LOS ANGELES (AP) —Jerry Moss, a music industry giant who co-founded A&amp;M Records with Herb Alpert and rose from a Los Angeles garage to the heights of success with hits by Alpert, the Police,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-lifestyle-california-richard-carpenter-karen-carpenter-c3d79d349ec958a2146804b95ee04f18">the Carpenters</a>&nbsp;and hundreds of other performers, has died at 88.

Moss, inducted with Alpert into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, died Wednesday at his home in Bel Air, California, according to a statement released by his family. He died of natural causes, his widow Tina told The Associated Press.

“They truly don’t make them like him anymore and we will miss conversations with him about everything under the sun,” the statement reads in part, “the twinkle in his eyes as he approached every moment ready for the next adventure.”

For more than 25 years, Alpert and Moss presided over one of the industry's most successful independent labels, releasing such blockbuster albums as Alpert's “Whipped Cream &amp; Other Delights,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/carole-king">Carole King's</a>&nbsp;“Tapestry” and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/peter-frampton">Peter Frampton's</a>&nbsp;“Frampton Comes Alive!” They were home to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f25940ce392e4302a307e9847e7fbc80">the Carpenters</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cat-stevens-album-king-land-38ea9f80a80803d0d214a39c0d95728e">Cat Stevens,</a><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/janet-jackson">Janet Jackson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/soundgarden-chris-cornell-vicky-lawsuit-recordings-7c79d7e92ef962dc69225e07a109f67e">Soundgarden,</a><a href="https://apnews.com/79d1bef5fc54495d8da01adfa38f893b/joe-cocker-dies-70">Joe Cocker</a>&nbsp;and Suzanne Vega, the Go-Gos and Sheryl Crow.

Among the label's singles: Alpert's “A Taste of Honey,” the Captain and Tennille's “Love Will Keep Us Together,” Frampton's “Show Me the Way” and “Every Breath You Take,” by the Police.

“Every once in a while a record would come through us and Herbie would look at me and say, ‘What did we do to deserve this, that this amazing thing is going to come out on our label?’” Moss told Artist House Music, an archive and resource center, in 2007.

His music connections also led to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jerry-moss-horse-racing-1d4753a5fe8e783b5cb8112f0857a8bd">a lucrative horse racing business</a>&nbsp;that he owned with his second wife, Ann Holbrook. In 1962, record manufacturer Nate Duroff lent Alpert and Moss $35,000 so they could print 350,000 copies of Alpert's instrumental "The Lonely Bull," the label's first major hit. A decade later, Duroff convinced Moss to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0f92ef9ef12b47b087d77db2d1f044cd">invest in horses.</a>

The Mosses' Giacomo, named for the son of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sting">A&amp;M artist Sting,</a>&nbsp;won the Kentucky Derby in 2005.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zenyatta-broodmare-career-ends-1cb8ded172a64395bd65ef5253da4505">Zenyatta,</a>&nbsp;in honor of the Police album "Zenyatta Mondatta," was runner-up for Horse of the Year in 2008 and 2009 and won the following year. A hit single by Sting gave Moss the name for another profitable horse, Set Them Free.

Moss made one of his last public appearances in January when he was honored with a tribute concert at the Mark Taper Forum in downtown Los Angeles. Among the performers were Frampton, Amy Grant and Dionne Warwick, who wasn't an A&amp;M artist but had been close to Moss from the time he helped promote her music in the early 1960s. While Moss didn’t speak at the ceremony, many others praised him.

“Herb was the artist and Jerry had the vision. It just changed the face of the record industry,” singer Rita Coolidge said on the event’s red carpet. “Certainly A&amp;M made such a difference and it’s where everybody wanted to be.”

Moss' survivors include his second wife, Tina Morse, and three children.

Born in New York City and an English major at Brooklyn College, Moss had wanted to work in show business since waiting tables in his 20s and noticing that the entertainment industry patrons seemed to be having so much fun. After a six-month Army stint, he found work as a promoter for Coed Records and eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he met and befriended Alpert, a trumpeter, songwriter and entrepreneur.

With an investment of $100 each, they formed Carnival Records and had a local hit with "Tell It to the Birds," an Alpert ballad released under the name of his son, Dore Alpert. After learning that another company was called Carnival, Alpert and Moss used the initials of their last names and renamed their business A&amp;M, working out an office in Alpert's garage and designing the distinctive logo with the trumpet across the bottom.

"We had a desk, piano, piano stool, a couch, coffee table and two phone lines. And that for the two of us worked out very well, because we could go over the songs on the piano and make phone calls to the distributors," Moss later told Billboard. "We also had an answering service at the time. I'd do all my own billing."

For several years they specialized in "easy listening" acts such as Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Brazilian artist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5668be45b7f84a5e88bb50c9b32090ff">Sergio Mendes</a>&nbsp;and the folk-rock trio the Sandpipers. After attending the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, rock's first major festival, Moss began adding rock performers, including Cocker,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-europe-music-arts-and-entertainment-london-65ab9d9862893ff8f75afaf0879ffc72">Procol Harum</a>&nbsp;and Free.

One of their biggest triumphs was "Frampton Comes Alive!" a live double album from 1976 that sold more than 6 million copies in its first year and transformed Frampton from mid-level performer to superstar.

"Peter was a huge live star in markets like Detroit and San Francisco, so we made a suggestion that he make a live record," Moss told Rolling Stone in 2002. "What he was doing onstage wasn't like the records — it was outrageously better. I remember being at the mix of 'Frampton Comes Alive!' at Electric Lady studios, and I was so blown away I asked to make it a double album."

A&amp;M continued to expand their catalog through the 1970s and '80s, taking on the Police, Squeeze, Joe Jackson and other British New Wave artists, R&amp;B musicians Janet Jackson and Barry White and country rockers 38 Special and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.

By the late '80s, Alpert and Moss were operating out of a Hollywood lot where Charlie Chaplin once made movies, but they struggled to keep up with ever-higher recording contracts and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2b90d45f86ab423f8654071f8bf4cff2">sold A&amp;M</a>&nbsp;to Polygram for an estimated $500 million. They remained at the label, but clashed with Polygram's management and left in 1993, one of their last signings a singer-musician from Kennett, Missouri:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sheryl-crow">Sheryl Crow.</a>&nbsp;(Alpert and Moss later sued Polygram for violating their contract’s integrity clause and reached a $200 million settlement.)

For a few years, Alpert and Moss ran Almo Records, where performers included Garbage, Imogen Heap and Gillian Welch.

