JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas released 16 hostages late Wednesday in the last swap for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel under the current&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Gaza truce,</a>&nbsp;as international mediators raced to seal another extension to allow further exchanges and prolong the halt of Israel’s air and ground offensive.

The Israeli military said a group of 10 Israeli women and children and four Thai nationals had been freed by Hamas and exited Gaza. Earlier, two Russian-Israeli women were freed by Hamas in a separate release. Israel was set to free 30 Palestinian prisoners in return.

Among the hostages exchanged for the Palestinian prisoners was 49-year-old Liat Atzili, an American-Israeli dual national.

Negotiators were working down to the wire to hammer out details for a further extension of the truce beyond its deadline of early Thursday. The talks appear to be growing tougher as most of the women and children held by Hamas are freed, and the militants are expected to seek greater releases in return for freeing men and soldiers.

International pressure has mounted for the cease-fire to continue as long as possible after nearly eight weeks of Israeli bombardment and a ground campaign in Gaza that has killed thousands of Palestinians, uprooted three quarters of the population of 2.3 million and led to a humanitarian crisis. Israel has welcomed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostage-gaza-freed-israel-captive-408f65fcc1b8f016f3735cd5022163eb">release of dozens of hostages</a>&nbsp;in recent days and says it will maintain the truce if Hamas keeps freeing captives.

Still, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored on Wednesday that Israel will resume its campaign to eliminate Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for 16 years and orchestrated the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">deadly attack on Israel that triggered the war</a>

“After this phase of returning our abductees is exhausted, will Israel return to fighting? So my answer is an unequivocal yes,” he said. “There is no way we are not going back to fighting until the end.”

He spoke ahead of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-nato-ukraine-russia-balkans-blinken-69ecd14aed1962e1283965cc80879234">a visit to the region planned this week</a>&nbsp;by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to press for further extensions of the truce and hostage releases.

In the West Bank, Israeli troops killed two Palestinian boys — an 8-year-old an a 15-year-old — during a raid on the town of Jenin, Palestinian health officials said. Security footage showed a group of boys in the street who start to run, except for one who falls to the ground, bleeding.

The Israeli military said its troops fired on people who threw explosives at them but did not specify it was referring to the boys, who are not seen throwing anything. Separately, the military said its troops killed two Islamic Jihad militants during the raid.

So far, the Israeli onslaught in Gaza seems to have had little effect on Hamas’ rule, evidenced by its ability to conduct complex negotiations, enforce the cease-fire among other armed groups, and orchestrate the release of hostages. Hamas leaders, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-leader-gaza-war-sinwar-7359ae98217aa11aa7c20c2780d5d350">Yehya Sinwar,</a>&nbsp;have likely relocated to the south.

With Israeli troops holding much of northern Gaza, a ground invasion south will likely bring an escalating cost in Palestinian lives and destruction.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-airstrikes-gaza-hamas-war-702f447ff7e52b03476555ec2513008b">Most of Gaza’s population is now crammed into the south.</a>&nbsp;The truce has brought them relief from bombardment, but the days of calm have been taken up in a frenzied rush to obtain supplies to feed their families as aid enters in greater, but still insufficient, amounts.

United States, Israel’s main ally, has shown greater reticence over the impact of the war in Gaza. The Biden administration has told Israel that if it launches an offensive in the south,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-displacement-south-operation-biden-788b05c51b5582b39aeb2466b7825525">it must operate with far greater precision</a>.

The plight of the captives and shock from the Oct. 7 attack have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-palestinians-war-mood-0cebcbcf0550ee08c0d757334f69851d">galvanized Israeli support for the war</a>. But Netanyahu is under pressure to bring the hostages home and could find it difficult to resume the offensive if there’s a prospect for more releases.

Since the initial truce began on Friday, both sides have been releasing women and children in their exchanges. After Friday’s releases, Gaza militants still hold around 20 women, according to Israeli officials. IF the truce continues at the current rate, they would be out in a few days.

After that, keeping the truce going depends on tougher negotiations over the release of around 126 men Israel says are held captive – including several dozen soldiers.

For men — and especially soldiers — Hamas is expected to push for comparable releases of Palestinian men or prominent detainees, a deal Israel may resist.

An Israeli official involved in hostage negotiations said talks on a further extension for release of civilian males and soldiers were still preliminary, and a deal would not be considered until all the women and children are out. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because negotiations were ongoing.

With Wednesday's releases, a total of 73 Israelis, including dual nationals, have been freed during the six-day truce, most of whom&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostage-gaza-freed-israel-captive-408f65fcc1b8f016f3735cd5022163eb">appear physically well but shaken</a>. Another 24 hostages — 23 Thais and one Filipino — have also been released. Before the cease-fire, Hamas released four hostages, and the Israeli army rescued one. Two others were found dead in Gaza.

So far, most of the 180 Palestinians freed from Israeli prisons have been teenagers accused of throwing stones and firebombs during confrontations with Israeli forces. Several were women convicted by Israeli military courts of attempting to attack soldiers.

Palestinians have celebrated the release of people they see as having resisted Israel’s decades-long military occupation of lands they want for a future state.

The war began with Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel, in which it killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The militants kidnapped some 240 people back into Gaza, including babies, children, women, soldiers, older adults and Thai farm laborers.

Israel’s bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza have killed more than 13,300 Palestinians, roughly two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza</a>, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

The toll is likely much higher, as officials have only sporadically updated the count since Nov. 11 due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-health-ministry-gaza-hamas-fe30cbc76479fa437d5f5a0e96c36e52">the breakdown of services in the north</a>. The ministry says thousands more people are missing and feared dead under the rubble.

Israel says 77 of its soldiers have been killed in the ground offensive. It claims to have killed thousands of militants, without providing evidence.

For Palestinians in Gaza, the truce’s calm has been overwhelmed by the search for aid and by horror as they see the extent of destruction.

In the north, residents described entire residential blocks leveled to the ground in Gaza City and surrounding areas. The smell of decomposing bodies trapped under collapsed buildings fills the air, said Mohmmed Mattar, a 29-year-old resident of Gaza City who along with other volunteers searches for the dead under rubble or left in the streets.

They have found and buried 46 so far during the truce, he said. Most were unidentified. More bodies remain inside rubble but can’t be reached without heavy equipment, or are left on streets that are unapproachable because of Israeli troops nearby, Mattar said.

In the south, the truce has allowed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-palestinians-truce-red-cross-crescent-14cd8cae0f6e064484167c66bbcecf8f">more aid to be delivered</a>&nbsp;from Egypt, up to 200 trucks a day. But aid officials say it is not enough, given that most now depend on outside aid. Overwhelmed U.N.-run shelters house more than 1 million displaced people, with many sleeping outside in cold, rainy weather.

At a distribution center in Rafah, large crowds line daily up for newly arrived bags of flour. But supplies run out quickly before many can get their share.

“We’ve been searching for bread for our children,” said one woman in line, Nawal Abu Namous. “Every day, we come here … we spend money on transportation to get here, just to go home with nothing.”

Some markets and shops have reopened, but prices for the few items in stock have skyrocketed. Winter clothes are unavailable. One clothes shop owner in Deir al-Balah told The Associated Press that he hates opening his doors in the morning, knowing he’ll spend most of the day apologizing to customers for not having winter items.

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said some 111,000 people have respiratory infections and 75,000 have diarrhea, more than half of them under 5 years old. “More people could die from disease than bombings.”

