BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Advocates will work to bring back an attempt to consolidate Kansas early childhood care services next year following a failed attempt at unifying the state’s scattered services this legislative session.

The move would have placed early childhood services&nbsp; — currently split among four different state agencies — under one office.

The centralized hub known as the Office of Early Childhood would have included nearly 20 state programs designed to support children and families, such as child care assistance, day care facility licensing, the Children’s Cabinet Accountability Fund, early childhood infrastructure and early childhood integrated data systems, among others.

While&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb96/">Senate Bill 96,</a>&nbsp;which would have established the office, passed the House 110-10, the Senate failed to take action on the bill.

“A unified office focused on Kansas kids’ earliest years would have streamlined many services, making it easier for providers to get — and stay — in the field and families get the assistance they need to access quality, affordable care for their kids,” said John Wilson, president and CEO of Kansas Action for Children.

“The outcome of the bill is, of course, disappointing, but we know the state and Kansans will continue as they have for years: doing their best to provide for Kansas kids before they enter kindergarten,” Wilson added. “We’ll keep working next year to make the system more effective for everyone.”

David Jordan, president of the Hutchinson-based&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://healthfund.org/a/">United Methodist Health Ministry Fund</a>, called it a missed opportunity to move forward with state progress on child care.&nbsp;

“It’s too bad the Legislature failed to act,” Jordan said. “Hopefully we can move forward quickly next year to realize this vision and to continue to roll up our sleeves and advance other policies that may make child care more affordable for Kansas families and more accessible.”

The push for change followed December&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/11/kansas-task-force-urges-consolidation-of-states-early-childhood-development-programs/">recommendations by Kelly’s early education</a>&nbsp;task force. After an in-depth examination of the state’s early education pitfalls, the task force recommended that a consolidation law be approved in the 2024 legislative session, followed by establishment of the new office by July 2024 and completion of the consolidation by July 2026.

An executive director would serve as the state’s administrator for these services and advocate for early childhood needs with lawmakers and communities.

“This bill will streamline how we provide services, reducing bureaucratic burdens so more Kansas businesses, child care providers and families can easily navigate the system and receive support,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in early February support for the bill.

More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and community organizations signed onto a letter to support the change.

“The separation of early childhood services across multiple agencies is a logistical oversight that has created massive inefficiency and struggles for everyday Kansans, and hinders our programs’ abilities to reach the Kansans they were intended to serve,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Written-Only-Proponent-on-HB-2785-Office-of-Early-Childhood-Sign-On-Letter-1.pdf">the letter read</a>.

“Multiple agencies means multiple overlapping requirements on providers and funding streams that are not aligned,” the letter read. “Our early childhood system should be designed by the lived experiences and feedback from constituents who interact with it on a regular basis.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715354376809.png" alt=" More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and others asked the Legislature to pass a bill consolidating services. John Wilson, president of Kansas Action for Children, said the bill's outcome was disappointing. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and others asked the Legislature to pass a bill consolidating services. John Wilson, president of Kansas Action for Children, said the bill's outcome was disappointing. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/rmipro/">RACHEL MIPRO</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Advocates will work to bring back an attempt to consolidate Kansas early childhood care services next year following a failed attempt at unifying the state’s scattered services this legislative session.The move would have placed early childhood services&nbsp; — currently split among four different state agencies — under one office.The centralized hub known as the Office of Early Childhood would have included nearly 20 state programs designed to support children and families, such as child care assistance, day care facility licensing, the Children’s Cabinet Accountability Fund, early childhood infrastructure and early childhood integrated data systems, among others.While&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb96/">Senate Bill 96,</a>&nbsp;which would have established the office, passed the House 110-10, the Senate failed to take action on the bill.“A unified office focused on Kansas kids’ earliest years would have streamlined many services, making it easier for providers to get — and stay — in the field and families get the assistance they need to access quality, affordable care for their kids,” said John Wilson, president and CEO of Kansas Action for Children.“The outcome of the bill is, of course, disappointing, but we know the state and Kansans will continue as they have for years: doing their best to provide for Kansas kids before they enter kindergarten,” Wilson added. “We’ll keep working next year to make the system more effective for everyone.”David Jordan, president of the Hutchinson-based&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://healthfund.org/a/">United Methodist Health Ministry Fund</a>, called it a missed opportunity to move forward with state progress on child care.&nbsp;“It’s too bad the Legislature failed to act,” Jordan said. “Hopefully we can move forward quickly next year to realize this vision and to continue to roll up our sleeves and advance other policies that may make child care more affordable for Kansas families and more accessible.”The push for change followed December&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/11/kansas-task-force-urges-consolidation-of-states-early-childhood-development-programs/">recommendations by Kelly’s early education</a>&nbsp;task force. After an in-depth examination of the state’s early education pitfalls, the task force recommended that a consolidation law be approved in the 2024 legislative session, followed by establishment of the new office by July 2024 and completion of the consolidation by July 2026.An executive director would serve as the state’s administrator for these services and advocate for early childhood needs with lawmakers and communities.“This bill will streamline how we provide services, reducing bureaucratic burdens so more Kansas businesses, child care providers and families can easily navigate the system and receive support,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in early February support for the bill.More than 700 early childhood providers, businesses, advocates and community organizations signed onto a letter to support the change.“The separation of early childhood services across multiple agencies is a logistical oversight that has created massive inefficiency and struggles for everyday Kansans, and hinders our programs’ abilities to reach the Kansans they were intended to serve,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Written-Only-Proponent-on-HB-2785-Office-of-Early-Childhood-Sign-On-Letter-1.pdf">the letter read</a>.“Multiple agencies means multiple overlapping requirements on providers and funding streams that are not aligned,” the letter read. “Our early childhood system should be designed by the lived experiences and feedback from constituents who interact with it on a regular basis.”

Kansas Office of Early Childhood concept fizzles out following legislative inaction

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 8p.m. Saturday in Montgomery County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Charles M.&nbsp;Morris, 50, Coffeyville, was eastbound on U.S. 166 at County Road 5900.

The motorcycle left the roadway to the right and struck a culvert. EMS transported Morris to&nbsp;Coffeyville Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The KHP did not have details on whether he was wearing a helmet.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—A Kansas man died in an accident just before 8p.m. Saturday in Montgomery County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2019 Suzuki motorcycle driven by Charles M.&nbsp;Morris, 50, Coffeyville, was eastbound on U.S. 166 at County Road 5900. The motorcycle left the roadway to the right and struck a culvert. EMS transported Morris to&nbsp;Coffeyville Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased. The KHP did not have details on whether he was wearing a helmet.

Kansas man dies after motorcycle struck a culvert

SUMNER COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a death investigation after human remains were found in rural Sumner County, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.

On May 10, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of&nbsp;358 N. River Road, in Belle Plaine,&nbsp;after a body was discovered.

The remains were transported to the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center for an autopsy.&nbsp;The autopsy was performed Saturday, and signs of foul play were observed by the coroner.

At this time, the identity of the deceased male is unknown. The KBI and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office are still working to positively identify him.

If you have information about this case, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715480702597.png" alt="Location where the remains were found-Google map" />
 <figcaption>Location where the remains were found-Google map</figcaption>
 </figure>SUMNER COUNTY&nbsp;–&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office are conducting a death investigation after human remains were found in rural Sumner County, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.On May 10, the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of&nbsp;358 N. River Road, in Belle Plaine,&nbsp;after a body was discovered.The remains were transported to the Sedgwick County Regional Forensic Science Center for an autopsy.&nbsp;The autopsy was performed Saturday, and signs of foul play were observed by the coroner.At this time, the identity of the deceased male is unknown. The KBI and the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office are still working to positively identify him.If you have information about this case, please contact the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

KBI: Human remains found in rural Kansas; signs of foul play

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas jury this week found a man guilty of multiple sex crimes that occurred between 2010 and 2022 involving underage girls.

&nbsp;David Mendoza, 45, Wichita, is guilty of rape, indecent liberties and kidnapping, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.

<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=260337">Mendoza remains jailed </a>on&nbsp;$1 million bond and is scheduled for sentencing on June 21, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715283324756.png" alt="Mendoza-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Mendoza-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas jury this week found a man guilty of multiple sex crimes that occurred between 2010 and 2022 involving underage girls.&nbsp;David Mendoza, 45, Wichita, is guilty of rape, indecent liberties and kidnapping, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=260337">Mendoza remains jailed </a>on&nbsp;$1 million bond and is scheduled for sentencing on June 21, according to the district attorney's office.

Jury: Kan. man guilty of multiple sex crimes involving children

JOHNSON COUNTY — A teenager accused in the January killing of a 15-year-old Kansas girl was back in court this week.

Davon Washington, 17,&nbsp; pleaded guilty to reckless second-degree murder and juvenile in possession of a firearm, to the Johnson County District Attorney's office..

