KANSAS CITY —An indictment was unsealed Thursday in Kansas City, Kansas, charging two businessmen for an alleged scheme to fraudulently steer and award subcontracts by a major engineering firm for work on nuclear weapons manufacturing projects for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, from at least 2011 through approximately January 2021, Michael Clinesmith, 67, of Kansas, allegedly solicited and received kickbacks and bribes from Richard Mueller, 63, of Missouri, in exchange for steering subcontracts from Clinesmith’s employer to Mueller’s company (Subcontractor 1).

 Clinesmith, a long-tenured employee of a major engineering firm (Company 1) working at the KCNSC, was responsible for designing and procuring gages that were specially designed and manufactured to measure the components of nuclear weapon products. Clinesmith allegedly used his position and authority at Company 1 to steer gage subcontracts to Subcontractor 1 in exchange for Mueller paying him over $1 million for surreptitiously performing some or all of the work. Clinesmith is alleged to have told Mueller how much to bid on gage subcontracts that Company 1 awarded. Then, Clinesmith told his employer, Company 1, that those bids were fair and reasonable without disclosing that, in exchange for the subcontracts, Mueller would secretly funnel to Clinesmith the money awarded to Subcontractor 1. The indictment also alleges that Mueller lied to federal agents regarding the number of impacted subcontracts and his involvement in the scheme.

Clinesmith and Mueller are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud and honest services wire fraud. Mueller is also charged with one count of making false statements to federal agents. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the conspiracy, wire fraud, and honest services wire fraud charges. Mueller also faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the false statements charge.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas, and Special Agent in Charge Justin Kessel of the Department of Energy Office of Inspector General (DOE-OIG), Western Field Office made the announcement.

The DOE-OIG Western Field Office is investigating the case.

Trial Attorney Andrew Jaco of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.

If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness Unit toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov">victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov</a>. To learn more about victims’ rights, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/crime-victims-rights-actcvra-ley-de-derechos-de-las-victimas-de-delitos" target="_blank">www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/crime-victims-rights-actcvra-ley-de-derechos-de-las-victimas-de-delitos</a>.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695226853288.png" alt="In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, Senior Airman Jacob Deas, 23, left, and Airman 1st Class Jonathan Marrs, 21, right, secure the titanium shroud at the top of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile on Aug. 24, 2023, at the Bravo 9 silo at Malmstrom Air Force Base. After the shroud is secured, it is lifted off, revealing the black cone-shaped nuclear warhead inside. (John Turner/U.S. Air Force via AP)" />
 <figcaption>In this image provided by the U.S. Air Force, Senior Airman Jacob Deas, 23, left, and Airman 1st Class Jonathan Marrs, 21, right, secure the titanium shroud at the top of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile on Aug. 24, 2023, at the Bravo 9 silo at Malmstrom Air Force Base. After the shroud is secured, it is lifted off, revealing the black cone-shaped nuclear warhead inside. (John Turner/U.S. Air Force via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —An indictment was unsealed Thursday in Kansas City, Kansas, charging two businessmen for an alleged scheme to fraudulently steer and award subcontracts by a major engineering firm for work on nuclear weapons manufacturing projects for the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC), according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, from at least 2011 through approximately January 2021, Michael Clinesmith, 67, of Kansas, allegedly solicited and received kickbacks and bribes from Richard Mueller, 63, of Missouri, in exchange for steering subcontracts from Clinesmith’s employer to Mueller’s company (Subcontractor 1). Clinesmith, a long-tenured employee of a major engineering firm (Company 1) working at the KCNSC, was responsible for designing and procuring gages that were specially designed and manufactured to measure the components of nuclear weapon products. Clinesmith allegedly used his position and authority at Company 1 to steer gage subcontracts to Subcontractor 1 in exchange for Mueller paying him over $1 million for surreptitiously performing some or all of the work. Clinesmith is alleged to have told Mueller how much to bid on gage subcontracts that Company 1 awarded. Then, Clinesmith told his employer, Company 1, that those bids were fair and reasonable without disclosing that, in exchange for the subcontracts, Mueller would secretly funnel to Clinesmith the money awarded to Subcontractor 1. The indictment also alleges that Mueller lied to federal agents regarding the number of impacted subcontracts and his involvement in the scheme.Clinesmith and Mueller are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and honest services wire fraud and four counts of wire fraud and honest services wire fraud. Mueller is also charged with one count of making false statements to federal agents. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for the conspiracy, wire fraud, and honest services wire fraud charges. Mueller also faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for the false statements charge.Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher for the District of Kansas, and Special Agent in Charge Justin Kessel of the Department of Energy Office of Inspector General (DOE-OIG), Western Field Office made the announcement.The DOE-OIG Western Field Office is investigating the case.Trial Attorney Andrew Jaco of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case.If you believe you are a victim in this case, please contact the Fraud Section’s Victim Witness Unit toll-free at (888) 549-3945 or by email at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov">victimassistance.fraud@usdoj.gov</a>. To learn more about victims’ rights, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/crime-victims-rights-actcvra-ley-de-derechos-de-las-victimas-de-delitos" target="_blank">www.justice.gov/criminal-vns/crime-victims-rights-actcvra-ley-de-derechos-de-las-victimas-de-delitos</a>.An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Kan. man charged in $1M scheme involving nuclear weapons 

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp;a dog bite and asking the public for help with information.

The incident occurred just after 12:30p.m. Friday in the 9300 block of Outlook in Overland Park, according to a media release from Overland Park police.

The dog is described as a brown and white Boston Terrier with a tan harness.&nbsp; Two white males were walking the dog. The first man looked to be approximately 25-30 years of age wearing tan pants. He had blonde hair and glasses.  The second man was around fifty years of age with a heavy accent according to the victim and was wearing hat. 

 The two men did not give any information and continued walking northbound on Outlook. 

 The victim suffered minor injuries.If you have any information related to the dog or owner please contact the Overland Park Police Department Animal Control at 913-895-6420. Prepared by:  John Lacy #653

JOHNSON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp;a dog bite and asking the public for help with information.The incident occurred just after 12:30p.m. Friday in the 9300 block of Outlook in Overland Park, according to a media release from Overland Park police.The dog is described as a brown and white Boston Terrier with a tan harness.&nbsp; Two white males were walking the dog. The first man looked to be approximately 25-30 years of age wearing tan pants. He had blonde hair and glasses. The second man was around fifty years of age with a heavy accent according to the victim and was wearing hat. The two men did not give any information and continued walking northbound on Outlook. The victim suffered minor injuries.If you have any information related to the dog or owner please contact the Overland Park Police Department Animal Control at 913-895-6420. Prepared by: John Lacy #653

Police investigate dog bite incident in Kansas

RILEY COUNTY&nbsp; —Three people were injured after a shooting in the 400 block of Bluemont in Manhattan early Saturday, acording to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.

Just before 3a.m., the Riley County Police Department Communication Center received several 911 calls. reporting gunfire. When officers arrived on scene, they found 2 male victims with gunshot wounds. 

A 3rd male victim arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound from the incident. All injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. The victim ages are 16, 19, and 19.&nbsp;

Through further investigation officers determined a large house party in the same location occurred during the time of the shooting.&nbsp;

Bluemont was closed between 4th and 6th street for about 3 hours but has since reopened. You may see law enforcement presence continue in the area as the investigation is ongoing.

RILEY COUNTY&nbsp; —Three people were injured after a shooting in the 400 block of Bluemont in Manhattan early Saturday, acording to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.Just before 3a.m., the Riley County Police Department Communication Center received several 911 calls. reporting gunfire. When officers arrived on scene, they found 2 male victims with gunshot wounds. A 3rd male victim arrived at the hospital with a gunshot wound from the incident. All injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. The victim ages are 16, 19, and 19.&nbsp;Through further investigation officers determined a large house party in the same location occurred during the time of the shooting.&nbsp;Bluemont was closed between 4th and 6th street for about 3 hours but has since reopened. You may see law enforcement presence continue in the area as the investigation is ongoing.

Police: 3 injured in shooting near large house party in Manhattan

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — The father of freed American teen hostage Natalie Raanan said Friday she’s doing well following two weeks in captivity after she and her mother were abducted in Israel by Hamas and held in Gaza.

Uri Raanan of Illinois told The Associated Press that he spoke to his daughter Friday by telephone. “She’s doing good. She’s doing very good,” said Uri, who lives in the Chicago suburbs. “I’m in tears, and I feel very, very good.”

The 71-year-old said he saw on the news earlier Friday that an American mother and daughter would be released by Hamas, and he spent the day hoping that meant his daughter and her mother, Judith.

Knowing Natalie may be able to celebrate her 18th birthday next week at home with family and friends feels “wonderful. The best news,” Uri Raanan said.

He said he believes Natalie and Judith to be in transit to Tel Aviv to reunite with relatives, and that both will be back in the U.S. early next week.

U.S. President Joe Biden was among the many celebrating the stunning news that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-ed6875f15ea0d2bc196e4033b54b7194">the Raanans had been freed.</a>

An Israeli army spokesman said the two Americans were out of the Gaza Strip and with the Israeli military.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-news-10-19-2023">Hamas said Friday</a>&nbsp;it released them for humanitarian reasons in an agreement with the Qatari government.

