LABETTE COUNTY —The city of Parsons Police Department in conjunction with the Labette County Sheriff's office reported the completion and review of the final necropsy report on the death of K9 Karim on October 11, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.

The report determined the extreme temperatures that day stands as the sole factor contributing to the death of the dog.

After careful consideration, the sheriff's office has initiated legal proceedings against officer Devin Wisdom. The sheriff's office has submitted the case to the county attorney's office.

According to Sheriff Darrin Eichinger, "Our comprehensive review of the entire case led us to make make the most informed decision possible. Our duty extends to ensuring the best interests of the victim, a sworn police dog, Karim.

The Parson police department is organizing a memorial service for K9 Karim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697292059016.png" alt="Parsons officer Devin Wisdom and K9 officer Karim -photo&nbsp; Parsons Police" />
 <figcaption>Parsons officer Devin Wisdom and K9 officer Karim -photo&nbsp; Parsons Police</figcaption>
 </figure>LABETTE COUNTY —The city of Parsons Police Department in conjunction with the Labette County Sheriff's office reported the completion and review of the final necropsy report on the death of K9 Karim on October 11, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.The report determined the extreme temperatures that day stands as the sole factor contributing to the death of the dog.After careful consideration, the sheriff's office has initiated legal proceedings against officer Devin Wisdom. The sheriff's office has submitted the case to the county attorney's office.According to Sheriff Darrin Eichinger, "Our comprehensive review of the entire case led us to make make the most informed decision possible. Our duty extends to ensuring the best interests of the victim, a sworn police dog, Karim.The Parson police department is organizing a memorial service for K9 Karim.

Kansas officer faces charges in death of K-9

WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday that he would work with Senate Republicans in the coming weeks to assemble a “generous” package of wartime aid for Israel.

“America will stand with its ally Israel,” he said at a news conference in Israel that capped a visit by a bipartisan group of senators. “I, along with my colleagues here, will lead the effort in the United States Senate to provide Israel with the support required to fully defend itself from this monstrous attack.”

Schumer, a Democrat who is the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S., said he openly wept when he heard from the families of people taken hostage by Hamas. The group of senators also met with Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz, who have formed a wartime Cabinet.

“We will work to move this aid through the Senate ASAP, and the Israeli leaders made it clear to us they need the aid quickly,” Schumer said.

The Senate leader said he would not wait for the House to consider an aid package because it is facing its own political crisis as Republicans struggle to unite around a speaker. The chamber is practically paralyzed from advancing legislation while lawmakers work to elect a new speaker, but Schumer said he hoped a bipartisan effort out of the Senate would push the House to act.

Schumer has said he expects any package should include aid for Israel and Ukraine, along with possible aid for Taiwan as it faces threats from Beijing and money for the U.S. border. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has also indicated that he wants war aid for the two countries tied together, along with aid for Taiwan.

Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Mitt Romney of Utah and Democratic Sens. Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Mark Kelly of Arizona were also on the trip. During a lunch at their hotel on Sunday, the senators had to take shelter when sirens sounded indicating a rocket attack.

Schumer also said he would underscore to President Joe Biden the importance of U.S. assistance for Israel’s efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697403284354.png" alt="Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and a bipartisan congressional delegation traveled to Israel over the weekend. Senators Bill Cassidy, Jacky Rosen, Mitt Romney and Mark Kelly made the trip-courtesy photo&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and a bipartisan congressional delegation traveled to Israel over the weekend. Senators Bill Cassidy, Jacky Rosen, Mitt Romney and Mark Kelly made the trip-courtesy photo&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Sunday that he would work with Senate Republicans in the coming weeks to assemble a “generous” package of wartime aid for Israel.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The U.S. stands with the people of Israel. Here’s what I said in Israel today alongside our bipartisan Senate delegation: <a href="https://t.co/U3LAyRlQ0p">pic.twitter.com/U3LAyRlQ0p</a>&mdash; Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenSchumer/status/1713638918506090691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“America will stand with its ally Israel,” he said at a news conference in Israel that capped a visit by a bipartisan group of senators. “I, along with my colleagues here, will lead the effort in the United States Senate to provide Israel with the support required to fully defend itself from this monstrous attack.”Schumer, a Democrat who is the highest-ranking Jewish official in the U.S., said he openly wept when he heard from the families of people taken hostage by Hamas. The group of senators also met with Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Benny Gantz, who have formed a wartime Cabinet.“We will work to move this aid through the Senate ASAP, and the Israeli leaders made it clear to us they need the aid quickly,” Schumer said.The Senate leader said he would not wait for the House to consider an aid package because it is facing its own political crisis as Republicans struggle to unite around a speaker. The chamber is practically paralyzed from advancing legislation while lawmakers work to elect a new speaker, but Schumer said he hoped a bipartisan effort out of the Senate would push the House to act.Schumer has said he expects any package should include aid for Israel and Ukraine, along with possible aid for Taiwan as it faces threats from Beijing and money for the U.S. border. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has also indicated that he wants war aid for the two countries tied together, along with aid for Taiwan.Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Mitt Romney of Utah and Democratic Sens. Jacky Rosen of Nevada and Mark Kelly of Arizona were also on the trip. During a lunch at their hotel on Sunday, the senators had to take shelter when sirens sounded indicating a rocket attack.Schumer also said he would underscore to President Joe Biden the importance of U.S. assistance for Israel’s efforts to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas.

US Senate to prepare package of wartime aid for Israel 

DETROIT (AP) — Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford called on autoworkers to come together to end a monthlong strike that he says could cost the company the ability to invest in the future.

In a rare speech during contract talks in the company's hometown of Dearborn, Michigan, Ford said high labor costs could limit spending to develop new vehicles and invest in factories. “It’s the absolute lifeblood of our company. And if we lose it, we will lose to the competition. America loses. Many jobs will be lost,” said the great grandson of company founder Henry Ford.

The company, he said, builds more vehicles in America and has more United Auto Workers employees than any company, which has increased its costs in a highly competitive industry.

Ford has 57,000 UAW workers compared with 46,000 at GM and 43,000 at Stellantis. “Many of our competitors moved jobs to Mexico as we added jobs here in the U.S.,” Ford said.

The company is near an impasse with the United Auto Workers union, which walked out in targeted strikes at all three Detroit automakers on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-ford-general-motors-stellantis-5f185f6615a1b3690af744641508c8e2">Sept. 15</a>,

Last week 8,700 union members walked out at the largest and most profitable Ford plant in the world, the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville.

Ford said the strike at the Kentucky plant is harming tens of thousands of Americans who work for parts suppliers and Ford dealers. The strike also could cause a fragile parts supply base to collapse, he said. “If it continues, it will have a major impact on the American economy and devastate local communities,” he said.

There was no immediate response from the UAW early Monday.

Ford, only the fourth family member to lead the 120-year-old company, said he has watched other companies lose their auto industries, then all of their manufacturing base. He said strong American manufacturing is essential for national security.

“We need to come together to bring an end to this acrimonious round of talks,” Ford said. “I still believe in a bright future – one that we can build together. I still believe the automobile industry is a major force for good in our country. We will continue to be there when America needs us most.”

Last week, after the Kentucky strike began, a top Ford executive said on a conference call with reporters that Ford had reached the limit in how much it was willing to spend to end the strike.

The speech from Ford arrives with the entire auto industry making a historic and expensive shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles.

UAW President Shawn Fain has said Ford and crosstown rivals General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis are making billions in profits, and that workers should get a share. He says the workers should be repaid for sacrificing general pay raises, cost of living adjustments and agreeing to lower wage tiers to keep the companies afloat during the Great Recession.

The union began striking at targeted factories after its contracts with the companies expired. It started picketing one assembly plant from each company, but that has since spread to 38 parts warehouses at GM and Jeep maker Stellantis. The UAW later added another assembly plant at both GM and Ford.

