SEDGWICK — A 16-year-old Kansas boy has been charged as an adult in connection to the&nbsp;fatal shooting&nbsp; of his friend.

Makyh Townes was charged with second-degree murder; unintentionally but reckless, and criminal possession of a firearm by a minor, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

Just after&nbsp;8:30 p.m. Jan. 14, police responded to a shooting call at the 2200 block of South Millwood Street in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Officers located&nbsp; 16-year-old Seaquori Smith of Wichita inside the residence with a single gunshot wound to his upper body.&nbsp; EMS transported the boy to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The investigation revealed Smith was hanging out inside the residence with then 15-year- Makyh Townes. Townes was recklessly manipulating a firearm when a single shot was fired striking Smith in the upper body.

Townes called 911 and reported the incident.&nbsp; Townes&nbsp; is also charged in two other cases, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp; His next court appearance is scheduled for October 10.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695856831336.png" alt="Townes-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Townes-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK — A 16-year-old Kansas boy has been charged as an adult in connection to the&nbsp;fatal shooting&nbsp; of his friend.Makyh Townes was charged with second-degree murder; unintentionally but reckless, and criminal possession of a firearm by a minor, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.Just after&nbsp;8:30 p.m. Jan. 14, police responded to a shooting call at the 2200 block of South Millwood Street in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Officers located&nbsp; 16-year-old Seaquori Smith of Wichita inside the residence with a single gunshot wound to his upper body.&nbsp; EMS transported the boy to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.The investigation revealed Smith was hanging out inside the residence with then 15-year- Makyh Townes. Townes was recklessly manipulating a firearm when a single shot was fired striking Smith in the upper body.Townes called 911 and reported the incident.&nbsp; Townes&nbsp; is also charged in two other cases, according to the district attorney's office.&nbsp; His next court appearance is scheduled for October 10.

Murder: Kan. teen recklessly handled a firearm, killed a friend

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a&nbsp;46-year old Lawrence man tried to repeatedly stab a 38-year old man.

Just before midnight Tuesday, police were sent to a residence in the 700 Block of N3rd Street for a report of two men allegedly fighting in the street, according to a media release.

When officers arrived on scene, no one was actively fighting, but they soon learned the suspect had come to the residence intending to stab the victim. 

Witnesses reported the suspect had brandished a knife and made multiple unsuccessful attempts to stab the victim. The suspect and victim were known to each other. The suspect was booked into the Douglas County Correctional Facility on requested charges of attempted first degree murder. Police will present the case will to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration. No injuries were reported in the incident.&nbsp; Police did not release the name of the suspect.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a&nbsp;46-year old Lawrence man tried to repeatedly stab a 38-year old man.Just before midnight Tuesday, police were sent to a residence in the 700 Block of N3rd Street for a report of two men allegedly fighting in the street, according to a media release.When officers arrived on scene, no one was actively fighting, but they soon learned the suspect had come to the residence intending to stab the victim. Witnesses reported the suspect had brandished a knife and made multiple unsuccessful attempts to stab the victim. The suspect and victim were known to each other. The suspect was booked into the Douglas County Correctional Facility on requested charges of attempted first degree murder. Police will present the case will to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for charging consideration. No injuries were reported in the incident.&nbsp; Police did not release the name of the suspect.

Man accused in attempted knife attack at Kansas home

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the shooting that injured two men in Wichita.

Just after 10:30 pm, Wednesday, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 300 block of E. Harry, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

Officers located two shooting victims a 25-year-old man and a 23-year-old man.

Both victims were transported to local area hospitals with critical, but non-life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the 23-year-old entered a local store attempting to rob the 25-year-old, which resulted in an exchange of gunfire.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695929717353.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCh" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCh</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the shooting that injured two men in Wichita.Just after 10:30 pm, Wednesday, police were dispatched to a shooting call in the 300 block of E. Harry, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.Officers located two shooting victims a 25-year-old man and a 23-year-old man.Both victims were transported to local area hospitals with critical, but non-life-threatening injuries.Preliminary investigation revealed that the 23-year-old entered a local store attempting to rob the 25-year-old, which resulted in an exchange of gunfire.&nbsp;

Robbery gunfight critically injured two Kansas men 

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The American soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-citizen-crossed-border-e4aaa883901052e65f5c400c8279438b">who sprinted into North Korea</a>&nbsp;across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas more than two months ago was whisked to a Texas Army base Thursday for medical checks and interviews after his return to the U.S., according to the Pentagon.

North Korea&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-travis-king-quick-release-analysis-e0e1a2e3a90097c0d666cb385b185071">abruptly announced</a>&nbsp;a day earlier that it would expel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/travis-king/">Pvt. Travis King</a>. His return was organized with the help of ally Sweden and rival China, according to the White House.

While officials have said King, 23, is in good health and the immediate focus will be on caring for him and reintegrating him into U.S. society, his troubles are likely far from over.

King, who had served in South Korea, ran into the North while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18, becoming the first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travis-king-americans-north-korea-detained-715d3fd4c85d5457237624e5110452c0">American confirmed to be detained</a>&nbsp;in the isolated country in nearly five years. At the time, he was supposed to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-border-fe5da15f52122af9acc45412fe391465">heading to Fort Bliss, Texas</a>, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.

He was declared AWOL from the Army, but not considered a deserter. Punishment for going AWOL can vary, and it depends in part on whether the service member voluntarily returned or was apprehended. King’s two-month absence and ultimate handover by the North Koreans makes that more complicated.

King arrived in the early hours of Thursday at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio and was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center, according to the Pentagon. He will undergo an array of medical and psychological assessments and debriefings, and he will also get a chance to meet with family.

Video aired by a Texas news station showed King walking off a plane. Dressed in a dark top and pants, he could be seen speaking briefly with people waiting on the tarmac. He shook hands with one before being led into a building.

Many questions remain about King's case, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-border-7b0b2f3b87f4cb9352c1cc458ab576b6">why he fled in the first place</a>&nbsp;and why the North — which has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-peninsula-nuclear-b23f9c70307cfd095dc9a5cceecb1f5e">tense relations</a>&nbsp;with Washington over Pyongyang’s nuclear program, support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and other issues — agreed to turn him over.

The White House has not addressed North Korean state media reports that King fled because of his dismay about racial discrimination and inequality in the military and U.S. society.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that King made such complaints but verifying that is impossible.

On Wednesday, Swedish officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-00c171778e378d95fe1115fe31612ec2">took King to the Chinese border</a>, where he was met by U.S. Ambassador to China&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-china-beijing-xi-jinping-foreign-policy-11da755d1e1d8e5ae904648bc8c4dc99">Nicholas Burns,</a>&nbsp;the Swedish ambassador to China, and at least one U.S. Defense Department official.

He was then flown to a U.S. military base in South Korea before heading to the U.S.

His detention was relatively short by North Korean standards.

Several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travis-king-americans-north-korea-detained-715d3fd4c85d5457237624e5110452c0">recent American detainees</a>&nbsp;had been held for over a year — 17 months in the case of Otto Warmbier, a college student who was arrested during a group tour. Warmbier was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3811ef56c16b4170b50fe12b4bedad6e">in a coma when he was deported</a>, and later died.

North Korea has often been accused of using American detainees as bargaining chips, and there had also been speculation that the North would try to maximize the propaganda value of a U.S. soldier.

