WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;was indicted on nine tax charges in California on Thursday as a special counsel investigation into the business dealings of the president's son intensifies against the backdrop of the looming 2024 election.

The new charges — three felonies and six misdemeanors — come in addition to federal firearms charges in Delaware alleging Hunter Biden broke a law against drug users having guns in 2018.

He had been previously expected to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax charges as part of a plea deal with prosecutors who said he failed to pay taxes on $4 million in personal income in 2017 and 2018. Defense attorneys have signaled they plan to fight any new charges.

The agreement imploded in July after a judge raised questions about it. It had also been pilloried as a “sweetheart deal” by Republicans investigating nearly every aspect of Hunter Biden's business dealings as well as the Justice Department's handling of the case.

Congressional Republicans have also pursued an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-joe-biden-impeachment-congress-subpoena-37fe9652539c2c501d8b8bd8c3cc8901">impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden</a>, claiming he was engaged in an influence-peddling scheme with his son. The House is expected to vote next week on formally authorizing the inquiry.

While questions have arisen about the ethics surrounding the Biden family’s international business, no evidence has emerged so far to prove that Joe Biden, in his current or previous office, abused his role or accepted bribes.

The criminal investigation led by Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss has been open since 2018, and was expected to wind down with the plea deal that Hunter Biden had planned to strike with prosecutors over the summer. He would have pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor tax evasion charges and would have entered a separate agreement on the gun charge. He would have served two years of probation rather than get jail time.

The agreement also contained immunity provisions, and defense attorneys have argued that they remain in force since that part of the agreement was signed by a prosecutor before the deal was scrapped.

Prosecutors disagree, pointing out the documents weren’t signed by a judge and are invalid.

After the deal fell apart, prosecutors filed three federal gun charges alleging that Hunter Biden had lied about his drug use to buy a gun that he kept for 11 days in 2018. Federal law bans gun possession by “habitual drug users,” though the measure is seldom seen as a stand-alone charge and has been called into question by a federal appeals court.

Hunter Biden’s longstanding struggle with substance abuse had worsened during that period after the death of his brother Beau Biden in 2015, prosecutors wrote in a draft plea agreement filed in court in Delaware.

He still made “substantial income” in 2017 and 2018, including $2.6 million in business and consulting fees from a company he formed with the CEOs of a Chinese business conglomerate and the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, but did not pay his taxes, prosecutors said in that filing.

He did eventually file his taxes in 2020 and the back taxes were paid by a “third party” the following year, prosecutors said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695255188333.png" alt="The new charges — three felonies and six misdemeanors — come in addition to federal firearms charges in Delaware alleging Hunter Biden broke a law against drug users having guns in 2018.-photo courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>The new charges — three felonies and six misdemeanors — come in addition to federal firearms charges in Delaware alleging Hunter Biden broke a law against drug users having guns in 2018.-photo courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/hunter-biden">Hunter Biden</a>&nbsp;was indicted on nine tax charges in California on Thursday as a special counsel investigation into the business dealings of the president's son intensifies against the backdrop of the looming 2024 election.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1702004663484.png" alt="Indictment includes summary of the expenditures Hunter Biden made instead of paying his taxes, per prosectors&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Indictment includes summary of the expenditures Hunter Biden made instead of paying his taxes, per prosectors&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>The new charges — three felonies and six misdemeanors — come in addition to federal firearms charges in Delaware alleging Hunter Biden broke a law against drug users having guns in 2018.He had been previously expected to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax charges as part of a plea deal with prosecutors who said he failed to pay taxes on $4 million in personal income in 2017 and 2018. Defense attorneys have signaled they plan to fight any new charges.The agreement imploded in July after a judge raised questions about it. It had also been pilloried as a “sweetheart deal” by Republicans investigating nearly every aspect of Hunter Biden's business dealings as well as the Justice Department's handling of the case.Congressional Republicans have also pursued an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hunter-joe-biden-impeachment-congress-subpoena-37fe9652539c2c501d8b8bd8c3cc8901">impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden</a>, claiming he was engaged in an influence-peddling scheme with his son. The House is expected to vote next week on formally authorizing the inquiry.While questions have arisen about the ethics surrounding the Biden family’s international business, no evidence has emerged so far to prove that Joe Biden, in his current or previous office, abused his role or accepted bribes.The criminal investigation led by Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss has been open since 2018, and was expected to wind down with the plea deal that Hunter Biden had planned to strike with prosecutors over the summer. He would have pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor tax evasion charges and would have entered a separate agreement on the gun charge. He would have served two years of probation rather than get jail time.The agreement also contained immunity provisions, and defense attorneys have argued that they remain in force since that part of the agreement was signed by a prosecutor before the deal was scrapped.Prosecutors disagree, pointing out the documents weren’t signed by a judge and are invalid.After the deal fell apart, prosecutors filed three federal gun charges alleging that Hunter Biden had lied about his drug use to buy a gun that he kept for 11 days in 2018. Federal law bans gun possession by “habitual drug users,” though the measure is seldom seen as a stand-alone charge and has been called into question by a federal appeals court.Hunter Biden’s longstanding struggle with substance abuse had worsened during that period after the death of his brother Beau Biden in 2015, prosecutors wrote in a draft plea agreement filed in court in Delaware.He still made “substantial income” in 2017 and 2018, including $2.6 million in business and consulting fees from a company he formed with the CEOs of a Chinese business conglomerate and the Ukrainian energy company Burisma, but did not pay his taxes, prosecutors said in that filing.He did eventually file his taxes in 2020 and the back taxes were paid by a “third party” the following year, prosecutors said.

Hunter Biden hit with 9 tax-related charges in new indictment

BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspect on drug allegations after a drug bust at an apartment complex in Brown County.

Justs before 9p.m. Dec. 1, sheriff's deputies initiated two search warrants simultaneously at 715 1/2&nbsp; apartments # 1 &amp; 3 Oregon Street in Hiawatha, according to Sheriff John Merchant.

At apartment # 1 deputies arrested Bryan Emary, 60, of Hiawatha was on requested charges of Possession of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp; Brenda Emary, 60, was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia.

At apartment # 3 deputies arrested Renee Trotter, 68, Hiawatha on requested charges of Possesion of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, according to Merchant.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701985335600.png" alt="Emary-Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Emary-Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>BROWN COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating three suspect on drug allegations after a drug bust at an apartment complex in Brown County.Justs before 9p.m. Dec. 1, sheriff's deputies initiated two search warrants simultaneously at 715 1/2&nbsp; apartments # 1 &amp; 3 Oregon Street in Hiawatha, according to Sheriff John Merchant.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701985385813.png" alt="Emary photo Brown Co." />
 <figcaption>Emary photo Brown Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>At apartment # 1 deputies arrested Bryan Emary, 60, of Hiawatha was on requested charges of Possession of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.&nbsp; Brenda Emary, 60, was arrested on requested charges of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Paraphernalia.At apartment # 3 deputies arrested Renee Trotter, 68, Hiawatha on requested charges of Possesion of Meth and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, according to Merchant.&nbsp;

Sheriff: Meth bust leads to 3 arrests at Kan. apartment building

MANHATTAN (AP) — Kansas State forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin was dismissed from the team late Wednesday, more than a month after his arrest for disorderly conduct, triggering a wave of criticism aimed at the school administration from some fans.

K-State basketball coach Jerome Tang spoke to the K-State community on social media Thursday evening.

Tomlin averaged 10.4 points in 36 games last season, and was a big part of the Wildcats' surprise run to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. He considered turning pro after the season but ultimately decided to return to the program.

He was arrested following a bar fight in October, and Kansas State coach Jerome Tang immediately suspended him “for not living up to the expectations of our players.” But as the season progressed, many Kansas State fans were antsy for Tomlin's return to the team, even chanting his name during an overtime win against Villanova this week.

As some fans began calling and emailing administrators, including Kansas State president Richard Linton, athletic director Gene Taylor finally issued a statement that said Tomlin “will no longer be able to continue with the K-State men's basketball team."

“This decision was not made lightly by me,” he said, "but it is the decision warranted by the circumstances that brought it to bear.”

Taylor said he had been “monitoring the situation” along with Tang but declined to share any specifics of the case, citing federal privacy laws. That includes whether there were factors beyond the initial bar fight that led to his decision.

Earlier in the day, Tomlin posted on Instagram the lyrics from a song that said: “I want to be free, free, free.” The 6-foot-10 forward is scheduled to graduate at the semester, and because he has yet to play for the Wildcats this season, Tomlin could transfer to another school and play for the remainder of the season.

“Allowing for space and time is critical,” Taylor said, "but in today’s digital age, that unfortunately can lead to the spread of rumors and misinformation — and in this case, much of the information on social media is incorrect.