Last Wednesday Fain made the surprise announcement that the union&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-uaw-strikes-layoffs-factories-60f444a85a51b1261b093fdaaae4bdb4">would walk out at the Kentucky plant</a>, which makes Super Duty pickups and large Ford and Lincoln SUVs.

About 34,000 of the union's 146,000 employees at all three automakers are now on strike.

Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford Blue, the company’s internal combustion engine business, told reporters Thursday that Ford stretched to get to the offer it now has on the table.

The apparently widening labor rift suggests Ford and the union may be in for a lengthy strike that could cost the company and workers billions of dollars.

Fain said on Wednesday that Ford told UAW bargainers for nearly two weeks that it would make another counteroffer on economic issues. But at a meeting called by the union, the company didn’t increase its previous offer, Fain said. “Ford hasn’t gotten the message” to bargain for a fair contract, Fain said in announcing the walkout by 8,700 workers at the company’s Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville.

“We’ve been very patient working with the company on this,” he said in a video. “They have not met expectations, they’re not even coming to the table on it.”

Galhotra called Ford’s offer “incredibly positive” and said Ford never indicated to the union that it would be increased.

“We have been very clear we are at the limit,” he said on a conference call with reporters. “We risk the ability to invest in the business and profitably grow. And profitable growth is in the best interest of everybody at Ford.”

The company has a set amount of money, but is willing to move dollars around in a way that might fit the union’s needs, he said, adding that he still thinks it’s possible to reach a deal.

The union has said Ford’s general wage offer is up to 23% over four years and that it has reinstated cost of living raises. GM and Stellantis were at 20%. But Fain said none was high enough.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695067603080.png" alt="Striking autoworkers in Missouri" />
 <figcaption>Striking autoworkers in Missouri</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT (AP) — Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford called on autoworkers to come together to end a monthlong strike that he says could cost the company the ability to invest in the future.In a rare speech during contract talks in the company's hometown of Dearborn, Michigan, Ford said high labor costs could limit spending to develop new vehicles and invest in factories. “It’s the absolute lifeblood of our company. And if we lose it, we will lose to the competition. America loses. Many jobs will be lost,” said the great grandson of company founder Henry Ford.The company, he said, builds more vehicles in America and has more United Auto Workers employees than any company, which has increased its costs in a highly competitive industry.Ford has 57,000 UAW workers compared with 46,000 at GM and 43,000 at Stellantis. “Many of our competitors moved jobs to Mexico as we added jobs here in the U.S.,” Ford said.The company is near an impasse with the United Auto Workers union, which walked out in targeted strikes at all three Detroit automakers on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-ford-general-motors-stellantis-5f185f6615a1b3690af744641508c8e2">Sept. 15</a>,Last week 8,700 union members walked out at the largest and most profitable Ford plant in the world, the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville.Ford said the strike at the Kentucky plant is harming tens of thousands of Americans who work for parts suppliers and Ford dealers. The strike also could cause a fragile parts supply base to collapse, he said. “If it continues, it will have a major impact on the American economy and devastate local communities,” he said.There was no immediate response from the UAW early Monday.Ford, only the fourth family member to lead the 120-year-old company, said he has watched other companies lose their auto industries, then all of their manufacturing base. He said strong American manufacturing is essential for national security.“We need to come together to bring an end to this acrimonious round of talks,” Ford said. “I still believe in a bright future – one that we can build together. I still believe the automobile industry is a major force for good in our country. We will continue to be there when America needs us most.”Last week, after the Kentucky strike began, a top Ford executive said on a conference call with reporters that Ford had reached the limit in how much it was willing to spend to end the strike.The speech from Ford arrives with the entire auto industry making a historic and expensive shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles.UAW President Shawn Fain has said Ford and crosstown rivals General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis are making billions in profits, and that workers should get a share. He says the workers should be repaid for sacrificing general pay raises, cost of living adjustments and agreeing to lower wage tiers to keep the companies afloat during the Great Recession.The union began striking at targeted factories after its contracts with the companies expired. It started picketing one assembly plant from each company, but that has since spread to 38 parts warehouses at GM and Jeep maker Stellantis. The UAW later added another assembly plant at both GM and Ford.Last Wednesday Fain made the surprise announcement that the union&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-uaw-strikes-layoffs-factories-60f444a85a51b1261b093fdaaae4bdb4">would walk out at the Kentucky plant</a>, which makes Super Duty pickups and large Ford and Lincoln SUVs.About 34,000 of the union's 146,000 employees at all three automakers are now on strike.Kumar Galhotra, president of Ford Blue, the company’s internal combustion engine business, told reporters Thursday that Ford stretched to get to the offer it now has on the table.The apparently widening labor rift suggests Ford and the union may be in for a lengthy strike that could cost the company and workers billions of dollars.Fain said on Wednesday that Ford told UAW bargainers for nearly two weeks that it would make another counteroffer on economic issues. But at a meeting called by the union, the company didn’t increase its previous offer, Fain said. “Ford hasn’t gotten the message” to bargain for a fair contract, Fain said in announcing the walkout by 8,700 workers at the company’s Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville.“We’ve been very patient working with the company on this,” he said in a video. “They have not met expectations, they’re not even coming to the table on it.”Galhotra called Ford’s offer “incredibly positive” and said Ford never indicated to the union that it would be increased.“We have been very clear we are at the limit,” he said on a conference call with reporters. “We risk the ability to invest in the business and profitably grow. And profitable growth is in the best interest of everybody at Ford.”The company has a set amount of money, but is willing to move dollars around in a way that might fit the union’s needs, he said, adding that he still thinks it’s possible to reach a deal.The union has said Ford’s general wage offer is up to 23% over four years and that it has reinstated cost of living raises. GM and Stellantis were at 20%. But Fain said none was high enough.

Ford Executive Chair calls on autoworkers to end strike

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a triple-shooting outside the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.

Just before 9p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to 13th and Grand Avenue on a sound of gunshots, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.

Officers in the area advised that there was a shooting at the intersection of 13th and McGee, with multiple victims injured from gunshot wounds. 

The victims were transported to area hospitals and were in stable condition. As a result of the shooting the T-mobile Center had to be locked down during the WWE event.&nbsp; The victims had non-life-threatening injuries, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697460216809.png" alt="Police on the scene of the shooting -photo courtesy KMBC" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the shooting -photo courtesy KMBC</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a triple-shooting outside the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City.Just before 9p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to 13th and Grand Avenue on a sound of gunshots, according to&nbsp;Officer Alayna Gonzalez.Officers in the area advised that there was a shooting at the intersection of 13th and McGee, with multiple victims injured from gunshot wounds. The victims were transported to area hospitals and were in stable condition. As a result of the shooting the T-mobile Center had to be locked down during the WWE event.&nbsp; The victims had non-life-threatening injuries, according to Police Captain Corey Carlisle.

T-Mobile Center temporarily locked down after shooting

HAMILTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating suspects for alleged Human Trafficking.

A man later identified as 51-year-old&nbsp;Antonio Castro Tienda of Mesa Arizona was transporting twelve people from Arizona to an unknown destination. The twelve displaced victims were transported to the Boarders Inn Suites in Syracuse Kansas, according to a media release from the Hamilton County Sheriff.

Just after 6a.m. Friday The Hamilton  County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call stating Tienda was there trying to take the displaced victims by force. 

Upon arrival Tienda left the Motel in a van. At 9:41 am the vehicle was located in a parking lot in the 300 block of west Avenue A in Syracuse, Kansas. 

Tienda was found in a nearby restaurant where he was taken into custody. The investigation revealed Tienda is related to a human trafficking organization out of the Phoenix Arizona area. The suspect was identified as Antonio Castro Tienda 51 Mesa Arizona. This is an ongoing investigation and no other details will be released at this time.

