The SpaceX superloads are making their way through Kansas for the next few days, starting in northeast Kansas, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.

 Be aware as you travel, as this could affect your travel time.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690499459646.png" alt="Image KC Scout" />
 <figcaption>Image KC Scout</figcaption>
 </figure>The SpaceX superloads are making their way through Kansas for the next few days, starting in northeast Kansas, according to the Kansas Department of Transportation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690499513618.png" alt="KDOT" />
 <figcaption>KDOT</figcaption>
 </figure> Be aware as you travel, as this could affect your travel time.&nbsp;

KDOT: More SpaceX tanks moving across Kansas 

NEW YORK (AP) — Randy Meisner, a founding member of the Eagles who added high harmonies to such favorites as “Take It Easy” and “The Best of My Love” and stepped out front for the waltz-time ballad “Take It to the Limit,” has died, the band said Thursday.

Meisner died Wednesday night in Los Angeles of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the Eagles said in a statement. He was 77.

The bassist had endured numerous afflictions in recent years and personal tragedy in 2016 when his wife, Lana Rae Meisner, accidentally shot herself and died. Meanwhile, Randy Meisner had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had severe issues with alcohol, according to court records and comments made during a 2015 hearing in which a judge ordered Meisner to receive constant medical care.

Called “the sweetest man in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/music">music</a>&nbsp;business” by former bandmate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/don-felder">Don Felder</a>, the baby-faced Meisner joined Don Henley,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8169f05ac21d43dda4b1c1dd8b065e28">Glenn Frey</a>&nbsp;and Bernie Leadon in the early 1970s to form a quintessential Los Angeles band and one of the most popular acts in history.

“Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band,” the Eagles’ statement said. “His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit.’”

Evolving from country rock to hard rock, the Eagles turned out a run of hit singles and albums over the next decade, starting with “Take It Easy” and continuing with “Desperado,” “Hotel California” and “Life In the Fast Lane” among others. Although chastised by many critics as slick and superficial, the Eagles released two of the most popular albums of all time, “Hotel California” and “Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975),” which with sales at 38 million the Recording Industry Association of America ranked with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” as the No. 1 seller.

Led by singer-songwriters Henley and Frey, the Eagles were initially branded as “mellow” and “easy listening.” But by their third album, the 1974 release “On the Border,” they had added a rock guitarist, Felder, and were turning away from country and bluegrass.

Leadon, an old-fashioned bluegrass picker, was unhappy with the new sound and left after the 1975 album “One of These Nights.” (He was replaced by another rock guitarist, Joe Walsh.) Meisner stayed on through the 1976 release of “Hotel California,” the band’s most acclaimed record, but was gone soon after. His departure, ironically, was touched off by the song he cowrote and was best known for, “Take It to the Limit.”

A shy Nebraskan torn between fame and family life, Meisner had been ill and homesick during the “Hotel California” tour (his first marriage was breaking up) and was reluctant to have the spotlight for “Take It to the Limit,” a showcase for his nasally tenor. His objections during a Knoxville, Tennessee, concert in the summer of 1977 so angered Frey that the two argued backstage and Meisner left soon after. His replacement, Timothy B. Schmit, remained with the group over the following decades, along with Henley, Walsh and Frey, who died in 2016.

As a solo artist, Meisner never approached the success of the Eagles, but did have hits with “Hearts On Fire” and “Deep Inside My Heart” and played on records by Walsh, James Taylor and Dan Fogelberg among others. Meanwhile, the Eagles ended a 14-year hiatus in 1994 and toured with Schmit even though Meisner had played on all but one of their earlier studio albums. He did join group members past and present in 1998 when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and performed “Take It Easy” and “Hotel California.” For a decade, he was part of World Classic Rockers, a touring act that at various times included Donovan, Spencer Davis and Denny Laine.

Meisner was married twice, the first time when he was still in his teens, and had three kids.

The son of sharecroppers and grandson of a classical violinist, Meisner was playing in local bands as a teenager and by the end of the 1960s had moved to California and joined a country rock group, Poco, along with Richie Furay and Jimmy Messina. But he would remember being angered that Furay wouldn’t let him listen to the studio mix of their first album and left the group before it came out: His successor was Timothy B. Schmit.

Meisner backed Ricky Nelson, played on Taylor’s “Sweet Baby James” album and befriended Henley and Frey when all were performing in Linda Ronstadt’s band. With Ronstadt’s blessing, they formed the Eagles, were signed up by David Geffen for his Asylum Records label and released their self-titled debut album in 1972.

Frey and Henley sang lead most of the time, but Meisner was the key behind “Take It the Limit.” It appeared on the “One of These Nights” album from 1975 and became a top 5 single, a weary, plaintive song later covered by Etta James and as a duet by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.

“The purpose of the whole Eagles thing to me was that combination and the chemistry that made all the harmonies just sound perfect,” Meisner told the music web site www.lobstergottalent.com in 2015. “The funny thing is after we made those albums I never listened to them and it is only when someone comes over or I am at somebody’s house and it gets played in the background that is when I’ll tell myself, ‘Damn, these records are good.’”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690504367608.png" alt="“Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band,” the Eagles’ statement said. “His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit.’”" />
 <figcaption>“Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band,” the Eagles’ statement said. “His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit.’”</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Randy Meisner, a founding member of the Eagles who added high harmonies to such favorites as “Take It Easy” and “The Best of My Love” and stepped out front for the waltz-time ballad “Take It to the Limit,” has died, the band said Thursday.Meisner died Wednesday night in Los Angeles of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the Eagles said in a statement. He was 77.The bassist had endured numerous afflictions in recent years and personal tragedy in 2016 when his wife, Lana Rae Meisner, accidentally shot herself and died. Meanwhile, Randy Meisner had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had severe issues with alcohol, according to court records and comments made during a 2015 hearing in which a judge ordered Meisner to receive constant medical care.Called “the sweetest man in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/music">music</a>&nbsp;business” by former bandmate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/don-felder">Don Felder</a>, the baby-faced Meisner joined Don Henley,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/8169f05ac21d43dda4b1c1dd8b065e28">Glenn Frey</a>&nbsp;and Bernie Leadon in the early 1970s to form a quintessential Los Angeles band and one of the most popular acts in history.“Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band,” the Eagles’ statement said. “His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit.’”Evolving from country rock to hard rock, the Eagles turned out a run of hit singles and albums over the next decade, starting with “Take It Easy” and continuing with “Desperado,” “Hotel California” and “Life In the Fast Lane” among others. Although chastised by many critics as slick and superficial, the Eagles released two of the most popular albums of all time, “Hotel California” and “Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975),” which with sales at 38 million the Recording Industry Association of America ranked with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” as the No. 1 seller.Led by singer-songwriters Henley and Frey, the Eagles were initially branded as “mellow” and “easy listening.” But by their third album, the 1974 release “On the Border,” they had added a rock guitarist, Felder, and were turning away from country and bluegrass.Leadon, an old-fashioned bluegrass picker, was unhappy with the new sound and left after the 1975 album “One of These Nights.” (He was replaced by another rock guitarist, Joe Walsh.) Meisner stayed on through the 1976 release of “Hotel California,” the band’s most acclaimed record, but was gone soon after. His departure, ironically, was touched off by the song he cowrote and was best known for, “Take It to the Limit.”A shy Nebraskan torn between fame and family life, Meisner had been ill and homesick during the “Hotel California” tour (his first marriage was breaking up) and was reluctant to have the spotlight for “Take It to the Limit,” a showcase for his nasally tenor. His objections during a Knoxville, Tennessee, concert in the summer of 1977 so angered Frey that the two argued backstage and Meisner left soon after. His replacement, Timothy B. Schmit, remained with the group over the following decades, along with Henley, Walsh and Frey, who died in 2016.As a solo artist, Meisner never approached the success of the Eagles, but did have hits with “Hearts On Fire” and “Deep Inside My Heart” and played on records by Walsh, James Taylor and Dan Fogelberg among others. Meanwhile, the Eagles ended a 14-year hiatus in 1994 and toured with Schmit even though Meisner had played on all but one of their earlier studio albums. He did join group members past and present in 1998 when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and performed “Take It Easy” and “Hotel California.” For a decade, he was part of World Classic Rockers, a touring act that at various times included Donovan, Spencer Davis and Denny Laine.Meisner was married twice, the first time when he was still in his teens, and had three kids.The son of sharecroppers and grandson of a classical violinist, Meisner was playing in local bands as a teenager and by the end of the 1960s had moved to California and joined a country rock group, Poco, along with Richie Furay and Jimmy Messina. But he would remember being angered that Furay wouldn’t let him listen to the studio mix of their first album and left the group before it came out: His successor was Timothy B. Schmit.Meisner backed Ricky Nelson, played on Taylor’s “Sweet Baby James” album and befriended Henley and Frey when all were performing in Linda Ronstadt’s band. With Ronstadt’s blessing, they formed the Eagles, were signed up by David Geffen for his Asylum Records label and released their self-titled debut album in 1972.Frey and Henley sang lead most of the time, but Meisner was the key behind “Take It the Limit.” It appeared on the “One of These Nights” album from 1975 and became a top 5 single, a weary, plaintive song later covered by Etta James and as a duet by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.“The purpose of the whole Eagles thing to me was that combination and the chemistry that made all the harmonies just sound perfect,” Meisner told the music web site www.lobstergottalent.com in 2015. “The funny thing is after we made those albums I never listened to them and it is only when someone comes over or I am at somebody’s house and it gets played in the background that is when I’ll tell myself, ‘Damn, these records are good.’”