The shooting occurred January 19 at apartment complex near W. 127th and S. Mur Len Road.&nbsp; EMS transported Brianna Higgins to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Police arrested Washington January 29. He is scheduled for sentencing June 28, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715350223098.png" alt="Brianna Higgins-photo courtesy Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home" />
 <figcaption>Brianna Higgins-photo courtesy Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY — A teenager accused in the January killing of a 15-year-old Kansas girl was back in court this week.Davon Washington, 17,&nbsp; pleaded guilty to reckless second-degree murder and juvenile in possession of a firearm, to the Johnson County District Attorney's office..The shooting occurred January 19 at apartment complex near W. 127th and S. Mur Len Road.&nbsp; EMS transported Brianna Higgins to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased. Police arrested Washington January 29. He is scheduled for sentencing June 28, according to the district attorney's office.

Teen admits killing 15-year-old Kansas girl 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, man has pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine after law enforcement officers seized more than $1 million worth of cocaine from a rental truck that was stopped on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County, Missouri, according to the United State's Attorney.

Luis Gerardo Nieto-Acosta, 37, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough on April 29, to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Nieto-Acosta, the fourth and final defendant to plead guilty in this case, entered his plea on the day his trial was scheduled to begin. Co-defendants Wilmer Antony Mendoza-Perez, 25, a citizen of Honduras, and Miguel Angel Anguiano-Viera, 27, both of Oklahoma City, and Jose Eduardo Acosta-Bermejo, 29, a citizen of Mexico, of Bethany, Okla., also have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.

An officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped Mendoza-Perez on Jan. 24, 2023, as he was driving a Penske rental truck eastbound on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County. A Toyota Highlander, later determined to be occupied by Nieto-Acosta and Acosta-Bermejo, attempted to prevent the officer from getting behind the Penske truck to initiate a stop. When the Penske truck pulled over, the Toyota Highlander continued traveling eastbound on Interstate 70.

According to the rental agreement for the Penske truck, it was rented in Oklahoma City on Jan. 20, 2023, by a woman who was not present in the truck, and scheduled to be returned to Fullerton, California, on Jan. 26, 2023. Mendoza-Perez could not explain why he was driving the truck in Missouri.

The officer searched the rear cargo area of the truck and found two boxes that contained a total of 34 kilograms of cocaine. The average street price in the Kansas City metropolitan area for a kilogram of cocaine was approximately $30,000 at that time, which would make 34 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately $1,020,000.

Mendoza-Perez was arrested. The Toyota Highlander was found abandoned at the Pilot truck stop a few miles away. Investigators later searched the Highlander and found two Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handguns, with four magazines and 9mm ammunition.

Investigators reviewed surveillance video at the truck stop, which showed a third vehicle, a Honda Pilot occupied by Anguiano-Viera and a juvenile female, arrived at the truck stop and picked up Nieto-Acosta and Acosta-Bermejo. A short time later, this vehicle was located, and the occupants arrested when they stopped at a convenience store in Odessa, Mo.

Under federal statutes, Nieto-Acosta is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, man has pleaded guilty to his role in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine after law enforcement officers seized more than $1 million worth of cocaine from a rental truck that was stopped on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County, Missouri, according to the United State's Attorney.Luis Gerardo Nieto-Acosta, 37, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough on April 29, to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, one count of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, and one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.Nieto-Acosta, the fourth and final defendant to plead guilty in this case, entered his plea on the day his trial was scheduled to begin. Co-defendants Wilmer Antony Mendoza-Perez, 25, a citizen of Honduras, and Miguel Angel Anguiano-Viera, 27, both of Oklahoma City, and Jose Eduardo Acosta-Bermejo, 29, a citizen of Mexico, of Bethany, Okla., also have pleaded guilty to their roles in the drug-trafficking conspiracy.An officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped Mendoza-Perez on Jan. 24, 2023, as he was driving a Penske rental truck eastbound on Interstate 70 in Lafayette County. A Toyota Highlander, later determined to be occupied by Nieto-Acosta and Acosta-Bermejo, attempted to prevent the officer from getting behind the Penske truck to initiate a stop. When the Penske truck pulled over, the Toyota Highlander continued traveling eastbound on Interstate 70.According to the rental agreement for the Penske truck, it was rented in Oklahoma City on Jan. 20, 2023, by a woman who was not present in the truck, and scheduled to be returned to Fullerton, California, on Jan. 26, 2023. Mendoza-Perez could not explain why he was driving the truck in Missouri.The officer searched the rear cargo area of the truck and found two boxes that contained a total of 34 kilograms of cocaine. The average street price in the Kansas City metropolitan area for a kilogram of cocaine was approximately $30,000 at that time, which would make 34 kilograms of cocaine worth approximately $1,020,000.Mendoza-Perez was arrested. The Toyota Highlander was found abandoned at the Pilot truck stop a few miles away. Investigators later searched the Highlander and found two Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handguns, with four magazines and 9mm ammunition.Investigators reviewed surveillance video at the truck stop, which showed a third vehicle, a Honda Pilot occupied by Anguiano-Viera and a juvenile female, arrived at the truck stop and picked up Nieto-Acosta and Acosta-Bermejo. A short time later, this vehicle was located, and the occupants arrested when they stopped at a convenience store in Odessa, Mo.Under federal statutes, Nieto-Acosta is subject to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, up to a sentence of life in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Officers seize $1 million worth of cocaine in I-70 taffic stop

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas woman is going to prison for causing a crash involving multiple vehicle in 2022.

On Thursday a judge sentenced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/48144157/driver-faces-attempted-murder-battery-charges-for-8vehicle-crash-near-andover">Paloma Adame</a>&nbsp;to just more than 18-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In March, Adame plead guilty to attempted first-degree murder and five counts of aggravated battery.&nbsp;

Just before 4p.m. October 23, 2022, deputies were dispatched to an injury accident at 143rd Street East and U.S. 54 in Sedgwick County involving eight vehicles, according to Lt. Nathan Gibbs.

First responders located several individuals with varying severity of injuries. Seven people&nbsp; including Adame's 5-year-old daughter were transported to local hospitals.

All were treated and released from the hospital. Through the investigation it was found the 5-year-old was not properly restrained and Adame’s vehicle had been traveling at excessive speeds, according to Gibbs. 

Investigators learned the computer on Adame's car showed that she was traveling 116 mph as she approached the red light at 143rd Street. Her vehicle struck the first car at 92 mph.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/1/1673629872866.png" alt="Adame-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Adame-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas woman is going to prison for causing a crash involving multiple vehicle in 2022.On Thursday a judge sentenced&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/story/48144157/driver-faces-attempted-murder-battery-charges-for-8vehicle-crash-near-andover">Paloma Adame</a>&nbsp;to just more than 18-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office. In March, Adame plead guilty to attempted first-degree murder and five counts of aggravated battery.&nbsp;Just before 4p.m. October 23, 2022, deputies were dispatched to an injury accident at 143rd Street East and U.S. 54 in Sedgwick County involving eight vehicles, according to Lt. Nathan Gibbs.First responders located several individuals with varying severity of injuries. Seven people&nbsp; including Adame's 5-year-old daughter were transported to local hospitals.All were treated and released from the hospital. Through the investigation it was found the 5-year-old was not properly restrained and Adame’s vehicle had been traveling at excessive speeds, according to Gibbs. Investigators learned the computer on Adame's car showed that she was traveling 116 mph as she approached the red light at 143rd Street. Her vehicle struck the first car at 92 mph.

Prison for woman after 8-vehicle Kan. crash at near 100mph

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Proposed restrictions in Kansas on the foreign ownership of land died Friday when the state's Democratic governor vetoed a bill that top Republican lawmakers argued would protect military bases&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-foreign-land-ownership-drones-kansas-c920986d9545b5c5a3592a3032a782f6">from Chinese spying.</a>

The Kansas House's top GOP leader accused Gov. Laura Kelly of “apathy” toward serious national security threats from China and other nations declared by the U.S. government to be adversaries “of concern,” including Cuba, Iraq, North Korea and Venezuela. The bill would have prohibited more than 10% ownership by foreign nationals from those countries of any non-residential property within 100 miles of any military installation — or most of Kansas.

<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/committees/ctte_spc_2023_adversary_purchases_1/documents/testimony/20230927_13.pdf">A Kansas State University report</a>&nbsp;last fall said Chinese ownership accounted for a single acre of privately owned Kansas agricultural land and all foreign individuals and companies owned 2.4% of the state's 49 million acres of private agricultural land.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/ccrb_sb172_03_04262024.pdf">The bill</a>&nbsp;would have required the university to compile annual reports on all foreign real estate ownership, including non-agricultural business property.

Kelly said in her veto message that while Kansas needs stronger protections against foreign adversaries, the bill was so “overly broad” that it could disrupt “legitimate investment and business relationships.”