They were the first hostages to be released since Hamas militants, according to Israel, abducted roughly 200 people during their Oct. 7 rampage.

“I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family, who has been wracked with fear,” Biden said in Washington. The president spoke Friday with Judith and Natalie and "relayed that they will have the full support of the U.S. government as they recover from this terrible ordeal,” the White House said.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, which transported the freed Americans from Gaza to Israel, said their release offered "a sliver of hope” for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostages-israel-hamas-war-what-to-know-406920c384818fa4fe3525327adf3f50">those still being held</a>.

Judith and Natalie Ranaan had been on a trip from their home in the Chicago suburb of Evanston to Israel to celebrate the Jewish holidays, according to family members. They were in Nahal Oz, near Gaza, on Oct. 7 for Simchat Torah, a festive Jewish holiday, when Hamas militants stormed into southern Israeli towns, killing hundreds of people and abducting others.

Their family had heard nothing from them since the attack and were later told by U.S. and Israeli officials that they were being held in Gaza, Natalie’s brother Ben has said.

“The news that Judith and Natalie have been released from the hands of Hamas is overwhelming. It brings us a tremendous amount of gratitude to the Almighty, to God, for this incredible miracle,” Meir Hecht, Judith Raanan’s rabbi, said at a press conference outside his home in Evanston on Friday afternoon.

“At the same time we hold our pain very deep,” said Hecht, who called for the other hostages to be released as soon as possible. “We need to continue besieging whoever we can and however we can, and praying for their release.”

Judith came regularly to Meir’s congregation and felt like “part of our family,” the rabbi said.

Natalie Raanan loves art, makeup, fashion, and DoorDash -- “she hates eating at home,” according to her brother Ben, who is based in Denver. She graduated from high school this year and was deciding between going to college to study interior or fashion design and taking an apprenticeship with a tattoo shop.

Ben Raanan described Natalie as “just a very loving, kind person.” Their middle brother, Adam, is nonverbal and much older than she is, but Natalie makes it a priority to maintain a strong bond with him, he explained.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth expressed relief at news of the Raanans’ release while asking people to remember other families whose relatives were abducted.

“They are now safe and receiving necessary medical treatment,” Pritzker said of Natalie and Judith. “I cannot wait to welcome them back home after demonstrating immense strength and bravery in the face of unthinkable terror.”

French President Emmanuel Macron said the release of the two Americans is “a very good result” and expressed hope it could help pave the way for others to be freed, including French-Israelis feared held in Gaza.

Qatar said it would continue its dialogue with Israel and Hamas in hopes of winning the release of all hostages “with the ultimate aim of de-escalating the current crisis and restoring peace.”

Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Israel was continuing to work to return hostages and find the missing, and its goals had not changed. “We are continuing the war against Hamas and ready for the next stage of the war,” he said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697842903063.png" alt="In this photo provided by the Government of Israel, Judith Raanan, right, and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie are escorted by Israeli soldiers and Gal Hirsch, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's special coordinator for returning the hostages, as they return to Israel from captivity in the Gaza Strip, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. Hamas released the pair in what it said was a goodwill gesture late Friday, nearly two weeks after they were captured in a bloody cross-border raid by the Islamic militant group. The Hamas attack sparked a war that is entering its third week, and Hamas is believed to still be holding some 200 people hostage. (Government of Israel via AP Photo)" />
 <figcaption>In this photo provided by the Government of Israel, Judith Raanan, right, and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie are escorted by Israeli soldiers and Gal Hirsch, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's special coordinator for returning the hostages, as they return to Israel from captivity in the Gaza Strip, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. Hamas released the pair in what it said was a goodwill gesture late Friday, nearly two weeks after they were captured in a bloody cross-border raid by the Islamic militant group. The Hamas attack sparked a war that is entering its third week, and Hamas is believed to still be holding some 200 people hostage. (Government of Israel via AP Photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — The father of freed American teen hostage Natalie Raanan said Friday she’s doing well following two weeks in captivity after she and her mother were abducted in Israel by Hamas and held in Gaza.Uri Raanan of Illinois told The Associated Press that he spoke to his daughter Friday by telephone. “She’s doing good. She’s doing very good,” said Uri, who lives in the Chicago suburbs. “I’m in tears, and I feel very, very good.”The 71-year-old said he saw on the news earlier Friday that an American mother and daughter would be released by Hamas, and he spent the day hoping that meant his daughter and her mother, Judith.Knowing Natalie may be able to celebrate her 18th birthday next week at home with family and friends feels “wonderful. The best news,” Uri Raanan said.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I just spoke with the two Americans released today after being held hostage by Hamas. I let them know that their government will fully support them as they recover and heal. Jill and I will continue holding close in our hearts all the families of unaccounted for Americans. <a href="https://t.co/oXk6gfrD8M">pic.twitter.com/oXk6gfrD8M</a>&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1715489606722801704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>He said he believes Natalie and Judith to be in transit to Tel Aviv to reunite with relatives, and that both will be back in the U.S. early next week.U.S. President Joe Biden was among the many celebrating the stunning news that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-ed6875f15ea0d2bc196e4033b54b7194">the Raanans had been freed.</a>An Israeli army spokesman said the two Americans were out of the Gaza Strip and with the Israeli military.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-news-10-19-2023">Hamas said Friday</a>&nbsp;it released them for humanitarian reasons in an agreement with the Qatari government.They were the first hostages to be released since Hamas militants, according to Israel, abducted roughly 200 people during their Oct. 7 rampage.“I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family, who has been wracked with fear,” Biden said in Washington. The president spoke Friday with Judith and Natalie and "relayed that they will have the full support of the U.S. government as they recover from this terrible ordeal,” the White House said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697827658899.png" alt="In this undated photo provided by Rabbi Meir Hecht on behalf of the Raanan family is Judith Raanan, left, and her daughter Natalie, 18, after Natalie's recent high school graduation. Judith and Natalie are missing while visiting relatives in Nahal Oz for Simchat Torah, a festive Jewish holiday that marks the conclusion of the annual reading of the Torah. (Raanan Family via AP)" />
 <figcaption>In this undated photo provided by Rabbi Meir Hecht on behalf of the Raanan family is Judith Raanan, left, and her daughter Natalie, 18, after Natalie's recent high school graduation. Judith and Natalie are missing while visiting relatives in Nahal Oz for Simchat Torah, a festive Jewish holiday that marks the conclusion of the annual reading of the Torah. (Raanan Family via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>The International Committee of the Red Cross, which transported the freed Americans from Gaza to Israel, said their release offered "a sliver of hope” for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostages-israel-hamas-war-what-to-know-406920c384818fa4fe3525327adf3f50">those still being held</a>.Judith and Natalie Ranaan had been on a trip from their home in the Chicago suburb of Evanston to Israel to celebrate the Jewish holidays, according to family members. They were in Nahal Oz, near Gaza, on Oct. 7 for Simchat Torah, a festive Jewish holiday, when Hamas militants stormed into southern Israeli towns, killing hundreds of people and abducting others.Their family had heard nothing from them since the attack and were later told by U.S. and Israeli officials that they were being held in Gaza, Natalie’s brother Ben has said.“The news that Judith and Natalie have been released from the hands of Hamas is overwhelming. It brings us a tremendous amount of gratitude to the Almighty, to God, for this incredible miracle,” Meir Hecht, Judith Raanan’s rabbi, said at a press conference outside his home in Evanston on Friday afternoon.“At the same time we hold our pain very deep,” said Hecht, who called for the other hostages to be released as soon as possible. “We need to continue besieging whoever we can and however we can, and praying for their release.”Judith came regularly to Meir’s congregation and felt like “part of our family,” the rabbi said.Natalie Raanan loves art, makeup, fashion, and DoorDash -- “she hates eating at home,” according to her brother Ben, who is based in Denver. She graduated from high school this year and was deciding between going to college to study interior or fashion design and taking an apprenticeship with a tattoo shop.Ben Raanan described Natalie as “just a very loving, kind person.” Their middle brother, Adam, is nonverbal and much older than she is, but Natalie makes it a priority to maintain a strong bond with him, he explained.Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth expressed relief at news of the Raanans’ release while asking people to remember other families whose relatives were abducted.“They are now safe and receiving necessary medical treatment,” Pritzker said of Natalie and Judith. “I cannot wait to welcome them back home after demonstrating immense strength and bravery in the face of unthinkable terror.”French President Emmanuel Macron said the release of the two Americans is “a very good result” and expressed hope it could help pave the way for others to be freed, including French-Israelis feared held in Gaza.Qatar said it would continue its dialogue with Israel and Hamas in hopes of winning the release of all hostages “with the ultimate aim of de-escalating the current crisis and restoring peace.”Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Israel was continuing to work to return hostages and find the missing, and its goals had not changed. “We are continuing the war against Hamas and ready for the next stage of the war,” he said.

Father of freed American teen hostage says she's "doing very good”

ELLIS COUNTY — Jauwon Allen was located and arrested by the Hays Police Department Special Situation Response Team, according to a post on the HPD Facebook page.

