IRVING, Texas (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/boy-scouts-of-america">Boy Scouts of America</a>&nbsp;is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.

The organization steeped in tradition has made seismic changes after decades of turmoil, from finally allowing gay youth to welcoming girls throughout its ranks. With an eye on increasing flagging membership numbers, the Irving, Texas-based organization announced the name change Tuesday at its annual meeting in Florida.

“In the next 100 years we want any youth in America to feel very, very welcome to come into our programs,” Roger Krone,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boys-scouts-new-president-bankruptcy-516869e181513c073ac7edc139ad48d3">who took over last fall as president and chief executive officer,</a>&nbsp;said in an interview before the announcement.

The organization began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/47bac00392fb4ba7a89d06946607bf34">allowing gay youth in 2013</a>&nbsp;and ended a blanket ban on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c4795353c1904ca1ab56691cb0a356e6">gay adult leaders in 2015.</a>&nbsp;In 2017, it made the historic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7f690adec7ad45d2a9469baac8e90ac7">announcement that girls</a>&nbsp;would be accepted as Cub Scouts as of 2018 and into the flagship Boy Scout program —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d3efeda8ffb74b79b367fce426780d6f">renamed Scouts BSA</a>&nbsp;— in 2019.

There were nearly 1,000 young women in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-minneapolis-8018efd354ba18713b128776b3fda085">inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts</a>&nbsp;in 2021, including Selby Chipman. The all-girls troop she was a founding member of in her hometown of Oak Ridge, North Carolina, has grown from five girls to nearly 50, and she thinks the name change will encourage even more girls to realize they can join.

“Girls were like: ‘You can join Boy Scouts of America?’” said Chipman, now a 20-year-old college student and assistant scoutmaster of her troop.

Within days of the announcement that girls would be allowed, Bob Brady went to work. A father of two girls and a proud Eagle Scout himself, the New Jersey attorney eagerly formed an all-girls troop. At their first weekend gathering with other troops, the boys were happy to have the girls involved but some adult leaders seemed concerned, he recalled. Their worries seemed to melt away as soon as the girls led a traditional cheer around the campfire.

“You could see a change in the attitude of some of the doubters who weren’t sure and they realized, wait, these kids are exactly the same, they just happen to have ponytails,” said Brady. His daughters are among the 13 girls in his troop and 6,000 girls nationwide who have achieved the vaunted Eagle Scout rank.

Like other organizations, the scouts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/only-on-ap-health-coronavirus-pandemic-7afeb2667df0a391de3be67b38495972">lost members during the pandemic,</a>&nbsp;when participation was difficult. After a highpoint over the last decade of over 2 million members in 2018, the organization currently services just over 1 million youths, including more than 176,000 girls and young women. Membership peaked in 1972 at almost 5 million.

The move by the Boy Scouts to accept girls throughout their ranks strained a bond with the Girl Scouts of the USA, which sued, saying it created marketplace confusion and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-00ed4641c60828eefca1c14d57faada3">damaged their recruitment efforts</a>. They reached a settlement agreement after a judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boy-scouts-of-america-new-york-united-states-manhattan-lifestyle-d97b9453aaf6c8b6385e45d81b954f24">rejected those claims</a>, saying both groups are free to use words like “scouts” and “scouting.”

While camping remains an integral activity for the Boy Scouts, the organization offers something for everyone today, from high adventures to merit badges for robotics and digital technology, Krone said: “About anything kids want to do today, they can do in a structured way within the scouting program."

The Boy Scouts’ $2.4 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boy-scouts-bankruptcy-child-sexual-abuse-02d3a401645f337e483f9fd844d9a809">bankruptcy reorganization plan</a>&nbsp;took effect last year, allowing the organization to keep operating while compensating the more than 80,000 men who say they were sexually abused as children while scouting.

Angelique Minett, the first woman chairperson of Scouts BSA, gets excited about the future of scouting when she sees the about 20-person youth council from across the United States help guide the program by raising issues important to them, like sustainability, and things that they'd like to see changed, like the fit on some of the uniforms.

“When we think scouts we think knots and camping, but those are a means to an end," Minett said. “We are actually teaching kids a much bigger thing. We are teaching them how to have grit, and we’re teaching them life skills and we’re teaching them how to be good leaders.”

The organization won't officially become Scouting America until Feb. 8, 2025, the organization's 115th birthday. But Krone said he expects people will start immediately using the name.

IRVING, Texas (AP) — The&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/boy-scouts-of-america">Boy Scouts of America</a>&nbsp;is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.The organization steeped in tradition has made seismic changes after decades of turmoil, from finally allowing gay youth to welcoming girls throughout its ranks. With an eye on increasing flagging membership numbers, the Irving, Texas-based organization announced the name change Tuesday at its annual meeting in Florida.“In the next 100 years we want any youth in America to feel very, very welcome to come into our programs,” Roger Krone,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boys-scouts-new-president-bankruptcy-516869e181513c073ac7edc139ad48d3">who took over last fall as president and chief executive officer,</a>&nbsp;said in an interview before the announcement.The organization began&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/47bac00392fb4ba7a89d06946607bf34">allowing gay youth in 2013</a>&nbsp;and ended a blanket ban on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/c4795353c1904ca1ab56691cb0a356e6">gay adult leaders in 2015.</a>&nbsp;In 2017, it made the historic&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7f690adec7ad45d2a9469baac8e90ac7">announcement that girls</a>&nbsp;would be accepted as Cub Scouts as of 2018 and into the flagship Boy Scout program —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/d3efeda8ffb74b79b367fce426780d6f">renamed Scouts BSA</a>&nbsp;— in 2019.There were nearly 1,000 young women in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-minneapolis-8018efd354ba18713b128776b3fda085">inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts</a>&nbsp;in 2021, including Selby Chipman. The all-girls troop she was a founding member of in her hometown of Oak Ridge, North Carolina, has grown from five girls to nearly 50, and she thinks the name change will encourage even more girls to realize they can join.“Girls were like: ‘You can join Boy Scouts of America?’” said Chipman, now a 20-year-old college student and assistant scoutmaster of her troop.Within days of the announcement that girls would be allowed, Bob Brady went to work. A father of two girls and a proud Eagle Scout himself, the New Jersey attorney eagerly formed an all-girls troop. At their first weekend gathering with other troops, the boys were happy to have the girls involved but some adult leaders seemed concerned, he recalled. Their worries seemed to melt away as soon as the girls led a traditional cheer around the campfire.“You could see a change in the attitude of some of the doubters who weren’t sure and they realized, wait, these kids are exactly the same, they just happen to have ponytails,” said Brady. His daughters are among the 13 girls in his troop and 6,000 girls nationwide who have achieved the vaunted Eagle Scout rank.Like other organizations, the scouts&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/only-on-ap-health-coronavirus-pandemic-7afeb2667df0a391de3be67b38495972">lost members during the pandemic,</a>&nbsp;when participation was difficult. After a highpoint over the last decade of over 2 million members in 2018, the organization currently services just over 1 million youths, including more than 176,000 girls and young women. Membership peaked in 1972 at almost 5 million.The move by the Boy Scouts to accept girls throughout their ranks strained a bond with the Girl Scouts of the USA, which sued, saying it created marketplace confusion and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-00ed4641c60828eefca1c14d57faada3">damaged their recruitment efforts</a>. They reached a settlement agreement after a judge&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boy-scouts-of-america-new-york-united-states-manhattan-lifestyle-d97b9453aaf6c8b6385e45d81b954f24">rejected those claims</a>, saying both groups are free to use words like “scouts” and “scouting.”While camping remains an integral activity for the Boy Scouts, the organization offers something for everyone today, from high adventures to merit badges for robotics and digital technology, Krone said: “About anything kids want to do today, they can do in a structured way within the scouting program."The Boy Scouts’ $2.4 billion&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/boy-scouts-bankruptcy-child-sexual-abuse-02d3a401645f337e483f9fd844d9a809">bankruptcy reorganization plan</a>&nbsp;took effect last year, allowing the organization to keep operating while compensating the more than 80,000 men who say they were sexually abused as children while scouting.Angelique Minett, the first woman chairperson of Scouts BSA, gets excited about the future of scouting when she sees the about 20-person youth council from across the United States help guide the program by raising issues important to them, like sustainability, and things that they'd like to see changed, like the fit on some of the uniforms.“When we think scouts we think knots and camping, but those are a means to an end," Minett said. “We are actually teaching kids a much bigger thing. We are teaching them how to have grit, and we’re teaching them life skills and we’re teaching them how to be good leaders.”The organization won't officially become Scouting America until Feb. 8, 2025, the organization's 115th birthday. But Krone said he expects people will start immediately using the name.