“We are fed up,” said Omar al-Darawi, who works at the overwhelmed Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in central Gaza. “We want this war to stop.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701295331170.png" alt="49-year-old&nbsp; Liat Atzili Beinin photo courtesy Hostages and Missing Families Forum" />
 <figcaption>49-year-old&nbsp; Liat Atzili Beinin photo courtesy Hostages and Missing Families Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) — Hamas released 16 hostages late Wednesday in the last swap for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel under the current&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">Gaza truce,</a>&nbsp;as international mediators raced to seal another extension to allow further exchanges and prolong the halt of Israel’s air and ground offensive.The Israeli military said a group of 10 Israeli women and children and four Thai nationals had been freed by Hamas and exited Gaza. Earlier, two Russian-Israeli women were freed by Hamas in a separate release. Israel was set to free 30 Palestinian prisoners in return.Among the hostages exchanged for the Palestinian prisoners was 49-year-old Liat Atzili, an American-Israeli dual national.Negotiators were working down to the wire to hammer out details for a further extension of the truce beyond its deadline of early Thursday. The talks appear to be growing tougher as most of the women and children held by Hamas are freed, and the militants are expected to seek greater releases in return for freeing men and soldiers.International pressure has mounted for the cease-fire to continue as long as possible after nearly eight weeks of Israeli bombardment and a ground campaign in Gaza that has killed thousands of Palestinians, uprooted three quarters of the population of 2.3 million and led to a humanitarian crisis. Israel has welcomed the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostage-gaza-freed-israel-captive-408f65fcc1b8f016f3735cd5022163eb">release of dozens of hostages</a>&nbsp;in recent days and says it will maintain the truce if Hamas keeps freeing captives.Still, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underscored on Wednesday that Israel will resume its campaign to eliminate Hamas, which has ruled Gaza for 16 years and orchestrated the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">deadly attack on Israel that triggered the war</a>“After this phase of returning our abductees is exhausted, will Israel return to fighting? So my answer is an unequivocal yes,” he said. “There is no way we are not going back to fighting until the end.”He spoke ahead of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-nato-ukraine-russia-balkans-blinken-69ecd14aed1962e1283965cc80879234">a visit to the region planned this week</a>&nbsp;by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to press for further extensions of the truce and hostage releases.In the West Bank, Israeli troops killed two Palestinian boys — an 8-year-old an a 15-year-old — during a raid on the town of Jenin, Palestinian health officials said. Security footage showed a group of boys in the street who start to run, except for one who falls to the ground, bleeding.The Israeli military said its troops fired on people who threw explosives at them but did not specify it was referring to the boys, who are not seen throwing anything. Separately, the military said its troops killed two Islamic Jihad militants during the raid.So far, the Israeli onslaught in Gaza seems to have had little effect on Hamas’ rule, evidenced by its ability to conduct complex negotiations, enforce the cease-fire among other armed groups, and orchestrate the release of hostages. Hamas leaders, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-leader-gaza-war-sinwar-7359ae98217aa11aa7c20c2780d5d350">Yehya Sinwar,</a>&nbsp;have likely relocated to the south.With Israeli troops holding much of northern Gaza, a ground invasion south will likely bring an escalating cost in Palestinian lives and destruction.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-airstrikes-gaza-hamas-war-702f447ff7e52b03476555ec2513008b">Most of Gaza’s population is now crammed into the south.</a>&nbsp;The truce has brought them relief from bombardment, but the days of calm have been taken up in a frenzied rush to obtain supplies to feed their families as aid enters in greater, but still insufficient, amounts.United States, Israel’s main ally, has shown greater reticence over the impact of the war in Gaza. The Biden administration has told Israel that if it launches an offensive in the south,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-displacement-south-operation-biden-788b05c51b5582b39aeb2466b7825525">it must operate with far greater precision</a>.ISRAEL’S HOSTAGE DILEMMAThe plight of the captives and shock from the Oct. 7 attack have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-palestinians-war-mood-0cebcbcf0550ee08c0d757334f69851d">galvanized Israeli support for the war</a>. But Netanyahu is under pressure to bring the hostages home and could find it difficult to resume the offensive if there’s a prospect for more releases.Since the initial truce began on Friday, both sides have been releasing women and children in their exchanges. After Friday’s releases, Gaza militants still hold around 20 women, according to Israeli officials. IF the truce continues at the current rate, they would be out in a few days.After that, keeping the truce going depends on tougher negotiations over the release of around 126 men Israel says are held captive – including several dozen soldiers.For men — and especially soldiers — Hamas is expected to push for comparable releases of Palestinian men or prominent detainees, a deal Israel may resist.An Israeli official involved in hostage negotiations said talks on a further extension for release of civilian males and soldiers were still preliminary, and a deal would not be considered until all the women and children are out. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because negotiations were ongoing.With Wednesday's releases, a total of 73 Israelis, including dual nationals, have been freed during the six-day truce, most of whom&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hostage-gaza-freed-israel-captive-408f65fcc1b8f016f3735cd5022163eb">appear physically well but shaken</a>. Another 24 hostages — 23 Thais and one Filipino — have also been released. Before the cease-fire, Hamas released four hostages, and the Israeli army rescued one. Two others were found dead in Gaza.So far, most of the 180 Palestinians freed from Israeli prisons have been teenagers accused of throwing stones and firebombs during confrontations with Israeli forces. Several were women convicted by Israeli military courts of attempting to attack soldiers.Palestinians have celebrated the release of people they see as having resisted Israel’s decades-long military occupation of lands they want for a future state.The war began with Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel, in which it killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians. The militants kidnapped some 240 people back into Gaza, including babies, children, women, soldiers, older adults and Thai farm laborers.Israel’s bombardment and ground invasion in Gaza have killed more than 13,300 Palestinians, roughly two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza</a>, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.The toll is likely much higher, as officials have only sporadically updated the count since Nov. 11 due to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-health-ministry-gaza-hamas-fe30cbc76479fa437d5f5a0e96c36e52">the breakdown of services in the north</a>. The ministry says thousands more people are missing and feared dead under the rubble.Israel says 77 of its soldiers have been killed in the ground offensive. It claims to have killed thousands of militants, without providing evidence.TENSE CALM IN GAZAFor Palestinians in Gaza, the truce’s calm has been overwhelmed by the search for aid and by horror as they see the extent of destruction.In the north, residents described entire residential blocks leveled to the ground in Gaza City and surrounding areas. The smell of decomposing bodies trapped under collapsed buildings fills the air, said Mohmmed Mattar, a 29-year-old resident of Gaza City who along with other volunteers searches for the dead under rubble or left in the streets.They have found and buried 46 so far during the truce, he said. Most were unidentified. More bodies remain inside rubble but can’t be reached without heavy equipment, or are left on streets that are unapproachable because of Israeli troops nearby, Mattar said.In the south, the truce has allowed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-palestinians-truce-red-cross-crescent-14cd8cae0f6e064484167c66bbcecf8f">more aid to be delivered</a>&nbsp;from Egypt, up to 200 trucks a day. But aid officials say it is not enough, given that most now depend on outside aid. Overwhelmed U.N.-run shelters house more than 1 million displaced people, with many sleeping outside in cold, rainy weather.At a distribution center in Rafah, large crowds line daily up for newly arrived bags of flour. But supplies run out quickly before many can get their share.“We’ve been searching for bread for our children,” said one woman in line, Nawal Abu Namous. “Every day, we come here … we spend money on transportation to get here, just to go home with nothing.”Some markets and shops have reopened, but prices for the few items in stock have skyrocketed. Winter clothes are unavailable. One clothes shop owner in Deir al-Balah told The Associated Press that he hates opening his doors in the morning, knowing he’ll spend most of the day apologizing to customers for not having winter items.The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said some 111,000 people have respiratory infections and 75,000 have diarrhea, more than half of them under 5 years old. “More people could die from disease than bombings.”“We are fed up,” said Omar al-Darawi, who works at the overwhelmed Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in central Gaza. “We want this war to stop.”______

Sixth hostage release includes American woman

LINDSBORG—The Board of Trustees of the Vermont State Colleges System announced Wednesday that Dr. Elizabeth Mauch will assume the position of system Chancellor, effective January 1, 2024. Dr. Mauch has served as President of Bethany College in Lindsborg, where she was previously the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College.

During her tenure at Bethany, she launched a collaborative strategic plan, campus master plan, and vision to lead the college through 2026. Additionally, she raised a remarkable $32 million for building renovations, programming, and a strategic enrollment campaign, including funding named scholarships and endowed professorships. She will continue in her current role at Bethany until December 31, 2023.&nbsp;

"We express our sincere gratitude to President Mauch for her dedicated leadership at Bethany over the past five plus years and extend our heartfelt best wishes as she embarks on her new role in the Vermont State Colleges system," said Board Chair, Dr. Cheryl Rasmussen. "We are confident that the Bethany community will continue its dedication to meeting the needs of our students, guiding them as they navigate their individual paths toward their purpose."&nbsp;

Reflecting on her tenure, Dr. Mauch shared her deep appreciation for the college’s community – the faculty, staff, and particularly the students, who have been central to her experience.