But analysts say King’s legal troubles could have limited his propaganda value, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Biden administration</a>&nbsp;officials insisted they provided no concessions to North Korea to secure his release.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692140954260.png" alt="A TV screen shows a file image of American soldier Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, July 24, 2023. The deputy commander of the U.N. Command said Monday it has started conversations with North Korea over King who ran into the North last week across the Koreas' heavily armed border. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)" />
 <figcaption>A TV screen shows a file image of American soldier Travis King during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, July 24, 2023. The deputy commander of the U.N. Command said Monday it has started conversations with North Korea over King who ran into the North last week across the Koreas' heavily armed border. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)</figcaption>
 </figure>SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The American soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-citizen-crossed-border-e4aaa883901052e65f5c400c8279438b">who sprinted into North Korea</a>&nbsp;across the heavily fortified border between the Koreas more than two months ago was whisked to a Texas Army base Thursday for medical checks and interviews after his return to the U.S., according to the Pentagon.North Korea&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-travis-king-quick-release-analysis-e0e1a2e3a90097c0d666cb385b185071">abruptly announced</a>&nbsp;a day earlier that it would expel&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/travis-king/">Pvt. Travis King</a>. His return was organized with the help of ally Sweden and rival China, according to the White House.While officials have said King, 23, is in good health and the immediate focus will be on caring for him and reintegrating him into U.S. society, his troubles are likely far from over.King, who had served in South Korea, ran into the North while on a civilian tour of a border village on July 18, becoming the first&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travis-king-americans-north-korea-detained-715d3fd4c85d5457237624e5110452c0">American confirmed to be detained</a>&nbsp;in the isolated country in nearly five years. At the time, he was supposed to be&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-border-fe5da15f52122af9acc45412fe391465">heading to Fort Bliss, Texas</a>, following his release from prison in South Korea on an assault conviction.He was declared AWOL from the Army, but not considered a deserter. Punishment for going AWOL can vary, and it depends in part on whether the service member voluntarily returned or was apprehended. King’s two-month absence and ultimate handover by the North Koreans makes that more complicated.King arrived in the early hours of Thursday at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio and was taken to Brooke Army Medical Center, according to the Pentagon. He will undergo an array of medical and psychological assessments and debriefings, and he will also get a chance to meet with family.Video aired by a Texas news station showed King walking off a plane. Dressed in a dark top and pants, he could be seen speaking briefly with people waiting on the tarmac. He shook hands with one before being led into a building.Many questions remain about King's case, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-border-7b0b2f3b87f4cb9352c1cc458ab576b6">why he fled in the first place</a>&nbsp;and why the North — which has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-peninsula-nuclear-b23f9c70307cfd095dc9a5cceecb1f5e">tense relations</a>&nbsp;with Washington over Pyongyang’s nuclear program, support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and other issues — agreed to turn him over.The White House has not addressed North Korean state media reports that King fled because of his dismay about racial discrimination and inequality in the military and U.S. society.The North’s official Korean Central News Agency reported that King made such complaints but verifying that is impossible.On Wednesday, Swedish officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-us-soldier-travis-king-00c171778e378d95fe1115fe31612ec2">took King to the Chinese border</a>, where he was met by U.S. Ambassador to China&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-china-beijing-xi-jinping-foreign-policy-11da755d1e1d8e5ae904648bc8c4dc99">Nicholas Burns,</a>&nbsp;the Swedish ambassador to China, and at least one U.S. Defense Department official.He was then flown to a U.S. military base in South Korea before heading to the U.S.His detention was relatively short by North Korean standards.Several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travis-king-americans-north-korea-detained-715d3fd4c85d5457237624e5110452c0">recent American detainees</a>&nbsp;had been held for over a year — 17 months in the case of Otto Warmbier, a college student who was arrested during a group tour. Warmbier was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/3811ef56c16b4170b50fe12b4bedad6e">in a coma when he was deported</a>, and later died.North Korea has often been accused of using American detainees as bargaining chips, and there had also been speculation that the North would try to maximize the propaganda value of a U.S. soldier.But analysts say King’s legal troubles could have limited his propaganda value, and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Biden administration</a>&nbsp;officials insisted they provided no concessions to North Korea to secure his release.___

American soldier who bolted into North Korea has returned to the US

FINNEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 7:30a.m. Thursday in Finney County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp;&nbsp; Victor&nbsp; Espino-Gallardo, 39, Garden City, was&nbsp;eastbound on U.S. 50 near&nbsp;Aerodrome Road 

The pickup left the roadway to the left, crossed the median, rolled and came to rest in the north ditch.

&nbsp;Espino-Gallardo was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

FINNEY COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 7:30a.m. Thursday in Finney County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2000 Chevy Silverado driven by&nbsp;&nbsp; Victor&nbsp; Espino-Gallardo, 39, Garden City, was&nbsp;eastbound on U.S. 50 near&nbsp;Aerodrome Road The pickup left the roadway to the left, crossed the median, rolled and came to rest in the north ditch.&nbsp;Espino-Gallardo was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.

Kansas man dies in pickup rollover crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans launched their formal impeachment hearing Thursday against President Joe Biden, saying they intend to “provide accountability” as they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-hunter-house-republicans-impeachment-inquiry-f679eb1239cd4f7b5f06949cc1445567">make their case</a>&nbsp;to the public, their colleagues and skeptics in the Senate.

The chairmen of the Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means committees are using the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-oversight-republicans-impeachment-6f454b9ea2d38468a848c495bda0b5bf">first hearing</a>&nbsp;of their impeachment inquiry to review the constitutional and legal questions involved. They are trying to show what they say are links to his son Hunter’s overseas businesses, though key witnesses said they do not yet see hard evidence of impeachable offenses.

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky, the Oversight chairman, said the lawmakers have “a mountain of evidence” that will show that the elder Biden “abused his public office for his family's financial gain.”

Comer said the panel will continue to “follow the money and the evidence to provide accountability” to the American people.

It’s a high-stakes opening act for Republicans, coming in the midst of a potential&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-biden-trump-18ef8a03363d31742c5b4c5ecb23506f">federal government shutdown</a>, as they begin a process that can lead to the ultimate penalty for a president, punishment for what the Constitution describes as “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

The hearing comes as House Republicans face scattered reluctance from their own ranks to the inquiry and deep resistance in the Senate from Republicans who worry about political ramifications of impeachment — and who say Biden’s conviction and removal from office is a near impossibility.

As the hearing began, Democrats displayed a screen showing the days, hours and minutes left until the government shuts down as Congress struggles to fund the government before Saturday’s deadline.

“We’re 62 hours away from shutting down the government of the United States of America and Republicans are launching an impeachment drive, based on a long debunked and discredited lie,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the Oversight panel.

Raskin questioned the legitimacy of the hearing since the House has not voted to formally launch the impeachment inquiry. He said Republicans are rehashing five-year-old allegations from Donald Trump, who is Biden’s chief rival in 2024, first raised during the former president's first impeachment in 2019.

“They don’t have a shred of evidence against President Biden for an impeachable offense,” he said.

The hearing Thursday is not featuring witnesses with information about the Bidens or Hunter Biden's business work. Instead, the panel heard from outside experts in tax law, criminal investigations and constitutional legal theory.

A top Republican witness, Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor who is an expert in impeachment issues, said he believed the House had passed the threshold for an inquiry but that the current evidence was not enough for charges.

“I do not believe that the current evidence would support articles of impeachment,” Turley said.

Democrats, who decry the investigation as a political ploy aimed at hurting Biden and helping Trump as he runs again for president, brought in Michael Gerhardt, a law professor who has also appeared as an expert in previous impeachment proceedings.

In detailing the reasons Republicans say they have to impeach Biden, Gerhardt concluded: “If that’s what exists, as a basis for this inquiry, it is not sufficient. I say that with all respect.”

Gerhardt said, “A fishing expedition is not a legitimate purpose.”

Still, questions remain as Republicans dig into the Biden family finances and Hunter Biden, who has acknowledged being a drug user during much of the time under scrutiny.

Republicans have been investigating Hunter Biden for years, since his father was vice president. And while there have been questions raised about the ethics around the family’s international business, none of the evidence so far has proven that the president, in his current or previous office, abused his role, accepted bribes or both.

One former business partner of Hunter Biden has told House investigators the son was selling the “illusion of access” to his father.

Turley told the lawmakers the question remains, “Was the president involved?”

In the run-up to the hearing, Republicans unveiled a tranche of new documents and bank records that detail wire transfers from a Chinese businessman to Hunter Biden in 2019. Hunter Biden had listed his father’s address on the wire transfer form, which Republicans say provided a clear link to the president.

Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Hunter Biden, said the address on the wire transfer, which he says was a loan, was listed to the president's Delaware home because it was the address on Hunter Biden's driver's license and "his only permanent address at the time.”

“Once again Rep. Comer peddles lies to support a premise — some wrongdoing by Hunter Biden or his family — that evaporates in thin air the moment facts come out,” Lowell said in a statement.

House Republicans are also looking into the Justice Department investigation into Hunter Biden's taxes and gun use that began in 2018.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-irs-justice-department-congress-republicans-32d9f33fb0d05c483d76926504d45bef">Two IRS whistleblowers came forward to Congress</a>&nbsp;in the spring with claims that department officials thwarted their efforts to fully investigate Hunter Biden and that they faced retaliation when they pushed back.

“The Biden Justice Department protected the Biden family brand.” said Rep. Jason Smith, a Missouri Republican and Ways and Means chairman.

The claims have since been disputed by the Department of Justice, the IRS and FBI agents who worked on the case.

What Smith did not mention was that the discussions occurred during the Trump Justice Department and were likely in keeping with the agency’s practice of avoiding overt investigative steps concerning political candidates in the immediate run-up to an election.

But Republicans have pointed to a failed plea deal over the summer as proof that Hunter Biden received preferential treatment because of who his father was.

“They tried to put together this sweetheart deal,” said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, the Judiciary chairman.