“We stand united to do what is best for this young man’s personal development and growth,” Taylor continued, "and to do what is best to uphold the values of our teams and our university at large.”

MANHATTAN (AP) — Kansas State forward Nae'Qwan Tomlin was dismissed from the team late Wednesday, more than a month after his arrest for disorderly conduct, triggering a wave of criticism aimed at the school administration from some fans.K-State basketball coach Jerome Tang spoke to the K-State community on social media Thursday evening.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">A message from Coach Tang <a href="https://t.co/67FzLKhxJd">pic.twitter.com/67FzLKhxJd</a>&mdash; K-State Men&#39;s Basketball (@KStateMBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/KStateMBB/status/1732934034957717970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Tomlin averaged 10.4 points in 36 games last season, and was a big part of the Wildcats' surprise run to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. He considered turning pro after the season but ultimately decided to return to the program.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1698592993697.png" alt="Tomlin photo KSU Athletics" />
 <figcaption>Tomlin photo KSU Athletics</figcaption>
 </figure>He was arrested following a bar fight in October, and Kansas State coach Jerome Tang immediately suspended him “for not living up to the expectations of our players.” But as the season progressed, many Kansas State fans were antsy for Tomlin's return to the team, even chanting his name during an overtime win against Villanova this week.As some fans began calling and emailing administrators, including Kansas State president Richard Linton, athletic director Gene Taylor finally issued a statement that said Tomlin “will no longer be able to continue with the K-State men's basketball team."“This decision was not made lightly by me,” he said, "but it is the decision warranted by the circumstances that brought it to bear.”Taylor said he had been “monitoring the situation” along with Tang but declined to share any specifics of the case, citing federal privacy laws. That includes whether there were factors beyond the initial bar fight that led to his decision.Earlier in the day, Tomlin posted on Instagram the lyrics from a song that said: “I want to be free, free, free.” The 6-foot-10 forward is scheduled to graduate at the semester, and because he has yet to play for the Wildcats this season, Tomlin could transfer to another school and play for the remainder of the season.“Allowing for space and time is critical,” Taylor said, "but in today’s digital age, that unfortunately can lead to the spread of rumors and misinformation — and in this case, much of the information on social media is incorrect.“We stand united to do what is best for this young man’s personal development and growth,” Taylor continued, "and to do what is best to uphold the values of our teams and our university at large.”

🎥Message from Coach Tang after Nae'Qwan Tomlin's dismissal

FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. (AP) — The family of a 46-year-old Florida man has filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against one of the biggest fast-casual restaurant chains in the U.S., claiming Panera Bread Company's caffeine-filled lemonade drink led to his death.

David Brown had high blood pressure and didn't drink energy drinks, but the lawsuit said he believed the Panera Charged Lemonade was safe since it was not advertised as an energy drink. It was offered in the same place as the restaurant chain’s non-caffeinated or less-caffeinated drinks, according to the lawsuit filed Monday in Superior Court in Delaware, where Panera Bread Company is registered.

The lawsuit states that on Oct. 9, Brown had the drink three times during a visit to the Panera Bread Company location in Fleming Island, Florida. On his walk home, he suffered cardiac arrest and died a short time later. He had ordered a Panera Charged Lemonade at least seven times over the course of two weeks in September and October, according to the lawsuit.

“Defendants knew or should have known that the Panera Charged Lemonade, as designed and formulated, once consumed, could injure children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people sensitive to caffeine by causing catastrophic injuries and/or death,” the lawsuit said.

No one from Panera’s corporate offices responded to an inquiry seeking comment Tuesday afternoon.

Brown had a chromosomal deficiency disorder, developmental delays, some blurred vision and mild intellectual disability, the lawsuit said. He had worked for 17 years at Publix Super Markets and would regularly go to the Panera restaurant after work for meals, as many as three times a week, because the lawsuit said he felt the chain advertised as being a healthy alternative to other restaurants.

Another wrongful death lawsuit was filed in October by the family of 21-year-old Sarah Katz, a University of Pennsylvania student with a heart condition who died in September 2022 after consuming the drink, according to media reports.

The privately-held Panera Bread Company, which is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, operates in 48 U.S. states and Canada.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701984246710.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. (AP) — The family of a 46-year-old Florida man has filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit against one of the biggest fast-casual restaurant chains in the U.S., claiming Panera Bread Company's caffeine-filled lemonade drink led to his death.David Brown had high blood pressure and didn't drink energy drinks, but the lawsuit said he believed the Panera Charged Lemonade was safe since it was not advertised as an energy drink. It was offered in the same place as the restaurant chain’s non-caffeinated or less-caffeinated drinks, according to the lawsuit filed Monday in Superior Court in Delaware, where Panera Bread Company is registered.The lawsuit states that on Oct. 9, Brown had the drink three times during a visit to the Panera Bread Company location in Fleming Island, Florida. On his walk home, he suffered cardiac arrest and died a short time later. He had ordered a Panera Charged Lemonade at least seven times over the course of two weeks in September and October, according to the lawsuit.“Defendants knew or should have known that the Panera Charged Lemonade, as designed and formulated, once consumed, could injure children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people sensitive to caffeine by causing catastrophic injuries and/or death,” the lawsuit said.No one from Panera’s corporate offices responded to an inquiry seeking comment Tuesday afternoon.Brown had a chromosomal deficiency disorder, developmental delays, some blurred vision and mild intellectual disability, the lawsuit said. He had worked for 17 years at Publix Super Markets and would regularly go to the Panera restaurant after work for meals, as many as three times a week, because the lawsuit said he felt the chain advertised as being a healthy alternative to other restaurants.Another wrongful death lawsuit was filed in October by the family of 21-year-old Sarah Katz, a University of Pennsylvania student with a heart condition who died in September 2022 after consuming the drink, according to media reports.The privately-held Panera Bread Company, which is headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, operates in 48 U.S. states and Canada.

Panera's 'Charged Lemonade' blamed for second death 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the death of an inmate at the Sedgwick County Jail.

Just after 5:30 a.m. Thursday, detention facility staff located an unresponsive inmate in Pod 18 of the Sedgwick County Detention Facility, according to Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.

 On-site medical staff and Emergency Medical Services were notified and attempted life saving measures. On scene medical. personnel pronounced the inmate deceased on scene.

The inmate a 22-year-old man had been in the custody of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office since August 26, 2023, for a capital murder charge. This is the seventh in custody death this year.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigations was notified and with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division is looking into the death. Preliminary reports indicate the death was the result of self-inflicted asphyxiation.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Authorities are investigating the death of an inmate at the Sedgwick County Jail.Just after 5:30 a.m. Thursday, detention facility staff located an unresponsive inmate in Pod 18 of the Sedgwick County Detention Facility, according to Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs. On-site medical staff and Emergency Medical Services were notified and attempted life saving measures. On scene medical. personnel pronounced the inmate deceased on scene.The inmate a 22-year-old man had been in the custody of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office since August 26, 2023, for a capital murder charge. This is the seventh in custody death this year.The Kansas Bureau of Investigations was notified and with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division is looking into the death. Preliminary reports indicate the death was the result of self-inflicted asphyxiation.

Man accused of murder found dead in Kansas county jail

By NATE KING Salina Post

On Tuesday a land excavator working on the construction site at Salina Regional Health Center fell through the floor and into the basement.&nbsp;

According to construction crews at the work site located at 211 W. South Street, no one was injured.&nbsp; Salina Post asked one of the workers on site for more information regarding the accident, but no comment was given.

SRHC Director of Marketing Beth Vinson said she could not disclose the name of the construction company. Salina Post inquired with an employee at Salina Building and Neighborhood Services who said the department was unaware the accident had occurred.&nbsp;

Vinson did say demolition is still on schedule and the building is anticipated to be completely destroyed soon. Vinson said once the rubble is removed the ground will be green space with grass.

The Braddick Building, named in honor of the first hospital and nursing school superintendent Florence Braddick, was built in 1962 and housed the Asbury School of Nursing.

In 2011 the KU School of Medicine-Salina moved into the space for several years before moving to its downtown space.