“Leading Bethany College for over five years has been a profound honor. The college’s commitment to a robust liberal arts education, coupled with our focus on experiential learning, has been a cornerstone of my leadership. It has been fulfilling to guide our students towards not only academic success but also meaningful lives and careers post-graduation,” Mauch said. “Bethany College was more than a workplace; it was a community where I could contribute to something greater than myself. This community has embraced my contributions, fostering connections that I will always cherish.”

As Mauch moves forward, she carries with her the memories and achievements of her time at Bethany College, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and passion.&nbsp;

The Bethany Board of Directors is actively engaged in selecting an interim president who will be announced by December 31, 2023.

"The individual stepping into this interim role will be a trusted collaborator for Bethany stakeholders, including the Lindsborg community, guiding us seamlessly as we initiate a comprehensive and inclusive search for the next president of Bethany College," Rasmussen said.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701272014042.png" alt="Dr. Elizabeth Mauch courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Elizabeth Mauch courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>LINDSBORG—The Board of Trustees of the Vermont State Colleges System announced Wednesday that Dr. Elizabeth Mauch will assume the position of system Chancellor, effective January 1, 2024. Dr. Mauch has served as President of Bethany College in Lindsborg, where she was previously the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College.During her tenure at Bethany, she launched a collaborative strategic plan, campus master plan, and vision to lead the college through 2026. Additionally, she raised a remarkable $32 million for building renovations, programming, and a strategic enrollment campaign, including funding named scholarships and endowed professorships. She will continue in her current role at Bethany until December 31, 2023.&nbsp;"We express our sincere gratitude to President Mauch for her dedicated leadership at Bethany over the past five plus years and extend our heartfelt best wishes as she embarks on her new role in the Vermont State Colleges system," said Board Chair, Dr. Cheryl Rasmussen. "We are confident that the Bethany community will continue its dedication to meeting the needs of our students, guiding them as they navigate their individual paths toward their purpose."&nbsp;Reflecting on her tenure, Dr. Mauch shared her deep appreciation for the college’s community – the faculty, staff, and particularly the students, who have been central to her experience.“Leading Bethany College for over five years has been a profound honor. The college’s commitment to a robust liberal arts education, coupled with our focus on experiential learning, has been a cornerstone of my leadership. It has been fulfilling to guide our students towards not only academic success but also meaningful lives and careers post-graduation,” Mauch said. “Bethany College was more than a workplace; it was a community where I could contribute to something greater than myself. This community has embraced my contributions, fostering connections that I will always cherish.”As Mauch moves forward, she carries with her the memories and achievements of her time at Bethany College, leaving behind a legacy of dedication and passion.&nbsp;The Bethany Board of Directors is actively engaged in selecting an interim president who will be announced by December 31, 2023."The individual stepping into this interim role will be a trusted collaborator for Bethany stakeholders, including the Lindsborg community, guiding us seamlessly as we initiate a comprehensive and inclusive search for the next president of Bethany College," Rasmussen said.&nbsp;

Bethany College president named Chancellor of Vermont college

WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Christmas Tree in front of the White House fell down during high winds but later was hoisted back upright, and its lighting ceremony will go ahead as scheduled.

The tree, a 40-foot-tall&nbsp; Norway spruce from West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, had been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/whho/learn/news/national-christmas-tree-replaced-in-president-s-park-in-time-for-this-year-s-lighting.htm">planted just two weeks ago</a>&nbsp;on the White House Ellipse, an area known as President's Park. According to the National Park Service, it fell over around 1 p.m. Tuesday during heavy wind gusts that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/whho/planyourvisit/conditions.htm">reached as high at 46 mph</a>&nbsp;at nearby Reagan National Airport.

NPS spokeswoman Jasmine Shanti said in an email that after “replacing a snapped cable,” the tree was back upright by 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The lighting of the tree is an annual White House holiday tradition with a countdown and musical performances. This year's tree is a new one, replacing an older tree that, according to the NPS, developed a fungal disease known as needle cast, which caused its needles to turn brown and fall off.

None of the 58 smaller trees that surround the National Christmas Tree was damaged. About 20 ornaments fell from the tree but did not break. The NPS announced Wednesday that crews are “installing concrete blocks and additional cables to further secure the tree.”

The annual tree-lighting ceremony will take place as scheduled Thursday at 6 p.m., the NPS said, with musical performances featuring Dionne Warwick and St. Vincent.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701293648285.png" alt="In this image made from video, the National Christmas Tree hangs from a crane in front of the White House as a crew works to lift it back up after it fell, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, amid high winter winds. (AP Video)" />
 <figcaption>In this image made from video, the National Christmas Tree hangs from a crane in front of the White House as a crew works to lift it back up after it fell, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, amid high winter winds. (AP Video)</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The National Christmas Tree in front of the White House fell down during high winds but later was hoisted back upright, and its lighting ceremony will go ahead as scheduled.The tree, a 40-foot-tall&nbsp; Norway spruce from West Virginia's Monongahela National Forest, had been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/whho/learn/news/national-christmas-tree-replaced-in-president-s-park-in-time-for-this-year-s-lighting.htm">planted just two weeks ago</a>&nbsp;on the White House Ellipse, an area known as President's Park. According to the National Park Service, it fell over around 1 p.m. Tuesday during heavy wind gusts that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nps.gov/whho/planyourvisit/conditions.htm">reached as high at 46 mph</a>&nbsp;at nearby Reagan National Airport.NPS spokeswoman Jasmine Shanti said in an email that after “replacing a snapped cable,” the tree was back upright by 6 p.m. Tuesday.The lighting of the tree is an annual White House holiday tradition with a countdown and musical performances. This year's tree is a new one, replacing an older tree that, according to the NPS, developed a fungal disease known as needle cast, which caused its needles to turn brown and fall off.None of the 58 smaller trees that surround the National Christmas Tree was damaged. About 20 ornaments fell from the tree but did not break. The NPS announced Wednesday that crews are “installing concrete blocks and additional cables to further secure the tree.”The annual tree-lighting ceremony will take place as scheduled Thursday at 6 p.m., the NPS said, with musical performances featuring Dionne Warwick and St. Vincent.___

National Christmas tree secured after it blew down in the wind

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of a Wednesday house fire in Topeka.

Just after 4a.m. crews responded to report of a fire at a 2-story home at 715 West 16th Street, according to department spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

Residents were able to escape the fire before crews arrived. Investigators determine the fire caused approximately $5,000.00 damage. The home had working smoke detectors, according to investigators. There were no injuries reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701276019519.png" alt="Wednesday morning fire at a home in Topeka -photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Wednesday morning fire at a home in Topeka -photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Authorities are working to determine the cause of a Wednesday house fire in Topeka.Just after 4a.m. crews responded to report of a fire at a 2-story home at 715 West 16th Street, according to department spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.Residents were able to escape the fire before crews arrived. Investigators determine the fire caused approximately $5,000.00 damage. The home had working smoke detectors, according to investigators. There were no injuries reported.

Smoke detectors helped save family from Kan. house fire

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>

WASHINGTON — Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley moved one step closer Tuesday to becoming the next Social Security commissioner, a role that would become increasingly difficult as the program inches closer to insolvency during the next decade.

The U.S. Senate Finance Committee voted 17-10 to send O’Malley’s nomination to the floor, though it’s not clear how soon the entire chamber will vote on confirmation. All the panel’s Democrats and Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Thom Tillis of North Carolina voted to advance his nomination.

Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, said he was backing O’Malley because he’s the “right person for the job at the right time.”

“I base my support for Martin O’Malley on the fact that every single time we have talked, he has emphasized one matter and one matter only, and that is service above politics,” Wyden said.

Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, the panel’s top Republican, opposed O’Malley’s nomination, citing President Joe Biden’s decision to remove former Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul before his term was set to expire in January 2025.

The Senate confirmed Saul, nominated by former President Donald Trump, in June 2019 following a 77-16 vote.

“When the Biden administration removed the last Senate confirmed commissioner prior to the completion of his six-year term, I expressed strong concern that this decision politicized the SSA to the detriment of Social Security beneficiaries,” Crapo said.