“I am not willing to sign a bill that has the potential to hurt the state’s future prosperity and economic development,” Kelly said in her veto message.

Kansas exported $14.1 billion worth of products in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trade.gov/data-visualization/state-economy-and-trade-factsheets">International Trade Administration.</a>&nbsp;China was its fourth-largest trading partner, with $848 million worth of exports, behind Mexico, Canada and Japan.

But Kansas already limits corporate ownership of agricultural land. More than 20 other states restrict foreign land ownership, according to the National Agricultural Law Center.

Early in 2023, before being shot down,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-china-antony-blinken-51e49202f2a0a50541cde059934c4cfb">a Chinese spy balloon</a>&nbsp;floated across U.S. skies for several days, including over northeast Kansas, home to Fort Leavenworth, home to the U.S. Army's college for training commanders. That intensified interest in restrictions on foreign land ownership in Kansas, though concerns existed already because of the construction of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-bio-lab-manhattan-kansas-opening-5fb349d58192d6821d4efa5d5a80731b">national biosecurity lab</a>&nbsp;near Kansas State University.

Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft, a Kansas City-area Republican and retired Army officer who was among the most vocal supporters of the bill, said Kelly's veto leaves its military bases and other critical infrastructure “wide open for adversarial foreign governments.”

“The assets of this state are too important for us to sit on our hands and wait until it’s too late,” Croft said in a statement after the veto.

Some conservative Republicans, including Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, pushed for even stronger restrictions. Kobach backed a plan to ban all foreign ownership of more than 3 acres of land, with a new state board able to make exceptions.

“Despite the governor’s apathy, we’ll continue to work to protect Kansas and its citizens from those foreign bad actors who wish to exploit land ownership loopholes,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican said.

A few Republicans in the state Senate balked at the restrictions, and the bill appeared to be just short of the two-thirds majority necessary to override a veto. The bill would have given affected foreign individuals and companies two years to divest themselves of their Kansas properties.

Critics suggested attributed support for the bill to xenophobia. They suggested the main effect would be to force immigrants — including those fleeing repressive regimes — to sell their shops and restaurants.

“To the extent that this bill affects anyone, it affects everyday people, those who are trying to live the American dream," Democratic state Rep. Melissa Oropeza, of Kansas City, Kansas, said ahead of one vote on the bill.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654525369104.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Proposed restrictions in Kansas on the foreign ownership of land died Friday when the state's Democratic governor vetoed a bill that top Republican lawmakers argued would protect military bases&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-foreign-land-ownership-drones-kansas-c920986d9545b5c5a3592a3032a782f6">from Chinese spying.</a>The Kansas House's top GOP leader accused Gov. Laura Kelly of “apathy” toward serious national security threats from China and other nations declared by the U.S. government to be adversaries “of concern,” including Cuba, Iraq, North Korea and Venezuela. The bill would have prohibited more than 10% ownership by foreign nationals from those countries of any non-residential property within 100 miles of any military installation — or most of Kansas.<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/committees/ctte_spc_2023_adversary_purchases_1/documents/testimony/20230927_13.pdf">A Kansas State University report</a>&nbsp;last fall said Chinese ownership accounted for a single acre of privately owned Kansas agricultural land and all foreign individuals and companies owned 2.4% of the state's 49 million acres of private agricultural land.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/documents/ccrb_sb172_03_04262024.pdf">The bill</a>&nbsp;would have required the university to compile annual reports on all foreign real estate ownership, including non-agricultural business property.Kelly said in her veto message that while Kansas needs stronger protections against foreign adversaries, the bill was so “overly broad” that it could disrupt “legitimate investment and business relationships.”“I am not willing to sign a bill that has the potential to hurt the state’s future prosperity and economic development,” Kelly said in her veto message.Kansas exported $14.1 billion worth of products in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.trade.gov/data-visualization/state-economy-and-trade-factsheets">International Trade Administration.</a>&nbsp;China was its fourth-largest trading partner, with $848 million worth of exports, behind Mexico, Canada and Japan.But Kansas already limits corporate ownership of agricultural land. More than 20 other states restrict foreign land ownership, according to the National Agricultural Law Center.Early in 2023, before being shot down,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-china-antony-blinken-51e49202f2a0a50541cde059934c4cfb">a Chinese spy balloon</a>&nbsp;floated across U.S. skies for several days, including over northeast Kansas, home to Fort Leavenworth, home to the U.S. Army's college for training commanders. That intensified interest in restrictions on foreign land ownership in Kansas, though concerns existed already because of the construction of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/national-bio-lab-manhattan-kansas-opening-5fb349d58192d6821d4efa5d5a80731b">national biosecurity lab</a>&nbsp;near Kansas State University.Kansas House Majority Leader Chris Croft, a Kansas City-area Republican and retired Army officer who was among the most vocal supporters of the bill, said Kelly's veto leaves its military bases and other critical infrastructure “wide open for adversarial foreign governments.”“The assets of this state are too important for us to sit on our hands and wait until it’s too late,” Croft said in a statement after the veto.Some conservative Republicans, including Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach, pushed for even stronger restrictions. Kobach backed a plan to ban all foreign ownership of more than 3 acres of land, with a new state board able to make exceptions.“Despite the governor’s apathy, we’ll continue to work to protect Kansas and its citizens from those foreign bad actors who wish to exploit land ownership loopholes,” House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican said.A few Republicans in the state Senate balked at the restrictions, and the bill appeared to be just short of the two-thirds majority necessary to override a veto. The bill would have given affected foreign individuals and companies two years to divest themselves of their Kansas properties.Critics suggested attributed support for the bill to xenophobia. They suggested the main effect would be to force immigrants — including those fleeing repressive regimes — to sell their shops and restaurants.“To the extent that this bill affects anyone, it affects everyday people, those who are trying to live the American dream," Democratic state Rep. Melissa Oropeza, of Kansas City, Kansas, said ahead of one vote on the bill.

Kansas governor kills proposed limits on foreign land ownership

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed a $105 billion bill designed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aviation-safety-boeing-airlines-faa-068547c51c1b477a4d4972af95c7e8ff">improve air safety</a>&nbsp;and customer service for air travelers, a day before the law governing the Federal Aviation Administration expires.

The bipartisan bill, which comes after a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/faa-investigating-southwest-airlines-laguardia-flight-1e0b5b4685ece7eb412f0bf792280af5">close calls</a>&nbsp;between planes at the nation’s airports, would boost the number of air traffic controllers, improve safety standards and make it easier for customers to get refunds after flights are delayed or canceled.

It passed the Senate 88-4. The legislation now goes to the House, which is out of session until next week. The Senate also passed a one-week extension that would give the House time to pass the bill while ensuring the FAA isn't forced to furlough around 3,600 employees.

The bill stalled for several days this week after senators from Virginia and Maryland objected to a provision that would allow an additional 10 flights a day to and from the heavily trafficked Reagan Washington National Airport. Other senators have tried to add unrelated provisions, as well, seeing it as a prime chance to enact their legislative priorities.

But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called a vote Thursday evening after it became clear that senators would not be able to agree on amendments to the bill before it expired. After the bill passed, leaders in both parties worked out how to pass an extension and ensure the law does not expire Friday. The House passed a one-week extension earlier this week.

The FAA has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/faa-administrator-boeing-safety-oversight-8b8433b3c6c9bcb31980f7a979ce3326">under scrutiny</a>&nbsp;since it approved Boeing jets that were involved in two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019. The Senate legislation would govern FAA operations for the next five years and put several new safety standards in place.

The bill would increase the number of air traffic controllers and require the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/federal-aviation-administration">FAA</a>&nbsp;to use new technology designed to prevent collisions between planes on runways. It would require new airline planes to have cockpit voice recorders capable of saving 25 hours of audio, up from the current two hours, to help investigators.

It would also try to improve customer service for flyers by requiring airlines to pay a refund to customers for flight delays — three hours for a domestic flight and six for an international one. Lawmakers tweaked the bill this week to make it even easier for customers to receive refunds, revising language that would have put most of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airline-refunds-congress-faa-cb8ccaa66e25e5af30d852f3411bcc10">onus on the customer</a>&nbsp;to request them. The change put the Senate bill more in line with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airlines-junk-fees-baggage-delays-c4a93f9ee9a2bf7d9ee07394183a0374">new regulations</a>&nbsp;issued by President Joe Biden’s administration last week.

In addition, the bill would prohibit airlines from charging extra for families to sit together and triple the maximum fines for airlines that violate consumer laws. And it would require the Transportation Department to create a “dashboard” so consumers can compare seat sizes on different airlines.

The FAA says that if the law expires Friday, the 3,600 employees would be furloughed without a guarantee of back pay starting at midnight. The agency would also be unable to collect daily airport fees that help pay for operations, and ongoing airport improvements would come to a halt.