Salina Post will update this story as more information becomes available.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701977195742.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By NATE KING Salina PostOn Tuesday a land excavator working on the construction site at Salina Regional Health Center fell through the floor and into the basement.&nbsp;According to construction crews at the work site located at 211 W. South Street, no one was injured.&nbsp; Salina Post asked one of the workers on site for more information regarding the accident, but no comment was given.SRHC Director of Marketing Beth Vinson said she could not disclose the name of the construction company. Salina Post inquired with an employee at Salina Building and Neighborhood Services who said the department was unaware the accident had occurred.&nbsp;Vinson did say demolition is still on schedule and the building is anticipated to be completely destroyed soon. Vinson said once the rubble is removed the ground will be green space with grass.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/8/1692377396853.png" alt="Florence A. Braddick" />
 <figcaption>Florence A. Braddick</figcaption>
 </figure>The Braddick Building, named in honor of the first hospital and nursing school superintendent Florence Braddick, was built in 1962 and housed the Asbury School of Nursing.In 2011 the KU School of Medicine-Salina moved into the space for several years before moving to its downtown space.Salina Post will update this story as more information becomes available.&nbsp;

Excavator accident during demolition at Salina Regional Health Center

BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/samantha-dietel/">SAMANTHA DIETEL</a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democratic leaders on Wednesday called on Congress to pass President Joe Biden’s $16 billion supplemental child care funding request.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts gathered with child care activists and other House Democrats at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol.

Child care providers with the Care Can’t Wait coalition discussed their support for the Biden administration’s supplemental funding request, which has not been acted upon yet in Congress.

The Care Can’t Wait coalition includes organizations such as the Service Employees International Union and Community Change Action.

Community Change Action is a group advocating for “low-income people, especially low-income people of color,” according to the organization’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://communitychange.org/about/">website</a>. Members of the coalition also spent the day lobbying lawmakers in a call for action on child care funding.

Other Democrats showing support at the press conference included U.S. Reps. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, Lois Frankel of Florida, Sara Jacobs of California and Joaquin Castro of Texas.

With pandemic-era American Rescue Plan funds expiring, the White&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2023/11/02/state-breakdown-the-biden-harris-administrations-funding-request-would-help-prevent-families-across-the-country-from-losing-child-care/">requested</a>&nbsp;that Congress pass $16 billion in supplemental funds to help continue support for child care providers.

This funding would “support more than 220,000 child care providers across the country that serve a total of more than 10 million kids,” according to a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2023/11/02/state-breakdown-the-biden-harris-administrations-funding-request-would-help-prevent-families-across-the-country-from-losing-child-care/">November White House press release</a>.

Jeffries said House Democrats will do “whatever it takes” to support child care providers. He said Democrats will “stand strongly and fight” for “the entire amount of funding.”

“We are going to continue to show up, we are going to continue to stand up, we are going to continue to speak up,” Jeffries said, “until we are able to secure here in the Congress $16 billion in funding necessary to allow the child care system to continue to function in a dignified fashion.”

Clark said that without this supplemental funding, “workers will be laid off, kids will lose their classrooms and parents will have nowhere to turn.”

DeLauro said many families are “accepting lower household income and a lower standard of living in order to stay home and take care of their children.”

Bonamici called for a bipartisan effort to pass the Biden administration’s supplemental child care funding request.

“We must work together and save childcare because care can’t wait,” Bonamici said.

BriTanya Brown, a Community Change Action member and child care provider from Texas, said she struggled to afford child care for her own children.

“I couldn’t afford to put my children in care,” Brown said. “There were no care options available.”

Brown said her limited options for child care are because of a teacher shortage. Many teachers “do not have rising wages to support their own families,” Brown said.

Brown said it is important for children to have “an equal opportunity for the highest education.”

Maria Angelica Vargas, a child care provider from California and SEIU member, said families struggle to get the “affordable child care they need.”

“Let’s make sure families have access to affordable, high quality child care by investing in our child care systems through additional emergency funding,” Vargas said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701974598676.png" alt="U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks to advocates Dec. 6, 2023, outside the U.S. Capitol about $16 billion in child care funding requested by the Biden administration. (Samantha Dietel/States Newsroom)" />
 <figcaption>U.S. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks to advocates Dec. 6, 2023, outside the U.S. Capitol about $16 billion in child care funding requested by the Biden administration. (Samantha Dietel/States Newsroom)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/samantha-dietel/">SAMANTHA DIETEL</a><a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/09/21/kansas-board-of-regents-sculpts-plan-for-boosting-state-aid-to-public-higher-education/?emci=78717300-c858-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;emdi=fc107f78-2659-ee11-9937-00224832eb73&amp;ceid=115039">Kansas Reflector</a>WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democratic leaders on Wednesday called on Congress to pass President Joe Biden’s $16 billion supplemental child care funding request.House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York and Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts gathered with child care activists and other House Democrats at a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol.Child care providers with the Care Can’t Wait coalition discussed their support for the Biden administration’s supplemental funding request, which has not been acted upon yet in Congress.The Care Can’t Wait coalition includes organizations such as the Service Employees International Union and Community Change Action.Community Change Action is a group advocating for “low-income people, especially low-income people of color,” according to the organization’s&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://communitychange.org/about/">website</a>. Members of the coalition also spent the day lobbying lawmakers in a call for action on child care funding.Other Democrats showing support at the press conference included U.S. Reps. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, Lois Frankel of Florida, Sara Jacobs of California and Joaquin Castro of Texas.<h2>Other funding running out</h2>With pandemic-era American Rescue Plan funds expiring, the White&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2023/11/02/state-breakdown-the-biden-harris-administrations-funding-request-would-help-prevent-families-across-the-country-from-losing-child-care/">requested</a>&nbsp;that Congress pass $16 billion in supplemental funds to help continue support for child care providers.This funding would “support more than 220,000 child care providers across the country that serve a total of more than 10 million kids,” according to a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/briefing-room/2023/11/02/state-breakdown-the-biden-harris-administrations-funding-request-would-help-prevent-families-across-the-country-from-losing-child-care/">November White House press release</a>.Jeffries said House Democrats will do “whatever it takes” to support child care providers. He said Democrats will “stand strongly and fight” for “the entire amount of funding.”“We are going to continue to show up, we are going to continue to stand up, we are going to continue to speak up,” Jeffries said, “until we are able to secure here in the Congress $16 billion in funding necessary to allow the child care system to continue to function in a dignified fashion.”Clark said that without this supplemental funding, “workers will be laid off, kids will lose their classrooms and parents will have nowhere to turn.”DeLauro said many families are “accepting lower household income and a lower standard of living in order to stay home and take care of their children.”Bonamici called for a bipartisan effort to pass the Biden administration’s supplemental child care funding request.“We must work together and save childcare because care can’t wait,” Bonamici said.<h2>Struggling to afford care</h2>BriTanya Brown, a Community Change Action member and child care provider from Texas, said she struggled to afford child care for her own children.“I couldn’t afford to put my children in care,” Brown said. “There were no care options available.”Brown said her limited options for child care are because of a teacher shortage. Many teachers “do not have rising wages to support their own families,” Brown said.Brown said it is important for children to have “an equal opportunity for the highest education.”Maria Angelica Vargas, a child care provider from California and SEIU member, said families struggle to get the “affordable child care they need.”“Let’s make sure families have access to affordable, high quality child care by investing in our child care systems through additional emergency funding,” Vargas said.

U.S. House Democrats and advocates push for additional federal child care funding

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Terrified students and professors cowered in classrooms and dorms as a gunman roamed the floors of a University of Nevada, Las Vegas building,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campus-shooting-las-vegas-unlv-55ca455e2d00f1126cc1dbf4cc29139e">killing three people</a>&nbsp;and critically wounding a fourth before dying in a shootout with police.

The gunman in Wednesday's shooting was a professor who had unsuccessfully sought a job at the school, a law enforcement official with direct knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press. He previously worked at East Carolina University in North Carolina, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to release the information publicly.

Another law enforcement official identified the suspect as Anthony Polito, 67. Investigators searched an apartment in Henderson, Nevada, late Wednesday as part of the investigation and retrieved several electronic devices, including Polito’s cellphone, the official said. The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.

The attack terrified a city that experienced the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history in October 2017, when a gunman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-texas-las-vegas-gun-politics-mass-shooting-176e1d7f0a020063b99e154beedcc429">killed 60 people and wounded more than 400</a>&nbsp;after opening fire from the window of a room at Mandalay Bay casino on the Las Vegas Strip a couple of miles from the UNLV campus.

Lessons learned from that shooting helped authorities to work “seamlessly” in reacting to the UNLV attack, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at a news conference.

The gunman opened fire about 11:45 a.m. Wednesday on the fourth floor of the building that houses UNLV’s Lee Business School and then went to several other floors before he was killed in a shootout with two university police detectives outside the building, UNLV Police Chief Adam Garcia said.

Authorities gave the all-clear about 40 minutes after the first report of an active shooter.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many of the school's 30,000 students were on campus at the time, but McMahill said students had been gathered outside the building to eat and play games. If police hadn’t killed the attacker, “it could have been countless additional lives taken,” he said.

“No student should have to fear pursuing their dreams on a college campus,” the sheriff said.

Police didn’t immediately identify the victims, or the attacker's motive. They also didn't say what kind of weapon was used, although some witnesses reported hearing as many as 20 shots fired.