Future administrations could follow that precedent, Crapo said, limiting how long a Social Security commissioner has to implement change.

“Although I will not be voting in favor of Gov. O’Malley’s nomination today, we do share the goal of getting the Social Security Administration back on track so that it can provide the public with the level of service they expect and deserve,” Crapo said.

The White House said in a statement about the firing released in July 2021 that “Since taking office, Commissioner Saul has undermined and politicized Social Security disability benefits, terminated the agency’s telework policy that was utilized by up to 25 percent of the agency’s workforce, not repaired SSA’s relationships with relevant Federal employee unions including in the context of COVID-19 workplace safety planning, reduced due process protections for benefits appeals hearings, and taken other actions that run contrary to the mission of the agency and the President’s policy agenda,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/andrew-saul-social-security-/2021/07/09/c18a34fa-df99-11eb-a501-0e69b5d012e5_story.html">according to</a>&nbsp;the Washington Post.

Tillis supported O’Malley’s nomination in committee, saying he believes the former governor has “a very systematic method” of using data and analytics that “will serve him well in the Social Security Administration.”

Tillis noted that Congress will have to address the structure of the program within the next decade and that O’Malley would be in a good position to inform lawmakers as they draft legislation.

“We have a moral obligation to make sure the Social Security safety net exists. We have a moral obligation to recognize that at current course and speed, we’re going to break our promise seven to 10 years from now if we don’t figure out how to fix it,” Tillis said.

O’Malley: ‘urgent crisis’ in customer service

The latest Social Security trustees report,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/social-security-trustees-predict-benefit-cuts-2033-without-congressional-action">released in March</a>, said the program would be able to pay 100% of retirement benefits from the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund until 2033. After that, the program would be able to pay 77% of those benefits.

The date was one year earlier than previously expected.

While O’Malley would not be in “a position to change the structure of the Social Security system,” Tillis said he believes the former governor “will have the insight once he gets in there to understand that Congress needs to act.”

“And we need an expert there to help advise us on the best way to actually make sure that that promise gets fulfilled,” Tillis said.

O’Malley said during his confirmation hearing in early November that Social Security faces an “urgent crisis” addressing shortcomings in customer service and another problem on “the horizon with regard to solvency.”

But, he noted that Congress is in charge of setting the policy that determines how Social Security is structured and providing the funding to ensure a sufficient number of employees available to help people having issues with their Social Security.

“The truth is, today the Social Security Administration is serving 50% more customers and beneficiaries on the same staffing it had 20 years ago in 1995,” O’Malley said.

City councilman, mayor, governor, banjo player

O’Malley was a member of the Baltimore City Council from 1991 through December 1999, when he became the city’s mayor.

He would hold that job until January 2007, when he was sworn in as Maryland’s governor, a role he held for the maximum two four-year terms.

O’Malley would often play with his band,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.omalleysmarch.com/">O’Malley’s March</a>, during his time as governor and once&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/MartinOMalley/status/471103802607538177">played the banjo</a>&nbsp;outside the Maryland State House in Annapolis.

“I love that as governor of MD I can still play street music in Annapolis,” he posted on Twitter with a photo of himself playing the instrument in a t-shirt, cargo shorts and flip-flops.

O’Malley ran for the Democratic nomination for president in the 2016 primary, though he withdrew from the race after the Iowa caucuses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701257420445.png" alt=" Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, nominee for Social Security commissioner, July 19, 2023 (Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor of Maryland)." />
 <figcaption> Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, nominee for Social Security commissioner, July 19, 2023 (Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor of Maryland).</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jennifer-shutt/">JENNIFER SHUTT</a>WASHINGTON — Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley moved one step closer Tuesday to becoming the next Social Security commissioner, a role that would become increasingly difficult as the program inches closer to insolvency during the next decade.The U.S. Senate Finance Committee voted 17-10 to send O’Malley’s nomination to the floor, though it’s not clear how soon the entire chamber will vote on confirmation. All the panel’s Democrats and Republican Sens. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Thom Tillis of North Carolina voted to advance his nomination.Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, said he was backing O’Malley because he’s the “right person for the job at the right time.”“I base my support for Martin O’Malley on the fact that every single time we have talked, he has emphasized one matter and one matter only, and that is service above politics,” Wyden said.Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, the panel’s top Republican, opposed O’Malley’s nomination, citing President Joe Biden’s decision to remove former Social Security Commissioner Andrew Saul before his term was set to expire in January 2025.The Senate confirmed Saul, nominated by former President Donald Trump, in June 2019 following a 77-16 vote.“When the Biden administration removed the last Senate confirmed commissioner prior to the completion of his six-year term, I expressed strong concern that this decision politicized the SSA to the detriment of Social Security beneficiaries,” Crapo said.Future administrations could follow that precedent, Crapo said, limiting how long a Social Security commissioner has to implement change.“Although I will not be voting in favor of Gov. O’Malley’s nomination today, we do share the goal of getting the Social Security Administration back on track so that it can provide the public with the level of service they expect and deserve,” Crapo said.The White House said in a statement about the firing released in July 2021 that “Since taking office, Commissioner Saul has undermined and politicized Social Security disability benefits, terminated the agency’s telework policy that was utilized by up to 25 percent of the agency’s workforce, not repaired SSA’s relationships with relevant Federal employee unions including in the context of COVID-19 workplace safety planning, reduced due process protections for benefits appeals hearings, and taken other actions that run contrary to the mission of the agency and the President’s policy agenda,”&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/andrew-saul-social-security-/2021/07/09/c18a34fa-df99-11eb-a501-0e69b5d012e5_story.html">according to</a>&nbsp;the Washington Post.Tillis supported O’Malley’s nomination in committee, saying he believes the former governor has “a very systematic method” of using data and analytics that “will serve him well in the Social Security Administration.”Tillis noted that Congress will have to address the structure of the program within the next decade and that O’Malley would be in a good position to inform lawmakers as they draft legislation.“We have a moral obligation to make sure the Social Security safety net exists. We have a moral obligation to recognize that at current course and speed, we’re going to break our promise seven to 10 years from now if we don’t figure out how to fix it,” Tillis said.<h2>O’Malley: ‘urgent crisis’ in customer service</h2>The latest Social Security trustees report,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/social-security-trustees-predict-benefit-cuts-2033-without-congressional-action">released in March</a>, said the program would be able to pay 100% of retirement benefits from the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund until 2033. After that, the program would be able to pay 77% of those benefits.The date was one year earlier than previously expected.While O’Malley would not be in “a position to change the structure of the Social Security system,” Tillis said he believes the former governor “will have the insight once he gets in there to understand that Congress needs to act.”“And we need an expert there to help advise us on the best way to actually make sure that that promise gets fulfilled,” Tillis said.O’Malley said during his confirmation hearing in early November that Social Security faces an “urgent crisis” addressing shortcomings in customer service and another problem on “the horizon with regard to solvency.”But, he noted that Congress is in charge of setting the policy that determines how Social Security is structured and providing the funding to ensure a sufficient number of employees available to help people having issues with their Social Security.“The truth is, today the Social Security Administration is serving 50% more customers and beneficiaries on the same staffing it had 20 years ago in 1995,” O’Malley said.<h2>City councilman, mayor, governor, banjo player</h2>O’Malley was a member of the Baltimore City Council from 1991 through December 1999, when he became the city’s mayor.He would hold that job until January 2007, when he was sworn in as Maryland’s governor, a role he held for the maximum two four-year terms.O’Malley would often play with his band,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.omalleysmarch.com/">O’Malley’s March</a>, during his time as governor and once&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/MartinOMalley/status/471103802607538177">played the banjo</a>&nbsp;outside the Maryland State House in Annapolis.“I love that as governor of MD I can still play street music in Annapolis,” he posted on Twitter with a photo of himself playing the instrument in a t-shirt, cargo shorts and flip-flops.O’Malley ran for the Democratic nomination for president in the 2016 primary, though he withdrew from the race after the Iowa caucuses.

U.S. Senate panel advances nominee to lead Social Security

NEWTON, Kan. —The propane hazard in Newton has been mitigated and crews turned the buildings back over to business owners and cleared the road, according to Newton Fire and EMS.