No one in “safety critical” positions — like air traffic controllers — would be affected if the deadline is missed, the FAA says, and the safety of the flying public would not be at risk.

Still, failure to pass the popular&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-aviation-safety-bill-faa-3bed07b5384105e1c168afb10a369eed">bipartisan bill</a>&nbsp;by May 10 would be the latest setback after months of delays on the measure, and another example of Congress struggling to pass major legislation, even when it has broad support.

Opening the Senate on Thursday, Schumer urged senators to come to an agreement soon. “Absolutely nobody should want us to slip past the deadline because that would needlessly increase risks for so many travelers and so many federal workers,” he said.

Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats, had pushed for a vote on their amendment to block the additional long-haul flights at Virginia's Reagan National. They say the airport is restricted in size and too busy already, pointing to a close call there between two planes earlier in April that they said is a “flashing red warning light.”

Several Western lawmakers have argued for more flights at the airport, saying it is unfair to consumers that there is a restriction on long-haul flights. The provision’s chief proponent is Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, who has argued that San Antonio should have a direct flight from the airport. Cruz blocked a vote on Kaine and Warner's amendment when Schumer tried to bring it up shortly before final passage.

Airlines are also split on the idea of additional flights at Reagan National. Delta Airlines has argued for more flights, while United Airlines, with a major operation at farther-out Dulles Airport, has lobbied against the increase.

The House last year passed its own version of the FAA legislation without additional Reagan National flights after intense, last-minute lobbying from the Virginia delegation — a bipartisan vote on an amendment to the FAA bill that saw members aligning not by party but geographic location. Lawmakers use the airport frequently as it’s the closest Washington airport to the Capitol, and Congress has long tried to have a say in which routes have service there.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has passed a $105 billion bill designed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/aviation-safety-boeing-airlines-faa-068547c51c1b477a4d4972af95c7e8ff">improve air safety</a>&nbsp;and customer service for air travelers, a day before the law governing the Federal Aviation Administration expires.The bipartisan bill, which comes after a series of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/faa-investigating-southwest-airlines-laguardia-flight-1e0b5b4685ece7eb412f0bf792280af5">close calls</a>&nbsp;between planes at the nation’s airports, would boost the number of air traffic controllers, improve safety standards and make it easier for customers to get refunds after flights are delayed or canceled.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Grateful for Sen. Cantwell, Sen. Cruz and Sen. Duckworth for their partnership and tireless work to balance the priorities of the FAA, the aviation community, its academic partners and the flying public.&mdash; Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) <a href="https://twitter.com/JerryMoran/status/1788712877014061414?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>It passed the Senate 88-4. The legislation now goes to the House, which is out of session until next week. The Senate also passed a one-week extension that would give the House time to pass the bill while ensuring the FAA isn't forced to furlough around 3,600 employees.The bill stalled for several days this week after senators from Virginia and Maryland objected to a provision that would allow an additional 10 flights a day to and from the heavily trafficked Reagan Washington National Airport. Other senators have tried to add unrelated provisions, as well, seeing it as a prime chance to enact their legislative priorities.But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called a vote Thursday evening after it became clear that senators would not be able to agree on amendments to the bill before it expired. After the bill passed, leaders in both parties worked out how to pass an extension and ensure the law does not expire Friday. The House passed a one-week extension earlier this week.The FAA has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/faa-administrator-boeing-safety-oversight-8b8433b3c6c9bcb31980f7a979ce3326">under scrutiny</a>&nbsp;since it approved Boeing jets that were involved in two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019. The Senate legislation would govern FAA operations for the next five years and put several new safety standards in place.The bill would increase the number of air traffic controllers and require the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/federal-aviation-administration">FAA</a>&nbsp;to use new technology designed to prevent collisions between planes on runways. It would require new airline planes to have cockpit voice recorders capable of saving 25 hours of audio, up from the current two hours, to help investigators.It would also try to improve customer service for flyers by requiring airlines to pay a refund to customers for flight delays — three hours for a domestic flight and six for an international one. Lawmakers tweaked the bill this week to make it even easier for customers to receive refunds, revising language that would have put most of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airline-refunds-congress-faa-cb8ccaa66e25e5af30d852f3411bcc10">onus on the customer</a>&nbsp;to request them. The change put the Senate bill more in line with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/airlines-junk-fees-baggage-delays-c4a93f9ee9a2bf7d9ee07394183a0374">new regulations</a>&nbsp;issued by President Joe Biden’s administration last week.In addition, the bill would prohibit airlines from charging extra for families to sit together and triple the maximum fines for airlines that violate consumer laws. And it would require the Transportation Department to create a “dashboard” so consumers can compare seat sizes on different airlines.The FAA says that if the law expires Friday, the 3,600 employees would be furloughed without a guarantee of back pay starting at midnight. The agency would also be unable to collect daily airport fees that help pay for operations, and ongoing airport improvements would come to a halt.No one in “safety critical” positions — like air traffic controllers — would be affected if the deadline is missed, the FAA says, and the safety of the flying public would not be at risk.Still, failure to pass the popular&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-aviation-safety-bill-faa-3bed07b5384105e1c168afb10a369eed">bipartisan bill</a>&nbsp;by May 10 would be the latest setback after months of delays on the measure, and another example of Congress struggling to pass major legislation, even when it has broad support.Opening the Senate on Thursday, Schumer urged senators to come to an agreement soon. “Absolutely nobody should want us to slip past the deadline because that would needlessly increase risks for so many travelers and so many federal workers,” he said.Virginia Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats, had pushed for a vote on their amendment to block the additional long-haul flights at Virginia's Reagan National. They say the airport is restricted in size and too busy already, pointing to a close call there between two planes earlier in April that they said is a “flashing red warning light.”Several Western lawmakers have argued for more flights at the airport, saying it is unfair to consumers that there is a restriction on long-haul flights. The provision’s chief proponent is Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, the top Republican on the Senate Commerce Committee, who has argued that San Antonio should have a direct flight from the airport. Cruz blocked a vote on Kaine and Warner's amendment when Schumer tried to bring it up shortly before final passage.Airlines are also split on the idea of additional flights at Reagan National. Delta Airlines has argued for more flights, while United Airlines, with a major operation at farther-out Dulles Airport, has lobbied against the increase.The House last year passed its own version of the FAA legislation without additional Reagan National flights after intense, last-minute lobbying from the Virginia delegation — a bipartisan vote on an amendment to the FAA bill that saw members aligning not by party but geographic location. Lawmakers use the airport frequently as it’s the closest Washington airport to the Capitol, and Congress has long tried to have a say in which routes have service there.

Senate passes bill improving air safety and service for travelers

KANSAS CITY, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred late Friday night in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.

The Kansas City Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) requested the KBI conduct an investigation at around 11:20 p.m. on Friday, May 10. KBI agents responded to investigate.

A silver Hyundai Sonata was reported stolen on May 10. KCKPD developed information suggesting the stolen car was in the area of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway and I-35. Soon after, around 11:10 p.m., a citizen called 911 to report that a silver car had stopped in the 1500 block of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway, and subjects were running from it. At nearly the same time, a KCKPD officer arrived and observed three male subjects fleeing from the car. He chased them, initiating a foot pursuit.

Preliminary information indicates that the officer pursued the subjects who ran up the I-35 South on-ramp. During the pursuit, one of the men hid in thick brush and fired at the officer from behind. The KCKPD officer returned fire, striking the man multiple times. The officer and a second responding officer were then able to take a 16-year-old male into custody.

Lifesaving measures were attempted and EMS responded, but the man who was shot was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities are still working to identify the decedent. The third subject has not yet been apprehended. The officer was not injured in the shooting.

During the investigation two firearms were located in the area. Anyone who has information about this incident is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Anonymous tips can be submitted online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred late Friday night in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release from the KBI.The Kansas City Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) requested the KBI conduct an investigation at around 11:20 p.m. on Friday, May 10. KBI agents responded to investigate.A silver Hyundai Sonata was reported stolen on May 10. KCKPD developed information suggesting the stolen car was in the area of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway and I-35. Soon after, around 11:10 p.m., a citizen called 911 to report that a silver car had stopped in the 1500 block of S. 7th&nbsp;St. Trafficway, and subjects were running from it. At nearly the same time, a KCKPD officer arrived and observed three male subjects fleeing from the car. He chased them, initiating a foot pursuit.Preliminary information indicates that the officer pursued the subjects who ran up the I-35 South on-ramp. During the pursuit, one of the men hid in thick brush and fired at the officer from behind. The KCKPD officer returned fire, striking the man multiple times. The officer and a second responding officer were then able to take a 16-year-old male into custody.Lifesaving measures were attempted and EMS responded, but the man who was shot was pronounced deceased at the scene. Authorities are still working to identify the decedent. The third subject has not yet been apprehended. The officer was not injured in the shooting.During the investigation two firearms were located in the area. Anyone who has information about this incident is asked to call the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME. Anonymous tips can be submitted online at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar" target="_blank">https://www.kbi.ks.gov/sar</a>.