UNLV professor Kevaney Martin took cover under a desk in her classroom, where another faculty member and three students took shelter with her.

“It was terrifying. I can’t even begin to explain,” Martin said. “I was trying to hold it together for my students, and trying not to cry, but the emotions are something I never want to experience again.”

Martin said she was texting friends and loved ones, hoping to receive word a suspect had been detained. When another professor came to the room and told everyone to evacuate, they joined dozens of others rushing out of the building. Martin had her students pile into her car and drove them off campus.

“Once we got away from UNLV, we parked and sat in silence,” she said. “Nobody said a word. We were in utter shock.”

Selena Guevara said she got a phone call from her daughter, Markie Montoya, who was in class in the building and heard “gunshots, screaming and yelling” but wasn’t hurt.

“She’s hysterical, telling me ‘I love you’ and so scared,” Guevara said.

Another student, Jordan Eckermann, 25, said he was in his business law class in a second-floor classroom when he heard a loud bang and a piercing alarm went off, sending students to their feet. Some ran from the room in panic while others heeded their professor’s instructions to stay calm, Eckermann said.

He walked out and locked eyes with a law enforcement officer in a bulletproof vest holding a long gun. Clothing, backpacks and water bottles lay scattered on the floor.

Eckerman said he mouthed to the officer, “Where do I go?”

Minutes later, when he was outside, Eckermann said he heard bursts of gunshots, totaling at least 20 rounds. The air smelled of gunpowder. He said he kept walking away from campus, even though he didn’t know where to go.

Classes were canceled through Friday at the university, and UNLV’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unlv-shooting-d8b15dd0d408b0a248e918dea1434915">basketball game</a>&nbsp;at the University of Dayton, Ohio, was canceled Wednesday night because of the shootings.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701896546196.png" alt="--A glass door to the Student Union at UNLV is damaged from apparent gunfire. photo courtesy KSNV TV" />
 <figcaption>--A glass door to the Student Union at UNLV is damaged from apparent gunfire. photo courtesy KSNV TV</figcaption>
 </figure>LAS VEGAS (AP) — Terrified students and professors cowered in classrooms and dorms as a gunman roamed the floors of a University of Nevada, Las Vegas building,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/campus-shooting-las-vegas-unlv-55ca455e2d00f1126cc1dbf4cc29139e">killing three people</a>&nbsp;and critically wounding a fourth before dying in a shootout with police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701975657898.png" alt="Polito from his Linkedin profile" />
 <figcaption>Polito from his Linkedin profile</figcaption>
 </figure>The gunman in Wednesday's shooting was a professor who had unsuccessfully sought a job at the school, a law enforcement official with direct knowledge of the investigation told The Associated Press. He previously worked at East Carolina University in North Carolina, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to release the information publicly.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">UPDATE: Only Beam Hall (BEH) remains inaccessible while the police investigation is completed. All other buildings can be accessed via <a href="https://twitter.com/UPDSouth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UPDSouth</a> for anyone who needs to come to campus to gather essential belongings only (such as medicine, keys, etc.) <a href="https://t.co/27WF6p3wt4">https://t.co/27WF6p3wt4</a>&mdash; UNLV (@unlv) <a href="https://twitter.com/unlv/status/1732814166602424453?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 7, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Another law enforcement official identified the suspect as Anthony Polito, 67. Investigators searched an apartment in Henderson, Nevada, late Wednesday as part of the investigation and retrieved several electronic devices, including Polito’s cellphone, the official said. The official was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation and spoke to AP on condition of anonymity.The attack terrified a city that experienced the deadliest shooting in modern U.S. history in October 2017, when a gunman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-texas-las-vegas-gun-politics-mass-shooting-176e1d7f0a020063b99e154beedcc429">killed 60 people and wounded more than 400</a>&nbsp;after opening fire from the window of a room at Mandalay Bay casino on the Las Vegas Strip a couple of miles from the UNLV campus.Lessons learned from that shooting helped authorities to work “seamlessly” in reacting to the UNLV attack, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Sheriff Kevin McMahill said at a news conference.The gunman opened fire about 11:45 a.m. Wednesday on the fourth floor of the building that houses UNLV’s Lee Business School and then went to several other floors before he was killed in a shootout with two university police detectives outside the building, UNLV Police Chief Adam Garcia said.Authorities gave the all-clear about 40 minutes after the first report of an active shooter.It wasn’t immediately clear how many of the school's 30,000 students were on campus at the time, but McMahill said students had been gathered outside the building to eat and play games. If police hadn’t killed the attacker, “it could have been countless additional lives taken,” he said.“No student should have to fear pursuing their dreams on a college campus,” the sheriff said.Police didn’t immediately identify the victims, or the attacker's motive. They also didn't say what kind of weapon was used, although some witnesses reported hearing as many as 20 shots fired.UNLV professor Kevaney Martin took cover under a desk in her classroom, where another faculty member and three students took shelter with her.“It was terrifying. I can’t even begin to explain,” Martin said. “I was trying to hold it together for my students, and trying not to cry, but the emotions are something I never want to experience again.”Martin said she was texting friends and loved ones, hoping to receive word a suspect had been detained. When another professor came to the room and told everyone to evacuate, they joined dozens of others rushing out of the building. Martin had her students pile into her car and drove them off campus.“Once we got away from UNLV, we parked and sat in silence,” she said. “Nobody said a word. We were in utter shock.”Selena Guevara said she got a phone call from her daughter, Markie Montoya, who was in class in the building and heard “gunshots, screaming and yelling” but wasn’t hurt.“She’s hysterical, telling me ‘I love you’ and so scared,” Guevara said.Another student, Jordan Eckermann, 25, said he was in his business law class in a second-floor classroom when he heard a loud bang and a piercing alarm went off, sending students to their feet. Some ran from the room in panic while others heeded their professor’s instructions to stay calm, Eckermann said.He walked out and locked eyes with a law enforcement officer in a bulletproof vest holding a long gun. Clothing, backpacks and water bottles lay scattered on the floor.Eckerman said he mouthed to the officer, “Where do I go?”The officer pointed to an exit.Minutes later, when he was outside, Eckermann said he heard bursts of gunshots, totaling at least 20 rounds. The air smelled of gunpowder. He said he kept walking away from campus, even though he didn’t know where to go.Classes were canceled through Friday at the university, and UNLV’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/unlv-shooting-d8b15dd0d408b0a248e918dea1434915">basketball game</a>&nbsp;at the University of Dayton, Ohio, was canceled Wednesday night because of the shootings.

Police ID professor as shooter who killed 3 at UNLV

SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp;– One of three people involved in the drug-related shooting deaths of two people was sentenced in Sedgwick County District Court Wednesday. 

&nbsp;Judge Chrystal Krier sentenced Jacquelynn Arthur, 31 of Wichita, to 16-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office

In July of 2022, Arthur pled guilty to second degree murder and robbery.

On Dec. 29, 2020, Arthur, Michael Wilking, and Joshua Halstead entered the home of Bradley Reece in south Wichita, demanding to know where drugs and money were.

Reece was later found dead from gunshot wounds in the front yard of a home in the 3900 block of W. Fairhaven.

Wilking’s girlfriend, Kayla Schmidt, was wounded when Reece returned fire. Wilking then shot and killed Reece. Schmidt died later at a hospital.

Last March, Judge Tyler Roush sentenced Michael Wilking to 34 years for the death of&nbsp; Reece, as well as a separate June 2020 robbery in which he pled guilty to kidnapping and aggravated burglary, and an aggravated assault case from 2018.

Co-defendant Joshua Halstead, 36 of Wichita, pled guilty to second degree murder and is scheduled for sentencing January 4, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1609375240647.png" alt="Arthur-photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Arthur-photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY&nbsp;– One of three people involved in the drug-related shooting deaths of two people was sentenced in Sedgwick County District Court Wednesday. &nbsp;Judge Chrystal Krier sentenced Jacquelynn Arthur, 31 of Wichita, to 16-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's officeIn July of 2022, Arthur pled guilty to second degree murder and robbery.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610403967578.png" alt="<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=192023">&nbsp;Michael Wilking,</a>&nbsp;34,&nbsp;was sentenced in March to 34-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. He had plead guilty to second-degree murder." />
 <figcaption><a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=192023">&nbsp;Michael Wilking,</a>&nbsp;34,&nbsp;was sentenced in March to 34-years in prison, according to the Sedgwick County District attorney's office. He had plead guilty to second-degree murder.</figcaption>
 </figure>On Dec. 29, 2020, Arthur, Michael Wilking, and Joshua Halstead entered the home of Bradley Reece in south Wichita, demanding to know where drugs and money were.Reece was later found dead from gunshot wounds in the front yard of a home in the 3900 block of W. Fairhaven.Wilking’s girlfriend, Kayla Schmidt, was wounded when Reece returned fire. Wilking then shot and killed Reece. Schmidt died later at a hospital.Last March, Judge Tyler Roush sentenced Michael Wilking to 34 years for the death of&nbsp; Reece, as well as a separate June 2020 robbery in which he pled guilty to kidnapping and aggravated burglary, and an aggravated assault case from 2018.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/1/1610023320599.png" alt="Halstead-photo Sedggwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Halstead-photo Sedggwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Co-defendant Joshua Halstead, 36 of Wichita, pled guilty to second degree murder and is scheduled for sentencing January 4, according to the district attorney's office.