On Wednesday morning, fire crews responded to&nbsp;a leak from a 500-gallon propane tank at Forest Products, in the 700 block of South Spencer. 

The road was closed and firefighters begun evacuating about a 1/2-mile radius around the site.

NEWTON, Kan. — Newton Fire crews are working a leak from a 500-gallon propane tank at Forest Products, in the 700 block of South Spencer. 

The road has been closed, and firefighters have begun evacuating about a 1/2-mile radius around the site.

Check the Post for additional detail as they become available.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701278659531.jpeg" alt="Photo Courtesy Newton Fire" />
 <figcaption>Photo Courtesy Newton Fire</figcaption>
 </figure>NEWTON, Kan. —The propane hazard in Newton has been mitigated and crews turned the buildings back over to business owners and cleared the road, according to Newton Fire and EMS.On Wednesday morning, fire crews responded to&nbsp;a leak from a 500-gallon propane tank at Forest Products, in the 700 block of South Spencer. The road was closed and firefighters begun evacuating about a 1/2-mile radius around the site.There are no reports of injury.-----------NEWTON, Kan. — Newton Fire crews are working a leak from a 500-gallon propane tank at Forest Products, in the 700 block of South Spencer. The road has been closed, and firefighters have begun evacuating about a 1/2-mile radius around the site.Check the Post for additional detail as they become available.

Propane leak briefly caused evacuations in Newton 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a late night arrest at Tecumseh Park.

Just before 12:30a.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy made contact with the occupants of a blue 2005 Chevrolet Impala found parked after park hours at the boat ramp in the 4400 block of NE Seward Avenue, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson.

 During the investigation, a K9 Unit was utilized and illegal narcotics were located.

Deputies arrested Steven K. Schuster, 31, of Topeka, was arrested and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of park rules. 

Deputies also arrested Jasmine L. Brown, 40, of Topeka on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of park rules.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701192076409.png" alt="Brown photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Brown photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a late night arrest at Tecumseh Park.Just before 12:30a.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy made contact with the occupants of a blue 2005 Chevrolet Impala found parked after park hours at the boat ramp in the 4400 block of NE Seward Avenue, according to Deputy Shayna Anderson. During the investigation, a K9 Unit was utilized and illegal narcotics were located.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701192147133.png" alt="Schuster-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Schuster-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies arrested Steven K. Schuster, 31, of Topeka, was arrested and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, and violation of park rules. Deputies also arrested Jasmine L. Brown, 40, of Topeka on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of park rules.

Deputies catch Kan. felon, friend with drugs at rural park

TOKYO (AP) — A U.S. Air Force Osprey based in Japan crashed during a training mission Wednesday off of the country's southern coast, killing at least one of the eight crew members, the Japanese coast guard said.

The cause of the crash and the status of the seven others on board were not immediately known, Japanese coast guard spokesperson Kazuo Ogawa said.

U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command said in a statement that the CV-22B Osprey belonged to the 353rd Special Operations Wing assigned to Yokota Air Base. The crash occurred “while performing a routine training mission off the shore of Yakushima Island,” the command said.

While the U.S. Marine Corps flies most of the Ospreys based in Japan, the Air Force also has some deployed there.

Air Force Special Operations Command said search and rescue operations were underway. A U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the crash could not provide further information on the crew's condition pending notification of next of kin.

The Osprey is a hybrid aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter, but during flight can rotate its propellers forward and cruise much faster like an airplane.

Ospreys have had a number of accidents in the past, including in Japan, where they are deployed at U.S. and Japanese military bases. In Okinawa, where about half of the 50,000 American troops are based, Gov. Denny Tamaki told reporters Wednesday that he would ask the U.S. military to suspend all Osprey flights in Japan.

Ogawa said the coast guard received an emergency call Wednesday afternoon from a fishing boat near the crash site off Yakushima, an island south of Kagoshima on the southern main island of Kyushu.

Coast guard aircraft and patrol boats found one person, identified only as male, who was later pronounced dead by a doctor at a nearby port, Ogawa said. They also found gray debris believed to be from the aircraft and an empty inflatable life raft in an area about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) off the eastern coast of Yakushima, he said.

The coast guard said it planned to continue searching through the night.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the Osprey disappeared from radar a few minutes before the coast guard received the emergency call. The aircraft requested an emergency landing at the Yakushima airport about five minutes before it was lost from radar, NHK public television and other news outlets reported.

NHK quoted a Yakushima resident as saying he saw the aircraft turned upside down, with fire coming from one of its engines, and then an explosion before it fell to the sea.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he planned to seek a further explanation from the U.S. military, but he declined to say whether he would seek a temporary suspension of Osprey operations in Japan.

Ogawa said the aircraft had departed from the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi prefecture and crashed on its way to Kadena Air Base on Okinawa.

Japanese Vice Defense Minister Hiroyuki Miyazawa said it had attempted an emergency sea landing and quoted the U.S. military as saying its pilot “did everything possible until the last minute."

Yokota Air Base is home to U.S. Forces Japan and the Fifth Air Force. Six CV-22 Ospreys have been deployed at Yokota, including the one that crashed.

In December 2016, a U.S. Marine Corps Osprey&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b5db3444ee9a4ef48387c4bc029f1ea0">crashed off the Okinawa coast</a>, injuring two of the five crew members and triggering complaints from local residents about the U.S. bases in Okinawa and the Osprey's safety record.

TOKYO (AP) — A U.S. Air Force Osprey based in Japan crashed during a training mission Wednesday off of the country's southern coast, killing at least one of the eight crew members, the Japanese coast guard said.The cause of the crash and the status of the seven others on board were not immediately known, Japanese coast guard spokesperson Kazuo Ogawa said.U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command said in a statement that the CV-22B Osprey belonged to the 353rd Special Operations Wing assigned to Yokota Air Base. The crash occurred “while performing a routine training mission off the shore of Yakushima Island,” the command said.While the U.S. Marine Corps flies most of the Ospreys based in Japan, the Air Force also has some deployed there.Air Force Special Operations Command said search and rescue operations were underway. A U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the crash could not provide further information on the crew's condition pending notification of next of kin.The Osprey is a hybrid aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter, but during flight can rotate its propellers forward and cruise much faster like an airplane.Ospreys have had a number of accidents in the past, including in Japan, where they are deployed at U.S. and Japanese military bases. In Okinawa, where about half of the 50,000 American troops are based, Gov. Denny Tamaki told reporters Wednesday that he would ask the U.S. military to suspend all Osprey flights in Japan.Ogawa said the coast guard received an emergency call Wednesday afternoon from a fishing boat near the crash site off Yakushima, an island south of Kagoshima on the southern main island of Kyushu.Coast guard aircraft and patrol boats found one person, identified only as male, who was later pronounced dead by a doctor at a nearby port, Ogawa said. They also found gray debris believed to be from the aircraft and an empty inflatable life raft in an area about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) off the eastern coast of Yakushima, he said.The coast guard said it planned to continue searching through the night.Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the Osprey disappeared from radar a few minutes before the coast guard received the emergency call. The aircraft requested an emergency landing at the Yakushima airport about five minutes before it was lost from radar, NHK public television and other news outlets reported.NHK quoted a Yakushima resident as saying he saw the aircraft turned upside down, with fire coming from one of its engines, and then an explosion before it fell to the sea.Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said he planned to seek a further explanation from the U.S. military, but he declined to say whether he would seek a temporary suspension of Osprey operations in Japan.Ogawa said the aircraft had departed from the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi prefecture and crashed on its way to Kadena Air Base on Okinawa.Japanese Vice Defense Minister Hiroyuki Miyazawa said it had attempted an emergency sea landing and quoted the U.S. military as saying its pilot “did everything possible until the last minute."Yokota Air Base is home to U.S. Forces Japan and the Fifth Air Force. Six CV-22 Ospreys have been deployed at Yokota, including the one that crashed.In December 2016, a U.S. Marine Corps Osprey&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/b5db3444ee9a4ef48387c4bc029f1ea0">crashed off the Okinawa coast</a>, injuring two of the five crew members and triggering complaints from local residents about the U.S. bases in Okinawa and the Osprey's safety record.

