AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Chris Beard, who coached Texas Tech to the 2019 NCAA championship game and was hired away by Texas with expectations he’d elevate his alma mater to the same elite level, was arrested early Monday on a felony family violence charge after a woman told police he strangled and bit her.

The school suspended Beard without pay “until further notice” and said assistant Rodney Terry would coach the No. 7 Longhorns against Rice on Monday night.

Beard was arrested by Austin police and booked at the Travis County jail at 4:18 a.m. on a charge of assault on a family or household member in which their breath was impeded. The charge is a third-degree felony in Texas, with a possible punishment of two to 10 years in prison.

According to the arrest affidavit first reported by the Austin American-Statesman, the woman told police she is his fiance and they have been in a relationship for six years. She said they had been in an argument where she broke his glasses before he “just snapped on me and became super violent.”

According to the affidavit, the woman told police “he choked me, bit me, bruises all over my leg, throwing me around and going nuts.”

She told police Beard choked her from behind with his arm around her neck and she couldn’t breathe for about five seconds. Police say she she had a bite mark on her right arm and an abrasion to her right temple among other visible injuries.

When questioned by police, Beard said he had audio recordings of the incident that would show he was not the primary aggressor. But he refused to share them with officers, police said.

Beard went before a magistrate judge for his bond hearing, wearing jailhouse black-and-grey stripes and his hands cuffed in front at his waist. Beard was told he could communicate with the woman but not in a threatening manner, was ordered to stay 200 yards away from the residence where police were called and was told he is barred from possessing a firearm.

Beard nodded his head and answered “yes, sir” several times when addressing the judge. Jail records show Beard posted $10,000 bond. He didn’t answer questions when he left the jail with his attorney Perry Minton.

Minton declined comment but earlier told the American-Statesman the coach is innocent.

“He should never have been arrested,” Minton told the newspaper. “The complainant wants him released immediately and all charges dismissed. It is truly inconceivable.”

It wasn’t immediately known if the woman has an attorney. She was identified in the affidavit, but The Associated Press does not typically identify alleged victims of extreme violence without their consent.

“The university takes matters of interpersonal violence involving members of its community seriously,” the school said in announcing Beard’s suspension. It did not commit to Terry as the acting coach beyond Monday night. Terry was a head coach at UTEP (2018-21) and Fresno State (2011-18).

Beard is in his second season of a seven-year guaranteed contract that pays him more than $5 million per year. Before that, he was 112-55 in five seasons with the Red Raiders. He was named The Associated Press coach of the year in 2019 as he guided Texas Tech to a 31-7 finish and lost in an overtime thriller to Virginia in the national championship game.

His departure for Texas — a deal reached after a meeting with Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte that included a McDonald’s breakfast an hour’s drive north of Lubbock — left Texas Tech officials frustrated.

Beard said it was a difficult move, but he could not turn down&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/basketball-texas-longhorns-mens-basketball-texas-tech-red-raiders-mens-basketball-chris-beard-texas-a65e56eee131de24a128b0f9f9cb4d2c">a chance to coach at his alma mater, where he was a student assistant three decades ago.</a>&nbsp;Earlier this year, he led Texas to a first-round victory over Virginia Tech that was the Longhorns’ first NCAA Tournament win since 2014.

Beard’s contract includes a provision under which he can be fired for cause for conduct the administration reasonably determines reflects poorly on the coach, program, school or university system. That includes being charged with a felony. University of Texas System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife did not return a message seeking comment.

Texas freshman guard Arterio Morris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-texas-mens-college-basketball-chris-beard-fed29b4832f13e492868d779e3207406">faces a misdemeanor family violence charge stemming from a June arrest after an incident with a former girlfriend.</a>&nbsp;He faces a Wednesday court hearing in Denton County near Dallas.

Morris, a top national recruit, has been allowed to play this season despite the charge, and averages 17 minutes and 6.5 points per game. Morris’ attorney, Justin Moore, has said Moore is innocent of the assault charge.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas men’s basketball coach Chris Beard was arrested early Monday on a felony family violence charge, according to Travis County Jail records.&nbsp;

Just after midnight, police responded to a 911 call for a disturbance at a home in the 1900 Block of Vista Lane, according to a media release from Austin Police. The caller reported the disturbance was no longer ongoing and one of the individuals had left the house.&nbsp;

Police responded and found a woman a woman who stated she had been assaulted and strangled by Chris Beard.

The county Sheriff’s Office said the 49-year-old Beard was arrested by Austin police and booked at 4:18 a.m. on a charge of assault on a family or household member in which their breath was impeded, or choking, in common terms.

The charge is a third-degree felony in Texas, with a possible punishment of two to 10 years in prison. The jail records showed Beard had not yet posted bond as of Monday morning and did not indicate when he would be making an initial court appearance. No attorney for him was listed.

“The university is aware of the situation regarding Chris Beard. We are continuing to gather information and monitoring the legal process,” the school said in a statement.

The Longhorns (7-1), who have been ranked in the top 10 of the AP Top 25 this season, host Rice on Monday night.

Beard is in his second season of a seven-year guaranteed contract that pays him more than $5 million per year. Before coming to Texas, he Texas Tech to the 2019 NCAA Tournament championship game.

Texas freshman guard Arterio Morris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-texas-mens-college-basketball-chris-beard-fed29b4832f13e492868d779e3207406">also faces a misdemeanor family violence charge stemming from a June arrest after an incident with a former girlfriend</a>&nbsp;and faces a Wednesday court hearing in Denton County near Dallas.

Morris was a top national recruit out of Dallas and has been allowed to play this season despite the charge, and averages 17 minutes and 6.5 points per game. Morris’ attorney Justin Moore has said Moore is innocent of the assault charge.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670872672542.png" alt="Beard-photo Travis County" />
 <figcaption>Beard-photo Travis County</figcaption>
 </figure>AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Chris Beard, who coached Texas Tech to the 2019 NCAA championship game and was hired away by Texas with expectations he’d elevate his alma mater to the same elite level, was arrested early Monday on a felony family violence charge after a woman told police he strangled and bit her.The school suspended Beard without pay “until further notice” and said assistant Rodney Terry would coach the No. 7 Longhorns against Rice on Monday night.Beard was arrested by Austin police and booked at the Travis County jail at 4:18 a.m. on a charge of assault on a family or household member in which their breath was impeded. The charge is a third-degree felony in Texas, with a possible punishment of two to 10 years in prison.According to the arrest affidavit first reported by the Austin American-Statesman, the woman told police she is his fiance and they have been in a relationship for six years. She said they had been in an argument where she broke his glasses before he “just snapped on me and became super violent.”According to the affidavit, the woman told police “he choked me, bit me, bruises all over my leg, throwing me around and going nuts.”She told police Beard choked her from behind with his arm around her neck and she couldn’t breathe for about five seconds. Police say she she had a bite mark on her right arm and an abrasion to her right temple among other visible injuries.When questioned by police, Beard said he had audio recordings of the incident that would show he was not the primary aggressor. But he refused to share them with officers, police said.Beard went before a magistrate judge for his bond hearing, wearing jailhouse black-and-grey stripes and his hands cuffed in front at his waist. Beard was told he could communicate with the woman but not in a threatening manner, was ordered to stay 200 yards away from the residence where police were called and was told he is barred from possessing a firearm.Beard nodded his head and answered “yes, sir” several times when addressing the judge. Jail records show Beard posted $10,000 bond. He didn’t answer questions when he left the jail with his attorney Perry Minton.Minton declined comment but earlier told the American-Statesman the coach is innocent.“He should never have been arrested,” Minton told the newspaper. “The complainant wants him released immediately and all charges dismissed. It is truly inconceivable.”It wasn’t immediately known if the woman has an attorney. She was identified in the affidavit, but The Associated Press does not typically identify alleged victims of extreme violence without their consent.“The university takes matters of interpersonal violence involving members of its community seriously,” the school said in announcing Beard’s suspension. It did not commit to Terry as the acting coach beyond Monday night. Terry was a head coach at UTEP (2018-21) and Fresno State (2011-18).Beard is in his second season of a seven-year guaranteed contract that pays him more than $5 million per year. Before that, he was 112-55 in five seasons with the Red Raiders. He was named The Associated Press coach of the year in 2019 as he guided Texas Tech to a 31-7 finish and lost in an overtime thriller to Virginia in the national championship game.His departure for Texas — a deal reached after a meeting with Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte that included a McDonald’s breakfast an hour’s drive north of Lubbock — left Texas Tech officials frustrated.Beard said it was a difficult move, but he could not turn down&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/basketball-texas-longhorns-mens-basketball-texas-tech-red-raiders-mens-basketball-chris-beard-texas-a65e56eee131de24a128b0f9f9cb4d2c">a chance to coach at his alma mater, where he was a student assistant three decades ago.</a>&nbsp;Earlier this year, he led Texas to a first-round victory over Virginia Tech that was the Longhorns’ first NCAA Tournament win since 2014.Beard’s contract includes a provision under which he can be fired for cause for conduct the administration reasonably determines reflects poorly on the coach, program, school or university system. That includes being charged with a felony. University of Texas System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife did not return a message seeking comment.Texas freshman guard Arterio Morris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-texas-mens-college-basketball-chris-beard-fed29b4832f13e492868d779e3207406">faces a misdemeanor family violence charge stemming from a June arrest after an incident with a former girlfriend.</a>&nbsp;He faces a Wednesday court hearing in Denton County near Dallas.Morris, a top national recruit, has been allowed to play this season despite the charge, and averages 17 minutes and 6.5 points per game. Morris’ attorney, Justin Moore, has said Moore is innocent of the assault charge.-------------AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas men’s basketball coach Chris Beard was arrested early Monday on a felony family violence charge, according to Travis County Jail records.&nbsp;Just after midnight, police responded to a 911 call for a disturbance at a home in the 1900 Block of Vista Lane, according to a media release from Austin Police. The caller reported the disturbance was no longer ongoing and one of the individuals had left the house.&nbsp;Police responded and found a woman a woman who stated she had been assaulted and strangled by Chris Beard.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670863360648.png" alt="Travis County jail records" />
 <figcaption>Travis County jail records</figcaption>
 </figure>The county Sheriff’s Office said the 49-year-old Beard was arrested by Austin police and booked at 4:18 a.m. on a charge of assault on a family or household member in which their breath was impeded, or choking, in common terms.The charge is a third-degree felony in Texas, with a possible punishment of two to 10 years in prison. The jail records showed Beard had not yet posted bond as of Monday morning and did not indicate when he would be making an initial court appearance. No attorney for him was listed.“The university is aware of the situation regarding Chris Beard. We are continuing to gather information and monitoring the legal process,” the school said in a statement.The Longhorns (7-1), who have been ranked in the top 10 of the AP Top 25 this season, host Rice on Monday night.Beard is in his second season of a seven-year guaranteed contract that pays him more than $5 million per year. Before coming to Texas, he Texas Tech to the 2019 NCAA Tournament championship game.Texas freshman guard Arterio Morris&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-texas-mens-college-basketball-chris-beard-fed29b4832f13e492868d779e3207406">also faces a misdemeanor family violence charge stemming from a June arrest after an incident with a former girlfriend</a>&nbsp;and faces a Wednesday court hearing in Denton County near Dallas.Morris was a top national recruit out of Dallas and has been allowed to play this season despite the charge, and averages 17 minutes and 6.5 points per game. Morris’ attorney Justin Moore has said Moore is innocent of the assault charge.