Kansas woman sentenced for role in double-murder

WASHINGTON (AP) — House members voted again Thursday to punish one of their own, targeting Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-fire-alarm-jamaal-bowman-house-bc9c1cca01fa918999621e0f7eb27165">triggering a fire alarm in one of the U.S. Capitol office buildings</a>&nbsp;when the chamber was in session.

The Republican censure resolution passed with some Democratic votes, but most Democrats stood by Bowman in opposition of an effort they said lacked credibility and integrity. The prominent progressive now becomes the third Democratic House member to be admonished this year through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/impeachment-house-censure-schiff-biden-boebert-70a2206fc0c543a307fc3ec63d5287e9">the censure process</a>, which is a punishment one step below expulsion from the House.

“It’s painfully obvious to myself, my colleagues and the American people that the Republican Party is deeply unserious and unable to legislate,” Bowman said Wednesday as he defended himself during floor debate. “Their censure resolution against me today continues to demonstrate their inability to govern and serve the American people.”

The 214-191 vote to censure Bowman caps nearly a year of chaos and retribution in the House of Representatives. Since January, the chamber has seen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ilhan-omar-house-foreign-affairs-committee-ee2ae3fd86b895c5b078d8bf576c3360#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Republican,GOP%20lawmakers%20over%20incendiary%20remarks.">the removal of a member from a committee assignment</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555">the first ouster of a speaker</a>&nbsp;in history and, just last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-expulsion-vote-ethics-investigation-fd0f1524065883c6b2fe3e6f9afd84db">the expulsion of a lawmaker</a>&nbsp;for only the third time since the Civil War.

Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., who introduced the censure resolution, defended it, claiming Bowman pulled the alarm in September to “cause chaos and the stop the House from doing its business" as lawmakers scrambled to pass&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-congress-republicans-732baaa19c91f981e492fd0e6a76aba8">a bill to fund the government</a>&nbsp;before a shutdown deadline.

“It is reprehensible that a Member of Congress would go to such lengths to prevent House Republicans from bringing forth a vote to keep the government operating and Americans receiving their paychecks," McClain said in a statement.

Bowman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bowman-fire-alarm-house-shutdown-vote-misdemeanor-c32d97c1d86f2f1769596613d29678f3">pleaded guilty in October to a misdemeanor count</a>&nbsp;for the incident, which took place in the Cannon House Office Building. He agreed to pay a $1,000 fine and serve three months of probation, after which the false fire alarm charge is expected to be dismissed from his record under an agreement with prosecutors.

The fire alarm prompted a buildingwide evacuation when the House was in session and staffers were working in the building. The building was reopened an hour later after Capitol police determined there was no threat.

Bowman apologized and said that at the time he was trying to get through a door that was usually open but was closed that day because it was the weekend.

Many progressive Democrats, who spoke in his defense, called the Republican effort to censure him “unserious," and they questioned why the party decided to target one of the few Black men in the chamber and among the first to ever represent his district.

“This censure is just the latest in this chamber’s racist history of telling Black men that they don’t belong in Congress,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass.

The vote is the latest example of how the chamber has begun to deploy punishments like censure,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/impeachment-house-censure-schiff-biden-boebert-70a2206fc0c543a307fc3ec63d5287e9">long viewed as a punishment of last resort</a>, routinely and often in strikingly partisan ways.

“Under Republican control, this chamber has become a place where trivial issues get debated passionately and important ones not at all," Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said during floor debate. “Republicans have focused more on censuring people in this Congress than passing bills that help people we represent or improving this country in any way.”

While the censure of a lawmaker carries no practical effect, it amounts to severe reproach from colleagues, as lawmakers who are censured are usually asked to stand in the well of the House as the censure resolution against them is read aloud.

Bowman is now the 27th person to be censured by the chamber — and the third just this year. Last month, Republicans voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-house-censure-resolution-tlaib-8085189047a4c40f2d44ada4604aa076">censure Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan</a>&nbsp;in an extraordinary rebuke of her rhetoric about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696253301965.png" alt="-Rep. Jamal Bowman pulling the alarm photo U.S. Capitol Police" />
 <figcaption>-Rep. Jamal Bowman pulling the alarm photo U.S. Capitol Police</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — House members voted again Thursday to punish one of their own, targeting Democratic Rep. Jamaal Bowman for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-fire-alarm-jamaal-bowman-house-bc9c1cca01fa918999621e0f7eb27165">triggering a fire alarm in one of the U.S. Capitol office buildings</a>&nbsp;when the chamber was in session.The Republican censure resolution passed with some Democratic votes, but most Democrats stood by Bowman in opposition of an effort they said lacked credibility and integrity. The prominent progressive now becomes the third Democratic House member to be admonished this year through&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/impeachment-house-censure-schiff-biden-boebert-70a2206fc0c543a307fc3ec63d5287e9">the censure process</a>, which is a punishment one step below expulsion from the House.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Headed back home this morning. Wonder if I need to pull this red alarm thingy to get out the Russell Senate Office building…? <a href="https://t.co/9d7gKTABsJ">pic.twitter.com/9d7gKTABsJ</a>&mdash; Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) <a href="https://twitter.com/Eric_Schmitt/status/1708463092080705986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“It’s painfully obvious to myself, my colleagues and the American people that the Republican Party is deeply unserious and unable to legislate,” Bowman said Wednesday as he defended himself during floor debate. “Their censure resolution against me today continues to demonstrate their inability to govern and serve the American people.”The 214-191 vote to censure Bowman caps nearly a year of chaos and retribution in the House of Representatives. Since January, the chamber has seen&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ilhan-omar-house-foreign-affairs-committee-ee2ae3fd86b895c5b078d8bf576c3360#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Republican,GOP%20lawmakers%20over%20incendiary%20remarks.">the removal of a member from a committee assignment</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-gaetz-speaker-motion-to-vacate-congress-327e294a39f8de079ef5e4abfb1fa555">the first ouster of a speaker</a>&nbsp;in history and, just last week,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/george-santos-expulsion-vote-ethics-investigation-fd0f1524065883c6b2fe3e6f9afd84db">the expulsion of a lawmaker</a>&nbsp;for only the third time since the Civil War.Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., who introduced the censure resolution, defended it, claiming Bowman pulled the alarm in September to “cause chaos and the stop the House from doing its business" as lawmakers scrambled to pass&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-mccarthy-congress-republicans-732baaa19c91f981e492fd0e6a76aba8">a bill to fund the government</a>&nbsp;before a shutdown deadline.“It is reprehensible that a Member of Congress would go to such lengths to prevent House Republicans from bringing forth a vote to keep the government operating and Americans receiving their paychecks," McClain said in a statement.Bowman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/bowman-fire-alarm-house-shutdown-vote-misdemeanor-c32d97c1d86f2f1769596613d29678f3">pleaded guilty in October to a misdemeanor count</a>&nbsp;for the incident, which took place in the Cannon House Office Building. He agreed to pay a $1,000 fine and serve three months of probation, after which the false fire alarm charge is expected to be dismissed from his record under an agreement with prosecutors.The fire alarm prompted a buildingwide evacuation when the House was in session and staffers were working in the building. The building was reopened an hour later after Capitol police determined there was no threat.Bowman apologized and said that at the time he was trying to get through a door that was usually open but was closed that day because it was the weekend.Many progressive Democrats, who spoke in his defense, called the Republican effort to censure him “unserious," and they questioned why the party decided to target one of the few Black men in the chamber and among the first to ever represent his district.“This censure is just the latest in this chamber’s racist history of telling Black men that they don’t belong in Congress,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass.The vote is the latest example of how the chamber has begun to deploy punishments like censure,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/impeachment-house-censure-schiff-biden-boebert-70a2206fc0c543a307fc3ec63d5287e9">long viewed as a punishment of last resort</a>, routinely and often in strikingly partisan ways.“Under Republican control, this chamber has become a place where trivial issues get debated passionately and important ones not at all," Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said during floor debate. “Republicans have focused more on censuring people in this Congress than passing bills that help people we represent or improving this country in any way.”While the censure of a lawmaker carries no practical effect, it amounts to severe reproach from colleagues, as lawmakers who are censured are usually asked to stand in the well of the House as the censure resolution against them is read aloud.Bowman is now the 27th person to be censured by the chamber — and the third just this year. Last month, Republicans voted to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-house-censure-resolution-tlaib-8085189047a4c40f2d44ada4604aa076">censure Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan</a>&nbsp;in an extraordinary rebuke of her rhetoric about the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Israel-Hamas war</a>.