U.S. Air Force investigating deadly Osprey crash off Japan

Timeline may slip as local, state technology networks brought online

By TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<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>

TOPEKA — Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert said Tuesday the information system used by more than 100 district courts in Kansas crippled in an early October cyberattack could be restored by the end of December.

The judicial branch disclosed the disruption in 104 of 105 counties — Johnson County operates on an independent network — following the Oct. 12 incident. Subsequently, Supreme Court justices said the system depended on to electronically file documents and to process court cases was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/11/21/kansas-court-officials-confirm-details-of-evil-criminal-international-cyberattack/">undermined by sophisticated international criminals</a>. The judicial branch didn’t release an update of what information was stolen or whether perpetrators sought a ransom.

The state set up secure computer access last week at the Judicial Center in Topeka to provide the public appointment-only opportunities to&nbsp; search district court case information. A separate service center was established to address needs of district courts until the Kansas eCourt case management system was operational.

Luckert said the timeline outlined in the recovery plan was subject to change.

“To help us prepare our recovery timeline, we sought input from cybersecurity incident recovery experts,” she said. “While we believe our estimate is realistic, we must be prepared for fluctuations as we move forward with our plan.”

Johnson County processes cases on a standalone case management system, but the populous county has been scheduled to join the Kansas eCourt system in 2024.

The judicial branch plans to relaunch Kansas eCourt and the Kansas Courts eFiling system for district courts before turning on the District Court Public Access Portal providing the general public access to case information. The online portal would typically be used to process electronic payment of fines, fees and other costs.

The efiling and case management systems used by the Supreme Court and the Kansas Court of Appeals would be brought back online after securing operations of district court systems, officials said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/9/1662999292005.png" alt="Chief Justice Marla Luckert says information systems compromised in an October cyberattack would start to be restored in December. photo Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service" />
 <figcaption>Chief Justice Marla Luckert says information systems compromised in an October cyberattack would start to be restored in December. photo Blaise Mesa / Kansas News Service</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Timeline may slip as local, state technology networks brought online</h2>By TIM CARPENTER&nbsp;<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>TOPEKA — Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Marla Luckert said Tuesday the information system used by more than 100 district courts in Kansas crippled in an early October cyberattack could be restored by the end of December.The judicial branch disclosed the disruption in 104 of 105 counties — Johnson County operates on an independent network — following the Oct. 12 incident. Subsequently, Supreme Court justices said the system depended on to electronically file documents and to process court cases was&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/11/21/kansas-court-officials-confirm-details-of-evil-criminal-international-cyberattack/">undermined by sophisticated international criminals</a>. The judicial branch didn’t release an update of what information was stolen or whether perpetrators sought a ransom.The state set up secure computer access last week at the Judicial Center in Topeka to provide the public appointment-only opportunities to&nbsp; search district court case information. A separate service center was established to address needs of district courts until the Kansas eCourt case management system was operational.Luckert said the timeline outlined in the recovery plan was subject to change.“To help us prepare our recovery timeline, we sought input from cybersecurity incident recovery experts,” she said. “While we believe our estimate is realistic, we must be prepared for fluctuations as we move forward with our plan.”Johnson County processes cases on a standalone case management system, but the populous county has been scheduled to join the Kansas eCourt system in 2024.The judicial branch plans to relaunch Kansas eCourt and the Kansas Courts eFiling system for district courts before turning on the District Court Public Access Portal providing the general public access to case information. The online portal would typically be used to process electronic payment of fines, fees and other costs.The efiling and case management systems used by the Supreme Court and the Kansas Court of Appeals would be brought back online after securing operations of district court systems, officials said.

Kan. judiciary plans restoration in Dec. of IT systems hit by cyberattack

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas police dog that authorities allege was strangled after chasing a suspect into a storm drain will be remembered Wednesday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=732899038878208&amp;set=a.302787665222683">livestreamed</a>&nbsp;memorial service, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.&nbsp;

Click below to watch a replay of the service.

The service for Bane, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois that the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office used in high-risk situations, will be held&nbsp;at the Extension Center located at 7001 W 21st  N in Wichita.

Kaylon Kirwood, 24, Wichitaa, is accused of killing Bane is jailed on more than $1 million bond. He made his first appearance this week on a felony count of battery against a law enforcement officer and harming or killing certain dogs, Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Dillon said in an email.

Wichita Police Department spokesperson Juan Rebolledo said police had been looking for the man in connection with a domestic battery case. When they spotted him on Nov. 16, he ran into a nearby creek bed and then entered a large storm drain, The Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/article282162503.html">reports</a>.

Wichita Police Lt. Aaron Moses said Bane and a Wichita police K-9 were both released on extended leashes into the storm drain.

Rebolledo said the suspect then strangled Bane. First responders tried to resuscitate Bane for 30 to 40 minutes. Moses said the other dog wasn’t injured.

Bane used to work for the Wichita Police Department. His handler there died of cancer last year.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700174387964.png" alt="PSD Bane was 8 years old and has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 1 year.-photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>PSD Bane was 8 years old and has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 1 year.-photo Sedgwick Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas police dog that authorities allege was strangled after chasing a suspect into a storm drain will be remembered Wednesday in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=732899038878208&amp;set=a.302787665222683">livestreamed</a>&nbsp;memorial service, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff's Lt. Nathan Gibbs.&nbsp;Click below to watch a replay of the service.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSedgwickCountySheriff%2Fvideos%2F372709945211401%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=292" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>The service for Bane, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois that the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office used in high-risk situations, will be held&nbsp;at the Extension Center located at 7001 W 21st N in Wichita.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700237992193.png" alt="Kirkwood-photo Sedgwick Co." />
 <figcaption>Kirkwood-photo Sedgwick Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Kaylon Kirwood, 24, Wichitaa, is accused of killing Bane is jailed on more than $1 million bond. He made his first appearance this week on a felony count of battery against a law enforcement officer and harming or killing certain dogs, Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Dillon said in an email.Wichita Police Department spokesperson Juan Rebolledo said police had been looking for the man in connection with a domestic battery case. When they spotted him on Nov. 16, he ran into a nearby creek bed and then entered a large storm drain, The Wichita Eagle&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansas.com/news/local/article282162503.html">reports</a>.Wichita Police Lt. Aaron Moses said Bane and a Wichita police K-9 were both released on extended leashes into the storm drain.Rebolledo said the suspect then strangled Bane. First responders tried to resuscitate Bane for 30 to 40 minutes. Moses said the other dog wasn’t injured.Bane used to work for the Wichita Police Department. His handler there died of cancer last year.

🎥 Memorial service for Kan. police dog strangled by suspect

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Tuesday morning homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as&nbsp;as 45-year-old Calvin L. Boyles, according to KCPD&gt;

Just before 12:30a.m., police responded to a report of gunshots at 19th and Park Tower Drive, according to KCPD Captain Corey Carlisle.

First responders were notified a shooting had occurred and were directed inside an apartment where they located Boyles suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.  EMS responded to the scene and pronounced him deceased.

Police have not released any suspect details or reported an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701174440640.png" alt="Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>Photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Tuesday morning homicide in Kansas City have identified the victim as&nbsp;as 45-year-old Calvin L. Boyles, according to KCPD&gt;Just before 12:30a.m., police responded to a report of gunshots at 19th and Park Tower Drive, according to KCPD Captain Corey Carlisle.First responders were notified a shooting had occurred and were directed inside an apartment where they located Boyles suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. EMS responded to the scene and pronounced him deceased.Police have not released any suspect details or reported an arrest.

Homicide: Man found dead in Kansas City apartment

TEL AVIV — Four-year-old Abigail Edan was discharged from the hospital late Tuesday night, following her release after more than 50 days as a hostage in Gaza, a spokesperson for Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikvah said.

The Israeli-American dual citizen was the first U.S. hostage to be released under the cease-fire. Abigail marked her fourth birthday in captivity.

Both of her parents were killed in the Hamas attack that started the war&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">on Oct. 7</a>. During the rampage, she ran to a neighbor’s home for shelter, and the Brodutch family took her in before militants took the family to Gaza.

Hagar Brodutch and her three children were also released on Sunday. President Joe Biden celebrated her release, telling reporters, “I wish I were there to hold her.”