KBI: Man dead in Kansas officer-involved shooting

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple allegations after an arrest.

Just before 7a.m. May 8, police&nbsp;responded to a reported injury vehicle crash near SW 16th and Buchanan in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols. It was reported that a vehicle struck three detached garages and finally came to a stop.

Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle, which was determined to be stolen, that had crashed into a detached garage, causing damage. The driver later identified as&nbsp;Christopher W. Darnall, 34, of Topeka, ran from the crash and officers located him nearby. 

Darnall was transported to a local hospital to be medically cleared and then was arrested and booked on requested charges of Possession of Stolen Property, Driving without a License, interference, DUI, Failure to Stop at Accident and a Felony Warrant.&nbsp; Darnall has previous convictions for burglary, theft, obstruction, flee or attempt to elude and aggravated escape from custody.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715352962120.png" alt="Darnall photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Darnall photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas felon on multiple allegations after an arrest.Just before 7a.m. May 8, police&nbsp;responded to a reported injury vehicle crash near SW 16th and Buchanan in Topeka, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols. It was reported that a vehicle struck three detached garages and finally came to a stop.Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle, which was determined to be stolen, that had crashed into a detached garage, causing damage. The driver later identified as&nbsp;Christopher W. Darnall, 34, of Topeka, ran from the crash and officers located him nearby. Darnall was transported to a local hospital to be medically cleared and then was arrested and booked on requested charges of Possession of Stolen Property, Driving without a License, interference, DUI, Failure to Stop at Accident and a Felony Warrant.&nbsp; Darnall has previous convictions for burglary, theft, obstruction, flee or attempt to elude and aggravated escape from custody.

Kansas felon back in jail after crash in stolen vehicle

DOUGLAS COUNTY—An alert&nbsp; police officer stopped what appeared to be an auto burglary in progress this week in Lawrence&nbsp; during a routine parking lot safety check, according to a social media report from Lawrence Police.

This led to a drone team being deployed and the recovery of a stolen vehicle -- a KIA with a hacked steering column

Just after 2a.m., the officer was riding through the Rockland Apartments, 1301 West 24th Street and noticed an interior light and open glove box on a BMW.&nbsp; As he drove closer, he saw a man at the passenger’s side and asked if the car was his.

 The person ran and got away after a short pursuit. As additional officers and the drone team were deployed, a sergeant found the KIA, still running, in the same lot. 

 Ultimately, the team was able to identify a vehicle in the area they believed was there to pick up the suspect.  A patrol unit later pulled that car over and found the suspect inside along with other juveniles. 

The suspect and an occupant with outstanding warrants were taken to the Juvenile Detention Center. The other two were released to a guardian.  The owner of the BMW noticed nothing missing and officers identified and notified the KIA owner the next morning.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—An alert&nbsp; police officer stopped what appeared to be an auto burglary in progress this week in Lawrence&nbsp; during a routine parking lot safety check, according to a social media report from Lawrence Police. This led to a drone team being deployed and the recovery of a stolen vehicle -- a KIA with a hacked steering columnJust after 2a.m., the officer was riding through the Rockland Apartments, 1301 West 24th Street and noticed an interior light and open glove box on a BMW.&nbsp; As he drove closer, he saw a man at the passenger’s side and asked if the car was his. The person ran and got away after a short pursuit. As additional officers and the drone team were deployed, a sergeant found the KIA, still running, in the same lot. Ultimately, the team was able to identify a vehicle in the area they believed was there to pick up the suspect. A patrol unit later pulled that car over and found the suspect inside along with other juveniles. The suspect and an occupant with outstanding warrants were taken to the Juvenile Detention Center. The other two were released to a guardian. The owner of the BMW noticed nothing missing and officers identified and notified the KIA owner the next morning.

Alert Kansas police officer stops auto burglary in progress

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A cyberattack on the Ascension health system operating in Kansas and 18 other states across the U.S. forced some of its 140 hospitals to divert ambulances, caused patients to postpone medical tests and blocked online access to patient records.

An Ascension spokesperson said it detected “unusual activity” Wednesday on its computer network systems. Officials refused to say whether the non-profit Catholic health system, based in St. Louis, was the victim of a ransomware attack or whether it had paid a ransom, and it did not immediately respond to an email seeking updates.

But the attack had the hallmarks of a ransomware, and Ascension said it had called in Mandiant, the Google cybersecurity unit that is a leading responder to such attacks. Earlier this year, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealth-change-cyberattack-50e7e86ace92e95711dfbf8914d27db1">cyberattack</a>&nbsp;on Change Healthcare disrupted care systems nationwide, and the CEO of its parent, UnitedHealth Group Inc., acknowledged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/change-healthcare-cyberattack-unitedhealth-senate-9e2fff70ce4f93566043210bdd347a1f">in testimony to Congress</a>&nbsp;that it had paid a ransom of $22 million in bitcoin.

Ascension said that both its electronic records system and the MyChart system that gives patients access to their records and allows them to communicate with their doctors were offline.

“We have determined this is a cybersecurity incident,” the national Ascension spokesperson’s&nbsp;<a href="https://about.ascension.org/cybersecurity-event">statement</a>&nbsp;said. “Our investigation and restoration work will take time to complete, and we do not have a timeline for completion.”

To prevent the automated spread of ransomware, hospital IT officials typically take electronic medical records and appointment-scheduling systems offline. UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty told congressional committees that Change Healthcare immediately disconnected from other systems to prevent the attack from spreading during its incident.

The Ascension spokesperson's latest statement, issued Thursday, said ambulances had been diverted from “several” hospitals without naming them.

In Wichita, Kansas, local news reports said the local emergency medical services started diverting all ambulance calls from its hospitals there Wednesday, though the health system's spokesperson there said Friday that the full diversion of ambulances ended Thursday afternoon.

The EMS service for Pensacola, Florida, also diverted patients from the Ascension hospital there to other hospitals, its spokesperson&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2024/05/09/ascension-hacked-cyberattack/73627088007/">told the Pensacola News Journal.</a>

And&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/patients-continue-to-be-turned-away-because-of-ascension-cyber-attack">WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee reported</a>&nbsp;that Ascension patients in the area said they were missing CT scans and mammograms and couldn't refill prescriptions.

Connie Smith, president of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, is among the Ascension providers turning to paper records this week to cope. Smith, who coordinates surgeries at Ascension St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee, said the hospital didn’t cancel any surgical procedures and continued treating emergency patients.

But she said everything has slowed down because electronic systems are built into the hospital’s daily operations. Younger providers are often unfamiliar with paper copies of essential records and it takes more time to document patient care, check the results of prior lab tests and verify information with doctors’ offices, she said.

Smith said union leaders feel staff and service cutbacks have made the situation even tougher. Hospital staff also have received little information about what led to the attack or when operations might get closer to normal, she said.

“You’re doing everything to the best of your ability but you leave feeling frustrated because you know you could have done things faster or gotten that patient home sooner if you just had some extra hands,” Smith said.

Ascension said its system expected to use “downtime” procedures “for some time” and advised patients to bring notes on their symptoms and a list of prescription numbers or prescription bottles with them to appointments.

Cybersecurity experts say ransomware attacks have increased substantially in recent years, especially in the health care sector. Increasingly, ransomware gangs steal data before activating data-scrambling malware that paralyzes networks. The threat of making stolen data public is used to extort payments. That data can also be sold online.

“We are working around the clock with internal and external advisors to investigate, contain, and restore our systems,” the Ascension spokesperson's latest statement said.

The attack against Change Healthcare earlier this year delayed insurance reimbursements and heaped stress on doctor’s offices around the country. Change Healthcare provides technology used by doctor offices and other care providers to submit and process billions of insurance claims a year.

It was unclear Friday whether the same group was responsible for both attacks.

Witty said Change Healthcare's core systems were now fully functional. But company officials have said it may take several months of analysis to identify and notify those who were affected by the attack.

They also have said they see no signs that doctor charts or full medical histories were released after the attack. Witty told senators that UnitedHealth repels an attempted intrusion every 70 seconds.