"We wanted people to be happy," Moss told The New York Times in 2010. “You can't force people to do a certain kind of music. They make their best music when they are doing what they want to do, not what we want them to do.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692266627571.png" alt="Moss, inducted with Alpert into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, died Wednesday at his home in Bel Air, California," />
 <figcaption>Moss, inducted with Alpert into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, died Wednesday at his home in Bel Air, California,</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES (AP) —Jerry Moss, a music industry giant who co-founded A&amp;M Records with Herb Alpert and rose from a Los Angeles garage to the heights of success with hits by Alpert, the Police,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-lifestyle-california-richard-carpenter-karen-carpenter-c3d79d349ec958a2146804b95ee04f18">the Carpenters</a>&nbsp;and hundreds of other performers, has died at 88.Moss, inducted with Alpert into the Rock &amp; Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, died Wednesday at his home in Bel Air, California, according to a statement released by his family. He died of natural causes, his widow Tina told The Associated Press.“They truly don’t make them like him anymore and we will miss conversations with him about everything under the sun,” the statement reads in part, “the twinkle in his eyes as he approached every moment ready for the next adventure.”For more than 25 years, Alpert and Moss presided over one of the industry's most successful independent labels, releasing such blockbuster albums as Alpert's “Whipped Cream &amp; Other Delights,”&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/carole-king">Carole King's</a>&nbsp;“Tapestry” and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/peter-frampton">Peter Frampton's</a>&nbsp;“Frampton Comes Alive!” They were home to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/f25940ce392e4302a307e9847e7fbc80">the Carpenters</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cat-stevens-album-king-land-38ea9f80a80803d0d214a39c0d95728e">Cat Stevens,</a><a href="https://apnews.com/hub/janet-jackson">Janet Jackson</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/soundgarden-chris-cornell-vicky-lawsuit-recordings-7c79d7e92ef962dc69225e07a109f67e">Soundgarden,</a><a href="https://apnews.com/79d1bef5fc54495d8da01adfa38f893b/joe-cocker-dies-70">Joe Cocker</a>&nbsp;and Suzanne Vega, the Go-Gos and Sheryl Crow.Among the label's singles: Alpert's “A Taste of Honey,” the Captain and Tennille's “Love Will Keep Us Together,” Frampton's “Show Me the Way” and “Every Breath You Take,” by the Police.“Every once in a while a record would come through us and Herbie would look at me and say, ‘What did we do to deserve this, that this amazing thing is going to come out on our label?’” Moss told Artist House Music, an archive and resource center, in 2007.His music connections also led to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/jerry-moss-horse-racing-1d4753a5fe8e783b5cb8112f0857a8bd">a lucrative horse racing business</a>&nbsp;that he owned with his second wife, Ann Holbrook. In 1962, record manufacturer Nate Duroff lent Alpert and Moss $35,000 so they could print 350,000 copies of Alpert's instrumental "The Lonely Bull," the label's first major hit. A decade later, Duroff convinced Moss to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/0f92ef9ef12b47b087d77db2d1f044cd">invest in horses.</a>The Mosses' Giacomo, named for the son of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sting">A&amp;M artist Sting,</a>&nbsp;won the Kentucky Derby in 2005.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zenyatta-broodmare-career-ends-1cb8ded172a64395bd65ef5253da4505">Zenyatta,</a>&nbsp;in honor of the Police album "Zenyatta Mondatta," was runner-up for Horse of the Year in 2008 and 2009 and won the following year. A hit single by Sting gave Moss the name for another profitable horse, Set Them Free.Moss made one of his last public appearances in January when he was honored with a tribute concert at the Mark Taper Forum in downtown Los Angeles. Among the performers were Frampton, Amy Grant and Dionne Warwick, who wasn't an A&amp;M artist but had been close to Moss from the time he helped promote her music in the early 1960s. While Moss didn’t speak at the ceremony, many others praised him.“Herb was the artist and Jerry had the vision. It just changed the face of the record industry,” singer Rita Coolidge said on the event’s red carpet. “Certainly A&amp;M made such a difference and it’s where everybody wanted to be.”Moss' survivors include his second wife, Tina Morse, and three children.Born in New York City and an English major at Brooklyn College, Moss had wanted to work in show business since waiting tables in his 20s and noticing that the entertainment industry patrons seemed to be having so much fun. After a six-month Army stint, he found work as a promoter for Coed Records and eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he met and befriended Alpert, a trumpeter, songwriter and entrepreneur.With an investment of $100 each, they formed Carnival Records and had a local hit with "Tell It to the Birds," an Alpert ballad released under the name of his son, Dore Alpert. After learning that another company was called Carnival, Alpert and Moss used the initials of their last names and renamed their business A&amp;M, working out an office in Alpert's garage and designing the distinctive logo with the trumpet across the bottom."We had a desk, piano, piano stool, a couch, coffee table and two phone lines. And that for the two of us worked out very well, because we could go over the songs on the piano and make phone calls to the distributors," Moss later told Billboard. "We also had an answering service at the time. I'd do all my own billing."For several years they specialized in "easy listening" acts such as Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Brazilian artist&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5668be45b7f84a5e88bb50c9b32090ff">Sergio Mendes</a>&nbsp;and the folk-rock trio the Sandpipers. After attending the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, rock's first major festival, Moss began adding rock performers, including Cocker,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-europe-music-arts-and-entertainment-london-65ab9d9862893ff8f75afaf0879ffc72">Procol Harum</a>&nbsp;and Free.One of their biggest triumphs was "Frampton Comes Alive!" a live double album from 1976 that sold more than 6 million copies in its first year and transformed Frampton from mid-level performer to superstar."Peter was a huge live star in markets like Detroit and San Francisco, so we made a suggestion that he make a live record," Moss told Rolling Stone in 2002. "What he was doing onstage wasn't like the records — it was outrageously better. I remember being at the mix of 'Frampton Comes Alive!' at Electric Lady studios, and I was so blown away I asked to make it a double album."A&amp;M continued to expand their catalog through the 1970s and '80s, taking on the Police, Squeeze, Joe Jackson and other British New Wave artists, R&amp;B musicians Janet Jackson and Barry White and country rockers 38 Special and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils.By the late '80s, Alpert and Moss were operating out of a Hollywood lot where Charlie Chaplin once made movies, but they struggled to keep up with ever-higher recording contracts and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2b90d45f86ab423f8654071f8bf4cff2">sold A&amp;M</a>&nbsp;to Polygram for an estimated $500 million. They remained at the label, but clashed with Polygram's management and left in 1993, one of their last signings a singer-musician from Kennett, Missouri:&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sheryl-crow">Sheryl Crow.</a>&nbsp;(Alpert and Moss later sued Polygram for violating their contract’s integrity clause and reached a $200 million settlement.)For a few years, Alpert and Moss ran Almo Records, where performers included Garbage, Imogen Heap and Gillian Welch."We wanted people to be happy," Moss told The New York Times in 2010. “You can't force people to do a certain kind of music. They make their best music when they are doing what they want to do, not what we want them to do.”_____

Jerry Moss, co-founder of A&M Records dies at 88

RAWLINS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged cattle theft in northwest Kansas.

A member of the Kansas Livestock Associated reported 17-head of 200-350 pound calves were stolen in mid July ten miles northeast of Atwood, according to a media release from the sheriff's office. The calves are carry fresh brands of V arrow high on the right hip.

The Kansas Livestock Association is offering a $5000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

RAWLINS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating alleged cattle theft in northwest Kansas.A member of the Kansas Livestock Associated reported 17-head of 200-350 pound calves were stolen in mid July ten miles northeast of Atwood, according to a media release from the sheriff's office. The calves are carry fresh brands of V arrow high on the right hip.The Kansas Livestock Association is offering a $5000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

Reward offered after cattle reported stolen in NW Kansas

KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged in the July 13, 2023, fatal shooting of a man behind an office supply store on Main Street in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Dynell R. Jones faces Murder 2nd Degree, two counts of Armed Criminal Action and Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.

According to court records, police officers were alerted on the afternoon of July 13, 2023, by a woman driving on Linwood, near Troost Avenue, to a shooting behind a parking lot off Main Street.

 The victim was transported to an area hospital but died of his injuries. Officers located shell casings in an area adjacent to the parking lot. A witness told police she saw a man with a gun about the time the victim got back into the witness' vehicle, and then the witness heard gunfire. 

As the witness left the area, she saw the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his face. Jones&nbsp; told police he fired in the direction of the vehicle in which the victim was a passenger to scare off the victim.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692106811909.png" alt="Jones-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Jones-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A Kansas City man has been charged in the July 13, 2023, fatal shooting of a man behind an office supply store on Main Street in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Dynell R. Jones faces Murder 2nd Degree, two counts of Armed Criminal Action and Unlawful Use of a Weapon and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.According to court records, police officers were alerted on the afternoon of July 13, 2023, by a woman driving on Linwood, near Troost Avenue, to a shooting behind a parking lot off Main Street. The victim was transported to an area hospital but died of his injuries. Officers located shell casings in an area adjacent to the parking lot. A witness told police she saw a man with a gun about the time the victim got back into the witness' vehicle, and then the witness heard gunfire. As the witness left the area, she saw the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his face. Jones&nbsp; told police he fired in the direction of the vehicle in which the victim was a passenger to scare off the victim.&nbsp;

KC murder victim died after gunshot wound to his face

WICHITA, KAN. – A man and woman have been convicted of financial abuse and physical neglect of an 84-year-old Derby woman.

Tiffany Williams-McCune, 20 of Derby, pleaded no contest to two felony counts of mistreatment of an elder person, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.&nbsp; One count was for financial exploitation and one count was for neglecting the physical needs of the victim. 

In November, District Judge David Kaufman sentenced the woman to 12 months in prison. She is the great granddaughter of the elderly woman, Leslie Jeffries.

Jacoby Reeves, 23 of Derby, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of mistreatment of an elder person and a misdemeanor charge of mistreatment. The felony was related to neglecting the physical needs of Ms. Jeffries and the misdemeanor was related to financial exploitation. 

On July 28th, Judge Kaufman sentenced Reeves to 12 months of probation with an underlying sentence of 12 months in jail. If he violates the terms of his probation, Judge Kaufman could impose the jail sentence.

A joint investigation by the Derby Police Department and the Kansas Department of Children and Families revealed that the defendants were in a dating relationship and helped care for the victim in her home. The investigation showed that Williams-McCune and Reeves made unauthorized financial transactions totaling over $20,000 on the victim’s accounts while living with her.

The investigation further revealed that in December of 2021, Williams-McCune and Reeves ignored a medical emergency involving the victim and failed to get her help when she suffered a brain hemorrhage at home. Ms. Jeffries died a short time later in the hospital.

Derby police officers found the elderly woman unresponsive and lying awkwardly on a couch in the basement of the home on Dec. 7, 2021, while the defendants slept upstairs. The officers had gone to the house to check on Ms. Jeffries after being notified that other family members were concerned about her welfare. 

Ms. Jeffries had been showing symptoms of cognitive and physical impairment the previous day, but neither Williams-McCune nor Reeves sought medical care for her.