Randy Meisner, founding member of the Eagles, dies at 77

OSAGE COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspect on drug allegations.

Just after noon Tuesday, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75 H near Carbondale, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

During the stop, the deputy located illegal narcotics.

Two subjects in the vehicle were taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility. Crystal M. Watson, 43, of Eastland, Texas, was jailed on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

Danielle J. Pennington, 47, of Gatesville, Texas, was booked on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Possession of marijuana.

The Osage County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the Topeka Police Department.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690310239398.png" alt="Pennington-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Pennington-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY–Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspect on drug allegations.Just after noon Tuesday, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75 H near Carbondale, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.During the stop, the deputy located illegal narcotics.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690310136563.png" alt="Watson-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Watson-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Two subjects in the vehicle were taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility. Crystal M. Watson, 43, of Eastland, Texas, was jailed on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine and Possession of drug paraphernalia.Danielle J. Pennington, 47, of Gatesville, Texas, was booked on requested charges of&nbsp;Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia and Possession of marijuana.The Osage County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office and the Topeka Police Department.

Sheriff: 2 Texas women transporting meth, marijuana in Kansas

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Lenexa, Kansas police officer is recognized for going above and beyond to help a victim of vandalism in the community.

Earlier this week, the officer responded to a vandalism call at a residence. After obtaining the details for his police report, the officer took time to clean up the mess left behind by the vandals. The resident Lenexa Police a message about the officer.

JOHNSON COUNTY —A Lenexa, Kansas police officer is recognized for going above and beyond to help a victim of vandalism in the community.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Earlier this week, one of our officers responded to a vandalism call at a residence. After obtaining the info for the police report, the officer took time to clean up the mess left behind by the vandals. The resident sent us this message about the officer. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ExceptionalService?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ExceptionalService</a> <a href="https://t.co/x43Ef86Tkc">pic.twitter.com/x43Ef86Tkc</a>&mdash; Lenexa Police (@LenexaPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/LenexaPolice/status/1684284817817436160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Earlier this week, the officer responded to a vandalism call at a residence. After obtaining the details for his police report, the officer took time to clean up the mess left behind by the vandals. The resident Lenexa Police a message about the officer.

Kansas police officer praised for helping clean up vandalism

WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump asked a staffer to delete camera footage at his Florida estate in an effort to obstruct the federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-indictment-miami-court-e9412bb71b63ab1b7cfb8e8b122e9809">investigation into his possession of classified documents</a>, according to an updated indictment unsealed Thursday that adds new charges against the former president and names an additional defendant.

The indictment includes new counts of obstruction and willful retention of national defense information, compounding Trump's legal jeopardy even as he braces for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-investigation-indictment-730455c2b7a684593e41362e4b661cb3">possible additional indictment in Washington</a>&nbsp;over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The additional counts underscore the extent of the yearlong investigation into Trump that first produced charges last month in the form of a 38-count indictment against Trump and his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maralago-justice-department-classified-f5a7b87bbb0234d5504d1c1f92bc857e">valet, Walt Nauta</a>.

A Trump spokesperson dismissed the new charges as “nothing more than a continued desperate and flailing attempt” by the Biden administration “to harass President Trump and those around him” and to influence the 2024 presidential race.

The classified records were taken by Trump to Mar-a-Lago after he left the White House in January 2021.

The superseding indictment charges Trump with an additional count of willfully retaining national defense information relating to the former president discussing U.S. military plans to attack another country during an interview in July 2021 at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club. The interview was for a memoir being written by his onetime chief of staff, Mark Meadows, who in his subsequent book named the country as Iran.

According to the indictment, Trump returned that document, which was marked as top secret and not approved to show to foreign nationals, to the federal government on Jan. 17. 2022.

It marks a notable shift in the prosecution’s approach to Trump’s case, charging him for retaining a document it alleges the former president knew was highly sensitive after he left office — and not just for failing to return it to the government when asked.

Both Trump and Nauta have pleaded not guilty.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/8/1661941600753.jpeg" alt="This image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022, and redacted by in part by the FBI, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 2022 search by the FBI of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.&nbsp; (Department of Justice via AP)" />
 <figcaption>This image contained in a court filing by the Department of Justice on Aug. 30, 2022, and redacted by in part by the FBI, shows a photo of documents seized during the Aug. 2022 search by the FBI of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida.&nbsp; (Department of Justice via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump asked a staffer to delete camera footage at his Florida estate in an effort to obstruct the federal&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-classified-documents-indictment-miami-court-e9412bb71b63ab1b7cfb8e8b122e9809">investigation into his possession of classified documents</a>, according to an updated indictment unsealed Thursday that adds new charges against the former president and names an additional defendant.The indictment includes new counts of obstruction and willful retention of national defense information, compounding Trump's legal jeopardy even as he braces for a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-investigation-indictment-730455c2b7a684593e41362e4b661cb3">possible additional indictment in Washington</a>&nbsp;over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The additional counts underscore the extent of the yearlong investigation into Trump that first produced charges last month in the form of a 38-count indictment against Trump and his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-maralago-justice-department-classified-f5a7b87bbb0234d5504d1c1f92bc857e">valet, Walt Nauta</a>.A Trump spokesperson dismissed the new charges as “nothing more than a continued desperate and flailing attempt” by the Biden administration “to harass President Trump and those around him” and to influence the 2024 presidential race.The classified records were taken by Trump to Mar-a-Lago after he left the White House in January 2021.The superseding indictment charges Trump with an additional count of willfully retaining national defense information relating to the former president discussing U.S. military plans to attack another country during an interview in July 2021 at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club. The interview was for a memoir being written by his onetime chief of staff, Mark Meadows, who in his subsequent book named the country as Iran.According to the indictment, Trump returned that document, which was marked as top secret and not approved to show to foreign nationals, to the federal government on Jan. 17. 2022.It marks a notable shift in the prosecution’s approach to Trump’s case, charging him for retaining a document it alleges the former president knew was highly sensitive after he left office — and not just for failing to return it to the government when asked.Both Trump and Nauta have pleaded not guilty.

New accusations against Donald Trump in classified documents case

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of two people whose bodies were found in a parking garage in Wichita's Old Town have arrested&nbsp;&nbsp;19-year-old Zachary Ramirez of Maize, according to Officer Kristopher Gupilan.

Just before 4:00 a.m. Thursday, police responded to the 300 block of North Moore after a a street sweeper operator saw two gunshot victims in a vehicle in the parking garage and called 911, according Gupilan.

EMS and fire arrived on the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but the victims were pronounced deceased.

The victims were identified as&nbsp; 20-year-old Josephina Lerma-Dominguez and 21-year-old Bryan Lara-Hernandez both of Wichita. 

Ramirez is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;Felony Murder (x2) and Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle, according to Gupilan.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690487693837.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation early Thursday-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation early Thursday-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the death of two people whose bodies were found in a parking garage in Wichita's Old Town have arrested&nbsp;&nbsp;19-year-old Zachary Ramirez of Maize, according to Officer Kristopher Gupilan.Just before 4:00 a.m. Thursday, police responded to the 300 block of North Moore after a a street sweeper operator saw two gunshot victims in a vehicle in the parking garage and called 911, according Gupilan.EMS and fire arrived on the scene and attempted life-saving measures, but the victims were pronounced deceased.The victims were identified as&nbsp; 20-year-old Josephina Lerma-Dominguez and 21-year-old Bryan Lara-Hernandez both of Wichita. Ramirez is being held on requested charges of&nbsp;&nbsp;Felony Murder (x2) and Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle, according to Gupilan.

Arrest made: Street sweeper found Kan. murder victims in parking garage

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

An international semi-truck pulling two trailers, was eastbound on Interstate 435 in Kansas City, according to Officer Corey Carlisle.

 Just east of 103rd, the semi was struck by debris from a pickup and swerved right to avoid more debris that was flying out of the bed of the pickup.