Univ. of Texas suspends coach over family violence charge

By NATE KING Salina Post

Citizens of central Kansas, Kansas State University students, alumni, and community leaders discussed K-State Salina's role in K-State's overall strategic plan, high school education pathways to encourage students to pursue a college degree or post-secondary training, and the future of land grant schools during a community conversation on Dec. 5.

The morning visit to K-State Salina for the community forum is part of the <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/">university’s plans</a> to hear from Kansans all across the state for the 2022-2023 academic year. During their visit, K-State President Richard Linton, Provost Charles Taber, and dean of student life Thomas Lane joined a group of current K-State students collectively known as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.k-state.edu/president/initiatives/regional-community-visits/connected-cats/">Connected Cats. </a>

Linton said that the Connected Cats is a group of student leaders who have a diverse range of K-State experiences, a meaningful connection to engaged community work, and personal ties to Kansas' geographic regions. 

"So you probably have seen some of the billboards that say, 'Kansas State is the university for Kansas' well, we're for Kansas, but we're also for the nation and the world," Linton said. "We're trying to be able to make a very important statement that we are the only university that's in all 105 Kansas counties and communities and we want to let folks know that Kansas is always first." 

After Linton’s brief presentation and remarks, which included applause for the K-State football team winning the Big XII Championship game, K-State junior Ethan Brown, a graduate of Salina Central High School and one of the two current K-State Student Ambassadors; K-State sophomore Adelaide Easter; and K-State junior Yulissa Hernandez, a graduate of Salina South High School, discussed their college search experiences and why they selected K-State as their school of choice.  

"When I was in high school, I started looking at colleges my sophomore year," Brown said. "When I tell you, I looked everywhere in Kansas, I looked everywhere. I wanted everything. I wanted to have great people, I wanted to have great academia, I wanted great athletics. They had everything that I wanted. The main thing I wanted was accessibility. For me, that breaks down into three things affordability, campus access, and then just general academic accessibility."  

Easter spoke about the interdisciplinary connections she made at K-State. 

"I started as a freshman majoring in bakery science and food science. Through my involvement, and through self-discovery connections, I was able to be exposed to the global food system secondary major, which talks about food policy and how we can make the world a better place and make sure that people have access to food," Easter said. "Being in food security scholars and organizations like the alumni board, I've gotten connected to alumni that are just as passionate about food issues as I am." 

Hernandez, a student pilot at K-State Salina talked about how she switched her major from respiratory therapy, to aviation.&nbsp;

"When I was looking into coming to K State, I was a freshman in college at the time and I was working as a nurse assistant," Hernandez said. "I was doing my prerequisites for respiratory therapy - that same year, I met a pilot. He introduced me to aviation and at the time, I didn't know really any pilots. So it was all so new to me."

Hernandez said that her pilot friend took her on a discovery flight in a jet which made her decision easier to make.&nbsp;

"I was convinced I was just going to change my major completely, which was pretty scary at the time, because I thought I had it all figured out. But I thought a flying was just way more fun then respiratory therapies," Hernandez said.

The forum transitioned into a community conversation where community entrepreneurs, business leaders, regional high school educators, parents, and citizens were asked to discuss what they wanted to see from K-State. Topics discussed included increasing the presence of veterans affairs at the K-State Salina campus, eliminating roadblocks for transfer students, continuing to expand the local network of private industry partners, and meeting the current workforce demands.  

Following the forum, Salina Post sat down for an interview with Linton, where he discussed how students should always be the center of enrollment strategies. 

"When we started thinking about doing community visits, we reached out to other university presidents around the country and the message that came back is you have to take students and you have to take students from those communities," Linton said. "Parents and students aren't really there to listen to presidents and provosts because they can relate so much more to student stories."&nbsp;

Linton also spoke about the university's new initiative, Next-Gen K-State.

"We 're trying to develop a new strategy, a new strategic plan, for what we're calling the <a href="https://www.k-state.edu/strategic-planning/process/">Next-Gen Land Grant</a>," Linton said. "We haven't defined exactly what the next generation land grant university means yet, but we want to be the model land grant university that other land grants are looking to. When you take a look at one of those things that I know, will be an important part of the Next Gen Land Grant is better connectivity with communities around economic growth, and creation of jobs and support for every single community."

Ellsworth County Health Center: Because We Care Mental Health Summit  

Linton and the Connected Cats, traveled to Ellsworth County Medical Center, 1604 Aylward Avenue in Ellsworth, for a mental health summit hosted by K-State Extension. Midway Extension Director Jessica Kootz said that a group of individuals in the Ellsworth community started meeting virtually on a weekly basis to talk about COVID-19 updates and mental wellness. 

"This group of individuals, community stakeholders decided that we needed to focus a lot more on mental health. The COVID-19 update group became a 'Because We Care' group, and that has evolved within the last six months into a coalition that's centered around mental health," Kootz said.  

The summit featured a panel of experts including Rachel Clews, family and consumer science extension specialist in the Southwest Research Extension Center; Jennifer Kaufman, director of community support services for Central Kansas Mental Health; Derek Knopp, school-based clinical coordinator for Central Kansas Mental Health; Kerianne Ehrlich, Ellsworth County Health Department; and Jim Kirkbride, CEO at Ellsworth County Medical Center. 

"Most of our communities aren't just rural, they're considered frontier. It's that born and bred mentality that - you just pull yourself up by your bootstraps, you just push it down, and you keep going," said Clews. "When I worked with farmers, I tried to tell them that I'm a fourth generation farmer, my husband's a fourth generation Kansas farmer. I understand those issues. But I tell them, when your livestock is sick, you don't just say 'Oh, push it down, and you'll get over it.' I tell farmers, that they take better care of their machinery and their livestock than they do themselves. A lot of times they don't think to ask for help themselves because farmers are really great at helping others." 

Kootz said that in the last two months, Ellsworth had faced tragedies relating to mental health causing their group to push harder to be focused and intentional on making sure there is a comprehensive approach to addressing mental health in rural communities. 

Linton asked the panel if it could provide him with any statistics to help give context to the Kansas mental health crisis.  

"We have hired over 50 new staff at Central Kansas Mental Health, just within the past year," Kaufman said. "Trying to be able to provide services that range from front desk staff that are inundated with phone calls every day trying to get intake staff to be able to provide that initial service and if you're aware, there's a workforce shortage in most areas, and that includes social work, case managers, all lines." 

Clews added that according to the State of Mental Health in America 2023 Report, Kansas ranked last in the country, following the District of Columbia.  

"Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for Kansas," Clews said. "Between the years 2000 and 2018, suicide rates in Kansas increased by 70 percent."  

Clews also added that suicide is the second leading cause of death for Kansans in the 15 to 34 age range.  

An obstacle that was highlighted during the summit was the lack of educational resources directing Kansans on where to turn when they needed mental health assistance.  

"As far as regional scale, the last few years, I think, especially since 2020, we've seen an increase in people who are seeking services for mental health, and we've seen is a big increase in anxiety and depression," said Knopp. "People are recognizing the need that when they are struggling there are resources available - if you know how to access them. One of the things that we [Central Kansas Mental Health] have done, we've done a lot of work in providing education on how to access mental health services, because unless you have a family member or direct connection with somebody who has accessed services before, you don't always know how to go about that."  

Linton recognized the need for more social work professionals and mentioned the recent partnership between K-State Salina and the University of Kansas. K-State Salina will offer a Master of Social Work that will be instructed at the K-State Salina campus. 

The cooperation between K-State Salina and KU will increase the availability of graduate-level social work education in rural areas of Kansas while meeting the gaps in coverage that human service agencies in rural areas of the state have been experiencing.  

"K-State Salina is committed to responding to the needs of our region by providing a trained workforce for our social service partners," said Deb Marseline, assistant dean for diversity and student success at K-State Salina, earlier this month. "Qualified, experienced social workers play an integral role in the success of any community by working with people to improve their circumstances in a variety of situations. This opportunity furthers our mission by training students to be leaders and make an impact on our state."  

