SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting in Topeka have a second suspect in custody.

Just before 1:30a.m. October 21, police were dispatched to the 1500 block of SW 21st Street in Topeka reference a possible shooting, according to Topeka Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.

&nbsp;Officers located two adult male victims, one with possible life threatening injuries and one with non-life threatening injuries. Both victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment.&nbsp;

During the course of the investigation, police identified 22-year-old Rajhgerio Smith&nbsp; as a suspect. They arrested him on requested charges of Aggravated Battery.

On Friday, the Topeka Police Department asked the public for help in locating Tysuan E. White, 22, Topeka, as a person of interest in this investigation. 

With the public's help. police located and arrested Smith. He is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges&nbsp; of&nbsp; Aggravated Battery.

Police thanked the community for their help.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699193180106.png" alt="White-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>White-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY— Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting in Topeka have a second suspect in custody.Just before 1:30a.m. October 21, police were dispatched to the 1500 block of SW 21st Street in Topeka reference a possible shooting, according to Topeka Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.&nbsp;Officers located two adult male victims, one with possible life threatening injuries and one with non-life threatening injuries. Both victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697942064704.png" alt="Smith-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Smith-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the course of the investigation, police identified 22-year-old Rajhgerio Smith&nbsp; as a suspect. They arrested him on requested charges of Aggravated Battery.On Friday, the Topeka Police Department asked the public for help in locating Tysuan E. White, 22, Topeka, as a person of interest in this investigation. With the public's help. police located and arrested Smith. He is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges&nbsp; of&nbsp; Aggravated Battery.Police thanked the community for their help.

Community helps police capture Kansas shooting suspect

JERUSALEM (AP)— Israel’s minister of Jewish heritage, Amihai Eliyahu, said that dropping an atomic bomb on the Gaza Strip is a possibility. His comments were immediately denounced by other Cabinet members.

Eliyahu, a junior minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhau’s Cabinet, made the comment in an interview with Kol Beramah radio. He later tried to walk it back, saying, “Anyone reasonable would understand that the comment was metaphorical. But we definitely need to respond powerfully and disproportionately to terrorism."

Army Radio cited Netanyahu as saying that the remark was “divorced from reality.”

“Israel and the IDF operate according to the highest standards of international law to avoid hurting non-combatants — and will continue to do so until we achieve victory,” he was quoted as saying.

The radio said Netanyahu suspended Eliyahu from Cabinet meetings until further notice, a move that has no practical effect.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also criticized Eliyahu, saying, “It’s a good thing that people like this are not in charge of Israel’s security.”

Meanwhile, Giora Eiland, an adviser to Gallant, said Israel is far from vanquishing Hamas.

“We don’t see hundreds of people starting to surrender,” Eiland, a reserves general and former head of the National Security Council, told Army Radio. “You see very, very sophisticated attacks from the other side involving the successful coordinated use of paragliders, antitank missile fire and mortar fire. This requires a high degree of coordination among forces and they do it well.”

Meanwhile,&nbsp;U.S. Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/antony-blinken">Antony Blinken</a>&nbsp;brought his diplomatic push on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;to the occupied West Bank on Sunday, meeting with Palestinian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mahmoud-abbas">Mahmoud Abbas</a>&nbsp;in the Biden administration's latest bid to ease civilian suffering in the Gaza Strip and begin to sketch out a post-conflict scenario for the territory.

On a stop not announced in advance, Blinken traveled to Ramallah in an armored motorcade and under tight security just hours after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-05-2023-eb1dfa6afe40ba267024c7d819e17194">Israeli planes</a>&nbsp;struck a refugee camp in Gaza, killing at least 40 people and wounding dozens, Gaza's Health Ministry said. Despite the secrecy and the U.S. State Department's refusal to confirm the trip until after Blinken had left the West Bank, there were protests against the diplomat's visit and U.S. support for Israel as word of his arrival leaked.

Neither man spoke as they greeted each other in front of cameras and their meeting ended without any public comment.

A senior American official traveling with Blinken said stressed the U.S. commitment to pressing Israel to protect civilians in Gaza, increase humanitarian aid supplies and rein in and punish extremist Jewish settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

Blinken also told Abbas that the U.S. was pushing Israel to fully restore suspended tax remittance transfers to the Palestinian Authority. Those funds were partially unblocked last week, but the Palestinians want the whole amount. In addition, Blinken said the U.S. envisions the Palestinian Authority as “playing a central role” in any post-Hamas administration in Gaza, according to the official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to detail private discussions.

Abbas, meantime, said the Palestinian Authority would only assume power in Gaza as part of a “comprehensive political solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to the official WAFA news agency. Abbas condemned Israel’s bombardment of Gaza as a “genocidal war” and urged Blinken “to immediately stop them from committing such crimes,” the agency reported.

He called for an immediate cession of the war, and the delivery of humanitarian aid and fuel, and the restoration of water and electricity in Gaza. The Palestinian leader said “military and security solutions” would not bring security to Israel, but that “security and peace” would be achieved only through ending the occupation and establishing a Palestinian state on the pre-1967 Mideast war borders with east Jerusalem its capital, according to the report.

Earlier, the U.S. State Department said Blinken reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the resumption of essential services in Gaza and made clear that Palestinians must not be forcibly displaced. Blinken and Abbas discussed efforts to restore calm and stability in the West Bank, including the need to stop the violence against Palestinians and bring to account those who are responsible, in reference to attacks by Israeli settlers.

The meeting with Abbas, whose Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority has not been a factor in Gaza since Hamas took it over by force in 2007, came at the start of Blinken’s third day of his latest Mideast mission, his second since the surprise Hamas attack against Israel on Oct. 7. Blinken visited Israel and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blinken-mideast-diplomacy-gaza-israel-hamas-war-9d9ada872b84699424f17f13df1c3560">meeting in Jordan with Arab ministers</a>&nbsp;Saturday.

At each stop, Blinken has offered firm U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself but also stressed that it must adhere to the laws of war, protect civilians and increase humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza. To do that, as well as to ease the flow of foreigners fleeing Gaza, he has made the case that Israel should implement rolling humanitarian pauses to its airstrikes and ground operations, something that Netanyahu has thus far flatly rejected.

U.S. officials believe that Netanyahu may soften his opposition if he can be convinced that it is in Israel’s strategic interests to ease the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The soaring death toll has sparked growing international anger,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-palestinians-protests-europe-193a9aaca97df2c5c6a515f756a40a34">with tens of thousands from Washington to Berlin taking to the streets</a>&nbsp;over the weekend to demand an immediate cease-fire.

The Arab foreign ministers with whom Blinken met in Amman – from Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates – issued the same demand. But Blinken said the U.S. would not push for one.