On Sunday, Marshall County Sheriff Marshall Unruh reported deputies stopped a van Sunday on U S highway 40 in Wallace County. The individuals were arrested and are being processed for 11 counts of felony human trafficking by the Wallace County Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697308392309.png" alt="Tienda-photo Hamilton Co." />
 <figcaption>Tienda-photo Hamilton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>HAMILTON COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating suspects for alleged Human Trafficking.A man later identified as 51-year-old&nbsp;Antonio Castro Tienda of Mesa Arizona was transporting twelve people from Arizona to an unknown destination. The twelve displaced victims were transported to the Boarders Inn Suites in Syracuse Kansas, according to a media release from the Hamilton County Sheriff.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697311875693.png" alt="Photo Hamilton Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Hamilton Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>Just after 6a.m. Friday The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call stating Tienda was there trying to take the displaced victims by force. Upon arrival Tienda left the Motel in a van. At 9:41 am the vehicle was located in a parking lot in the 300 block of west Avenue A in Syracuse, Kansas. Tienda was found in a nearby restaurant where he was taken into custody. The investigation revealed Tienda is related to a human trafficking organization out of the Phoenix Arizona area. The suspect was identified as Antonio Castro Tienda 51 Mesa Arizona. This is an ongoing investigation and no other details will be released at this time.On Sunday, Marshall County Sheriff Marshall Unruh reported deputies stopped a van Sunday on U S highway 40 in Wallace County. The individuals were arrested and are being processed for 11 counts of felony human trafficking by the Wallace County Sheriff’s Office.&nbsp;

Deputies found 12 human trafficking victims in Kansas motel

FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly building explosion have identified the victims as 26-year-old Jerry Isakson; 29-year-old Robyn Hamilton and 19-month-old Stormi Isakson all of Dodge City, according to Ford County Sheriff Bill Carr.

Just before 5:30p.m. Saturday,&nbsp;Ford County Communications received calls of an explosion in the 100 block of west Center Street in Bucklin, according to a statement from Sheriff Bill Car.

First responders found three inside the building deceased and a fourth identified as 26-year-old Christian Stimpert of Bucklin who was&nbsp;transported to St. Catherine Hospital in Dodge City for medical treatment.

The cause of the explosion and deaths are being investigated as an accident, according to Carr. The Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office and Ford County Fire are assisting with the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697410646387.png" alt="Photo courtesy Ford Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Ford Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly building explosion have identified the victims as 26-year-old Jerry Isakson; 29-year-old Robyn Hamilton and 19-month-old Stormi Isakson all of Dodge City, according to Ford County Sheriff Bill Carr.Just before 5:30p.m. Saturday,&nbsp;Ford County Communications received calls of an explosion in the 100 block of west Center Street in Bucklin, according to a statement from Sheriff Bill Car.First responders found three inside the building deceased and a fourth identified as 26-year-old Christian Stimpert of Bucklin who was&nbsp;transported to St. Catherine Hospital in Dodge City for medical treatment.The cause of the explosion and deaths are being investigated as an accident, according to Carr. The Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office and Ford County Fire are assisting with the investigation.

Toddler among 3 who died in SW Kansas building explosion

WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department says the number of Americans killed since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas has risen to 30.

“At this time, we can confirm the deaths of 30 U.S. citizens. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected," the State Department said in a statement released Sunday. The U.S. is also aware of 13 missing citizens and has been in contact with their families.

Hamas militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7 and murdered more than 1,400 Israelis, the vast majority of them civilians. The militants also kidnapped at least 155 people — a number that includes babies and the elderly — and are holding them hostage in Gaza. Their whereabouts are not publicly known, but their families have been urgently pressing for their release.

“The U.S. government is working around the clock to determine their whereabouts and is working with the Israeli government on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to advise the Israeli government on hostage recovery efforts,” the statement said.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,670 Palestinians have been killed so far.

President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;is considering a trip to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel">Israel</a>&nbsp;in the coming days but no travel has been finalized, a senior administration official said Sunday. It would be a powerful symbol of sympathy and support following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">the brutal attack by Hamas</a>.

A trip would be a chance for Biden to personally affirm to the Israeli people the U.S. is standing firm behind them. But it would come amid growing fears that a looming Israeli move into Gaza could spark a wider war with devastating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-civilians-humanitarian-crisis-shortages-fuel-water-937b474fa16970f36ac44615e9797fbc">humanitarian consequences</a>.

And Biden’s presence could be seen as a provocative move by Hamas’ chief sponsor, Iran, or potentially viewed as tone deaf by Arab nations as civilian casualties mount in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has already been traveling around the Mideast this past week trying to prevent the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6cf0ff04e513ecec12cf9152656ac1b6">war with Hamas</a>&nbsp;from igniting a broader regional conflict.

The official could not publicly discuss internal deliberations about the potential presidential travel and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Biden also made his strongest public statements yet to restrain Israel after the Oct. 7 attack that killed more than 1,400 people including at least 30 U.S. citizens, warning in an interview with CBS' 60 Minutes that aired Sunday that Israel should not reoccupy Gaza.

“I think it’d be a big mistake,” Biden said. “Look, what happened in Gaza, in my view, is Hamas, and the extreme elements of Hamas don’t represent all the Palestinian people. And I think that it would be a mistake for Israel to occupy Gaza again.”

Israel left Gaza in 2005; Hamas won the elections the next year.

Still, Biden said, “taking out the extremists ... is a necessary requirement.”

Biden and his administration officials have refused to criticize Israel or its bombing campaign that has killed civilians in Gaza. But they've urged Israel, Egypt and other nations to allow for humanitarian aid and supplies into the worsening conflict zone.

“I’m confident that Israel is going to act under the rules of war," Biden said in the interview. ”There’s standards that democratic institutions and countries go by. And I’m confident that there’s going to be an ability for the innocents in Gaza to be able to have access to medicine and food and water."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696679013332.png" alt="File photo-Palestinians wave their national flag and celebrate by a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis southern Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Yousef Masoud)" />
 <figcaption>File photo-Palestinians wave their national flag and celebrate by a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis southern Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Yousef Masoud)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department says the number of Americans killed since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas has risen to 30.“At this time, we can confirm the deaths of 30 U.S. citizens. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and to the families of all those affected," the State Department said in a statement released Sunday. The U.S. is also aware of 13 missing citizens and has been in contact with their families.Hamas militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7 and murdered more than 1,400 Israelis, the vast majority of them civilians. The militants also kidnapped at least 155 people — a number that includes babies and the elderly — and are holding them hostage in Gaza. Their whereabouts are not publicly known, but their families have been urgently pressing for their release.“The U.S. government is working around the clock to determine their whereabouts and is working with the Israeli government on every aspect of the hostage crisis, including sharing intelligence and deploying experts from across the United States government to advise the Israeli government on hostage recovery efforts,” the statement said.The Gaza Health Ministry said 2,670 Palestinians have been killed so far.President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;is considering a trip to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel">Israel</a>&nbsp;in the coming days but no travel has been finalized, a senior administration official said Sunday. It would be a powerful symbol of sympathy and support following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">the brutal attack by Hamas</a>.A trip would be a chance for Biden to personally affirm to the Israeli people the U.S. is standing firm behind them. But it would come amid growing fears that a looming Israeli move into Gaza could spark a wider war with devastating&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-civilians-humanitarian-crisis-shortages-fuel-water-937b474fa16970f36ac44615e9797fbc">humanitarian consequences</a>.And Biden’s presence could be seen as a provocative move by Hamas’ chief sponsor, Iran, or potentially viewed as tone deaf by Arab nations as civilian casualties mount in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has already been traveling around the Mideast this past week trying to prevent the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/6cf0ff04e513ecec12cf9152656ac1b6">war with Hamas</a>&nbsp;from igniting a broader regional conflict.The official could not publicly discuss internal deliberations about the potential presidential travel and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.Biden also made his strongest public statements yet to restrain Israel after the Oct. 7 attack that killed more than 1,400 people including at least 30 U.S. citizens, warning in an interview with CBS' 60 Minutes that aired Sunday that Israel should not reoccupy Gaza.“I think it’d be a big mistake,” Biden said. “Look, what happened in Gaza, in my view, is Hamas, and the extreme elements of Hamas don’t represent all the Palestinian people. And I think that it would be a mistake for Israel to occupy Gaza again.”Israel left Gaza in 2005; Hamas won the elections the next year.Still, Biden said, “taking out the extremists ... is a necessary requirement.”Biden and his administration officials have refused to criticize Israel or its bombing campaign that has killed civilians in Gaza. But they've urged Israel, Egypt and other nations to allow for humanitarian aid and supplies into the worsening conflict zone.“I’m confident that Israel is going to act under the rules of war," Biden said in the interview. ”There’s standards that democratic institutions and countries go by. And I’m confident that there’s going to be an ability for the innocents in Gaza to be able to have access to medicine and food and water."