Linton also stopped by Great Plains Manufacturing, 1525 E. North Street, Salina, to take part in a facilitated conversation about ways that education in the Salina region is partnering to meet the needs of industry. Dean and CEO of K-State Salina, Alysia Starkey spoke to the importance of these types of open conversations and how industry advisory boards are working to meet workforce demands.  

"How do you stay connected to the workforce needs in your region, it has to do with our industry advisory boards and making sure we're engaged with what the needs of the industry are," Starkey said. "So regardless of whatever field you're in - each of our programs, and each of our colleges and each of our degrees at the university has industry advisory boards that help correlate where it is that they're [the student] going in the future. Industry advisory boards are a key way that you all can get involved with helping to drive your workforce needs."  

Starkey also mentioned that K-State Salina has partnered with Salina USD 305 to provide an opportunity for high school students to earn industry-recognized credentials, receive college credit for general education requirements, and complete dual credits for an associate degree while in high school and graduate at the same time as their peers. The program is called the<a href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/admissions/apply/polycats-academy/"> PolyCats Academy.</a>

"Here we have a high school program that will allow a student to get an associate's degree while they're still in high school, graduate at the same time as high school with an associate's degree, which reduces the time of entry into the career field, and it also helps to reduce the overall cost and affordability for students as well," Starkey said.  

David Disberger, executive vice president for Great Plains Manufacturing, spoke at the discussion about the<a href="https://www.salina.k-state.edu/academics/scholars-programs/"> scholar's program</a> being offered by Great Plains manufacturing.

"The scholar's program is something that came out of discussions that Dean Starkey and I had to address our needs and also address the needs of Kansas State," Disberger said. "What we've done is we've taken your traditional manufacturing engineering technology type degree, where the college student would go to school for four years to get their bachelor science degree, instead, they'll go to college for three years, and have that same BS degree."

The Great Plains Scholars Program is for students who want to earn a bachelor's degree in one of K-State Salina’s engineering technology programs and acquire first-hand knowledge of specialized industry technology by working part-time at Great Plains Manufacturing. This provides high-level learning opportunities in advanced manufacturing, basic manufacturing, advanced robotics programming, and engineering design. 

"We're able to get those workforces beginning with us at a younger age. By the time they graduate, they have over 2,400 hours of experience, and to kick this whole program off this year, we agreed to start with three students to make sure we've worked out the kinks - which we have, and it's going very well," Disberger said. "We are very pleased with the results that we're seeing thus far, we intend to continue to grow this program up to where we have 12 new students entering this program every year. Hopefully, the 12 graduating come to work for us." 

Linn Exline, Salina USD 305 superintendent, spoke about how the work field is changing the way educators prepare students for their careers after high school.  

"Over 70 percent of the jobs that we're preparing students for today will require either a two-year degree a four-year degree or some kind of industry-recognized credential," Exline said. "To that end, USD 305 has really been working on Career Exploration and career planning with students. We start that process with a semester-long class at middle school. And during that class, students use an online platform where they explore their interests. They explore their aptitudes, they explore different careers, and they try to identify a career field of interest."  

Exline also shared the successes of the Building Bridges program at USD 305.  

"Building Bridges is an effort for us to bring industry leaders, public schools, faculty, staff, our students, and business together to talk about workforce needs and how we can work together to better meet those needs," Exline said. "We are encouraging our students to understand what jobs are available here in our community because many times our students think they need to go away to get the kinds of positions that they're being trained for." Exline said that USD 305 has worked to ensure that the Building Bridges program matches with local job demands and industry standards.

"As a result of these efforts, we are seeing increased jobs. We're seeing increased internships, and we're also seeing increased number of partnerships."

Linton's visit concluded with a stop at the Salina Public Library, 301 W. Elm Street, where he and Lane read a book to children. The book selected to be read was K-State: An Alphabet Journey Across Kansas, by Debbie Mercer and Loretta Larson.&nbsp;

K-State president visits central Kansas as part of community tour

“Dad? Did those early horseless carriages have big gas tanks?” I asked. I was about seven years old and sitting in the front seat of our old Packard car in the early 1950s. It was a really neat big car that my dad could drive down the road with one finger on the steering wheel, the camber of the road curves making driving easy. We were at a gas station and Dad was still in the driver’s seat because at that time, we didn’t fill our gas tanks ourselves. And if I remember right, gas was about 29 cents a gallon. But then some candy bars were 5 cents, a Coke in a glass bottle sitting in a cold water chest was 10 cents, and a new car was only two thousands dollars.

Dad didn’t know. His childhood didn’t go back that far. But he of course asked his little boy, “Why do you ask?”

“Well,” I replied, “When they switched from horses to cars using gas, why would you buy a car if there were no gas stations, and why would you build a gas station if there were no cars? So I figure cars must have had big gas tanks when they started.”&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

“Sounds like a chicken-and-egg thing,” he replied after paying for the gas and we headed down the road.

“I bet the first cars were city folks,” I continued. “That way there might soon be enough for a gas station. And they would be close to it. And the city streets might be better to drive on. Bet the country roads weren’t good like today.”

Dad worked in summers for a road construction company, driving a truck that first held asphalt but soon would haul dry concrete, sand and gravel for mixing on site to build the Eisenhower interstate system.

“Yep,” he said. “The roads in towns were better than in the country back then.” He could remember in his childhood that some rural folks were the last to give up driving horse-and-wagon. And rural roads often had lots of ruts.&nbsp; &nbsp;

A few years later, by the time I was to fifth grade, Dad bought a three-shelf-feet set of bound “Scribner’s Magazine” at a yard sale and brought it home to his son who asked too many questions. Because I finished my assignments early, my teachers always sent me to the back of the room to read through the World Book encyclopedia. Now at home, I had a wonderful set of articles to go through, page-by-page, that chronicled most of the last of the 1800s.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;

After the Civil War, we had shifted to metal ships in our Navy. Our first submarines were shooting torpedoes that trailed two electric lines and the submarine could control the torpedo going left or right with those lines. And the difference between city streets and rural roads was obvious. It took years to evolve into what we see today.

Today, we are undergoing another change in transportation power, not from horse-muscle-to-gasoline but from gasoline-to-electric (and perhaps some hydrogen). It was interesting to detect the early nay-saying in the Scribner’s articles. To some extent this is being repeated today by gasoline addicts who find a hundred reasons to question today’s transition. But our charging stations are being built faster. And “gas stations” are increasingly expanding into small convenience stores with high prices.

As I walked the streets of Hangzhou, China in 2019, where they eliminated gas-powered motorcycles (as they have in many Chinese cities) and have an increasing number of electric cars and buses, the quietness of Hangzhou city is a pleasant surprise. And that brings up another question for which there are no survivors to answer: “Was the switch&nbsp; from clopping horse-and-buggies to the loud engines of the new&nbsp; horseless carriages as disturbing as I suspect?” No one alive today can answer that, and I didn’t find it in Scribner’s Magazine either.

For those unhappy with the change underway, there is little to do but wait, watch and listen. As they said long ago, “Just hold your horses!”&nbsp;&nbsp;

John Richard Schrock has trained biology teachers for more than 30 years in Kansas. He also has lectured at 27 universities during 20 trips to China. He holds the distinction of “Faculty Emeritus” at Emporia State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573490075841.jpeg" alt="John Richard Schrock" />
 <figcaption>John Richard Schrock</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN RICHARD SCHROCK “Dad? Did those early horseless carriages have big gas tanks?” I asked. I was about seven years old and sitting in the front seat of our old Packard car in the early 1950s. It was a really neat big car that my dad could drive down the road with one finger on the steering wheel, the camber of the road curves making driving easy. We were at a gas station and Dad was still in the driver’s seat because at that time, we didn’t fill our gas tanks ourselves. And if I remember right, gas was about 29 cents a gallon. But then some candy bars were 5 cents, a Coke in a glass bottle sitting in a cold water chest was 10 cents, and a new car was only two thousands dollars. Dad didn’t know. His childhood didn’t go back that far. But he of course asked his little boy, “Why do you ask?” “Well,” I replied, “When they switched from horses to cars using gas, why would you buy a car if there were no gas stations, and why would you build a gas station if there were no cars? So I figure cars must have had big gas tanks when they started.”&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; “Sounds like a chicken-and-egg thing,” he replied after paying for the gas and we headed down the road. “I bet the first cars were city folks,” I continued. “That way there might soon be enough for a gas station. And they would be close to it. And the city streets might be better to drive on. Bet the country roads weren’t good like today.” Dad worked in summers for a road construction company, driving a truck that first held asphalt but soon would haul dry concrete, sand and gravel for mixing on site to build the Eisenhower interstate system. “Yep,” he said. “The roads in towns were better than in the country back then.” He could remember in his childhood that some rural folks were the last to give up driving horse-and-wagon. And rural roads often had lots of ruts.&nbsp; &nbsp; A few years later, by the time I was to fifth grade, Dad bought a three-shelf-feet set of bound “Scribner’s Magazine” at a yard sale and brought it home to his son who asked too many questions. Because I finished my assignments early, my teachers always sent me to the back of the room to read through the World Book encyclopedia. Now at home, I had a wonderful set of articles to go through, page-by-page, that chronicled most of the last of the 1800s.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; After the Civil War, we had shifted to metal ships in our Navy. Our first submarines were shooting torpedoes that trailed two electric lines and the submarine could control the torpedo going left or right with those lines. And the difference between city streets and rural roads was obvious. It took years to evolve into what we see today. Today, we are undergoing another change in transportation power, not from horse-muscle-to-gasoline but from gasoline-to-electric (and perhaps some hydrogen). It was interesting to detect the early nay-saying in the Scribner’s articles. To some extent this is being repeated today by gasoline addicts who find a hundred reasons to question today’s transition. But our charging stations are being built faster. And “gas stations” are increasingly expanding into small convenience stores with high prices. As I walked the streets of Hangzhou, China in 2019, where they eliminated gas-powered motorcycles (as they have in many Chinese cities) and have an increasing number of electric cars and buses, the quietness of Hangzhou city is a pleasant surprise. And that brings up another question for which there are no survivors to answer: “Was the switch&nbsp; from clopping horse-and-buggies to the loud engines of the new&nbsp; horseless carriages as disturbing as I suspect?” No one alive today can answer that, and I didn’t find it in Scribner’s Magazine either. For those unhappy with the change underway, there is little to do but wait, watch and listen. As they said long ago, “Just hold your horses!”&nbsp;&nbsp;John Richard Schrock has trained biology teachers for more than 30 years in Kansas. He also has lectured at 27 universities during 20 trips to China. He holds the distinction of “Faculty Emeritus” at Emporia State University.