Arab states are resisting American suggestions that they play a larger role in resolving crisis, expressing outrage at the civilian toll of the Israeli military operations but believing Gaza to be a problem largely of Israel’s own making.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699029329853.png" alt="U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to urge protections for civilians in the fighting with Hamas-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday to urge protections for civilians in the fighting with Hamas-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP)— Israel’s minister of Jewish heritage, Amihai Eliyahu, said that dropping an atomic bomb on the Gaza Strip is a possibility. His comments were immediately denounced by other Cabinet members.Eliyahu, a junior minister in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyhau’s Cabinet, made the comment in an interview with Kol Beramah radio. He later tried to walk it back, saying, “Anyone reasonable would understand that the comment was metaphorical. But we definitely need to respond powerfully and disproportionately to terrorism."Army Radio cited Netanyahu as saying that the remark was “divorced from reality.”“Israel and the IDF operate according to the highest standards of international law to avoid hurting non-combatants — and will continue to do so until we achieve victory,” he was quoted as saying.The radio said Netanyahu suspended Eliyahu from Cabinet meetings until further notice, a move that has no practical effect.Defense Minister Yoav Gallant also criticized Eliyahu, saying, “It’s a good thing that people like this are not in charge of Israel’s security.”Meanwhile, Giora Eiland, an adviser to Gallant, said Israel is far from vanquishing Hamas.“We don’t see hundreds of people starting to surrender,” Eiland, a reserves general and former head of the National Security Council, told Army Radio. “You see very, very sophisticated attacks from the other side involving the successful coordinated use of paragliders, antitank missile fire and mortar fire. This requires a high degree of coordination among forces and they do it well.”Meanwhile,&nbsp;U.S. Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/antony-blinken">Antony Blinken</a>&nbsp;brought his diplomatic push on the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>&nbsp;to the occupied West Bank on Sunday, meeting with Palestinian President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mahmoud-abbas">Mahmoud Abbas</a>&nbsp;in the Biden administration's latest bid to ease civilian suffering in the Gaza Strip and begin to sketch out a post-conflict scenario for the territory.On a stop not announced in advance, Blinken traveled to Ramallah in an armored motorcade and under tight security just hours after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-05-2023-eb1dfa6afe40ba267024c7d819e17194">Israeli planes</a>&nbsp;struck a refugee camp in Gaza, killing at least 40 people and wounding dozens, Gaza's Health Ministry said. Despite the secrecy and the U.S. State Department's refusal to confirm the trip until after Blinken had left the West Bank, there were protests against the diplomat's visit and U.S. support for Israel as word of his arrival leaked.Neither man spoke as they greeted each other in front of cameras and their meeting ended without any public comment.A senior American official traveling with Blinken said stressed the U.S. commitment to pressing Israel to protect civilians in Gaza, increase humanitarian aid supplies and rein in and punish extremist Jewish settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.Blinken also told Abbas that the U.S. was pushing Israel to fully restore suspended tax remittance transfers to the Palestinian Authority. Those funds were partially unblocked last week, but the Palestinians want the whole amount. In addition, Blinken said the U.S. envisions the Palestinian Authority as “playing a central role” in any post-Hamas administration in Gaza, according to the official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to detail private discussions.Abbas, meantime, said the Palestinian Authority would only assume power in Gaza as part of a “comprehensive political solution” to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to the official WAFA news agency. Abbas condemned Israel’s bombardment of Gaza as a “genocidal war” and urged Blinken “to immediately stop them from committing such crimes,” the agency reported.He called for an immediate cession of the war, and the delivery of humanitarian aid and fuel, and the restoration of water and electricity in Gaza. The Palestinian leader said “military and security solutions” would not bring security to Israel, but that “security and peace” would be achieved only through ending the occupation and establishing a Palestinian state on the pre-1967 Mideast war borders with east Jerusalem its capital, according to the report.Earlier, the U.S. State Department said Blinken reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the resumption of essential services in Gaza and made clear that Palestinians must not be forcibly displaced. Blinken and Abbas discussed efforts to restore calm and stability in the West Bank, including the need to stop the violence against Palestinians and bring to account those who are responsible, in reference to attacks by Israeli settlers.The meeting with Abbas, whose Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority has not been a factor in Gaza since Hamas took it over by force in 2007, came at the start of Blinken’s third day of his latest Mideast mission, his second since the surprise Hamas attack against Israel on Oct. 7. Blinken visited Israel and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday before&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blinken-mideast-diplomacy-gaza-israel-hamas-war-9d9ada872b84699424f17f13df1c3560">meeting in Jordan with Arab ministers</a>&nbsp;Saturday.At each stop, Blinken has offered firm U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself but also stressed that it must adhere to the laws of war, protect civilians and increase humanitarian aid supplies to Gaza. To do that, as well as to ease the flow of foreigners fleeing Gaza, he has made the case that Israel should implement rolling humanitarian pauses to its airstrikes and ground operations, something that Netanyahu has thus far flatly rejected.U.S. officials believe that Netanyahu may soften his opposition if he can be convinced that it is in Israel’s strategic interests to ease the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. The soaring death toll has sparked growing international anger,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-palestinians-protests-europe-193a9aaca97df2c5c6a515f756a40a34">with tens of thousands from Washington to Berlin taking to the streets</a>&nbsp;over the weekend to demand an immediate cease-fire.The Arab foreign ministers with whom Blinken met in Amman – from Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates – issued the same demand. But Blinken said the U.S. would not push for one.Arab states are resisting American suggestions that they play a larger role in resolving crisis, expressing outrage at the civilian toll of the Israeli military operations but believing Gaza to be a problem largely of Israel’s own making.

Atomic bomb: Israel Minister threatens using nuke on Gaza

By&nbsp;RACHEL MIPRO&nbsp; <a href="http://www.kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A dragon spitting fire at the Kansas Statehouse, depicted in a Vincent Van Gogh style, illuminated the possibilities of Artificial Intelligence to lawmakers during a Wednesday meeting.

An overview of AI creative designs provided some levity before legislators turned to discussion of the state’s changing internet landscape — one that IT officials have repeatedly warned needs to be better secured.

“I’d like to improve our ability to respond and recover from cyber incidents, including testing, tracking and training for known unlikely eventualities,” said Michael Murphy, security engineer with the Kansas Legislative Office of Information Technology.

Murphy said he and other legislative IT staff would look into system security upgrades and improvements before the upcoming legislative session.

“The first priority right now is security awareness training,” Murphy said. “Like I said, the biggest point of failure is going to be the people. So we need to make sure everybody’s trained up on how to do things properly.”

The renewed discussion on internet security comes after a “security incident” that shut down online operations for most of the state’s courts. Kansas’ judicial branch publicly announced the issue on Oct. 12, later indicating that clerks in 104 counties were unable to receive online filings. The Johnson County District Court, which operates its own e-filing and case management system separately from the state, is the only state district court not affected.

While courts are still operating, all filings have to be submitted in paper. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with little information publicly released.

“We also have to figure out how to stop these bad actors from doing things that screw everything up, like they’ve done in judiciary,” said committee lawmaker Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, before lawmakers withdrew to speak privately about judiciary IT security during an executive session.

Though last year’s risk assessment of the state’s court system has been earmarked as confidential, previous audits of several state agencies have shown several weaknesses. A cybersecurity investigation by accounting firm FORVIS into the Department of Labor’s IT system found data breaches that led to record-high identity theft and unemployment insurance fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the closed-door meeting, lawmakers talked with Marisa Bayless, special counsel to the supreme court chief justice, along with IT personnel.

“We know that this is a difficult process,” Bayless said after the closed session. “It’s not ideal. And we are going to continue examining our systems, understanding what happened, how it happened, and how we can bring the system back online in a very safe environment.”

Bayless said the return to online operations would be done in phases, and the court systems would look at providing services through public portals and clerk stations in the meantime.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699034126873.png" alt="= IT security officers have previously warned state agencies to tighten cybersecurity measures. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>= IT security officers have previously warned state agencies to tighten cybersecurity measures. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;RACHEL MIPRO&nbsp; <a href="http://www.kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A dragon spitting fire at the Kansas Statehouse, depicted in a Vincent Van Gogh style, illuminated the possibilities of Artificial Intelligence to lawmakers during a Wednesday meeting.An overview of AI creative designs provided some levity before legislators turned to discussion of the state’s changing internet landscape — one that IT officials have repeatedly warned needs to be better secured.“I’d like to improve our ability to respond and recover from cyber incidents, including testing, tracking and training for known unlikely eventualities,” said Michael Murphy, security engineer with the Kansas Legislative Office of Information Technology.Murphy said he and other legislative IT staff would look into system security upgrades and improvements before the upcoming legislative session.“The first priority right now is security awareness training,” Murphy said. “Like I said, the biggest point of failure is going to be the people. So we need to make sure everybody’s trained up on how to do things properly.”The renewed discussion on internet security comes after a “security incident” that shut down online operations for most of the state’s courts. Kansas’ judicial branch publicly announced the issue on Oct. 12, later indicating that clerks in 104 counties were unable to receive online filings. The Johnson County District Court, which operates its own e-filing and case management system separately from the state, is the only state district court not affected.While courts are still operating, all filings have to be submitted in paper. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with little information publicly released.“We also have to figure out how to stop these bad actors from doing things that screw everything up, like they’ve done in judiciary,” said committee lawmaker Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, before lawmakers withdrew to speak privately about judiciary IT security during an executive session.Though last year’s risk assessment of the state’s court system has been earmarked as confidential, previous audits of several state agencies have shown several weaknesses. A cybersecurity investigation by accounting firm FORVIS into the Department of Labor’s IT system found data breaches that led to record-high identity theft and unemployment insurance fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic.During the closed-door meeting, lawmakers talked with Marisa Bayless, special counsel to the supreme court chief justice, along with IT personnel.“We know that this is a difficult process,” Bayless said after the closed session. “It’s not ideal. And we are going to continue examining our systems, understanding what happened, how it happened, and how we can bring the system back online in a very safe environment.”Bayless said the return to online operations would be done in phases, and the court systems would look at providing services through public portals and clerk stations in the meantime.

‘It’s not ideal’: Kan. lawmakers on incident that took down online court access

JERUSALEM&nbsp; (AP)— The U.S. Central Command says the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Middle East and the CENTCOM area of responsibility as part of the increase in regional posture.

The Eisenhower sailed into the Mediterranean last Saturday as the American forces expand their presence in the Middle East to deter Iran and its proxy militant groups from trying to widen the Israel-Hamas war.

The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and its strike group had moved through the Strait of Gibraltar earlier this week, putting two American carriers in the Mediterranean Sea, a rare sight in recent years.

The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is already in the eastern Mediterranean, part of a buildup of forces as the U.S. supports Israel in its war against Hamas.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is trying to persuade Israel to take a humanitarian pause from airstrikes on Gaza, where Palestinians reported on Saturday that there were multiple fatalities across the besieged enclave.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is making a new push to help civilians, and met with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blinken-mideast-diplomacy-gaza-israel-hamas-war-9d9ada872b84699424f17f13df1c3560">Arab foreign ministers</a>&nbsp;on Saturday in Jordan. That was after his talks in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who insisted there could be no temporary cease-fire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-11-3-2023-94d5d0b58bc10a14be6ac191060e47e1">until all hostages held by Hamas are released</a>. President Joe Biden suggested Saturday that progress is being made on the humanitarian pause.

The Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war has reached 9,448, according to the Hamas-run&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Gaza</a>. In the occupied West Bank, more than 140 Palestinians have been killed in violence and Israeli raids. The UNRWA says 72 of its staff members have been killed.

More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, most of them in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">Oct. 7 Hamas attack</a>&nbsp;that started the fighting, and 242 hostages were taken from Israel into Gaza by the militant group.

Roughly 1,100 people have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-rafah-crossing-egypt-foreigners-israel-restrictions-border-fe17f8fbbeaea039ccfba081019bcdaf">left the Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;through the Rafah crossing since Wednesday under an apparent agreement among the United States, Egypt, Israel and Qatar, which mediates with Hamas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699124273212.png" alt="Photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>Photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM&nbsp; (AP)— The U.S. Central Command says the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Middle East and the CENTCOM area of responsibility as part of the increase in regional posture.The Eisenhower sailed into the Mediterranean last Saturday as the American forces expand their presence in the Middle East to deter Iran and its proxy militant groups from trying to widen the Israel-Hamas war.The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier and its strike group had moved through the Strait of Gibraltar earlier this week, putting two American carriers in the Mediterranean Sea, a rare sight in recent years.The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is already in the eastern Mediterranean, part of a buildup of forces as the U.S. supports Israel in its war against Hamas.Meanwhile, the U.S. is trying to persuade Israel to take a humanitarian pause from airstrikes on Gaza, where Palestinians reported on Saturday that there were multiple fatalities across the besieged enclave.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is making a new push to help civilians, and met with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blinken-mideast-diplomacy-gaza-israel-hamas-war-9d9ada872b84699424f17f13df1c3560">Arab foreign ministers</a>&nbsp;on Saturday in Jordan. That was after his talks in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who insisted there could be no temporary cease-fire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-11-3-2023-94d5d0b58bc10a14be6ac191060e47e1">until all hostages held by Hamas are released</a>. President Joe Biden suggested Saturday that progress is being made on the humanitarian pause.The Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war has reached 9,448, according to the Hamas-run&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Gaza</a>. In the occupied West Bank, more than 140 Palestinians have been killed in violence and Israeli raids. The UNRWA says 72 of its staff members have been killed.More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, most of them in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">Oct. 7 Hamas attack</a>&nbsp;that started the fighting, and 242 hostages were taken from Israel into Gaza by the militant group.Roughly 1,100 people have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-rafah-crossing-egypt-foreigners-israel-restrictions-border-fe17f8fbbeaea039ccfba081019bcdaf">left the Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;through the Rafah crossing since Wednesday under an apparent agreement among the United States, Egypt, Israel and Qatar, which mediates with Hamas.

More U.S. warships arrive in the Middle East

SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man accused of child abuse made his first court appearance in the case this week.

Ronald Leyman Jr, 27, was charged&nbsp; with two counts of abuse of a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just before 4a a.m. Friday, police received a report of&nbsp; child abuse at a local area hospital. The victim had suffered abusive injuries and was going to be admitted to the hospital, according to Office Kris Gupilan.

A sibling twin of the child, who also lived in the home, was taken into Police Protective Custody and transported to an area hospital for evaluation. It was determined this child also had abusive injuries. 

Police conducted interviews of those involved and a suspect was identified as a Leyman. He is being on a $300,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698494853456.png" alt="Leyman-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Leyman-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—A Kansas man accused of child abuse made his first court appearance in the case this week.Ronald Leyman Jr, 27, was charged&nbsp; with two counts of abuse of a child, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just before 4a a.m. Friday, police received a report of&nbsp; child abuse at a local area hospital. The victim had suffered abusive injuries and was going to be admitted to the hospital, according to Office Kris Gupilan.A sibling twin of the child, who also lived in the home, was taken into Police Protective Custody and transported to an area hospital for evaluation. It was determined this child also had abusive injuries. Police conducted interviews of those involved and a suspect was identified as a Leyman. He is being on a $300,000 bond.

Kansas man accused of abuse of two children

WICHITA – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography.

According to court documents, Eric Caleb Carlson, 43, of Wichita admits to downloading and receiving videos and images depicting prepubescent children subjected to sex acts, according to the United State's Attorney.

In June 2023, Synchronoss Technologies submitted two reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding files uploaded to its cloud-based backup service containing child sexual abuse/exploitation material.

 Law enforcement investigators linked the account to Eric Carlson based on evidence including a photograph of Carlson’s driver’s license, a selfie of Carlson, and photographs taken at Wichita Unified School District 259, where Carlson formerly worked in the IT division.

Carlson was arrested at the USD 259 office (his now former place of employment), and his phone was seized. A search of his phone revealed numerous images and videos of child sex abuse material located in a password protected private folder.

Carlson also had the Onion Router (“Tor”) on his device, which is a free and open source software for enabling anonymous communications and access to the dark web. Investigators reviewed Carlson’s Tor browser history and found cached darknet webpages he had visited that offered access to child exploitation materials. 

In July 2023, Carlson downloaded and received a zip file from the dark web containing child sex abuse material. 

Carlson is scheduled to be sentenced on January 22, 2024. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699060632838.png" alt="Carlson photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Carlson photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA – A Kansas man pleaded guilty to one count of receiving child pornography.According to court documents, Eric Caleb Carlson, 43, of Wichita admits to downloading and receiving videos and images depicting prepubescent children subjected to sex acts, according to the United State's Attorney.In June 2023, Synchronoss Technologies submitted two reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) regarding files uploaded to its cloud-based backup service containing child sexual abuse/exploitation material. Law enforcement investigators linked the account to Eric Carlson based on evidence including a photograph of Carlson’s driver’s license, a selfie of Carlson, and photographs taken at Wichita Unified School District 259, where Carlson formerly worked in the IT division.Carlson was arrested at the USD 259 office (his now former place of employment), and his phone was seized. A search of his phone revealed numerous images and videos of child sex abuse material located in a password protected private folder.Carlson also had the Onion Router (“Tor”) on his device, which is a free and open source software for enabling anonymous communications and access to the dark web. Investigators reviewed Carlson’s Tor browser history and found cached darknet webpages he had visited that offered access to child exploitation materials. In July 2023, Carlson downloaded and received a zip file from the dark web containing child sex abuse material. Carlson is scheduled to be sentenced on January 22, 2024. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Kansas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC)

Former Kan. school employee downloaded child porn from dark web

WASHINGTON(AP) — Thousands of mostly young people filled the streets of downtown Washington D.C. on Saturday afternoon to protest the Biden administration’s support of Israel and its continued military campaign in Gaza.

“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” chanted demonstrators. They wore black and white keffiyehs as an enormous Palestinian flag was unfurled by a crowd that filled Pennsylvania Avenue, the street leading up to the White House.

Dozens of small white body bags with the names of children killed lined the street and demonstrators held signs calling for an immediate cease-fire.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Palestinians in Gaza said Israeli airstrikes left multiple fatalities across the besieged enclave, including in the south where Israel had told civilians to seek refuge as its ground operation intensifies in northern Gaza.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is making a new push to ease the plight of civilians. He met with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blinken-mideast-diplomacy-gaza-israel-hamas-war-9d9ada872b84699424f17f13df1c3560">Arab foreign ministers</a>&nbsp;on Saturday in Jordan, the day after talks in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who insisted there could be no temporary cease-fire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-11-3-2023-94d5d0b58bc10a14be6ac191060e47e1">until all hostages held by Hamas are released</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699135631316.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON(AP) — Thousands of mostly young people filled the streets of downtown Washington D.C. on Saturday afternoon to protest the Biden administration’s support of Israel and its continued military campaign in Gaza.“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” chanted demonstrators. They wore black and white keffiyehs as an enormous Palestinian flag was unfurled by a crowd that filled Pennsylvania Avenue, the street leading up to the White House.Dozens of small white body bags with the names of children killed lined the street and demonstrators held signs calling for an immediate cease-fire.Meanwhile,&nbsp;Palestinians in Gaza said Israeli airstrikes left multiple fatalities across the besieged enclave, including in the south where Israel had told civilians to seek refuge as its ground operation intensifies in northern Gaza.U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is making a new push to ease the plight of civilians. He met with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/blinken-mideast-diplomacy-gaza-israel-hamas-war-9d9ada872b84699424f17f13df1c3560">Arab foreign ministers</a>&nbsp;on Saturday in Jordan, the day after talks in Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who insisted there could be no temporary cease-fire&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-11-3-2023-94d5d0b58bc10a14be6ac191060e47e1">until all hostages held by Hamas are released</a>.The Palestinian death toll in the Israel-Hamas war has reached 9,448, according to the Hamas-run&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Gaza</a>. In the occupied West Bank, more than 140 Palestinians have been killed in violence and Israeli raids. The UNRWA says 72 of its staff members have been killed.More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, most of them in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">Oct. 7 Hamas attack</a>&nbsp;that started the fighting, and 242 hostages were taken from Israel into Gaza by the militant group.Roughly 1,100 people have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-rafah-crossing-egypt-foreigners-israel-restrictions-border-fe17f8fbbeaea039ccfba081019bcdaf">left the Gaza Strip</a>&nbsp;through the Rafah crossing since Wednesday under an apparent agreement among the United States, Egypt, Israel and Qatar, which mediates with Hamas.