Police released no additional details early Saturday.

ELLIS COUNTY —Law enforcement continue a search for a wanted Kansas felon. Jauwon Antonio Allen, 33, was the subject of a search in Hays Friday afternoon, according toa social media report from police.

On Friday evening, Hays Police reported that they believe Allen is no longer in Hays.&nbsp;

Police reported that they were seeking&nbsp;assistance in locating a the violent offender with a probation violation arrest warrant who fled from officers on Friday.

Allen is described as a black male,&nbsp; 5-foo-7 and around 200 pounds. He has a goatee and may be wearing a white tank top, grey sweatpants, and have a long-sleeve sweatshirt that is blue and red. If you see Jauwon Allen, do not approach him and call 911.

Allen has previous felony convictions for kidnapping, robbery, aggravated battery and aggravated escape from custody, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Local law enforcement officials are looking for a fugitive male from community corrections in Hays.

"Need assistance in locating a Violent Offender with a probation violation arrest warrant that fled from officers. 

 The suspect is a 33-year-old, black male, named Jauwon Antonio Allen.  He is 5'07" and around 200 lbs.  He has a goatee and may be wearing a white tank top, grey sweatpants, and have a long sleeve sweatshirt that is blue and red.  If you see Jauwon Allen, do not approach him and call 911."

The male was reported last seen in southeast Hays.

More on the fugitive's description and the search area will be released shortly.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697824977947.jpeg" alt="Allen has previous felony convictions for kidnapping, robbery, aggravated battery and aggravated escape from custody, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections." />
 <figcaption>Allen has previous felony convictions for kidnapping, robbery, aggravated battery and aggravated escape from custody, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLIS COUNTY — Jauwon Allen was located and arrested by the Hays Police Department Special Situation Response Team, according to a post on the HPD Facebook page.Police released no additional details early Saturday.------------ELLIS COUNTY —Law enforcement continue a search for a wanted Kansas felon. Jauwon Antonio Allen, 33, was the subject of a search in Hays Friday afternoon, according toa social media report from police.On Friday evening, Hays Police reported that they believe Allen is no longer in Hays.&nbsp;Police reported that they were seeking&nbsp;assistance in locating a the violent offender with a probation violation arrest warrant who fled from officers on Friday.Allen is described as a black male,&nbsp; 5-foo-7 and around 200 pounds. He has a goatee and may be wearing a white tank top, grey sweatpants, and have a long-sleeve sweatshirt that is blue and red. If you see Jauwon Allen, do not approach him and call 911.Allen has previous felony convictions for kidnapping, robbery, aggravated battery and aggravated escape from custody, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.----------Local law enforcement officials are looking for a fugitive male from community corrections in Hays.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697824977947.jpeg" alt="Jauwon Antonio Allen" />
 <figcaption>Jauwon Antonio Allen</figcaption>
 </figure>In a Facebook post Hays Police said:"Need assistance in locating a Violent Offender with a probation violation arrest warrant that fled from officers. The suspect is a 33-year-old, black male, named Jauwon Antonio Allen. He is 5'07" and around 200 lbs. He has a goatee and may be wearing a white tank top, grey sweatpants, and have a long sleeve sweatshirt that is blue and red. If you see Jauwon Allen, do not approach him and call 911."The male was reported last seen in southeast Hays.More on the fugitive's description and the search area will be released shortly.

Police capture wanted Kansas felon in western Kansas

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting in Kansas City have identified the man who died as 33-year-old&nbsp;Roygerick L. Harris, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.

Just after 7 p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to 31st and Woodland on a reported sound of shots. First responders located a man inside a vehicle suffering from apparent gun shot wounds.&nbsp; 

Nearby citizens also notified officers of another man, later identified as Harris, lying in the street. EMS pronounced him deceased and transported the victim inside the vehicle to an area hospital where he remains in critical condition.

The circumstances leading up to the homicide are unknown.&nbsp; No one is in custody at this time.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697805690775.png" alt="Police at the scene of the shooting investigation-photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the shooting investigation-photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting in Kansas City have identified the man who died as 33-year-old&nbsp;Roygerick L. Harris, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.Just after 7 p.m. Thursday, police were dispatched to 31st and Woodland on a reported sound of shots. First responders located a man inside a vehicle suffering from apparent gun shot wounds.&nbsp; Nearby citizens also notified officers of another man, later identified as Harris, lying in the street. EMS pronounced him deceased and transported the victim inside the vehicle to an area hospital where he remains in critical condition.The circumstances leading up to the homicide are unknown.&nbsp; No one is in custody at this time.&nbsp;

One dead, another remains hospitalized after Kansas City shooting

BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating an alleged road incident that left a man dead have charged a suspect.

Just after 1 p.m. October 8, police responded to a reported battery at the Jump Start convenience store in the 1600 block of West Central in El Dorado, according to a media release. First responders found 74-year-old&nbsp; Alton Algrim of Leon, Kansas, with injuries in connection with an alleged road rage incident. EMS transported the victim to a Wichita hospital.&nbsp;

Following an investigation, officers arrested 23-year-old Ashton McCoy on requested charges of aggravated battery. The charge against McCoy was amended this week to first-degree murder following Algrim's death.&nbsp; He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Police did not release details on what occurred between the two men or the victim's injuries.

Anyone with additional information in the case is asked to call&nbsp;Detective Devin Haines at (316) 321-9120.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697822581656.png" alt="McCoy-photo" />
 <figcaption>McCoy-photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BUTLER COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating an alleged road incident that left a man dead have charged a suspect.Just after 1 p.m. October 8, police responded to a reported battery at the Jump Start convenience store in the 1600 block of West Central in El Dorado, according to a media release. First responders found 74-year-old&nbsp; Alton Algrim of Leon, Kansas, with injuries in connection with an alleged road rage incident. EMS transported the victim to a Wichita hospital.&nbsp;Following an investigation, officers arrested 23-year-old Ashton McCoy on requested charges of aggravated battery. The charge against McCoy was amended this week to first-degree murder following Algrim's death.&nbsp; He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.Police did not release details on what occurred between the two men or the victim's injuries.Anyone with additional information in the case is asked to call&nbsp;Detective Devin Haines at (316) 321-9120.

Kan. man accused in road-rage attack that killed 74-year-old

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.

Just before midnight October 17, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a black 2013 Chevrolet Malibu with excessive window tint on all windows near SE 25th Street and SE Burr Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

During the investigation, illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, firearms and ammunition were located.

The driver, Jaquiez R. Spann-Samuel, 23, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee on requested charges of criminal use of a weapon, distribution of certain hallucinogens, possession of a narcotic, distribution of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp, unlawful acquisition of proceeds from drug transactions, excessive window tint, driving while license suspended, no vehicle liability insurance and two warrants for his arrest out of Shawnee County.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697678399362.png" alt="Spann-Samuel" />
 <figcaption>Spann-Samuel</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a traffic stop.Just before midnight October 17, a sheriff's deputy conducted a traffic stop on a black 2013 Chevrolet Malibu with excessive window tint on all windows near SE 25th Street and SE Burr Street, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.During the investigation, illegal narcotics, drug paraphernalia, firearms and ammunition were located.The driver, Jaquiez R. Spann-Samuel, 23, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee on requested charges of criminal use of a weapon, distribution of certain hallucinogens, possession of a narcotic, distribution of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp, unlawful acquisition of proceeds from drug transactions, excessive window tint, driving while license suspended, no vehicle liability insurance and two warrants for his arrest out of Shawnee County.

Excessive car window tinting led to Kansas drug bust

DETROIT (AP) — United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain said Friday that while Detroit’s automakers have increased their wage and benefit offers, he believes the union can gain more if it holds out longer in contract talks.

In a Facebook Live appearance, Fain didn’t announce any more factories to add to those that have been on strike for up to five weeks. But he warned that the UAW could announce such an expansion of its strikes at any time, depending on how much progress it makes in its negotiations with the automakers.

In the past 24 hours, Fain said, Stellantis and GM have made wage offers that matched Ford’s 23% over the life of a four year contract. But, speaking in his characteristic sharp tones, the union president insisted that the companies can go further.

“We’ve got cards left to play, and they’ve got money left to spend,” he said.

Arguing that Ford “pretends they can’t afford what we’re asking for,” Fain noted that the company has complained about the union's walkout at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, which has had to shut down. That plant is the largest and most profitable Ford factory in the world.

Though Fain said the UAW will make an aggressive push to secure better contract offers, he contended that the companies are trying to divide union members.

“They just want to wait us out,” he said. "They want to divide. They want fear and they want uncertainty. What we have is solidarity.”

While the companies keep touting that they have made record offers to the UAW, Fain said they are insufficient to make up for how much ground workers have lost during the past two decades. Every time the automakers make an offer, Fain said, they insist it's the best they can do, only to return days later with a better offer.

“What that should tell you," Fain said, is that “there's room to move.”

In a statement, GM said it made an offer Friday with “substantial movement in all key areas in an effort to reach a final agreement with the UAW and get our people back to work.”

The company says the offer raises pay for most of the work force to $40.39 per hour, or about $84,000 per year by the end of a four-year contract. That's a 23% increase over the $32.32 per hour that most factory workers make. Compounded annually it's 25%.