EDUCATION FRONTLINES:  Transition to gas power

After years of improvement, new research shows a troubling increase in admitted risky driving

WICHITA – A new report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds unsafe driving behaviors, including speeding, red-light running, drowsy driving, and driving impaired on cannabis or alcohol, rose from 2020 to 2021. 

The most alarming increase was among drivers admitting to getting behind the wheel after drinking enough that they felt they were over the legal limit - an increase of nearly 24%.&nbsp; According to new survey data in the AAA Foundation's annual Traffic Safety Culture Index, this is a reversal in the steady declines in these dangerous driving behaviors in the three years from 2018 through 2020.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, traffic fatalities have risen. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year, a 10.5% increase from the 38,824 fatalities in 2020. According to NHTSA, dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, alcohol impairment, and non-use of seatbelts account for a considerable proportion of the increased fatalities. Accordingly, AAA urges drivers to keep everyone safe on the roads and warns motorists against falling back into dangerous driving habits.

“The increase in the number of U.S. drivers engaging in risky driving behavior is troubling,” said Shawn Steward, spokesman for&nbsp;AAA Kansas. “While drivers consistently acknowledge that certain risky behaviors behind the wheel, such as speeding and driving impaired, are not safe, many still engage in these activities anyway.”

The proportion of people who reported having engaged in the following unsafe driving behaviors at least once in the past 30 days before the survey:

As in previous years, drivers reported too often engaging in risky behaviors that they know are dangerous and would meet with disapproval from friends or family. For example:

Texting while driving 92% think it’s very or extremely dangerous

96% think someone important to them would disapprove

26% admit&nbsp;to doing it in the last 30 days. 

Aggressive driving 88% think it’s very or extremely dangerous

23% admit&nbsp;to doing it in the last 30 days

Impaired driving 94% believe driving after drinking enough alcohol (to the point one considers they might be over the legal limit) to be very or extremely dangerous

7% admit to engaging in this behavior in the past 30 days

65% of drivers feel driving, within an hour, of using marijuana is very or extremely dangerous

93% believe people important to them would disapprove of the behavior.

 94% believe driving after drinking enough alcohol (to the point one considers they might be over the legal limit) to be very or extremely dangerous. 

7% admit to engaging in this behavior in the past 30 days. 

65% of drivers feel driving, within an hour, of using marijuana is very or extremely dangerous. 

93% believe people important to them would disapprove of the behavior

Nearly three in four drivers supported making it illegal to drive with any drug (not legally prescribed) in one’s system. 

“The privilege of driving comes with great responsibility, which some motorists are not taking seriously,” said Steward. 

AAA’s Traffic Safety Culture Index illustrates a clear disconnect when it comes to impaired driving and the perception that marijuana use and driving is less dangerous than drinking alcohol and getting behind the wheel. 

“We must be aware of the serious consequences of all dangerous driving behaviors and change course,” Steward added.

The purpose of the Traffic Safety Culture&nbsp;survey&nbsp;is to better understand drivers’ perceptions and attitudes towards risky behaviors, so we can work together to find the best possible way to address those issues and&nbsp;reduce crashes.&nbsp;

“With nearly 43,000 fatal crashes nationwide every year, we’ve got to do everything we can to save more lives,” Steward added.

Traffic fatalities on Kansas roads have been on the rise during the last several years, with 403 in 2018, 410 in 2019, 426 in 2020, and 427 in 2021.

AAA recommends these safety tips to keep in mind.

●Out of sight, out of mind. Stow your smartphone away, turn it to airplane mode, or activate call/text blocking features like Apple’s Do Not Disturb.

●Slow down. Drivers tend to overestimate the time saved by speeding. Speed kills and isn’t worth the cost.

●Stay alert. Stop driving if you become sleepy because you can fall asleep anytime. Fatigue impacts reaction time, judgment, and vision.

●Drive sober.&nbsp; If you consume marijuana or alcohol, then don’t drive. If you are taking potentially impairing prescription medications, discuss with your doctor or pharmacist how best to stay safe AND healthy behind the wheel.

●Buckle your seat belt for every ride. It does not matter where in the vehicle you are seated. A properly worn seatbelt is the most effective way to survive a traffic crash.

About AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Now celebrating its 75th anniversary, the Foundation for Traffic Safety was established in 1947 by AAA. The Foundation is a nonprofit, publicly funded, 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation’s mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by researching their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. This research develops educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users.