Thousands in D.C. protest Biden administration's support of Israel 

NEW YORK (AP) —With 170 million Americans using the app, the United States has one of the largest concentrations of Instagram users worldwide. But statistics show that the image-based social media app is also among the country’s least favorite.

A 2021 study by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/10/07/7-facts-about-americans-and-instagram/">Pew Research Center</a>&nbsp;revealed that four in every ten Americans use Instagram. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://backlinko.com/instagram-users#">Backlinko</a>&nbsp;global ranking of countries with the most monthly Instagram users, the U.S. landed in second place. Of U.S. users, 71% fall between ages 18 and 29.

Despite&nbsp;<a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/alternatives-to-instagram/">Instagram’s</a>&nbsp;massive domestic market, research from&nbsp;<a href="https://vpnoverview.com/privacy/apps/most-deleted-apps-in-united-states/">VPNoverview</a>&nbsp;finds the social media platform to be losing favor among American audiences. The 2023 study found more than one million monthly Google searches in the U.S. contained keywords related to deleting or deactivating Instagram.

Instagram was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Instagram">officially launched</a>&nbsp;in October of 2010, and has amassed over two billion worldwide users. The platform allows users to share photos and videos while connecting with other accounts through likes, follows, and direct messages.

In 2012, Facebook acquired Instagram in a successful $1 billion deal.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businessofapps.com/data/instagram-statistics/">Business of Apps</a>&nbsp;reports the platform generated over $51 billion in 2022, accounting for over 40% of Facebook’s total revenue. Of the over 170 million American users that access Instagram monthly, the majority range in age from 13 to 29, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/10/07/7-facts-about-americans-and-instagram/">Pew Research Center</a>. In a 2022 survey of U.S. teens between 13 and 17, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/">Center</a>&nbsp;found that 62% of respondents reported using Instagram.

As the number of Instagram users worldwide has grown, so has criticism of the app. A 2023&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/236726/us-customer-satisfaction-index-of-social-media-sites/">Statista</a>&nbsp;survey of American user satisfaction with different online platforms found Instagram ranked second to last out of eleven companies.

Concerns over increased usage of Instagram and other photo and video-sharing apps have grown in recent years. This frustration is mainly due to a growing body of research demonstrating social media platforms’ potentially harmful effects on mental health. Young people between the ages of 13 and 17,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/325587/instagram-global-age-group/">8% of Instagram users</a>&nbsp;worldwide, are especially vulnerable to these negative consequences.

Other common issues plaguing Instagram range from the prevalence of bot accounts to the spreading of false information, as well as concerns over personal information security. Many users are also dissatisfied that Instagram has begun promoting more advertisements and sponsored content.

“Instagram just isn’t fun anymore. I used to be able to connect with a community and share the things I love. It’s a struggle to reach anyone through Instagram, so it feels pointless,” says Megan Elliott, luxury travel blogger at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lushtoblush.com/">Lush to Blush</a>&nbsp;and member of the diverse travel blogger group&nbsp;<a href="http://www.babesthatwander.com/">Babes That Wander</a>. “It’s all spammers and ads that push mindless spending—I clicked on an ad for&nbsp;<a href="https://whatthefab.com/polene-bags.html">Polene bags</a>&nbsp;once, and now I’m getting inundated with them.”

Research on the harmful effects of social media in general on mental health has also emerged in recent years.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-15210-001">2019 study</a>&nbsp;published in the journal Psychology of Popular Media Culture examined the relationship between Instagram use and different psychological behaviors. One hundred twenty-nine women aged 18 to 35 participated in the study, which found a direct correlation between time spent on Instagram and feelings of depression, anxiety, and other negative emotions. Women make up almost 57% of American Instagram users, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/instagram-statistics#:~:text=Worldwide%2C%2051.8%25%20of%20Instagram%27s%20Users%20are%20Male&amp;text=51.8%25%20of%20users%20are%20male,almost%2030%25%20of%20females%20are.">The Social Shepherd</a>.

The effects of frequent Instagram use by young people under 18 are also of particular concern. A 2023 Social Media and Youth Mental Health Advisory by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/23/surgeon-general-issues-new-advisory-about-effects-social-media-use-has-youth-mental-health.html">U.S. Surgeon General</a>&nbsp;reveals that 95% of American youth between the ages of 13 and 17 report using some form of social media. Frequent use of Instagram and other social media platforms can significantly affect critical cognitive development during adolescence.

But experts say you can enjoy the app responsibly and minimize adverse effects. New research even shows that using social media platforms can benefit mental health.

How to Have a Healthy Relationship with Instagram

The 2023 U.S. Surgeon General Advisory found that most young people surveyed felt social media gave them a sense of belonging and a space to be creative.

Similarly, a 2019&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1090198119863768">survey</a>&nbsp;of over 1,000 participants revealed a positive correlation between social media use and feelings of connection with others. Engaging with Instagram and other apps in an intentional way allows users to capitalize on the positives of social media while minimizing adverse effects.

Experts agree one of the best ways to cultivate a healthy relationship with social media is by reducing overall scrolling time. A 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://studentnews.manchester.ac.uk/2022/03/23/how-to-create-a-positive-relationship-with-social-media/">University of Manchester</a>&nbsp;article suggests browsing social media for 30 minutes or less per day to improve mental health.

In a 2023 study,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2023/06/14/limiting-social-media">Iowa State University</a>&nbsp;researchers found that college students who reduced social media usage to 30 minutes per day reported lower levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

Be Intentional When Engaging with Accounts

Another critical factor in having a positive relationship with Instagram and other apps is to be intentional during engagements. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/03/feature-minimize-instagram-effects">American Psychological Association</a>&nbsp;says social comparison on Instagram leads to adverse outcomes like body image insecurity and eating disorders. To combat this negativity, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/February-2019/How-to-Have-a-Healthy-Relationship-with-Social-Media">National Alliance on Mental Illness</a>&nbsp;recommends unfollowing accounts that adversely affect self-esteem and confidence.

Specific demographics, like new mothers, are significantly affected by unrealistic ideals promoted by lifestyle and advice accounts. Kelsey Waddell, a writer for the parenting blog&nbsp;<a href="https://stroller-envy.com/">Stroller Envy</a>, started using Instagram for tips and tricks on raising young children.

“After scrolling, and scrolling, and scrolling, my feed, I never felt more confident in my parenting abilities,” she says. “Only more dejected and more certain that I’d never do things right.”

Once Kelsey realized that social media negatively impacted confidence in her parenting abilities, she took action. “I started by limiting my use of the app in my phone settings to 10 minutes a day, and I was shocked by how quickly my time was up,” she explains. “My next step was deleting it from my phone altogether.”

Another concern of excessive Instagram and social media use is the replacement of in-person socialization with digital interactions. While worldwide engagement on social media can be beneficial, it shouldn’t completely replace real-life connections.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm">HelpGuide</a>&nbsp;encourages Instagram users to set aside regular times to meet friends or participate in activities.

Going offline and prioritizing in-person socialization also helps users stay more engaged and present in the moment. A study by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leehealth.org/health-and-wellness/healthy-news-blog/mental-health/are-you-addicted-to-social-media#:~:text=Using%20social%20media%20can%20lead,in%20neurological%20and%20physiological%20functioning.">Lee Health</a>&nbsp;explains that using social media triggers a release of dopamine, “the feel good chemical,” in the brain, sometimes leading to addiction.

“As a travel blogger whose business relies on social media, sometimes Instagram takes me out of the present moment, and I’m always thinking about getting content or what I should post,” says Elise Armitage, founder of travel and lifestyle blog What the Fab. “If I’m packing my&nbsp;<a href="https://whatthefab.com/beis-luggage.html">luggage</a>&nbsp;for an exciting trip, I think, ‘should I post an Instagram story of this to tease my upcoming travels?’”

“I have so many examples of this,” Armitage continues. “When I was at my sister’s bachelorette party, I realized I was spending too much time Googling ‘&nbsp;<a href="https://whatthefab.com/bachelorette-party-instagram-captions.html">bachelorette party Instagram captions</a>&nbsp;‘ to come up with the perfect one-liner for my Instagram post. I had to consciously put my phone away to be present.”