The impeachment inquiry hearing is taking place as the federal government is days away from what is likely to be a damaging government shutdown that would halt paychecks for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-gop-federal-workers-congress-government-5978a4c7411eba06261d16c3aff3dfc5">millions of federal workers</a>&nbsp;and the military and disrupt services for millions of Americans.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced the impeachment inquiry this month egged on by Trump and with mounting pressure from his right flank to take action against Biden or risk being ousted from his leadership job.

Trump is the only president to be twice impeached, first over accusations he pressured Ukraine to dig up dirt on Biden and later over accusations that he incited the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. He was acquitted in both cases by the Senate.

The hearing Thursday is expected to be the first of many as House Republicans explore how this inquiry will end and whether or not they will pursue articles of impeachment against the president.

It's unclear if McCarthy has support from his slim Republican majority to impeach Biden, as rank-and-file lawmakers have expressed reservations about the inquiry. If Biden was impeached, the charges would then be sent to the Senate for a trial.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have insisted for months that they have the grounds to launch&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-oversight-republicans-impeachment-57c5b1b40d19ede4ecf7fde08c027cee">impeachment proceedings against President Joe Biden</a>. On Thursday, they will begin formally making their case to the public and their skeptical colleagues in the Senate.

(click below to watch the hearing 9a.m. CDT)

The chairmen of Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means will hold the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-oversight-republicans-impeachment-6f454b9ea2d38468a848c495bda0b5bf">opening hearing</a>&nbsp;of their impeachment inquiry by reviewing the constitutional and legal questions surrounding their investigation of Biden and what they say are links to his son Hunter’s overseas businesses.

“Based on the evidence, Congress has a duty to open an impeachment inquiry into President Biden’s corruption,” Rep. James Comer, the Oversight chairman, said in a statement this week.

Comer added that the committee plans to "present evidence uncovered to date and hear from legal and financial experts about crimes the Bidens may have committed as they brought in millions at the expense of U.S. interests.”

It’s a high-stakes opening act for Republicans as they begin a process that can lead to the ultimate penalty for a president, punishment for what the Constitution describes as “high crimes and misdemeanors.” This is all while they face a resistance in the Senate from Republicans who are worried about the political ramifications of another impeachment — and who say Biden’s conviction and removal from office is a near impossibility.

But House Republicans say they are only investigating and have made no final decision on impeaching the president.

The hearing Thursday will not feature witnesses with information about the Bidens or Hunter Biden's business work. Instead, it will be a soft launch of sorts with testimony from outside experts in tax law, criminal investigations and constitutional legal theory.

Democrats, who decry the investigation as a political ploy aimed at hurting Biden and helping Donald Trump as he runs again for president, said they plan to bring Michael Gerhardt, a law professor who has appeared as expert on two previous impeachment efforts.

In the run-up to the hearing, Republicans were touting a tranche of new documents and bank records that detail wire transfers from a Chinese businessman to Hunter Biden in 2019. Hunter Biden had listed his father’s address on the wire transfer form, which Republicans said provided a clear link to the president.

Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Hunter Biden, said the address on the wire transfer, which he says was a loan, was listed to the president's Delaware home only because it was the address on Hunter Biden's driver's license and "his only permanent address at the time.”

Republicans have been investigating Hunter Biden for years, since his father was vice president. And while there has been questions raised about the ethics around the family's international business, none of the evidence so far has proven that the president, in his current or previous office, abused his role, accepted bribes or both.

House Republicans are also looking into the Justice Department investigation in Hunter Biden's taxes and gun use that began in 2018.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-irs-justice-department-congress-republicans-32d9f33fb0d05c483d76926504d45bef">Two IRS whistleblowers came forward to Congress</a>&nbsp;in the spring with claims that department officials thwarted their efforts to fully investigate Hunter Biden and his business dealings and the agents faced retaliation when they pushed back.

The claims have since been disputed by IRS and FBI agents who worked on the case.

The central focus of the testimonies have been surrounding an Oct. 7, 2022 meeting that agents from both the IRS and FBI had with David Weiss, U.S. attorney for Delaware, who has been charged with investigating Hunter Biden.

Gary Shapley, a veteran IRS agent who had been assigned to case, testified to Ways and Means committee in May that Weiss said during that meeting that he was not the “deciding person whether charges are filed” against Hunter Biden.

Two FBI agents who were in attendance told lawmakers this month that they have no recollection of Weiss saying that.

Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo, the chair of the Ways &amp; Means committee, said that their investigation has shown that “Biden family were afforded special treatment that no other American would receive were they not the son of the President of the United States.”

The impeachment inquiry hearing is taking place as the federal government is days away from what is likely to be a damaging government shutdown that would halt paychecks for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-gop-federal-workers-congress-government-5978a4c7411eba06261d16c3aff3dfc5">millions of federal workers</a>&nbsp;and the military.

Democrats say they plan to use the impending fiscal disaster to question Republicans' priorities.

“Three days before they’re set to shut down the United States government, Republicans launch a baseless impeachment drive against President Biden,” Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on Oversight, said Wednesday. “No one can figure out the logic of either course of action.”

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced the impeachment inquiry this month after he yielded to mounting pressure from his right flank to take action against Biden or risk being ousted from his leadership job.

On Tuesday, McCarthy said the latest bank records showing payments from Chinese individuals to Hunter showed that the president lied during his presidential campaign that no one in his family took money from China.

“President Biden had lied to Americans again,” McCarthy told reporters this week.

The hearing Thursday is expected to be the first of many as House Republicans explore how this inquiry will end and whether or not they have the full support of the conference to bring and pass charges against Biden on the House floor. Regardless, any articles of impeachment would then be sent to the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim 51-49 majority.

