, 38, Montezuma, was southbound on 15 Road at County Road DD a mile and one half south of U.S. 56.

A 2004 Cadillac SUV driven by James G.&nbsp;Brucker, 74, Syracuse, was eastbound on County Road DD. The vehicles collided in the middle of the intersection.

EMS transported Brucker to St. Catherine's Hospital in Garden City where he was pronounced deceased. Good and a passenger in the pickup were not injured. The KHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

GRAY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 10a.m. Monday in Gray County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Dodge pickup driven by Tyson E. Good, 38, Montezuma, was southbound on 15 Road at County Road DD a mile and one half south of U.S. 56.A 2004 Cadillac SUV driven by James G.&nbsp;Brucker, 74, Syracuse, was eastbound on County Road DD. The vehicles collided in the middle of the intersection.EMS transported Brucker to St. Catherine's Hospital in Garden City where he was pronounced deceased. Good and a passenger in the pickup were not injured. The KHP had incomplete seat belt usage information.

SW Kansas man dies after pickup, SUV crash

By BECKY GOFF,&nbsp;Little Apple Post

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man in connection with a violent attack and for alleged arson.

Just after 11a.m. Monday, Riley County Fire District #1 was called out to the report of a possible structure fire in the 900 block of S. Collins Lane, south of Manhattan.

When firefighters arrived on scene they found a fire had engulfed a trailer near a house and had spread to a neighboring trailer and the yard.

The Riley County Police Department Public Information Officer, Aaron Wintermote, says RCPD officers also responded to the scene on the report of alleged aggravated battery and arson.

RCPD says a man was transported by Riley County EMS to Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan for treatment after it was reported a 39-year-old man hit the victim in the head multiple times with a pan.

According to RCPD, the suspect who reportedly hit the victim with the pan, then threw the victim's electronics into the bonfire, which&nbsp; had spread to a neighboring trailer, damaging it as well.

RCFD #1 Deputy Chief Doug Russell says the fire melted siding on the house, burned trailers, the yard and neighboring grass, totaling about 3 acres of property damaged by fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Riley County Police Department Crime Scene Investigators and the Kansas Fire Marshal have been called to investigate the scene.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695062401867.jpeg" alt="Riley County Fire and Manhattan Fire respond to fire on S. Collins Lane; photo by Becky Goff" />
 <figcaption>Riley County Fire and Manhattan Fire respond to fire on S. Collins Lane; photo by Becky Goff</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY GOFF,&nbsp;Little Apple PostRILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man in connection with a violent attack and for alleged arson.Just after 11a.m. Monday, Riley County Fire District #1 was called out to the report of a possible structure fire in the 900 block of S. Collins Lane, south of Manhattan.When firefighters arrived on scene they found a fire had engulfed a trailer near a house and had spread to a neighboring trailer and the yard.The Riley County Police Department Public Information Officer, Aaron Wintermote, says RCPD officers also responded to the scene on the report of alleged aggravated battery and arson.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695063883425.jpeg" alt="MFD and RCFD #1 on scene at S. Collins Lane fire, photo by Becky Goff" />
 <figcaption>MFD and RCFD #1 on scene at S. Collins Lane fire, photo by Becky Goff</figcaption>
 </figure>RCPD says a man was transported by Riley County EMS to Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan for treatment after it was reported a 39-year-old man hit the victim in the head multiple times with a pan.According to RCPD, the suspect who reportedly hit the victim with the pan, then threw the victim's electronics into the bonfire, which&nbsp; had spread to a neighboring trailer, damaging it as well.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695063785176.jpeg" alt="RCPD CSI arrive on scene, photo by Becky Goff" />
 <figcaption>RCPD CSI arrive on scene, photo by Becky Goff</figcaption>
 </figure>RCFD #1 Deputy Chief Doug Russell says the fire melted siding on the house, burned trailers, the yard and neighboring grass, totaling about 3 acres of property damaged by fire.The cause of the fire is under investigation. Riley County Police Department Crime Scene Investigators and the Kansas Fire Marshal have been called to investigate the scene.

Police: Kan. man attacked victim with a pan, started fire

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/robinopsahl/">ROBIN OPSAHL</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/jaywaagemeester/">JAY WAAGEMEESTER</a>

Republican presidential candidates emphasized their support for abortion restrictions, parental rights and Israel while working Saturday night to win over evangelical Iowa caucusgoers.

More than 1,000 people gathered in Des Moines for the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition annual fall banquet. The conservative Christian organization has played an influential role in the Republican presidential race in Iowa, bringing candidates together for events and asking them about issues related to “religious liberties.”

The nine candidates who addressed the crowd all spoke of the importance of faith in their life and politics and said they would bring those values to the Oval Office if elected.

But there were areas where candidates differed: Ralph Reed, the founder and chairman of the Faith and Freedom Coalition, asked former Vice President Mike Pence and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley to defend their comments at the first Republican presidential debate on the feasibility of a federal abortion ban.

Reed said Christian conservatives are going to play an important role in the 2024 election, and said the Faith and Freedom Coalition’s goal was to “get out the biggest Christian vote that has happened in modern American history.”

“We’re going to create a margin so big they can’t even steal it if they try,” he said.

Not all 2024 presidential candidates attended. Most notably, former President Donald Trump skipped the event. Trump, who led in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2023/08/21/reynolds-says-iowans-expect-trump-to-stay-on-caucus-trail-despite-poll-lead/">August Des Moines Register/Mediacom/NBC News Iowa Poll,</a>&nbsp;has avoided many of the traditional stops on the Iowa caucus trail, but has visited the state in September. He came to the Iowa-Iowa State football game earlier in the month and has a rally planned in Dubuque on Wednesday.