The company also said it reinstated cost of living raises for many employees in the first year of the contract, boosting the pay increase to over 30% by September of 2027. Workers gave up the inflation-fighting raises in 2007 when the companies were in financial trouble.

GM previously had offered to contribute 8% of a worker's salary into 401(k) defined contribution plans.

The UAW had been seeking 36% raises over the four years.

Stephen McCray, one of the striking GM workers at a factory in Wentzville, Missouri near St. Louis, said the company's latest offer seems to be good, but he is suspicious that GM will wait a year to give cost of living increases.

A former temporary worker, he's concerned that part-time temps won't be converted to full time in the deal. That said, McCray thinks workers will ratify the contract because of the raises, cost of living pay, and other benefits, if Fain tells workers this is the best deal he could get.

“If this is what he's going to bring to the table, after everything that has been going on since September, I believe it will be ratified,” McCray said. “This might be the best that they might bring out.”

But Adrian Mitchell, a striking worker at GM's parts warehouse in Van Buren Township, Michigan, said increases in the 401(k) payment and for retirement health care aren't big enough. He doesn't think there's enough yet for a tentative agreement. “I think he should maybe fight a little more at the table to try to get a few more things,” Mitchell said.

It's not clear just when Fain may call on more workers to strike and join the 34,000 already off the job at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-uaw-strikes-layoffs-factories-60f444a85a51b1261b093fdaaae4bdb4">six vehicle assembly plants and 38 parts distribution warehouses.</a>

Masters said in order to settle with all three, Ford and Stellantis will have to join&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-general-motors-battery-plants-a6ad7d6b9c3f42c24f3c7dbe21f4b694">GM in agreeing to include future electric vehicle battery factories</a>&nbsp;in the UAW national agreement. That would essentially ensure that the factories of the future would be represented by the union, a key point for the UAW.

Last week, before GM agreed to the battery plant provisions, the union had threatened to close a GM factory in Arlington, Texas, which makes highly profitable large SUVs.

The union's strikes at targeted plants at each company began on Sept. 15 and are nearing the start of their sixth week.

The UAW also is seeking restoration of defined benefit pensions that workers gave up in the Great Recession, pension increases for retirees, an end to varying tiers of wages for workers and other items. GM's offer appears to end the tiers in the last year of the new contract.

GM said Thursday that it can't give Fain everything he wants because it needs profits to invest in future vehicles and factories. Ford and Stellantis have made similar comments, with Ford saying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-ford-executive-chairman-uaw-contract-talks-27b702b36599bf1706e1c692ccfda1c6">it has reached the limit</a>&nbsp;on how much it can spend to settle the strike.

The union, however, says labor expenses are only about 5% of a vehicle's costs, and the companies can divert money from profits and stock buybacks to pay for raises that cover inflation and make up for years of contracts without significant increases.

The strikes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-targeted-strikes-general-motors-stellantis-ford-a0b4b8b66e2001230fda0f2114ef78a0">started with one assembly plant from each compan</a>, and the union later added the parts warehouses, then one assembly plant each from Ford and GM. Last week the union made a surprise move, escalating the strikes by adding a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-uaw-strikes-layoffs-factories-60f444a85a51b1261b093fdaaae4bdb4">huge Ford pickup truck and SUV plant in Louisville, Kentucky</a>.

About 23% of the union's 146,000 members employed by the three automakers are on strike.

DETROIT (AP) — United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain said Friday that while Detroit’s automakers have increased their wage and benefit offers, he believes the union can gain more if it holds out longer in contract talks.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fuaw.union%2Fvideos%2F858429455979292%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=830" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>In a Facebook Live appearance, Fain didn’t announce any more factories to add to those that have been on strike for up to five weeks. But he warned that the UAW could announce such an expansion of its strikes at any time, depending on how much progress it makes in its negotiations with the automakers.In the past 24 hours, Fain said, Stellantis and GM have made wage offers that matched Ford’s 23% over the life of a four year contract. But, speaking in his characteristic sharp tones, the union president insisted that the companies can go further.“We’ve got cards left to play, and they’ve got money left to spend,” he said.Arguing that Ford “pretends they can’t afford what we’re asking for,” Fain noted that the company has complained about the union's walkout at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, which has had to shut down. That plant is the largest and most profitable Ford factory in the world.Though Fain said the UAW will make an aggressive push to secure better contract offers, he contended that the companies are trying to divide union members.“They just want to wait us out,” he said. "They want to divide. They want fear and they want uncertainty. What we have is solidarity.”While the companies keep touting that they have made record offers to the UAW, Fain said they are insufficient to make up for how much ground workers have lost during the past two decades. Every time the automakers make an offer, Fain said, they insist it's the best they can do, only to return days later with a better offer.“What that should tell you," Fain said, is that “there's room to move.”In a statement, GM said it made an offer Friday with “substantial movement in all key areas in an effort to reach a final agreement with the UAW and get our people back to work.”The company says the offer raises pay for most of the work force to $40.39 per hour, or about $84,000 per year by the end of a four-year contract. That's a 23% increase over the $32.32 per hour that most factory workers make. Compounded annually it's 25%.The company also said it reinstated cost of living raises for many employees in the first year of the contract, boosting the pay increase to over 30% by September of 2027. Workers gave up the inflation-fighting raises in 2007 when the companies were in financial trouble.GM previously had offered to contribute 8% of a worker's salary into 401(k) defined contribution plans.The UAW had been seeking 36% raises over the four years.Stephen McCray, one of the striking GM workers at a factory in Wentzville, Missouri near St. Louis, said the company's latest offer seems to be good, but he is suspicious that GM will wait a year to give cost of living increases.A former temporary worker, he's concerned that part-time temps won't be converted to full time in the deal. That said, McCray thinks workers will ratify the contract because of the raises, cost of living pay, and other benefits, if Fain tells workers this is the best deal he could get.“If this is what he's going to bring to the table, after everything that has been going on since September, I believe it will be ratified,” McCray said. “This might be the best that they might bring out.”But Adrian Mitchell, a striking worker at GM's parts warehouse in Van Buren Township, Michigan, said increases in the 401(k) payment and for retirement health care aren't big enough. He doesn't think there's enough yet for a tentative agreement. “I think he should maybe fight a little more at the table to try to get a few more things,” Mitchell said.It's not clear just when Fain may call on more workers to strike and join the 34,000 already off the job at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-uaw-strikes-layoffs-factories-60f444a85a51b1261b093fdaaae4bdb4">six vehicle assembly plants and 38 parts distribution warehouses.</a>Masters said in order to settle with all three, Ford and Stellantis will have to join&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-general-motors-battery-plants-a6ad7d6b9c3f42c24f3c7dbe21f4b694">GM in agreeing to include future electric vehicle battery factories</a>&nbsp;in the UAW national agreement. That would essentially ensure that the factories of the future would be represented by the union, a key point for the UAW.Last week, before GM agreed to the battery plant provisions, the union had threatened to close a GM factory in Arlington, Texas, which makes highly profitable large SUVs.The union's strikes at targeted plants at each company began on Sept. 15 and are nearing the start of their sixth week.The UAW also is seeking restoration of defined benefit pensions that workers gave up in the Great Recession, pension increases for retirees, an end to varying tiers of wages for workers and other items. GM's offer appears to end the tiers in the last year of the new contract.GM said Thursday that it can't give Fain everything he wants because it needs profits to invest in future vehicles and factories. Ford and Stellantis have made similar comments, with Ford saying&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bill-ford-executive-chairman-uaw-contract-talks-27b702b36599bf1706e1c692ccfda1c6">it has reached the limit</a>&nbsp;on how much it can spend to settle the strike.The union, however, says labor expenses are only about 5% of a vehicle's costs, and the companies can divert money from profits and stock buybacks to pay for raises that cover inflation and make up for years of contracts without significant increases.The strikes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-targeted-strikes-general-motors-stellantis-ford-a0b4b8b66e2001230fda0f2114ef78a0">started with one assembly plant from each compan</a>, and the union later added the parts warehouses, then one assembly plant each from Ford and GM. Last week the union made a surprise move, escalating the strikes by adding a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-uaw-strikes-layoffs-factories-60f444a85a51b1261b093fdaaae4bdb4">huge Ford pickup truck and SUV plant in Louisville, Kentucky</a>.About 23% of the union's 146,000 members employed by the three automakers are on strike.

🎥Head of auto workers union says strikes will continue

WASHINGTON (AP)— President Joe Biden is celebrating the release of a Chicago-area woman and her teenage daughter who had been visiting Israel when they were taken hostage by Hamas militants Oct. 7.

The Israeli military said Judith Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie, were released to the Israeli military Friday. Hamas said the Qatari government was instrumental in securing their release.

“Our fellow citizens have endured a terrible ordeal these past 14 days, and I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family, who has been wracked with fear,” Biden said in a statement.

Thanking the governments of Qatar and Israel for their help, Biden said the White House had been “working around-the-clock” to secure the release of American hostages “and we have not ceased our efforts to secure the release of those who are still being held.”