“It really comes to how do you prioritize your time?" Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican member of leadership, told The Hill recently. “I don’t know of anybody who believes (Senate Majority Leader) Chuck Schumer will take it up and actually have a trial and convict a sitting president.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695923242788.png" alt="Rep. Jake LaTurner who represents Kansas 2nd congressional district during Thursday hearing-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Rep. Jake LaTurner who represents Kansas 2nd congressional district during Thursday hearing-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House Republicans launched their formal impeachment hearing Thursday against President Joe Biden, saying they intend to “provide accountability” as they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-hunter-house-republicans-impeachment-inquiry-f679eb1239cd4f7b5f06949cc1445567">make their case</a>&nbsp;to the public, their colleagues and skeptics in the Senate.(click below to watch the hearing<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DIvCY6VvZaU?si=Xhr6UiFVYhUo8NKI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The chairmen of the Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means committees are using the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-oversight-republicans-impeachment-6f454b9ea2d38468a848c495bda0b5bf">first hearing</a>&nbsp;of their impeachment inquiry to review the constitutional and legal questions involved. They are trying to show what they say are links to his son Hunter’s overseas businesses, though key witnesses said they do not yet see hard evidence of impeachable offenses.Rep. James Comer, R-Ky, the Oversight chairman, said the lawmakers have “a mountain of evidence” that will show that the elder Biden “abused his public office for his family's financial gain.”Comer said the panel will continue to “follow the money and the evidence to provide accountability” to the American people.It’s a high-stakes opening act for Republicans, coming in the midst of a potential&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-biden-trump-18ef8a03363d31742c5b4c5ecb23506f">federal government shutdown</a>, as they begin a process that can lead to the ultimate penalty for a president, punishment for what the Constitution describes as “high crimes and misdemeanors.”The hearing comes as House Republicans face scattered reluctance from their own ranks to the inquiry and deep resistance in the Senate from Republicans who worry about political ramifications of impeachment — and who say Biden’s conviction and removal from office is a near impossibility.As the hearing began, Democrats displayed a screen showing the days, hours and minutes left until the government shuts down as Congress struggles to fund the government before Saturday’s deadline.“We’re 62 hours away from shutting down the government of the United States of America and Republicans are launching an impeachment drive, based on a long debunked and discredited lie,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the Oversight panel.Raskin questioned the legitimacy of the hearing since the House has not voted to formally launch the impeachment inquiry. He said Republicans are rehashing five-year-old allegations from Donald Trump, who is Biden’s chief rival in 2024, first raised during the former president's first impeachment in 2019.“They don’t have a shred of evidence against President Biden for an impeachable offense,” he said.The hearing Thursday is not featuring witnesses with information about the Bidens or Hunter Biden's business work. Instead, the panel heard from outside experts in tax law, criminal investigations and constitutional legal theory.A top Republican witness, Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor who is an expert in impeachment issues, said he believed the House had passed the threshold for an inquiry but that the current evidence was not enough for charges.“I do not believe that the current evidence would support articles of impeachment,” Turley said.Democrats, who decry the investigation as a political ploy aimed at hurting Biden and helping Trump as he runs again for president, brought in Michael Gerhardt, a law professor who has also appeared as an expert in previous impeachment proceedings.In detailing the reasons Republicans say they have to impeach Biden, Gerhardt concluded: “If that’s what exists, as a basis for this inquiry, it is not sufficient. I say that with all respect.”Gerhardt said, “A fishing expedition is not a legitimate purpose.”Still, questions remain as Republicans dig into the Biden family finances and Hunter Biden, who has acknowledged being a drug user during much of the time under scrutiny.Republicans have been investigating Hunter Biden for years, since his father was vice president. And while there have been questions raised about the ethics around the family’s international business, none of the evidence so far has proven that the president, in his current or previous office, abused his role, accepted bribes or both.One former business partner of Hunter Biden has told House investigators the son was selling the “illusion of access” to his father.Turley told the lawmakers the question remains, “Was the president involved?”In the run-up to the hearing, Republicans unveiled a tranche of new documents and bank records that detail wire transfers from a Chinese businessman to Hunter Biden in 2019. Hunter Biden had listed his father’s address on the wire transfer form, which Republicans say provided a clear link to the president.Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Hunter Biden, said the address on the wire transfer, which he says was a loan, was listed to the president's Delaware home because it was the address on Hunter Biden's driver's license and "his only permanent address at the time.”“Once again Rep. Comer peddles lies to support a premise — some wrongdoing by Hunter Biden or his family — that evaporates in thin air the moment facts come out,” Lowell said in a statement.House Republicans are also looking into the Justice Department investigation into Hunter Biden's taxes and gun use that began in 2018.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-irs-justice-department-congress-republicans-32d9f33fb0d05c483d76926504d45bef">Two IRS whistleblowers came forward to Congress</a>&nbsp;in the spring with claims that department officials thwarted their efforts to fully investigate Hunter Biden and that they faced retaliation when they pushed back.“The Biden Justice Department protected the Biden family brand.” said Rep. Jason Smith, a Missouri Republican and Ways and Means chairman.The claims have since been disputed by the Department of Justice, the IRS and FBI agents who worked on the case.What Smith did not mention was that the discussions occurred during the Trump Justice Department and were likely in keeping with the agency’s practice of avoiding overt investigative steps concerning political candidates in the immediate run-up to an election.But Republicans have pointed to a failed plea deal over the summer as proof that Hunter Biden received preferential treatment because of who his father was.“They tried to put together this sweetheart deal,” said Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, the Judiciary chairman.The impeachment inquiry hearing is taking place as the federal government is days away from what is likely to be a damaging government shutdown that would halt paychecks for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-gop-federal-workers-congress-government-5978a4c7411eba06261d16c3aff3dfc5">millions of federal workers</a>&nbsp;and the military and disrupt services for millions of Americans.House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced the impeachment inquiry this month egged on by Trump and with mounting pressure from his right flank to take action against Biden or risk being ousted from his leadership job.Trump is the only president to be twice impeached, first over accusations he pressured Ukraine to dig up dirt on Biden and later over accusations that he incited the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. He was acquitted in both cases by the Senate.The hearing Thursday is expected to be the first of many as House Republicans explore how this inquiry will end and whether or not they will pursue articles of impeachment against the president.It's unclear if McCarthy has support from his slim Republican majority to impeach Biden, as rank-and-file lawmakers have expressed reservations about the inquiry. If Biden was impeached, the charges would then be sent to the Senate for a trial.---------WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans have insisted for months that they have the grounds to launch&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-oversight-republicans-impeachment-57c5b1b40d19ede4ecf7fde08c027cee">impeachment proceedings against President Joe Biden</a>. On Thursday, they will begin formally making their case to the public and their skeptical colleagues in the Senate.(click below to watch the hearing 9a.m. CDT)<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DIvCY6VvZaU?si=Xhr6UiFVYhUo8NKI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The chairmen of Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means will hold the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-congress-oversight-republicans-impeachment-6f454b9ea2d38468a848c495bda0b5bf">opening hearing</a>&nbsp;of their impeachment inquiry by reviewing the constitutional and legal questions surrounding their investigation of Biden and what they say are links to his son Hunter’s overseas businesses.“Based on the evidence, Congress has a duty to open an impeachment inquiry into President Biden’s corruption,” Rep. James Comer, the Oversight chairman, said in a statement this week.Comer added that the committee plans to "present evidence uncovered to date and hear from legal and financial experts about crimes the Bidens may have committed as they brought in millions at the expense of U.S. interests.”It’s a high-stakes opening act for Republicans as they begin a process that can lead to the ultimate penalty for a president, punishment for what the Constitution describes as “high crimes and misdemeanors.” This is all while they face a resistance in the Senate from Republicans who are worried about the political ramifications of another impeachment — and who say Biden’s conviction and removal from office is a near impossibility.But House Republicans say they are only investigating and have made no final decision on impeaching the president.The hearing Thursday will not feature witnesses with information about the Bidens or Hunter Biden's business work. Instead, it will be a soft launch of sorts with testimony from outside experts in tax law, criminal investigations and constitutional legal theory.Democrats, who decry the investigation as a political ploy aimed at hurting Biden and helping Donald Trump as he runs again for president, said they plan to bring Michael Gerhardt, a law professor who has appeared as expert on two previous impeachment efforts.In the run-up to the hearing, Republicans were touting a tranche of new documents and bank records that detail wire transfers from a Chinese businessman to Hunter Biden in 2019. Hunter Biden had listed his father’s address on the wire transfer form, which Republicans said provided a clear link to the president.Abbe Lowell, an attorney for Hunter Biden, said the address on the wire transfer, which he says was a loan, was listed to the president's Delaware home only because it was the address on Hunter Biden's driver's license and "his only permanent address at the time.”“Once again Rep. Comer peddles lies to support a premise — some wrongdoing by Hunter Biden or his family — that evaporates in thin air the moment facts come out,” Lowell said in a statement.Republicans have been investigating Hunter Biden for years, since his father was vice president. And while there has been questions raised about the ethics around the family's international business, none of the evidence so far has proven that the president, in his current or previous office, abused his role, accepted bribes or both.House Republicans are also looking into the Justice Department investigation in Hunter Biden's taxes and gun use that began in 2018.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-irs-justice-department-congress-republicans-32d9f33fb0d05c483d76926504d45bef">Two IRS whistleblowers came forward to Congress</a>&nbsp;in the spring with claims that department officials thwarted their efforts to fully investigate Hunter Biden and his business dealings and the agents faced retaliation when they pushed back.The claims have since been disputed by IRS and FBI agents who worked on the case.The central focus of the testimonies have been surrounding an Oct. 7, 2022 meeting that agents from both the IRS and FBI had with David Weiss, U.S. attorney for Delaware, who has been charged with investigating Hunter Biden.Gary Shapley, a veteran IRS agent who had been assigned to case, testified to Ways and Means committee in May that Weiss said during that meeting that he was not the “deciding person whether charges are filed” against Hunter Biden.Two FBI agents who were in attendance told lawmakers this month that they have no recollection of Weiss saying that.But Republicans have pointed to a failed plea deal over the summer as proof that Hunter Biden received preferential treatment because of who his father was.Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo, the chair of the Ways &amp; Means committee, said that their investigation has shown that “Biden family were afforded special treatment that no other American would receive were they not the son of the President of the United States.”The impeachment inquiry hearing is taking place as the federal government is days away from what is likely to be a damaging government shutdown that would halt paychecks for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shutdown-gop-federal-workers-congress-government-5978a4c7411eba06261d16c3aff3dfc5">millions of federal workers</a>&nbsp;and the military.Democrats say they plan to use the impending fiscal disaster to question Republicans' priorities.“Three days before they’re set to shut down the United States government, Republicans launch a baseless impeachment drive against President Biden,” Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on Oversight, said Wednesday. “No one can figure out the logic of either course of action.”House Speaker Kevin McCarthy announced the impeachment inquiry this month after he yielded to mounting pressure from his right flank to take action against Biden or risk being ousted from his leadership job.On Tuesday, McCarthy said the latest bank records showing payments from Chinese individuals to Hunter showed that the president lied during his presidential campaign that no one in his family took money from China.“President Biden had lied to Americans again,” McCarthy told reporters this week.The hearing Thursday is expected to be the first of many as House Republicans explore how this inquiry will end and whether or not they have the full support of the conference to bring and pass charges against Biden on the House floor. Regardless, any articles of impeachment would then be sent to the Senate, where Democrats hold a slim 51-49 majority.“It really comes to how do you prioritize your time?" Sen. John Cornyn, a Republican member of leadership, told The Hill recently. “I don’t know of anybody who believes (Senate Majority Leader) Chuck Schumer will take it up and actually have a trial and convict a sitting president.”