About AAA AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 63&nbsp;million&nbsp;members nationwide and more than 350,000 members in Kansas.&nbsp;AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. AAA is a&nbsp;non-stock, membership corporation working&nbsp;on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, access a&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUZq7fhzRb2URGDQo-2F50oBEr-2Fbwhu8fPUyM1UGHM2bacFFA3Jf5NCJEcqU1rYMpo-2B7BEohQndgte3obSbPOg00n9FouHS9x9pGXl1JHu0Vl-2FaLIg69vty8Q3jtYMEA-2BXbOA-3D-3DNims_t63W6VOpNaQzFln0mRpIPwKWfC8tUIiPKNeIQzfdtyfQoXXVWW7tXyuBqGeFvk2cNuQE8DSUNhLYK5rhxUJJqnr36Bz-2FX7x-2BRJfm1jhyKW-2FTCp5aY-2FVJ4JCxnjvk-2FRRDU0nelHrI6CMxkA0OX3sayPVD77x-2Fw8F08OMdNF-2BOvwYwLJhSnGgzexbAzSShUnQXl9MHqgLLBhRF5IkDR0E8zohmrdfezj962GmmUt6YyaqrRX33RPmn98eP8vk-2F0pDPwCDn2jPNaQuW8YdG1WEtDJjvLCO1-2FGoEwxzfoaHHRKmroKdI8x26G4AIpqgR4PnTtWFRVF3geFV3obIycSh9o29Ej72GTPUkxJ2ZzeTpF7o-3D" target="_blank">COVID travel restriction map</a>, find local gas prices and&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUf5vDzC6voLYAPhUgWPKW1SAOm0OriNB3cOVo30c-2Fc525WkX_t63W6VOpNaQzFln0mRpIPwKWfC8tUIiPKNeIQzfdtyfQoXXVWW7tXyuBqGeFvk2cNuQE8DSUNhLYK5rhxUJJqnr36Bz-2FX7x-2BRJfm1jhyKW-2FTCp5aY-2FVJ4JCxnjvk-2FRRDU0nelHrI6CMxkA0OX3sayPVD77x-2Fw8F08OMdNF-2BOvwYwLJhSnGgzexbAzSShUnQXl9MHqgLLBhRF5IkDR0E8zju1uUNNtqPERyBfjhDbaPj4fCUBs2-2F3cpCiIX8ztuu6Q5JXB-2Fp5yFAAuf6CTedv5Ife7NJRid8ENGxz88tQxQxY6soMXYEJXP9ummmNSZPb4jyNZkyo9vVfJzKGYjR7jkHruAGSjyFLp-2B-2BLY0RqwBE-3D" target="_blank">electric vehicle charging stations</a>,&nbsp;discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9hd7gt5w4RnNVYldceL1C0Mr-2BgWuTHSr0gcdduVCeTe6kTys_t63W6VOpNaQzFln0mRpIPwKWfC8tUIiPKNeIQzfdtyfQoXXVWW7tXyuBqGeFvk2cNuQE8DSUNhLYK5rhxUJJqnr36Bz-2FX7x-2BRJfm1jhyKW-2FTCp5aY-2FVJ4JCxnjvk-2FRRDU0nelHrI6CMxkA0OX3sayPVD77x-2Fw8F08OMdNF-2BOvwYwLJhSnGgzexbAzSShUnQXl9MHqgLLBhRF5IkDR0E8zmmcXYGA5HXxYN-2FOZ34uTh6fITpHKI5U0X0W6xfHJzyAMLx6EhlfVQsaOSZ26vDpnxg679ss4kfHkNSS3R4yc9tDgcp6nbQ0x7DIAmwemeb-2By6WIc3-2BHcoIXITn5QfI53zT8VTdPQGviSa39tXE8jwA-3D" target="_blank">AAA.com/mobile</a>) for iPhone, iPad, and Android. For more information on joining or renewing a membership, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9jbf-2FfQz5ExMUplWZDyodiQ-3DQXfc_t63W6VOpNaQzFln0mRpIPwKWfC8tUIiPKNeIQzfdtyfQoXXVWW7tXyuBqGeFvk2cNuQE8DSUNhLYK5rhxUJJqnr36Bz-2FX7x-2BRJfm1jhyKW-2FTCp5aY-2FVJ4JCxnjvk-2FRRDU0nelHrI6CMxkA0OX3sayPVD77x-2Fw8F08OMdNF-2BOvwYwLJhSnGgzexbAzSShUnQXl9MHqgLLBhRF5IkDR0E8zrqRrws-2Fuhn-2FRo0WiHl8wljhVd3voXagDrdEF1-2FSilOiNfH1YQTEIWr2Y-2BudyIQvMy-2B5TFpOw05n-2F1GDNBiFwRo0-2BseNDSe733sufdc12b2yyB7bkZz4ldDd1k9-2BbsJU5-2BcKgt3V-2BJXJXfZ211C-2FJVw-3D" target="_blank">www.AAA.com</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670802172440.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>After years of improvement, new research shows a troubling increase in admitted risky driving</h2>AAA KansasWICHITA – A new report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds unsafe driving behaviors, including speeding, red-light running, drowsy driving, and driving impaired on cannabis or alcohol, rose from 2020 to 2021. The most alarming increase was among drivers admitting to getting behind the wheel after drinking enough that they felt they were over the legal limit - an increase of nearly 24%.&nbsp; According to new survey data in the AAA Foundation's annual Traffic Safety Culture Index, this is a reversal in the steady declines in these dangerous driving behaviors in the three years from 2018 through 2020.Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, traffic fatalities have risen. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year, a 10.5% increase from the 38,824 fatalities in 2020. According to NHTSA, dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, alcohol impairment, and non-use of seatbelts account for a considerable proportion of the increased fatalities. Accordingly, AAA urges drivers to keep everyone safe on the roads and warns motorists against falling back into dangerous driving habits.“The increase in the number of U.S. drivers engaging in risky driving behavior is troubling,” said Shawn Steward, spokesman for&nbsp;AAA Kansas. “While drivers consistently acknowledge that certain risky behaviors behind the wheel, such as speeding and driving impaired, are not safe, many still engage in these activities anyway.”The proportion of people who reported having engaged in the following unsafe driving behaviors at least once in the past 30 days before the survey:<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670801215763.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>As in previous years, drivers reported too often engaging in risky behaviors that they know are dangerous and would meet with disapproval from friends or family. For example:Texting while driving 92% think it’s very or extremely dangerous96% think someone important to them would disapprove26% admit&nbsp;to doing it in the last 30 days. Aggressive driving 88% think it’s very or extremely dangerous96% think someone important to them would disapprove23% admit&nbsp;to doing it in the last 30 daysImpaired driving 94% believe driving after drinking enough alcohol (to the point one considers they might be over the legal limit) to be very or extremely dangerous7% admit to engaging in this behavior in the past 30 days65% of drivers feel driving, within an hour, of using marijuana is very or extremely dangerous93% believe people important to them would disapprove of the behavior. 94% believe driving after drinking enough alcohol (to the point one considers they might be over the legal limit) to be very or extremely dangerous. 7% admit to engaging in this behavior in the past 30 days. 65% of drivers feel driving, within an hour, of using marijuana is very or extremely dangerous. 93% believe people important to them would disapprove of the behaviorNearly three in four drivers supported making it illegal to drive with any drug (not legally prescribed) in one’s system. “The privilege of driving comes with great responsibility, which some motorists are not taking seriously,” said Steward. AAA’s Traffic Safety Culture Index illustrates a clear disconnect when it comes to impaired driving and the perception that marijuana use and driving is less dangerous than drinking alcohol and getting behind the wheel. “We must be aware of the serious consequences of all dangerous driving behaviors and change course,” Steward added.The purpose of the Traffic Safety Culture&nbsp;survey&nbsp;is to better understand drivers’ perceptions and attitudes towards risky behaviors, so we can work together to find the best possible way to address those issues and&nbsp;reduce crashes.&nbsp;“With nearly 43,000 fatal crashes nationwide every year, we’ve got to do everything we can to save more lives,” Steward added.Traffic fatalities on Kansas roads have been on the rise during the last several years, with 403 in 2018, 410 in 2019, 426 in 2020, and 427 in 2021.AAA recommends these safety tips to keep in mind.●Out of sight, out of mind. Stow your smartphone away, turn it to airplane mode, or activate call/text blocking features like Apple’s Do Not Disturb.●Slow down. Drivers tend to overestimate the time saved by speeding. Speed kills and isn’t worth the cost.●Stay alert. Stop driving if you become sleepy because you can fall asleep anytime. Fatigue impacts reaction time, judgment, and vision.●Drive sober.&nbsp; If you consume marijuana or alcohol, then don’t drive. If you are taking potentially impairing prescription medications, discuss with your doctor or pharmacist how best to stay safe AND healthy behind the wheel.●Buckle your seat belt for every ride. It does not matter where in the vehicle you are seated. A properly worn seatbelt is the most effective way to survive a traffic crash.About AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Now celebrating its 75th anniversary, the Foundation for Traffic Safety was established in 1947 by AAA. The Foundation is a nonprofit, publicly funded, 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation’s mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by researching their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. This research develops educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users.About AAA AAA provides automotive, travel, and insurance services to more than 63&nbsp;million&nbsp;members nationwide and more than 350,000 members in Kansas.&nbsp;AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years. AAA is a&nbsp;non-stock, membership corporation working&nbsp;on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, access a&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUZq7fhzRb2URGDQo-2F50oBEr-2Fbwhu8fPUyM1UGHM2bacFFA3Jf5NCJEcqU1rYMpo-2B7BEohQndgte3obSbPOg00n9FouHS9x9pGXl1JHu0Vl-2FaLIg69vty8Q3jtYMEA-2BXbOA-3D-3DNims_t63W6VOpNaQzFln0mRpIPwKWfC8tUIiPKNeIQzfdtyfQoXXVWW7tXyuBqGeFvk2cNuQE8DSUNhLYK5rhxUJJqnr36Bz-2FX7x-2BRJfm1jhyKW-2FTCp5aY-2FVJ4JCxnjvk-2FRRDU0nelHrI6CMxkA0OX3sayPVD77x-2Fw8F08OMdNF-2BOvwYwLJhSnGgzexbAzSShUnQXl9MHqgLLBhRF5IkDR0E8zohmrdfezj962GmmUt6YyaqrRX33RPmn98eP8vk-2F0pDPwCDn2jPNaQuW8YdG1WEtDJjvLCO1-2FGoEwxzfoaHHRKmroKdI8x26G4AIpqgR4PnTtWFRVF3geFV3obIycSh9o29Ej72GTPUkxJ2ZzeTpF7o-3D" target="_blank">COVID travel restriction map</a>, find local gas prices and&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUf5vDzC6voLYAPhUgWPKW1SAOm0OriNB3cOVo30c-2Fc525WkX_t63W6VOpNaQzFln0mRpIPwKWfC8tUIiPKNeIQzfdtyfQoXXVWW7tXyuBqGeFvk2cNuQE8DSUNhLYK5rhxUJJqnr36Bz-2FX7x-2BRJfm1jhyKW-2FTCp5aY-2FVJ4JCxnjvk-2FRRDU0nelHrI6CMxkA0OX3sayPVD77x-2Fw8F08OMdNF-2BOvwYwLJhSnGgzexbAzSShUnQXl9MHqgLLBhRF5IkDR0E8zju1uUNNtqPERyBfjhDbaPj4fCUBs2-2F3cpCiIX8ztuu6Q5JXB-2Fp5yFAAuf6CTedv5Ife7NJRid8ENGxz88tQxQxY6soMXYEJXP9ummmNSZPb4jyNZkyo9vVfJzKGYjR7jkHruAGSjyFLp-2B-2BLY0RqwBE-3D" target="_blank">electric vehicle charging stations</a>,&nbsp;discover discounts, book a hotel, and track their roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app (<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9hd7gt5w4RnNVYldceL1C0Mr-2BgWuTHSr0gcdduVCeTe6kTys_t63W6VOpNaQzFln0mRpIPwKWfC8tUIiPKNeIQzfdtyfQoXXVWW7tXyuBqGeFvk2cNuQE8DSUNhLYK5rhxUJJqnr36Bz-2FX7x-2BRJfm1jhyKW-2FTCp5aY-2FVJ4JCxnjvk-2FRRDU0nelHrI6CMxkA0OX3sayPVD77x-2Fw8F08OMdNF-2BOvwYwLJhSnGgzexbAzSShUnQXl9MHqgLLBhRF5IkDR0E8zmmcXYGA5HXxYN-2FOZ34uTh6fITpHKI5U0X0W6xfHJzyAMLx6EhlfVQsaOSZ26vDpnxg679ss4kfHkNSS3R4yc9tDgcp6nbQ0x7DIAmwemeb-2By6WIc3-2BHcoIXITn5QfI53zT8VTdPQGviSa39tXE8jwA-3D" target="_blank">AAA.com/mobile</a>) for iPhone, iPad, and Android. For more information on joining or renewing a membership, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9jbf-2FfQz5ExMUplWZDyodiQ-3DQXfc_t63W6VOpNaQzFln0mRpIPwKWfC8tUIiPKNeIQzfdtyfQoXXVWW7tXyuBqGeFvk2cNuQE8DSUNhLYK5rhxUJJqnr36Bz-2FX7x-2BRJfm1jhyKW-2FTCp5aY-2FVJ4JCxnjvk-2FRRDU0nelHrI6CMxkA0OX3sayPVD77x-2Fw8F08OMdNF-2BOvwYwLJhSnGgzexbAzSShUnQXl9MHqgLLBhRF5IkDR0E8zrqRrws-2Fuhn-2FRo0WiHl8wljhVd3voXagDrdEF1-2FSilOiNfH1YQTEIWr2Y-2BudyIQvMy-2B5TFpOw05n-2F1GDNBiFwRo0-2BseNDSe733sufdc12b2yyB7bkZz4ldDd1k9-2BbsJU5-2BcKgt3V-2BJXJXfZ211C-2FJVw-3D" target="_blank">www.AAA.com</a>.