As the number of Instagram accounts in the U.S. and worldwide continues to grow, rates of dissatisfaction among users will likely rise, as well. Instagram’s leaders can address some of these concerns to meet the needs of vulnerable users.

However, some responsibility does fall on Instagram users to engage with the platform with focus and intention. Reducing daily usage, unfollowing harmful accounts, and making time for offline activities are vital steps toward forming a more positive relationship with&nbsp;<a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/social-media-shake-up-the-apps-users-are-ditching/">social media apps</a>.

This article was produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mediadecision.com/lifestyle/the-most-hated-app-in-america-more-than-1-million-americans-delete-or-deactivate-instagram/article_3c037eb6-66f8-11ee-9e8b-7bd323831693.html">Media Decision</a>&nbsp;and syndicated by&nbsp;<a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/delete-instagram/">Wealth of Geeks</a>.

NEW YORK (AP) —With 170 million Americans using the app, the United States has one of the largest concentrations of Instagram users worldwide. But statistics show that the image-based social media app is also among the country’s least favorite.A 2021 study by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/10/07/7-facts-about-americans-and-instagram/">Pew Research Center</a>&nbsp;revealed that four in every ten Americans use Instagram. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://backlinko.com/instagram-users#">Backlinko</a>&nbsp;global ranking of countries with the most monthly Instagram users, the U.S. landed in second place. Of U.S. users, 71% fall between ages 18 and 29.Despite&nbsp;<a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/alternatives-to-instagram/">Instagram’s</a>&nbsp;massive domestic market, research from&nbsp;<a href="https://vpnoverview.com/privacy/apps/most-deleted-apps-in-united-states/">VPNoverview</a>&nbsp;finds the social media platform to be losing favor among American audiences. The 2023 study found more than one million monthly Google searches in the U.S. contained keywords related to deleting or deactivating Instagram.The Rise of InstagramInstagram was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Instagram">officially launched</a>&nbsp;in October of 2010, and has amassed over two billion worldwide users. The platform allows users to share photos and videos while connecting with other accounts through likes, follows, and direct messages.In 2012, Facebook acquired Instagram in a successful $1 billion deal.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businessofapps.com/data/instagram-statistics/">Business of Apps</a>&nbsp;reports the platform generated over $51 billion in 2022, accounting for over 40% of Facebook’s total revenue. Of the over 170 million American users that access Instagram monthly, the majority range in age from 13 to 29, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/10/07/7-facts-about-americans-and-instagram/">Pew Research Center</a>. In a 2022 survey of U.S. teens between 13 and 17, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2022/08/10/teens-social-media-and-technology-2022/">Center</a>&nbsp;found that 62% of respondents reported using Instagram.Growing Resentment Towards InstagramAs the number of Instagram users worldwide has grown, so has criticism of the app. A 2023&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/236726/us-customer-satisfaction-index-of-social-media-sites/">Statista</a>&nbsp;survey of American user satisfaction with different online platforms found Instagram ranked second to last out of eleven companies.Concerns over increased usage of Instagram and other photo and video-sharing apps have grown in recent years. This frustration is mainly due to a growing body of research demonstrating social media platforms’ potentially harmful effects on mental health. Young people between the ages of 13 and 17,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/325587/instagram-global-age-group/">8% of Instagram users</a>&nbsp;worldwide, are especially vulnerable to these negative consequences.Other common issues plaguing Instagram range from the prevalence of bot accounts to the spreading of false information, as well as concerns over personal information security. Many users are also dissatisfied that Instagram has begun promoting more advertisements and sponsored content.“Instagram just isn’t fun anymore. I used to be able to connect with a community and share the things I love. It’s a struggle to reach anyone through Instagram, so it feels pointless,” says Megan Elliott, luxury travel blogger at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.lushtoblush.com/">Lush to Blush</a>&nbsp;and member of the diverse travel blogger group&nbsp;<a href="http://www.babesthatwander.com/">Babes That Wander</a>. “It’s all spammers and ads that push mindless spending—I clicked on an ad for&nbsp;<a href="https://whatthefab.com/polene-bags.html">Polene bags</a>&nbsp;once, and now I’m getting inundated with them.”Research on the harmful effects of social media in general on mental health has also emerged in recent years.A&nbsp;<a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2018-15210-001">2019 study</a>&nbsp;published in the journal Psychology of Popular Media Culture examined the relationship between Instagram use and different psychological behaviors. One hundred twenty-nine women aged 18 to 35 participated in the study, which found a direct correlation between time spent on Instagram and feelings of depression, anxiety, and other negative emotions. Women make up almost 57% of American Instagram users, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://thesocialshepherd.com/blog/instagram-statistics#:~:text=Worldwide%2C%2051.8%25%20of%20Instagram%27s%20Users%20are%20Male&amp;text=51.8%25%20of%20users%20are%20male,almost%2030%25%20of%20females%20are.">The Social Shepherd</a>.The effects of frequent Instagram use by young people under 18 are also of particular concern. A 2023 Social Media and Youth Mental Health Advisory by the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/23/surgeon-general-issues-new-advisory-about-effects-social-media-use-has-youth-mental-health.html">U.S. Surgeon General</a>&nbsp;reveals that 95% of American youth between the ages of 13 and 17 report using some form of social media. Frequent use of Instagram and other social media platforms can significantly affect critical cognitive development during adolescence.But experts say you can enjoy the app responsibly and minimize adverse effects. New research even shows that using social media platforms can benefit mental health.How to Have a Healthy Relationship with InstagramThe 2023 U.S. Surgeon General Advisory found that most young people surveyed felt social media gave them a sense of belonging and a space to be creative.Similarly, a 2019&nbsp;<a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1090198119863768">survey</a>&nbsp;of over 1,000 participants revealed a positive correlation between social media use and feelings of connection with others. Engaging with Instagram and other apps in an intentional way allows users to capitalize on the positives of social media while minimizing adverse effects.Limit Daily UsageExperts agree one of the best ways to cultivate a healthy relationship with social media is by reducing overall scrolling time. A 2022&nbsp;<a href="https://studentnews.manchester.ac.uk/2022/03/23/how-to-create-a-positive-relationship-with-social-media/">University of Manchester</a>&nbsp;article suggests browsing social media for 30 minutes or less per day to improve mental health.In a 2023 study,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2023/06/14/limiting-social-media">Iowa State University</a>&nbsp;researchers found that college students who reduced social media usage to 30 minutes per day reported lower levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.Be Intentional When Engaging with AccountsAnother critical factor in having a positive relationship with Instagram and other apps is to be intentional during engagements. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/03/feature-minimize-instagram-effects">American Psychological Association</a>&nbsp;says social comparison on Instagram leads to adverse outcomes like body image insecurity and eating disorders. To combat this negativity, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/February-2019/How-to-Have-a-Healthy-Relationship-with-Social-Media">National Alliance on Mental Illness</a>&nbsp;recommends unfollowing accounts that adversely affect self-esteem and confidence.Specific demographics, like new mothers, are significantly affected by unrealistic ideals promoted by lifestyle and advice accounts. Kelsey Waddell, a writer for the parenting blog&nbsp;<a href="https://stroller-envy.com/">Stroller Envy</a>, started using Instagram for tips and tricks on raising young children.“After scrolling, and scrolling, and scrolling, my feed, I never felt more confident in my parenting abilities,” she says. “Only more dejected and more certain that I’d never do things right.”Once Kelsey realized that social media negatively impacted confidence in her parenting abilities, she took action. “I started by limiting my use of the app in my phone settings to 10 minutes a day, and I was shocked by how quickly my time was up,” she explains. “My next step was deleting it from my phone altogether.”Balance Use with Offline ActivitiesAnother concern of excessive Instagram and social media use is the replacement of in-person socialization with digital interactions. While worldwide engagement on social media can be beneficial, it shouldn’t completely replace real-life connections.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/social-media-and-mental-health.htm">HelpGuide</a>&nbsp;encourages Instagram users to set aside regular times to meet friends or participate in activities.Going offline and prioritizing in-person socialization also helps users stay more engaged and present in the moment. A study by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.leehealth.org/health-and-wellness/healthy-news-blog/mental-health/are-you-addicted-to-social-media#:~:text=Using%20social%20media%20can%20lead,in%20neurological%20and%20physiological%20functioning.">Lee Health</a>&nbsp;explains that using social media triggers a release of dopamine, “the feel good chemical,” in the brain, sometimes leading to addiction.“As a travel blogger whose business relies on social media, sometimes Instagram takes me out of the present moment, and I’m always thinking about getting content or what I should post,” says Elise Armitage, founder of travel and lifestyle blog What the Fab. “If I’m packing my&nbsp;<a href="https://whatthefab.com/beis-luggage.html">luggage</a>&nbsp;for an exciting trip, I think, ‘should I post an Instagram story of this to tease my upcoming travels?’”“I have so many examples of this,” Armitage continues. “When I was at my sister’s bachelorette party, I realized I was spending too much time Googling ‘&nbsp;<a href="https://whatthefab.com/bachelorette-party-instagram-captions.html">bachelorette party Instagram captions</a>&nbsp;‘ to come up with the perfect one-liner for my Instagram post. I had to consciously put my phone away to be present.”Can Instagram Win Americans Back?As the number of Instagram accounts in the U.S. and worldwide continues to grow, rates of dissatisfaction among users will likely rise, as well. Instagram’s leaders can address some of these concerns to meet the needs of vulnerable users.However, some responsibility does fall on Instagram users to engage with the platform with focus and intention. Reducing daily usage, unfollowing harmful accounts, and making time for offline activities are vital steps toward forming a more positive relationship with&nbsp;<a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/social-media-shake-up-the-apps-users-are-ditching/">social media apps</a>.This article was produced by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mediadecision.com/lifestyle/the-most-hated-app-in-america-more-than-1-million-americans-delete-or-deactivate-instagram/article_3c037eb6-66f8-11ee-9e8b-7bd323831693.html">Media Decision</a>&nbsp;and syndicated by&nbsp;<a href="https://wealthofgeeks.com/delete-instagram/">Wealth of Geeks</a>.