🎥 House holds first President Biden impeachment inquiry hearing

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

On Wednesday, police&nbsp;filed a report for sexual exploitation of a child in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

Mitchell Simmons, 38, of Manhattan was arrested on requested charges of of sexual exploitation of a child; possess media of a child &lt; 18 and breach of privacy; install/use concealed camcorder without consent.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged child sex crimes.On Wednesday, police&nbsp;filed a report for sexual exploitation of a child in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.Mitchell Simmons, 38, of Manhattan was arrested on requested charges of of sexual exploitation of a child; possess media of a child &lt; 18 and breach of privacy; install/use concealed camcorder without consent.

Sexual exploitation: Kan. man accused of hiding recording device

TOPEKA —Governor Laura Kelly issued a verbal state of disaster emergency proclamation at 9 a.m. Thursday due to increased fire weather conditions that begin Thursday and continuing through the middle of next week, according to a statement from the Adjutant General’s Department. This declaration allows resources to be prepositioned to provide state assistance.

Warmer conditions, strong winds and low relative humidities, will create high to very-high fire weather conditions especially in the central and western regions of the state.&nbsp;

“I urge everyone across the state to use extreme caution and avoid burning, if at all possible,” Governor Kelly said. “Please keep yourself and your community safe and use extra precautions anytime you are doing any burning.”

“This declaration will allow Kansas Forest Service and our partners to be prepared with resources readily available if needed,” said Mark Neely, State Fire Management Officer.

The Kansas Division of Emergency Management is at an enhanced steady state to assist counties and local responders if requested.

TOPEKA —Governor Laura Kelly issued a verbal state of disaster emergency proclamation at 9 a.m. Thursday due to increased fire weather conditions that begin Thursday and continuing through the middle of next week, according to a statement from the Adjutant General’s Department. This declaration allows resources to be prepositioned to provide state assistance.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Still looking at a higher fire danger Thursday and Friday. Burning is highly discouraged. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wxtwitter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#wxtwitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/firewx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#firewx</a> <a href="https://t.co/o33iVqJ8Bv">pic.twitter.com/o33iVqJ8Bv</a>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1706988988144509017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 27, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Gusty south winds and low relative humidity will result in very high grassland fire danger for much of the area for today and especially Friday. Outdoor burning is not recommended and be sure to be mindful of anything that may cause a spark. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/wHKE0FJhih">pic.twitter.com/wHKE0FJhih</a>&mdash; NWS Wichita (@NWSWichita) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSWichita/status/1707344344284631423?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Warmer conditions, strong winds and low relative humidities, will create high to very-high fire weather conditions especially in the central and western regions of the state.&nbsp;“I urge everyone across the state to use extreme caution and avoid burning, if at all possible,” Governor Kelly said. “Please keep yourself and your community safe and use extra precautions anytime you are doing any burning.”“This declaration will allow Kansas Forest Service and our partners to be prepared with resources readily available if needed,” said Mark Neely, State Fire Management Officer.The Kansas Division of Emergency Management is at an enhanced steady state to assist counties and local responders if requested.

Governor issues state of disaster emergency for wildland fires

KANSAS CITY —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly joined auto workers local 31 at a solidarity rally in Kansas City, Kansas Wednesday.

She followed President Joe Biden's lead. The President grabbed a bullhorn on the picket line in Michigan Tuesday and urged striking auto workers to “stick with it”&nbsp; in an unparalleled show of support for organized labor by a modern president.

On social media, the governor wrote, "Kansas Autoworkers and General Motors play a key role in our economy, contributing to the success and growth of our state."

On September 20, General Motors announced they were going to stop work at the Fairfax plant in Kansas City due to the walkout at the Wentzville, Missouri plant. Workers at the Kansas plant&nbsp;build the Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XT4.

The union says it will announce on Friday how it plans to expand its strike against Detroit's three automakers.&nbsp;Additional walkouts will take place at noon Friday without serious progress in contract talks, the union said.

Auto workers went on strike Sept. 14 when the union couldn't reach agreements on new contracts with Ford, General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695850060526.png" alt="Photo courtesy Gov. Kelly" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Gov. Kelly</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Kansas Governor Laura Kelly joined auto workers local 31 at a solidarity rally in Kansas City, Kansas Wednesday.She followed President Joe Biden's lead. The President grabbed a bullhorn on the picket line in Michigan Tuesday and urged striking auto workers to “stick with it”&nbsp; in an unparalleled show of support for organized labor by a modern president.On social media, the governor wrote, "Kansas Autoworkers and General Motors play a key role in our economy, contributing to the success and growth of our state."On September 20, General Motors announced they were going to stop work at the Fairfax plant in Kansas City due to the walkout at the Wentzville, Missouri plant. Workers at the Kansas plant&nbsp;build the Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XT4.The union says it will announce on Friday how it plans to expand its strike against Detroit's three automakers.&nbsp;Additional walkouts will take place at noon Friday without serious progress in contract talks, the union said.Auto workers went on strike Sept. 14 when the union couldn't reach agreements on new contracts with Ford, General Motors and Jeep maker Stellantis.

Gov. Kelly joins Kansas auto workers during union rally

KIOWA COUNTY, CO. — Human remains found in Kiowa County, Colorado on Sept. 20 were positively identified as two women from Kansas and a suspect is in custody.

On Wednesday, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reported the Kiowa County Coroner’s Office confirmed the remains belong to Linda Estrada, 44, and Amy Ford, 39, both of Emporia, Kansas, according to a media release.

An arrest warrant was issued for a suspect in this case identified as 36-year-old&nbsp; Phillip Lieurence. He being held at a jail in Emporia on unrelated charges including Aggravated Assault; Use of Deadly Weapon• Agg Battery While DUI, Distribute Marijuana 25-450 grams, Reckless Driving, Flee or Attempt to Elude LEO; motor vehicle accident or damage property, Reckless Driving, Duty of Driver Dmg Unattnd Veh, DUI, Agg Battery;intent physical contact weap, Criminal Damage to Property.

The Emporia Police Department began their investigation in the case September 11, after a family member reported Linda Estrada as missing.

Police learned Estrada and Amy Ford had been together in Colorado the previous weekend. Amy was reported missing shortly after the investigation began.

Emporia Police Investigations Division utilized cellular phone technology, along with security videos and solid police work to track the&nbsp; the two woman throughout Colorado. The investigation led detectives to portions of eastern Colorado and western Kansas.

Authorities in Colorado spent 5 days searching with the aid of K9s, airplanes, drones and ground searches. On September 18, Emporia detectives traveled to eastern Colorado where they coordinated with local authorities. Just before 4p.m. CDT, Wednesday, the bodies were found in rural eastern Colorado.

The Kiowa County Sheriff's office is in charge of the homicide&nbsp; investigation in conjunction with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695896585153.png" alt="Lieurence -photo Lyon Co." />
 <figcaption>Lieurence -photo Lyon Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KIOWA COUNTY, CO. — Human remains found in Kiowa County, Colorado on Sept. 20 were positively identified as two women from Kansas and a suspect is in custody.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695324168687.png" alt="Amy Ford and Linda Estrada-photo Emporia Police" />
 <figcaption>Amy Ford and Linda Estrada-photo Emporia Police</figcaption>
 </figure>On Wednesday, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reported the Kiowa County Coroner’s Office confirmed the remains belong to Linda Estrada, 44, and Amy Ford, 39, both of Emporia, Kansas, according to a media release.An arrest warrant was issued for a suspect in this case identified as 36-year-old&nbsp; Phillip Lieurence. He being held at a jail in Emporia on unrelated charges including Aggravated Assault; Use of Deadly Weapon• Agg Battery While DUI, Distribute Marijuana 25-450 grams, Reckless Driving, Flee or Attempt to Elude LEO; motor vehicle accident or damage property, Reckless Driving, Duty of Driver Dmg Unattnd Veh, DUI, Agg Battery;intent physical contact weap, Criminal Damage to Property.The Emporia Police Department began their investigation in the case September 11, after a family member reported Linda Estrada as missing.Police learned Estrada and Amy Ford had been together in Colorado the previous weekend. Amy was reported missing shortly after the investigation began.Emporia Police Investigations Division utilized cellular phone technology, along with security videos and solid police work to track the&nbsp; the two woman throughout Colorado. The investigation led detectives to portions of eastern Colorado and western Kansas.Authorities in Colorado spent 5 days searching with the aid of K9s, airplanes, drones and ground searches. On September 18, Emporia detectives traveled to eastern Colorado where they coordinated with local authorities. Just before 4p.m. CDT, Wednesday, the bodies were found in rural eastern Colorado.The Kiowa County Sheriff's office is in charge of the homicide&nbsp; investigation in conjunction with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.&nbsp;

Police ID suspect after bodies of 2 Kan. women found in Colorado 

KANSAS CITY —First Lady Jill Biden visited the Truman Library Wednesday afternoon to highlight their programming to support civic literacy and education in the local community, according to her press secretary.