Boy Scouts of America changing name to be more inclusive 

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a&nbsp;woman was shot and a man was injured after a dog got loose and attacked the man and his dog while walking in the 700 block of Ash Street in Lawrence.

The incident happened around noon Monday, according to a statement from Lawrence Police. The man stopped the attack by shooting the attacking dog and killing it, but he also struck the dog's owner, in her upper leg as she was trying to restrain the dog.

The woman was transferred to an area trauma center with suspected non-life threatening injuries. The man was seen by medics, but declined further treatment on scene. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details including the name's of those involved.

DOUGLAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating after a&nbsp;woman was shot and a man was injured after a dog got loose and attacked the man and his dog while walking in the 700 block of Ash Street in Lawrence.The incident happened around noon Monday, according to a statement from Lawrence Police. The man stopped the attack by shooting the attacking dog and killing it, but he also struck the dog's owner, in her upper leg as she was trying to restrain the dog.The woman was transferred to an area trauma center with suspected non-life threatening injuries. The man was seen by medics, but declined further treatment on scene. Police have not reported an arrest or additional details including the name's of those involved.

Kansas man kills attacking dog, shoots dog's owner

The night is almost here - the 38th year of the SM Hanson Festival Jam. This is the opening night event of the Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina and the highest attended event of the Festival. According to event organizers attendance for this single-night event in 2023 was over 13,000.

SM Hanson Festival Jam is fast-paced evening of music is fun for all. Four hours of music. 16 bands play for 12 minutes. This year, 27 bands applied from Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas. Our selection process and goals are to offer a variety of musicfrom the region.

Festival Jam 2024 will have four new bands, three second timers, and a mix of other past performers. Never a dull moment.

The music changes every 15 minutes on the quarter hour. Quick set changes are possible through the backline equipment and stage staff provided by SM Hanson Music. The musicians get tuned back stage and then the frantic 3 minutes of switching bands begins. Thirty seven years of practice makes this switch-out appear easy! Come be part of the SM Hanson Festival Jam - the largest single evening music event in the Midwest. Gates open at 4:00 pm on Thursday June 13 – music begins at 5:45 with a special-by-invitation band.

Wristbands for 12 years and up are your admission. SM Hanson Music and many other local/regional merchants have wristbands for sale today.

5:45 p.m. To Be AnnouncedThis is a new time spot. Information on the Invitational band will be announced later.

6:00 p.m. Visual Lies New to Festival Jam.Self-described as Hair Metal/80s rock. Based in Lindsborg and ready to rock!

6:15 p.m. Downtown Funk 2023’s invitation bandMaking their 2nd appearance. Salina Central HS jazz and funk band

6:30 p.m. Don Wagner &amp; Friends Don and FriendsA new lineup adding a dobro and stand-up bass playing an Americana mix

6:45 p.m. Lix ThisSalina 4pc band. Playing a mix of classic rock for 40+ years.

7:00 p.m. King TonesThey have played the jam previously, but it has been several years. 4pc band playing blues/rock.

7:15 p.m. Jon’Nea Soul second year at the JamThis Wichita based (Salina connection) 4pc band will play R&amp;B and Soul

7:30 p.m. Hey RadioWichita based band – a repeat – they promise more energy with a mix of Skate Punk and Pop!!!!.

7:45 p.m. Soul Preachers&nbsp;A Salina 3pc band – playing classic rock

8:00 p.m. Drop Everything New to the Jam.Scheduled in 2022 as The Box Turtles - lightning ended the show. Based in Manhattan – this 4pc band with a new member lineup and new name will play their mix of Midwest rock

8:15 p.m.Kyndred This Hays based band played in 2022. A 5pc band is here to Rock a 2nd time – Heavy Metal

8:30 p.m. HyWay 14 New to Festival Jam. Pretty Prairie is home for this 4pc band. They describe their music as grunge-rock/red-dirt country.

8:45 p.m. Bootleg Mercy Multiple Rock Music award nominations. This 4pc band rocked in 2023 – playing Rock/Grunge

9:00 p.m. Dune Buggy This talented 5pc group has years of experience. Their 12 minute set will include Rock &amp; Pop.

9:15 p.m. Love Like War New to Festival Jam. Central Kansas roots – 5pc band playing Alt Rock. Lead singer is known as ‘Chewy’ – I was told it is a Star Wars thing??

9:30 p.m. Steve Hanson &amp; Co. The founder of SM Hanson Music– their 38th time at the Jam. Always a variety – always great.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/7/1626982189744.jpeg" alt="SM Hanson Festival Jam&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>SM Hanson Festival Jam&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>SubmittedThe night is almost here - the 38th year of the SM Hanson Festival Jam. This is the opening night event of the Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina and the highest attended event of the Festival. According to event organizers attendance for this single-night event in 2023 was over 13,000.SM Hanson Festival Jam is fast-paced evening of music is fun for all. Four hours of music. 16 bands play for 12 minutes. This year, 27 bands applied from Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas. Our selection process and goals are to offer a variety of musicfrom the region.Festival Jam 2024 will have four new bands, three second timers, and a mix of other past performers. Never a dull moment.The music changes every 15 minutes on the quarter hour. Quick set changes are possible through the backline equipment and stage staff provided by SM Hanson Music. The musicians get tuned back stage and then the frantic 3 minutes of switching bands begins. Thirty seven years of practice makes this switch-out appear easy! Come be part of the SM Hanson Festival Jam - the largest single evening music event in the Midwest. Gates open at 4:00 pm on Thursday June 13 – music begins at 5:45 with a special-by-invitation band.Wristbands for 12 years and up are your admission. SM Hanson Music and many other local/regional merchants have wristbands for sale today.5:45 p.m. To Be AnnouncedThis is a new time spot. Information on the Invitational band will be announced later.6:00 p.m. Visual Lies New to Festival Jam.Self-described as Hair Metal/80s rock. Based in Lindsborg and ready to rock!6:15 p.m. Downtown Funk 2023’s invitation bandMaking their 2nd appearance. Salina Central HS jazz and funk band6:30 p.m. Don Wagner &amp; Friends Don and FriendsA new lineup adding a dobro and stand-up bass playing an Americana mix6:45 p.m. Lix ThisSalina 4pc band. Playing a mix of classic rock for 40+ years.7:00 p.m. King TonesThey have played the jam previously, but it has been several years. 4pc band playing blues/rock.7:15 p.m. Jon’Nea Soul second year at the JamThis Wichita based (Salina connection) 4pc band will play R&amp;B and Soul7:30 p.m. Hey RadioWichita based band – a repeat – they promise more energy with a mix of Skate Punk and Pop!!!!.7:45 p.m. Soul Preachers&nbsp;A Salina 3pc band – playing classic rock8:00 p.m. Drop Everything New to the Jam.Scheduled in 2022 as The Box Turtles - lightning ended the show. Based in Manhattan – this 4pc band with a new member lineup and new name will play their mix of Midwest rock8:15 p.m.Kyndred This Hays based band played in 2022. A 5pc band is here to Rock a 2nd time – Heavy Metal8:30 p.m. HyWay 14 New to Festival Jam. Pretty Prairie is home for this 4pc band. They describe their music as grunge-rock/red-dirt country.8:45 p.m. Bootleg Mercy Multiple Rock Music award nominations. This 4pc band rocked in 2023 – playing Rock/Grunge9:00 p.m. Dune Buggy This talented 5pc group has years of experience. Their 12 minute set will include Rock &amp; Pop.9:15 p.m. Love Like War New to Festival Jam. Central Kansas roots – 5pc band playing Alt Rock. Lead singer is known as ‘Chewy’ – I was told it is a Star Wars thing??9:30 p.m. Steve Hanson &amp; Co. The founder of SM Hanson Music– their 38th time at the Jam. Always a variety – always great.