An autopsy showed that Ms. Jeffries had a variety of medical issues with a history of falling, which may have caused the subdural hematoma that led to her death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692133881748.png" alt="Williams-McCune-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Williams-McCune-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A man and woman have been convicted of financial abuse and physical neglect of an 84-year-old Derby woman.Tiffany Williams-McCune, 20 of Derby, pleaded no contest to two felony counts of mistreatment of an elder person, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney.&nbsp; One count was for financial exploitation and one count was for neglecting the physical needs of the victim. In November, District Judge David Kaufman sentenced the woman to 12 months in prison. She is the great granddaughter of the elderly woman, Leslie Jeffries.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692134057549.png" alt="Reeves-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Reeves-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Jacoby Reeves, 23 of Derby, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of mistreatment of an elder person and a misdemeanor charge of mistreatment. The felony was related to neglecting the physical needs of Ms. Jeffries and the misdemeanor was related to financial exploitation. On July 28th, Judge Kaufman sentenced Reeves to 12 months of probation with an underlying sentence of 12 months in jail. If he violates the terms of his probation, Judge Kaufman could impose the jail sentence.A joint investigation by the Derby Police Department and the Kansas Department of Children and Families revealed that the defendants were in a dating relationship and helped care for the victim in her home. The investigation showed that Williams-McCune and Reeves made unauthorized financial transactions totaling over $20,000 on the victim’s accounts while living with her.The investigation further revealed that in December of 2021, Williams-McCune and Reeves ignored a medical emergency involving the victim and failed to get her help when she suffered a brain hemorrhage at home. Ms. Jeffries died a short time later in the hospital.Derby police officers found the elderly woman unresponsive and lying awkwardly on a couch in the basement of the home on Dec. 7, 2021, while the defendants slept upstairs. The officers had gone to the house to check on Ms. Jeffries after being notified that other family members were concerned about her welfare. Ms. Jeffries had been showing symptoms of cognitive and physical impairment the previous day, but neither Williams-McCune nor Reeves sought medical care for her.An autopsy showed that Ms. Jeffries had a variety of medical issues with a history of falling, which may have caused the subdural hematoma that led to her death.

Kan. woman convicted of theft, neglect of great-grandmother

ELLIS —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspect for alleged theft in Ellis County.

Just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to Casey’s General Store, 213 Washington, in Ellis for a report of a robbery.

The victim reported that two men in an SUV with Florida plates had taken money out of his hand and fled the area.&nbsp; Officers arrived on scene shortly after the call was dispatched and searched the immediate area of the incident for the suspect vehicle.

Officers gathered a description of the suspects and the vehicle they were in and had it broadcast to other law enforcement agencies in the area.

The Kansas Highway Patrol found the suspects just east of the Toulon exit on Interstate 70 at about 7:19 p.m. Using a photograph of the suspects, the victim was able to confirm the suspects who were stopped were the ones involved in the incident.&nbsp;

The suspects were then identified as Ungurel Andrei Mutu, 32 and Dragos Iosif Grozavu, 31, both of Romania.

A juvenile also was in the vehicle. Grozavu and Mutu were then placed under arrest without incident and transported to the Ellis County Jail, where they are being held on requested charges of robbery.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692221509033.png" alt="Grozavu-photo Ellis Co." />
 <figcaption>Grozavu-photo Ellis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLIS —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspect for alleged theft in Ellis County.Just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to Casey’s General Store, 213 Washington, in Ellis for a report of a robbery.The victim reported that two men in an SUV with Florida plates had taken money out of his hand and fled the area.&nbsp; Officers arrived on scene shortly after the call was dispatched and searched the immediate area of the incident for the suspect vehicle.Officers gathered a description of the suspects and the vehicle they were in and had it broadcast to other law enforcement agencies in the area.The Kansas Highway Patrol found the suspects just east of the Toulon exit on Interstate 70 at about 7:19 p.m. Using a photograph of the suspects, the victim was able to confirm the suspects who were stopped were the ones involved in the incident.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692221449405.png" alt="Mutu-photo Ellis Co." />
 <figcaption>Mutu-photo Ellis Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The suspects were then identified as Ungurel Andrei Mutu, 32 and Dragos Iosif Grozavu, 31, both of Romania.A juvenile also was in the vehicle. Grozavu and Mutu were then placed under arrest without incident and transported to the Ellis County Jail, where they are being held on requested charges of robbery.

2 Romanian nationals captured on I-70 after alleged theft

THOMAS COUNTY – Over the past four weeks the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office worked alongside the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Colby Police Department, and the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) on an investigation involving the distribution and manufacturing of controlled substances, according to a media release from the KBI.

On Aug. 14 and Aug. 15, multiple search warrants were executed in Thomas County with assistance from the KBI High Risk Warrant Team, the KBI Clandestine Laboratory Team, and the Colby Police Department. Located during a search of a residence was methamphetamine, an active marijuana grow, and paraphernalia and other illegal items used in drug manufacturing.

Jensina Sporing, 39, of Colby, Kansas, was arrested on multiple requested felony charges including distribution of a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, unlawful drug proceeds from a transaction, use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation, and two counts of use or possess with the intent to use drug paraphernalia.

Lawrence Hapke, 47, also of Colby, was arrested on requested charges of possession of a controlled substance, use or possess with the intent to use drug paraphernalia, and interference with law enforcement.

The suspects were booked into the Thomas County Jail. Another arrest connected to this operation is expected.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692217201020.png" alt="Hapke photo Thomas Co." />
 <figcaption>Hapke photo Thomas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>THOMAS COUNTY – Over the past four weeks the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office worked alongside the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Colby Police Department, and the Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) on an investigation involving the distribution and manufacturing of controlled substances, according to a media release from the KBI.On Aug. 14 and Aug. 15, multiple search warrants were executed in Thomas County with assistance from the KBI High Risk Warrant Team, the KBI Clandestine Laboratory Team, and the Colby Police Department. Located during a search of a residence was methamphetamine, an active marijuana grow, and paraphernalia and other illegal items used in drug manufacturing.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692217229186.png" alt="Sporing-photo Thomas Co." />
 <figcaption>Sporing-photo Thomas Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Jensina Sporing, 39, of Colby, Kansas, was arrested on multiple requested felony charges including distribution of a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, unlawful drug proceeds from a transaction, use of a communication facility in the commission of a felony drug violation, and two counts of use or possess with the intent to use drug paraphernalia.Lawrence Hapke, 47, also of Colby, was arrested on requested charges of possession of a controlled substance, use or possess with the intent to use drug paraphernalia, and interference with law enforcement.The suspects were booked into the Thomas County Jail. Another arrest connected to this operation is expected.

KBI finds meth, marijuana grow operation at NW Kan. home

Kobach wants judge to reject motion; ACLU supports their right to take part in case

BY:&nbsp;TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — A Shawnee County District Court judge said Wednesday she would quickly respond to a request by transgender Kansans to intervene in a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Kris Kobach seeking affirmation of his belief a new state law required driver’s licenses to reflect a person’s sex assigned at birth.

District Judge Theresa Watson presided at a hearing in which the Kansas Department of Revenue, the defendant in Kobach’s suit; ACLU attorney Sharon Brett, who represented the five transgender individuals; and Tony Powell, the solicitor for the attorney general; fleshed out arguments made in written legal briefs.

The revenue department’s lawyer, Pedro Irigonegaray, said the agency wasn’t representing any private citizens in the lawsuit brought by Kobach. Brett said her clients deserved to be heard by the district court weighing possible violation of their constitutional rights.

And, Powell said the judge shouldn’t allow interveners to intrude upon Kobach’s simple request for interpretation of state law guiding sex designations on Kansas driver’s licenses.

During the hearing, Watson posed questions suggesting skepticism transgender persons had a right to have a seat in the courtroom. She indicated consenting to their request might delay resolution of the attorney general’s suit.

“I’m going to issue a written opinion in a day or so,” Watson said.

The judge issued in July an temporary restraining order directing the revenue department to cease amending the sex designation on driver’s licenses pending outcome of the lawsuit. She also set a Nov. 1 hearing on Kobach’s request for an injunction against the Department of Revenue.

After the hearing, Kobach said it would be “very unusual” for a district court to permit private citizens to insert themselves in a case in which one portion of the executive branch was suing another segment of the executive branch of state government.

He preferred the district court stick to the fundamental question of how driver’s licenses would be handled and set aside constitutional issues for a separate proceeding.

“”The notion that they’re being silenced is ridiculous thinking. We are happy to answer their constitutional claims,” Kobach said. “It’s just that procedurally, those should follow the determination of what the statute means. If the court were to agree with our interpretation of the statute, then at that point our posture shifts slightly and we are defending the Department of Revenue against the constitutional claims made by the interveners,”

Kobach said if Watson ruled in his favor regarding interpretation Senate Bill 180 adopted by the 2023 Legislature it would mean the Department of Revenue would no longer produce driver’s licenses with a sex marker different than what was designated at birth.