She joined&nbsp;William Chrisman High School students who participated in a civics education simulation.&nbsp; Former President Harry Truman and wife Bess graduated from Chrisman High School.

&nbsp;Dr. Biden worked as a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS/status/1425810241678024714">classroom teacher</a>&nbsp;for over 30 years,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/51033293591/in/photolist-2kKCYdg-2kKCY7j-2kHSyvg-2kHSysf-2m3AXTd-2kE4cew-2m7qYtG-2kB64MB-2kyUa2D-2kyYmts-2kyU9ko-2kyXFLm-2kyXFa6-2m3BqbJ-2kUhrHZ-2kUhrJq-2kVAP2i-2m3totj-2mnGbh2-2mS2MfY-2mS3SA1-2mRYrFa-2mS3Syx-2mS3Sue-2mS2Mn1-2mS3Scq-2mRYrGc-2mS2Mm4-2mM8nsN-2mnDDne-2mnyvtc-2kUhaQb-2kUbUiy-2kUbUj5-2kUbAwD-2kUhi3N-2kyXGbQ-2kyXGa2-2kVv9So-2kUbW2D-2kRGw13-2kUcPe2-2kUcyjN-2kUbW2U-2kRHfxU-2kRHfu7-2kKzeEt-2kKCY8B-2kHSzoZ-2kHSyar">advocating for increased educational opportunities for all students</a>, of all ages, is close to her heart, according to her bio on the White House web site.&nbsp;

Dr. Biden attended a fundraiser for President Biden's 2024 campaign Wednesday night.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695848712457.png" alt="Kansas Mayor Quinton Lucas greets First Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday afternoon- courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Kansas Mayor Quinton Lucas greets First Lady Jill Biden on Wednesday afternoon- courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —First Lady Jill Biden visited the Truman Library Wednesday afternoon to highlight their programming to support civic literacy and education in the local community, according to her press secretary.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695857780075.png" alt="White House photo" />
 <figcaption>White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>She joined&nbsp;William Chrisman High School students who participated in a civics education simulation.&nbsp; Former President Harry Truman and wife Bess graduated from Chrisman High School.&nbsp;Dr. Biden worked as a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/FLOTUS/status/1425810241678024714">classroom teacher</a>&nbsp;for over 30 years,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/51033293591/in/photolist-2kKCYdg-2kKCY7j-2kHSyvg-2kHSysf-2m3AXTd-2kE4cew-2m7qYtG-2kB64MB-2kyUa2D-2kyYmts-2kyU9ko-2kyXFLm-2kyXFa6-2m3BqbJ-2kUhrHZ-2kUhrJq-2kVAP2i-2m3totj-2mnGbh2-2mS2MfY-2mS3SA1-2mRYrFa-2mS3Syx-2mS3Sue-2mS2Mn1-2mS3Scq-2mRYrGc-2mS2Mm4-2mM8nsN-2mnDDne-2mnyvtc-2kUhaQb-2kUbUiy-2kUbUj5-2kUbAwD-2kUhi3N-2kyXGbQ-2kyXGa2-2kVv9So-2kUbW2D-2kRGw13-2kUcPe2-2kUcyjN-2kUbW2U-2kRHfxU-2kRHfu7-2kKzeEt-2kKCY8B-2kHSzoZ-2kHSyar">advocating for increased educational opportunities for all students</a>, of all ages, is close to her heart, according to her bio on the White House web site.&nbsp;Dr. Biden attended a fundraiser for President Biden's 2024 campaign Wednesday night.

First Lady Jill Biden visit with students in Kansas City

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged home invasion and&nbsp;asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man accused of entering an apartment while the occupants slept Wednesday morning, according to Lawrence Police.

While in the residence, the suspect inappropriately touched a 21-year old woman in her bed. 

Just after 4a.m., police were called to the scene in the 2200 block of W. 26th Street, just west of the Dairy Queen at 26th and Iowa, after the victim awoke to a man in her bedroom. 

The man fled before police could be called, and while officers were unable to locate the man in the area, the residence was processed for forensic evidence to assist in identification of the suspect.

 Detectives are working to identify leads in the case, but are also asking residents in the area to help by checking security cameras and video doorbells for signs of a white man wearing khaki cargo shorts and no shirt between 3 and 4 a.m. 

Anyone who has footage to provide, or who may have seen someone in the area matching the description, is asked to contact police dispatch at (785)832-7509. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County at (785)843-TIPS(8477).

DOUGLAS COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged home invasion and&nbsp;asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a man accused of entering an apartment while the occupants slept Wednesday morning, according to Lawrence Police.While in the residence, the suspect inappropriately touched a 21-year old woman in her bed. Just after 4a.m., police were called to the scene in the 2200 block of W. 26th Street, just west of the Dairy Queen at 26th and Iowa, after the victim awoke to a man in her bedroom. The man fled before police could be called, and while officers were unable to locate the man in the area, the residence was processed for forensic evidence to assist in identification of the suspect. Detectives are working to identify leads in the case, but are also asking residents in the area to help by checking security cameras and video doorbells for signs of a white man wearing khaki cargo shorts and no shirt between 3 and 4 a.m. Anyone who has footage to provide, or who may have seen someone in the area matching the description, is asked to contact police dispatch at (785)832-7509. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Lawrence and Douglas County at (785)843-TIPS(8477).

Suspect entered Kan. apartment, inappropriately touched woman

KANSAS CITY (AP) —CVS found the right prescription on Wednesday to keep its stores open in the Kansas City area and avoid a repeat of a work stoppage last week by pharmacists: It promised to boost hiring to ease workloads that sometimes make it hard to take a bathroom break.

But it won’t be easy to resolve the problems that have been growing as pharmacists at CVS and other drug stores in the U.S. took on more duties in recent years and are gearing up to deliver this year’s latest flu and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-delays-cdc-moderna-pfizer-ba66d06cbcc31ba4b22d60e93d3d5024">COVID-19 vaccines.</a>

“It all relates to not enough dollars going in to hire the appropriate staff to be able to deliver the services,” said Ron Fitzwater, CEO of the Missouri Pharmacy Association.

Pharmacists in at least a dozen Kansas City-area CVS pharmacies did not show up for work last Thursday and Friday and planned to be out again this Wednesday until the company sent its chief pharmacy officer with promises to fill open positions and increase staffing levels.

It was one of the latest examples nationwide of workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/labor-unrest-hollywood-screenwriters-actors-ups-drivers-c3b94e32c347d5b5f61e695bcf436b46">fed up enough</a>&nbsp;to take action. But unlike in the ongoing strikes at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-expand-factories-gm-stellantis-ford-7e8d2b5dd74513fd299fa29f541d25d7">automakers</a>&nbsp;or in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/writers-strike-ends-actors-hollywood-28316c5104765576b7259b180e15c05b">Hollywood</a>, the pharmacists weren't demanding raises or more vacation, but more workers to help them.

CVS spokeswoman Amy Thibault said the company is “focused on addressing the concerns raised by our pharmacists so we can continue to deliver the high-quality care our patients depend on.”

Chief Pharmacy Officer Prem Shah apologized for not addressing concerns sooner in a memo to Kansas City-area staff that was&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/105l4cCgyNCJG0BDitxND9ZMbEN3CH2DLtew1DCMP-Ug/edit?pli=1">obtained</a>&nbsp;by USA Today. He promised to remain in the city until the problems are addressed and come back regularly to check on the progress.

“We want you, our valued pharmacy teams, to be in a position to succeed. We are working hard to support you and are here to help and create sustainable solutions,” Shah said as he encouraged the pharmacists to continue to share their concerns even anonymously.

It's unclear why workload concerns that are common industrywide led to a work stoppage in Kansas City. The pharmacists involved are not in a union and haven't spoken publicly, so it's not entirely clear how satisfied they are with the company's response.

Jeff Jonas, a portfolio manager for Gabelli Funds, said there’s a nationwide shortage of pharmacy workers, prompting companies to push long work hours with few bathroom and lunch breaks. At the same time, the industry is “not really unionized, so I wouldn’t expect a big, coordinated action” to be inspired by the Kansas City demonstration, he said.