House votes to censure Rep. for pulling a fire alarm in Capitol building

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just before noon Wednesday in Shawnee County.

A vehicle driven by 82-year-old Henry Profitt, 82, Topeka, was eastbound on SE 93rd Street and left the road just east of SE California Avenue, according to Shawnee County Sheriff's LT Scott Wanamaker.

Profitt and a passenger identified as 71-year-old&nbsp; Carol Beaver of Topeka were pronounced dead at the scene.

As a result of the crash, SE 93rd street was shut down at SE 93rd/Berryton and at SE 93rd/California for several hours. The accident remains under investigation, according to Wanamaker.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701897880118.png" alt="First responders near the scene of the crash photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>First responders near the scene of the crash photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Two people died in an accident just before noon Wednesday in Shawnee County.A vehicle driven by 82-year-old Henry Profitt, 82, Topeka, was eastbound on SE 93rd Street and left the road just east of SE California Avenue, according to Shawnee County Sheriff's LT Scott Wanamaker.Profitt and a passenger identified as 71-year-old&nbsp; Carol Beaver of Topeka were pronounced dead at the scene.As a result of the crash, SE 93rd street was shut down at SE 93rd/Berryton and at SE 93rd/California for several hours. The accident remains under investigation, according to Wanamaker.

Kansas man, woman dead after single-vehicle crash

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

TOPEKA — The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct has dismissed a complaint against magistrate Laura Viar for signing a search warrant that allowed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/11/06/kansas-officials-downplayed-involvement-in-marion-raid-heres-what-they-knew/">police to raid the Marion County Record</a>.

The search warrant appeared to violate federal law protecting journalists from police raids, and was based on the pretense that a journalist committed a crime by accessing public records in an online database.

Topeka resident Keri Strahler on Aug. 16 filed a formal complaint with the judicial panel, which has the authority to investigate allegations of misconduct. Her complaint noted legal protections for journalists and a prosecutor’s finding that the evidence in the case didn’t support the search warrants.

District Judge Bradley Ambrosier, vice president of the panel that considered the complaint, notified Strahler of the commission’s decision in a letter dated Wednesday. The letter, obtained by Kansas Reflector, says the commission dismissed the complaint after meeting behind closed doors Nov. 8.

In the letter, Ambrosier said the “facts and circumstances were not sufficient to conclude the issuance of the warrant crossed the line of incompetence.”

“This is not to say that the commission agrees that the issuance of the search warrant in this instance was reasonable or legally appropriate,” Ambrosier wrote in the letter. “The commission … issued informal advice to Judge Viar to take sufficient time to review all documents and research appropriate federal and state laws before issuing a search warrant.”

In addition to Ambrosier, the panel members who dismissed the complaint include District Judge Nicholas M. St. Peter, Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Thomas Malone, Wichita attorney Diane Sorensen, and Sister Rosemary Kolich of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth.

“I’m deeply concerned there is little consequence given to a seemingly flagrant abuse of our most cherished First Amendment in the circumvention of state and federal law to search a small town newspaper,” Strahler said.

Police raided the Marion County Record newsroom Aug. 11, as well as the publisher’s home and the home of a city councilwoman, after Viar signed search warrants alleging identity theft. The raid attracted international attention and widespread scrutiny.

City police, in coordination with the county sheriff’s office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas Department of Revenue, ostensibly were investigating whether a reporter had broken the law by researching the driving record of a restaurateur who was seeking a liquor license. The reporter verified that the restaurateur had a DUI and had been driving without a license.

Department of Revenue staff initially told police the reporter had accessed private information through the agency’s online database, but they later acknowledged the information was public record. The KBI assisted with the investigation and knew the raid was imminent. An investigator with the Fire Marshal’s Office participated in the raid.

Police took computers and reporters’ personal cell phones during the raid, and reviewed documents that revealed confidential sources for stories unrelated to investigation.

Congress adopted the Privacy Protection Act to address concerns about police weaponizing search warrants against journalists. The federal law requires criminal investigators to get a subpoena instead of a search warrant.

“The commission’s indication that one or more of its members believed signing the search warrant was neither ‘reasonable’ nor ‘legally appropriate’ serves as a reminder that district court and magistrate judges must consider all relevant laws, both state and federal, when determining whether to sign a search warrant,” said Max Kautsch, president of the Kansas Coalition for Open Government. “In this instance, the federal Privacy Protection Act required the issuance of subpoenas before search warrants. Had that law been considered, perhaps the wide-ranging consequences of the searches here could have been avoided.”

The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct’s handling of complaints is shrouded in secrecy. Commission meetings are not open to the public, and the reasons for dismissing a complaint are kept confidential.

Jared McClain, an attorney for the Institute for Justice, said the commission’s decision isn’t a surprise.

“Judges almost never face any consequences when they violate someone’s rights — even when their most obvious errors have tragic results,” McClain said. “That’s why doctrines like judicial immunity are so pernicious. Immunity doctrines take away the one tool that victims have to hold government officials accountable.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701952969423.png" alt="Copies of the Aug. 16 edition of the Marion County Record rest on a countertop in the newspaper office. Staffers pulled an all-nighter to get the newspaper out after their equipment was seized by law enforcement. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Copies of the Aug. 16 edition of the Marion County Record rest on a countertop in the newspaper office. Staffers pulled an all-nighter to get the newspaper out after their equipment was seized by law enforcement. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY SHERMAN SMITH&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct has dismissed a complaint against magistrate Laura Viar for signing a search warrant that allowed&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/11/06/kansas-officials-downplayed-involvement-in-marion-raid-heres-what-they-knew/">police to raid the Marion County Record</a>.The search warrant appeared to violate federal law protecting journalists from police raids, and was based on the pretense that a journalist committed a crime by accessing public records in an online database.Topeka resident Keri Strahler on Aug. 16 filed a formal complaint with the judicial panel, which has the authority to investigate allegations of misconduct. Her complaint noted legal protections for journalists and a prosecutor’s finding that the evidence in the case didn’t support the search warrants.District Judge Bradley Ambrosier, vice president of the panel that considered the complaint, notified Strahler of the commission’s decision in a letter dated Wednesday. The letter, obtained by Kansas Reflector, says the commission dismissed the complaint after meeting behind closed doors Nov. 8.In the letter, Ambrosier said the “facts and circumstances were not sufficient to conclude the issuance of the warrant crossed the line of incompetence.”“This is not to say that the commission agrees that the issuance of the search warrant in this instance was reasonable or legally appropriate,” Ambrosier wrote in the letter. “The commission … issued informal advice to Judge Viar to take sufficient time to review all documents and research appropriate federal and state laws before issuing a search warrant.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701952914208.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In addition to Ambrosier, the panel members who dismissed the complaint include District Judge Nicholas M. St. Peter, Kansas Court of Appeals Judge Thomas Malone, Wichita attorney Diane Sorensen, and Sister Rosemary Kolich of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth.“I’m deeply concerned there is little consequence given to a seemingly flagrant abuse of our most cherished First Amendment in the circumvention of state and federal law to search a small town newspaper,” Strahler said.Police raided the Marion County Record newsroom Aug. 11, as well as the publisher’s home and the home of a city councilwoman, after Viar signed search warrants alleging identity theft. The raid attracted international attention and widespread scrutiny.City police, in coordination with the county sheriff’s office, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Kansas Department of Revenue, ostensibly were investigating whether a reporter had broken the law by researching the driving record of a restaurateur who was seeking a liquor license. The reporter verified that the restaurateur had a DUI and had been driving without a license.Department of Revenue staff initially told police the reporter had accessed private information through the agency’s online database, but they later acknowledged the information was public record. The KBI assisted with the investigation and knew the raid was imminent. An investigator with the Fire Marshal’s Office participated in the raid.Police took computers and reporters’ personal cell phones during the raid, and reviewed documents that revealed confidential sources for stories unrelated to investigation.Congress adopted the Privacy Protection Act to address concerns about police weaponizing search warrants against journalists. The federal law requires criminal investigators to get a subpoena instead of a search warrant.“The commission’s indication that one or more of its members believed signing the search warrant was neither ‘reasonable’ nor ‘legally appropriate’ serves as a reminder that district court and magistrate judges must consider all relevant laws, both state and federal, when determining whether to sign a search warrant,” said Max Kautsch, president of the Kansas Coalition for Open Government. “In this instance, the federal Privacy Protection Act required the issuance of subpoenas before search warrants. Had that law been considered, perhaps the wide-ranging consequences of the searches here could have been avoided.”The Kansas Commission on Judicial Conduct’s handling of complaints is shrouded in secrecy. Commission meetings are not open to the public, and the reasons for dismissing a complaint are kept confidential.Jared McClain, an attorney for the Institute for Justice, said the commission’s decision isn’t a surprise.“Judges almost never face any consequences when they violate someone’s rights — even when their most obvious errors have tragic results,” McClain said. “That’s why doctrines like judicial immunity are so pernicious. Immunity doctrines take away the one tool that victims have to hold government officials accountable.”