Brett, legal director of the ACLU of Kansas, said law and precedent should allow her five transgender clients to take part in the district court’s consideration of what was meant when the Legislature adopted the law implemented July 1. She said the statute ordered the revenue department to track vital statistics related to driver’s licenses, but didn’t forbid the agency from continuing a policy allowing people to amend sex markers on state-issued identification.

“The state is saying we don’t have a right to intervene and that we should just get to challenge their interpretation in a later-filed lawsuit somewhere down the line,” Brett said. “They clearly don’t want the proposed interveners’ arguments to be heard in this action and would rather secure the ruling that they’re seeking without having to contend with the constitutional implications.”

She said a decision discontinuing the practice of changing sex identifiers on driver’s licenses would undermine constitutional rights of transgender Kansans.

“If granted,” Brett said, “that relief will violate their constitutional rights. They would suffer harm.”

Powell, the solicitor general of Kansas and a former Sedgwick County District Court judge, said the attorney general rightly opposed intervention. He said a court finding about meaning of the state law shouldn’t be impeded by premature constitutional objections.

“We don’t think the statute is ambiguous or unconstitutional,” Powell said. “It’s too soon. Their claims, that appear to be constitutional claims, are not ripe. This is a matter of when and what’s proper.”

Kobach filed the lawsuit against two administrators in the Department of Revenue after Gov. Laura Kelly said the law didn’t prohibit Kansans from having driver’s licenses changed to define them as male or female even if that conflicted with sex assignments at birth. The Democratic governor vetoed that bill, but the Republican-led House and Senate overrode the governor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692208578795.png" alt="Attorney General Kris Kobach emerges from a Shawnee County District Court hearing on a motion from five transgender Kansans to intervene in a lawsuit filed by Kobach to end the practice of allowing people to change the sex marker on driver’s licenses. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Attorney General Kris Kobach emerges from a Shawnee County District Court hearing on a motion from five transgender Kansans to intervene in a lawsuit filed by Kobach to end the practice of allowing people to change the sex marker on driver’s licenses. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Kobach wants judge to reject motion; ACLU supports their right to take part in case</h2>BY:&nbsp;TIM CARPENTER <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — A Shawnee County District Court judge said Wednesday she would quickly respond to a request by transgender Kansans to intervene in a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Kris Kobach seeking affirmation of his belief a new state law required driver’s licenses to reflect a person’s sex assigned at birth.District Judge Theresa Watson presided at a hearing in which the Kansas Department of Revenue, the defendant in Kobach’s suit; ACLU attorney Sharon Brett, who represented the five transgender individuals; and Tony Powell, the solicitor for the attorney general; fleshed out arguments made in written legal briefs.The revenue department’s lawyer, Pedro Irigonegaray, said the agency wasn’t representing any private citizens in the lawsuit brought by Kobach. Brett said her clients deserved to be heard by the district court weighing possible violation of their constitutional rights.And, Powell said the judge shouldn’t allow interveners to intrude upon Kobach’s simple request for interpretation of state law guiding sex designations on Kansas driver’s licenses.During the hearing, Watson posed questions suggesting skepticism transgender persons had a right to have a seat in the courtroom. She indicated consenting to their request might delay resolution of the attorney general’s suit.“I’m going to issue a written opinion in a day or so,” Watson said.The judge issued in July an temporary restraining order directing the revenue department to cease amending the sex designation on driver’s licenses pending outcome of the lawsuit. She also set a Nov. 1 hearing on Kobach’s request for an injunction against the Department of Revenue.After the hearing, Kobach said it would be “very unusual” for a district court to permit private citizens to insert themselves in a case in which one portion of the executive branch was suing another segment of the executive branch of state government.He preferred the district court stick to the fundamental question of how driver’s licenses would be handled and set aside constitutional issues for a separate proceeding.“”The notion that they’re being silenced is ridiculous thinking. We are happy to answer their constitutional claims,” Kobach said. “It’s just that procedurally, those should follow the determination of what the statute means. If the court were to agree with our interpretation of the statute, then at that point our posture shifts slightly and we are defending the Department of Revenue against the constitutional claims made by the interveners,”Kobach said if Watson ruled in his favor regarding interpretation Senate Bill 180 adopted by the 2023 Legislature it would mean the Department of Revenue would no longer produce driver’s licenses with a sex marker different than what was designated at birth.Brett, legal director of the ACLU of Kansas, said law and precedent should allow her five transgender clients to take part in the district court’s consideration of what was meant when the Legislature adopted the law implemented July 1. She said the statute ordered the revenue department to track vital statistics related to driver’s licenses, but didn’t forbid the agency from continuing a policy allowing people to amend sex markers on state-issued identification.“The state is saying we don’t have a right to intervene and that we should just get to challenge their interpretation in a later-filed lawsuit somewhere down the line,” Brett said. “They clearly don’t want the proposed interveners’ arguments to be heard in this action and would rather secure the ruling that they’re seeking without having to contend with the constitutional implications.”She said a decision discontinuing the practice of changing sex identifiers on driver’s licenses would undermine constitutional rights of transgender Kansans.“If granted,” Brett said, “that relief will violate their constitutional rights. They would suffer harm.”Powell, the solicitor general of Kansas and a former Sedgwick County District Court judge, said the attorney general rightly opposed intervention. He said a court finding about meaning of the state law shouldn’t be impeded by premature constitutional objections.“We don’t think the statute is ambiguous or unconstitutional,” Powell said. “It’s too soon. Their claims, that appear to be constitutional claims, are not ripe. This is a matter of when and what’s proper.”Kobach filed the lawsuit against two administrators in the Department of Revenue after Gov. Laura Kelly said the law didn’t prohibit Kansans from having driver’s licenses changed to define them as male or female even if that conflicted with sex assignments at birth. The Democratic governor vetoed that bill, but the Republican-led House and Senate overrode the governor.

Battle over request for transgender Kansans to intervene in driver’s license lawsuit

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting and have identified the victims.

Just before 6 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to report of a possible shooting at a home in the 2100 block of SW Plass Avenue, according to Police Captain Jerry Monasmith.

First responders located two unresponsive adults with life-threatening injuries who were later pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the scene. On Wednesday, police identified them as 24-year-old Kiarra Hazelton and 31-year-old Dontae E. Knight both of Topeka.

Detectives are investigating the case as a possible murder-suicide.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692205051157.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting and have identified the victims.Just before 6 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to report of a possible shooting at a home in the 2100 block of SW Plass Avenue, according to Police Captain Jerry Monasmith.First responders located two unresponsive adults with life-threatening injuries who were later pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the scene. On Wednesday, police identified them as 24-year-old Kiarra Hazelton and 31-year-old Dontae E. Knight both of Topeka.Detectives are investigating the case as a possible murder-suicide.

Police ID man and woman found dead at Kansas home

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge who put&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-lawsuit-mifepristone-misoprostol-kacsmaryk-74cb1c4cfab2c04f6cf2696151bc86ef">access to the abortion pill misefpristone in limbo</a>&nbsp;earlier this year presided Tuesday over another potentially groundbreaking case: a state lawsuit seeking to force Planned Parenthood pay back millions of dollars it received through Medicaid.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-judge-matthew-kacsmaryk-abortion-pill-fda-75964b777ef09593a1ad948c6cfc0237">U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk</a>&nbsp;did not immediately rule following a hearing in the Texas Panhandle city of Amarillo, where Planned Parenthood has no clinics.

In a brief call with reporters after the hearing, Planned Parenthood representatives said they urged the judge to reject the state's attempt to recoup years of Medicaid reimbursements and order steep fines that the group says could exceed more than $1 billion.

The Texas attorney general’s office, which filed the lawsuit in 2022, did not respond to messages left Monday, or an additional one seeking comment on Tuesday evening.

The lawsuit is believed to be the first of its kind in the U.S. brought against Planned Parenthood, which over the past decade has repeatedly gone to court in America's biggest red state as lawmakers there have withdrawn funding and imposed restrictions on clinic operations. But in that time, the state had not previously taken the organization to court over money.

“This really is a meritless case that the judge should not let proceed,” Susan Manning, general counsel for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, told reporters following the hearing Tuesday.

She said Kacsmaryk gave no indication on when he might rule.

The case now before Kacsmaryk does not surround abortion, which has been mostly banned in Texas since the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturned Roe v. Wade last year</a>. But Planned Parenthood argues the attempt to recoup at least $17 million in Medicaid payments for health services, including cancer screenings, is a new Republican-led effort to weaken the organization after years of legislation and litigation that has shrunk the state's footprint in Texas.

At issue is money Planned Parenthood received for health services before Texas removed the organization from the state's Medicaid program in 2021. Texas had begun trying to oust Planned Parenthood four years earlier and is seeking repayment for services billed during that time.

Texas brought the lawsuit under the federal False Claims Act, which allows fines for every alleged improper payment. Planned Parenthood says that could result in a judgement in excess of $1 billion.