At stores with only one pharmacist on duty, the pharmacy has to shut down every time that person leaves the area because a pharmacist must be present to supervise technicians in their work.

The American Pharmacists Association said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pharmacist.com/APhA-Press-Releases/statement-on-pharmacy-store-closures-in-kansas-city">statement</a>&nbsp;that it supports the stand the Kansas City pharmacists took.

“Pharmacists who find themselves in situations where the welfare of others is in question should always pause, evaluate the situation, and take the steps necessary to ensure safe, optimal patient care,” the group said.

CVS Health has about 300,000 employees and runs prescription drug plans through one of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefits managers. Its Aetna insurance arm covers more than 25 million people, and the company has nearly 10,000 drugstores.

The company said last month that operating income at its drugstores&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cvs-health-second-quarter-14dff983dc654f4d8819788be110a3cf">fell 17%</a>&nbsp;as reimbursement rates from patient's insurance providers for drugs remained tight. CVS eliminated about 5,000 jobs, but company officials said none of those involved dealing with customers.

Bled Tanoe, a hospital pharmacist in Oklahoma who previously worked for Walgreens, runs a social media campaign called “Pizza Is Not Working” aimed at raising awareness about the industry's working conditions. Its name comes from the pizzas that are routinely given to overwhelmed medical workers to raise morale. Tanoe said she was “wowed” by the CVS demonstration.

“They pretty much risk their reputation, their livelihood to take a stand because serving the patients is so important to them,” Tanoe said.

Amanda Applegate with the Kansas Pharmacists Association said pharmacists have always had a lot on their plate.

“When we are not valued as health care professionals, it doesn’t allow the job that needs to be done to be done," she said. "And that’s keeping you know, patients safe — right drug, right patient, right time, right dose.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695862963300.png" alt="CVS at 13101 State Line Road in Kansas City -Google image" />
 <figcaption>CVS at 13101 State Line Road in Kansas City -Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —CVS found the right prescription on Wednesday to keep its stores open in the Kansas City area and avoid a repeat of a work stoppage last week by pharmacists: It promised to boost hiring to ease workloads that sometimes make it hard to take a bathroom break.But it won’t be easy to resolve the problems that have been growing as pharmacists at CVS and other drug stores in the U.S. took on more duties in recent years and are gearing up to deliver this year’s latest flu and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/covid-vaccine-delays-cdc-moderna-pfizer-ba66d06cbcc31ba4b22d60e93d3d5024">COVID-19 vaccines.</a>“It all relates to not enough dollars going in to hire the appropriate staff to be able to deliver the services,” said Ron Fitzwater, CEO of the Missouri Pharmacy Association.Pharmacists in at least a dozen Kansas City-area CVS pharmacies did not show up for work last Thursday and Friday and planned to be out again this Wednesday until the company sent its chief pharmacy officer with promises to fill open positions and increase staffing levels.It was one of the latest examples nationwide of workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/labor-unrest-hollywood-screenwriters-actors-ups-drivers-c3b94e32c347d5b5f61e695bcf436b46">fed up enough</a>&nbsp;to take action. But unlike in the ongoing strikes at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/auto-workers-strike-expand-factories-gm-stellantis-ford-7e8d2b5dd74513fd299fa29f541d25d7">automakers</a>&nbsp;or in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/writers-strike-ends-actors-hollywood-28316c5104765576b7259b180e15c05b">Hollywood</a>, the pharmacists weren't demanding raises or more vacation, but more workers to help them.CVS spokeswoman Amy Thibault said the company is “focused on addressing the concerns raised by our pharmacists so we can continue to deliver the high-quality care our patients depend on.”Chief Pharmacy Officer Prem Shah apologized for not addressing concerns sooner in a memo to Kansas City-area staff that was&nbsp;<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/105l4cCgyNCJG0BDitxND9ZMbEN3CH2DLtew1DCMP-Ug/edit?pli=1">obtained</a>&nbsp;by USA Today. He promised to remain in the city until the problems are addressed and come back regularly to check on the progress.“We want you, our valued pharmacy teams, to be in a position to succeed. We are working hard to support you and are here to help and create sustainable solutions,” Shah said as he encouraged the pharmacists to continue to share their concerns even anonymously.It's unclear why workload concerns that are common industrywide led to a work stoppage in Kansas City. The pharmacists involved are not in a union and haven't spoken publicly, so it's not entirely clear how satisfied they are with the company's response.Jeff Jonas, a portfolio manager for Gabelli Funds, said there’s a nationwide shortage of pharmacy workers, prompting companies to push long work hours with few bathroom and lunch breaks. At the same time, the industry is “not really unionized, so I wouldn’t expect a big, coordinated action” to be inspired by the Kansas City demonstration, he said.At stores with only one pharmacist on duty, the pharmacy has to shut down every time that person leaves the area because a pharmacist must be present to supervise technicians in their work.The American Pharmacists Association said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pharmacist.com/APhA-Press-Releases/statement-on-pharmacy-store-closures-in-kansas-city">statement</a>&nbsp;that it supports the stand the Kansas City pharmacists took.“Pharmacists who find themselves in situations where the welfare of others is in question should always pause, evaluate the situation, and take the steps necessary to ensure safe, optimal patient care,” the group said.CVS Health has about 300,000 employees and runs prescription drug plans through one of the nation’s largest pharmacy benefits managers. Its Aetna insurance arm covers more than 25 million people, and the company has nearly 10,000 drugstores.The company said last month that operating income at its drugstores&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/cvs-health-second-quarter-14dff983dc654f4d8819788be110a3cf">fell 17%</a>&nbsp;as reimbursement rates from patient's insurance providers for drugs remained tight. CVS eliminated about 5,000 jobs, but company officials said none of those involved dealing with customers.Bled Tanoe, a hospital pharmacist in Oklahoma who previously worked for Walgreens, runs a social media campaign called “Pizza Is Not Working” aimed at raising awareness about the industry's working conditions. Its name comes from the pizzas that are routinely given to overwhelmed medical workers to raise morale. Tanoe said she was “wowed” by the CVS demonstration.“They pretty much risk their reputation, their livelihood to take a stand because serving the patients is so important to them,” Tanoe said.Amanda Applegate with the Kansas Pharmacists Association said pharmacists have always had a lot on their plate.“When we are not valued as health care professionals, it doesn’t allow the job that needs to be done to be done," she said. "And that’s keeping you know, patients safe — right drug, right patient, right time, right dose.”

CVS responds rapidly after frustrated KC-area pharmacists walk out

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in a deadly shooting made his first court appearance in the case Tuesday.

Matthew Alexander III, 30 of Wichita, is charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder, attempted 1st&nbsp;degree murder, or in the alternative aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, battery, kidnapping and aggravated burglary, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

He being held on a bond of two-million dollars.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Just before 11:30p.m. Sept. 21, police were dispatched to a reported shooting in the area of 800 S. Mission in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

First responders located two shooting victims including 48-year-old <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/addriane-kenney">Adraine Kenney </a>of Wichita who was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported a 22-year-old woman&nbsp;to a local hospital with critical injuries.

Investigators and officers identified and apprehended Alexander&nbsp; without incident following a brief standoff in the 600 block of S. Mission. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that all three individuals were involved in a disturbance which led to the suspect shooting the two women.

Alexander's&nbsp; next court appearance is scheduled before Judge Jeffrey Goering on October 5, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695754479788.png" alt="Alexander-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Alexander-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A man accused in a deadly shooting made his first court appearance in the case Tuesday.Matthew Alexander III, 30 of Wichita, is charged with 1st&nbsp;degree murder, attempted 1st&nbsp;degree murder, or in the alternative aggravated battery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, battery, kidnapping and aggravated burglary, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.He being held on a bond of two-million dollars.&nbsp;&nbsp;Just before 11:30p.m. Sept. 21, police were dispatched to a reported shooting in the area of 800 S. Mission in Wichita, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.First responders located two shooting victims including 48-year-old <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/addriane-kenney">Adraine Kenney </a>of Wichita who was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS transported a 22-year-old woman&nbsp;to a local hospital with critical injuries.Investigators and officers identified and apprehended Alexander&nbsp; without incident following a brief standoff in the 600 block of S. Mission. Preliminary investigation revealed that all three individuals were involved in a disturbance which led to the suspect shooting the two women.Alexander's&nbsp; next court appearance is scheduled before Judge Jeffrey Goering on October 5, according to the district attorney's office.

Suspect held on $2 million bond for Kan. burglary, murder

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating what they believe is an abduction and are asking the public for help to identify a vehicle and suspect.

Around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 5800 block of E 15th Terrace in Kansas City on a reported sound of a disturbance, according to a media release.

