KANSAS CITY (AP) —The United Auto Workers expanded its strike against major automakers Friday, walking out of 38 General Motors and Stellantis parts distribution centers in 20 states.

(Click below to watch the Friday announcement from UAW President)

Another 5,600 additional workers joined the strike on top of the 13,000 of the 146,000 members that began the strike one week ago.

Ford was spared additional strikes because the company has met some of the union’s demands during negotiations over the past week, said UAW President Shawn Fain.

“We’ve made some real progress at Ford,” Fain said during an online presentation to union members. “We still have serious issues to work through, but we do want to recognize that Ford is showing that they are serious about reaching a deal.”

“At GM and Stellantis, it’s a different story,” he said. Those companies, he said, have rejected the union’s proposals for cost-of-living increases, profit sharing and job security.

The union is pointing to the companies’ huge recent profits as it seeks wage increases of 36% over four years. The companies have offered a little over half that amount. The UAW has other demands, including a 32-hour work week for 40 hours of pay and a restoration of traditional pension plans for newer workers.

The companies say they can’t afford to meet the union’s demands because they need to invest profits in a costly transition&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/automakers-fast-charging-network-electric-vehicles-cbb6c0102345c0db38f2baf96db742da">from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles</a>.

The UAW’s contract with the automakers expired at midnight on Sept. 14, and workers walked out of a Ford assembly plant near Detroit, a GM factory in Wentzville, Missouri, and a Jeep plant run by Stellantis in Toledo, Ohio.

Fain said earlier this week he would call on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strike-auto-workers-ford-gm-stellantis-f948704cce3d6dc9ca484142c5d0d98e">workers at more plants to strike</a>&nbsp;unless there was significant progress in contract negotiations with the carmakers. Bargaining continued Thursday, although neither side reported any breakthroughs, and they remained far apart on wage increases.

The companies have laid off a thousands of workers, saying some factories are running short on parts because of the strike.

Still, the impact is not yet being felt on car lots around the country – it will probably take a few weeks before the strike causes a significant shortage of new vehicles, according to analysts.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/car-prices-auto-workers-strike-98905c8e0fcf633d21a1f83183f9fd49">Prices could rise even sooner</a>, however, if the prospect of a prolonged strike triggers panic buying.

The union is seeking pay raises of 36% over four years, an end to lower pay scales for new workers, and most boldly, a 32-hour work week for 40 hours of pay. The car companies say they can’t afford the union’s demands despite huge profits because they need to invest in the transformation to electric vehicles.

One week ago, workers went on strike a week ago at three assembly plants — a Ford factory near Detroit, a GM plant outside St. Louis, and a Jeep plant owned by Stellantis in Toledo, Ohio.

The Detroit News&nbsp;<a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2023/09/21/howes-uaw-seeks-reputations-damage-operational-chaos-of-automakers/70913694007/">reported</a>&nbsp;Thursday that a spokesman for Fain wrote on a private group chat on X, formerly Twitter, that union negotiators aimed to inflict “recurring reputations damage and operational chaos” on the carmakers, and “if we can keep them wounded for months they don’t know what to do.”

Ford and GM seized on the messages as a sign of bad faith by the UAW.

“It’s now clear that the UAW leadership has always intended to cause months-long disruption, regardless of the harm it causes to its members and their communities,” GM said in a statement.

Ford spokesman Mark Truby called the messages “disappointing, to say the least, given what is at stake for our employees, the companies and this region.”