Going in reverse: Dangerous driving behaviors rise

GEARY COUNTY—A Junction City man was injured in an accident just after noon Sunday during a pursuit by law enforcement in Geary County.

The Kansas HIghway Patrol reported a 2008 Toyota Avalon driven by&nbsp; Brad W. Briand, 43, Junction City, was eastbound on Kansas 244 fleeing law enforcement. 

The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The car crossed the centerline, struck a guard rail, rolled into the north ditch and caught fire.

EMS transported Briand to the Geary County Hospital and he was later booked into the Geary County jail on requested charges of&nbsp;Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of marijuana; Driving under the influence of drug or combination of drugs; 1st conv; Obstruction or impeding of lawful activities; Flee or attempt to elude LEO by engaging in reckless driving and maximum speed limits, according to online jail records.

He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670844754707.png" alt="Briand photo Geary Co." />
 <figcaption>Briand photo Geary Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY—A Junction City man was injured in an accident just after noon Sunday during a pursuit by law enforcement in Geary County.The Kansas HIghway Patrol reported a 2008 Toyota Avalon driven by&nbsp; Brad W. Briand, 43, Junction City, was eastbound on Kansas 244 fleeing law enforcement. The driver failed to negotiate a curve. The car crossed the centerline, struck a guard rail, rolled into the north ditch and caught fire.EMS transported Briand to the Geary County Hospital and he was later booked into the Geary County jail on requested charges of&nbsp;Use/possess w/intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body; Possession of marijuana; Driving under the influence of drug or combination of drugs; 1st conv; Obstruction or impeding of lawful activities; Flee or attempt to elude LEO by engaging in reckless driving and maximum speed limits, according to online jail records.He was properly restrained at the time of the accident, according to the KHP.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kan. man jailed after crash, fire during high-speed chase

Today is Sunday, Dec. 11, the 345th day of 2022. There are 20 days left in the year.

On Dec. 11, 1936, Britain's King Edward VIII abdicated the throne so he could marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simpson; his brother, Prince Albert, became King George VI.

In 1941, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States; the U.S. responded in kind.

In 1946, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established.

In 1972, Apollo 17's lunar module landed on the moon with astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt aboard; they became the last two men to date to step onto the lunar surface.

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed legislation creating a $1.6 billion environmental "superfund" to pay for cleaning up chemical spills and toxic waste dumps. "Magnum P.I.," starring Tom Selleck, premiered on CBS.

In 1997, more than 150 countries agreed at a global warming conference in Kyoto, Japan, to control the Earth's greenhouse gases.

In 1998, majority Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee pushed through three articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton, over Democratic objections.

In 2001, in the first criminal indictment stemming from 9/11, federal prosecutors charged Zacarias Moussaoui, a French citizen of Moroccan descent, with conspiring to murder thousands in the suicide hijackings. (Moussaoui pleaded guilty to conspiracy in 2005 and was sentenced to life in prison.)

In 2002, a congressional report found that intelligence agencies that were supposed to protect Americans from the Sept. 11 hijackers failed to do so because they were poorly organized, poorly equipped and slow to pursue clues that might have prevented the attacks.

In 2008, former Nasdaq chairman Bernie Madoff was arrested, accused of running a multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme that wiped out the life savings of thousands of people and wrecked charities. (Madoff died in April 2021 while serving a 150-year federal prison sentence.)

In 2018, a Virginia jury called for a sentence of life in prison plus 419 years for the man who killed a woman when he rammed his car into counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. (James Alex Fields Jr. received that sentence in July, 2019.)

In 2020, the Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden's election victory, ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues that were rejected by state and federal judges before the nation's highest court. The Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of the nation's first COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech; the decision came as the U.S. recorded a new daily high in the number of coronavirus deaths. (Hours before the FDA action, according to two administration officials, a high-ranking White House official told the FDA's chief that he could face firing if the vaccine was not cleared by day's end.)

Ten years ago: The Michigan Legislature gave final approval to a pair of right-to-work bills that were quickly signed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder amid angry protests by union members and their supporters. Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue overturned the suspensions of four New Orleans Saints players in the league's bounty investigation but said three of the players had engaged in conduct detrimental to the league.

Five years ago: A Bangladeshi immigrant set off a crude pipe bomb in a New York City subway passageway in a botched suicide bombing; it did not fully detonate and Akayed Ullah was the only one seriously hurt. (Ullah was convicted on terrorism charges in federal court and sentenced to life in prison.) A Southern California wildfire exploded in size again, becoming the fifth largest in state history; officials handed out masks to those who stayed behind in an exclusive community where Oprah Winfrey and other stars had homes. Chef Mario Batali stepped away from his restaurant empire and his cooking show "The Chew" as he conceded that reports of sexual misconduct "match up" to his behavior. French President Emmanuel Macron awarded millions of dollars in grants to 18 climate scientists from the U.S. and elsewhere, allowing them to relocate to France for the remainder of Donald Trump's presidential term. The Pentagon said transgender recruits would be allowed to enlist in the military beginning Jan. 1; a ban ordered by Trump had suffered a series of legal setbacks.

One year ago: Anne Rice, author of best-selling gothic novels including "Interview With the Vampire," died at 80 due to complications from a stroke. Alabama's Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy, beating out Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to give the Crimson Tide consecutive winners of college football's most famous individual award. Football star and TV celebrity Michael Strahan was among the latest to ride into space aboard Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, sharing the trip with Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of Alan Shepard, who was America's first astronaut.

Today's Birthdays: Actor Rita Moreno is 91. Pop singer David Gates (Bread) is 82. Actor Donna Mills is 82. Former Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., is 81. Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is 79. Singer Brenda Lee is 78. Actor Lynda Day George is 78. Music producer Tony Brown is 76. Actor Teri Garr is 75. Movie director Susan Seidelman is 71. Actor Bess Armstrong is 69. Singer Jermaine Jackson is 68. Rock musician Mike Mesaros (The Smithereens) is 65. Rock musician Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue) is 64. Rock musician Darryl Jones (The Rolling Stones) is 61. Actor Ben Browder is 60. Singer-musician Justin Currie (Del Amitri) is 58. Rock musician David Schools (Hard Working Americans, Gov't Mule, Widespread Panic) is 58. Actor Gary Dourdan is 56. Actor-comedian Mo'Nique is 55. Actor Max Martini is 53. Rapper-actor Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) is 49. Actor Rider Strong is 43. Actor Xosha Roquemore is 38. Actor Karla Souza is 36. Actor Hailee Steinfeld is 26.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Sunday, Dec. 11, the 345th day of 2022. There are 20 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Dec. 11, 1936, Britain's King Edward VIII abdicated the throne so he could marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simpson; his brother, Prince Albert, became King George VI.On this date:In 1816, Indiana became the 19th state.In 1941, Germany and Italy declared war on the United States; the U.S. responded in kind.In 1946, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established.In 1972, Apollo 17's lunar module landed on the moon with astronauts Eugene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt aboard; they became the last two men to date to step onto the lunar surface.In 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed legislation creating a $1.6 billion environmental "superfund" to pay for cleaning up chemical spills and toxic waste dumps. "Magnum P.I.," starring Tom Selleck, premiered on CBS.In 1997, more than 150 countries agreed at a global warming conference in Kyoto, Japan, to control the Earth's greenhouse gases.In 1998, majority Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee pushed through three articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton, over Democratic objections.In 2001, in the first criminal indictment stemming from 9/11, federal prosecutors charged Zacarias Moussaoui, a French citizen of Moroccan descent, with conspiring to murder thousands in the suicide hijackings. (Moussaoui pleaded guilty to conspiracy in 2005 and was sentenced to life in prison.)In 2002, a congressional report found that intelligence agencies that were supposed to protect Americans from the Sept. 11 hijackers failed to do so because they were poorly organized, poorly equipped and slow to pursue clues that might have prevented the attacks.In 2008, former Nasdaq chairman Bernie Madoff was arrested, accused of running a multibillion-dollar Ponzi scheme that wiped out the life savings of thousands of people and wrecked charities. (Madoff died in April 2021 while serving a 150-year federal prison sentence.)In 2018, a Virginia jury called for a sentence of life in prison plus 419 years for the man who killed a woman when he rammed his car into counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. (James Alex Fields Jr. received that sentence in July, 2019.)In 2020, the Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden's election victory, ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues that were rejected by state and federal judges before the nation's highest court. The Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of the nation's first COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech; the decision came as the U.S. recorded a new daily high in the number of coronavirus deaths. (Hours before the FDA action, according to two administration officials, a high-ranking White House official told the FDA's chief that he could face firing if the vaccine was not cleared by day's end.)Ten years ago: The Michigan Legislature gave final approval to a pair of right-to-work bills that were quickly signed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder amid angry protests by union members and their supporters. Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue overturned the suspensions of four New Orleans Saints players in the league's bounty investigation but said three of the players had engaged in conduct detrimental to the league.Five years ago: A Bangladeshi immigrant set off a crude pipe bomb in a New York City subway passageway in a botched suicide bombing; it did not fully detonate and Akayed Ullah was the only one seriously hurt. (Ullah was convicted on terrorism charges in federal court and sentenced to life in prison.) A Southern California wildfire exploded in size again, becoming the fifth largest in state history; officials handed out masks to those who stayed behind in an exclusive community where Oprah Winfrey and other stars had homes. Chef Mario Batali stepped away from his restaurant empire and his cooking show "The Chew" as he conceded that reports of sexual misconduct "match up" to his behavior. French President Emmanuel Macron awarded millions of dollars in grants to 18 climate scientists from the U.S. and elsewhere, allowing them to relocate to France for the remainder of Donald Trump's presidential term. The Pentagon said transgender recruits would be allowed to enlist in the military beginning Jan. 1; a ban ordered by Trump had suffered a series of legal setbacks.One year ago: Anne Rice, author of best-selling gothic novels including "Interview With the Vampire," died at 80 due to complications from a stroke. Alabama's Bryce Young won the Heisman Trophy, beating out Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson to give the Crimson Tide consecutive winners of college football's most famous individual award. Football star and TV celebrity Michael Strahan was among the latest to ride into space aboard Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, sharing the trip with Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of Alan Shepard, who was America's first astronaut.Today's Birthdays: Actor Rita Moreno is 91. Pop singer David Gates (Bread) is 82. Actor Donna Mills is 82. Former Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., is 81. Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is 79. Singer Brenda Lee is 78. Actor Lynda Day George is 78. Music producer Tony Brown is 76. Actor Teri Garr is 75. Movie director Susan Seidelman is 71. Actor Bess Armstrong is 69. Singer Jermaine Jackson is 68. Rock musician Mike Mesaros (The Smithereens) is 65. Rock musician Nikki Sixx (Motley Crue) is 64. Rock musician Darryl Jones (The Rolling Stones) is 61. Actor Ben Browder is 60. Singer-musician Justin Currie (Del Amitri) is 58. Rock musician David Schools (Hard Working Americans, Gov't Mule, Widespread Panic) is 58. Actor Gary Dourdan is 56. Actor-comedian Mo'Nique is 55. Actor Max Martini is 53. Rapper-actor Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) is 49. Actor Rider Strong is 43. Actor Xosha Roquemore is 38. Actor Karla Souza is 36. Actor Hailee Steinfeld is 26.