When officers arrived, neighbors said they heard a woman screaming for help. Surveillance footage showed a dark-colored Hyundai SUV that the a man and woman left in. Police believe the woman is in danger.

Police need help identifying this vehicle, as well as the man and woman who may be involved. Currently, there are no missing persons reports that match her&nbsp; description.

Call KCPD 816-413-3549 or 911 immediately, if you have information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695850870613.png" alt="Security camera image KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating what they believe is an abduction and are asking the public for help to identify a vehicle and suspect.Around 8 p.m. on Tuesday, police were dispatched to the 5800 block of E 15th Terrace in Kansas City on a reported sound of a disturbance, according to a media release.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695850761009.png" alt="Security camera image KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure>When officers arrived, neighbors said they heard a woman screaming for help. Surveillance footage showed a dark-colored Hyundai SUV that the a man and woman left in. Police believe the woman is in danger.Police need help identifying this vehicle, as well as the man and woman who may be involved. Currently, there are no missing persons reports that match her&nbsp; description. Call KCPD 816-413-3549 or 911 immediately, if you have information.

KCPD: Woman was screaming for help

RENO COUNTY— A Kansas man is awaiting extradition to Kansas from Colorado in connection with the homicide of another Hutchinson man whose body was found in Harvey County last week.

The body of 31-year-old Tyler Lee Ford of Hutchinson was found in East Park in Harvey County on Sept. 17. It was determined Ford died from a gunshot wound.

A joint homicide investigation began involving numerous officers and detectives from the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office, Reno County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hutchinson Police Department. A person of interest was identified, which led the investigation to a residence in the City of Hutchinson. A search warrant was executed at this residence, and evidence of the crime was discovered.

Twenty-eight-year-old Clancy Nelson Jr. of Hutchinson was identified as a suspect in the death of&nbsp; Ford. Law enforcement officers were able to determine that Nelson was in Aurora, Colorado. An arrest warrant was issued for Nelson, and with cooperation from the Aurora Police Department, Nelson was located and taken into custody without incident.

Nelson is currently in custody in Adams County, Colorado, pending extradition to Hutchinson, Kansas on requested charges of Second-Degree Murder, Aggravated Battery, and Aggravated Assault.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/9/1631722267062.png" alt="Nelson has previous convictions for theft, evading a road block and for drugs. He had been on parole since July, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Nelson has previous convictions for theft, evading a road block and for drugs. He had been on parole since July, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>RENO COUNTY— A Kansas man is awaiting extradition to Kansas from Colorado in connection with the homicide of another Hutchinson man whose body was found in Harvey County last week.The body of 31-year-old Tyler Lee Ford of Hutchinson was found in East Park in Harvey County on Sept. 17. It was determined Ford died from a gunshot wound.A joint homicide investigation began involving numerous officers and detectives from the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office, Reno County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hutchinson Police Department. A person of interest was identified, which led the investigation to a residence in the City of Hutchinson. A search warrant was executed at this residence, and evidence of the crime was discovered.Twenty-eight-year-old Clancy Nelson Jr. of Hutchinson was identified as a suspect in the death of&nbsp; Ford. Law enforcement officers were able to determine that Nelson was in Aurora, Colorado. An arrest warrant was issued for Nelson, and with cooperation from the Aurora Police Department, Nelson was located and taken into custody without incident.Nelson is currently in custody in Adams County, Colorado, pending extradition to Hutchinson, Kansas on requested charges of Second-Degree Murder, Aggravated Battery, and Aggravated Assault.

Suspect jailed in Colo. after body found on dry Kan. lake bed

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said Wednesday she won’t recuse herself from Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">2020 election interference case in Washington</a>, rejecting the former president’s claims that her past comments&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-jan-6-special-counsel-3e5039d9d9bb5f47282ba517de5f0e7d">raise doubts about whether she can be fair</a>.

Chutkan, who was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama and was randomly assigned to Trump’s case, said in her written decision that she sees no reason to step aside. The case, scheduled for trial in March, accuses the Republican of illegally scheming to overturn his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.

There’s a high bar for recusal, and legal experts had widely considered Trump’s request to be a long shot aimed at undermining the legitimacy of the case publicly that could only sour the relationship between the judge and the defense in court.

Lawyers for Trump did not immediately return an email seeking comment.

In seeking Chutkan's recusal, defense lawyers cited statements she had made in two sentencing hearings of participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol in which they said she had appeared to suggest that Trump deserved to be prosecuted and held accountable. They said the comments suggested a bias against him that could taint the proceedings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692039434568.jpeg" alt="File Photo/Charlie Neibergall)" />
 <figcaption>File Photo/Charlie Neibergall)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said Wednesday she won’t recuse herself from Donald Trump’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indicted-jan-6-investigation-special-counsel-debb59bb7a4d9f93f7e2dace01feccdc">2020 election interference case in Washington</a>, rejecting the former president’s claims that her past comments&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-jan-6-special-counsel-3e5039d9d9bb5f47282ba517de5f0e7d">raise doubts about whether she can be fair</a>.Chutkan, who was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama and was randomly assigned to Trump’s case, said in her written decision that she sees no reason to step aside. The case, scheduled for trial in March, accuses the Republican of illegally scheming to overturn his election loss to Democrat Joe Biden.There’s a high bar for recusal, and legal experts had widely considered Trump’s request to be a long shot aimed at undermining the legitimacy of the case publicly that could only sour the relationship between the judge and the defense in court.Lawyers for Trump did not immediately return an email seeking comment.In seeking Chutkan's recusal, defense lawyers cited statements she had made in two sentencing hearings of participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol in which they said she had appeared to suggest that Trump deserved to be prosecuted and held accountable. They said the comments suggested a bias against him that could taint the proceedings.But Chutkan vigorously objected to the those characterizations of her comments."It bears noting that the court has never taken the position the defense ascribes to it: that former ‘President Trump should be prosecuted and imprisoned,’” Chutkan wrote. “And the defense does not cite any instance of the court ever uttering those words or anything similar.”It’s the second time Trump has tried unsuccessfully to get a judge removed from one of the criminal cases against him.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-new-york-judge-merchan-arraignment-032a097661c259709a948ce0e70a872a">Judge Juan Manuel Merchan</a>, who is overseeing Trump’s New York&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-stormy-daniels-karen-mcdougal-payoffs-40dd9d1f3590dfcd5c494b1815e9eaa2">hush money criminal case</a>, rejected similar demands that he step aside, saying he is certain of his “ability to be fair and impartial.”Chutkan has stood out as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-judge-tanya-chutkan-capitol-riot-9ba5c18d315697d759521425ea203012">one of the toughest punishers</a>&nbsp;of defendants charged in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/capitol-siege">the Jan. 6 insurrection</a>, in which&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-confirm-joe-biden-78104aea082995bbd7412a6e6cd13818">a mob of Trump supporters</a>&nbsp;stormed the U.S. Capitol. Trump,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2024-presidential-candidates-who-is-running-e89fbfee94e7e7980594a9ce3994fec7">the early front-runner</a>&nbsp;for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has personally assailed her on social media as he tries to make the case that the prosecution is politically motivated.Federal special counsel Jack Smith’s team said there was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-judge-chutkan-jan-6-special-counsel-87425b2199783648ca2bf48488da36db">no valid basis</a>&nbsp;to have Chutkan removed from the case. Like Chutkan, they said she never said that Trump was legally or morally to blame for the events of Jan. 6 or that he deserved to be punished.Chutkan wrote in her order that though recusal is a valid step when merited, judges should not step aside “without cause,” as she suggested the Trump lawyers were asking her to do.Trump's team had pointed in their recusal bid to a sentencing hearing for a Jan. 6 defendant in which Chutkan said the rioters had "blind loyalty to one person who, by the way, remains free to this day.” Chutkan wrote in her decision Wednesday that she was merely stating an “undisputed fact,” – that Trump was free — “but it went no further.”Chutkan is also considering a request by Smith’s team for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-jan-6-special-counsel-67ca118260af4761f41bcffd18d09855">a narrow gag order</a>&nbsp;that would bar Trump from making “inflammatory” and “intimidating” comments about witnesses, lawyers and other people involved in the case. Trump's lawyers objected this week to that request.Chutkan has scheduled trial to begin&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-jan-6-justice-department-indictment-1a5ae1a0ea35492e1e347e28867a7d3f">March 4, 2024,</a>&nbsp;over the vigorous objections of defense lawyers who said that would not give them enough time to prepare. The case in Washington’s federal court is one of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/donald-trump-investigations-other-charges-b8b064a00caad4306fb54d2f6a320468">four criminal cases</a>&nbsp;confronting the former president as he seeks to regain the White House.