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ransomware-attack-hospitals-emergency-rooms-0841defe1b881b71eccb8826ed46130e">ransomware attack in November</a>&nbsp;prompted the Ardent Health Services system, operating 30 hospitals in six states, to divert patients from some of its emergency rooms to other hospitals while postponing certain elective procedures.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715251352366.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A cyberattack on the Ascension health system operating in Kansas and 18 other states across the U.S. forced some of its 140 hospitals to divert ambulances, caused patients to postpone medical tests and blocked online access to patient records.An Ascension spokesperson said it detected “unusual activity” Wednesday on its computer network systems. Officials refused to say whether the non-profit Catholic health system, based in St. Louis, was the victim of a ransomware attack or whether it had paid a ransom, and it did not immediately respond to an email seeking updates.But the attack had the hallmarks of a ransomware, and Ascension said it had called in Mandiant, the Google cybersecurity unit that is a leading responder to such attacks. Earlier this year, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealth-change-cyberattack-50e7e86ace92e95711dfbf8914d27db1">cyberattack</a>&nbsp;on Change Healthcare disrupted care systems nationwide, and the CEO of its parent, UnitedHealth Group Inc., acknowledged&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/change-healthcare-cyberattack-unitedhealth-senate-9e2fff70ce4f93566043210bdd347a1f">in testimony to Congress</a>&nbsp;that it had paid a ransom of $22 million in bitcoin.Ascension said that both its electronic records system and the MyChart system that gives patients access to their records and allows them to communicate with their doctors were offline.“We have determined this is a cybersecurity incident,” the national Ascension spokesperson’s&nbsp;<a href="https://about.ascension.org/cybersecurity-event">statement</a>&nbsp;said. “Our investigation and restoration work will take time to complete, and we do not have a timeline for completion.”To prevent the automated spread of ransomware, hospital IT officials typically take electronic medical records and appointment-scheduling systems offline. UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty told congressional committees that Change Healthcare immediately disconnected from other systems to prevent the attack from spreading during its incident.The Ascension spokesperson's latest statement, issued Thursday, said ambulances had been diverted from “several” hospitals without naming them.In Wichita, Kansas, local news reports said the local emergency medical services started diverting all ambulance calls from its hospitals there Wednesday, though the health system's spokesperson there said Friday that the full diversion of ambulances ended Thursday afternoon.The EMS service for Pensacola, Florida, also diverted patients from the Ascension hospital there to other hospitals, its spokesperson&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2024/05/09/ascension-hacked-cyberattack/73627088007/">told the Pensacola News Journal.</a>And&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/patients-continue-to-be-turned-away-because-of-ascension-cyber-attack">WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee reported</a>&nbsp;that Ascension patients in the area said they were missing CT scans and mammograms and couldn't refill prescriptions.Connie Smith, president of the Wisconsin Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals, is among the Ascension providers turning to paper records this week to cope. Smith, who coordinates surgeries at Ascension St. Francis Hospital in Milwaukee, said the hospital didn’t cancel any surgical procedures and continued treating emergency patients.But she said everything has slowed down because electronic systems are built into the hospital’s daily operations. Younger providers are often unfamiliar with paper copies of essential records and it takes more time to document patient care, check the results of prior lab tests and verify information with doctors’ offices, she said.Smith said union leaders feel staff and service cutbacks have made the situation even tougher. Hospital staff also have received little information about what led to the attack or when operations might get closer to normal, she said.“You’re doing everything to the best of your ability but you leave feeling frustrated because you know you could have done things faster or gotten that patient home sooner if you just had some extra hands,” Smith said.Ascension said its system expected to use “downtime” procedures “for some time” and advised patients to bring notes on their symptoms and a list of prescription numbers or prescription bottles with them to appointments.Cybersecurity experts say ransomware attacks have increased substantially in recent years, especially in the health care sector. Increasingly, ransomware gangs steal data before activating data-scrambling malware that paralyzes networks. The threat of making stolen data public is used to extort payments. That data can also be sold online.“We are working around the clock with internal and external advisors to investigate, contain, and restore our systems,” the Ascension spokesperson's latest statement said.The attack against Change Healthcare earlier this year delayed insurance reimbursements and heaped stress on doctor’s offices around the country. Change Healthcare provides technology used by doctor offices and other care providers to submit and process billions of insurance claims a year.It was unclear Friday whether the same group was responsible for both attacks.Witty said Change Healthcare's core systems were now fully functional. But company officials have said it may take several months of analysis to identify and notify those who were affected by the attack.They also have said they see no signs that doctor charts or full medical histories were released after the attack. Witty told senators that UnitedHealth repels an attempted intrusion every 70 seconds.A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ransomware-attack-hospitals-emergency-rooms-0841defe1b881b71eccb8826ed46130e">ransomware attack in November</a>&nbsp;prompted the Ardent Health Services system, operating 30 hospitals in six states, to divert patients from some of its emergency rooms to other hospitals while postponing certain elective procedures.

Ascension hospitals continue to battle massive cyberattack

KANSAS CITY —An unusually strong solar storm hitting Earth produced stunning displays of color in the skies across the Northern Hemisphere, with no immediate reports of disruptions to power and communications.

The effects of the Northern Lights, which were prominently on display in Kansas and Missouri were due to last through the weekend and possibly into next week.

The agency says the sun is producing strong solar flares and has hurled at least seven outbursts of plasma our way. NOAA has alerted operators of power plants and spacecraft in orbit to take precautions.

KANSAS CITY —An unusually strong solar storm hitting Earth produced stunning displays of color in the skies across the Northern Hemisphere, with no immediate reports of disruptions to power and communications.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Aurora — at NWS Goodland ~8:45–10:25 pm MDT on Friday May 10, 2024. View toward the north. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cowx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cowx</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/newx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#newx</a> <a href="https://t.co/jzSMPXQSli">pic.twitter.com/jzSMPXQSli</a>&mdash; NWS Goodland (@NWSGoodland) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSGoodland/status/1789154844131082648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The effects of the Northern Lights, which were prominently on display in Kansas and Missouri were due to last through the weekend and possibly into next week.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Here is our view of the Northern Lights and some additional science relating to them. The best chance to see them will be through 2 AM. For best viewing try to get away from cities or large light producers and use the &quot;night&quot; mode/setting on your phone for best results! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kswx?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#kswx</a> <a href="https://t.co/pL7N0iGP1z">pic.twitter.com/pL7N0iGP1z</a>&mdash; NWS Dodge City (@NWSDodgeCity) <a href="https://twitter.com/NWSDodgeCity/status/1789171761835364559?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Don&#39;t let the mesmerizing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NorthernLights?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NorthernLights</a> in Northwest Missouri distract you. If you wish to enjoy the view, find a safe location to pull over to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely. <a href="https://t.co/zbhQ02Y3iL">pic.twitter.com/zbhQ02Y3iL</a>&mdash; MSHP Troop H (@MSHPTrooperH) <a href="https://twitter.com/MSHPTrooperH/status/1789172241076199699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The agency says the sun is producing strong solar flares and has hurled at least seven outbursts of plasma our way. NOAA has alerted operators of power plants and spacecraft in orbit to take precautions.

🎥Stunning display: Northern lights showing off across Kansas

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' Democratic governor on Friday vetoed a bill aimed at ensuring that child support payments cover fetuses, a measure critics saw as a move by anti-abortion groups toward&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/embryos-ivf-abortion-personhood-laws-ffe4f4d326469a97fef999254ca86eea">giving them the same rights</a>&nbsp;as the mothers-to-be carrying them.

The measure scuttled by Gov. Laura Kelly was similar to a Georgia law and measures introduced in at least five other states, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural. Supporters in the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature argued that they were trying to make sure that the costs associated with a pregnancy and a birth are covered.

But Kelly, a strong supporter of abortion rights, called the measure “a blatant attempt” by “extreme” lawmakers to control women and families' private medical decisions. She also said it conflicts with the will of voters statewide, who affirmed abortion rights in August 2022 — three years after the Kansas Supreme Court declared that the state constitution protects access to abortion as part of a “fundamental” right to bodily autonomy.

“Kansans already made it very clear that they don’t want lawmakers involved in personal matters," Kelly wrote. "It’s time we listen to them.”

The Legislature has long had supermajorities that oppose abortion and GOP lawmakers this year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ban-law-states-kansas-lousiana-81e9da53aaa0903fdd958421bd941a3a">overrode Kelly's vetoes</a>&nbsp;of four other measures backed by anti-abortion groups.

“Now she won’t allow women to have the potential for additional child support," said Jeanne Gawdun, a lobbyist for Kansans for Life, the state's most politically influential anti-abortion group. “This will not deter those of us who actually have compassion for women in difficult situations.”

Legislators cannot consider overriding the latest veto because they adjourned their annual session May 1 — though they could pass another version during a special session Kelly has promised to call on cutting taxes.

Under the bill, judges would have had to consider the “direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses” of the mother before a child's birth, back to conception, in setting the child support payments required of either parent.

Abortion rights advocates nationally saw new reason to be concerned about proposals to treat embryos and fetuses as full persons following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-supreme-court-from-embryos-161390f0758b04a7638e2ddea20df7ca">an Alabama Supreme Court ruling</a>&nbsp;in February declaring that frozen embryos could be considered children under that state's laws.

But supporters of the child support bill said Kansas has long granted some legal protections to fetuses.