The lawsuit was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-texas-medicaid-planned-parenthood-14379403b715dd838b0d18efab629db3">announced last year</a>&nbsp;by Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is now temporarily suspended from office pending the outcome of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-attorney-general-paxton-impeachment-d0fa9114868adca63d55a21a53765c45">his impeachment trial next month</a>&nbsp;over accusations of bribery and abuse of office.

Last year, Paxton said it was “unthinkable that Planned Parenthood would continue to take advantage of funding knowing they were not entitled to keep it.”

Jacob Elberg, a former federal prosecutor who specialized in health care fraud, described Texas' argument as weak.

He called the False Claims Act the government's most powerful tool against health fraud. Cases involving the law in recent years have included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-health-statutes-vermont-burlington-8422657b9b9873becf01956e8d32d924">a health records company in Florida</a>&nbsp;and a Montana health clinic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/asbestos-clinic-false-claims-bankruptcy-ce194fae7b5c03ed53bee9a234c29b79">that submitted false asbestos claims</a>.

Elberg said it is “hard to understand” how Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider, was knowingly filing false claims at a time when it was in court fighting to stay in the program and Texas was still paying the reimbursements.

“This just isn’t what the False Claims Act is supposed to be about,” said Elberg, faculty director at Seton Hall Law School's Center for Health &amp; Pharmaceutical Law.

Planned Parenthood has roughly three dozen health clinics in Texas. One has closed since the Supreme Court ruling last year that allowed Texas to ban abortion.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge who put&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-pill-lawsuit-mifepristone-misoprostol-kacsmaryk-74cb1c4cfab2c04f6cf2696151bc86ef">access to the abortion pill misefpristone in limbo</a>&nbsp;earlier this year presided Tuesday over another potentially groundbreaking case: a state lawsuit seeking to force Planned Parenthood pay back millions of dollars it received through Medicaid.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-judge-matthew-kacsmaryk-abortion-pill-fda-75964b777ef09593a1ad948c6cfc0237">U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk</a>&nbsp;did not immediately rule following a hearing in the Texas Panhandle city of Amarillo, where Planned Parenthood has no clinics.In a brief call with reporters after the hearing, Planned Parenthood representatives said they urged the judge to reject the state's attempt to recoup years of Medicaid reimbursements and order steep fines that the group says could exceed more than $1 billion.The Texas attorney general’s office, which filed the lawsuit in 2022, did not respond to messages left Monday, or an additional one seeking comment on Tuesday evening.The lawsuit is believed to be the first of its kind in the U.S. brought against Planned Parenthood, which over the past decade has repeatedly gone to court in America's biggest red state as lawmakers there have withdrawn funding and imposed restrictions on clinic operations. But in that time, the state had not previously taken the organization to court over money.“This really is a meritless case that the judge should not let proceed,” Susan Manning, general counsel for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, told reporters following the hearing Tuesday.She said Kacsmaryk gave no indication on when he might rule.The case now before Kacsmaryk does not surround abortion, which has been mostly banned in Texas since the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-supreme-court-decision-854f60302f21c2c35129e58cf8d8a7b0">overturned Roe v. Wade last year</a>. But Planned Parenthood argues the attempt to recoup at least $17 million in Medicaid payments for health services, including cancer screenings, is a new Republican-led effort to weaken the organization after years of legislation and litigation that has shrunk the state's footprint in Texas.At issue is money Planned Parenthood received for health services before Texas removed the organization from the state's Medicaid program in 2021. Texas had begun trying to oust Planned Parenthood four years earlier and is seeking repayment for services billed during that time.Texas brought the lawsuit under the federal False Claims Act, which allows fines for every alleged improper payment. Planned Parenthood says that could result in a judgement in excess of $1 billion.The lawsuit was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-texas-medicaid-planned-parenthood-14379403b715dd838b0d18efab629db3">announced last year</a>&nbsp;by Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is now temporarily suspended from office pending the outcome of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-attorney-general-paxton-impeachment-d0fa9114868adca63d55a21a53765c45">his impeachment trial next month</a>&nbsp;over accusations of bribery and abuse of office.Last year, Paxton said it was “unthinkable that Planned Parenthood would continue to take advantage of funding knowing they were not entitled to keep it.”Jacob Elberg, a former federal prosecutor who specialized in health care fraud, described Texas' argument as weak.He called the False Claims Act the government's most powerful tool against health fraud. Cases involving the law in recent years have included&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/technology-health-statutes-vermont-burlington-8422657b9b9873becf01956e8d32d924">a health records company in Florida</a>&nbsp;and a Montana health clinic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/asbestos-clinic-false-claims-bankruptcy-ce194fae7b5c03ed53bee9a234c29b79">that submitted false asbestos claims</a>.Elberg said it is “hard to understand” how Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider, was knowingly filing false claims at a time when it was in court fighting to stay in the program and Texas was still paying the reimbursements.“This just isn’t what the False Claims Act is supposed to be about,” said Elberg, faculty director at Seton Hall Law School's Center for Health &amp; Pharmaceutical Law.Planned Parenthood has roughly three dozen health clinics in Texas. One has closed since the Supreme Court ruling last year that allowed Texas to ban abortion.

Lawsuit could bankrupt Planned Parenthood 

BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple drug allegations.

Just after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, sherif's deputies and detectives executed a search warrant at Finer Mobile Home Park located at 5501 9th Street, lot 96 in Great Bend, according to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir.

The search warrant was part of an ongoing investigation related to illegal drugs and outstanding arrest warrants.

Deputies gained entry to the residence without resistance and located Chet Whetham, 35 of Great Bend who had outstanding warrants from Harvey County for distribution of fentanyl. 

During the course of the investigation, Sheriff’s Officers discovered methamphetamine, fentanyl tablets, marijuana and suspected fentanyl powder. 

Whetham was transported to the Barton County Jail and booked on the Harvey County warrant as well as requested charges of distribution of fentanyl and various other drug-related charges for Barton County. 

Whetham is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond for Harvey County and an additional bond for Barton County.

The Sheriff’s Office had requested assistance from the Kansas Bureau of investigation for this operation. The KBI has recently added several K9s and handlers who are specifically trained in the detection of fentanyl.

Further arrests from the search warrant are anticipated in the near future.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692199240545.jpeg" alt="Wetham -photo Barton Co." />
 <figcaption>Wetham -photo Barton Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BARTON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple drug allegations.Just after 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, sherif's deputies and detectives executed a search warrant at Finer Mobile Home Park located at 5501 9th Street, lot 96 in Great Bend, according to Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir.The search warrant was part of an ongoing investigation related to illegal drugs and outstanding arrest warrants.Deputies gained entry to the residence without resistance and located Chet Whetham, 35 of Great Bend who had outstanding warrants from Harvey County for distribution of fentanyl. During the course of the investigation, Sheriff’s Officers discovered methamphetamine, fentanyl tablets, marijuana and suspected fentanyl powder. Whetham was transported to the Barton County Jail and booked on the Harvey County warrant as well as requested charges of distribution of fentanyl and various other drug-related charges for Barton County. Whetham is being held in lieu of a $50,000 bond for Harvey County and an additional bond for Barton County.The Sheriff’s Office had requested assistance from the Kansas Bureau of investigation for this operation. The KBI has recently added several K9s and handlers who are specifically trained in the detection of fentanyl.Further arrests from the search warrant are anticipated in the near future.

Kansas man accused of selling fentanyl

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident involving a child in Sedgwick County.

Just before 7:30a.m. Wednesday, a school bus struck an 8-year-old girl who ran between cars in the neighborhood of 3300 E Locust Street, according to Robin Busch with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.&nbsp;

The girl was&nbsp; pronounced dead at the scene, according to Busch.

The bus that struck the girl did have children on board; no injuries were reported. A separate bus came to transport the students on the bus.

"It is with extreme sadness and a heavy heart that I am sharing with you this morning the death of an elementary student in the Oaklawn area,"&nbsp; USD 260 Superintendent Heather Bohaty wrote in statement to parents and staff.

"This student passed away in a tragic bus accident that is under investigation. We are heartbroken by the loss of one of our students. Students and staff will be supported by additional social workers from schools across our district."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692196564622.png" alt="The accident remains under investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>The accident remains under investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident involving a child in Sedgwick County.Just before 7:30a.m. Wednesday, a school bus struck an 8-year-old girl who ran between cars in the neighborhood of 3300 E Locust Street, according to Robin Busch with the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.&nbsp;The girl was&nbsp; pronounced dead at the scene, according to Busch.The bus that struck the girl did have children on board; no injuries were reported. A separate bus came to transport the students on the bus."It is with extreme sadness and a heavy heart that I am sharing with you this morning the death of an elementary student in the Oaklawn area,"&nbsp; USD 260 Superintendent Heather Bohaty wrote in statement to parents and staff."This student passed away in a tragic bus accident that is under investigation. We are heartbroken by the loss of one of our students. Students and staff will be supported by additional social workers from schools across our district."