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas militants on Friday freed two Americans -- a mother and her teenage daughter who had been held hostage in Gaza since militants rampaged through Israel two weeks ago, the Israeli government said.

The pair, who also hold Israeli citizenship, were the first hostages to be released, and more than 200 are still being held.

Hamas said it was releasing them in an agreement with the Qatari government for humanitarian reasons.

Relatives of other captives welcomed the release and appealed for others to be freed.

“We call on world leaders and the international community to exert their full power in order to act for the release of all the hostages and missing,’’ the statement said.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel said Friday it does not plan to take long-term control over the Gaza Strip after an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-military-urban-battle-89e45b149f3b88cd647cf6376dbfe0ac">expected ground offensive</a>&nbsp;to root out Hamas militants that rule the territory. The Israeli military punished Gaza with airstrikes, authorities inched closer to bringing aid to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-refugees-6cf0ff04e513ecec12cf9152656ac1b6">desperate families and hospitals</a>, and Muslims around the world protested in solidarity with Palestinians.

Israel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-news-10-19-2023">bombed areas in southern Gaza</a>&nbsp;where Palestinians had been told to seek safety while it tries to destroy Hamas in retaliation for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-conflict-endgame-1bfcc187d826596e78090ec6cbf6516c">its brutal rampage in Israel</a>&nbsp;two weeks ago. Fighting between Israel and militants in neighboring Lebanon also raged,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-conflict-displaced-tyre-hamas-hezbollah-schools-3e704f45e99b83d7516134d6b7801582">prompting evacuations</a>&nbsp;of Lebanese and Israeli border towns as fears of a widening conflict grew.

Speaking to lawmakers about Israel’s long-term plans for Gaza, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant laid out a three-stage plan that seemed to suggest that Israel did not intend to reoccupy the territory it left in 2005.

First, Israeli airstrikes and “maneuvering” — a presumed reference to a ground attack — would aim to root out Hamas. Next will come a lower intensity fight to defeat remaining pockets of resistance. And, finally, a new “security regime” will be created in Gaza along with “the removal of Israel’s responsibility for life in the Gaza Strip,” Gallant said.

Gallant did not say who Israel expected to run Gaza if Hamas is toppled or what the new security regime would entail.

Israel occupied Gaza from 1967 until 2005, when it pulled up settlements and withdrew soldiers. Two years later, Hamas took over. Some Israelis blame the withdrawal from Gaza for the sporadic violence that has persisted since then.

More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed since Hamas attacked on Oct. 7 — mostly civilians slain during the incursion that shattered Israelis sense of security and resulted in 203 hostages taken into Gaza.

The Health Ministry run by Hamas says more than 4,100 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began. That includes a disputed number of people who died in a hospital explosion earlier this week.

The humanitarian crisis worsened for Gaza's 2.3 million civilians, as workers along its border with Egypt repaired the border crossing in a first step to bring aid to Palestinians running out of fuel, food, water and medicine.

Over a million people have been displaced in Gaza.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hospital-explosion-3d255725997c4e2757372b3ee2fc8859">Many heeded Israel’s orders to evacuate</a>&nbsp;the northern part of the sealed-off enclave on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called areas in southern Gaza “safe zones” earlier this week, Israeli military spokesman Nir Dinar said Friday: “There are no safe zones.”

U.N. officials said that with the bombings across all of Gaza, some Palestinians who had fled the north appeared to be going back.

“The strikes, coupled with extremely difficult living conditions in the south, appear to have pushed some to return to the north, despite the continuing heavy bombing there,” Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office, said.

Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals were rationing their dwindling resources, as authorities worked out logistics for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-biden-hospital-d9606e0ead1f8c4e9fd00b602ed14a38">a desperately needed aid delivery from Egypt</a>.

Generators in Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest, were operating at the lowest setting to conserve fuel while providing power to vital departments such as intensive care, hospital director Mohammed Abu Selmia said. Others worked in darkness.

“I don’t know how long (the fuel) will last. Every day we evaluate the situation,” he said.

The lack of medical supplies and water are making it difficult to treat the mass of victims from the Israeli strikes, he said.

The deal to get aid into Gaza through the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-palestinians-egypt-sinai-war-894d45535fed1049a0076453ca99c555">territory’s only entry point not controlled by Israel</a>&nbsp;remained fragile. Israel said the supplies could only go to civilians and that it would “thwart” any diversions by Hamas. It was unclear if fuel for the hospital generators would be allowed to enter.

Work continued Friday to repair the road at the Rafah border between Egypt and Gaza that had been damaged in airstrikes. Trucks unloaded gravel, and bulldozers and other equipment was used to fill in large craters.

A U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a rapidly changing situation said aid had been delayed because of ongoing road repairs, and that it was expected to move across the border Saturday. More than 200 trucks and some 3,000 tons of aid were positioned near the crossing.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited the crossing Friday and appealed for the quick movement of aid into Gaza, calling it “the difference between life and death.”

Israel has evacuated its own communities near Gaza and Lebanon, putting residents up in hotels elsewhere in the country. The Defense Ministry announced evacuation plans Friday for Kiryat Shmona, a town of more than 20,000 residents near the Lebanese border. Three Israelis including a 5-year-old girl were wounded in a rocket attack there Thursday, according to Israeli health services.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group, which has a massive arsenal of long-range rockets,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-clashes-cadccde8c6ce5400ee36fd12d3bfea52">has traded fire with Israel along the border</a>&nbsp;on a near-daily basis and hinted it might join the war if Israel seeks to annihilate Hamas. Iran supports both armed groups.

The violence in Gaza has also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hospital-jordan-egypt-protests-590f24d154fb3cb256ec1707ec78b816">sparked protests across the region</a>, including in Arab countries allied with the U.S.

Palestinians in Gaza reported heavy airstrikes in Khan Younis, a town in the territory’s south, and ambulances carrying men, women and children streamed into the local Nasser Hospital.

Late Thursday, an Israeli airstrike hit a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City housing displaced Palestinians. The military said it had targeted a Hamas command center nearby, causing damage to a church wall. Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry said 16 Palestinian Christians were killed.

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchy of Jerusalem condemned the attack and said it would “not abandon its religious and humanitarian duty” to provide assistance.

Palestinian militants have launched unrelenting rocket attacks into Israel — more than 6,900 since Oct. 7, according to Israel — and tensions have flared in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israel has targeted militants in raids across the occupied territory. On Friday, two Palestinian teenagers were killed in clashes in the West Bank, where more than 80 Palestinians have been killed over the past two weeks.

An unclassified U.S. intelligence assessment estimated casualties in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hospital-explosion-3d255725997c4e2757372b3ee2fc8859">an explosion at a Gaza City hospital</a>&nbsp;this week on the “low end” of 100 to 300 deaths. It said intelligence officials were still assessing the evidence and the casualty estimate may evolve.