Lineup set for 38th Annual SM Hanson Festival Jam 

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Detectives investigating the eighth homicide of the year in Kansas City, Kansas have identified the victim as 48-year-old Javier Benitez-Pizarro, Des Moines, Iowa.

Just before 1a.m. Thursday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to a shooting in the 1700 block of Cleveland Avenue, according to a media release.&nbsp;

First responders discovered two men with apparent gunshot wounds. They was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.&nbsp;

 Benitez-Pizarro&nbsp;was located outside of the residence with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased on scene.

One of the wounded man is reported in in stable condition, according to police. The&nbsp;third victim, an adult male, remains in critical condition.

 This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.There is nothing further to report at this time.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714658439034.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Detectives investigating the eighth homicide of the year in Kansas City, Kansas have identified the victim as 48-year-old Javier Benitez-Pizarro, Des Moines, Iowa.Just before 1a.m. Thursday, police&nbsp; were dispatched to a shooting in the 1700 block of Cleveland Avenue, according to a media release.&nbsp;First responders discovered two men with apparent gunshot wounds. They was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries.&nbsp; Benitez-Pizarro&nbsp;was located outside of the residence with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased on scene.One of the wounded man is reported in in stable condition, according to police. The&nbsp;third victim, an adult male, remains in critical condition. This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.There is nothing further to report at this time.

1 dead, 2 remain hospitalized after shooting at Kan. home

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an attempted arson and have made an arrest.

 A man has been arrested following an attempt to light a building on fire Sunday evening.

Just before 6p.m. Sunday, police responded to Robinson Middle School, located at 1125 SW 14th Street in response to an unknown problem. It was alleged that a man later identified as 28-year-old Malcom A. Buchanan&nbsp; had attempted to light the school on fire.

Officers located a suspect matching the description reported and took&nbsp;Buchanan into custody. He was was later booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Arson; Non-Dwelling With Intent To Injure and Transport Open Container Of Liquor.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715026405226.png" alt="Buchanan-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Buchanan-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an attempted arson and have made an arrest. A man has been arrested following an attempt to light a building on fire Sunday evening.Just before 6p.m. Sunday, police responded to Robinson Middle School, located at 1125 SW 14th Street in response to an unknown problem. It was alleged that a man later identified as 28-year-old Malcom A. Buchanan&nbsp; had attempted to light the school on fire.Officers located a suspect matching the description reported and took&nbsp;Buchanan into custody. He was was later booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Arson; Non-Dwelling With Intent To Injure and Transport Open Container Of Liquor.

Police: Man tried to start fire at Kansas middle school

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — House Speaker Dan Hawkins on Monday urged Gov. Laura Kelly to sign bipartisan tax relief rather than summon lawmakers back to Topeka for a special session that would cost $84,000 per day.

The Democratic governor threatened to call a special session if lawmakers failed to adopt a package of tax cuts that met her approval. She vetoed a package of income, property and sales tax cuts that would have left the state with a budget deficit by 2029, and proposed a less-costly alternative.

But lawmakers never considered her proposal before adjourning for the year. Instead, lawmakers passed a nearly identical plan to the one she vetoed.

“The Legislature has bent over backward to address her stated concerns, the state’s fiscal outlook is positive, and we have a hefty budget surplus,” Hawkins said in a statement Monday. “The governor is out of excuses. We don’t need an $84,000-a-day special session for tax relief — the work has already been done through great bipartisan efforts of the legislative tax committees. We simply need the governor to make good on her campaign promise to govern from the middle and sign the bill.”

During her reelection campaign in 2022, Kelly promised to govern from the middle of the road.

“Still looking on the map for the road you are in the ‘middle’ of, Governor,” Rep. Rebecca Schmoe, R-Ottawa,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/rebecca_schmoe/status/1787517072114663677">wrote on X</a>. “Sign the tax bill over half of your own party in the legislature supports. Do something that helps every Kansan.”

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb37/">Senate Bill 37</a>&nbsp;cleared the House by a 108-11 margin and the Senate 25-9.

The legislation would exempt Social Security income from income tax and increase standard deductions. It would exempt $100,000 of residential property value from the state mill levy — and reduce the rate from 20 mills to 19.5 mills. It would eliminate the state sales tax on food by July 1.

It would also move the state from three income tax brackets to two.

Kansas currently uses a graduated system: 3.1% for income under $15,000, 5.25% for income between $15,000 and $30,000 and 5.7% for income above $30,000. The income amounts are doubled for couples filing jointly.

Under SB 37, the first $23,000 would be taxed at 5.2%, and anything over $23,000 would be taxed at 5.57%. The threshold would be $46,000 for couples.

The bill also would abolish the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund. From 1937 to 2003, the state distributed a portion of sales tax collections into the fund, which then offset local property taxes. Lawmakers haven’t funded the program in two decades,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/25/kansas-counties-eager-for-lawmakers-to-resurrect-property-tax-relief-fund/">frustrating local officials</a>.

Kelly’s proposal would have retained the exemption on Social Security income and the July 1 expiration of the sales tax on food. She would have raised the residential property exemption to $125,000 while keeping the rate at 20 mills. And she would have added a child care tax credit valued at $18 million per year.

She would have kept the three-tier income tax system but lowered the rates to 3%, 5.2% and 5.65%.

As lawmakers worked late on April 30 to pass SB 37, Kelly’s chief of staff Will Lawrence issued a warning: “She will call the Legislature back into a special session if this is the tax plan sent to her desk.”

Lawmakers made a final tweak, lessening the amount of income tax cuts, before passing the law. It isn’t clear if the governor intends to sign it.

Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/RepTomSawyer/status/1786211195021619558">posted a chart on X</a>&nbsp;that shows the amount of income tax relief a family would receive depending on their earnings. Couples who earn less than $40,000 would see some of the largest benefits, according to his chart, and the percentage of savings would disproportionately benefit low-wage earners.