 The semi struck a Honda Civic&nbsp; and then a guardrail located on the south side of the interstate.

 The semi continued eastbound, traveling off the roadway to the right, into a drainage ditch and striking a concrete noise abatement wall.

 Upon impact with the wall, the cab of the semi-truck immediately exploded, engulfing the cab and both trailers in fire. 

The driver of the semi-truck was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Honda was uninjured. The pickup continued eastbound on Interstate 435. 

Five of the six lanes of eastbound Interstate 435 were completely closed to traffic for approximately five hours.&nbsp; Three lanes of eastbound Interstate 435 were still closed Thursday afternoon as the semi trailers and cargo are extricated from the scene. 

Authorities have not released the driver's name or additional details. The accident remains under investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690487667755.png" alt="The cause of the accident remains under investigation-photo KC Scout camera" />
 <figcaption>The cause of the accident remains under investigation-photo KC Scout camera</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—One person died in an accident just before 9a.m. Thursday in Kansas City.An international semi-truck pulling two trailers, was eastbound on Interstate 435 in Kansas City, according to Officer Corey Carlisle. Just east of 103rd, the semi was struck by debris from a pickup and swerved right to avoid more debris that was flying out of the bed of the pickup. The semi struck a Honda Civic&nbsp; and then a guardrail located on the south side of the interstate. The semi continued eastbound, traveling off the roadway to the right, into a drainage ditch and striking a concrete noise abatement wall. Upon impact with the wall, the cab of the semi-truck immediately exploded, engulfing the cab and both trailers in fire. The driver of the semi-truck was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Honda was uninjured. The pickup continued eastbound on Interstate 435. Five of the six lanes of eastbound Interstate 435 were completely closed to traffic for approximately five hours.&nbsp; Three lanes of eastbound Interstate 435 were still closed Thursday afternoon as the semi trailers and cargo are extricated from the scene. Authorities have not released the driver's name or additional details. The accident remains under investigation.

Semi swerved to avoid debris before fatal KC crash, fire

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Allowing transgender Kansas residents to intervene in a lawsuit that seeks to force the state to list the sex they were assigned at birth on their driver's licenses would create a legal “morass,” the state's Republican attorney general argued in a new court filing.

Attorney General Kris Kobach also contends in a filing made public Wednesday that the five transgender people trying to intervene do not have a substantial interest in the lawsuit's outcome. Kobach wants to keep the focus of the case on his argument that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb180_enrolled.pdf">a new state law</a>&nbsp;that rolled back transgender rights as of July 1 bars the state from changing transgender people's driver's licenses to reflect their gender identities.

Kobach filed the lawsuit last month against two top officials in the Kansas Department of Revenue, which issues driver's licenses. The lawsuit came after Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly announced that people could continue to have their driver's licenses changed despite the new law, which defines male and female under any state law as the sex assigned to a person at birth. The Republican-controlled Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-bathroom-law-kansas-b3d068afa2bc02bb15314ee04e8e3899">overrode Kelly's veto</a>&nbsp;and enacted it.

District Judge Theresa Watson has an Aug. 16 hearing set in Shawnee County, home to the state capital of Topeka, on the transgender people's request to intervene. Watson already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-drivers-licenses-kansas-3ad43a98dd96a8eb5864f6cdc19beffb">has directed the department not to change</a>&nbsp;transgender people's licenses while the lawsuit moves forward, and that order is to remain in place until at least Nov. 1. Kansas is among a few states that don't allow such changes, along with Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee.

The five transgender individuals are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and argue that barring changes in the sex listings on driver's licenses violates their rights under the Kansas Constitution.

Kobach argued in his filing, dated Tuesday, “That is not the issue in this case.” Instead, he said, the question is only whether the Department of Revenue is complying with the new law.

“Thus, whatever grievances third parties may have ... such matters are simply not relevant," Kobach wrote.

Kobach also argued that if the transgender people intervene and raise constitutional issues, he would be obligated as the state's top lawyer to defend the Department of Revenue against those claims — in his own lawsuit.

“Allowing intervention will create a procedural morass,” he wrote.

Attorneys representing the Department of Revenue against Kobach's lawsuit support the transgender people's request and argued in their own filing Tuesday that allowing them to intervene would promote “judicial economy.” The lawyers said the transgender residents are likely to file a separate lawsuit if their request is denied.

Sharon Brett, legal director for the ACLU of Kansas, said in a statement that because Kobach's interpretation of the new law conflicts with transgender people's rights, “Their voices must be heard.”

“It is telling that Mr. Kobach is going to great lengths to prevent the voices of transgender Kansans from being heard in this case,” she added.

Kobach also is trying to stop Kansas from changing the sex listing on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-birth-certificates-kansas-3cf1c3dd7de174a465d7026a71afbd5e">transgender people's birth certificates</a>&nbsp;in a separate federal lawsuit.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687829963398.png" alt="Kris Kobach during a news briefing June 26, 2023, at the Statehouse in Topeka photo by Sam Bailey" />
 <figcaption>Kris Kobach during a news briefing June 26, 2023, at the Statehouse in Topeka photo by Sam Bailey</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Allowing transgender Kansas residents to intervene in a lawsuit that seeks to force the state to list the sex they were assigned at birth on their driver's licenses would create a legal “morass,” the state's Republican attorney general argued in a new court filing.Attorney General Kris Kobach also contends in a filing made public Wednesday that the five transgender people trying to intervene do not have a substantial interest in the lawsuit's outcome. Kobach wants to keep the focus of the case on his argument that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/sb180_enrolled.pdf">a new state law</a>&nbsp;that rolled back transgender rights as of July 1 bars the state from changing transgender people's driver's licenses to reflect their gender identities.Kobach filed the lawsuit last month against two top officials in the Kansas Department of Revenue, which issues driver's licenses. The lawsuit came after Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly announced that people could continue to have their driver's licenses changed despite the new law, which defines male and female under any state law as the sex assigned to a person at birth. The Republican-controlled Legislature&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-rights-bathroom-law-kansas-b3d068afa2bc02bb15314ee04e8e3899">overrode Kelly's veto</a>&nbsp;and enacted it.District Judge Theresa Watson has an Aug. 16 hearing set in Shawnee County, home to the state capital of Topeka, on the transgender people's request to intervene. Watson already&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-drivers-licenses-kansas-3ad43a98dd96a8eb5864f6cdc19beffb">has directed the department not to change</a>&nbsp;transgender people's licenses while the lawsuit moves forward, and that order is to remain in place until at least Nov. 1. Kansas is among a few states that don't allow such changes, along with Montana, Oklahoma and Tennessee.The five transgender individuals are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and argue that barring changes in the sex listings on driver's licenses violates their rights under the Kansas Constitution.Kobach argued in his filing, dated Tuesday, “That is not the issue in this case.” Instead, he said, the question is only whether the Department of Revenue is complying with the new law.“Thus, whatever grievances third parties may have ... such matters are simply not relevant," Kobach wrote.Kobach also argued that if the transgender people intervene and raise constitutional issues, he would be obligated as the state's top lawyer to defend the Department of Revenue against those claims — in his own lawsuit.“Allowing intervention will create a procedural morass,” he wrote.Attorneys representing the Department of Revenue against Kobach's lawsuit support the transgender people's request and argued in their own filing Tuesday that allowing them to intervene would promote “judicial economy.” The lawyers said the transgender residents are likely to file a separate lawsuit if their request is denied.Sharon Brett, legal director for the ACLU of Kansas, said in a statement that because Kobach's interpretation of the new law conflicts with transgender people's rights, “Their voices must be heard.”“It is telling that Mr. Kobach is going to great lengths to prevent the voices of transgender Kansans from being heard in this case,” she added.Kobach also is trying to stop Kansas from changing the sex listing on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/transgender-birth-certificates-kansas-3cf1c3dd7de174a465d7026a71afbd5e">transgender people's birth certificates</a>&nbsp;in a separate federal lawsuit.

AG: Lawsuit over Kan. IDs would be a 'morass' if transgender intervene

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man&nbsp;who was fleeing police when his pickup was involved in a four-vehicle crash that killed a pregnant Kansas woman is going to prison.

On Wednesday, District Court Judge Tyler Roush sentenced 37-year-old Javan Ervin to life in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He will not be eligible to apply for parole for 60 years.

In June a jury found Ervin guilty of first-degree murder in&nbsp;the&nbsp;death of&nbsp;Samantha Russell.

In July of 2021, a&nbsp;2002 Dodge Ram driven by<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=161387">&nbsp;Javan Jermaine Ervin</a>&nbsp;was actively attempting to elude law enforcement following a robbery.

The pickup was northbound on Ridge Road in Wichita at a high rate of speed and failed to stop at the red traffic light at Central Avenue.