Meanwhile,&nbsp;With hours left to go before a truce in Gaza expires, international mediators worked to extend it to facilitate the release of militant-held hostages and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The cease-fire has paused the deadliest fighting between Israel and Palestinians in decades.

Israel has agreed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-29-2023-57e73a26c647ecd97e77afe19c08e077">extend the truce</a>, which was originally set to expire on Monday, by one day for every 10 hostages freed, and Hamas is expected to release another group of hostages later Wednesday. Twelve hostages, including 10 Israelis, were released Tuesday, bringing the total number of people freed during the truce to 81.

Israel has vowed to resume the war in an effort to end Hamas' 16-year rule of Gaza, but it's facing mounting international pressure to extend the truce and spare south Gaza a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-war-humanitarian-shifa-29388314e3286b2b0f1152f7d15e2d7b">devastating ground offensive</a>&nbsp;like the one that has demolished much of the north.

Hamas' ability to negotiate and implement the cease-fire suggests that Israel's air and ground campaigns have not seriously challenged the group's control of Gaza, despite killing thousands of Palestinians and driving three out of four people in the territory from their homes.

Roughly 240 hostages were captured by Hamas in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel</a>&nbsp;that ignited the war. More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Hamas-controlled Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;in Gaza. About 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the initial incursion by Hamas.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701012372596.png" alt="Abigail Edan in family hand out photo TAL EDAN VIA AP" />
 <figcaption>Abigail Edan in family hand out photo TAL EDAN VIA AP</figcaption>
 </figure>TEL AVIV — Four-year-old Abigail Edan was discharged from the hospital late Tuesday night, following her release after more than 50 days as a hostage in Gaza, a spokesperson for Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikvah said.The Israeli-American dual citizen was the first U.S. hostage to be released under the cease-fire. Abigail marked her fourth birthday in captivity.Both of her parents were killed in the Hamas attack that started the war&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2">on Oct. 7</a>. During the rampage, she ran to a neighbor’s home for shelter, and the Brodutch family took her in before militants took the family to Gaza.Hagar Brodutch and her three children were also released on Sunday. President Joe Biden celebrated her release, telling reporters, “I wish I were there to hold her.”Meanwhile,&nbsp;With hours left to go before a truce in Gaza expires, international mediators worked to extend it to facilitate the release of militant-held hostages and Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The cease-fire has paused the deadliest fighting between Israel and Palestinians in decades.Israel has agreed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-29-2023-57e73a26c647ecd97e77afe19c08e077">extend the truce</a>, which was originally set to expire on Monday, by one day for every 10 hostages freed, and Hamas is expected to release another group of hostages later Wednesday. Twelve hostages, including 10 Israelis, were released Tuesday, bringing the total number of people freed during the truce to 81.Israel has vowed to resume the war in an effort to end Hamas' 16-year rule of Gaza, but it's facing mounting international pressure to extend the truce and spare south Gaza a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-gaza-war-humanitarian-shifa-29388314e3286b2b0f1152f7d15e2d7b">devastating ground offensive</a>&nbsp;like the one that has demolished much of the north.Hamas' ability to negotiate and implement the cease-fire suggests that Israel's air and ground campaigns have not seriously challenged the group's control of Gaza, despite killing thousands of Palestinians and driving three out of four people in the territory from their homes.Roughly 240 hostages were captured by Hamas in its&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinian-war-hamas-attack-border-wall-aa0b0f5f3613b6c6882cf37168e8e8ed">Oct. 7 attack in southern Israel</a>&nbsp;that ignited the war. More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-gaza-health-ministry-health-death-toll-59470820308b31f1faf73c703400b033">Hamas-controlled Health Ministry</a>&nbsp;in Gaza. About 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the initial incursion by Hamas.

4-year-old American out of hospital after 50 days as hostage  

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting continue asking the public for help to find a suspect identified as 29-year-old&nbsp;Tremale M. Serrano of Topeka.

Just after 9:30 a.m., October 15, police responded to a report of an individual laying in the front yard of an address in the 1600 block of SW 21st Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.

First responders located Jackson E. Danner, 23, of Topeka, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The investigation has led police to believe that there is a second suspect, identified as Tremale Serrano was involved.&nbsp; Anyone with information on Serrano is asked to contact police.

On November 14, police booked 33-year-old Aaron Serrano into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections in connection with Danner's death.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700082021069.png" alt="Tremale Serrano" />
 <figcaption>Tremale Serrano</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting continue asking the public for help to find a suspect identified as 29-year-old&nbsp;Tremale M. Serrano of Topeka.Just after 9:30 a.m., October 15, police responded to a report of an individual laying in the front yard of an address in the 1600 block of SW 21st Street, according to police spokesperson Rosie Nichols.First responders located Jackson E. Danner, 23, of Topeka, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.The investigation has led police to believe that there is a second suspect, identified as Tremale Serrano was involved.&nbsp; Anyone with information on Serrano is asked to contact police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700082583370.png" alt="Aaron Serrano-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Aaron Serrano-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>On November 14, police booked 33-year-old Aaron Serrano into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections in connection with Danner's death.

Wanted Kan. suspect in October killing still hiding from police

By&nbsp;<a href="http://www.defense.gov/News/Author/71410/david-vergun/">David Vergun</a>&nbsp;, Department of Defense

The United States airlifted more than 54,000 pounds of United Nations humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza on Tuesday, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a Pentagon news conference.

The aid includes vitally needed medical supplies, warm clothing, food and nutrition assistance. At the request of U.S. Agency for International Development, the supplies were transported via Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft and arrived in Al-Arish, Egypt, where they will be transported via ground transportation to Gaza and distributed by U.N. agencies, Ryder said.

Additional flights are expected in the coming days, he added.

This aid is in addition to the more than 500,000 pounds of food assistance delivered by the United States last week by USAID-contracted aircraft to Al-Arish, for onward travel to Gaza, he said.

"With 1.7 million people internally displaced and 2.2 million in need of humanitarian assistance [in Gaza], increased humanitarian supplies are essential to saving lives and alleviating suffering for the most vulnerable," according to a USAID news release.

The United States has mobilized $100 million in humanitarian assistance to help civilians affected by the conflict. The aid is meant to help thousands of people during a humanitarian pause in hostilities intended to further a surge of lifesaving assistance to Palestinian civilians, said a USAID statement.

The United States will continue to lead the humanitarian response in Gaza to further support those in desperate need. The United States is by far the largest donor to the U.N.'s humanitarian efforts in Gaza, according to USAID.

"We are grateful for the additional contributions from a number of donor partners who have already pledged significant funding, and we continue to advocate for others to do the same.

"The U.N.'s global appeal in response to the crisis remains woefully underfunded with only 21% funded, and we call on the international community to urgently step-up their support and deliver on commitments pledged," said the USAID statement.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701211889159.png" alt="A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III carries more than 54,000 pounds of vitally needed medical supplies, warm clothing, food and nutrition assistance to the people of Gaza from undisclosed locations throughout the Middle East, Nov. 28, 2023." />
 <figcaption>A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III carries more than 54,000 pounds of vitally needed medical supplies, warm clothing, food and nutrition assistance to the people of Gaza from undisclosed locations throughout the Middle East, Nov. 28, 2023.</figcaption>
 </figure>By&nbsp;<a href="http://www.defense.gov/News/Author/71410/david-vergun/">David Vergun</a>&nbsp;, Department of DefenseThe United States airlifted more than 54,000 pounds of United Nations humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza on Tuesday, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said at a Pentagon news conference.The aid includes vitally needed medical supplies, warm clothing, food and nutrition assistance. At the request of U.S. Agency for International Development, the supplies were transported via Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft and arrived in Al-Arish, Egypt, where they will be transported via ground transportation to Gaza and distributed by U.N. agencies, Ryder said.Additional flights are expected in the coming days, he added.This aid is in addition to the more than 500,000 pounds of food assistance delivered by the United States last week by USAID-contracted aircraft to Al-Arish, for onward travel to Gaza, he said."With 1.7 million people internally displaced and 2.2 million in need of humanitarian assistance [in Gaza], increased humanitarian supplies are essential to saving lives and alleviating suffering for the most vulnerable," according to a USAID news release.The United States has mobilized $100 million in humanitarian assistance to help civilians affected by the conflict. The aid is meant to help thousands of people during a humanitarian pause in hostilities intended to further a surge of lifesaving assistance to Palestinian civilians, said a USAID statement.The United States will continue to lead the humanitarian response in Gaza to further support those in desperate need. The United States is by far the largest donor to the U.N.'s humanitarian efforts in Gaza, according to USAID.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701211967412.png" alt="ir Force Staff Sgt. Jeanne Caron, an 89th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, coordinates the movement of humanitarian aid aboard a C-17 Globemaster III for the people of Gaza, Nov. 28, 2023. U.S. government partners will distribute these supplies to meet humanitarian needs in Gaza." />
 <figcaption>ir Force Staff Sgt. Jeanne Caron, an 89th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, coordinates the movement of humanitarian aid aboard a C-17 Globemaster III for the people of Gaza, Nov. 28, 2023. U.S. government partners will distribute these supplies to meet humanitarian needs in Gaza.</figcaption>
 </figure>"We are grateful for the additional contributions from a number of donor partners who have already pledged significant funding, and we continue to advocate for others to do the same."The U.N.'s global appeal in response to the crisis remains woefully underfunded with only 21% funded, and we call on the international community to urgently step-up their support and deliver on commitments pledged," said the USAID statement.