Most Hated app in America? 1 Million delete this every month

FORD COUNTY — The Dodge City Police is investigating a deadly shooting&nbsp;&nbsp;at a bar and grill in Dodge City have extradited the suspect to a jail in Kansas.

According to online jail records, 36-year-old Ricardo Cadena-Garcia is now being held in the Ford County Jail after an arrest in Beaver, County Oklahoma.

Just after 1 a.m., Sunday 911 calls were placed reporting shots being fired at Central Station Bar and Grill,&nbsp; 207 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., in Dodge City. When officers from the Dodge City Police Department and deputies from the Ford County Sheriff’s Office arrived they found four men who had suffered gunshot wounds.

Preliminary information indicates that an altercation occurred and&nbsp; Cadena-Garcia used a small caliber handgun to shoot and kill two

Police identified the victims as 28-year=old Abraham Morales-Santos, and 29-year-old Antonio A. Cabrera both of Dodge City, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

A 40-year-old shooting victim was hospitalized in Wichita. The fourth victim who was 27-years-old, was treated and released from the hospital.

Kansas authorities tracked Cadena-Garcia as he fled into Oklahoma. The Beaver County Sheriff’s Office sent deputies to search the area. They located Cadena-Garcia’s white Dodg Ram pickup 1.5 miles outside of Forgan, Oklahoma, according to the KBI.

The truck was disabled due to a blown front tire. Cadena-Garcia was waiting for assistance from an area tire shop when deputies approached his truck. He was arrested without incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1698851028044.png" alt="Cadena-Garcia photo Beaver Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Cadena-Garcia photo Beaver Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>FORD COUNTY — The Dodge City Police is investigating a deadly shooting&nbsp;&nbsp;at a bar and grill in Dodge City have extradited the suspect to a jail in Kansas.According to online jail records, 36-year-old Ricardo Cadena-Garcia is now being held in the Ford County Jail after an arrest in Beaver, County Oklahoma.Just after 1 a.m., Sunday 911 calls were placed reporting shots being fired at Central Station Bar and Grill,&nbsp; 207 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., in Dodge City. When officers from the Dodge City Police Department and deputies from the Ford County Sheriff’s Office arrived they found four men who had suffered gunshot wounds.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699042470481.png" alt="Cadena-Garcia-photo Ford Co." />
 <figcaption>Cadena-Garcia-photo Ford Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Preliminary information indicates that an altercation occurred and&nbsp; Cadena-Garcia used a small caliber handgun to shoot and kill twoPolice identified the victims as 28-year=old Abraham Morales-Santos, and 29-year-old Antonio A. Cabrera both of Dodge City, according to a media release from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.A 40-year-old shooting victim was hospitalized in Wichita. The fourth victim who was 27-years-old, was treated and released from the hospital.Kansas authorities tracked Cadena-Garcia as he fled into Oklahoma. The Beaver County Sheriff’s Office sent deputies to search the area. They located Cadena-Garcia’s white Dodg Ram pickup 1.5 miles outside of Forgan, Oklahoma, according to the KBI.The truck was disabled due to a blown front tire. Cadena-Garcia was waiting for assistance from an area tire shop when deputies approached his truck. He was arrested without incident.

SW  Kansas murder suspect moved from Oklahoma jail

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. infant mortality rate rose 3% last year — the largest increase in two decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

White and Native American infants, infant boys and babies born at 37 weeks or earlier had significant death rate increases. The CDC's report, published Wednesday, also noted larger increases for two of the leading causes of infant deaths — maternal complications and bacterial meningitis.

“It’s definitely concerning, given that it’s going in the opposite direction from what it has been,” said Marie Thoma, a University of Maryland researcher who studies maternal and infant mortality.

Dr. Eric Eichenwald, a Philadelphia-based neonatologist, called the new data “disturbing,” but said experts at this point can only speculate as to why a statistic that generally has been falling for decades rose in 2022.

RSV and flu infections rebounded last fall after two years of pandemic precautions, filling pediatric emergency rooms across the country. “That could potentially account for some of it,” said Eichenwald, who chairs an American Academy of Pediatrics committee that writes guidelines for medical care of newborns.

Infant mortality is the measure of how many babies die before they reach their first birthday. Because the number of babies born in the U.S. varies from year to year, researchers instead calculate rates to better compare infant mortality over time. The U.S. infant mortality rate has been worse than other high-income countries, which experts have attributed to poverty, inadequate prenatal care and other possibilities. But even so, the U.S. rate generally gradually improved because of medical advances and public health efforts.

“Today’s data underscores that our failure to better support moms before, during, and after birth is among the factors contributing to poor infant health outcomes,” Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, chief executive of the March of Dimes, said in a statement.

The national rate rose to 5.6 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022, up from from 5.44 per 1,000 the year before, the new report said.

The increase may seem small, but it’s the first statistically significant jump in the rate since the increase between 2001 and 2002, said Danielle Ely, the CDC report's lead author. She also said researchers could not establish whether the 2022 rise was a one-year statistical blip — or the beginning of a more lasting trend.

Overall in the U.S., the death rate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7218a3.htm">fell 5%</a>&nbsp;in 2022 — a general decrease that's been attributed to the waning impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially on people 65 and older. U.S. maternal deaths also fell last year.

More than 30 states saw at least slight rises in infant mortality rates in 2022, but four states had statistically significant increases — Georgia, Iowa, Missouri and Texas.

In numbers, U.S. infant deaths surpassed 20,500 in 2022 — 610 more than the year before nationwide. But Georgia had 116 more infant deaths than the year before, and Texas had 251 more.

“It would appear that some of the states could be having a larger impact on the (national) rate,” Ely said, adding that smaller increases elsewhere also have an effect — and that it’s hard to parse out exactly what places, policies or other factors are behind the national statistic.

Georgia health officials said they are working to understand infant mortality trends in that state, and noted the 2022 rate was similar to rates in 2018 and 2019.

There may have been incomplete reporting in 2020 and 2021 during the first years of the pandemic, Georgia Department of Public Health spokeswoman Nancy Nydam said in an email, and “the 2022 numbers may be more a reflection of what was actually happening all along.”

NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. infant mortality rate rose 3% last year — the largest increase in two decades, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.White and Native American infants, infant boys and babies born at 37 weeks or earlier had significant death rate increases. The CDC's report, published Wednesday, also noted larger increases for two of the leading causes of infant deaths — maternal complications and bacterial meningitis.“It’s definitely concerning, given that it’s going in the opposite direction from what it has been,” said Marie Thoma, a University of Maryland researcher who studies maternal and infant mortality.Dr. Eric Eichenwald, a Philadelphia-based neonatologist, called the new data “disturbing,” but said experts at this point can only speculate as to why a statistic that generally has been falling for decades rose in 2022.RSV and flu infections rebounded last fall after two years of pandemic precautions, filling pediatric emergency rooms across the country. “That could potentially account for some of it,” said Eichenwald, who chairs an American Academy of Pediatrics committee that writes guidelines for medical care of newborns.Infant mortality is the measure of how many babies die before they reach their first birthday. Because the number of babies born in the U.S. varies from year to year, researchers instead calculate rates to better compare infant mortality over time. The U.S. infant mortality rate has been worse than other high-income countries, which experts have attributed to poverty, inadequate prenatal care and other possibilities. But even so, the U.S. rate generally gradually improved because of medical advances and public health efforts.“Today’s data underscores that our failure to better support moms before, during, and after birth is among the factors contributing to poor infant health outcomes,” Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, chief executive of the March of Dimes, said in a statement.The national rate rose to 5.6 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022, up from from 5.44 per 1,000 the year before, the new report said.The increase may seem small, but it’s the first statistically significant jump in the rate since the increase between 2001 and 2002, said Danielle Ely, the CDC report's lead author. She also said researchers could not establish whether the 2022 rise was a one-year statistical blip — or the beginning of a more lasting trend.Overall in the U.S., the death rate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7218a3.htm">fell 5%</a>&nbsp;in 2022 — a general decrease that's been attributed to the waning impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially on people 65 and older. U.S. maternal deaths also fell last year.More than 30 states saw at least slight rises in infant mortality rates in 2022, but four states had statistically significant increases — Georgia, Iowa, Missouri and Texas.In numbers, U.S. infant deaths surpassed 20,500 in 2022 — 610 more than the year before nationwide. But Georgia had 116 more infant deaths than the year before, and Texas had 251 more.“It would appear that some of the states could be having a larger impact on the (national) rate,” Ely said, adding that smaller increases elsewhere also have an effect — and that it’s hard to parse out exactly what places, policies or other factors are behind the national statistic.Georgia health officials said they are working to understand infant mortality trends in that state, and noted the 2022 rate was similar to rates in 2018 and 2019.There may have been incomplete reporting in 2020 and 2021 during the first years of the pandemic, Georgia Department of Public Health spokeswoman Nancy Nydam said in an email, and “the 2022 numbers may be more a reflection of what was actually happening all along.”