The report echoed earlier assessments by U.S. officials that the massive blast at the al-Ahli hospital was not caused by an Israeli airstrike, as Hamas has reported. Israel has presented video, audio and other evidence it says proves the blast was caused by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697827658899.png" alt="In this undated photo provided by Rabbi Meir Hecht on behalf of the Raanan family is Judith Raanan, left, and her daughter Natalie, 18, after Natalie's recent high school graduation. Judith and Natalie are missing while visiting relatives in Nahal Oz for Simchat Torah, a festive Jewish holiday that marks the conclusion of the annual reading of the Torah. (Raanan Family via AP)" />
 <figcaption>In this undated photo provided by Rabbi Meir Hecht on behalf of the Raanan family is Judith Raanan, left, and her daughter Natalie, 18, after Natalie's recent high school graduation. Judith and Natalie are missing while visiting relatives in Nahal Oz for Simchat Torah, a festive Jewish holiday that marks the conclusion of the annual reading of the Torah. (Raanan Family via AP)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP)— President Joe Biden is celebrating the release of a Chicago-area woman and her teenage daughter who had been visiting Israel when they were taken hostage by Hamas militants Oct. 7.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, we have secured the release of two Americans taken hostage by Hamas during the horrific terrorist assault against Israel. Our fellow citizens have endured a terrible ordeal these past 14 days, and I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family.&mdash; President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1715457670935728145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Israeli military said Judith Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie, were released to the Israeli military Friday. Hamas said the Qatari government was instrumental in securing their release.“Our fellow citizens have endured a terrible ordeal these past 14 days, and I am overjoyed that they will soon be reunited with their family, who has been wracked with fear,” Biden said in a statement.Thanking the governments of Qatar and Israel for their help, Biden said the White House had been “working around-the-clock” to secure the release of American hostages “and we have not ceased our efforts to secure the release of those who are still being held.”-------------------KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas militants on Friday freed two Americans -- a mother and her teenage daughter who had been held hostage in Gaza since militants rampaged through Israel two weeks ago, the Israeli government said.The pair, who also hold Israeli citizenship, were the first hostages to be released, and more than 200 are still being held.Hamas said it was releasing them in an agreement with the Qatari government for humanitarian reasons.Relatives of other captives welcomed the release and appealed for others to be freed.“We call on world leaders and the international community to exert their full power in order to act for the release of all the hostages and missing,’’ the statement said.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel said Friday it does not plan to take long-term control over the Gaza Strip after an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-military-urban-battle-89e45b149f3b88cd647cf6376dbfe0ac">expected ground offensive</a>&nbsp;to root out Hamas militants that rule the territory. The Israeli military punished Gaza with airstrikes, authorities inched closer to bringing aid to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-refugees-6cf0ff04e513ecec12cf9152656ac1b6">desperate families and hospitals</a>, and Muslims around the world protested in solidarity with Palestinians.Israel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-news-10-19-2023">bombed areas in southern Gaza</a>&nbsp;where Palestinians had been told to seek safety while it tries to destroy Hamas in retaliation for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-conflict-endgame-1bfcc187d826596e78090ec6cbf6516c">its brutal rampage in Israel</a>&nbsp;two weeks ago. Fighting between Israel and militants in neighboring Lebanon also raged,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-conflict-displaced-tyre-hamas-hezbollah-schools-3e704f45e99b83d7516134d6b7801582">prompting evacuations</a>&nbsp;of Lebanese and Israeli border towns as fears of a widening conflict grew.Speaking to lawmakers about Israel’s long-term plans for Gaza, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant laid out a three-stage plan that seemed to suggest that Israel did not intend to reoccupy the territory it left in 2005.First, Israeli airstrikes and “maneuvering” — a presumed reference to a ground attack — would aim to root out Hamas. Next will come a lower intensity fight to defeat remaining pockets of resistance. And, finally, a new “security regime” will be created in Gaza along with “the removal of Israel’s responsibility for life in the Gaza Strip,” Gallant said.Gallant did not say who Israel expected to run Gaza if Hamas is toppled or what the new security regime would entail.Israel occupied Gaza from 1967 until 2005, when it pulled up settlements and withdrew soldiers. Two years later, Hamas took over. Some Israelis blame the withdrawal from Gaza for the sporadic violence that has persisted since then.More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed since Hamas attacked on Oct. 7 — mostly civilians slain during the incursion that shattered Israelis sense of security and resulted in 203 hostages taken into Gaza.The Health Ministry run by Hamas says more than 4,100 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began. That includes a disputed number of people who died in a hospital explosion earlier this week.The humanitarian crisis worsened for Gaza's 2.3 million civilians, as workers along its border with Egypt repaired the border crossing in a first step to bring aid to Palestinians running out of fuel, food, water and medicine.Over a million people have been displaced in Gaza.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hospital-explosion-3d255725997c4e2757372b3ee2fc8859">Many heeded Israel’s orders to evacuate</a>&nbsp;the northern part of the sealed-off enclave on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called areas in southern Gaza “safe zones” earlier this week, Israeli military spokesman Nir Dinar said Friday: “There are no safe zones.”U.N. officials said that with the bombings across all of Gaza, some Palestinians who had fled the north appeared to be going back.“The strikes, coupled with extremely difficult living conditions in the south, appear to have pushed some to return to the north, despite the continuing heavy bombing there,” Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the U.N. human rights office, said.Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals were rationing their dwindling resources, as authorities worked out logistics for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-biden-hospital-d9606e0ead1f8c4e9fd00b602ed14a38">a desperately needed aid delivery from Egypt</a>.Generators in Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest, were operating at the lowest setting to conserve fuel while providing power to vital departments such as intensive care, hospital director Mohammed Abu Selmia said. Others worked in darkness.“I don’t know how long (the fuel) will last. Every day we evaluate the situation,” he said.The lack of medical supplies and water are making it difficult to treat the mass of victims from the Israeli strikes, he said.The deal to get aid into Gaza through the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-palestinians-egypt-sinai-war-894d45535fed1049a0076453ca99c555">territory’s only entry point not controlled by Israel</a>&nbsp;remained fragile. Israel said the supplies could only go to civilians and that it would “thwart” any diversions by Hamas. It was unclear if fuel for the hospital generators would be allowed to enter.Work continued Friday to repair the road at the Rafah border between Egypt and Gaza that had been damaged in airstrikes. Trucks unloaded gravel, and bulldozers and other equipment was used to fill in large craters.A U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss a rapidly changing situation said aid had been delayed because of ongoing road repairs, and that it was expected to move across the border Saturday. More than 200 trucks and some 3,000 tons of aid were positioned near the crossing.U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited the crossing Friday and appealed for the quick movement of aid into Gaza, calling it “the difference between life and death.”Israel has evacuated its own communities near Gaza and Lebanon, putting residents up in hotels elsewhere in the country. The Defense Ministry announced evacuation plans Friday for Kiryat Shmona, a town of more than 20,000 residents near the Lebanese border. Three Israelis including a 5-year-old girl were wounded in a rocket attack there Thursday, according to Israeli health services.Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group, which has a massive arsenal of long-range rockets,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-israel-hezbollah-clashes-cadccde8c6ce5400ee36fd12d3bfea52">has traded fire with Israel along the border</a>&nbsp;on a near-daily basis and hinted it might join the war if Israel seeks to annihilate Hamas. Iran supports both armed groups.The violence in Gaza has also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hospital-jordan-egypt-protests-590f24d154fb3cb256ec1707ec78b816">sparked protests across the region</a>, including in Arab countries allied with the U.S.Palestinians in Gaza reported heavy airstrikes in Khan Younis, a town in the territory’s south, and ambulances carrying men, women and children streamed into the local Nasser Hospital.Late Thursday, an Israeli airstrike hit a Greek Orthodox church in Gaza City housing displaced Palestinians. The military said it had targeted a Hamas command center nearby, causing damage to a church wall. Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry said 16 Palestinian Christians were killed.The Greek Orthodox Patriarchy of Jerusalem condemned the attack and said it would “not abandon its religious and humanitarian duty” to provide assistance.Palestinian militants have launched unrelenting rocket attacks into Israel — more than 6,900 since Oct. 7, according to Israel — and tensions have flared in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.Israel has targeted militants in raids across the occupied territory. On Friday, two Palestinian teenagers were killed in clashes in the West Bank, where more than 80 Palestinians have been killed over the past two weeks.An unclassified U.S. intelligence assessment estimated casualties in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hospital-explosion-3d255725997c4e2757372b3ee2fc8859">an explosion at a Gaza City hospital</a>&nbsp;this week on the “low end” of 100 to 300 deaths. It said intelligence officials were still assessing the evidence and the casualty estimate may evolve.The report echoed earlier assessments by U.S. officials that the massive blast at the al-Ahli hospital was not caused by an Israeli airstrike, as Hamas has reported. Israel has presented video, audio and other evidence it says proves the blast was caused by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants.

Biden celebrates release of 2 American hostages by Hamas 

HARVEY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Thursday in Harvey County.

A car driven by 29-year-old Cody Pfeifer, 29, Hutchinson, was westbound at the intersection of Northwest 12th Street and North Sand Hill Road, according to the Sheriff's Department .

A southbound SUV struck the car at the intersection.

EMS transported Pfeifer to an area hospital in critical condition. He later died&nbsp; of his injuries, according to the Sheriff's department

The driver of the SUV was transported to an area hospital and treated for minor injuries. There were no passengers in either vehicle.

The Harvey County Sheriff’s Office’s preliminary investigation indicates Pfeifer failed to yield to traffic at the intersection. The accident remains under investigation.

HARVEY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 4:30p.m. Thursday in Harvey County.A car driven by 29-year-old Cody Pfeifer, 29, Hutchinson, was westbound at the intersection of Northwest 12th Street and North Sand Hill Road, according to the Sheriff's Department .A southbound SUV struck the car at the intersection.EMS transported Pfeifer to an area hospital in critical condition. He later died&nbsp; of his injuries, according to the Sheriff's departmentThe driver of the SUV was transported to an area hospital and treated for minor injuries. There were no passengers in either vehicle.The Harvey County Sheriff’s Office’s preliminary investigation indicates Pfeifer failed to yield to traffic at the intersection. The accident remains under investigation.

Kansas man dies after 2-vehicle crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans dropped Rep. Jim Jordan on Friday as their nominee for House speaker, making the decision during a closed-door session after the hard-edged ally of Donald Trump failed badly on a third ballot for the gavel.

The blocked-House impasse deepening, Republicans have no realistic or workable plan to unite the fractured GOP majority, elect a new speaker and return to the work of Congress that has been languishing since hard-liners&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-ousted-mccarthy-3fccfca11fe61c36fe399880f2679f12">ousted Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;at the start of the month.

Majority Leader Steve Scalise said they're going “come back and start over” on Monday.

In all, Jordan lost 25 Republican colleagues in Friday's vote, leaving him far from the majority needed, with next steps uncertain.

Ahead of the vote, Jordan showed no signs of stepping aside, insisting at a Capitol press conference: “The American people are hungry for change."

Drawing on his Ohio roots, Jordan, who is popular with the GOP's right-flank activist base of voters, positioned his long-shot campaign alongside the history of American innovators including the Wright brothers, urging his colleagues to elect him to the speakership.

McCarthy himself rose in the chamber to nominate Jordan, portraying him as a skilled legislator who reaches for compromise. That drew scoffs of laughter from the Democratic side of the aisle.

McCarthy said of Jordan, “He is straightforward, honest and reliable.”