U.S. ships tons of medical items, food for residents of Gaza 

JOHNSON COUNTY —The FBI Kansas City Division is asking for the public’s assistance regarding an ongoing investigation into Dr. Brian Aalbers, who has been charged with one count of attempted production of child pornography.

Aalbers is a pediatric neurology specialist and is charged in US District Court. Due to the nature of Aalbers’ profession and contact with children, the FBI is seeking the public’s assistance with the investigation.

According to an affidavit, an FBI agent accused Aalbers of using hidden cameras to record thousands of videos.

Court documents say Aalbers "did knowingly employ, use, persuade, induce, entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct."

The affidavit says over 20,000 videos were identified on Aalbers' computer — some dating back to December 2020.

Someone found the cameras and called Kansas City police, according to the affidavit. Aalbers is currently being held in federal custody, according to the FBI.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701175340806.png" alt="Aalbers courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Aalbers courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —The FBI Kansas City Division is asking for the public’s assistance regarding an ongoing investigation into Dr. Brian Aalbers, who has been charged with one count of attempted production of child pornography.Aalbers is a pediatric neurology specialist and is charged in US District Court. Due to the nature of Aalbers’ profession and contact with children, the FBI is seeking the public’s assistance with the investigation.According to an affidavit, an FBI agent accused Aalbers of using hidden cameras to record thousands of videos.Court documents say Aalbers "did knowingly employ, use, persuade, induce, entice and coerce a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct."The affidavit says over 20,000 videos were identified on Aalbers' computer — some dating back to December 2020.Someone found the cameras and called Kansas City police, according to the affidavit. Aalbers is currently being held in federal custody, according to the FBI.

FBI: Kan. doctor used hidden cameras to create child porn 

LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Monday,&nbsp;an officer with the Emporia Police Department spotted a wanted suspect identified as 36-year-old Alejandro Lara-Ceja driving a black 2008 Nissan Titan, in the southeast part of Emporia., according to Police Captain Ray Mattas

The officer attempted to stop the pickuup but Lara-Ceja fled from the officers. The pursuit covered parts of southeast and northeast Emporia and lasted approximately 6 minutes.

Police eventually made a stop and arrested Lara-Ceja for the warrants for bond revocation. He is being held on additional requested&nbsp;charges of Criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, criminal discharge of a firearm recklessly at an occupied dwelling, possession of a firearm while under the influence or alcohol or drugs, DUI, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute within 1000 ft of a school and tampering with electronic monitoring equipment.

He was also confined at the Lyon County Jail on new requested charges of felony flee and elude, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felon in possession of a firearm. Lare-Ceja is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701122596667.png" alt="LARA-CEJA-photo Lyon County" />
 <figcaption>LARA-CEJA-photo Lyon County</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations.Just after 12:30 a.m. Monday,&nbsp;an officer with the Emporia Police Department spotted a wanted suspect identified as 36-year-old Alejandro Lara-Ceja driving a black 2008 Nissan Titan, in the southeast part of Emporia., according to Police Captain Ray MattasThe officer attempted to stop the pickuup but Lara-Ceja fled from the officers. The pursuit covered parts of southeast and northeast Emporia and lasted approximately 6 minutes.Police eventually made a stop and arrested Lara-Ceja for the warrants for bond revocation. He is being held on additional requested&nbsp;charges of Criminal possession of a firearm by a felon, criminal discharge of a firearm recklessly at an occupied dwelling, possession of a firearm while under the influence or alcohol or drugs, DUI, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute within 1000 ft of a school and tampering with electronic monitoring equipment.He was also confined at the Lyon County Jail on new requested charges of felony flee and elude, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and felon in possession of a firearm. Lare-Ceja is considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Kansas felon accused of driving drunk with loaded gun

Mosaic Life Care officials say
there has been a dramatic increase in violence against its caregivers, and it
won’t be tolerated.

Mosaic CEO Mike Poore says the
increase in violence the last couple of years has no discernable common thread.

“We’ve had random acts of
violence in every department in the hospital,” Moore tells reporters during a
news conference at the St. Joseph hospital. “It’s increasingly frustrating.”

Those acts vary, according to
Mosaic Chief Nursing Officer Rebecca Bledsoe.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1701206080410.jpeg" alt="Mosaic Life Care CEO Mike Poore addresses a St. Joseph news conference. Sitting left to right is Mosaic Chief Nursing Officer Rebecca Bledsoe, St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster, and Buchanan County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson./Photo by Brent Martin" />
 <figcaption>Mosaic Life Care CEO Mike Poore addresses a St. Joseph news conference. Sitting left to right is Mosaic Chief Nursing Officer Rebecca Bledsoe, St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster, and Buchanan County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson./Photo by Brent Martin</figcaption>
 </figure>By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care officials say
there has been a dramatic increase in violence against its caregivers, and it
won’t be tolerated.Mosaic CEO Mike Poore says the
increase in violence the last couple of years has no discernable common thread.“We’ve had random acts of
violence in every department in the hospital,” Moore tells reporters during a
news conference at the St. Joseph hospital. “It’s increasingly frustrating.”Those acts vary, according to
Mosaic Chief Nursing Officer Rebecca Bledsoe.“Everything from verbal abuse,
mental abuse, and to physical abuse,” Bledsoe says. “And it’s every scenario
that you can imagine.”While there appears to be no
common thread or discernable trend to the violence, it does seem to be on the
increase of late. &nbsp;Poore says assaults
have spiked the last two years and seem to only be increasing.“In the last several weeks, I’ve
had a nurse punched in the face. I’ve had another caregiver who was grabbed by
the hair and her face was slammed into a table,” Poore says, adding that a security
guard suffered a broken knee cap responding to an assault.“I’ve been in health care for 36
years. It’s just that we’ve seen it increase to a level that has not been seen
in my career,” Poore says.Mosaic showed a video of some of the acts of violence. We have that video below.Both Bledsoe and Poore say Mosaic
is encouraging nurses and others who are assaulted to report assaults to
police. Both add caregivers are reluctant to report.“Deep down in their heart they
feel like it goes against what they are here to do and that’s just to provide
care to patients,” Bledsoe explains. “But the other thing is, we are very busy
in health care and there’s a lot of steps that goes into making sure we’re reporting.
And so, it is another burden that we have to go through.”Bledsoe says Mosaic is helping
alleviate some of the burden of filing the paperwork to report workplace
violence.The St. Joseph Police Department
pledges to investigate every report of workplace violence at Mosaic. Buchanan
County Prosecutor Michelle Davidson urges anyone assaulted to file a report.Mosaic has hospitals in St.
Joseph, Maryville, and Albany with clinics throughout its 19-county region.<div><div style="position:relative;overflow:hidden;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/L6tDrHyL-KcBmu4K3.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Mosaic Life Care on Workplace Violence" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div><div><iframe src="https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kfeq-news/embed/episodes/Mosaic-working-to-solve-growing-violence-problem-in-the-hospital-e2chke2" height="102px" width="400px" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></div>