The pickup collided with a westbound 2000 Chevy Silverado driven by Jordan Samuel Peltzer, 40, Henderson, Nevada.

The impact caused the driver side rear wheels and tires to detach from the vehicle which collided with a 2016 Jeep Compass driven by Connie L. Holt, 73, Wichita, that was stopped on the inside left turn lane from South bound Ridge Road to East bound Central Avenue.

The Dodge Ram then collided with 2019 Mazda CX3 driven by 22-year--old <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/wsph3-support-for-the-russell-family">Samantha Lee Russell</a> which was stopped behind the Jeep. The Dodge Ram then rolled onto its top and came to a rest in the North bound lanes of Ridge Road.

EMS transported Russell to Wesley Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.&nbsp;She was 33 weeks pregnant. Doctors delivered the baby boy who at that time was hospitalized in critical condition.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625654789637.png" alt="Ervin-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Ervin-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man&nbsp;who was fleeing police when his pickup was involved in a four-vehicle crash that killed a pregnant Kansas woman is going to prison.On Wednesday, District Court Judge Tyler Roush sentenced 37-year-old Javan Ervin to life in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. He will not be eligible to apply for parole for 60 years.In June a jury found Ervin guilty of first-degree murder in&nbsp;the&nbsp;death of&nbsp;Samantha Russell.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625655160724.png" alt="First responders at the scene of the fatal 4-vehicle crash photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene of the fatal 4-vehicle crash photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>In July of 2021, a&nbsp;2002 Dodge Ram driven by<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=161387">&nbsp;Javan Jermaine Ervin</a>&nbsp;was actively attempting to elude law enforcement following a robbery.The pickup was northbound on Ridge Road in Wichita at a high rate of speed and failed to stop at the red traffic light at Central Avenue.The pickup collided with a westbound 2000 Chevy Silverado driven by Jordan Samuel Peltzer, 40, Henderson, Nevada.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1625764005417.png" alt="Samantha Russell and her husband Brandon -photo GoFundMe" />
 <figcaption>Samantha Russell and her husband Brandon -photo GoFundMe</figcaption>
 </figure>The impact caused the driver side rear wheels and tires to detach from the vehicle which collided with a 2016 Jeep Compass driven by Connie L. Holt, 73, Wichita, that was stopped on the inside left turn lane from South bound Ridge Road to East bound Central Avenue.The Dodge Ram then collided with 2019 Mazda CX3 driven by 22-year--old <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/wsph3-support-for-the-russell-family">Samantha Lee Russell</a> which was stopped behind the Jeep. The Dodge Ram then rolled onto its top and came to a rest in the North bound lanes of Ridge Road.EMS transported Russell to Wesley Medical Center where she was pronounced dead.&nbsp;She was 33 weeks pregnant. Doctors delivered the baby boy who at that time was hospitalized in critical condition.

Man sentenced for chase, crash that killed pregnant Kan. woman

Ordinance limiting locations may mean no place qualifies for drag performances in the city of ‘faith, family and flag’

By ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/30/open-enrollment-missouri-school-choice/">Missouri Independent</a>

Municipalities in Missouri are attempting to restrict drag performances as obscenity or a planning-and-development concern, with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRVneZbXY2U">Branson</a>&nbsp;among the first after advancing an ordinance Tuesday night limiting drag to a small area of town.

Rolla recently tried to limit drag, but an ordinance defining it as obscene, failed during a city council meeting last week.

These local actions are reminiscent of policies proposed by GOP state lawmakers during the legislative session. Bills from Rep. Ben Baker, R-Neosho, and Rep. Mazzie Boyd, R-Hamilton, sought to label drag performances as adult cabaret shows and never made it out of the House.

Boyd’s legislation would’ve made drag venues akin to strip clubs in Missouri, where facilities are bound to strict hours and location requirements.

Two state representatives, Branson’s Brian Seitz and Brad Hudson of Cape Fair, spoke during Branson’s Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday evening. During the legislative session, Seitz and Hudson joined Boyd in filing bills that limited the rights of LGBTQ+ Missourians.

Hudson was the House sponsor for a bill, recently signed by Gov. Mike Parson, that bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Tuesday, the ACLU of Missouri and Lambda Legal&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/lawsuit-seeks-to-block-missouri-ban-on-transgender-care-for-minors/">filed a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;in hopes to stop the implementation of the law.

Hudson compared the drag restrictions in Branson to the gender-affirming-care ban, asking the aldermen to consider if allowing children in drag shows will “negatively impact the child for the rest of its [sic] life.”

“Anytime you have a situation where children could be in harm’s way, it is absolutely the government’s responsibility to step in and protect those innocent kids,” he said.

Branson’s aldermen removed a clause that would’ve allowed those under 18 to attend drag performances alongside a parent or guardian.

The resulting ordinance, passed in a 3-2 vote Tuesday night, mirrors the city’s rules for other “adult performances.” The board will take a vote in August to finalize the ordinance.

<a target="_blank" href="https://cityofbranson.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=4416">It restricts new or expanded drag performances to Branson’s downtown district</a>&nbsp;with a special-use permit. The venue also can’t be located near a public park, school, church, other drag club or a facility serving liquor.

“The series of proposed changes within the ordinance are intended to preserve the city’s values by restricting adult-oriented activities to a location of the city that currently allows such activities and where citizens and tourists can expect to encounter and attend such activities if desired,” the city’s fact sheet says.

The area zoned as “downtown” is different from the “entertainment” region. Downtown has the least amount of commercial land, with under 150 parcels, according to the city’s map.

“The downtown district was created to ensure that the peace and safety of residential and neighborhood-adjacent districts are not negatively impacted by live entertainment uses, which typically include bright signs, loud noises, and heavy pedestrian and car traffic that may continue late into the night. Therefore, drag shows would be zoned to the downtown district,” an ordinance brief says.

Centered around Commercial Street, it looks like a town square one could find in many Missouri towns. It is largely small storefronts where pedestrians can wander through to pick up a homemade pie, buy old-fashioned candy or stop by the bank.

It is far from a sin city in a world of cowboy boots and family values.

Steve Hartley, who owns Dick’s 5 &amp; 10 downtown, told the mayor and aldermen he sees families walking through the area all day.

“I would certainly hate to see anything, whether real or perceived, tarnish the wholesome image we in downtown Branson are working so hard to promote,” he said.

City spokeswoman Lisa Rau told The Independent that adult-centric events have been held in the area with a special-event permit previously. She said the city is trying to please community members while balancing “the need to be respectful to our families.”

But the downtown area doesn’t fit the provisions prescribed in the ordinance, which requires setbacks of 10 feet alongside the back and sides and a 20-foot setback in front of the property and its parking. A setback is the distance between the property line and the structure.

According to the city’s SiteSketch tool, none of the parcels in the downtown area have setbacks on all sides of the property.

Kevin Vaughan, a promoter for a Branson drag show, said during the board meeting that downtown wouldn’t work for the performances.

“There is no venue that can hold a drag show in the downtown district,” he said. “This feels like some sort of attack on the LGBTQ community.”

Some supporters of drag&nbsp; said the shows have operated in Branson for at least 20 years, but more public attention has stirred the community after HBO’s show “We’re Here” featured Branson in its third episode.

During the public-comment period during the board meeting, most residents opposed the ordinance. Some thought drag should be banned throughout the city and spoke of the ordinance as permission for the performances.

“There are some people that think that what we’re discussing tonight is opening up an opportunity,” Mayor Larry Milton said. “The reality is today, drag shows are allowed anywhere in the city limits of Branson.”

Richie Zates, asking for an outright ban of drag in Branson, said, “We have to maintain purity in this town.”

Others quoted from The Bible, although Milton warned at the top of the meeting that he wouldn’t use scripture as a justification for disobeying the U.S. Constitution.

Joe Lauber, a Lee’s-Summit-based attorney hired by the city, said it is tricky to craft the ordinance while maintaining freedom of speech and expression and not committing gender discrimination.

“​​It is constitutionally challenging to create legislation as that which has been requested,” he said, beginning his presentation of the ordinance.

“For the most part, regulation of the activities that form the subject of this proposed ordinance is better left to individuals, the free market or private or nonprofit organizations including religious institutions,” he said.