CDC: US infant mortality rate saw largest increase in 2 decades

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 4:30a.m. Saturday in Wyandotte County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Mazda 6 driven by Alex Gomez, 21, Kansas City, Kansas, was southbound on U.S. 69 just south of Metropolitan Avenue.

The driver lost control of the car. It struck the right barrier wall, rolled, struck the right guardrail over Ruby Avenue and came to a rest on its top.

Gomez was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a sat belt, according to the KHP.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 4:30a.m. Saturday in Wyandotte County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Mazda 6 driven by Alex Gomez, 21, Kansas City, Kansas, was southbound on U.S. 69 just south of Metropolitan Avenue.The driver lost control of the car. It struck the right barrier wall, rolled, struck the right guardrail over Ruby Avenue and came to a rest on its top.Gomez was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a sat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies in violent rollover crash

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Former Dallas Cowboys running back and Wichita native Joseph Randle attended a competency hearing Friday in Sedgwick County.

District Judge Tyler Roush ruled Joseph Randle, 31 of Wichita, is incompetent to stand trial and ordered him be sent to an inpatient mental health treatment program in Houston,&nbsp; according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

As soon as an inpatient bed becomes available at Larned State Hospital, he will be admitted into that facility for mental health care and treatment.

In April, police arrested Randle on requested charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated criminal sodomy, according to the Sedgwick County arrest report.&nbsp; He is not currently in custody, according to online jail records.

Randle spent time in prison in Kansas after convictions for crimes committed in 2016 and 2017 including aggravated burglary, aggravated battery, criminal threat, interference with law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

In 2015, Randle faced a misdemeanor shoplifting charge at a Dallas-area mall after police in the suburb of Frisco accused him of taking $123 worth of cologne and underwear from a department store.

In 2014, Randle was the Cowboy's backup to NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murray. Randle had 343 yards rushing and three touchdowns in his second NFL season. A fifth-round draft pick in 2013 after skipping his final season at Oklahoma State, Randle originally signed a four-year, $2.3 million rookie contract with the Cowboys.

-The Associated Press contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699012229477.png" alt="Randle-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Randle-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Former Dallas Cowboys running back and Wichita native Joseph Randle attended a competency hearing Friday in Sedgwick County.District Judge Tyler Roush ruled Joseph Randle, 31 of Wichita, is incompetent to stand trial and ordered him be sent to an inpatient mental health treatment program in Houston,&nbsp; according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.As soon as an inpatient bed becomes available at Larned State Hospital, he will be admitted into that facility for mental health care and treatment.In April, police arrested Randle on requested charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated criminal sodomy, according to the Sedgwick County arrest report.&nbsp; He is not currently in custody, according to online jail records.Randle spent time in prison in Kansas after convictions for crimes committed in 2016 and 2017 including aggravated burglary, aggravated battery, criminal threat, interference with law enforcement and for drugs, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.In 2015, Randle faced a misdemeanor shoplifting charge at a Dallas-area mall after police in the suburb of Frisco accused him of taking $123 worth of cologne and underwear from a department store.In 2014, Randle was the Cowboy's backup to NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murray. Randle had 343 yards rushing and three touchdowns in his second NFL season. A fifth-round draft pick in 2013 after skipping his final season at Oklahoma State, Randle originally signed a four-year, $2.3 million rookie contract with the Cowboys.-The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Kan. judge rules in former Dallas Cowboy's competency hearing 

Democrat Davids urges Congress to include humanitarian funding to Middle East

By TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — The three Kansas Republicans in the U.S. House voted Thursday night for a $14.3 billion military aid package for Israel that was combined with a plan to rescind an equivalent amount appropriated to the Internal Revenue Service for hiring of new federal agents.

The GOP-led House adopted the measure 226-196 with support from U.S. Reps. Jake LaTurner, Tracey Mann and Ron Estes of Kansas. Congresswoman Sharice Davids, a Kansas Democrat, voted against what she referred to as “irresponsible and partisan legislation pushed by House leadership.”

The House bill didn’t include aid for Ukraine, humanitarian assistance for Gaza or funding for U.S. border security. It faced bipartisan opposition in the U.S. Senate and a likely veto by President Joe Biden.

LaTurner, who serves the 2nd District of eastern Kansas, said the decision to vote in favor of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6126?s=2&amp;r=1&amp;q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22hr+6126%22%7D">H.R. 6126</a>&nbsp;was easy because of the importance of delivering military firepower necessary to “help Israel destroy Hamas.”

Hamas militants attacked Israel Oct. 7 and killed more than 1,400 people. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed an estimated 9,000 people in Gaza.

“I will not stand by while ruthless terrorists who chant ‘death to America’ continue to kill and kidnap innocent Israelis,” LaTurner said. “The stand-alone package that we passed today provides vital aid to help Israel destroy Hamas, replenish our stockpiles here at home and evacuate americans currently stranded in impacted regions.”

He said it was important to offset expenditures on Israel by clawing back funding earmarked for the IRS, which had been authorized last year by Congress to add more than 80,000 agents to improve investigation of tax violations.

Davids, the 3rd District Democrat representing the Kansas City area, said the House bill “puts political games ahead of both saving innocent lives and America’s national security.” She said the legislation was flawed because it didn’t include humanitarian aid for Gaza and West Bank.

“We must work in a bipartisan manner to ensure security assistance for Israel against Hamas, as we have consistently done during times of conflict,” she said. “I’ll continue working together with Republicans and Democrats to achieve that goal and to deliver the necessary and adequate humanitarian aid to civilians in the Middle East.”

Davids said deletion of IRS funding would result in potential loss of $49 billion in federal tax revenue and would increase the national deficit by $24 billion by granting “breaks to large corporations and the top 1 percent of America’s wealthiest individuals.”

The House measure would deliver $4 billion for Israel’s missile defense systems known as “Iron Dome” and “David’s Sling” as well as $1.2 billion for Israel’s “Iron Beam” system focused on defense against short-range rockets, artillery and mortars.

Separately, $4.4 billion would be dedicated to replenishing U.S. Department of Defense munition and weapon stockpiles.

Mann, the 1st District Republican representing constituents from the Colorado border to Lawrence, said the priority was protection of Israel. He also said Biden should be held responsible for decisions indirectly supportive of terrorist organizations.