State Department: 30 Americans killed in Israel, 13 still missing 

JOHNSON COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run that occurred October 9 on Interstate 435 and Metcalf Avenue and asked the public for assistance in locating a white Truck Tractor with silver tank trailer as shown on security cameras.

&nbsp;On Saturday night the Overland Park Police Department reported that after a number of tips from the public, investigators were able to identify the truck. The trucking company and driver are cooperating with the investigation, according to Officer John Lacy.

On the night of the accident, the semi pulled over and stopped westbound Interstate 435 in the area of Antioch Road.  After a brief time, the driver continued westbound&nbsp; and then exited to southbound Interstate 35. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697226335288.png" alt="Photo Overland Park Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Overland Park Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run that occurred October 9 on Interstate 435 and Metcalf Avenue and asked the public for assistance in locating a white Truck Tractor with silver tank trailer as shown on security cameras.&nbsp;On Saturday night the Overland Park Police Department reported that after a number of tips from the public, investigators were able to identify the truck. The trucking company and driver are cooperating with the investigation, according to Officer John Lacy.On the night of the accident, the semi pulled over and stopped westbound Interstate 435 in the area of Antioch Road. After a brief time, the driver continued westbound&nbsp; and then exited to southbound Interstate 35.

Police ID semi truck, driver in fatal Kansas hit-and-run

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Two Kansas men convicted for for their role in an April 2020 shooting death are going to prison.

On Tuesday,&nbsp;Judge Bruce Brown sentenced William Moore, 54 of Wichita, to just over 22-years in the Kansas Department of Corrections and Jesse Sweeney, 32 of Wichita, to just over 7 and one half years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Last month, 32-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=224582">Jesse Sweeney&nbsp;</a>pleaded guilty to&nbsp;kidnapping and aggravated assault, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;

On April 23, of 2020, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 200 block of North Charles in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;

Upon arrival, police found 30-year-old Blake Mayes on the front porch of the home with a gunshot wound to his body.&nbsp; EMS transported him to an area hospital where he died.

The investigation revealed a disturbance occurred at the home between Mayes and three other individuals including Sweeney, Moore and Mayes' girlfriend 36-year-old Bobbie Williams of Topeka. During the disturbance, Mayes was shot one time, causing his fatal injuries.

Police arrested Moore in Wichita and Williams in the Topeka.&nbsp;

Two weeks after the shooting, an alert citizen called 911 reporting seeing Sweeney at an apartment complex in the 200 block of North Topeka in Wichita, according to&nbsp; Davidson. Upon arrival, officers attempted to contact Sweeney at an apartment, and he fled out a window onto the fire escape and onto a separate floor of the apartments.

Police closed off the area, located Sweeney, and arrested him without further incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sweeney had previously been arrested and convicted of charges of possession of narcotic drugs, according to Davidson.

In February, 38-year-old Bobbie Williams was sentenced to 27-years in prison, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587856746805.png" alt="Moore photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Moore photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Two Kansas men convicted for for their role in an April 2020 shooting death are going to prison.On Tuesday,&nbsp;Judge Bruce Brown sentenced William Moore, 54 of Wichita, to just over 22-years in the Kansas Department of Corrections and Jesse Sweeney, 32 of Wichita, to just over 7 and one half years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587762685888.png" alt="Sweeney-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Sweeney-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Last month, 32-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=224582">Jesse Sweeney&nbsp;</a>pleaded guilty to&nbsp;kidnapping and aggravated assault, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.&nbsp;On April 23, of 2020, police responded to a shooting call at a home in the 200 block of North Charles in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.&nbsp;Upon arrival, police found 30-year-old Blake Mayes on the front porch of the home with a gunshot wound to his body.&nbsp; EMS transported him to an area hospital where he died.The investigation revealed a disturbance occurred at the home between Mayes and three other individuals including Sweeney, Moore and Mayes' girlfriend 36-year-old Bobbie Williams of Topeka. During the disturbance, Mayes was shot one time, causing his fatal injuries.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/4/1587900733026.png" alt="Williams-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Williams-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Police arrested Moore in Wichita and Williams in the Topeka.&nbsp;Two weeks after the shooting, an alert citizen called 911 reporting seeing Sweeney at an apartment complex in the 200 block of North Topeka in Wichita, according to&nbsp; Davidson. Upon arrival, officers attempted to contact Sweeney at an apartment, and he fled out a window onto the fire escape and onto a separate floor of the apartments.Police closed off the area, located Sweeney, and arrested him without further incident.&nbsp;&nbsp;Sweeney had previously been arrested and convicted of charges of possession of narcotic drugs, according to Davidson.In February, 38-year-old Bobbie Williams was sentenced to 27-years in prison, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp;

Two Kan. men sentenced for murder of woman's boyfriend

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp;

Just before 10:30 a.m., Oct. 12, the Brown County law enforcement dispatch received a call about a suspicious vehicle parked on the side of the road on Prairie near 280th with an individual possibly passed out, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

&nbsp;Deputies arrived and a male subject later identified as 50-year-old William Smalley of Independence, Missouri, was outside of the vehicle. 

As deputies approached, Smalley got back in to the vehicle.&nbsp; Upon speaking with Smalley, he gave deputies&nbsp; false information when asked for identification.&nbsp; Deputies&nbsp; also determined that the license plate on the vehicle was expired and came back to an entirely different vehicle.&nbsp; 

Smalley refused to comply with a request to exit the vehicle and obtained possession of a small black bag that was within his reach.

Deputies subsequently removed Smalley and after a short struggle placed him under arrested.&nbsp; 

The black bag had fallen to the ground during the struggle and contained a 9mm pistol which was in plain view.&nbsp; 

Only minor injuries were reported by the two deputies. Smalley is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Assault, Obstruction, Illegal Registration, No Proof of Insurance,Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697232112238.png" alt="Smalley-Photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Smalley-Photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp;Just before 10:30 a.m., Oct. 12, the Brown County law enforcement dispatch received a call about a suspicious vehicle parked on the side of the road on Prairie near 280th with an individual possibly passed out, according to Sheriff John Merchant.&nbsp;Deputies arrived and a male subject later identified as 50-year-old William Smalley of Independence, Missouri, was outside of the vehicle. As deputies approached, Smalley got back in to the vehicle.&nbsp; Upon speaking with Smalley, he gave deputies&nbsp; false information when asked for identification.&nbsp; Deputies&nbsp; also determined that the license plate on the vehicle was expired and came back to an entirely different vehicle.&nbsp; Smalley refused to comply with a request to exit the vehicle and obtained possession of a small black bag that was within his reach.Deputies subsequently removed Smalley and after a short struggle placed him under arrested.&nbsp; The black bag had fallen to the ground during the struggle and contained a 9mm pistol which was in plain view.&nbsp; Only minor injuries were reported by the two deputies. Smalley is being held on requested charges of Aggravated Assault, Obstruction, Illegal Registration, No Proof of Insurance,Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Kansas deputies injured during arrest of drug suspect

LOS ANGELES (AP) —Suzanne Somers, the effervescent blonde actor known for playing Chrissy Snow on the television show “Three’s Company” as well as her business endeavors, has died. She was 76.