“I hope the governor signs it,” Sawyer said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715083371667.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — House Speaker Dan Hawkins on Monday urged Gov. Laura Kelly to sign bipartisan tax relief rather than summon lawmakers back to Topeka for a special session that would cost $84,000 per day.The Democratic governor threatened to call a special session if lawmakers failed to adopt a package of tax cuts that met her approval. She vetoed a package of income, property and sales tax cuts that would have left the state with a budget deficit by 2029, and proposed a less-costly alternative.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">No special session for tax relief. Sign. The. Bill. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ksleg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ksleg</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZMACMTYFEe">pic.twitter.com/ZMACMTYFEe</a>&mdash; Dan Hawkins (@DanHawkinsKS) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanHawkinsKS/status/1787276123669213492?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>But lawmakers never considered her proposal before adjourning for the year. Instead, lawmakers passed a nearly identical plan to the one she vetoed.“The Legislature has bent over backward to address her stated concerns, the state’s fiscal outlook is positive, and we have a hefty budget surplus,” Hawkins said in a statement Monday. “The governor is out of excuses. We don’t need an $84,000-a-day special session for tax relief — the work has already been done through great bipartisan efforts of the legislative tax committees. We simply need the governor to make good on her campaign promise to govern from the middle and sign the bill.”During her reelection campaign in 2022, Kelly promised to govern from the middle of the road.“Still looking on the map for the road you are in the ‘middle’ of, Governor,” Rep. Rebecca Schmoe, R-Ottawa,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/rebecca_schmoe/status/1787517072114663677">wrote on X</a>. “Sign the tax bill over half of your own party in the legislature supports. Do something that helps every Kansan.”<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2023_24/measures/sb37/">Senate Bill 37</a>&nbsp;cleared the House by a 108-11 margin and the Senate 25-9.The legislation would exempt Social Security income from income tax and increase standard deductions. It would exempt $100,000 of residential property value from the state mill levy — and reduce the rate from 20 mills to 19.5 mills. It would eliminate the state sales tax on food by July 1.It would also move the state from three income tax brackets to two.Kansas currently uses a graduated system: 3.1% for income under $15,000, 5.25% for income between $15,000 and $30,000 and 5.7% for income above $30,000. The income amounts are doubled for couples filing jointly.Under SB 37, the first $23,000 would be taxed at 5.2%, and anything over $23,000 would be taxed at 5.57%. The threshold would be $46,000 for couples.The bill also would abolish the Local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund. From 1937 to 2003, the state distributed a portion of sales tax collections into the fund, which then offset local property taxes. Lawmakers haven’t funded the program in two decades,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/25/kansas-counties-eager-for-lawmakers-to-resurrect-property-tax-relief-fund/">frustrating local officials</a>.Kelly’s proposal would have retained the exemption on Social Security income and the July 1 expiration of the sales tax on food. She would have raised the residential property exemption to $125,000 while keeping the rate at 20 mills. And she would have added a child care tax credit valued at $18 million per year.She would have kept the three-tier income tax system but lowered the rates to 3%, 5.2% and 5.65%.As lawmakers worked late on April 30 to pass SB 37, Kelly’s chief of staff Will Lawrence issued a warning: “She will call the Legislature back into a special session if this is the tax plan sent to her desk.”Lawmakers made a final tweak, lessening the amount of income tax cuts, before passing the law. It isn’t clear if the governor intends to sign it.Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/RepTomSawyer/status/1786211195021619558">posted a chart on X</a>&nbsp;that shows the amount of income tax relief a family would receive depending on their earnings. Couples who earn less than $40,000 would see some of the largest benefits, according to his chart, and the percentage of savings would disproportionately benefit low-wage earners.“I hope the governor signs it,” Sawyer said.

Kansas House speaker urges governor to sign tax cuts and avoid special session

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A tornado destroyed homes and toppled trees and power lines when it roared through a small Oklahoma town, one of several twisters that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-severe-weather-tornado-oklahoma-kansas-045c7c09fd7f3c630f071645603a57cb">erupted in the central United States</a>&nbsp;amid a series of powerful storms that stretched into Tuesday. At least one death was reported.

The tornado ripped through the 1,000-person town of Barnsdall, about a 40-minute drive north of Tulsa, on Monday night.

At least 30 to 40 homes in the Barnsdall area were damaged, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported, and the state Department of Health reported a nursing home was damaged and patients were being evacuated. A natural gas leak and numerous road closings due to debris also were reported, according to Osage County Emergency Management.

“We've got one confirmed fatality and multiple injuries,” Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden told KOKI-TV.

Damage also was reported in Bartlesville, about 20 miles northeast.

“We did take a direct hit from a tornado" in the city, said Kary Fox of the Washington County Emergency Management. “Please stay off the roadways. Stay out of those damaged areas. We're having a lot of difficulty getting in to do assessments to check on people, to see if they've got any injuries because of the traffic congestion.”

The National Weather Service in Tulsa had warned Monday evening that “a large and life-threatening tornado” was headed toward Barnsdall, with wind gusts up to 70 mph (112 kph). Meteorologist Brad McGavock said information on the tornado’s size and how far it traveled wasn’t immediately available Monday night.

The storms began earlier Monday with gusty winds and rain. But after dark, tornadoes were spotted skirting northern Oklahoma. At one point in the evening, a storm in the small town of Covington had “produced tornadoes off and on for over an hour,” the National Weather Service said. Throughout the area, wind farm turbines spun rapidly in the wind and blinding rain.

In Kansas, some areas were pelted by apple-sized hail 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter.

The storms tore through Oklahoma as areas, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-storms-oklahoma-damage-3106c502a148f7ea969809cbd3b2d6ba">Sulphur</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-oklahoma-sulphur-5fa3a64e552ab91e8d76dabe21f70fd6">Holdenville</a>, were still recovering from a tornado that killed four and left thousands without power late last month. Both the Plains and Midwest have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-nebraska-midwest-iowa-missouri-kansas-491cd033f91eb27f4139bf5582e57903">hammered by tornadoes this spring</a>.

Oklahoma’s State Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates storm response from a bunker near the state Capitol, remains activated from last weekend’s deadly storms.

Monte Tucker, a farmer and rancher in the western Oklahoma town of Sweetwater, had spent Monday putting some of his tractors and heavy equipment in barns to protect it from hail. He said he let his neighbors know they could come to his house if the weather becomes dangerous.

“We built a house 10 years ago, and my stubborn wife put her foot down and made sure we built a safe room,” Tucker said. He said the entire ground-level room is built with reinforced concrete walls.

Oklahoma and Kansas had been under a high-risk weather warning Monday. The last time such a warning was issued was March 31, 2023, when a massive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-storms-tornadoes-midwest-south-4d35ce15af18e6cd50fda3aeb7a57176">storm system tore through parts of the South and Midwest</a>&nbsp;including Arkansas, Illinois and rural Indiana.