Today in History - December 11

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 27 years in prison for engaging in sexual acts with a child while taking nude pictures and videos of the child, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp;

According to court documents, in September 2022, Joshua Courtney, 35, of Bonner Springs pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and four counts of possession of child pornography.

Acting on cybertips submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, law enforcement agents found dozens of pornographic images in Courtney’s Google photos. 

Courtney admitted to investigators to taking nude photos of a 10-year-old child, filming while he engaged in sexual acts with the child, and sending these materials to others. He also admitted receiving child pornography of other children on his cell phone.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670275278962.png" alt="Courtney was arrested in February by U.S. Marshals, according to online booking records." />
 <figcaption>Courtney was arrested in February by U.S. Marshals, according to online booking records.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was sentenced to 27 years in prison for engaging in sexual acts with a child while taking nude pictures and videos of the child, according to the United State's Attorney.&nbsp;According to court documents, in September 2022, Joshua Courtney, 35, of Bonner Springs pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a child and four counts of possession of child pornography.Acting on cybertips submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, law enforcement agents found dozens of pornographic images in Courtney’s Google photos. Courtney admitted to investigators to taking nude photos of a 10-year-old child, filming while he engaged in sexual acts with the child, and sending these materials to others. He also admitted receiving child pornography of other children on his cell phone.

Kan. man took inappropriate photos of a 10-year-old

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a drug bust.

On Wednesday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrants in the 1500 Block SW Tyler Street related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.

While conducting the search warrant, officers located marijuana, drug paraphernalia, stolen property and a firearm.

As a result, Dyllon Tucker, 31, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked on requested charges of Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, Possession of stolen property and Possession of paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670529572944.png" alt="Tucker-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Tucker-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on new charges after a drug bust.On Wednesday, members of the Topeka Police Department Narcotics Unit served a search warrants in the 1500 Block SW Tyler Street related to an ongoing investigation, according to Police Lt. Ronnie Connell.While conducting the search warrant, officers located marijuana, drug paraphernalia, stolen property and a firearm.As a result, Dyllon Tucker, 31, was transported to the Shawnee County Department of Corrections and booked on requested charges of Criminal possession of a weapon by a felon, Possession of stolen property and Possession of paraphernalia.

Kansas felon caught with stolen property, firearm and drugs

WASHINGTON —Kansas 3rd District Representative Sharice Davids on Thursday applauded bipartisan passage of legislation she help introduce to enshrine marriage equality in federal law. 

The&nbsp;<a href="https://rules.house.gov/sites/democrats.rules.house.gov/files/BILLS-117HR8404IH.pdf">Respect for Marriage Act</a>&nbsp;passed in the House 258-169 with almost 40 Republican votes. It also protects interracial unions by requiring states to recognize legal marriages regardless of “sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.” Congresswoman Davids was the only member of the Kansas House delegation to vote in favor of the bill. Representatives Tracey Mann, Ron Estes and Jake LaTurner voted against the measure in addition to Missouri Representatives Sam Graves, Vicky Hartzler, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Billy Long and Jason Smith.

The Senate passed the bill last week with 12 Republican votes. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall and Missouri Senator Josh Hawley voted against the bill. Retiring Missouri Senator Roy Blunt voted with the Democrats.&nbsp; The legislation now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

In July Davids joined her colleagues to introduce the&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;following Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion in&nbsp;Dobbs v Jackson,&nbsp;in which he stated that the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/24/thomas-constitutional-rights-00042256">“should reconsider”</a>&nbsp;previous rulings codifying same-sex marriage protections.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;repeals the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and provides additional legal protections from attempts to undermine marriage equality at the state level.

“After the&nbsp;Dobbs&nbsp;decision, people across Kansas and the entire country felt fear and anxiety as many of our individual freedoms were called into question or outright stripped away. That includes marriage equality for same-sex couples, which was explicitly threatened by Justice Thomas,” said&nbsp;Davids. “I’m proud to have introduced legislation that will help lessen that fear and provide stability to so many families, and I applaud the bipartisan group of lawmakers who joined me to stand up for our rights.”

The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;will:

The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;is&nbsp;<a href="https://judiciary.house.gov/newsroom/respectformarriagesupport/">strongly supported by leading national organizations</a>&nbsp;including: ACLU, Center for American Progress, Equality Federation, Family Equality, Freedom for All Americans, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, National LGBTQ Task Force, National Women’s Law Center, and PFLAG National.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670540217091.png" alt="Rep. Davids celebrate passage of HR 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act.-courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Davids celebrate passage of HR 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act.-courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —Kansas 3rd District Representative Sharice Davids on Thursday applauded bipartisan passage of legislation she help introduce to enshrine marriage equality in federal law. The&nbsp;<a href="https://rules.house.gov/sites/democrats.rules.house.gov/files/BILLS-117HR8404IH.pdf">Respect for Marriage Act</a>&nbsp;passed in the House 258-169 with almost 40 Republican votes. It also protects interracial unions by requiring states to recognize legal marriages regardless of “sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.” Congresswoman Davids was the only member of the Kansas House delegation to vote in favor of the bill. Representatives Tracey Mann, Ron Estes and Jake LaTurner voted against the measure in addition to Missouri Representatives Sam Graves, Vicky Hartzler, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Billy Long and Jason Smith.The Senate passed the bill last week with 12 Republican votes. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall and Missouri Senator Josh Hawley voted against the bill. Retiring Missouri Senator Roy Blunt voted with the Democrats.&nbsp; The legislation now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law.In July Davids joined her colleagues to introduce the&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;following Justice Clarence Thomas’ concurring opinion in&nbsp;Dobbs v Jackson,&nbsp;in which he stated that the Supreme Court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/06/24/thomas-constitutional-rights-00042256">“should reconsider”</a>&nbsp;previous rulings codifying same-sex marriage protections.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;repeals the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and provides additional legal protections from attempts to undermine marriage equality at the state level.“After the&nbsp;Dobbs&nbsp;decision, people across Kansas and the entire country felt fear and anxiety as many of our individual freedoms were called into question or outright stripped away. That includes marriage equality for same-sex couples, which was explicitly threatened by Justice Thomas,” said&nbsp;Davids. “I’m proud to have introduced legislation that will help lessen that fear and provide stability to so many families, and I applaud the bipartisan group of lawmakers who joined me to stand up for our rights.”The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;will:<ul>
 <li>Repeal DOMA.&nbsp;The Supreme Court effectively rendered DOMA inactive with its landmark decisions in&nbsp;United States v. Windsor&nbsp;and&nbsp;Obergefell v. Hodges, but it did not repeal it, meaning the unconstitutional and discriminatory law still officially remains on the books.&nbsp;With passage of the&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act, DOMA will finally be repealed.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Enshrine Marriage Equality for Federal Law Purposes. The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;requires, for federal law purposes, that an individual be considered married if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed, even if that state is not where the individual lives permanently. This gives same sex and interracial couples additional certainty that they will enjoy their Constitutional right to equal treatment under federal law—regardless of where they live.</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Provide Additional Legal Protections from Individuals Seeking to Undermine Marriage Equality While Acting Under Color of State Law. The bill prohibits any person acting under color of state law from denying full faith and credit to an out-of-state marriage based on the sex, race, ethnicity or national origin of the individuals in the marriage, provides the Attorney General with the authority to pursue enforcement actions, and creates a private right of action for any individual harmed by a violation of this provision.</li>
 </ul>The&nbsp;Respect for Marriage Act&nbsp;is&nbsp;<a href="https://judiciary.house.gov/newsroom/respectformarriagesupport/">strongly supported by leading national organizations</a>&nbsp;including: ACLU, Center for American Progress, Equality Federation, Family Equality, Freedom for All Americans, GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign, Lambda Legal, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, National LGBTQ Task Force, National Women’s Law Center, and PFLAG National.