Justice Horn, chair of Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ Commission, asked in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JusticeHorn_/status/1684031117634965505?s=20">statement on Twitter</a>&nbsp;for the ACLU of Missouri to “step in and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals who live in rural communities.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690419630293.png" alt=" Branson's mayor and aldermen on Tuesday night approved an ordinance restricting drag shows to the downtown district. (Screenshot via Branson YouTube channel)" />
 <figcaption> Branson's mayor and aldermen on Tuesday night approved an ordinance restricting drag shows to the downtown district. (Screenshot via Branson YouTube channel)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Ordinance limiting locations may mean no place qualifies for drag performances in the city of ‘faith, family and flag’</h2>By ANNELISE HANSHAW <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2023/01/30/open-enrollment-missouri-school-choice/">Missouri Independent</a>Municipalities in Missouri are attempting to restrict drag performances as obscenity or a planning-and-development concern, with&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRVneZbXY2U">Branson</a>&nbsp;among the first after advancing an ordinance Tuesday night limiting drag to a small area of town.Rolla recently tried to limit drag, but an ordinance defining it as obscene, failed during a city council meeting last week.These local actions are reminiscent of policies proposed by GOP state lawmakers during the legislative session. Bills from Rep. Ben Baker, R-Neosho, and Rep. Mazzie Boyd, R-Hamilton, sought to label drag performances as adult cabaret shows and never made it out of the House.Boyd’s legislation would’ve made drag venues akin to strip clubs in Missouri, where facilities are bound to strict hours and location requirements.Two state representatives, Branson’s Brian Seitz and Brad Hudson of Cape Fair, spoke during Branson’s Board of Aldermen meeting Tuesday evening. During the legislative session, Seitz and Hudson joined Boyd in filing bills that limited the rights of LGBTQ+ Missourians.Hudson was the House sponsor for a bill, recently signed by Gov. Mike Parson, that bans gender-affirming care for transgender minors. Tuesday, the ACLU of Missouri and Lambda Legal&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/lawsuit-seeks-to-block-missouri-ban-on-transgender-care-for-minors/">filed a lawsuit</a>&nbsp;in hopes to stop the implementation of the law.Hudson compared the drag restrictions in Branson to the gender-affirming-care ban, asking the aldermen to consider if allowing children in drag shows will “negatively impact the child for the rest of its [sic] life.”“Anytime you have a situation where children could be in harm’s way, it is absolutely the government’s responsibility to step in and protect those innocent kids,” he said.Branson’s aldermen removed a clause that would’ve allowed those under 18 to attend drag performances alongside a parent or guardian.The resulting ordinance, passed in a 3-2 vote Tuesday night, mirrors the city’s rules for other “adult performances.” The board will take a vote in August to finalize the ordinance.<a target="_blank" href="https://cityofbranson.primegov.com/Portal/Meeting?meetingTemplateId=4416">It restricts new or expanded drag performances to Branson’s downtown district</a>&nbsp;with a special-use permit. The venue also can’t be located near a public park, school, church, other drag club or a facility serving liquor.“The series of proposed changes within the ordinance are intended to preserve the city’s values by restricting adult-oriented activities to a location of the city that currently allows such activities and where citizens and tourists can expect to encounter and attend such activities if desired,” the city’s fact sheet says.The area zoned as “downtown” is different from the “entertainment” region. Downtown has the least amount of commercial land, with under 150 parcels, according to the city’s map.“The downtown district was created to ensure that the peace and safety of residential and neighborhood-adjacent districts are not negatively impacted by live entertainment uses, which typically include bright signs, loud noises, and heavy pedestrian and car traffic that may continue late into the night. Therefore, drag shows would be zoned to the downtown district,” an ordinance brief says.Centered around Commercial Street, it looks like a town square one could find in many Missouri towns. It is largely small storefronts where pedestrians can wander through to pick up a homemade pie, buy old-fashioned candy or stop by the bank.It is far from a sin city in a world of cowboy boots and family values.Steve Hartley, who owns Dick’s 5 &amp; 10 downtown, told the mayor and aldermen he sees families walking through the area all day.“I would certainly hate to see anything, whether real or perceived, tarnish the wholesome image we in downtown Branson are working so hard to promote,” he said.City spokeswoman Lisa Rau told The Independent that adult-centric events have been held in the area with a special-event permit previously. She said the city is trying to please community members while balancing “the need to be respectful to our families.”But the downtown area doesn’t fit the provisions prescribed in the ordinance, which requires setbacks of 10 feet alongside the back and sides and a 20-foot setback in front of the property and its parking. A setback is the distance between the property line and the structure.According to the city’s SiteSketch tool, none of the parcels in the downtown area have setbacks on all sides of the property.Kevin Vaughan, a promoter for a Branson drag show, said during the board meeting that downtown wouldn’t work for the performances.“There is no venue that can hold a drag show in the downtown district,” he said. “This feels like some sort of attack on the LGBTQ community.”Some supporters of drag&nbsp; said the shows have operated in Branson for at least 20 years, but more public attention has stirred the community after HBO’s show “We’re Here” featured Branson in its third episode.During the public-comment period during the board meeting, most residents opposed the ordinance. Some thought drag should be banned throughout the city and spoke of the ordinance as permission for the performances.“There are some people that think that what we’re discussing tonight is opening up an opportunity,” Mayor Larry Milton said. “The reality is today, drag shows are allowed anywhere in the city limits of Branson.”Richie Zates, asking for an outright ban of drag in Branson, said, “We have to maintain purity in this town.”Others quoted from The Bible, although Milton warned at the top of the meeting that he wouldn’t use scripture as a justification for disobeying the U.S. Constitution.Joe Lauber, a Lee’s-Summit-based attorney hired by the city, said it is tricky to craft the ordinance while maintaining freedom of speech and expression and not committing gender discrimination.“​​It is constitutionally challenging to create legislation as that which has been requested,” he said, beginning his presentation of the ordinance.“For the most part, regulation of the activities that form the subject of this proposed ordinance is better left to individuals, the free market or private or nonprofit organizations including religious institutions,” he said.Justice Horn, chair of Kansas City’s LGBTQ+ Commission, asked in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JusticeHorn_/status/1684031117634965505?s=20">statement on Twitter</a>&nbsp;for the ACLU of Missouri to “step in and protect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals who live in rural communities.”

Branson places ‘adult performance’ restrictions on drag shows

By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays Post

An Ellis County
judge sentenced an Illinois man to more than three years in prison Tuesday for
a fatal DUI crash in 2021 that resulted in the death of a California man.

Dalton Charles
Hall, 21, Savoy, Illinois, pleaded guilty in March to involuntary manslaughter
while under the influence, aggravated battery while driving under the influence
and driving under the influence. 

District Judge Tom
Drees sentenced Hall to 41 months in prison Tuesday for involuntary
manslaughter in Ellis County District Court. He also received probation for aggravated
battery while driving under the influence.

According to
court documents, Hall had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit
when he crashed his car in the early morning hours of Oct. 24, 2021.

Hall was
<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/66fdc840-17ef-4a18-ab59-bef3b1c64649">traveling at a high rate of speed </a>on Eighth St. and failed to stop at the stop
sign at the U.S. 183 Alternate, causing the car to go airborne over an embankment.
The car flipped end over end and came to rest on its top.

Jacob Rivera, 19,
Selma, California, died as a result of the accident. Two passengers, Chelsey
Mendoza, 20, Selma, California and Victoria Borrego, 21, Pacifica, California, suffered
serious injuries and were taken to Hays Medical Center. Hall also suffered
serious injuries in the accident and was hospitalized in Hays. 

All four individuals were members of the Northwest Kansas
Technical College wrestling team, and their families said the two men became
close friends when they arrived in Goodland for school.

In Kansas, an involuntary manslaughter conviction carries the
standard sentence of 41 months in prison. 

At Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, Hall and his attorney
Curtis Brown asked the court to sentence him to probation in a motion for downward
dispositional departure from a prison sentence.

Hall, who was 20 at the time of the accident, said he used
recreational drugs and alcohol before the Oct. 2021 accident but became addicted to fentanyl after the accident as a way to cope.

During the nearly four hours of testimony in support of Hall’s
request for probation, Hall, his father, two family friends, and two people who
regularly attend Narcotics Anonymous with Hall in Illinois spoke.

While Hall’s father was on the stand, both he and Rivera’s
father became overcome with emotion when Hall talked about how their two sons
met when they first arrived on the Goodland campus. Rivera was so overcome with
emotion that he broke down and left the courtroom.

Witnesses in support of Hall testified that they believed he
has turned his life around after the accident and addiction and attending in-patient
rehab. He said that he has been sober for more than a year and is engaged, and
his fiancé is expecting a child in January.

Hall said there is not a day that goes by that he doesn’t think
about the accident.

“I am sorry,” Hall said. “I never meant for it to happen.”

He also said that he wants to become an adolescent counselor
to “honor Jacob by doing the right thing and by helping people like Jacob
helped me.”

During cross-examination by Ellis County Attorney Robert
Anderson, Hall said that the night of the crash, Oct. 24, 2021, was the second straight
night that the group of four drove from Goodland to Hays. While in Hays, they
drank, went to a bar and attended a party before driving back to Goodland. Hall
drove both times.