The entire week is looking stormy across the U.S. The eastern U.S. and the South are expected to get the brunt of the bad weather through the rest of the week, including in Indianapolis, Memphis, Nashville, St. Louis and Cincinnati, cities where more than 21 million people live. It should be clear over the weekend.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flooding-texas-houston-rain-bdac71b839dc0966cd03288113956279">floodwaters in the Houston area</a>&nbsp;began receding Monday after days of heavy rain in southeastern Texas left&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-texas-flooding-severe-weather-117b0f63c9bd53be31ee34e11547da21">neighborhoods flooded</a>&nbsp;and led to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flooding-texas-houston-rain-4ca8d5d9fbcc66c622114affac7b840e">hundreds of high-water rescues</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715081609018.png" alt="Damage from the Monday night tornado in Oklahoma -image courtesy KTUL TV" />
 <figcaption>Damage from the Monday night tornado in Oklahoma -image courtesy KTUL TV</figcaption>
 </figure>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A tornado destroyed homes and toppled trees and power lines when it roared through a small Oklahoma town, one of several twisters that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/united-states-severe-weather-tornado-oklahoma-kansas-045c7c09fd7f3c630f071645603a57cb">erupted in the central United States</a>&nbsp;amid a series of powerful storms that stretched into Tuesday. At least one death was reported.The tornado ripped through the 1,000-person town of Barnsdall, about a 40-minute drive north of Tulsa, on Monday night.At least 30 to 40 homes in the Barnsdall area were damaged, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported, and the state Department of Health reported a nursing home was damaged and patients were being evacuated. A natural gas leak and numerous road closings due to debris also were reported, according to Osage County Emergency Management.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715076886043.png" alt="Image National Weather Service Kansas City" />
 <figcaption>Image National Weather Service Kansas City</figcaption>
 </figure>“We've got one confirmed fatality and multiple injuries,” Osage County Sheriff Eddie Virden told KOKI-TV.Damage also was reported in Bartlesville, about 20 miles northeast.“We did take a direct hit from a tornado" in the city, said Kary Fox of the Washington County Emergency Management. “Please stay off the roadways. Stay out of those damaged areas. We're having a lot of difficulty getting in to do assessments to check on people, to see if they've got any injuries because of the traffic congestion.”The National Weather Service in Tulsa had warned Monday evening that “a large and life-threatening tornado” was headed toward Barnsdall, with wind gusts up to 70 mph (112 kph). Meteorologist Brad McGavock said information on the tornado’s size and how far it traveled wasn’t immediately available Monday night.The storms began earlier Monday with gusty winds and rain. But after dark, tornadoes were spotted skirting northern Oklahoma. At one point in the evening, a storm in the small town of Covington had “produced tornadoes off and on for over an hour,” the National Weather Service said. Throughout the area, wind farm turbines spun rapidly in the wind and blinding rain.In Kansas, some areas were pelted by apple-sized hail 3 inches (7.6 centimeters) in diameter.The storms tore through Oklahoma as areas, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-storms-oklahoma-damage-3106c502a148f7ea969809cbd3b2d6ba">Sulphur</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornadoes-oklahoma-sulphur-5fa3a64e552ab91e8d76dabe21f70fd6">Holdenville</a>, were still recovering from a tornado that killed four and left thousands without power late last month. Both the Plains and Midwest have been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tornado-nebraska-midwest-iowa-missouri-kansas-491cd033f91eb27f4139bf5582e57903">hammered by tornadoes this spring</a>.Oklahoma’s State Emergency Operations Center, which coordinates storm response from a bunker near the state Capitol, remains activated from last weekend’s deadly storms.Monte Tucker, a farmer and rancher in the western Oklahoma town of Sweetwater, had spent Monday putting some of his tractors and heavy equipment in barns to protect it from hail. He said he let his neighbors know they could come to his house if the weather becomes dangerous.“We built a house 10 years ago, and my stubborn wife put her foot down and made sure we built a safe room,” Tucker said. He said the entire ground-level room is built with reinforced concrete walls.Oklahoma and Kansas had been under a high-risk weather warning Monday. The last time such a warning was issued was March 31, 2023, when a massive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-storms-tornadoes-midwest-south-4d35ce15af18e6cd50fda3aeb7a57176">storm system tore through parts of the South and Midwest</a>&nbsp;including Arkansas, Illinois and rural Indiana.The entire week is looking stormy across the U.S. The eastern U.S. and the South are expected to get the brunt of the bad weather through the rest of the week, including in Indianapolis, Memphis, Nashville, St. Louis and Cincinnati, cities where more than 21 million people live. It should be clear over the weekend.Meanwhile,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flooding-texas-houston-rain-bdac71b839dc0966cd03288113956279">floodwaters in the Houston area</a>&nbsp;began receding Monday after days of heavy rain in southeastern Texas left&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houston-texas-flooding-severe-weather-117b0f63c9bd53be31ee34e11547da21">neighborhoods flooded</a>&nbsp;and led to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/flooding-texas-houston-rain-4ca8d5d9fbcc66c622114affac7b840e">hundreds of high-water rescues</a>.___

1 dead in Oklahoma tornado; large hail reported in Kansas

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The information technology department for the city of Wichita and its security partners continue to work around the clock to address the cyber security incident.&nbsp; Many City systems are down as security experts determine the source and extent of the incident. 

There is no timetable for when systems could be coming back online. We appreciate your patience as we work through this incident as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. Incident recovery information and FAQs are accurate as to the time of the most current information release.

When will this incident be resolved?

Staff are working diligently and will have resolve the cyber security incident as soon as possible.

The City is dedicated to providing updates as soon as more information is available.

Is there any impact to public safety operations?

There is no expected impact to residents needing public safety assistance. WFD and WPD are responding to calls for service and utilizing paper reports.

Are water systems in any way compromised by the cyber security event?

No. All water systems are secure and functioning as normal.

During the cyber security incident we will not shut off water accounts. Those who have&nbsp; experienced a water shut off may bring payment or proof of payment to City Hall and their water will be reconnected. Anyone having difficulty paying their bill will not receive penalties or late fees until the cyber incident is resolved. Bills may still be paid via cash by coming to City Hall or by mailing payment. Customers looking to set up a new water account may do so by coming to City Hall. Auto payments are suspended for the time being.

If my water is shut off, how do I get reconnected?

During the data breach, we will not be shutting off any water accounts. Those who have experience a water shut off may bring payment or proof of payment to City Hall and their water will be reconnected.

How will I get a bus ticket or pay bus fare?

Residents may ride Wichita Transit by paying cash.

I am a vendor for the City of Wichita – how do I get paid?

Please contact your City of Wichita liaison for further information.

Can I still book a class, a golf tee time, etc. through Park and Recreation?

All golf and recreation activities may still be paid for via check or cash at City Hall or at the location of the class or recreational activity. The Park and Recreation App is also still available and working.

Can I pay for or obtain a license through the City?

Licenses may be paid for and obtained by coming to City Hall.

Will City Council, committees and other advisory board meetings be streamed?

While best efforts will be made to continue streaming any previously streamed public meetings or media opportunities, at this time, please plan to attend any City meetings in person.

Are landfill operations still in service?

The landfill is accepting cash only at this time. 

Cultural institutions for the City including CityArts, Cowtown and Indian Museum are able to hold events as scheduled but payments will only be accepted by cash or check. Century II, Botanica and the Wichita Art Museum are not affected.

All scheduled dockets will proceed as planned. There is no walk in docket at this time.

What if I have to pay a Municipal Court fine?

Payments to Municipal Court may be made in person. At this time, only cash and check are being accepted.

What impact does this have to the Airport?

No public wi-fi is available at the terminal and arrival and departure screens are not currently working. Flights are operating normally.

Public WiFi is available at the following locations: Alford, Angelou, Rockwell and Westlink branches as well as Libby. Staff can check out materials, but checking in materials, pulling holds and transferring materials between locations might be paused. We are a fine-free library, but will monitor accounts to make sure other fees are not assessed during this time. Public wifi is not available at the following locations: Advanced Learning Library, Evergreen and Walters branches. Other services that may be impacted include: staff email through the City network (if you email us, we might not be able to respond during this outage), the library website, most databases, including Kanopy, LinkedIn Learning, etc, the online catalog, the Self-service print release stations, the self-check stations, the automated materials handler at the Advanced Learning Library – place returns in the manual book drop, most incoming phone call capability.

Are neighborhood resource centers still operational?

Wi-fi and phones are currently down. Unless otherwise noted, all scheduled events services are&nbsp; operational.

All planning activities will continue. Payments may be made with cash or check.

There is no expected interruption to MABCD activities.

How is Housing and Community Services impacted?

At this time, staff are working to serve those needing Housing and Community services

Assistance as well as we can. Staff will contact those needing service as soon as possible. 