Somers had breast cancer for over 23 years and died Sunday morning, her family said in a statement provided by her longtime publicist, R. Couri Hay. Her husband Alan Hamel, her son Bruce and other immediate family were with her in Palm Springs, California.

“Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th,” the statement read. “Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.”

In July, Somers shared on Instagram that her breast cancer had returned.

“Like any cancer patient, when you get that dreaded, ‘It’s back’ you get a pit in your stomach. Then I put on my battle gear and go to war," she told Entertainment Tonight at the time. "This is familiar battleground for me and I’m very tough.”

She was first diagnosed in 2000, and also had skin cancer. She faced some backlash for her reliance on what she's described as a chemical-free and organic lifestyle to combat the cancers. She argued against the use of chemotherapy, in books and on platforms like “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which drew criticism from the American Cancer Society.

Somers was born in 1946 in San Bruno, California, to a gardener father and a medical secretary mother. She began acting in the late 1960s, playing the blonde driving the white Thunderbird in George Lucas’s 1973 film “American Graffiti.” Her only line was mouthing the words “I love you” to Richard Dreyfuss’s character.

At her audition, Lucas just asked her if she could drive. She later said that moment “changed her life forever.”

Somers would later stage a one-woman Broadway show entitled “The Blonde in the Thunderbird,” which drew largely scathing reviews.

She appeared in many television shows in the 1970s, including “The Rockford Files,” “Magnum Force” and “The Six Million Dollar Man,” but her most famous part came with “Three’s Company,” which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1984 — though her participation ended in 1981.

On “Three’s Company,” she was the ditzy blonde opposite John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt in the roommate comedy. In 1980, after four seasons, she asked for a raise from $30,000 an episode to $150,000 an episode, which would have been comparable to what Ritter was getting paid. Hamel, a former television producer, had encouraged the ask.

“The show’s response was, ‘Who do you think you are?’” Somers told People in 2020. “They said, ‘John Ritter is the star.’”

She was soon fired and her character was replaced by two different roommates for the remaining years the show aired. It also led to a rift with her co-stars; They didn’t speak for many years. Somers did reconcile with Ritter before his death, and then with DeWitt on her online talk show.

But Somers took the break as an opportunity to pursue new avenues, including a Las Vegas act, writing books, hosting a talk show and becoming an entrepreneur. In the 1990s, she also became the spokesperson for the “Thighmaster.”

Somers returned to network television in the 1990s, most famously on “Step by Step,” which aired on ABC’s youth-targeted TGIF lineup. The network also aired a biopic of her life, starring her, called “Keeping Secrets.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697402588728.png" alt="Somers had breast cancer for over 23 years and died Sunday morning&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Somers had breast cancer for over 23 years and died Sunday morning&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) —Suzanne Somers, the effervescent blonde actor known for playing Chrissy Snow on the television show “Three’s Company” as well as her business endeavors, has died. She was 76.Somers had breast cancer for over 23 years and died Sunday morning, her family said in a statement provided by her longtime publicist, R. Couri Hay. Her husband Alan Hamel, her son Bruce and other immediate family were with her in Palm Springs, California.“Her family was gathered to celebrate her 77th birthday on October 16th,” the statement read. “Instead, they will celebrate her extraordinary life, and want to thank her millions of fans and followers who loved her dearly.”In July, Somers shared on Instagram that her breast cancer had returned.“Like any cancer patient, when you get that dreaded, ‘It’s back’ you get a pit in your stomach. Then I put on my battle gear and go to war," she told Entertainment Tonight at the time. "This is familiar battleground for me and I’m very tough.”She was first diagnosed in 2000, and also had skin cancer. She faced some backlash for her reliance on what she's described as a chemical-free and organic lifestyle to combat the cancers. She argued against the use of chemotherapy, in books and on platforms like “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” which drew criticism from the American Cancer Society.Somers was born in 1946 in San Bruno, California, to a gardener father and a medical secretary mother. She began acting in the late 1960s, playing the blonde driving the white Thunderbird in George Lucas’s 1973 film “American Graffiti.” Her only line was mouthing the words “I love you” to Richard Dreyfuss’s character.At her audition, Lucas just asked her if she could drive. She later said that moment “changed her life forever.”Somers would later stage a one-woman Broadway show entitled “The Blonde in the Thunderbird,” which drew largely scathing reviews.She appeared in many television shows in the 1970s, including “The Rockford Files,” “Magnum Force” and “The Six Million Dollar Man,” but her most famous part came with “Three’s Company,” which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1984 — though her participation ended in 1981.On “Three’s Company,” she was the ditzy blonde opposite John Ritter and Joyce DeWitt in the roommate comedy. In 1980, after four seasons, she asked for a raise from $30,000 an episode to $150,000 an episode, which would have been comparable to what Ritter was getting paid. Hamel, a former television producer, had encouraged the ask.“The show’s response was, ‘Who do you think you are?’” Somers told People in 2020. “They said, ‘John Ritter is the star.’”She was soon fired and her character was replaced by two different roommates for the remaining years the show aired. It also led to a rift with her co-stars; They didn’t speak for many years. Somers did reconcile with Ritter before his death, and then with DeWitt on her online talk show.But Somers took the break as an opportunity to pursue new avenues, including a Las Vegas act, writing books, hosting a talk show and becoming an entrepreneur. In the 1990s, she also became the spokesperson for the “Thighmaster.”Somers returned to network television in the 1990s, most famously on “Step by Step,” which aired on ABC’s youth-targeted TGIF lineup. The network also aired a biopic of her life, starring her, called “Keeping Secrets.”

Suzanne Somers, of ‘Three’s Company,’ dies at 76

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Wichita man was sentenced 60 months in prison for having a gun while trafficking narcotics, according to the United State's Attorney.

According to court documents, Clinton Bruner, 59, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The charge stems from a November 2022 search warrant at Bruner’s home where officers found approximately one kilogram of powder cocaine in a basement and another ounce of cocaine in a bedroom. Law enforcement also found two firearms, a M&amp;P Shield .40 caliber handgun and a Berretta Nano 9mm firearm. After Bruner had been read his Miranda rights, he admitted to selling drugs, and he said that the firearms were his for protection because he had recently been robbed.

Bruner has eleven previous convictions for drugs, theft, aggravated battery and driving while habitual violator.

“Whenever guns are in the hands of illegal drug traffickers, the threat of violence increases exponentially. This not only endangers the lives of those involved in criminal activity, but also puts entire communities at great risk of being caught in crossfire,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher.

The Wichita Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671658565944.png" alt="Bruner-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Bruner-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Wichita man was sentenced 60 months in prison for having a gun while trafficking narcotics, according to the United State's Attorney.According to court documents, Clinton Bruner, 59, of Wichita pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.The charge stems from a November 2022 search warrant at Bruner’s home where officers found approximately one kilogram of powder cocaine in a basement and another ounce of cocaine in a bedroom. Law enforcement also found two firearms, a M&amp;P Shield .40 caliber handgun and a Berretta Nano 9mm firearm. After Bruner had been read his Miranda rights, he admitted to selling drugs, and he said that the firearms were his for protection because he had recently been robbed.Bruner has eleven previous convictions for drugs, theft, aggravated battery and driving while habitual violator.“Whenever guns are in the hands of illegal drug traffickers, the threat of violence increases exponentially. This not only endangers the lives of those involved in criminal activity, but also puts entire communities at great risk of being caught in crossfire,” said U.S. Attorney Kate E. Brubacher.The Wichita Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case.

Kansas felon admitted having guns while selling cocaine

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A dozen state or county agencies have parted ways with tens of thousands of dollars in federal grants meant to help monitor teenagers' sexual behaviors and try to lower rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

The withdrawals reflect a shift in many states that is further complicating and polarizing sex education in K-12 schools as some Republican-led legislatures more strictly regulate when and what students learn about their bodies. The new laws are part of a broad push to fortify “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-education-gender-identity-0e2ca2cf0ef7d7bc6ef5b125f1ee0969">parents' rights</a>&nbsp;” and strike LGBTQ+ content from the classroom,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-republicans-president-mama-bears-moms-desantis-a96ae3d1ed167f823360e7645ca4b519">core themes</a>&nbsp;that have flooded the campaign for the GOP&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">presidential nomination</a>.