“Israel is America’s strongest ally in the Middle East and the region’s only functioning democracy,” Mann said. “We must not sit idly by while our ally suffers brutal attacks from terrorists who want to wipe them off the face of the earth. America’s national security depends, in part, on a free and secure Israel.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699041105058.png" alt="U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, R-Kansas, voted for a bill offering $14.3 billion in military aid to Israel and slashing a comparable amount from the Internal Revenue Service. The state's three House Republicans support the bill, while Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids voted againsts it. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner, R-Kansas, voted for a bill offering $14.3 billion in military aid to Israel and slashing a comparable amount from the Internal Revenue Service. The state's three House Republicans support the bill, while Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids voted againsts it. (Noah Taborda/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Democrat Davids urges Congress to include humanitarian funding to Middle East</h2>By TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The three Kansas Republicans in the U.S. House voted Thursday night for a $14.3 billion military aid package for Israel that was combined with a plan to rescind an equivalent amount appropriated to the Internal Revenue Service for hiring of new federal agents.The GOP-led House adopted the measure 226-196 with support from U.S. Reps. Jake LaTurner, Tracey Mann and Ron Estes of Kansas. Congresswoman Sharice Davids, a Kansas Democrat, voted against what she referred to as “irresponsible and partisan legislation pushed by House leadership.”The House bill didn’t include aid for Ukraine, humanitarian assistance for Gaza or funding for U.S. border security. It faced bipartisan opposition in the U.S. Senate and a likely veto by President Joe Biden.LaTurner, who serves the 2nd District of eastern Kansas, said the decision to vote in favor of&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/6126?s=2&amp;r=1&amp;q=%7B%22search%22%3A%22hr+6126%22%7D">H.R. 6126</a>&nbsp;was easy because of the importance of delivering military firepower necessary to “help Israel destroy Hamas.”Hamas militants attacked Israel Oct. 7 and killed more than 1,400 people. Israel responded with a military campaign that has killed an estimated 9,000 people in Gaza.“I will not stand by while ruthless terrorists who chant ‘death to America’ continue to kill and kidnap innocent Israelis,” LaTurner said. “The stand-alone package that we passed today provides vital aid to help Israel destroy Hamas, replenish our stockpiles here at home and evacuate americans currently stranded in impacted regions.”He said it was important to offset expenditures on Israel by clawing back funding earmarked for the IRS, which had been authorized last year by Congress to add more than 80,000 agents to improve investigation of tax violations.Davids, the 3rd District Democrat representing the Kansas City area, said the House bill “puts political games ahead of both saving innocent lives and America’s national security.” She said the legislation was flawed because it didn’t include humanitarian aid for Gaza and West Bank.“We must work in a bipartisan manner to ensure security assistance for Israel against Hamas, as we have consistently done during times of conflict,” she said. “I’ll continue working together with Republicans and Democrats to achieve that goal and to deliver the necessary and adequate humanitarian aid to civilians in the Middle East.”Davids said deletion of IRS funding would result in potential loss of $49 billion in federal tax revenue and would increase the national deficit by $24 billion by granting “breaks to large corporations and the top 1 percent of America’s wealthiest individuals.”The House measure would deliver $4 billion for Israel’s missile defense systems known as “Iron Dome” and “David’s Sling” as well as $1.2 billion for Israel’s “Iron Beam” system focused on defense against short-range rockets, artillery and mortars.Separately, $4.4 billion would be dedicated to replenishing U.S. Department of Defense munition and weapon stockpiles.Mann, the 1st District Republican representing constituents from the Colorado border to Lawrence, said the priority was protection of Israel. He also said Biden should be held responsible for decisions indirectly supportive of terrorist organizations.“Israel is America’s strongest ally in the Middle East and the region’s only functioning democracy,” Mann said. “We must not sit idly by while our ally suffers brutal attacks from terrorists who want to wipe them off the face of the earth. America’s national security depends, in part, on a free and secure Israel.”

Kan. House Republicans support $14 billion in aid to Israel, cuts to IRS

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting that left one teen dead.

Just before 7p.m. Friday, police responded to a shooting in the 6000 block of E. 13th Street in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

First responder found three teen victims including one boy in the street near a car that had struck a light pole. He had been shot. EMS transported all three to an area hospital.&nbsp; One of the victims was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The other two had non-life-threatening injuries.

Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting that left one teen dead.Just before 7p.m. Friday, police responded to a shooting in the 6000 block of E. 13th Street in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Sheriff Daryl Forte'.First responder found three teen victims including one boy in the street near a car that had struck a light pole. He had been shot. EMS transported all three to an area hospital.&nbsp; One of the victims was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The other two had non-life-threatening injuries.Police have not reported an arrest or additional details.

Homicide: 3 KC teens involved in shooting, car crash

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Brunch dates and flag football games might be a little easier to get to this Sunday, when phones grace early-risers with an extra hour of rest before alarm clocks go off.

The downside: Next week across most of the U.S., the sun will set well before many folks step foot out of the office, leaving them to run errands or take walks in utter darkness. Come Nov. 5, daylight saving time is out and standard time is in, and will last until March 10.

No need to wait till the midnight hour to prepare for the time change that clocks in early Sunday, when 2 a.m. becomes 1 a.m. Before bed beckons Saturday night, rewind the clock on the microwave, oven, car, or any other device not yet clever enough to make the leap on its own.

Besides scheduling stumbles and sleep habit disruptions, experts say the twice-yearly ritual can have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-science-us-news-accidents-weekend-reads-0316d6f8d11a41b3a32135770879cdf5">more serious effects on human health</a>.

Many Americans are already sleep-deprived, and a change in time messes with sleep schedules even more, says Dr. Phyllis Zee, a sleep researcher at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, although she says “falling back” and gaining an extra hour is generally easier on the body than “springing forward" and losing one.

Chronic sleep deprivation can increase levels of stress hormones that boost heart rate and blood pressure, and of chemicals that trigger inflammation, research suggests.

“Just that one hour can change the amount of sleep you get, the quality of sleep that you get,” Zee said. Off-kilter sleep can affect people's ability to multitask, stay alert, and even maintain their balance, making them more prone to accidents.

Molly Hart, spokeswoman for AAA's Auto Club Group, warned that there may be an uptick in accidents on the road following the time change.

“With daylight savings coming to an end, what people really need to be focused on is their driving now in the afternoon when it’s darker earlier,” and when they may be feeling drowsy, she said.

Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time.

Some members of Congress have pushed to end the back-and-forth and make daylight saving time permanent.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1647291809633.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Brunch dates and flag football games might be a little easier to get to this Sunday, when phones grace early-risers with an extra hour of rest before alarm clocks go off.The downside: Next week across most of the U.S., the sun will set well before many folks step foot out of the office, leaving them to run errands or take walks in utter darkness. Come Nov. 5, daylight saving time is out and standard time is in, and will last until March 10.No need to wait till the midnight hour to prepare for the time change that clocks in early Sunday, when 2 a.m. becomes 1 a.m. Before bed beckons Saturday night, rewind the clock on the microwave, oven, car, or any other device not yet clever enough to make the leap on its own.Besides scheduling stumbles and sleep habit disruptions, experts say the twice-yearly ritual can have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-science-us-news-accidents-weekend-reads-0316d6f8d11a41b3a32135770879cdf5">more serious effects on human health</a>.Many Americans are already sleep-deprived, and a change in time messes with sleep schedules even more, says Dr. Phyllis Zee, a sleep researcher at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, although she says “falling back” and gaining an extra hour is generally easier on the body than “springing forward" and losing one.Chronic sleep deprivation can increase levels of stress hormones that boost heart rate and blood pressure, and of chemicals that trigger inflammation, research suggests.“Just that one hour can change the amount of sleep you get, the quality of sleep that you get,” Zee said. Off-kilter sleep can affect people's ability to multitask, stay alert, and even maintain their balance, making them more prone to accidents.Molly Hart, spokeswoman for AAA's Auto Club Group, warned that there may be an uptick in accidents on the road following the time change.“With daylight savings coming to an end, what people really need to be focused on is their driving now in the afternoon when it’s darker earlier,” and when they may be feeling drowsy, she said.Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time.Some members of Congress have pushed to end the back-and-forth and make daylight saving time permanent.

Daylight saving 2023: What a sleep expert says about the time change

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.

On Thursday, the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office's Criminal Investigations Division conducted an investigation into child sex crimes, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Deputies arrested 50-year-old Jason W. Johnson of Lawrence, on requested charges of&nbsp;attempted electronic solicitation of a child, attempted aggravated indecent liberties with a child, attempted criminal sodomy and attempted sexual exploitation of a child. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699040906121.png" alt="Johnson-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.On Thursday, the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office's Criminal Investigations Division conducted an investigation into child sex crimes, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.Deputies arrested 50-year-old Jason W. Johnson of Lawrence, on requested charges of&nbsp;attempted electronic solicitation of a child, attempted aggravated indecent liberties with a child, attempted criminal sodomy and attempted sexual exploitation of a child.

Kan. man accused of multiple child sex crimes

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A former suburban Kansas City day care worker who was caught on surveillance video kicking, hitting and shaking children was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison.

Rachel Beth Schrader was arrested in 2021 after coworkers noticed that an infant was injured and contacted police. In a police interview, Schrader acknowledged “losing her patience” that day, but said it was the only time, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ks-state-wire-847347b7dba29b05a96ce584ae9e2716">affidavit</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624041740593.png" alt="Schrader-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Schrader-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A former suburban Kansas City day care worker who was caught on surveillance video kicking, hitting and shaking children was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison.Rachel Beth Schrader was arrested in 2021 after coworkers noticed that an infant was injured and contacted police. In a police interview, Schrader acknowledged “losing her patience” that day, but said it was the only time, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ks-state-wire-847347b7dba29b05a96ce584ae9e2716">affidavit</a>.But the investigators who watched the surveillance video were able to document her abusing or seriously neglecting children more than 170 times in less than a month at the day care where she worked in the city of Westwood.The affidavit describes her kicking a child square in the chest in one instance, causing him to fall backward and smack his head.She pleaded guilty in March to four counts of child abuse.