SEDGWICK COUNTY —The information technology department for the city of Wichita and its security partners continue to work around the clock to address the cyber security incident.&nbsp; Many City systems are down as security experts determine the source and extent of the incident. There is no timetable for when systems could be coming back online. We appreciate your patience as we work through this incident as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. Incident recovery information and FAQs are accurate as to the time of the most current information release.When will this incident be resolved?Staff are working diligently and will have resolve the cyber security incident as soon as possible.When will we know more?The City is dedicated to providing updates as soon as more information is available.Public Safety:Is there any impact to public safety operations?There is no expected impact to residents needing public safety assistance. WFD and WPD are responding to calls for service and utilizing paper reports.Water:Are water systems in any way compromised by the cyber security event?No. All water systems are secure and functioning as normal.How do I pay my water bill?During the cyber security incident we will not shut off water accounts. Those who have&nbsp; experienced a water shut off may bring payment or proof of payment to City Hall and their water will be reconnected. Anyone having difficulty paying their bill will not receive penalties or late fees until the cyber incident is resolved. Bills may still be paid via cash by coming to City Hall or by mailing payment. Customers looking to set up a new water account may do so by coming to City Hall. Auto payments are suspended for the time being.If my water is shut off, how do I get reconnected?During the data breach, we will not be shutting off any water accounts. Those who have experience a water shut off may bring payment or proof of payment to City Hall and their water will be reconnected.Transit:How will I get a bus ticket or pay bus fare?Residents may ride Wichita Transit by paying cash.City Vendors:I am a vendor for the City of Wichita – how do I get paid?Please contact your City of Wichita liaison for further information.Park and Recreation:Can I still book a class, a golf tee time, etc. through Park and Recreation?All golf and recreation activities may still be paid for via check or cash at City Hall or at the location of the class or recreational activity. The Park and Recreation App is also still available and working.City Licenses:Can I pay for or obtain a license through the City?Licenses may be paid for and obtained by coming to City Hall.City Meetings:Will City Council, committees and other advisory board meetings be streamed?While best efforts will be made to continue streaming any previously streamed public meetings or media opportunities, at this time, please plan to attend any City meetings in person.Landfill:Are landfill operations still in service?The landfill is accepting cash only at this time. Arts and Culture:Are cultural institutions impacted?Cultural institutions for the City including CityArts, Cowtown and Indian Museum are able to hold events as scheduled but payments will only be accepted by cash or check. Century II, Botanica and the Wichita Art Museum are not affected.Municipal Court:Is Municipal Court still in operation?All scheduled dockets will proceed as planned. There is no walk in docket at this time.What if I have to pay a Municipal Court fine?Payments to Municipal Court may be made in person. At this time, only cash and check are being accepted.Airport:What impact does this have to the Airport?No public wi-fi is available at the terminal and arrival and departure screens are not currently working. Flights are operating normally.Library:Is the Library open?Public WiFi is available at the following locations: Alford, Angelou, Rockwell and Westlink branches as well as Libby. Staff can check out materials, but checking in materials, pulling holds and transferring materials between locations might be paused. We are a fine-free library, but will monitor accounts to make sure other fees are not assessed during this time. Public wifi is not available at the following locations: Advanced Learning Library, Evergreen and Walters branches. Other services that may be impacted include: staff email through the City network (if you email us, we might not be able to respond during this outage), the library website, most databases, including Kanopy, LinkedIn Learning, etc, the online catalog, the Self-service print release stations, the self-check stations, the automated materials handler at the Advanced Learning Library – place returns in the manual book drop, most incoming phone call capability.Resource Centers:Are neighborhood resource centers still operational?Wi-fi and phones are currently down. Unless otherwise noted, all scheduled events services are&nbsp; operational.Planning:Is Planning still able to process cases?All planning activities will continue. Payments may be made with cash or check.MABCD:Is MABCD operational?There is no expected interruption to MABCD activities.Housing:How is Housing and Community Services impacted?At this time, staff are working to serve those needing Housing and Community servicesAssistance as well as we can. Staff will contact those needing service as soon as possible.

Cyberattack: City of Wichita continues work to restore online services

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate another deadly shooting in Wichita.

Early Monday,&nbsp;Patrol East officers, detectives, and crime scene investigators were on scene of a fatal shooting that occurred near 2800 E. Douglas, according to police spokesperson Andrew Ford.

Officers heard gunshots in the area and located a vehicle with a 35-year-old male victim inside.

Investigators continue working to collect evidence and speak to witnesses. The shooting does not appear to be random. Police have not released the name of the victim or reported an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715028093654.png" alt="Police at the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police at the scene of the investigation-photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate another deadly shooting in Wichita.Early Monday,&nbsp;Patrol East officers, detectives, and crime scene investigators were on scene of a fatal shooting that occurred near 2800 E. Douglas, according to police spokesperson Andrew Ford.Officers heard gunshots in the area and located a vehicle with a 35-year-old male victim inside.Investigators continue working to collect evidence and speak to witnesses. The shooting does not appear to be random. Police have not released the name of the victim or reported an arrest.

Homicide: Kansas man found dead in vehicle

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Times and The Washington Post were awarded three&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pulitzer-prize-awards">Pulitzer Prizes</a>&nbsp;apiece on Monday for work in 2023 that dealt with everything from the war in Gaza to gun violence, and The Associated Press won in the feature photography category for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-pulitzer-award-journalism-23aeee7cc4a770e8a2e4be5ae1a82277">coverage of global migration</a>&nbsp;to the U.S.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-year/2024">Click here to see the list</a> or watch the announcement video below

Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel and its aftermath produced work that resulted in two Pulitzers and a special citation. The Times won for text coverage that the Pulitzer board described as “wide-ranging and revelatory,” while the Reuters news service won for its photography. The citation went to journalists and other writers covering the war in Gaza.

The prestigious public service award went to ProPublica for reporting that “pierced the thick wall of secrecy” around the U.S. Supreme Court to show how billionaires gave expensive gifts to justices and paid for luxury travel. Reporters Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott, Brett Murphy, Alex Mierjeski and Kirsten Berg were honored for their work.

The Pulitzers honored the best in journalism from 2023 in 15 categories, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pulitzer-prizes-night-watch-jayne-anne-phillips-c1639c1c9574616a03ebc4074b494e18">eight arts categories</a>&nbsp;focused on books, music and theater. The public service winner receives a gold medal. All other winners receive $15,000.

The 15 photos in AP’s winning entry were taken across Latin America and along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas and California in a year when immigration was one of the world’s biggest stories. They were shot by AP staffers Greg Bull, Eric Gay, Fernando Llano, Marco Ugarte and Eduardo Verdugo, and longtime AP freelancers Christian Chavez, Felix Marquez and Ivan Valencia.

“These raw and emotional images came about through day-to-day coverage of a historic moment in multiple countries documenting migrants at every step of their treacherous journeys,” said Julie Pace, the AP’s senior vice president and executive editor.

The United States has seen more than 10 million border arrivals in the last five years, with migrants arriving from a wide range of new locations like Venezuela, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti and Africa, in contrast with earlier eras.

The AP has won 59 Pulitzer Prizes, including 36 for photography. The news cooperative was named a finalist for the national reporting Pulitzer on Monday for its coverage of hundreds of thousands of children who&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/missing-children/index.html">disappeared from public schools during the pandemic</a>.

In citing the Times for its work in Israel and Gaza, the Pulitzer board mentioned its coverage of the country’s intelligence failures, along with the attack and Israel’s military response.

The award comes even as The Times has faced some controversy about its coverage; last month a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2024/04/29/new-york-times-oct-7-journalism-professors-letter/">group of journalism professors</a>&nbsp;called on the publication to address questions about an investigation into gender-based violence during the Hamas attack on Israel.

The Times’ Hannah Dreier won a Pulitzer in investigative reporting for her stories on migrant child labor across the United States. Contributing writer Katie Engelhart won the newspaper’s third Pulitzer, in feature writing, for her portrait of a family struggling with a matriarch’s dementia.

“Every one of the winners and finalists showcases a drive for original, revelatory reporting that underpins so much of what we produce, from the biggest storylines in the news to feature writing as well as classic investigations,” said Joe Kahn, the Times' executive editor.

The Washington Post staff won in national reporting for its “sobering examination” of the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, which came with some gut-wrenching photos. “We were eager to find a way to cover it differently and change the conversation about mass shootings,” Peter Walstein, the Post’s senior national enterprise editor, said in the newspaper.