1 member of the Kan. delegation voted to protect same-sex marriage

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor

The Southeast of Saline girls’ basketball team kicked off the league portion of their season with a statement win in the Trojan War, handing Beloit a 59-29 loss to remain perfect on the year.

With this win, SES moves to 3-0 while Beloit drops to 1-2. This victory also extends an insane streak for the Lady Trojans, who have not lost a single game to a league opponent since 2020, culminating in a now 27-game NCAA win streak.

Southeast put on a three-point shooting clinic in the first quarter, draining seven triples without the aid of a single two to take a 21-4 lead into the break.

During that stretch, the Lady Trojans also held Beloit to a single field goal, completely neutralizing the orange and black’s offense.

“We felt like we were playing defense for long stretches of that game,” SES head coach Shauna Smith said. “It was hard not to fall asleep and give up an easy bucket because at times they weren’t doing much offensively but part of that was how well we were defending.”

By the fourth quarter, the clock was running and Southeast had done what they came to Beloit to do; put the league on notice that the NCAA still runs through Gypsum.

“It was important for us to make a statement because Beloit will only get better,” Smith said. “They’re so young and we wanted to put in their minds that they can’t beat us.”

The Lady Trojans were led in scoring by Lexi Jacobson, who posted a new career high with 15 points, scoring ten of those in the second half.

Jacobson wasn’t alone in double digits as Brielle Ptacek and Reagan Goetz each finished their night with 12.

On the Beloit side, the Trojans were completely baffled as SES held all six players in the scoring column to under ten points.

With the December portion of their season halfway in the books, Southeast of Saline will return home for a clash with the Cowgirls of Abilene on Tuesday.

By TYLER HENRY Salina Post contributor<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599179528888.png" alt="Coverage of SES basketball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!" />
 <figcaption>Coverage of SES basketball is presented by Salina Ortho: Quality orthopedic care when you need it!</figcaption>
 </figure>The Southeast of Saline girls’ basketball team kicked off the league portion of their season with a statement win in the Trojan War, handing Beloit a 59-29 loss to remain perfect on the year.With this win, SES moves to 3-0 while Beloit drops to 1-2. This victory also extends an insane streak for the Lady Trojans, who have not lost a single game to a league opponent since 2020, culminating in a now 27-game NCAA win streak.Southeast put on a three-point shooting clinic in the first quarter, draining seven triples without the aid of a single two to take a 21-4 lead into the break.During that stretch, the Lady Trojans also held Beloit to a single field goal, completely neutralizing the orange and black’s offense.“We felt like we were playing defense for long stretches of that game,” SES head coach Shauna Smith said. “It was hard not to fall asleep and give up an easy bucket because at times they weren’t doing much offensively but part of that was how well we were defending.”By the fourth quarter, the clock was running and Southeast had done what they came to Beloit to do; put the league on notice that the NCAA still runs through Gypsum.“It was important for us to make a statement because Beloit will only get better,” Smith said. “They’re so young and we wanted to put in their minds that they can’t beat us.”The Lady Trojans were led in scoring by Lexi Jacobson, who posted a new career high with 15 points, scoring ten of those in the second half.Jacobson wasn’t alone in double digits as Brielle Ptacek and Reagan Goetz each finished their night with 12.On the Beloit side, the Trojans were completely baffled as SES held all six players in the scoring column to under ten points.With the December portion of their season halfway in the books, Southeast of Saline will return home for a clash with the Cowgirls of Abilene on Tuesday.

#9 Lady Trojans best Beloit to win 27th-straight league game

Today is Saturday, Dec. 10, the 344th day of 2022. There are 21 days left in the year.

On Dec. 10, 2013, South Africa held a memorial service for Nelson Mandela, during which U.S. President Barack Obama energized tens of thousands of spectators and nearly 100 visiting heads of state with a plea for the world to emulate "the last great liberator of the 20th century." (The ceremony was marred by the presence of a sign-language interpreter who deaf advocates said was an impostor waving his arms around meaninglessly.)

In 1817, Mississippi was admitted as the 20th state of the Union.

In 1861, the Confederacy admitted Kentucky as it recognized a pro-Southern shadow state government that was acting without the authority of the pro-Union government in Frankfort.

In 1898, a treaty was signed in Paris officially ending the Spanish-American War.

In 1958, the first domestic passenger jet flight took place in the U.S. as a National Airlines Boeing 707 flew 111 passengers from New York to Miami in about 2 1/2 hours.

In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. received his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, saying he accepted it "with an abiding faith in America and an audacious faith in the future of mankind."

In 1967, singer Otis Redding, 26, and six others were killed when their plane crashed into Wisconsin's Lake Monona; trumpeter Ben Cauley, a member of the group the Bar-Kays, was the only survivor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1573488868914.jpeg" alt="Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a>" />
 <figcaption>Photo of old book courtesy <a href="http://shutterstock.com">shutterstock</a></figcaption>
 </figure>By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSToday is Saturday, Dec. 10, the 344th day of 2022. There are 21 days left in the year.Today's Highlight in History:On Dec. 10, 2013, South Africa held a memorial service for Nelson Mandela, during which U.S. President Barack Obama energized tens of thousands of spectators and nearly 100 visiting heads of state with a plea for the world to emulate "the last great liberator of the 20th century." (The ceremony was marred by the presence of a sign-language interpreter who deaf advocates said was an impostor waving his arms around meaninglessly.)On this date:In 1817, Mississippi was admitted as the 20th state of the Union.In 1861, the Confederacy admitted Kentucky as it recognized a pro-Southern shadow state government that was acting without the authority of the pro-Union government in Frankfort.In 1898, a treaty was signed in Paris officially ending the Spanish-American War.In 1958, the first domestic passenger jet flight took place in the U.S. as a National Airlines Boeing 707 flew 111 passengers from New York to Miami in about 2 1/2 hours.In 1964, Martin Luther King Jr. received his Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, saying he accepted it "with an abiding faith in America and an audacious faith in the future of mankind."In 1967, singer Otis Redding, 26, and six others were killed when their plane crashed into Wisconsin's Lake Monona; trumpeter Ben Cauley, a member of the group the Bar-Kays, was the only survivor.In 1994, Yasser Arafat, Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin received the Nobel Peace Prize, pledging to pursue their mission of healing the anguished Middle East.In 1996, South African President Nelson Mandela signed the country's new constitution into law during a ceremony in Sharpeville.In 2005, actor-comedian Richard Pryor died in Encino, California, at age 65.In 2006, former Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet died at age 91.In 2007, former Vice President Al Gore accepted the Nobel Peace Prize with a call for humanity to rise up against a looming climate crisis and stop waging war on the environment.In 2019, House Democrats announced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, declaring that he "betrayed the nation" with his actions toward Ukraine and an obstruction of Congress' investigation; Trump responded with a tweet of "WITCH HUNT!" At an evening rally in Pennsylvania, Trump mocked the impeachment effort and predicted it would lead to his reelection in 2020.Ten years ago: President Barack Obama told auto workers in Michigan that he would not compromise on his demand that tax rates go up for the top 2 percent of American earners to help reduce the deficit. A judge announced that former International Monetary Fund leader Dominique Strauss-Kahn and a New York City hotel maid had signed a settlement of her sexual-assault lawsuit stemming from a May 2011 encounter. Marijuana for recreational use became legal in Colorado.Five years ago: Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz suffered a torn ACL during the team's win over the Rams; backup Nick Foles rallied the Eagles to a victory that secured the NFC East title. (Foles and the Eagles would go on to win the Super Bowl.) Wearing a face mask, actor Rob Lowe live-streamed the evacuation of his family from one of the homes threatened by a massive Southern California wildfire.One year ago: Tornadoes slammed into Kentucky, Arkansas and three neighboring states, killing more than 90 people, including 81 in Kentucky. Bob Dole was mourned at Washington National Cathedral and the World War II monument he helped create as leaders from both parties saluted the Republican Kansas senator's ability to practice bare-knuckle politics without compromising his civility. The Supreme Court left in place Texas' ban on most abortions. The government reported that prices for U.S. consumers jumped 6.8% in November compared with a year earlier as Americans faced their highest annual inflation rate since 1982. Reigning world chess champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway successfully defended his title in Dubai. Michael Nesmith, the wool-hatted, guitar-strumming member of the 1960s, made-for-television rock band The Monkees, died at 78.Today's Birthdays: Actor Fionnula Flanagan is 81. Actor-singer Gloria Loring is 76. Pop-funk musician Walter "Clyde" Orange (The Commodores) is 76. Country singer Johnny Rodriguez is 71. Actor Susan Dey is 70. Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is 66. Jazz musician Paul Hardcastle is 65. Actor John York (TV: "General Hospital") is 64. Actor-director Kenneth Branagh is 62. Actor Nia Peeples is 61. TV chef Bobby Flay is 58. Rock singer-musician J Mascis is 57. Rock musician Scot Alexander (Dishwalla) is 51. Actor-comedian Arden Myrin is 49. Rock musician Meg White (The White Stripes) is 48. Actor Emmanuelle Chriqui is 47. Actor Gavin Houston is 45. Actor Alano Miller is 43. Violinist Sarah Chang is 42. Actor Patrick John Flueger is 39. Country singer Meghan Linsey is 37. Actor Raven-Symone is 37. Actor/singer Teyana Taylor is 32. Actor Kiki Layne is 31. NFL quarterback Joe Burrow is 26.