Democrats nominated Leader Hakeem Jeffries, with Rep. Katherine Clark calling Jordan, who refused to certify the 2020 presidential election results, “a threat to democracy.”

"We need a speaker worthy of wielding the gavel," she said.

But after two failed votes, Jordan's third attempt at the gavel did not end any better — in large part because more centrist Republicans are revolting over the nominee and the hardball tactics being used to win their votes. They have been bombarded with harassing phone calls and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-jim-jordan-threats-54eeecef0188edfcb9903e45019f190f">even reported death threats</a>.

In fact, the hard-charging Judiciary chairman lost rather than gained votes despite hours spent trying to win over holdouts, no improvement from the 20 and then 22 Republicans he lost in early rounds this week.

Friday’s vote was 194 for Jordan, his lowest tally yet, and 210 for Jeffries, with two absences on each side.

For more than two weeks the stalemate has shut down the U.S. House, leaving a seat of American democracy severely hobbled at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-israel-ukraine-war-49354728b347178a4bf7508a0dc8f1d2">challenges at home and abroad</a>. The House Republican majority appears to have no idea how to end the political turmoil and get back to work.

With Republicans in majority control of the House, 221-212, any candidate can lose only a few detractors. It appears there is no Republican at present who can win a clear majority, 217 votes, to become speaker.

"He doesn’t have the votes to be speaker,” Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., said after a late Thursday meeting when Jordan sought to hear detractors out and shore up support.

The holdouts want “nothing” from Jordan, Gimenez said, adding that some of the lawmakers in the meeting simply called on Jordan to drop out of the race.

One&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-powers-mchenry-875bebd218096a5252840cd8f52cc137">extraordinary idea,</a>&nbsp;to give the interim speaker pro tempore, Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-interim-congress-north-carolina-15b8b6cc20afa9d8f18d84765d776736">Patrick McHenry</a>, more powers for the next several months to at least bring the House back into session and conduct crucial business, was swiftly rejected by Jordan's own ultra-conservative allies.

A “betrayal,” said Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind.

Next steps were highly uncertain as angry, frustrated Republicans predict the House could essentially stay closed for the foreseeable future — perhaps until the mid-November deadline for Congress to approve funding or risk a federal government shutdown.

“We’re trying to figure out if there’s a way we can get back with a Republican-only solution,” said veteran legislator Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.

“That’s what normal majorities do. What this majority has done is prove it’s not a normal majority.”

What was clear was that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jim-jordan-ohio-voters-gop-speaker-vote-56038ee563ff0479a223240ac93b1e2c">Jordan was refusing to step aside,</a>&nbsp;appearing determined to wait out his foes even as his path to become House speaker was all but collapsing.

Many view Jordan, a founding member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, as too extreme for a central seat of U.S. power, second in line to the presidency.

“One thing I cannot stomach or support is a bully,” said a statement from Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, who voted against Jordan on the second ballot and said she received “credible death threats."

Democratic Leader Jeffries reiterated that his party was “ready, willing and able” to partner with more traditional Republicans on a path to re-open the House —- particularly as Congress is being asked to consider President Joe Biden's aid package for Israel, Ukraine and other needs.

A closed-door meeting Thursday to regroup grew heated at times with Republican factions blaming one another for sending their majority into chaos, lawmakers said.

Elevating McHenry to an expanded speaker's role could be a possible off-ramp for the crisis, but it would not be as politically simple as it might seem.

Republicans are loath to partner with the Democrats in a bipartisan way on the arrangement, and it's highly unlikely Republicans could agree to give McHenry more powers on their own, since their hard-liners don't like it.

McHenry himself has brushed off attempts to take the job more permanently after he was appointed to the role after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-ousted-mccarthy-3fccfca11fe61c36fe399880f2679f12">unprecedented ouster of McCarthy</a>&nbsp;more than two weeks ago.

To win over GOP colleagues, Jordan had relied on backing from Trump, the party’s front-runner in the 2024 election, and groups pressuring rank-and-file lawmakers for the vote. But they were not enough and in fact backfired on some.

Jordan has been a top Trump ally, particularly during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the Jan. 6 Capitol attack</a>&nbsp;by the former president’s backers who were trying to overturn the 2020 election he lost to Biden. Days later, Trump awarded Jordan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-jim-jordan-impeachments-capitol-siege-eeadab127460dd5170e79608f654aca6">a Medal of Freedom</a>.

First elected in 2006, Jordan has few bills to his name from his time in office. He also faces questions about his past.

Some years ago, Jordan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-6fb5bfff7db9439883907efce5c119fb">denied allegations</a>&nbsp;from former wrestlers during his time as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University who accused him of knowing about claims they were inappropriately groped by an Ohio State doctor. Jordan has said he was never aware of any abuse.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jim-jordan-house-speaker-republicans-0f759a46f63aa9daf9e6939e45799329">Jim Jordan</a>&nbsp;failed badly Friday on a third ballot for the House speaker's gavel, rejected by even more Republicans from the conservative mainstream who warned the hard-edged ally of Donald Trump that no threats or promises could win their support.

The Republicans have no realistic or workable plan to unite the fractured GOP majority, elect a new speaker and return to the work of Congress that has been languishing since hard-liners&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-ousted-mccarthy-3fccfca11fe61c36fe399880f2679f12">ousted Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;at the start of the month.

In all, Jordan lost 25 Republican colleagues, leaving him far from the majority needed, as the standoff deepened with next steps uncertain. The&nbsp; GOP members of the Kansas and Missouri delegation voted&nbsp; for Jordan. Nebraska GOP congressman Don Bacon voted for&nbsp;Patrick McHenry.&nbsp;

Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, a chief architect of McCarthy's ouster, said after Friday's vote that he and other Jordan supporters would be willing to be censured or otherwise punished by their GOP colleagues if that was what it took to win over votes for Jordan.