The Post’s David E. Hoffman won in editorial writing for a “compelling and well-researched” series on how authoritarian regimes repress dissent in the digital age. Its third award went to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russian-prisoner-vladimir-kara-murza-vladimir-putin-72fa647534d743c22fceef9fe4a78dc4">contributor Vladimir Kara-Murza</a>, for commentaries written from a Russian prison cell.

The New Yorker magazine won two Pulitzers. Sarah Stillman won in explanatory reporting for her report on the legal system’s reliance on felony murder charges. Contributor Medar de la Cruz won in illustrated reporting and commentary for his story humanizing inmates in the Rikers Island jail in New York City.

The staff of Lookout Santa Cruz in California won in the breaking news category for what the prize board called “nimble community-minded coverage” of flooding and mudslides. On its website Monday, Lookout Santa Cruz said that it made its coverage free at a time of crisis in the community, and also used text messages to reach people without power.

“In short, we did our jobs,” the staff said in an unsigned article, “and we heard so many thanks for it. The Pulitzer is icing on that cake.”

The Pulitzers gave a second award in national reporting to the Reuters staff for an “eye-opening” series that probed Elon Musk’s automobile and aerospace businesses.

In local reporting, Sarah Conway of City Bureau and Trina Reynolds-Tyler of the Invisible Institute won for an investigative series on missing Black girls and women in Chicago, which showed how racism and the police contributed to the problem.

The Pulitzer in criticism went to Justin Chang of The Los Angeles Times for evocative and genre-spanning coverage of movies. The Pulitzer board's second special citation went to the late hip-hop critic Greg Tate.

The awards are administered by Columbia University in New York, which itself has been in the news for student demonstrations against the war in Gaza. The Pulitzer board met away from Columbia this past weekend to deliberate on its winners.

The Pulitzers announced that five of the 45 finalists this year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/five-of-this-years-pulitzer-finalists-are-ai-powered,248629">used artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;in research and reporting of their submissions. It was the first time the board required applicants for the award to disclose use of AI.

The prizes were established in the will of newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer and first awarded in 1917.

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Times and The Washington Post were awarded three&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/pulitzer-prize-awards">Pulitzer Prizes</a>&nbsp;apiece on Monday for work in 2023 that dealt with everything from the war in Gaza to gun violence, and The Associated Press won in the feature photography category for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-pulitzer-award-journalism-23aeee7cc4a770e8a2e4be5ae1a82277">coverage of global migration</a>&nbsp;to the U.S.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-year/2024">Click here to see the list</a> or watch the announcement video below<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1k3v4rB1BhY?si=Y0rKa0mAS4L5CQqK" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel and its aftermath produced work that resulted in two Pulitzers and a special citation. The Times won for text coverage that the Pulitzer board described as “wide-ranging and revelatory,” while the Reuters news service won for its photography. The citation went to journalists and other writers covering the war in Gaza.The prestigious public service award went to ProPublica for reporting that “pierced the thick wall of secrecy” around the U.S. Supreme Court to show how billionaires gave expensive gifts to justices and paid for luxury travel. Reporters Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott, Brett Murphy, Alex Mierjeski and Kirsten Berg were honored for their work.The Pulitzers honored the best in journalism from 2023 in 15 categories, as well as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pulitzer-prizes-night-watch-jayne-anne-phillips-c1639c1c9574616a03ebc4074b494e18">eight arts categories</a>&nbsp;focused on books, music and theater. The public service winner receives a gold medal. All other winners receive $15,000.The 15 photos in AP’s winning entry were taken across Latin America and along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas and California in a year when immigration was one of the world’s biggest stories. They were shot by AP staffers Greg Bull, Eric Gay, Fernando Llano, Marco Ugarte and Eduardo Verdugo, and longtime AP freelancers Christian Chavez, Felix Marquez and Ivan Valencia.“These raw and emotional images came about through day-to-day coverage of a historic moment in multiple countries documenting migrants at every step of their treacherous journeys,” said Julie Pace, the AP’s senior vice president and executive editor.The United States has seen more than 10 million border arrivals in the last five years, with migrants arriving from a wide range of new locations like Venezuela, Cuba, Ecuador, Haiti and Africa, in contrast with earlier eras.The AP has won 59 Pulitzer Prizes, including 36 for photography. The news cooperative was named a finalist for the national reporting Pulitzer on Monday for its coverage of hundreds of thousands of children who&nbsp;<a href="https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/missing-children/index.html">disappeared from public schools during the pandemic</a>.In citing the Times for its work in Israel and Gaza, the Pulitzer board mentioned its coverage of the country’s intelligence failures, along with the attack and Israel’s military response.The award comes even as The Times has faced some controversy about its coverage; last month a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/media/2024/04/29/new-york-times-oct-7-journalism-professors-letter/">group of journalism professors</a>&nbsp;called on the publication to address questions about an investigation into gender-based violence during the Hamas attack on Israel.The Times’ Hannah Dreier won a Pulitzer in investigative reporting for her stories on migrant child labor across the United States. Contributing writer Katie Engelhart won the newspaper’s third Pulitzer, in feature writing, for her portrait of a family struggling with a matriarch’s dementia.“Every one of the winners and finalists showcases a drive for original, revelatory reporting that underpins so much of what we produce, from the biggest storylines in the news to feature writing as well as classic investigations,” said Joe Kahn, the Times' executive editor.The Washington Post staff won in national reporting for its “sobering examination” of the AR-15 semi-automatic rifle, which came with some gut-wrenching photos. “We were eager to find a way to cover it differently and change the conversation about mass shootings,” Peter Walstein, the Post’s senior national enterprise editor, said in the newspaper.The Post’s David E. Hoffman won in editorial writing for a “compelling and well-researched” series on how authoritarian regimes repress dissent in the digital age. Its third award went to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russian-prisoner-vladimir-kara-murza-vladimir-putin-72fa647534d743c22fceef9fe4a78dc4">contributor Vladimir Kara-Murza</a>, for commentaries written from a Russian prison cell.The New Yorker magazine won two Pulitzers. Sarah Stillman won in explanatory reporting for her report on the legal system’s reliance on felony murder charges. Contributor Medar de la Cruz won in illustrated reporting and commentary for his story humanizing inmates in the Rikers Island jail in New York City.The staff of Lookout Santa Cruz in California won in the breaking news category for what the prize board called “nimble community-minded coverage” of flooding and mudslides. On its website Monday, Lookout Santa Cruz said that it made its coverage free at a time of crisis in the community, and also used text messages to reach people without power.“In short, we did our jobs,” the staff said in an unsigned article, “and we heard so many thanks for it. The Pulitzer is icing on that cake.”The Pulitzers gave a second award in national reporting to the Reuters staff for an “eye-opening” series that probed Elon Musk’s automobile and aerospace businesses.In local reporting, Sarah Conway of City Bureau and Trina Reynolds-Tyler of the Invisible Institute won for an investigative series on missing Black girls and women in Chicago, which showed how racism and the police contributed to the problem.The Pulitzer in criticism went to Justin Chang of The Los Angeles Times for evocative and genre-spanning coverage of movies. The Pulitzer board's second special citation went to the late hip-hop critic Greg Tate.The awards are administered by Columbia University in New York, which itself has been in the news for student demonstrations against the war in Gaza. The Pulitzer board met away from Columbia this past weekend to deliberate on its winners.The Pulitzers announced that five of the 45 finalists this year&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorandpublisher.com/stories/five-of-this-years-pulitzer-finalists-are-ai-powered,248629">used artificial intelligence</a>&nbsp;in research and reporting of their submissions. It was the first time the board required applicants for the award to disclose use of AI.The prizes were established in the will of newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer and first awarded in 1917.