Other members of Jacob Rivera’s family were also on hand Tuesday.
They sat in the front row of the Ellis County Courthouse, wearing all black
with shirts that showed Jacob “PeeWee” with his hands raised after winning a wrestling
match.

Rivera’s mother read a statement to the court saying her life
was changed forever that night and that while she forgives Hall, there are
consequences for people’s actions.

“When he (Hall) gets out, he’ll be able to see his son, I
won’t be able to,” she said. 

On behalf of the Rivera family, Anderson was requesting a
total prison sentence of 77 months for all three crimes.

When Judge Drees handed down his ruling, he said that no matter
what the court ruled, it was not going to make anyone feel better and that “Jacob
Rivera is forever 19.”

Drees elected not to grant Hall probation, he said that Hall’s
efforts after the accident were not a reason to grant him probation, but he did
believe that they were sincere. 

“What matters is what happened,” Drees said. “He (Hall) knew
he drank too much and chose to drive.”

He added that while all four drank that night, Hall was the “only
one that chose to operate a vehicle after partying.”

The 41-month prison sentence handed down by Drees is the
standard prison sentence for a first-time involuntary manslaughter conviction
for someone with no criminal history in Kansas.

Drees sentenced Hall to 36 months probation for aggravated
battery; driving under the influence. That will run consecutive to Hall’s
post-release supervision on the involuntary manslaughter conviction.

Drees said that Hall will have that extra time “hanging over”
his head, and if he violates either his post-release or probation, he could be
sentenced to 32 months in prison.

Hall was taken into custody by the Ellis County Sheriff's Department
following sentencing and will be transferred to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690468474195.png" alt="Hall photo Ellis County" />
 <figcaption>Hall photo Ellis County</figcaption>
 </figure>By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostAn Ellis County
judge sentenced an Illinois man to more than three years in prison Tuesday for
a fatal DUI crash in 2021 that resulted in the death of a California man.Dalton Charles
Hall, 21, Savoy, Illinois, pleaded guilty in March to involuntary manslaughter
while under the influence, aggravated battery while driving under the influence
and driving under the influence. District Judge Tom
Drees sentenced Hall to 41 months in prison Tuesday for involuntary
manslaughter in Ellis County District Court. He also received probation for aggravated
battery while driving under the influence.According to
court documents, Hall had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit
when he crashed his car in the early morning hours of Oct. 24, 2021.Hall was
<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/66fdc840-17ef-4a18-ab59-bef3b1c64649">traveling at a high rate of speed </a>on Eighth St. and failed to stop at the stop
sign at the U.S. 183 Alternate, causing the car to go airborne over an embankment.
The car flipped end over end and came to rest on its top.Jacob Rivera, 19,
Selma, California, died as a result of the accident. Two passengers, Chelsey
Mendoza, 20, Selma, California and Victoria Borrego, 21, Pacifica, California, suffered
serious injuries and were taken to Hays Medical Center. Hall also suffered
serious injuries in the accident and was hospitalized in Hays. All four individuals were members of the Northwest Kansas
Technical College wrestling team, and their families said the two men became
close friends when they arrived in Goodland for school.In Kansas, an involuntary manslaughter conviction carries the
standard sentence of 41 months in prison. At Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, Hall and his attorney
Curtis Brown asked the court to sentence him to probation in a motion for downward
dispositional departure from a prison sentence.Hall, who was 20 at the time of the accident, said he used
recreational drugs and alcohol before the Oct. 2021 accident but became addicted to fentanyl after the accident as a way to cope.During the nearly four hours of testimony in support of Hall’s
request for probation, Hall, his father, two family friends, and two people who
regularly attend Narcotics Anonymous with Hall in Illinois spoke.While Hall’s father was on the stand, both he and Rivera’s
father became overcome with emotion when Hall talked about how their two sons
met when they first arrived on the Goodland campus. Rivera was so overcome with
emotion that he broke down and left the courtroom.Witnesses in support of Hall testified that they believed he
has turned his life around after the accident and addiction and attending in-patient
rehab. He said that he has been sober for more than a year and is engaged, and
his fiancé is expecting a child in January.Hall said there is not a day that goes by that he doesn’t think
about the accident.“I am sorry,” Hall said. “I never meant for it to happen.” 
He also said that he wants to become an adolescent counselor
to “honor Jacob by doing the right thing and by helping people like Jacob
helped me.”During cross-examination by Ellis County Attorney Robert
Anderson, Hall said that the night of the crash, Oct. 24, 2021, was the second straight
night that the group of four drove from Goodland to Hays. While in Hays, they
drank, went to a bar and attended a party before driving back to Goodland. Hall
drove both times.Other members of Jacob Rivera’s family were also on hand Tuesday.
They sat in the front row of the Ellis County Courthouse, wearing all black
with shirts that showed Jacob “PeeWee” with his hands raised after winning a wrestling
match.Rivera’s mother read a statement to the court saying her life
was changed forever that night and that while she forgives Hall, there are
consequences for people’s actions.“When he (Hall) gets out, he’ll be able to see his son, I
won’t be able to,” she said. On behalf of the Rivera family, Anderson was requesting a
total prison sentence of 77 months for all three crimes.When Judge Drees handed down his ruling, he said that no matter
what the court ruled, it was not going to make anyone feel better and that “Jacob
Rivera is forever 19.”Drees elected not to grant Hall probation, he said that Hall’s
efforts after the accident were not a reason to grant him probation, but he did
believe that they were sincere. “What matters is what happened,” Drees said. “He (Hall) knew
he drank too much and chose to drive.”He added that while all four drank that night, Hall was the “only
one that chose to operate a vehicle after partying.”The 41-month prison sentence handed down by Drees is the
standard prison sentence for a first-time involuntary manslaughter conviction
for someone with no criminal history in Kansas.Drees sentenced Hall to 36 months probation for aggravated
battery; driving under the influence. That will run consecutive to Hall’s
post-release supervision on the involuntary manslaughter conviction.Drees said that Hall will have that extra time “hanging over”
his head, and if he violates either his post-release or probation, he could be
sentenced to 32 months in prison.Hall was taken into custody by the Ellis County Sheriff's Department
following sentencing and will be transferred to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Former Northwest Tech wrestler sentenced for teammate’s death

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have made an arrest.

Just after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to an alarm at Calhoun’s Jewelers, 1801 SW Gage Blvd. in Topeka, according to a media release. Upon arrival, officers found that an individual had forced entry into the business.

As a result of the investigation, Raymundo A. Martinez, 36, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Burglary; Dwelling to commit felony, theft, DV, or sexually motivated crime and Criminal damage to property; Without consent value $1,000 to $25,000.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690309886340.png" alt="Martinez-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Martinez-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a burglary and have made an arrest.Just after 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to an alarm at Calhoun’s Jewelers, 1801 SW Gage Blvd. in Topeka, according to a media release. Upon arrival, officers found that an individual had forced entry into the business.As a result of the investigation, Raymundo A. Martinez, 36, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Burglary; Dwelling to commit felony, theft, DV, or sexually motivated crime and Criminal damage to property; Without consent value $1,000 to $25,000.

Man accused of burglary at Kansas jewelry store

&nbsp;TOPEKA —A federal judge last week found that a Kansas Highway Patrol practice known as the “Kansas Two-Step” violates motorists' constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and targets motorists traveling from states where marijuana is legal.

In a statement from the patrol on Wednesday, the agency said is reviewing the Court’s decision and respects the Judge’s conclusions and recommendations.&nbsp; 

Moving forward, KHP will continue its endeavor to ensure that our enforcement operations respect constitutional rights and comply with the law as we carry out our missions of Service, Courtesy, and Protection.

The Kansas Highway Patrol understands that many within the public wish to express their concerns and complaints to the agency regarding the lawsuit and the ruling in the case.&nbsp; KHP would like to direct the public to the online complaint forum within our Professional Standards Unit.&nbsp; <a href="https://kansashighwaypatrol.org/about-us/compliments-complaints/">Click here to view and</a> leave comments on the forum&nbsp;

“I remain committed to the Kansas Highway Patrol and the employees that are serving within the agency. The administration and all agency members will continue to be held to the highest levels of integrity and professionalism”, said Colonel Erik Smith, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1586208701830.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;TOPEKA —A federal judge last week found that a Kansas Highway Patrol practice known as the “Kansas Two-Step” violates motorists' constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and targets motorists traveling from states where marijuana is legal.In a statement from the patrol on Wednesday, the agency said is reviewing the Court’s decision and respects the Judge’s conclusions and recommendations.&nbsp; Moving forward, KHP will continue its endeavor to ensure that our enforcement operations respect constitutional rights and comply with the law as we carry out our missions of Service, Courtesy, and Protection.The Kansas Highway Patrol understands that many within the public wish to express their concerns and complaints to the agency regarding the lawsuit and the ruling in the case.&nbsp; KHP would like to direct the public to the online complaint forum within our Professional Standards Unit.&nbsp; <a href="https://kansashighwaypatrol.org/about-us/compliments-complaints/">Click here to view and</a> leave comments on the forum&nbsp;“I remain committed to the Kansas Highway Patrol and the employees that are serving within the agency. The administration and all agency members will continue to be held to the highest levels of integrity and professionalism”, said Colonel Erik Smith, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol.