Sheriff: 8-year-old Kansas girl dies after hit by school bus 

OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man released from the Kansas Department of Corrections in late February on drug allegations.

Just before 10:30p.m. Aug. 12, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop at 173rd and U.S. 75 Highway for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

During the stop, illegal narcotics were located. The driver of the vehicle, Kenneth M. Buckingham, 62, of Topeka, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Traffic contraband into a correctional facility, Driving while license is suspended or revoked and No proof of liability insurance

Buckingham has previous convictions for burglary and theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692028394285.png" alt="Buckingham-photo Osage County" />
 <figcaption>Buckingham-photo Osage County</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a man released from the Kansas Department of Corrections in late February on drug allegations.Just before 10:30p.m. Aug. 12, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop at 173rd and U.S. 75 Highway for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.During the stop, illegal narcotics were located. The driver of the vehicle, Kenneth M. Buckingham, 62, of Topeka, was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail on requested charges of Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, Possession of drug paraphernalia, Traffic contraband into a correctional facility, Driving while license is suspended or revoked and No proof of liability insuranceBuckingham has previous convictions for burglary and theft, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Sheriff: Kan. man out of prison 5 months attempted to sell meth

By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — An independent evaluation of the Kansas foster care system showed the state, for a second year in a row, failed to make progress in several key areas, and had even more children sleeping in offices than the previous year.

The report&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cssp.org/resource/mcintyre-v-howrd-progress-of-kansas-department-of-children-and-families-kansas-department-of-aging-and-disability-services-and-kansas-department-of-health-and-environment-for-period-2-january-1/">released Monday</a>&nbsp;by the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cssp.org/">Center for the Study of Social Policy</a>&nbsp;found 85 foster children had spent 257 nights in offices in 2022.

The report, the second of its kind, examines all of the foster care system data available for the 2022 calendar year. The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/19/independent-review-of-kansas-foster-care-system-points-to-progress-and-ongoing-failures/">first evaluation of the Kansas foster care system</a>, released in September 2022, found that 53 foster children slept in offices 167 times in 2021, including one child who slept in an office for 54 nights.

Advocates for foster kids said the state continues to fail some of its most vulnerable children.

“It is hard to understand how the state of Kansas can continue to be so negligent in its provision of mental health services to these youth who are in the foster system,” said Lori Burns-Bucklew, child welfare law specialist. “Kansas is a poor parent indeed for these young folks who are struggling after having been removed from their homes and families.”

The state also failed to cut down on moves for youths in the system. In 2021, the children on average moved 5.84 times per 1,000 days in care. In 2022, the average was six moves per 1,000 days in care.

The state had a slight overall improvement in end-of-year placements, with&nbsp;91% of children and youths in a stable placement by the end of 2022. The stable placement change marked an improvement of six percentage points from the previous year.

Department of Children and Families secretary Laura Howard pointed to the increased stability as a win for the state, along with newly implemented programs, such as a new mobile crisis service for foster kids.

“The report affirms our commitment to the continuous improvement of the Kansas child welfare system,” Howard said.

But advocates say the system needs significant reform.

“Foster children — especially those who are stuck in offices and night-to-night placements for extended periods — are losing their childhoods to this system,” said Leecia Welch, deputy legal director at Children’s Rights. “There must be greater accountability for the private contractors, more funding for community-based mental health services, and more robust support for families so that children can stay safely at home.”

The yearly assessment is a condition of the state’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansasappleseed.org/mbvhoward.html">settlement of a class action federal lawsuit</a>&nbsp;with Kansas Appleseed and other entities. In 2018, Kansas Appleseed sued the state over systemic failures in the foster care system, citing concerns of extreme instability and scarce mental health resources.

The lawsuit was settled in January 2021, with the state agreeing to work toward system improvements and undergo yearly assessments to determine the state’s progress. The D.C.-based nonprofit Center for the Study of Social Policy was chosen as the state’s accessor.&nbsp;

Part of the settlement required the state to make structural changes, such as ending one-night placements and the practice of housing children in offices or other inappropriate settings, and improving mental health resources.

While the state has made some improvements in mental health resources for foster care youth, these improvements fall short of the state’s target goals.

In 2022, DCF properly assessed 43% of youths entering the system for trauma and mental health needs in the mandated timeframe — 30 days after entering the system, marking a nine-point increase from the previous year.

In 70% of cases, these needs were addressed, marking a five-point uptick from 2021, but falling short of the target goal for 2022, which was for the state to have 80% of mental health needs addressed.

Another area of concern is Kansas’ lack of a statewide data system for child welfare information. Instead of a consolidated system, the state&nbsp; has case files and state data scattered over several different systems, making information more difficult to review.

Freya Pitts, senior attorney for the National Center for Youth Law, said the report highlighted the need for an integrated data system.

“Without reliable and consistent data tracking, DCF can’t evaluate whether its initiatives are working and can’t hold its private contractors accountable for serving children and their families across the state,” Pitts said.

Gov. Laura Kelly said her administration had made strides toward improving foster care conditions, especially in terms of stable placements and mental health needs, but would work on reducing temporary placements.

“This report also makes clear that, in spite of all of our efforts, there’s much more work to be done,” Kelly said. “I am encouraged by the steps we’ve taken in 2023 to decrease temporary overnight placements and instances of kids staying in offices, but clearly the Legislature and I must dig deeper, make more targeted investments, and come up with solutions that work.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692123606068.png" alt="A report for the 2022 year found the state had more children in care sleeping in offices than in the previous year, despite legal requirements to end the practice. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>A report for the 2022 year found the state had more children in care sleeping in offices than in the previous year, despite legal requirements to end the practice. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>By RACHEL MIPRO <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/kansas-lawmakers-debate-definition-of-female-and-male-for-county-jails/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — An independent evaluation of the Kansas foster care system showed the state, for a second year in a row, failed to make progress in several key areas, and had even more children sleeping in offices than the previous year.The report&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cssp.org/resource/mcintyre-v-howrd-progress-of-kansas-department-of-children-and-families-kansas-department-of-aging-and-disability-services-and-kansas-department-of-health-and-environment-for-period-2-january-1/">released Monday</a>&nbsp;by the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://cssp.org/">Center for the Study of Social Policy</a>&nbsp;found 85 foster children had spent 257 nights in offices in 2022.The report, the second of its kind, examines all of the foster care system data available for the 2022 calendar year. The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/09/19/independent-review-of-kansas-foster-care-system-points-to-progress-and-ongoing-failures/">first evaluation of the Kansas foster care system</a>, released in September 2022, found that 53 foster children slept in offices 167 times in 2021, including one child who slept in an office for 54 nights.Advocates for foster kids said the state continues to fail some of its most vulnerable children.“It is hard to understand how the state of Kansas can continue to be so negligent in its provision of mental health services to these youth who are in the foster system,” said Lori Burns-Bucklew, child welfare law specialist. “Kansas is a poor parent indeed for these young folks who are struggling after having been removed from their homes and families.”The state also failed to cut down on moves for youths in the system. In 2021, the children on average moved 5.84 times per 1,000 days in care. In 2022, the average was six moves per 1,000 days in care.The state had a slight overall improvement in end-of-year placements, with&nbsp;91% of children and youths in a stable placement by the end of 2022. The stable placement change marked an improvement of six percentage points from the previous year.Department of Children and Families secretary Laura Howard pointed to the increased stability as a win for the state, along with newly implemented programs, such as a new mobile crisis service for foster kids.“The report affirms our commitment to the continuous improvement of the Kansas child welfare system,” Howard said.But advocates say the system needs significant reform.“Foster children — especially those who are stuck in offices and night-to-night placements for extended periods — are losing their childhoods to this system,” said Leecia Welch, deputy legal director at Children’s Rights. “There must be greater accountability for the private contractors, more funding for community-based mental health services, and more robust support for families so that children can stay safely at home.”The yearly assessment is a condition of the state’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansasappleseed.org/mbvhoward.html">settlement of a class action federal lawsuit</a>&nbsp;with Kansas Appleseed and other entities. In 2018, Kansas Appleseed sued the state over systemic failures in the foster care system, citing concerns of extreme instability and scarce mental health resources.The lawsuit was settled in January 2021, with the state agreeing to work toward system improvements and undergo yearly assessments to determine the state’s progress. The D.C.-based nonprofit Center for the Study of Social Policy was chosen as the state’s accessor.&nbsp;Part of the settlement required the state to make structural changes, such as ending one-night placements and the practice of housing children in offices or other inappropriate settings, and improving mental health resources.While the state has made some improvements in mental health resources for foster care youth, these improvements fall short of the state’s target goals.In 2022, DCF properly assessed 43% of youths entering the system for trauma and mental health needs in the mandated timeframe — 30 days after entering the system, marking a nine-point increase from the previous year.In 70% of cases, these needs were addressed, marking a five-point uptick from 2021, but falling short of the target goal for 2022, which was for the state to have 80% of mental health needs addressed.Another area of concern is Kansas’ lack of a statewide data system for child welfare information. Instead of a consolidated system, the state&nbsp; has case files and state data scattered over several different systems, making information more difficult to review.Freya Pitts, senior attorney for the National Center for Youth Law, said the report highlighted the need for an integrated data system.“Without reliable and consistent data tracking, DCF can’t evaluate whether its initiatives are working and can’t hold its private contractors accountable for serving children and their families across the state,” Pitts said.Gov. Laura Kelly said her administration had made strides toward improving foster care conditions, especially in terms of stable placements and mental health needs, but would work on reducing temporary placements.“This report also makes clear that, in spite of all of our efforts, there’s much more work to be done,” Kelly said. “I am encouraged by the steps we’ve taken in 2023 to decrease temporary overnight placements and instances of kids staying in offices, but clearly the Legislature and I must dig deeper, make more targeted investments, and come up with solutions that work.”