Kansas has had&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_054_0000_article/021_054_0019_section/021_054_0019_k/">a law in place since 2007</a>&nbsp;that allows people to face separate charges for what it considers crimes against fetuses — including assault, manslaughter and even capital murder.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/statute/065_000_0000_chapter/065_067_0000_article/065_067_0032_section/065_067_0032_k/">A 2013 state law</a>&nbsp;also declares that “unborn children have interests in life, health and well-being,” though it isn’t enforced as a limit on abortion.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1704940624118.png" alt="File photo" />
 <figcaption>File photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By JOHN HANNA&nbsp;TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas' Democratic governor on Friday vetoed a bill aimed at ensuring that child support payments cover fetuses, a measure critics saw as a move by anti-abortion groups toward&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/embryos-ivf-abortion-personhood-laws-ffe4f4d326469a97fef999254ca86eea">giving them the same rights</a>&nbsp;as the mothers-to-be carrying them.The measure scuttled by Gov. Laura Kelly was similar to a Georgia law and measures introduced in at least five other states, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural. Supporters in the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature argued that they were trying to make sure that the costs associated with a pregnancy and a birth are covered.But Kelly, a strong supporter of abortion rights, called the measure “a blatant attempt” by “extreme” lawmakers to control women and families' private medical decisions. She also said it conflicts with the will of voters statewide, who affirmed abortion rights in August 2022 — three years after the Kansas Supreme Court declared that the state constitution protects access to abortion as part of a “fundamental” right to bodily autonomy.“Kansans already made it very clear that they don’t want lawmakers involved in personal matters," Kelly wrote. "It’s time we listen to them.”The Legislature has long had supermajorities that oppose abortion and GOP lawmakers this year&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ban-law-states-kansas-lousiana-81e9da53aaa0903fdd958421bd941a3a">overrode Kelly's vetoes</a>&nbsp;of four other measures backed by anti-abortion groups.“Now she won’t allow women to have the potential for additional child support," said Jeanne Gawdun, a lobbyist for Kansans for Life, the state's most politically influential anti-abortion group. “This will not deter those of us who actually have compassion for women in difficult situations.”Legislators cannot consider overriding the latest veto because they adjourned their annual session May 1 — though they could pass another version during a special session Kelly has promised to call on cutting taxes.Under the bill, judges would have had to consider the “direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses” of the mother before a child's birth, back to conception, in setting the child support payments required of either parent.Abortion rights advocates nationally saw new reason to be concerned about proposals to treat embryos and fetuses as full persons following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/alabama-supreme-court-from-embryos-161390f0758b04a7638e2ddea20df7ca">an Alabama Supreme Court ruling</a>&nbsp;in February declaring that frozen embryos could be considered children under that state's laws.But supporters of the child support bill said Kansas has long granted some legal protections to fetuses.Kansas has had&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/statute/021_000_0000_chapter/021_054_0000_article/021_054_0019_section/021_054_0019_k/">a law in place since 2007</a>&nbsp;that allows people to face separate charges for what it considers crimes against fetuses — including assault, manslaughter and even capital murder.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/statute/065_000_0000_chapter/065_067_0000_article/065_067_0032_section/065_067_0032_k/">A 2013 state law</a>&nbsp;also declares that “unborn children have interests in life, health and well-being,” though it isn’t enforced as a limit on abortion.

Kansas governor vetoes a bill for extending child support to fetuses

ANDREW COUNTY —A man died in an accident with a Kansas driver just after 8:30p.m. Friday in Andrew County, Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Victory motorcycle driven by Nathaniel T. Kuster, 34, Union Star, Missouri, was northbound on U.S. 169 four miles north of St. Joseph.

The motorcycle crossed the center of the road after cresting a hill.&nbsp; The motorcycle struck the front drivers corner of a southbound 2009 Chevy Silverado driven by Robert M. West, 27, Atchison, Kansas.&nbsp;

Kuster was ejected from motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene. West was not injured. Kuster was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

ANDREW COUNTY —A man died in an accident with a Kansas driver just after 8:30p.m. Friday in Andrew County, Missouri.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2004 Victory motorcycle driven by Nathaniel T. Kuster, 34, Union Star, Missouri, was northbound on U.S. 169 four miles north of St. Joseph.The motorcycle crossed the center of the road after cresting a hill.&nbsp; The motorcycle struck the front drivers corner of a southbound 2009 Chevy Silverado driven by Robert M. West, 27, Atchison, Kansas.&nbsp;Kuster was ejected from motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene. West was not injured. Kuster was not wearing a helmet, according to the MSHP.

Kansas driver involved in fatal motorcycle,  pickup crash

NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump's defense attorney on Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stormy-daniels-donald-trump-trial-takeaways-f34f094124fc7ec455d6a73cbb6eec21">accused Stormy Daniels</a>&nbsp;of slowly altering the details of an alleged 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, trying to persuade jurors that a key prosecution witness in the former president's hush money trial cannot be believed.

“You made all this up, right?” attorney Susan Necheles asked. “No,” Daniels shot back.

<a href="https://pdfs.nycourts.gov/PeopleVs.DTrump-71543/transcripts/5-09-2024/00004.html">Click here to read the transcript </a>of Stormy Daniels' testimony Day 2

<a href="https://pdfs.nycourts.gov/PeopleVs.DTrump-71543/transcripts/5-7-2024/00054.html">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the transcript of Stormy Daniels' testimony Day 1

As the jury looked on, the two women traded barbs over what Necheles said were inconsistencies in Daniels' description of the encounter with Trump in a hotel room. He denies the whole story.

But despite all the talk over what may have happened in that hotel room, despite the discomfiting testimony by the adult film actor that she consented to sex in part because of a “power imbalance," the case against Trump doesn’t rise or fall on whether her account is true or even believable. It’s a trial about money changing hands — business transactions — and whether those payments were made to illegally influence the 2016 election.

Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying internal Trump Organization business records. The charges stem from paperwork such as invoices and checks that were deemed legal expenses in company records. Prosecutors say those payments largely were reimbursements to Trump attorney Michael Cohen, who paid Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet.

The testimony over the past three weeks has seesawed between bookkeepers and bankers relaying the nuts and bolts of check-paying procedures and wire transfers to unflattering, seamy stories about Trump and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-enquirer-catch-kill-57f0c462af437fb07967a041b6f66022">tabloid world machinations</a>&nbsp;meant to keep them secret.

This criminal case could be the only one&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee</a>&nbsp;to go to trial before voters decide in November whether to send him back to the White House. Trump has pleaded not guilty and casts himself as the victim of a politically tainted justice system working to deny him another term.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-gag-order-d853768fff5fafbdee55623579889140">as the threat of jail looms</a>&nbsp;over Trump following his repeated gag order violations, his attorneys are fighting Judge Juan M. Merchan's order and seeking a fast decision in an appeals court. If the court refuses to lift the gag order, Trump’s lawyers want permission to take their appeal to the state’s high court.

At the same time, they also asked Merchan to modify the order so that Trump could publicly respond to Daniels’ testimony. Merchan denied the request, as well as two requests for a mistrial.

“My concern is not just with protecting Ms. Daniels or a witness who has already testified. My concern is with protecting the integrity of these proceedings as a whole,” Merchan said.

Trump fumed outside the courtroom at the end of the day.

“I’m innocent,” he said. “I’m being held in this court with a corrupt judge who’s totally conflicted.”

At the time of the payment to Daniels, Trump and his campaign were reeling from the October 2016 publication of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-access-hollywood-hush-money-new-york-2c52279a45ede2a111ff1fe447d2fdac">never-before-seen 2005 “Access Hollywood” footage</a>&nbsp;in which he boasted about grabbing women’s genitals without their permission.

Prosecutors have argued that the political firestorm over the “Access Hollywood” tape hastened Cohen’s payment to keep Daniels from going public with her claims that could further hurt Trump in the eyes of female voters.

The tape rattled the Republican National Committee leadership, and “there were conversations about how it would be possible to replace him as the candidate if it came to that," according to testimony from Madeleine Westerhout, a Trump aide who was working at the RNC when the recording leaked.

Daniels was on the stand for 7 1/2 hours over two days. During questioning from prosecutors, she relayed in graphic detail what she said happened during their encounter, after the two met at a celebrity golf outing at Lake Tahoe where sponsors included the adult film studio where she worked.

Trump scowled and shook his head through much of Daniels’ description, including how she found him sitting on the hotel bed in his underwear after she returned from the bathroom and that he did not use a condom. At one point, the judge told defense lawyers during a sidebar conversation — out of earshot of the jury and the public — that he could hear Trump “cursing audibly.”

Trump’s lawyers have sought to paint Daniels as a liar and extortionist who’s trying to take down Trump after drawing money and fame from her story about him. And they say the hush money payments were an effort to protect his reputation and family — not his campaign — by shielding them from embarrassing stories about his personal life.