KHP wants your comments after judge’s ruling on two-step practice

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell briefly left his own press conference Wednesday after stopping his remarks midsentence and staring off into space for several seconds.

McConnell approached the podium for his weekly press conference and began speaking about the annual defense bill on the floor, which he said was proceeding with “good bipartisan cooperation.” But he then appeared to lose his train of thought, trailing off with a drawn-out “uh.”

The Kentucky senator then appeared to freeze up and stared vacantly for around 20 seconds before his colleagues in Republican leadership, who were standing behind him and could not see his face, grabbed his elbows and asked if he wanted to go back to his office.

He did not answer, but slowly walked back to his office with an aide and Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, a former orthopedic surgeon who is the No. 3 Republican in the Senate. After sitting down in his office for several minutes, McConnell later returned to the press conference and answered questions from the press.

McConnell, 81, was out of the Senate for almost six weeks earlier this year after falling and hitting his head after a dinner event at a hotel. He was hospitalized for several days, and his office later said he suffered a concussion and fractured a rib. His speech has sounded more halting in recent weeks, prompting questions among some of his colleagues about his health.

When he returned to answer questions, McConnell said he was “fine.” Asked if he is still able to do his job, he said, “Yeah.”

McConnell's office declined to say whether he was seen by a doctor after the episode.

After the press conference, Barrasso told reporters he “wanted to make sure everything was fine” and walked McConnell down the hall to his office.

Barrasso said he has been concerned since McConnell was injured earlier this year, “and I continue to be concerned.”

But asked about his particular concerns, Barrasso said: “I said I was concerned when he fell and hit his head a number of months ago and was hospitalized. And I think he's made a remarkable recovery, he's doing a great job leading our conference and was able to answer every question the press asked him today.”

Walking out of his office Wednesday evening, McConnell again told reporters he was fine. He said President Joe Biden had called him.

“The president called to check up on me, and I told him I got sandbagged,” McConnell joked, referencing a quote from Biden in June after he tripped over a sandbag and fell while onstage at the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation.

First elected to the Senate in 1984, McConnell became the longest-serving Senate party leader in history in January. He was easily reelected to his leadership post that same month, despite a challenge from Florida Sen. Rick Scott.

Still, several Republicans, including No. 2 Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota and Barrasso, are seen as waiting in the wings to someday replace him.

Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who is also seen as a potential candidate to succeed McConnell, told reporters after the episode, “I support Senator McConnell as long as he wants to serve as leader.”

McConnell had polio in his early childhood and he has long acknowledged some difficulty as an adult in climbing stairs. In addition to his fall in March, he also tripped and fell four years ago at his home in Kentucky, causing a shoulder fracture that required surgery.

The Republican leader is one of several senators who have been absent due to health issues this year. Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, 90, was out of the Senate for more than two months as she recovered from a bout of shingles. And Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., 53, took leave for several weeks to get treatment for clinical depression.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell briefly left his own press conference Wednesday after stopping his remarks midsentence and staring off into space for several seconds.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Senator Minority Leader Mitch McConnell appears to have a health issue while speaking during a press conference in the U.S. Capitol. About 12 minutes later, the Minority Leader returned to the press conference and, when asked about what happened, said, &quot;I&#39;m fine.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/EU7zDzGT0m">pic.twitter.com/EU7zDzGT0m</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1684278322098761728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>McConnell approached the podium for his weekly press conference and began speaking about the annual defense bill on the floor, which he said was proceeding with “good bipartisan cooperation.” But he then appeared to lose his train of thought, trailing off with a drawn-out “uh.”The Kentucky senator then appeared to freeze up and stared vacantly for around 20 seconds before his colleagues in Republican leadership, who were standing behind him and could not see his face, grabbed his elbows and asked if he wanted to go back to his office.He did not answer, but slowly walked back to his office with an aide and Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, a former orthopedic surgeon who is the No. 3 Republican in the Senate. After sitting down in his office for several minutes, McConnell later returned to the press conference and answered questions from the press.McConnell, 81, was out of the Senate for almost six weeks earlier this year after falling and hitting his head after a dinner event at a hotel. He was hospitalized for several days, and his office later said he suffered a concussion and fractured a rib. His speech has sounded more halting in recent weeks, prompting questions among some of his colleagues about his health.When he returned to answer questions, McConnell said he was “fine.” Asked if he is still able to do his job, he said, “Yeah.”McConnell's office declined to say whether he was seen by a doctor after the episode.After the press conference, Barrasso told reporters he “wanted to make sure everything was fine” and walked McConnell down the hall to his office.Barrasso said he has been concerned since McConnell was injured earlier this year, “and I continue to be concerned.”But asked about his particular concerns, Barrasso said: “I said I was concerned when he fell and hit his head a number of months ago and was hospitalized. And I think he's made a remarkable recovery, he's doing a great job leading our conference and was able to answer every question the press asked him today.”Walking out of his office Wednesday evening, McConnell again told reporters he was fine. He said President Joe Biden had called him.“The president called to check up on me, and I told him I got sandbagged,” McConnell joked, referencing a quote from Biden in June after he tripped over a sandbag and fell while onstage at the U.S. Air Force Academy graduation.First elected to the Senate in 1984, McConnell became the longest-serving Senate party leader in history in January. He was easily reelected to his leadership post that same month, despite a challenge from Florida Sen. Rick Scott.Still, several Republicans, including No. 2 Republican Sen. John Thune of South Dakota and Barrasso, are seen as waiting in the wings to someday replace him.Texas Sen. John Cornyn, who is also seen as a potential candidate to succeed McConnell, told reporters after the episode, “I support Senator McConnell as long as he wants to serve as leader.”McConnell had polio in his early childhood and he has long acknowledged some difficulty as an adult in climbing stairs. In addition to his fall in March, he also tripped and fell four years ago at his home in Kentucky, causing a shoulder fracture that required surgery.The Republican leader is one of several senators who have been absent due to health issues this year. Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, 90, was out of the Senate for more than two months as she recovered from a bout of shingles. And Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., 53, took leave for several weeks to get treatment for clinical depression.

🎥 GOP Senate leader has health scare during presser; says he’s ‘fine’

FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an armed robbery in southwest Kansas have two suspects in custody.

On Wednesday, police in Garden City asked the public for help&nbsp; identifying two suspects responsible for the aggravated robbery.&nbsp;

Just after 3:00 a.m. Wednesday, two men entered the Corner Market at 2522 N. Taylor Avenue in Garden City. One of the suspects pointed a handgun at an employee, while the other suspect shattered the Vape Pen display case and stole merchandise and placed them into a backpack.

The suspects fled the scene from the west door entrance. The suspect with the handgun was described as a white male who was wearing a red/black t-shirt, black pants, orange Crocs, and a blue balaclava face mask.

The other suspect who stole the vape pens was wearing a black hoodie, white/black/gray striped shorts, white Crocs, and a gray backpack. He was described as a white or Hispanic male.

Police have reported no additional details and possible charges against the suspects.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690423563994.png" alt="Photos Garden City Police" />
 <figcaption>Photos Garden City Police</figcaption>
 </figure>FINNEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating an armed robbery in southwest Kansas have two suspects in custody.On Wednesday, police in Garden City asked the public for help&nbsp; identifying two suspects responsible for the aggravated robbery.&nbsp;Just after 3:00 a.m. Wednesday, two men entered the Corner Market at 2522 N. Taylor Avenue in Garden City. One of the suspects pointed a handgun at an employee, while the other suspect shattered the Vape Pen display case and stole merchandise and placed them into a backpack.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690455128662.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The suspects fled the scene from the west door entrance. The suspect with the handgun was described as a white male who was wearing a red/black t-shirt, black pants, orange Crocs, and a blue balaclava face mask.The other suspect who stole the vape pens was wearing a black hoodie, white/black/gray striped shorts, white Crocs, and a gray backpack. He was described as a white or Hispanic male.Police have reported no additional details and possible charges against the suspects.

Police capture SW Kansas armed robbery suspects

CLAY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating after finding an injured bald eagle.

Over the weekend, Lt. Amanda Alexander received a call about an injured bald eagle in Clay County, according to a social media report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife Game Wardens.