🎥See the complete list of 2024 Pulitzer Prize winners

NEOSHO COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Neosho County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Truck driven by Branson C. Dean, 40, Alma, Arkansas, was southbound on U.S. 169 just north of 150th Road passing vehicles on the northbound shoulder.

The truck collided head-on with a northbound 2021 Chevy Traverse driven by Clayton P. Stafford, 51, Jefferson City, Missouri.

Dean was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp; Frontier Forensics.&nbsp; EMS transported&nbsp; Stafford to KU Medical Center. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

NEOSHO COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 3p.m. Monday in Neosho County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2003 Chevy Truck driven by Branson C. Dean, 40, Alma, Arkansas, was southbound on U.S. 169 just north of 150th Road passing vehicles on the northbound shoulder.The truck collided head-on with a northbound 2021 Chevy Traverse driven by Clayton P. Stafford, 51, Jefferson City, Missouri.Dean was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp; Frontier Forensics.&nbsp; EMS transported&nbsp; Stafford to KU Medical Center. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

1 dead, 1 hospitalized after head-on crash on Kansas highway

KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City-area man who's charged with killing his hospitalized wife told police he couldn't take care of her or afford her medical bills, court records say.

Ronnie Wiggs made his first appearance Monday on a second-degree murder charge and was referred to the public defender's office. A hearing was set for Thursday to review his $250,000 bond.

A phone message that was left with the public defender’s office wasn’t immediately returned.

His wife was getting a new port for her dialysis when staff at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence called a “code blue” Friday because she was unresponsive.

Staff managed to get her pulse back, but they determined she was brain dead and made preparations to harvest her organs, according to the probable cause statement. His wife died Saturday.

After the attack, Wiggs left the hospital. But the statement said the woman's son brought Wiggs back to see her and he confessed. Staff heard him say, “I did it, I killed her, I choked her,” according to the statement.

He then was arrested and told a detective that he covered his wife's nose and mouth to keep her from screaming, the statement said. He said he was depressed and couldn't handle the caregiving and bills.

He said he also attempted to kill his wife while she was at a rehabilitation facility, but she woke up and told him not do that again, the statement said. He said he was going to try to kill his wife another time while she was hospitalized, but he didn’t get the chance because she was hooked up to several monitors.

KANSAS CITY —A man faces a felony charge for strangling his wife and causing her death as she was lying in a Kansas City area hospital bed this weekend, according to&nbsp; Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

Ronnie Wiggs of Independence, Missouri, faces Murder 2nd Degree.

According to court records filed Saturday, Wiggs told police he killed the victim, who had come to&nbsp;Centerpoint Medical Center, 19600 E. 39th St. South, to get a new port for her dialysis.

&nbsp;He said he choked&nbsp; her and covered her nose and mouth to keep her from screaming. Wiggs told police he couldn't take care of her or afford the medical bills. Wiggs is being held on a $250,000 bond.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1715034289344.png" alt="Wiggs -Photo Independence Police" />
 <figcaption>Wiggs -Photo Independence Police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — A Kansas City-area man who's charged with killing his hospitalized wife told police he couldn't take care of her or afford her medical bills, court records say.Ronnie Wiggs made his first appearance Monday on a second-degree murder charge and was referred to the public defender's office. A hearing was set for Thursday to review his $250,000 bond.A phone message that was left with the public defender’s office wasn’t immediately returned.His wife was getting a new port for her dialysis when staff at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence called a “code blue” Friday because she was unresponsive.Staff managed to get her pulse back, but they determined she was brain dead and made preparations to harvest her organs, according to the probable cause statement. His wife died Saturday.After the attack, Wiggs left the hospital. But the statement said the woman's son brought Wiggs back to see her and he confessed. Staff heard him say, “I did it, I killed her, I choked her,” according to the statement.He then was arrested and told a detective that he covered his wife's nose and mouth to keep her from screaming, the statement said. He said he was depressed and couldn't handle the caregiving and bills.He said he also attempted to kill his wife while she was at a rehabilitation facility, but she woke up and told him not do that again, the statement said. He said he was going to try to kill his wife another time while she was hospitalized, but he didn’t get the chance because she was hooked up to several monitors.---------KANSAS CITY —A man faces a felony charge for strangling his wife and causing her death as she was lying in a Kansas City area hospital bed this weekend, according to&nbsp; Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.Ronnie Wiggs of Independence, Missouri, faces Murder 2nd Degree.According to court records filed Saturday, Wiggs told police he killed the victim, who had come to&nbsp;Centerpoint Medical Center, 19600 E. 39th St. South, to get a new port for her dialysis.&nbsp;He said he choked&nbsp; her and covered her nose and mouth to keep her from screaming. Wiggs told police he couldn't take care of her or afford the medical bills. Wiggs is being held on a $250,000 bond.

Man unable to pay medical bills kills wife in her KC area hospital bed

JOHNSON COUNTY —A woman involved in a deadly crash during a police chase has made another appearance in court.

Last week, Shyanne Canady, 23, &nbsp;pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and second-degree murder, according to the Johnson County District Attorney office. The incident involved a deadly crash that began as a shoplifting incident in Overland Park.

In November 2023, police responded to a reported theft in progress in the 7900 block of W. 160th Street, according to Overland Park Police.

Officers identified the suspect vehicle and initiated a pursuit after the suspects refused to comply with commands to stop. The pursuit continued onto northbound Blue Valley Parkway from U.S. 69 Highway.

The driver of the suspect vehicle disregarded a red traffic signal and collided with a westbound car on Blue Valley Parkway at W. 119th Street. One of the women in the suspect's vehicle later died from injuries.

Canady is due back in court June 12. She is being held on a&nbsp; $1,000,000.00 bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714830968454.png" alt="Canady-photo Johnson County" />
 <figcaption>Canady-photo Johnson County</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A woman involved in a deadly crash during a police chase has made another appearance in court.Last week, Shyanne Canady, 23, &nbsp;pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and second-degree murder, according to the Johnson County District Attorney office. The incident involved a deadly crash that began as a shoplifting incident in Overland Park.In November 2023, police responded to a reported theft in progress in the 7900 block of W. 160th Street, according to Overland Park Police.Officers identified the suspect vehicle and initiated a pursuit after the suspects refused to comply with commands to stop. The pursuit continued onto northbound Blue Valley Parkway from U.S. 69 Highway.The driver of the suspect vehicle disregarded a red traffic signal and collided with a westbound car on Blue Valley Parkway at W. 119th Street. One of the women in the suspect's vehicle later died from injuries.Canady is due back in court June 12. She is being held on a&nbsp; $1,000,000.00 bond, according to online jail records.

Kan. shoplifting suspect involved in fatal crash during police chase

SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in a murder in 2023 made a court appearance last week.

Julian Wedge, 24 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder, robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, and interference with law enforcement, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.&nbsp;

On March 4, 2023, sheriff's deputies made a welfare check of a man lying in the street at 4200 S. Clifton in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/5/1714661173832.png" alt="Wedge -KBI offender registry" />
 <figcaption>Wedge -KBI offender registry</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —A Kansas man accused in a murder in 2023 made a court appearance last week.Julian Wedge, 24 of Wichita, is charged with 1st degree murder, robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, and interference with law enforcement, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office.&nbsp;On March 4, 2023, sheriff's deputies made a welfare check of a man lying in the street at 4200 S. Clifton in Wichita, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's office.&nbsp;Deputies found individuals attempting to help 24-year-old Evan Harrison who had been shot. EMS transported Harrison to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/InmateSearch/Details.aspx?Id=238759">Wedge is being held in the </a>Sedgwick County Jail on a $1 million bond.He has been registered as a violent offender since March of 2019 for convictions that include criminal discharge of firearm into an unoccupied dwelling, according to the Kansas offender registry.He is due back in court May 16, according to the district attorney's office.