But earlier, Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., said simply of Jordan's chances, “It’s not going to happen.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697820032017.png" alt="Rep. Jim Jordan (Center) reacts to the vote count Friday morning -photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Jim Jordan (Center) reacts to the vote count Friday morning -photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans dropped Rep. Jim Jordan on Friday as their nominee for House speaker, making the decision during a closed-door session after the hard-edged ally of Donald Trump failed badly on a third ballot for the gavel.The blocked-House impasse deepening, Republicans have no realistic or workable plan to unite the fractured GOP majority, elect a new speaker and return to the work of Congress that has been languishing since hard-liners&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-ousted-mccarthy-3fccfca11fe61c36fe399880f2679f12">ousted Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;at the start of the month.Majority Leader Steve Scalise said they're going “come back and start over” on Monday.In all, Jordan lost 25 Republican colleagues in Friday's vote, leaving him far from the majority needed, with next steps uncertain.Ahead of the vote, Jordan showed no signs of stepping aside, insisting at a Capitol press conference: “The American people are hungry for change."Drawing on his Ohio roots, Jordan, who is popular with the GOP's right-flank activist base of voters, positioned his long-shot campaign alongside the history of American innovators including the Wright brothers, urging his colleagues to elect him to the speakership.McCarthy himself rose in the chamber to nominate Jordan, portraying him as a skilled legislator who reaches for compromise. That drew scoffs of laughter from the Democratic side of the aisle.McCarthy said of Jordan, “He is straightforward, honest and reliable.”Democrats nominated Leader Hakeem Jeffries, with Rep. Katherine Clark calling Jordan, who refused to certify the 2020 presidential election results, “a threat to democracy.”"We need a speaker worthy of wielding the gavel," she said.But after two failed votes, Jordan's third attempt at the gavel did not end any better — in large part because more centrist Republicans are revolting over the nominee and the hardball tactics being used to win their votes. They have been bombarded with harassing phone calls and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-jim-jordan-threats-54eeecef0188edfcb9903e45019f190f">even reported death threats</a>.In fact, the hard-charging Judiciary chairman lost rather than gained votes despite hours spent trying to win over holdouts, no improvement from the 20 and then 22 Republicans he lost in early rounds this week.Friday’s vote was 194 for Jordan, his lowest tally yet, and 210 for Jeffries, with two absences on each side.For more than two weeks the stalemate has shut down the U.S. House, leaving a seat of American democracy severely hobbled at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-israel-ukraine-war-49354728b347178a4bf7508a0dc8f1d2">challenges at home and abroad</a>. The House Republican majority appears to have no idea how to end the political turmoil and get back to work.With Republicans in majority control of the House, 221-212, any candidate can lose only a few detractors. It appears there is no Republican at present who can win a clear majority, 217 votes, to become speaker."He doesn’t have the votes to be speaker,” Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., said after a late Thursday meeting when Jordan sought to hear detractors out and shore up support.The holdouts want “nothing” from Jordan, Gimenez said, adding that some of the lawmakers in the meeting simply called on Jordan to drop out of the race.One&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-powers-mchenry-875bebd218096a5252840cd8f52cc137">extraordinary idea,</a>&nbsp;to give the interim speaker pro tempore, Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-interim-congress-north-carolina-15b8b6cc20afa9d8f18d84765d776736">Patrick McHenry</a>, more powers for the next several months to at least bring the House back into session and conduct crucial business, was swiftly rejected by Jordan's own ultra-conservative allies.A “betrayal,” said Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind.Next steps were highly uncertain as angry, frustrated Republicans predict the House could essentially stay closed for the foreseeable future — perhaps until the mid-November deadline for Congress to approve funding or risk a federal government shutdown.“We’re trying to figure out if there’s a way we can get back with a Republican-only solution,” said veteran legislator Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.“That’s what normal majorities do. What this majority has done is prove it’s not a normal majority.”What was clear was that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jim-jordan-ohio-voters-gop-speaker-vote-56038ee563ff0479a223240ac93b1e2c">Jordan was refusing to step aside,</a>&nbsp;appearing determined to wait out his foes even as his path to become House speaker was all but collapsing.Many view Jordan, a founding member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, as too extreme for a central seat of U.S. power, second in line to the presidency.“One thing I cannot stomach or support is a bully,” said a statement from Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, who voted against Jordan on the second ballot and said she received “credible death threats."Democratic Leader Jeffries reiterated that his party was “ready, willing and able” to partner with more traditional Republicans on a path to re-open the House —- particularly as Congress is being asked to consider President Joe Biden's aid package for Israel, Ukraine and other needs.A closed-door meeting Thursday to regroup grew heated at times with Republican factions blaming one another for sending their majority into chaos, lawmakers said.Elevating McHenry to an expanded speaker's role could be a possible off-ramp for the crisis, but it would not be as politically simple as it might seem.Republicans are loath to partner with the Democrats in a bipartisan way on the arrangement, and it's highly unlikely Republicans could agree to give McHenry more powers on their own, since their hard-liners don't like it.McHenry himself has brushed off attempts to take the job more permanently after he was appointed to the role after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-ousted-mccarthy-3fccfca11fe61c36fe399880f2679f12">unprecedented ouster of McCarthy</a>&nbsp;more than two weeks ago.To win over GOP colleagues, Jordan had relied on backing from Trump, the party’s front-runner in the 2024 election, and groups pressuring rank-and-file lawmakers for the vote. But they were not enough and in fact backfired on some.Jordan has been a top Trump ally, particularly during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the Jan. 6 Capitol attack</a>&nbsp;by the former president’s backers who were trying to overturn the 2020 election he lost to Biden. Days later, Trump awarded Jordan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-jim-jordan-impeachments-capitol-siege-eeadab127460dd5170e79608f654aca6">a Medal of Freedom</a>.First elected in 2006, Jordan has few bills to his name from his time in office. He also faces questions about his past.Some years ago, Jordan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-6fb5bfff7db9439883907efce5c119fb">denied allegations</a>&nbsp;from former wrestlers during his time as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University who accused him of knowing about claims they were inappropriately groped by an Ohio State doctor. Jordan has said he was never aware of any abuse.------------WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jim-jordan-house-speaker-republicans-0f759a46f63aa9daf9e6939e45799329">Jim Jordan</a>&nbsp;failed badly Friday on a third ballot for the House speaker's gavel, rejected by even more Republicans from the conservative mainstream who warned the hard-edged ally of Donald Trump that no threats or promises could win their support.The Republicans have no realistic or workable plan to unite the fractured GOP majority, elect a new speaker and return to the work of Congress that has been languishing since hard-liners&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-ousted-mccarthy-3fccfca11fe61c36fe399880f2679f12">ousted Kevin McCarthy</a>&nbsp;at the start of the month.In all, Jordan lost 25 Republican colleagues, leaving him far from the majority needed, as the standoff deepened with next steps uncertain. The&nbsp; GOP members of the Kansas and Missouri delegation voted&nbsp; for Jordan. Nebraska GOP congressman Don Bacon voted for&nbsp;Patrick McHenry.&nbsp;Ahead of the vote, Jordan showed no signs of stepping aside, insisting at a Capitol press conference: “The American people are hungry for change."Drawing on his Ohio roots, Jordan, who is popular with the GOP's right-flank activist base of voters, positioned his long-shot campaign alongside the history of American innovators including the Wright brothers, urging his colleagues to elect him to the speakership.McCarthy himself rose in the chamber to nominate Jordan, portraying him as a skilled legislator who reaches for compromise. That drew scoffs of laughter from the Democratic side of the aisle.McCarthy said of Jordan, “He is straightforward, honest and reliable.”Democrats nominated Leader Hakeem Jeffries, with Rep. Katherine Clark calling Jordan, who refused to certify the 2020 presidential election results, “a threat to democracy.”"We need a speaker worthy of wielding the gavel," she said.But after two failed votes, Jordan's third attempt at the gavel did not end any better — in large part because more centrist Republicans are revolting over the nominee and the hardball tactics being used to win their votes. They have been bombarded with harassing phone calls and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-jim-jordan-threats-54eeecef0188edfcb9903e45019f190f">even reported death threats</a>.In fact, the hard-charging Judiciary chairman lost rather than gained votes despite hours spent trying to win over holdouts, no improvement from the 20 and then 22 Republicans he lost in early rounds this week.Friday’s vote was 194 for Jordan, his lowest tally yet, and 210 for Jeffries, with two absences on each side.For more than two weeks the stalemate has shut down the U.S. House, leaving a seat of American democracy severely hobbled at a time of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-israel-ukraine-war-49354728b347178a4bf7508a0dc8f1d2">challenges at home and abroad</a>. The House Republican majority appears to have no idea how to end the political turmoil and get back to work.With Republicans in majority control of the House, 221-212, any candidate can lose only a few detractors. It appears there is no Republican at present who can win a clear majority, 217 votes, to become speaker."He doesn’t have the votes to be speaker,” Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., said after a late Thursday meeting when Jordan sought to hear detractors out and shore up support.The holdouts want “nothing” from Jordan, Gimenez said, adding that some of the lawmakers in the meeting simply called on Jordan to drop out of the race.One&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-powers-mchenry-875bebd218096a5252840cd8f52cc137">extraordinary idea,</a>&nbsp;to give the interim speaker pro tempore, Rep.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-interim-congress-north-carolina-15b8b6cc20afa9d8f18d84765d776736">Patrick McHenry</a>, more powers for the next several months to at least bring the House back into session and conduct crucial business, was swiftly rejected by Jordan's own ultra-conservative allies.A “betrayal,” said Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind.Next steps were highly uncertain as angry, frustrated Republicans predict the House could essentially stay closed for the foreseeable future — perhaps until the mid-November deadline for Congress to approve funding or risk a federal government shutdown.“We’re trying to figure out if there’s a way we can get back with a Republican-only solution,” said veteran legislator Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla.“That’s what normal majorities do. What this majority has done is prove it’s not a normal majority.”What was clear was that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jim-jordan-ohio-voters-gop-speaker-vote-56038ee563ff0479a223240ac93b1e2c">Jordan was refusing to step aside,</a>&nbsp;appearing determined to wait out his foes even as his path to become House speaker was all but collapsing.Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, a chief architect of McCarthy's ouster, said after Friday's vote that he and other Jordan supporters would be willing to be censured or otherwise punished by their GOP colleagues if that was what it took to win over votes for Jordan.But earlier, Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., said simply of Jordan's chances, “It’s not going to happen.”Many view Jordan, a founding member of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus, as too extreme for a central seat of U.S. power, second in line to the presidency.“One thing I cannot stomach or support is a bully,” said a statement from Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, who voted against Jordan on the second ballot and said she received “credible death threats."Democratic Leader Jeffries reiterated that his party was “ready, willing and able” to partner with more traditional Republicans on a path to re-open the House —- particularly as Congress is being asked to consider President Joe Biden's aid package for Israel, Ukraine and other needs.A closed-door meeting Thursday to regroup grew heated at times with Republican factions blaming one another for sending their majority into chaos, lawmakers said.Elevating McHenry to an expanded speaker's role could be a possible off-ramp for the crisis, but it would not be as politically simple as it might seem.Republicans are loath to partner with the Democrats in a bipartisan way on the arrangement, and it's highly unlikely Republicans could agree to give McHenry more powers on their own, since their hard-liners don't like it.McHenry himself has brushed off attempts to take the job more permanently after he was appointed to the role after the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/house-speaker-ousted-mccarthy-3fccfca11fe61c36fe399880f2679f12">unprecedented ouster of McCarthy</a>&nbsp;more than two weeks ago.To win over GOP colleagues, Jordan had relied on backing from Trump, the party’s front-runner in the 2024 election, and groups pressuring rank-and-file lawmakers for the vote. But they were not enough and in fact backfired on some.Jordan has been a top Trump ally, particularly during&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">the Jan. 6 Capitol attack</a>&nbsp;by the former president’s backers who were trying to overturn the 2020 election he lost to Biden. Days later, Trump awarded Jordan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-jim-jordan-impeachments-capitol-siege-eeadab127460dd5170e79608f654aca6">a Medal of Freedom</a>.First elected in 2006, Jordan has few bills to his name from his time in office. He also faces questions about his past.Some years ago, Jordan&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-6fb5bfff7db9439883907efce5c119fb">denied allegations</a>&nbsp;from former wrestlers during his time as an assistant wrestling coach at Ohio State University who accused him of knowing about claims they were inappropriately groped by an Ohio State doctor. Jordan has said he was never aware of any abuse.