 Lt.&nbsp; Alexander located the eagle and transport it to Operation Wildlife for evaluation. 

The eagle was found to have a pelvic injury most likely caused by a vehicle. The eagle was released into the custody of Operation Wildlife.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690405116574.png" alt="Photos KDW&amp;P Game Wardens" />
 <figcaption>Photos KDW&amp;P Game Wardens</figcaption>
 </figure>CLAY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating after finding an injured bald eagle.Over the weekend, Lt. Amanda Alexander received a call about an injured bald eagle in Clay County, according to a social media report from the Kansas Department of Wildlife Game Wardens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690405093524.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure> Lt.&nbsp; Alexander located the eagle and transport it to Operation Wildlife for evaluation. The eagle was found to have a pelvic injury most likely caused by a vehicle. The eagle was released into the custody of Operation Wildlife.

Kan. Game Wardens: Vehicle may have struck injured bald eagle

By ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/7/1690419772316.png" alt=" Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies on Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee. (Screenshot from committee webcast)" />
 <figcaption> Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas testifies on Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee. (Screenshot from committee webcast)</figcaption>
 </figure>By ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday faced off with Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee, who did not directly call for his impeachment but strongly criticized his oversight of the agency.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sen. <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RogerMarshallMD</a> calls out Joe Biden and Alejandro Mayorkas for fueling the worst border crisis in U.S. history, and for their complete refusal to secure the border. <a href="https://t.co/OwTzV4tjWA">pic.twitter.com/OwTzV4tjWA</a>&mdash; GOP (@GOP) <a href="https://twitter.com/GOP/status/1682435857649737728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I know that today Secretary Mayorkas is going to try to paint a rosy picture of this disastrous mismanagement of our border. But nothing about the Biden administration’s policy is safe, orderly, or humane,” Chair Rep. Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican, said. “The numbers don’t lie.”House Republicans have held multiple hearings about immigration at the Southern border as part of their broader strategy to impeach Mayorkas on the grounds that he has failed to enforce U.S. law. Multiple impeachment resolutions have been introduced and co-sponsored by dozens of Republicans.House GOP members have also floated the idea of impeaching President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland. During an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Monday, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, suggested that House Republicans could be headed toward impeachment hearings for Biden.On Tuesday, McCarthy again floated the idea that impeachment of Biden could be considered in light of questions Republicans are raising about Biden family finances,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-impeachment-mccarthy-hannity-78e4c7efeb030b29e1576f868257179b">The Associated Press reported.</a>Democrats spent much of the five-hour-plus Judiciary hearing pushing back against Republicans’ claims about migration at the U.S. Southern border and defending DHS practices.The top Democrat on the committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, said Republicans used the hearing as a “baseless attempt to impeach Secretary Mayorkas.”“To be clear, Republicans have not established any legitimate grounds to impeach Secretary Mayorkas, they’ve not uncovered evidence of wrongdoing or malfeasance of any kind,” Nadler said. “They have policy disagreements with this secretary.”Mayorkas argued that the Biden administration’s policies at the border are working to deter unauthorized immigration, citing the use of parole programs for certain nationals and a new policy established after the end of pandemic-era immigration enforcement tool known as Title 42 that restricts asylum.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/federal-judge-blocks-biden-rule-limits-asylum-migrants-border">A federal judge Tuesday blocked that policy</a>, and the Department of Justice has appealed the decision.“Under President Biden’s leadership, we have led the largest expansion of lawful, safe and orderly pathways for people to seek humanitarian relief under our laws, at the same time imposing tougher consequences on those who instead resort to the ruthless smuggling organizations that prey on the most vulnerable,” Mayorkas said.There has been a decline in recent months in unauthorized border crossings, with the most recent data from May showing a 15% decrease compared to May 2022, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-releases-may-2023-monthly-operational-update">U.S. Customs and Border Protection data</a><h2>Fentanyl crisis</h2>Democratic Rep. Madeleine Dean of Pennsylvania said that each day hundreds of people die from overdoses, with a majority of those from illicit fentanyl. Mayorkas said that DHS has focused on seizing fentanyl at ports of entry.“We have a serious problem,” Dean said. “We don’t have folks on the other side of the aisle serious about solving it.”The National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates">found</a>&nbsp;that deaths “involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (primarily fentanyl) continued to rise with 70,601 overdose deaths reported in 2021.”“We are leading an unprecedented effort to interdict the flow of fentanyl into our communities, which has escalated for more than five years,” Mayorkas said.Republican Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado told Mayorkas that his constituents consider Mayorkas a “traitor” because of the fentanyl crisis.Republican Rep. Thomas Tiffany of Wisconsin accused Mayorkas of having an “open border policy,” and asked him if that has led to an increase in fentanyl in the U.S.“We have interdicted more fentanyl at the ports of entry than in the prior administration,” Mayorkas said, adding that there is not an open border policy.<h2>Outdated immigration system</h2>Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida and Jordan grilled Mayorkas on his&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ice.gov/doclib/news/guidelines-civilimmigrationlaw.pdf">directive</a>&nbsp;that focuses on removing undocumented people with a criminal record.<a target="_blank" href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2023/06/23/us-supreme-court-turns-down-push-by-states-to-challenge-biden-deportation-policy/">The Supreme Court in June overwhelmingly agreed</a>&nbsp;that the Biden administration has the legal authority to prioritize arresting and deporting noncitizens who have recently crossed the border without authorization and noncitizens who pose a threat to public safety.“So long as you don’t commit a crime, you get to stay here and burden our schools, burden our social services, burden our jails,” Gaetz said.Mayorkas said because there are anywhere between 11 and 12 million undocumented people in the country, it would not be feasible for the agency to focus its resources on deporting people who have not committed a crime. He added that the agency has deported more than 1.4 million people who did not have legal status.Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia pushed back and said that “MAGA Republican extremists want to sell us on an apocalyptic fantasy,” and “want us to believe that the border is out of control.”“But in reality, the greatest threat facing our homeland is white nationalist ideology,” Johnson said.Republican Rep. Dan Bishop of North Carolina asked Mayokras if under his tenure the cartels have “become stronger or weaker.”“Our efforts have weakened those cartels by the investigations and prosecutions that we have conducted with our international partners,” he said.Democrats argued that there is only so much that DHS can do, because Congress has failed to update immigration laws.“Our colleagues across the aisle have made clear with their tone and questions today that their primary interest is in scapegoating you and the Biden administration for the consequences of Congress failing for decades to address either the root causes of immigration at our Southern border … and (the) all but complete collapse of the U.S. immigration system,” Democratic Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon of Pennsylvania said.Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington said with the issues Mayorkas inherited from the Trump administration and Congress’ inability to pass immigration reform, it’s led to record levels of backlogs in the immigration system.She asked Mayorkas about the impact of expanding legal pathways such as the parole systems that allow up to 30,000 migrants each month from Cuba, Haiti and Nicaragua who have U.S.-based financial sponsors and pass a background check.“Our approach is to expand lawful pathways so that individuals who qualify for relief under the laws of this Congress do not have to place their lives and their life savings in the hands of unscrupulous smugglers,” Mayorkas said.<h2>Questions about speech online</h2>Several Republicans such as Reps. Mike Johnson of Louisiana, Andy Biggs of Arizona and Thomas Massie of Kentucky pressed Mayorkas about the DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.CISA was formed in 2018. The agency is tasked with improving the government’s cybersecurity against private and foreign hackers, along with overall strengthening of the government’s cyber infrastructure across all agencies.Johnson charged that CISA suppresses speech online, mainly that of conservative voices. He&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/judge-limits-biden-administration-contact-with-social-media-platforms-in-censorship-case/">cited a case</a>&nbsp;filed by former Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt,in which a federal judge earlier this month prohibited the Biden administration from communicating with social media platforms about “protected speech.”Mayorkas said the agency does not “censor free speech,” and that the purpose of the CISA is to identify and track adverse nations that weaponize disinformation, which is when someone purposely spreads false information.Massie asked Mayorkas if it was illegal to “undermine public trust in government institutions.”Mayorkas said that DHS does not get involved in speech surrounding ideology, only if that ideology is connected to violence. He said the agency does evaluate certain ideologies.“What we get engaged in is a connectivity to violence,” he said. “It is our responsibility to prevent violence from occurring.”An example he gave was the c<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8576388/">onspiracy theory that 5G cell towers</a>&nbsp;were connected to the coronavirus. DHS became involved and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/dhs-to-advise-telecom-firms-on-preventing-5g-cell-tower-attacks-linked-to-coronavirus-conspiracy-theories/2020/05/13/6aa9eaa6-951f-11ea-82b4-c8db161ff6e5_story.html">issued warnings to the telecom industry</a>&nbsp;because they believed there could be attacks to cell towers.