Kan. disciplinary panel dismisses complaint against judge who authorized newspaper raid

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1:30a.m. Thursday in Montgomery County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 International semi driven by&nbsp; Jerald L.&nbsp;Bolia, 64, Newkirk, Oklahoma, was eastbound on U.S. 166 and failed to navigate the curve at&nbsp; U.S. 75 junction.&nbsp; The vehicle overturned.

Bolia was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Forensics Midwest.&nbsp; He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —One person died in an accident just after 1:30a.m. Thursday in Montgomery County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2021 International semi driven by&nbsp; Jerald L.&nbsp;Bolia, 64, Newkirk, Oklahoma, was eastbound on U.S. 166 and failed to navigate the curve at&nbsp; U.S. 75 junction.&nbsp; The vehicle overturned.Bolia was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Frontier Forensics Midwest.&nbsp; He was properly restrained, according to the KHP.

Man dies after semi overturns on Kansas highway

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are seeking information on the whereabouts of 3 wanted suspects who have been indicted as a part of a conspiracy to distribute $7.9 million in fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

 All three were last seen in Kansas City, but have strong ties to the Chicago, Illinois area.

Zamewick McCray aka "Buck" is described as a black male, 31 years old, approximately 5-foot-7 and 130 pounds.

Devion Miles aka "Rooster, Ru, Ruben, GuRu” is described as a black male, 28 years old, approximately 5-foot-7 and 130 pounds.

Jermon McCray aka "Crowe" is described as a black male, 29 years old, approximately 5-foot-7 and 130 pounds.

All three fugitives should be considered armed and dangerous. Members of the public are cautioned not to confront any of these individuals, but to contact law enforcement immediately.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Zamewick McCray, Devion Miles or Jermon McCray should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers at 816-474-TIPS or report a TIP online at <a href="https://t.co/ZFyNY84nVy" target="_blank">https://tips.fbi.gov</a>.

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities are seeking information on the whereabouts of 3 wanted suspects who have been indicted as a part of a conspiracy to distribute $7.9 million in fentanyl and methamphetamine, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. All three were last seen in Kansas City, but have strong ties to the Chicago, Illinois area.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701916797059.png" alt="McCray-photo FBI" />
 <figcaption>McCray-photo FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>Zamewick McCray aka "Buck" is described as a black male, 31 years old, approximately 5-foot-7 and 130 pounds.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701916837725.png" alt="Miles-photo FBI" />
 <figcaption>Miles-photo FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>Devion Miles aka "Rooster, Ru, Ruben, GuRu” is described as a black male, 28 years old, approximately 5-foot-7 and 130 pounds.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701916928068.png" alt="Jermon McCray-photo FBI" />
 <figcaption>Jermon McCray-photo FBI</figcaption>
 </figure>Jermon McCray aka "Crowe" is described as a black male, 29 years old, approximately 5-foot-7 and 130 pounds.All three fugitives should be considered armed and dangerous. Members of the public are cautioned not to confront any of these individuals, but to contact law enforcement immediately.Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Zamewick McCray, Devion Miles or Jermon McCray should contact the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers at 816-474-TIPS or report a TIP online at <a href="https://t.co/ZFyNY84nVy" target="_blank">https://tips.fbi.gov</a>.

FBI: 3 accused in fentanyl distribution ring last seen in KC

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Four Republican presidential candidates were given several opportunities Wednesday to criticize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">former President Donald Trump</a>, who was absent from the debate again. But they mostly targeted each other, with former United Nations Ambassador&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley</a>&nbsp;taking the brunt of the attacks as she gets more interest from donors and voters.

With just over a month before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">2024 primary calendar</a>&nbsp;begins, the debate demonstrated how firm Trump's grip remains on the party.

But the focus on Haley reflected how other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haley-desantis-trump-alternative-republican-donors-president-8cb080d3f236f77347d592200041c3b2">candidates perceive her as a threat</a>&nbsp;to their chances of taking on Trump directly. Aside from former New Jersey Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/chris-christie">Chris Christie</a>, most the candidates have spent more time in debates going after each other than taking aim at Trump, reflecting the former president’s popularity among Republicans and what many see as diminishing returns in attacking him.

The last scheduled debate before Iowa's GOP caucuses on Jan. 15 may have limited impact on the race, airing on a lesser-known television network, NewsNation, from a state Republican presidential candidates have carried since 1980.

Trump remains dominant in national and early-state polls. And after holding counterprogramming rallies during the first three debates, he didn't bother this time and instead went to a closed-door fundraiser. His campaign posted an ad during the debate focusing on President Joe Biden as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-trump-biden-rematch-labor-day-c84d0905fd5d238e088618c5ed41c2e7">both parties head toward a potential rematch</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election Trump lost.

Christie repeatedly tore into Trump on Wednesday and challenged Florida Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">Ron DeSantis</a>&nbsp;to answer directly if he believed Trump was fit or unfit to be president again. The crowd at the University of Alabama booed him at one point as he attacked Trump.

“His conduct is unacceptable. He’s unfit. And be careful of what you’re going to get,” warned Christie, who has been alone among leading Republicans in his focus on the race's clear front-runner.

“There is no bigger issue in this race than Donald Trump,” he said earlier.

DeSantis suggested Trump, who is 77, is too old for the job.

“Over a four-year period, it is not a job for someone that’s pushing 80,” DeSantis said. “We need someone who’s younger.”

Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy again raised his hand as a candidate who would support Trump even if he were convicted in any of the four felony indictments he faces. Ramaswamy accused his other opponents of bowing to Trump for years to secure political posts or financial gain, but the closest the 38-year-old ever came to criticizing Trump was to call for a new generation of leadership.

Haley stood silently during the extended discussion, and neither the moderators nor her rivals asked for her opinion.

The debate's brief focus on Trump was a reprieve for Haley, who spent most of the debate on the defensive.

DeSantis accused Haley of backing down from media criticism and Ramaswamy suggested she was too close to corporate interests as she gets new attention from donors. He touted his own willingness to pick high-profile fights with his critics and went after Haley just moments into the debate, reflecting the rivalry between the two candidates reflected in dueling early-state television ads.

They also tussled over China, long an animating issue for conservatives worried about Beijing’s influence. Later in the debate, Haley credited Trump for taking a hard line with Beijing on trade but said he was too passive on other fronts, including allowing China to capture American technology for its own military use and purchase American farmland.

Interrupting Haley, DeSantis accused her of allowing Chinese investment in South Carolina when she was governor and suggested her corporate donors would never allow her to be tough on Beijing.

“First of all, he’s mad because those Wall Street donors used to support him and now they support me,” Haley retorted before accusing DeSantis of being soft on Chinese investment in Florida.

Ramaswamy, always the most eager to deliver personal barbs on the debate stage, turned a foreign policy discussion into another attack on Haley, seemingly trolling her to name provinces in Ukraine and suggesting she does not understand the country. As he kept piling on, Christie stepped in to declare Haley “a smart, accomplished woman” and dismiss Ramaswamy as “the most obnoxious blowhard in America.”

With Trump absent, the atmosphere around the debate lacked some of the buzz sometimes associated with such affairs, especially in ostensibly open primaries. Less than two hours to go before the opening salvo, the media room, which is normally the practice hall for the University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band, was barely half full. The television and radio platforms around the periphery -- the spin room, in debate parlance -- were noticeably quiet, lacking the high-profile surrogates or campaign staffers who might normally be appearing live on cable news or talk radio to pitch on their candidates’ behalf.

Outside Moody Music Hall on campus, more buzz came from state high school football championship games being played in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The debate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-debate-channel-time-livestream-2024-2c2e70ffe9017719a83483199493aa2c">may have been hard to find for many prospective viewers</a>. It aired on NewsNation, a cable network&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-kelly-debate-newsnation-9e93b815985f5e47b91a682bc3617cdf">still trying to build</a>&nbsp;its audience after taking over WGN America three years ago. NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas moderated alongside Megyn Kelly, a former Fox News anchor who now hosts a popular podcast, and Eliana Johnson of the conservative news site Washington Free Beacon.