Experts are concerned students won’t reliably learn about adolescence, safe sexual activity or relationship violence, topics they say are especially important since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2021/default.htm">sexually transmitted diseases rose after the pandemic</a>&nbsp;and access to abortion is increasingly restricted.

Anne-Marie Amies Oelschlager, a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist at Seattle Children's Hospital, said a trained, trusted adult is critical for young people to get good information versus other, less trustworthy sources like social media.

“When we stop talking about these things or ... try to push things under the rug, we just increase risk," she said.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/teen-sex-survey-high-school-3d45d0441f531d1da9f5b44373becee4">Fewer teens are sexually active</a>, a 2021 government survey showed, but federal data that year also suggest teens and young adults made up half of all people with STDs. For the youngest generations, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/teen-sex-sexual-intercourse-meaning-fa0b10e0fb7e8fd8fd72ac9990c3321a">language about sex is evolving</a>.

This year, lawmakers passed bans on teaching human sexuality before fourth grade in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-governor-transgender-students-book-bans-b3662d950080cf43965bce58692bfc70">Indiana</a>&nbsp;and sexual reproduction or sexual intercourse before fifth grade in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huckabee-sanders-vouchers-schools-lgbtq-education-teachers-bd56e89399d401ea44018cc92a5116ee">Arkansas</a>. In Kentucky, educators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-transgender-c90d6b61a3e1e717fc1280be9d2eb529">can't teach sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases before sixth grade</a>, and parents must provide consent for older students. A handful of states require parents to opt in to instruction instead of opting out.

In Florida, materials about reproductive health, human sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/desantis-florida-dont-say-gay-ban-684ed25a303f83208a89c556543183cb">for any grade</a>&nbsp;must be approved by state officials. A letter from the state agency indicates curriculum was due for review by the end of September.

Advocates for comprehensive sex education say the restrictions in early education may prevent kids from getting age-appropriate foundational knowledge that they build on each year, said Alison Macklin, director of policy and advocacy at the progressive sex education organization SIECUS.

“You were never going to teach a first grader a trigonometry lesson, right?” she said. “But they have to have foundational knowledge in first grade to be able to get to that in high school."

“Sex education is exactly the same," Macklin continued, suggesting young people aren't prepared for puberty if they haven't already learned “foundational things like correct terminology for body parts.”

Puberty for girls begins between ages 8 to 13 and typically two years later for boys. To comply with the new law in Kentucky, for example, the state’s education agency advised schools eliminate fifth-grade lessons on puberty and reproductive body parts.

The consensus was sex education in elementary school “wasn’t necessary or appropriate in any context,” said David Walls, executive director of The Family Foundation, a Christian organization in Kentucky that advocated for the law.

Many parents disagree with the boundaries around what is considered age appropriate by sex ed advocates, he said, particularly when it comes to gender identity and “the idea that biological sex is not an immutable characteristic."

The law "sets a base level of protection for parents to be able to be the ones that can review the curriculum and make a decision as to whether that’s something they’d like their child to participate in,” Walls said.

There is federal guidance for developing evidence-based and age-appropriate sexual health curricula, but state laws and local implementation run the gamut.

Twenty-eight states require sex education, and 35 require HIV education, according to tracking by the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. Most states require any instruction on sex or disease prevention to include abstinence, and most states allow parents to opt out.

While many states have curtailed sex education, others have codified comprehensive and inclusive standards. Massachusetts, for example, recently announced new sexual health education guidelines, which were last updated in 1999.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services award millions of dollars for programs designed, in part, to track teen behavior and teach abstinence and contraception with the goal of creating safe environments and preventing pregnancy and diseases.

Idaho's Division of Public Health said it no longer administered the HHS grant for personal responsibility education programs, or PREP, as of July 1 after lawmakers did not approve the spending during the legislative session.

New Hampshire withdrew from PREP funding after a five-member Republican-led council that approves contracts repeatedly blocked funding in 2022. However, PREP funding doesn't necessarily disappear if a state's officials reject it; instead, it can be awarded directly to local organizations, which is now the case in New Hampshire.

A different grant is provided by the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health for a biennial youth survey. Since March 2022, six states have discontinued the agreement to conduct the survey: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa and South Carolina. Some of those states also have new laws restricting schools’ ability to administer surveys.

Four Florida counties encompassing parts of the Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami metro areas also withdrew from another CDC grant to expand student health resources and education.

The CDC will “always promote the best available science,” said Kathleen Ethier, director of the agency’s Division of Adolescent and School Health. The agency said it is committed to collecting data revealing youth health challenges and recommending evidence-based programs addressing them.

Ethier said there is always a “disconnect” between their recommendations and state and local policies, but she is less focused on any given health class "than the whole school environment.”

“I worry any time educators don’t feel able to thoughtfully answer young people’s questions,” Ethier said.

Teenagers' curiosity drives Teen Health Mississippi, a organization that trains educators and offers supplemental programs for parents and teens.

About a quarter of the state's counties work with the nonprofit and the state's health agency to implement an “abstinence-plus” program, an option schools have to teach about contraception in addition to the now-permanent requirement to teach abstinence.

Hope Crenshaw, the organization's director, said low percentage of counties suggests “a lot of young people aren’t getting that information and many of them are getting it based on their zip code."

“Young people want information to protect themselves,” Crenshaw said.

Kayla Smith is among them. The 18-year-old freshman at the University of Mississippi volunteered to be a youth advocate with Teen Health Mississippi, engaging her peers and answering their questions.