Report: Kan. continues to break legal promise to children in foster care

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas house fire and have made arrests.

Just after 10:30a.m. Monday, fire crews&nbsp;responded to a reported house fire at 631 SE 35th Street in Topeka, according to fire department spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire in the single-story home. Fire crews searched the house, and determined no one was home at the time of the fire.

Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set and&nbsp;two individuals were arrested&nbsp;

Shaliqua A. Hill, 28, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Arson and Criminal use of explosives..A 17-year-old girl was also arrested and booked on requested charges of Arson, Criminal use of explosives, Criminal threat and Criminal damage to property.

The origin of the fire was on the exterior of the house near a bedroom window.&nbsp;The total estimated loss was approximately $3,000, all attributed to structural loss. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692141411419.png" alt="Hill-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Hill-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas house fire and have made arrests.Just after 10:30a.m. Monday, fire crews&nbsp;responded to a reported house fire at 631 SE 35th Street in Topeka, according to fire department spokesperson Rosie Nichols.Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire in the single-story home. Fire crews searched the house, and determined no one was home at the time of the fire.Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set and&nbsp;two individuals were arrested&nbsp;Shaliqua A. Hill, 28, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of Arson and Criminal use of explosives..A 17-year-old girl was also arrested and booked on requested charges of Arson, Criminal use of explosives, Criminal threat and Criminal damage to property.The origin of the fire was on the exterior of the house near a bedroom window.&nbsp;The total estimated loss was approximately $3,000, all attributed to structural loss.

Two accused of using explosive to start Kansas house fire

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — The Lahaina fire caused about $3.2 billion in insured property losses, calculated Karen Clark &amp; Company, a prominent disaster and risk modeling company. That doesn’t count damage to property not insured.

The risk firm said more than 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed by fire with a total of more than 3,000 buildings damaged by fire or smoke or both. Because so many of the buildings were wood frame and older, the damage rates were higher than other fires, the firm said.

— What spurred the fires? Right now, it’s unclear; authorities say the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfires-recovery-maui-lahaina-search-c3da091a10e7aaa69022f002d3e241b9">cause is under investigation</a>

— What is the status of the fires? The county says the fire in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wildfire-hawaii-lahaina-historic-kindom-capital-396463f6eba6580bfc80d75538b0adf3">centuries-old Lahaina</a>&nbsp;has been 85% contained, while another blaze known as the Upcountry fire has been around 60% contained

— How does the loss of life confirmed so far&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maui-deadliest-fires-us-history-507273968474a03bec332f42d10a018b">compare with other U.S. fires</a>? For now, it is the country’s deadliest fire in more than 100 years, with officials saying nearly 100 people are dead, but the governor says scores of more bodies could be found

— How are search efforts going? The police chief said Monday that crews using cadaver dogs have scoured about 32% of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfires-recovery-maui-lahaina-search-photos-ec6e573ffb19e9fed9a8123878a09a5e">search area</a>, with just three bodies identified so far

— Why did the fire cause so much destruction so quickly? The governor says the flames on Maui were fueled by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfires-climate-change-92c0930be7c28ec9ac71392a83c87582">dry grass</a>&nbsp;and propelled by strong winds from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfire-maui-dora-winds-ec23c16abfbeb6ba689f1a98263720db">passing hurricane</a>, and raced as fast as a mile (1.6 kilometers) every minute in one area

— Did emergency notification services work? Officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-lahaina-wildfire-warnings-sirens-chaos-f4bb9bb77c093ac8ff16440b54ade4a6">failed to activate sirens and instead relied on a series of sometimes confusing social media posts;</a>&nbsp;meanwhile, residents faced power and cellular outages

—&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfires-maui-electricity-power-utilities-c46a106db3c5019ac835ddcb01fde25f">An electric utility is facing criticism</a>&nbsp;and a lawsuit for not shutting off the power amid high wind warnings and as dozens of poles began to topple; in what may have been one of multiple ignition sources, a video shows a cable dangling in a charred patch of grass, surrounded by flames

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692136293887.png" alt="The risk firm said more than 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed-photo FEMA" />
 <figcaption>The risk firm said more than 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed-photo FEMA</figcaption>
 </figure>LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — The Lahaina fire caused about $3.2 billion in insured property losses, calculated Karen Clark &amp; Company, a prominent disaster and risk modeling company. That doesn’t count damage to property not insured.The risk firm said more than 2,200 buildings were damaged or destroyed by fire with a total of more than 3,000 buildings damaged by fire or smoke or both. Because so many of the buildings were wood frame and older, the damage rates were higher than other fires, the firm said.WHAT TO KNOW — What spurred the fires? Right now, it’s unclear; authorities say the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfires-recovery-maui-lahaina-search-c3da091a10e7aaa69022f002d3e241b9">cause is under investigation</a>— What is the status of the fires? The county says the fire in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/wildfire-hawaii-lahaina-historic-kindom-capital-396463f6eba6580bfc80d75538b0adf3">centuries-old Lahaina</a>&nbsp;has been 85% contained, while another blaze known as the Upcountry fire has been around 60% contained— How does the loss of life confirmed so far&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/maui-deadliest-fires-us-history-507273968474a03bec332f42d10a018b">compare with other U.S. fires</a>? For now, it is the country’s deadliest fire in more than 100 years, with officials saying nearly 100 people are dead, but the governor says scores of more bodies could be found— How are search efforts going? The police chief said Monday that crews using cadaver dogs have scoured about 32% of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfires-recovery-maui-lahaina-search-photos-ec6e573ffb19e9fed9a8123878a09a5e">search area</a>, with just three bodies identified so far— Why did the fire cause so much destruction so quickly? The governor says the flames on Maui were fueled by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfires-climate-change-92c0930be7c28ec9ac71392a83c87582">dry grass</a>&nbsp;and propelled by strong winds from a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfire-maui-dora-winds-ec23c16abfbeb6ba689f1a98263720db">passing hurricane</a>, and raced as fast as a mile (1.6 kilometers) every minute in one area— Did emergency notification services work? Officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-lahaina-wildfire-warnings-sirens-chaos-f4bb9bb77c093ac8ff16440b54ade4a6">failed to activate sirens and instead relied on a series of sometimes confusing social media posts;</a>&nbsp;meanwhile, residents faced power and cellular outages—&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfires-maui-electricity-power-utilities-c46a106db3c5019ac835ddcb01fde25f">An electric utility is facing criticism</a>&nbsp;and a lawsuit for not shutting off the power amid high wind warnings and as dozens of poles began to topple; in what may have been one of multiple ignition sources, a video shows a cable dangling in a charred patch of grass, surrounded by flames

Risk company: Hawaii fires caused $3.2 billion in insured property losses

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea asserted Wednesday that a U.S. soldier who bolted across the heavily armed Korean border last month did so after becoming disillusioned with the inequality of American society and racial discrimination in its Army.

It was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-e16bea3ea33dfedbea61d1f65317be94">North Korea’s first official confirmation</a>&nbsp;of detention of Pvt. Travis King, who had served in South Korea and sprinted into the North while on a civilian tour of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-tourist-witness-92f96befe0b2b8d2e7d016d645d21180">border village on July 18</a>. He became the first American confirmed to be detained in the North in nearly five years.

The official Korean Central News Agency, citing an investigation by relevant North Korean authorities, reported that King told them he decided to enter North Korea because he “harbored ill feelings against inhuman mistreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. Army.”

The report said King also expressed his willingness to seek refuge in North Korea or a third country, saying he “was disillusioned at the unequal American society.”

KCNA is a propaganda outlet and its content is carefully calibrated to reflect North Korea’s official line that the United States is an evil adversary.

The report said North Korea’s investigation into King’s “illegal” entry would continue. Verifying the authenticity of the comments attributed to King in North Korea’s state media is impossible.

The United States, South Korea and others have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-11a0429e279d498f8c3aa9c10f818b32">accused North Korea of using foreign detainees</a>&nbsp;to wrest diplomatic concessions. Some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-past-border-entries-3b2e36d7cd162f8320768a049c50a361">foreign detainees</a>&nbsp;have said after their releases that their declarations of guilt while in North Korean custody were made under coercion.