On Thursday, Necheles grilled Daniels on her description of the encounter in which she described fear and discomfort even as she consented to sex. She testified earlier this week that while she wasn’t physically menaced, she felt a “power imbalance” as Trump, in his hotel bedroom, stood between her and the door and propositioned her.

As for whether she felt compelled to have sex with him, she reiterated Thursday that he didn’t drug her or physically threaten her. But, she said, “My own insecurities, in that moment, kept me from saying no.”

Necheles suggested that her work in porn meant her story about being shocked and frightened by Trump’s alleged sexual advances was not believable.

“You’ve acted and had sex in over 200 porn movies, right?” Necheles asked. “And there are naked men and women having sex, including yourself, in those movies?”

Necheles continued: “But according to you, seeing a man sitting on a bed in a T-shirt and boxers was so upsetting that you got lightheaded.”

The experience with Trump was different from porn for a number of reasons, Daniels explained, including the fact that Trump was more than twice her age, larger than she and that she was not expecting to find him undressed when she emerged from the bathroom.

“I came out of a bathroom seeing an older man that I wasn’t expecting to be there,” she said.

Necheles pressed her on why she accepted the payout to keep quiet instead of going public.

“Why didn’t you do that?” she asked, wondering why Daniels didn’t hold a news conference as she had planned.

“Because we were running out of time,” Daniels said.

Did she mean, Necheles asked, that she was running out of time to use the claim to make money?

“To get the story out,” Daniels countered. The negotiations were happening in the final weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign.

She testified that she never spoke with Trump about payment, and said she had no knowledge of whether Trump was aware of or involved in the transaction.

“You have no personal knowledge about his involvement in that transaction or what he did or didn’t do,” Necheles asked.

“Not directly, no,” Daniels responded.

Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger later asked Daniels: “Have you been telling lies about Mr. Trump or the truth about Mr. Trump?”

“The truth,” said Daniels, who also said that although she has made money since her story emerged, she also has had to spend a lot to hire security, move homes and take other precautions, and she still owes Trump hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorneys fees.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715113495617.png" alt="-Photo of Trump and Stormy Daniels entered into evidence released by the New York State Court System&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>-Photo of Trump and Stormy Daniels entered into evidence released by the New York State Court System&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump's defense attorney on Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/stormy-daniels-donald-trump-trial-takeaways-f34f094124fc7ec455d6a73cbb6eec21">accused Stormy Daniels</a>&nbsp;of slowly altering the details of an alleged 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, trying to persuade jurors that a key prosecution witness in the former president's hush money trial cannot be believed.“You made all this up, right?” attorney Susan Necheles asked. “No,” Daniels shot back.<a href="https://pdfs.nycourts.gov/PeopleVs.DTrump-71543/transcripts/5-09-2024/00004.html">Click here to read the transcript </a>of Stormy Daniels' testimony Day 2<a href="https://pdfs.nycourts.gov/PeopleVs.DTrump-71543/transcripts/5-7-2024/00054.html">Click here to read</a>&nbsp;the transcript of Stormy Daniels' testimony Day 1<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715384676922.png" alt="On Friday night, the New York State Courts released day two of Stormy Daniels' testimony from the historic Trump trial&nbsp;&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>On Friday night, the New York State Courts released day two of Stormy Daniels' testimony from the historic Trump trial&nbsp;&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>As the jury looked on, the two women traded barbs over what Necheles said were inconsistencies in Daniels' description of the encounter with Trump in a hotel room. He denies the whole story.But despite all the talk over what may have happened in that hotel room, despite the discomfiting testimony by the adult film actor that she consented to sex in part because of a “power imbalance," the case against Trump doesn’t rise or fall on whether her account is true or even believable. It’s a trial about money changing hands — business transactions — and whether those payments were made to illegally influence the 2016 election.Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying internal Trump Organization business records. The charges stem from paperwork such as invoices and checks that were deemed legal expenses in company records. Prosecutors say those payments largely were reimbursements to Trump attorney Michael Cohen, who paid Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet.The testimony over the past three weeks has seesawed between bookkeepers and bankers relaying the nuts and bolts of check-paying procedures and wire transfers to unflattering, seamy stories about Trump and the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-national-enquirer-catch-kill-57f0c462af437fb07967a041b6f66022">tabloid world machinations</a>&nbsp;meant to keep them secret.This criminal case could be the only one&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/trump-investigations-civil-criminal-tracker/index.html">against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee</a>&nbsp;to go to trial before voters decide in November whether to send him back to the White House. Trump has pleaded not guilty and casts himself as the victim of a politically tainted justice system working to deny him another term.Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-trial-hush-money-gag-order-d853768fff5fafbdee55623579889140">as the threat of jail looms</a>&nbsp;over Trump following his repeated gag order violations, his attorneys are fighting Judge Juan M. Merchan's order and seeking a fast decision in an appeals court. If the court refuses to lift the gag order, Trump’s lawyers want permission to take their appeal to the state’s high court.At the same time, they also asked Merchan to modify the order so that Trump could publicly respond to Daniels’ testimony. Merchan denied the request, as well as two requests for a mistrial.“My concern is not just with protecting Ms. Daniels or a witness who has already testified. My concern is with protecting the integrity of these proceedings as a whole,” Merchan said.Trump fumed outside the courtroom at the end of the day.“I’m innocent,” he said. “I’m being held in this court with a corrupt judge who’s totally conflicted.”At the time of the payment to Daniels, Trump and his campaign were reeling from the October 2016 publication of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-access-hollywood-hush-money-new-york-2c52279a45ede2a111ff1fe447d2fdac">never-before-seen 2005 “Access Hollywood” footage</a>&nbsp;in which he boasted about grabbing women’s genitals without their permission.Prosecutors have argued that the political firestorm over the “Access Hollywood” tape hastened Cohen’s payment to keep Daniels from going public with her claims that could further hurt Trump in the eyes of female voters.The tape rattled the Republican National Committee leadership, and “there were conversations about how it would be possible to replace him as the candidate if it came to that," according to testimony from Madeleine Westerhout, a Trump aide who was working at the RNC when the recording leaked.Daniels was on the stand for 7 1/2 hours over two days. During questioning from prosecutors, she relayed in graphic detail what she said happened during their encounter, after the two met at a celebrity golf outing at Lake Tahoe where sponsors included the adult film studio where she worked.Trump scowled and shook his head through much of Daniels’ description, including how she found him sitting on the hotel bed in his underwear after she returned from the bathroom and that he did not use a condom. At one point, the judge told defense lawyers during a sidebar conversation — out of earshot of the jury and the public — that he could hear Trump “cursing audibly.”Trump’s lawyers have sought to paint Daniels as a liar and extortionist who’s trying to take down Trump after drawing money and fame from her story about him. And they say the hush money payments were an effort to protect his reputation and family — not his campaign — by shielding them from embarrassing stories about his personal life.On Thursday, Necheles grilled Daniels on her description of the encounter in which she described fear and discomfort even as she consented to sex. She testified earlier this week that while she wasn’t physically menaced, she felt a “power imbalance” as Trump, in his hotel bedroom, stood between her and the door and propositioned her.As for whether she felt compelled to have sex with him, she reiterated Thursday that he didn’t drug her or physically threaten her. But, she said, “My own insecurities, in that moment, kept me from saying no.”Necheles suggested that her work in porn meant her story about being shocked and frightened by Trump’s alleged sexual advances was not believable.“You’ve acted and had sex in over 200 porn movies, right?” Necheles asked. “And there are naked men and women having sex, including yourself, in those movies?”Necheles continued: “But according to you, seeing a man sitting on a bed in a T-shirt and boxers was so upsetting that you got lightheaded.”The experience with Trump was different from porn for a number of reasons, Daniels explained, including the fact that Trump was more than twice her age, larger than she and that she was not expecting to find him undressed when she emerged from the bathroom.“I came out of a bathroom seeing an older man that I wasn’t expecting to be there,” she said.Necheles pressed her on why she accepted the payout to keep quiet instead of going public.“Why didn’t you do that?” she asked, wondering why Daniels didn’t hold a news conference as she had planned.“Because we were running out of time,” Daniels said.Did she mean, Necheles asked, that she was running out of time to use the claim to make money?“To get the story out,” Daniels countered. The negotiations were happening in the final weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign.She testified that she never spoke with Trump about payment, and said she had no knowledge of whether Trump was aware of or involved in the transaction.“You have no personal knowledge about his involvement in that transaction or what he did or didn’t do,” Necheles asked.“Not directly, no,” Daniels responded.Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger later asked Daniels: “Have you been telling lies about Mr. Trump or the truth about Mr. Trump?”“The truth,” said Daniels, who also said that although she has made money since her story emerged, she also has had to spend a lot to hire security, move homes and take other precautions, and she still owes Trump hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorneys fees.“On balance, has publicly telling the truth about Mr. Trump been a net positive or net negative in your life?” Hoffinger asked.“Negative,” Daniels replied quietly.