The topic of sex in Mississippi is “taboo,” Smith said. She remembers just one optional day of sex education in middle school.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A dozen state or county agencies have parted ways with tens of thousands of dollars in federal grants meant to help monitor teenagers' sexual behaviors and try to lower rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.The withdrawals reflect a shift in many states that is further complicating and polarizing sex education in K-12 schools as some Republican-led legislatures more strictly regulate when and what students learn about their bodies. The new laws are part of a broad push to fortify “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-education-gender-identity-0e2ca2cf0ef7d7bc6ef5b125f1ee0969">parents' rights</a>&nbsp;” and strike LGBTQ+ content from the classroom,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-republicans-president-mama-bears-moms-desantis-a96ae3d1ed167f823360e7645ca4b519">core themes</a>&nbsp;that have flooded the campaign for the GOP&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">presidential nomination</a>.Experts are concerned students won’t reliably learn about adolescence, safe sexual activity or relationship violence, topics they say are especially important since&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2021/default.htm">sexually transmitted diseases rose after the pandemic</a>&nbsp;and access to abortion is increasingly restricted.Anne-Marie Amies Oelschlager, a pediatric and adolescent gynecologist at Seattle Children's Hospital, said a trained, trusted adult is critical for young people to get good information versus other, less trustworthy sources like social media.“When we stop talking about these things or ... try to push things under the rug, we just increase risk," she said.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/teen-sex-survey-high-school-3d45d0441f531d1da9f5b44373becee4">Fewer teens are sexually active</a>, a 2021 government survey showed, but federal data that year also suggest teens and young adults made up half of all people with STDs. For the youngest generations, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/teen-sex-sexual-intercourse-meaning-fa0b10e0fb7e8fd8fd72ac9990c3321a">language about sex is evolving</a>.This year, lawmakers passed bans on teaching human sexuality before fourth grade in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/indiana-governor-transgender-students-book-bans-b3662d950080cf43965bce58692bfc70">Indiana</a>&nbsp;and sexual reproduction or sexual intercourse before fifth grade in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/huckabee-sanders-vouchers-schools-lgbtq-education-teachers-bd56e89399d401ea44018cc92a5116ee">Arkansas</a>. In Kentucky, educators&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-transgender-c90d6b61a3e1e717fc1280be9d2eb529">can't teach sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases before sixth grade</a>, and parents must provide consent for older students. A handful of states require parents to opt in to instruction instead of opting out.In Florida, materials about reproductive health, human sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/desantis-florida-dont-say-gay-ban-684ed25a303f83208a89c556543183cb">for any grade</a>&nbsp;must be approved by state officials. A letter from the state agency indicates curriculum was due for review by the end of September.Advocates for comprehensive sex education say the restrictions in early education may prevent kids from getting age-appropriate foundational knowledge that they build on each year, said Alison Macklin, director of policy and advocacy at the progressive sex education organization SIECUS.“You were never going to teach a first grader a trigonometry lesson, right?” she said. “But they have to have foundational knowledge in first grade to be able to get to that in high school."“Sex education is exactly the same," Macklin continued, suggesting young people aren't prepared for puberty if they haven't already learned “foundational things like correct terminology for body parts.”Puberty for girls begins between ages 8 to 13 and typically two years later for boys. To comply with the new law in Kentucky, for example, the state’s education agency advised schools eliminate fifth-grade lessons on puberty and reproductive body parts.The consensus was sex education in elementary school “wasn’t necessary or appropriate in any context,” said David Walls, executive director of The Family Foundation, a Christian organization in Kentucky that advocated for the law.Many parents disagree with the boundaries around what is considered age appropriate by sex ed advocates, he said, particularly when it comes to gender identity and “the idea that biological sex is not an immutable characteristic."The law "sets a base level of protection for parents to be able to be the ones that can review the curriculum and make a decision as to whether that’s something they’d like their child to participate in,” Walls said.There is federal guidance for developing evidence-based and age-appropriate sexual health curricula, but state laws and local implementation run the gamut.Twenty-eight states require sex education, and 35 require HIV education, according to tracking by the Guttmacher Institute, a research group that supports abortion rights. Most states require any instruction on sex or disease prevention to include abstinence, and most states allow parents to opt out.While many states have curtailed sex education, others have codified comprehensive and inclusive standards. Massachusetts, for example, recently announced new sexual health education guidelines, which were last updated in 1999.The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services award millions of dollars for programs designed, in part, to track teen behavior and teach abstinence and contraception with the goal of creating safe environments and preventing pregnancy and diseases.Idaho's Division of Public Health said it no longer administered the HHS grant for personal responsibility education programs, or PREP, as of July 1 after lawmakers did not approve the spending during the legislative session.New Hampshire withdrew from PREP funding after a five-member Republican-led council that approves contracts repeatedly blocked funding in 2022. However, PREP funding doesn't necessarily disappear if a state's officials reject it; instead, it can be awarded directly to local organizations, which is now the case in New Hampshire.A different grant is provided by the CDC’s Division of Adolescent and School Health for a biennial youth survey. Since March 2022, six states have discontinued the agreement to conduct the survey: Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa and South Carolina. Some of those states also have new laws restricting schools’ ability to administer surveys.Four Florida counties encompassing parts of the Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville and Miami metro areas also withdrew from another CDC grant to expand student health resources and education.The CDC will “always promote the best available science,” said Kathleen Ethier, director of the agency’s Division of Adolescent and School Health. The agency said it is committed to collecting data revealing youth health challenges and recommending evidence-based programs addressing them.Ethier said there is always a “disconnect” between their recommendations and state and local policies, but she is less focused on any given health class "than the whole school environment.”“I worry any time educators don’t feel able to thoughtfully answer young people’s questions,” Ethier said.Teenagers' curiosity drives Teen Health Mississippi, a organization that trains educators and offers supplemental programs for parents and teens.About a quarter of the state's counties work with the nonprofit and the state's health agency to implement an “abstinence-plus” program, an option schools have to teach about contraception in addition to the now-permanent requirement to teach abstinence.Hope Crenshaw, the organization's director, said low percentage of counties suggests “a lot of young people aren’t getting that information and many of them are getting it based on their zip code."“Young people want information to protect themselves,” Crenshaw said.Kayla Smith is among them. The 18-year-old freshman at the University of Mississippi volunteered to be a youth advocate with Teen Health Mississippi, engaging her peers and answering their questions.The topic of sex in Mississippi is “taboo,” Smith said. She remembers just one optional day of sex education in middle school.

Stricter state laws are chipping away at sex education in K-12 schools

Quivira’s water rights supersede most farms in the region, but irrigation upstream has severely limited water access

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

Federal officials have agreed to pause their demand for water for the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in favor of working with state and local agencies to find a solution.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operates the Quivira refuge in Stafford County. Its rare inland marshes provide a vital stopping point for migratory birds.

But in recent years, Rattlesnake Creek, which normally flows into the refuge, has been all but dry. The refuge received less than its fair share of water in two out of every three years between 2008 and 2021, a report by the state found, because of irrigation upstream from the refuge.&nbsp;

The continued lack of sufficient water led the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to write to the state in February requesting that the state ensure the refuge’s fair share of water.

Quivira holds a state water right, entitling it to more than 14,000 acre-feet of water each year. And establishment of that water right in 1957 makes it a more senior user than many farms in the region, giving it higher priority to water flows.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in February filed a “request to secure water” with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, a process by which water right holders with seniority, like Quivira, can request that the state force junior water right holders to cut back.&nbsp;

The move was criticized by elected officials and farm groups.

Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, said forcing farmers to cut back their water use “could devastate the entire region.”

In a letter to the Kansas Department of Agriculture on Wednesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to press pause on its request to secure water in favor of a collaborative approach to solving the issue.

“We remain open to and supportive of a collaborative approach that makes meaningful progress in addressing the impairment of the water right at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge while minimizing the impact to other water users and the local communities in which they live,” the service wrote.

But if that approach doesn’t work, the letter says, the service will again request to secure water for the refuge.

Kelly and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, celebrated the service’s pledge in a news release.

“I am pleased that both parties have agreed to collaborate on a sustainable solution for all who rely on the Rattlesnake Creek Basin,” Kelly said. “By working together, we can show how agricultural producers and all water rights holders can rise to the challenge to meet our state’s water needs now and into the future.”

Moran said he appreciated the service’s effort to listen to Kansans.

“It is important we establish long-term solutions that support the refuge and the regional economy,” Moran said, “and I am pleased that all parties are working together towards a sustainable future for the watershed and our Kansas producers.”

The Kansas Farm Bureau’s president, Joe Newland, commended Kelly and Moran’s bipartisan approach to finding a resolution.