A U.S. Defense Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said the U.S. had no way to verify North Korea’s claims about King. The official said the Pentagon was working through all available channels to bring King back to the U.S.

“This is 100% North Korean propaganda in its element. King, as an American citizen held in North Korea, has no sway in how (North Korea) chooses to cast its narrative,” said Soo Kim, an expert with Virginia-based consultancy LMI and a former CIA analyst.

“As for King’s release, his fate rests in North Korea’s hands. Perhaps the regime will try to ‘bargain’ King’s life in exchange for financial concessions from the U.S. More than likely, negotiations won’t be easy, and terms will be dictated by Pyongyang,” she said.

The soldier’s family said his mother, Claudine Gates, is appealing to North Korea to treat her son humanely.

“She’s a mom worried about her son and would be grateful for a phone call from him,” family spokesman Jonathan Franks said in the statement. “Lastly, she has been in touch with the Army this evening and appreciates a (Defense Department) statement that it remains focused on bringing Travis home.”

Tae Yongho, who was a minister at the North Korean Embassy in London before his defection in 2016, speculated North Korea might release King eventually because it didn't immediately express its intentions of accepting King as refugee in the North and spoke about a third country resettlement. Tae, now a lawmaker in South Korea, also cited North Korea's description of King as an illegal entrant, rather than someone who “voluntarily” entered the North.

Tae earlier said North Korea would be reluctant to hold a low-ranked solider like King for long because he won’t provide it with high-profile U.S. intelligence and would require high costs and resources to manage his life.

Some analysts have said North Korea might try to tie King’s release to the U.S. cutting back its military activities with South Korea, amid heightened animosities between the wartime foes.

North Korea has conducted more than 100 weapons tests since the beginning of last year, many of them in the name of issuing warnings over the expansion of U.S.-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal. Next Monday, the allies are to begin major annual drills, which North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal.

The leaders of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-yoon-kishida-camp-david-missile-defense-f3ce58da383f2255ee479624645db542">U.S., South Korea and Japan</a>&nbsp;are also expected to announce plans for expanded military cooperation on ballistic missile defense in the face of North Korea’s evolving nuclear threats when they meet for a trilateral summit at Camp David on Friday, according to U.S. officials.

On Tuesday, North Korea slammed U.S.-led plans for an open&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-north-korea-human-rights-meeting-council-86af9a8632c6d85df3a7ed4c24daf8a7">U.N. Security Council</a>&nbsp;meeting on its human rights record as “despicable” and only aimed at achieving Washington’s geopolitical ambitions.

North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son Gyong said the council must first deal with the American human rights issue, calling the United States a depraved “empire of evils.” In a statement carried by state media, Kim accused the U.S. of fostering racial discrimination, gun-related crimes, child maltreatment and forced labor.

King, 23, was among about 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression from North Korea. At the time he joined the civilian tour and crossed the border, he was supposed to b&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-border-fe5da15f52122af9acc45412fe391465">e heading to Fort Bliss, Texas</a>, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.

U.S. officials say he has been declared AWOL, which can be punished by confinement in the brig, forfeiture of pay or dishonorable discharge with the severity based on their time away and whether they were apprehended or returned on their own.

The U.S. and North Korea, which fought during the 1950-53 Korean War, are still technically at war since that conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. They have no diplomatic ties and Sweden provided consular services for Americans in past cases, though Swedish diplomats reportedly have not returned to North Korea since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692140954260.png" alt="A TV screen shows a file image of American soldier Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, July 24, 2023. The deputy commander of the U.N. Command said Monday it has started conversations with North Korea over King who ran into the North last week across the Koreas' heavily armed border. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)" />
 <figcaption>A TV screen shows a file image of American soldier Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, July 24, 2023. The deputy commander of the U.N. Command said Monday it has started conversations with North Korea over King who ran into the North last week across the Koreas' heavily armed border. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)</figcaption>
 </figure>SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea asserted Wednesday that a U.S. soldier who bolted across the heavily armed Korean border last month did so after becoming disillusioned with the inequality of American society and racial discrimination in its Army.It was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-e16bea3ea33dfedbea61d1f65317be94">North Korea’s first official confirmation</a>&nbsp;of detention of Pvt. Travis King, who had served in South Korea and sprinted into the North while on a civilian tour of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-tourist-witness-92f96befe0b2b8d2e7d016d645d21180">border village on July 18</a>. He became the first American confirmed to be detained in the North in nearly five years.The official Korean Central News Agency, citing an investigation by relevant North Korean authorities, reported that King told them he decided to enter North Korea because he “harbored ill feelings against inhuman mistreatment and racial discrimination within the U.S. Army.”The report said King also expressed his willingness to seek refuge in North Korea or a third country, saying he “was disillusioned at the unequal American society.”KCNA is a propaganda outlet and its content is carefully calibrated to reflect North Korea’s official line that the United States is an evil adversary.The report said North Korea’s investigation into King’s “illegal” entry would continue. Verifying the authenticity of the comments attributed to King in North Korea’s state media is impossible.The United States, South Korea and others have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-11a0429e279d498f8c3aa9c10f818b32">accused North Korea of using foreign detainees</a>&nbsp;to wrest diplomatic concessions. Some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-past-border-entries-3b2e36d7cd162f8320768a049c50a361">foreign detainees</a>&nbsp;have said after their releases that their declarations of guilt while in North Korean custody were made under coercion.A U.S. Defense Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said the U.S. had no way to verify North Korea’s claims about King. The official said the Pentagon was working through all available channels to bring King back to the U.S.“This is 100% North Korean propaganda in its element. King, as an American citizen held in North Korea, has no sway in how (North Korea) chooses to cast its narrative,” said Soo Kim, an expert with Virginia-based consultancy LMI and a former CIA analyst.“As for King’s release, his fate rests in North Korea’s hands. Perhaps the regime will try to ‘bargain’ King’s life in exchange for financial concessions from the U.S. More than likely, negotiations won’t be easy, and terms will be dictated by Pyongyang,” she said.The soldier’s family said his mother, Claudine Gates, is appealing to North Korea to treat her son humanely.“She’s a mom worried about her son and would be grateful for a phone call from him,” family spokesman Jonathan Franks said in the statement. “Lastly, she has been in touch with the Army this evening and appreciates a (Defense Department) statement that it remains focused on bringing Travis home.”Tae Yongho, who was a minister at the North Korean Embassy in London before his defection in 2016, speculated North Korea might release King eventually because it didn't immediately express its intentions of accepting King as refugee in the North and spoke about a third country resettlement. Tae, now a lawmaker in South Korea, also cited North Korea's description of King as an illegal entrant, rather than someone who “voluntarily” entered the North.Tae earlier said North Korea would be reluctant to hold a low-ranked solider like King for long because he won’t provide it with high-profile U.S. intelligence and would require high costs and resources to manage his life.Some analysts have said North Korea might try to tie King’s release to the U.S. cutting back its military activities with South Korea, amid heightened animosities between the wartime foes.North Korea has conducted more than 100 weapons tests since the beginning of last year, many of them in the name of issuing warnings over the expansion of U.S.-South Korean military drills that it views as an invasion rehearsal. Next Monday, the allies are to begin major annual drills, which North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal.The leaders of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-yoon-kishida-camp-david-missile-defense-f3ce58da383f2255ee479624645db542">U.S., South Korea and Japan</a>&nbsp;are also expected to announce plans for expanded military cooperation on ballistic missile defense in the face of North Korea’s evolving nuclear threats when they meet for a trilateral summit at Camp David on Friday, according to U.S. officials.On Tuesday, North Korea slammed U.S.-led plans for an open&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/un-north-korea-human-rights-meeting-council-86af9a8632c6d85df3a7ed4c24daf8a7">U.N. Security Council</a>&nbsp;meeting on its human rights record as “despicable” and only aimed at achieving Washington’s geopolitical ambitions.North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Son Gyong said the council must first deal with the American human rights issue, calling the United States a depraved “empire of evils.” In a statement carried by state media, Kim accused the U.S. of fostering racial discrimination, gun-related crimes, child maltreatment and forced labor.King, 23, was among about 28,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea as deterrence against potential aggression from North Korea. At the time he joined the civilian tour and crossed the border, he was supposed to b&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-border-fe5da15f52122af9acc45412fe391465">e heading to Fort Bliss, Texas</a>, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.U.S. officials say he has been declared AWOL, which can be punished by confinement in the brig, forfeiture of pay or dishonorable discharge with the severity based on their time away and whether they were apprehended or returned on their own.The U.S. and North Korea, which fought during the 1950-53 Korean War, are still technically at war since that conflict ended in a truce, not a peace treaty. They have no diplomatic ties and Sweden provided consular services for Americans in past cases, though Swedish diplomats reportedly have not returned to North Korea since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.___