The field of invited candidates has shrunk in half since eight were on the stage at the first debate in Milwaukee in August, as the Republican National Committee tightened the criteria to reach the stage each time. For Tuesday, candidates had to get at least 6% in multiple polls and amass 80,000 unique donors.

Former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-2024-president-campaign-republican-trump-0ec44fc2a5b8683f34883e0ea72b2ab2">Mike Pence</a>, South Carolina Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-scott-drops-out-2024-race-b9cc8fbeba57a123789d8d0484164e38">Tim Scott</a>&nbsp;and North Dakota Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doug-burgum-republican-presidential-campaign-north-dakota-88d7335748c5c936a328dae96fef780e">Doug Burgum</a>&nbsp;have all dropped out of the race after participating in at least one debate. Former Arkansas Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/asa-hutchinson">Asa Hutchinson</a>&nbsp;is continuing his campaign but failed to qualify.

The debate setting in Alabama was another reminder of Trump’s strong position — and how he outpaced an even larger Republican field when he first ran and won in 2016. Trump swept Southern primaries from Virginia to Arkansas and Louisiana in his first campaign.

He further demonstrated his hold this week with an endorsement from Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, who ascended in Republican politics from the party’s establishment wing but chose the debate in her home state as the right time to align herself with the former president.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/12/1701917375349.png" alt="-With just over a month before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">2024 primary calendar</a>&nbsp;begins, the debate demonstrated how firm Trump's grip remains on the party.-photo courtesy Team Haley" />
 <figcaption>-With just over a month before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">2024 primary calendar</a>&nbsp;begins, the debate demonstrated how firm Trump's grip remains on the party.-photo courtesy Team Haley</figcaption>
 </figure>TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Four Republican presidential candidates were given several opportunities Wednesday to criticize&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">former President Donald Trump</a>, who was absent from the debate again. But they mostly targeted each other, with former United Nations Ambassador&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/nikki-haley">Nikki Haley</a>&nbsp;taking the brunt of the attacks as she gets more interest from donors and voters.With just over a month before the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/election-2024">2024 primary calendar</a>&nbsp;begins, the debate demonstrated how firm Trump's grip remains on the party.But the focus on Haley reflected how other&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/haley-desantis-trump-alternative-republican-donors-president-8cb080d3f236f77347d592200041c3b2">candidates perceive her as a threat</a>&nbsp;to their chances of taking on Trump directly. Aside from former New Jersey Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/chris-christie">Chris Christie</a>, most the candidates have spent more time in debates going after each other than taking aim at Trump, reflecting the former president’s popularity among Republicans and what many see as diminishing returns in attacking him.The last scheduled debate before Iowa's GOP caucuses on Jan. 15 may have limited impact on the race, airing on a lesser-known television network, NewsNation, from a state Republican presidential candidates have carried since 1980.Trump remains dominant in national and early-state polls. And after holding counterprogramming rallies during the first three debates, he didn't bother this time and instead went to a closed-door fundraiser. His campaign posted an ad during the debate focusing on President Joe Biden as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-2024-trump-biden-rematch-labor-day-c84d0905fd5d238e088618c5ed41c2e7">both parties head toward a potential rematch</a>&nbsp;of the 2020 election Trump lost.Christie repeatedly tore into Trump on Wednesday and challenged Florida Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">Ron DeSantis</a>&nbsp;to answer directly if he believed Trump was fit or unfit to be president again. The crowd at the University of Alabama booed him at one point as he attacked Trump.“His conduct is unacceptable. He’s unfit. And be careful of what you’re going to get,” warned Christie, who has been alone among leading Republicans in his focus on the race's clear front-runner.“There is no bigger issue in this race than Donald Trump,” he said earlier.DeSantis suggested Trump, who is 77, is too old for the job.“Over a four-year period, it is not a job for someone that’s pushing 80,” DeSantis said. “We need someone who’s younger.”Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy again raised his hand as a candidate who would support Trump even if he were convicted in any of the four felony indictments he faces. Ramaswamy accused his other opponents of bowing to Trump for years to secure political posts or financial gain, but the closest the 38-year-old ever came to criticizing Trump was to call for a new generation of leadership.Haley stood silently during the extended discussion, and neither the moderators nor her rivals asked for her opinion.The debate's brief focus on Trump was a reprieve for Haley, who spent most of the debate on the defensive.DeSantis accused Haley of backing down from media criticism and Ramaswamy suggested she was too close to corporate interests as she gets new attention from donors. He touted his own willingness to pick high-profile fights with his critics and went after Haley just moments into the debate, reflecting the rivalry between the two candidates reflected in dueling early-state television ads.They also tussled over China, long an animating issue for conservatives worried about Beijing’s influence. Later in the debate, Haley credited Trump for taking a hard line with Beijing on trade but said he was too passive on other fronts, including allowing China to capture American technology for its own military use and purchase American farmland.Interrupting Haley, DeSantis accused her of allowing Chinese investment in South Carolina when she was governor and suggested her corporate donors would never allow her to be tough on Beijing.“First of all, he’s mad because those Wall Street donors used to support him and now they support me,” Haley retorted before accusing DeSantis of being soft on Chinese investment in Florida.Ramaswamy, always the most eager to deliver personal barbs on the debate stage, turned a foreign policy discussion into another attack on Haley, seemingly trolling her to name provinces in Ukraine and suggesting she does not understand the country. As he kept piling on, Christie stepped in to declare Haley “a smart, accomplished woman” and dismiss Ramaswamy as “the most obnoxious blowhard in America.”With Trump absent, the atmosphere around the debate lacked some of the buzz sometimes associated with such affairs, especially in ostensibly open primaries. Less than two hours to go before the opening salvo, the media room, which is normally the practice hall for the University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band, was barely half full. The television and radio platforms around the periphery -- the spin room, in debate parlance -- were noticeably quiet, lacking the high-profile surrogates or campaign staffers who might normally be appearing live on cable news or talk radio to pitch on their candidates’ behalf.Outside Moody Music Hall on campus, more buzz came from state high school football championship games being played in Bryant-Denny Stadium.The debate&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-debate-channel-time-livestream-2024-2c2e70ffe9017719a83483199493aa2c">may have been hard to find for many prospective viewers</a>. It aired on NewsNation, a cable network&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/republican-kelly-debate-newsnation-9e93b815985f5e47b91a682bc3617cdf">still trying to build</a>&nbsp;its audience after taking over WGN America three years ago. NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas moderated alongside Megyn Kelly, a former Fox News anchor who now hosts a popular podcast, and Eliana Johnson of the conservative news site Washington Free Beacon.The field of invited candidates has shrunk in half since eight were on the stage at the first debate in Milwaukee in August, as the Republican National Committee tightened the criteria to reach the stage each time. For Tuesday, candidates had to get at least 6% in multiple polls and amass 80,000 unique donors.Former Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mike-pence-2024-president-campaign-republican-trump-0ec44fc2a5b8683f34883e0ea72b2ab2">Mike Pence</a>, South Carolina Sen.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tim-scott-drops-out-2024-race-b9cc8fbeba57a123789d8d0484164e38">Tim Scott</a>&nbsp;and North Dakota Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/doug-burgum-republican-presidential-campaign-north-dakota-88d7335748c5c936a328dae96fef780e">Doug Burgum</a>&nbsp;have all dropped out of the race after participating in at least one debate. Former Arkansas Gov.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/asa-hutchinson">Asa Hutchinson</a>&nbsp;is continuing his campaign but failed to qualify.The debate setting in Alabama was another reminder of Trump’s strong position — and how he outpaced an even larger Republican field when he first ran and won in 2016. Trump swept Southern primaries from Virginia to Arkansas and Louisiana in his first campaign.He further demonstrated his hold this week with an endorsement from Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, who ascended in Republican politics from the party’s establishment wing but chose the debate in her home state as the right time to align herself with the former president.

GOP rivals clash over Trump in final fiery debate of 2023

WYANDOTTE COUNTY — Police have identified the victim in Sunday evenings deadly hit-and-run on Leavenworth Road as 34-year-old Heather Lorenz of Kansas City, Kansas.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY — Police have identified the victim in Sunday evenings deadly hit-and-run on Leavenworth Road as 34-year-old Heather Lorenz of Kansas City, Kansas.Just before 7p.m. Sunday, Lorenz and a man were walking eastbound on Leavenworth Road at N. 55th Street when an eastbound vehicle struck her and did not stop. Lorenz was pronounced deceased on scene. The driver of the vehicle that struck her fled the scene, but later turned himself in to police.Anyone who believes they may have seen the vehicle or has information related to this incident is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). For more information on the KCKPD, please visit our website at <a href="http://kckpd.org/?fbclid=IwAR3-T4548gFaDqhVg54sfWsiZLTv42J94fE9ufgqAz3_UN-ppAG3R-ebRF0" target="_blank">kckpd.org</a>