“Kansas Farm Bureau, working directly alongside impacted farmers and ranchers within the watershed, looks forward to working together to ensure the economic driver that is Kansas agriculture continues to prosper for decades to come under our priority-based water allocation system supplemented by augmentation,” Newland said in a news release.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1696013446266.png" alt=" A flock of green-winged teal settle on the marsh at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. (Rachel Laubhan/USFWS)" />
 <figcaption> A flock of green-winged teal settle on the marsh at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. (Rachel Laubhan/USFWS)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Quivira’s water rights supersede most farms in the region, but irrigation upstream has severely limited water access</h2>By ALLISON KITE,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/10/04/evergy-regulators-near-deal-on-kansas-electric-rates/">Kansas Reflector</a>Federal officials have agreed to pause their demand for water for the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in favor of working with state and local agencies to find a solution.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operates the Quivira refuge in Stafford County. Its rare inland marshes provide a vital stopping point for migratory birds.But in recent years, Rattlesnake Creek, which normally flows into the refuge, has been all but dry. The refuge received less than its fair share of water in two out of every three years between 2008 and 2021, a report by the state found, because of irrigation upstream from the refuge.&nbsp;The continued lack of sufficient water led the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to write to the state in February requesting that the state ensure the refuge’s fair share of water.Quivira holds a state water right, entitling it to more than 14,000 acre-feet of water each year. And establishment of that water right in 1957 makes it a more senior user than many farms in the region, giving it higher priority to water flows.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in February filed a “request to secure water” with the Kansas Department of Agriculture, a process by which water right holders with seniority, like Quivira, can request that the state force junior water right holders to cut back.&nbsp;The move was criticized by elected officials and farm groups.Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat, said forcing farmers to cut back their water use “could devastate the entire region.”In a letter to the Kansas Department of Agriculture on Wednesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to press pause on its request to secure water in favor of a collaborative approach to solving the issue.“We remain open to and supportive of a collaborative approach that makes meaningful progress in addressing the impairment of the water right at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge while minimizing the impact to other water users and the local communities in which they live,” the service wrote.But if that approach doesn’t work, the letter says, the service will again request to secure water for the refuge.Kelly and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, celebrated the service’s pledge in a news release.“I am pleased that both parties have agreed to collaborate on a sustainable solution for all who rely on the Rattlesnake Creek Basin,” Kelly said. “By working together, we can show how agricultural producers and all water rights holders can rise to the challenge to meet our state’s water needs now and into the future.”Moran said he appreciated the service’s effort to listen to Kansans.“It is important we establish long-term solutions that support the refuge and the regional economy,” Moran said, “and I am pleased that all parties are working together towards a sustainable future for the watershed and our Kansas producers.”The Kansas Farm Bureau’s president, Joe Newland, commended Kelly and Moran’s bipartisan approach to finding a resolution.“Kansas Farm Bureau, working directly alongside impacted farmers and ranchers within the watershed, looks forward to working together to ensure the economic driver that is Kansas agriculture continues to prosper for decades to come under our priority-based water allocation system supplemented by augmentation,” Newland said in a news release.

Federal officials step back from water request at Kan. wildlife refuge 

Kansas advocacy group outlines issues with the state’s student meal debt policy, potential solutions in new report

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

TOPEKA — School lunch debt has snowballed in the year following the end of pandemic-era free meal programs. An advocacy group warns the debt accumulation could hurt and humiliate Kansas children in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansasappleseed.org/uploads/2/1/9/2/21929892/final_meal_debt_report.pdf">recently released report</a>.&nbsp;

“When Kansas kids are hungry, they can’t learn,” said Haley Kottler, director of a Kansas Appleseed campaign against child hunger. “Ensuring kids have what they need to thrive is imperative to our students’ success– in and out of the classroom.”&nbsp;

To create the report, Appleseed staff contacted the state’s 286 public school districts, receiving responses from about 20%. To fill in the gap, staff reviewed policies available on public school district websites, among other data sourcing.&nbsp;

The report follows the end of the free federal school meals program, which paid for breakfast and lunch for students at all income levels. The program was in place from March 2020 through June 2022, allowing Kansas’ 480,000 public school children access to free meals.&nbsp;

Since the program ended, families in the state have experienced a six-fold increase in school meal debt. Student lunch debt reached $23.5 million in 2023, according to Appleseed. For comparison, the state reported $4.5 million in school lunch debt in 2019. Increasing inflation and economic instability during and after the COVID-19 pandemic could play a factor in the increased debt.&nbsp;

Approximately 41% of Kansas students were signed up for free meals through the National School Lunch Program during the 2022-2023 school year, and another 7% received reduced school meals, but families must remain under a certain income threshold to be eligible for these reduced-price programs.

&nbsp;For&nbsp;example, a&nbsp;family of four has to make under $39,000 a year to qualify for free meals, and under $55,500 to qualify for reduced-priced meals, the report notes.&nbsp;

When the debt from school meals accumulates, only about 22% on average is paid off by parents, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://educationdata.org/school-lunch-debt">national statistics on school meal costs</a>.&nbsp;Despite low rates of payment, more than 40% of Kansans school districts use debt collection agencies, turning unpaid meal debt over to collection agencies, small claims courts, or the Kansas debt offset program— a measure that can have a long-lasting negative effect on a family.&nbsp;

Students themselves are singled out in the cafeteria when their families cannot afford to pay. Less than 5% of school districts in the state have documented policies allowing students with meal debt to continue receiving the same meal as fellow students.&nbsp;

Approximately 60% of school districts have documented policies allowing children an alternate meal, though the contents of the meal vary greatly across districts. Most districts offer either a cheese or peanut butter sandwich to these students, but others offer just a granola bar and milk, or canned fruit and crackers.&nbsp;

School districts that have higher rates of meal debt typically end up paying it through the district’s own funds, the report notes.&nbsp;

With this additional expense, many of the state’s school districts have been left in a “precarious financial position.”&nbsp;

<h2>Kansas advocacy group outlines issues with the state’s student meal debt policy, potential solutions in new report</h2>By&nbsp;RACHEL MIPRO&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — School lunch debt has snowballed in the year following the end of pandemic-era free meal programs. An advocacy group warns the debt accumulation could hurt and humiliate Kansas children in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansasappleseed.org/uploads/2/1/9/2/21929892/final_meal_debt_report.pdf">recently released report</a>.&nbsp;“When Kansas kids are hungry, they can’t learn,” said Haley Kottler, director of a Kansas Appleseed campaign against child hunger. “Ensuring kids have what they need to thrive is imperative to our students’ success– in and out of the classroom.”&nbsp;To create the report, Appleseed staff contacted the state’s 286 public school districts, receiving responses from about 20%. To fill in the gap, staff reviewed policies available on public school district websites, among other data sourcing.&nbsp;The report follows the end of the free federal school meals program, which paid for breakfast and lunch for students at all income levels. The program was in place from March 2020 through June 2022, allowing Kansas’ 480,000 public school children access to free meals.&nbsp;Since the program ended, families in the state have experienced a six-fold increase in school meal debt. Student lunch debt reached $23.5 million in 2023, according to Appleseed. For comparison, the state reported $4.5 million in school lunch debt in 2019. Increasing inflation and economic instability during and after the COVID-19 pandemic could play a factor in the increased debt.&nbsp;Approximately 41% of Kansas students were signed up for free meals through the National School Lunch Program during the 2022-2023 school year, and another 7% received reduced school meals, but families must remain under a certain income threshold to be eligible for these reduced-price programs.&nbsp;For&nbsp;example, a&nbsp;family of four has to make under $39,000 a year to qualify for free meals, and under $55,500 to qualify for reduced-priced meals, the report notes.&nbsp;When the debt from school meals accumulates, only about 22% on average is paid off by parents, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://educationdata.org/school-lunch-debt">national statistics on school meal costs</a>.&nbsp;Despite low rates of payment, more than 40% of Kansans school districts use debt collection agencies, turning unpaid meal debt over to collection agencies, small claims courts, or the Kansas debt offset program— a measure that can have a long-lasting negative effect on a family.&nbsp;Students themselves are singled out in the cafeteria when their families cannot afford to pay. Less than 5% of school districts in the state have documented policies allowing students with meal debt to continue receiving the same meal as fellow students.&nbsp;Approximately 60% of school districts have documented policies allowing children an alternate meal, though the contents of the meal vary greatly across districts. Most districts offer either a cheese or peanut butter sandwich to these students, but others offer just a granola bar and milk, or canned fruit and crackers.&nbsp;School districts that have higher rates of meal debt typically end up paying it through the district’s own funds, the report notes.&nbsp;With this additional expense, many of the state’s school districts have been left in a “precarious financial position.”&nbsp;“On average, it currently costs more to produce a school meal than school districts are charging or being reimbursed for,” the report reads. “This is likely an even larger challenge now that increased federal reimbursements for school meals have expired.”&nbsp;The organization’s recommendations include ending debt collection practices, having the state subsidize portions of the lunch program and changing unpaid meal fee policies that humiliate students in the cafeteria.&nbsp;“I look forward to working with school districts and community partners to ensure that every child in every district has consistent access to school meals, said Martha Terhaar, a Kansas Appleseed advocate campaigning against child hunger. “Together, we can build policies that guarantee every student is fed.”