The UAW spokesman, Jonah Furman, did not confirm writing the messages, which were linked to the same picture as his X account, and called them “private messages” that “you shouldn’t have,” the newspaper reported.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695120321769.png" alt="The UAW’s contract with the automakers expired at midnight on Sept. 14.-UAW photo" />
 <figcaption>The UAW’s contract with the automakers expired at midnight on Sept. 14.-UAW photo</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) —The United Auto Workers expanded its strike against major automakers Friday, walking out of 38 General Motors and Stellantis parts distribution centers in 20 states.(Click below to watch the Friday announcement from UAW President)<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fuaw.union%2Fvideos%2F2065835110423564%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=502" 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>Another 5,600 additional workers joined the strike on top of the 13,000 of the 146,000 members that began the strike one week ago.Ford was spared additional strikes because the company has met some of the union’s demands during negotiations over the past week, said UAW President Shawn Fain.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UAW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UAW</a> stand up strike expands at noon today.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StandUpUAW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StandUpUAW</a> <a href="https://t.co/kBNIL9M8bW">pic.twitter.com/kBNIL9M8bW</a>&mdash; UAW (@UAW) <a href="https://twitter.com/UAW/status/1705239662296473785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“We’ve made some real progress at Ford,” Fain said during an online presentation to union members. “We still have serious issues to work through, but we do want to recognize that Ford is showing that they are serious about reaching a deal.”“At GM and Stellantis, it’s a different story,” he said. Those companies, he said, have rejected the union’s proposals for cost-of-living increases, profit sharing and job security.The union is pointing to the companies’ huge recent profits as it seeks wage increases of 36% over four years. The companies have offered a little over half that amount. The UAW has other demands, including a 32-hour work week for 40 hours of pay and a restoration of traditional pension plans for newer workers.The companies say they can’t afford to meet the union’s demands because they need to invest profits in a costly transition&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/automakers-fast-charging-network-electric-vehicles-cbb6c0102345c0db38f2baf96db742da">from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles</a>.The UAW’s contract with the automakers expired at midnight on Sept. 14, and workers walked out of a Ford assembly plant near Detroit, a GM factory in Wentzville, Missouri, and a Jeep plant run by Stellantis in Toledo, Ohio.Fain said earlier this week he would call on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/strike-auto-workers-ford-gm-stellantis-f948704cce3d6dc9ca484142c5d0d98e">workers at more plants to strike</a>&nbsp;unless there was significant progress in contract negotiations with the carmakers. Bargaining continued Thursday, although neither side reported any breakthroughs, and they remained far apart on wage increases.The companies have laid off a thousands of workers, saying some factories are running short on parts because of the strike.Still, the impact is not yet being felt on car lots around the country – it will probably take a few weeks before the strike causes a significant shortage of new vehicles, according to analysts.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/car-prices-auto-workers-strike-98905c8e0fcf633d21a1f83183f9fd49">Prices could rise even sooner</a>, however, if the prospect of a prolonged strike triggers panic buying.The union is seeking pay raises of 36% over four years, an end to lower pay scales for new workers, and most boldly, a 32-hour work week for 40 hours of pay. The car companies say they can’t afford the union’s demands despite huge profits because they need to invest in the transformation to electric vehicles.One week ago, workers went on strike a week ago at three assembly plants — a Ford factory near Detroit, a GM plant outside St. Louis, and a Jeep plant owned by Stellantis in Toledo, Ohio.The Detroit News&nbsp;<a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2023/09/21/howes-uaw-seeks-reputations-damage-operational-chaos-of-automakers/70913694007/">reported</a>&nbsp;Thursday that a spokesman for Fain wrote on a private group chat on X, formerly Twitter, that union negotiators aimed to inflict “recurring reputations damage and operational chaos” on the carmakers, and “if we can keep them wounded for months they don’t know what to do.”Ford and GM seized on the messages as a sign of bad faith by the UAW.“It’s now clear that the UAW leadership has always intended to cause months-long disruption, regardless of the harm it causes to its members and their communities,” GM said in a statement.Ford spokesman Mark Truby called the messages “disappointing, to say the least, given what is at stake for our employees, the companies and this region.”The UAW spokesman, Jonah Furman, did not confirm writing the messages, which were linked to the same picture as his X account, and called them “private messages” that “you shouldn’t have,” the newspaper reported.

🎥Strike against U.S. automakers spreads nationwide

SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person was injured in a fire at a home on Wednesday in Topeka.

Just after 4:30 p.m., fire crews&nbsp;responded to a medical emergency that resulted from a small fire inside a duplex at 3354 SW Brendan Avenue in Topeka, according to city spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.

Upon arrival, the small fire had already been extinguished and first responder located a woman who was injured due to smoking and being on home oxygen. 

Crews provided medical care and American Medical Response transported her to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

After a preliminary investigation the fire cause remains accidental. The total estimated dollar loss from this incident is $200, all of which is associated with content loss. The home did not have working smoke detectors.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —One person was injured in a fire at a home on Wednesday in Topeka.Just after 4:30 p.m., fire crews&nbsp;responded to a medical emergency that resulted from a small fire inside a duplex at 3354 SW Brendan Avenue in Topeka, according to city spokesperson Gretchen Spiker.Upon arrival, the small fire had already been extinguished and first responder located a woman who was injured due to smoking and being on home oxygen. Crews provided medical care and American Medical Response transported her to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.After a preliminary investigation the fire cause remains accidental. The total estimated dollar loss from this incident is $200, all of which is associated with content loss. The home did not have working smoke detectors.

Kan. woman smoking while on home oxygen critically injured

BY:&nbsp;ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;AND&nbsp;SAMANTHA DIETEL&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>

WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers to reiterate the need for continued aid to support his country’s fight against the Russian invasion, even as the U.S. faces a partial government shutdown as soon as the end of the month.

“If we don’t get the aid, we will lose the war,” Zelenskyy said to senators, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

There’s bipartisan support in the Senate to approve the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-asks-congress-40b-ukraine-aid-us-disaster-response-border-security">White House request of $24 billion in supplemental aid to Ukraine</a>, including from top Senate appropriators. However, some Republican senators are lukewarm and others are firmly opposed. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has not openly expressed support&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.azmirror.com/2023/09/21/shutdown-inches-closer-as-u-s-house-gop-fails-to-pass-defense-bill-lawmakers-exit-d-c/">as he grapples with gaining enough votes</a>&nbsp;from his party to avoid a shutdown.

“It is very clear that if we were to have a government shutdown, or pass a CR without Ukrainian aid, the damage that would occur on Ukraine’s campaign would be devastating,” Schumer, a New York Democrat, said.

CR refers to a continuing resolution, the name for the short-term government funding bill that lawmakers must pass to give themselves more time to pass the full-year spending bills.

U.S. House Republicans are currently struggling to produce and pass a short-term plan to fund the government past the end of the month. If a stopgap spending bill is not passed by the Sept. 30 deadline, then&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/disaster-nears-millions-federal-workers-paychecks-would-be-hold-shutdown">a partial shutdown will commence.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>

Congress was not Zelenskyy’s only stop while in Washington. He met with President Joe Biden and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin.

Biden said his administration was “supporting a just and lasting peace, one that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” according to a pool report.

Zelenskyy said he appreciated the “vital assistance provided by the United States to Ukraine to combat Russia terrorism” and described his meetings with members of both parties in Congress as “frank, constructive dialogue.”

Following a meeting with Zelenskyy, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican, said during a press conference that Congress should specify the specific weapons that Zelenskyy asked for in the $24 billion supplemental funding bill, such as F-16 jets and long-range artillery.

“This man has moral courage and moral clarity,” McCaul said of Zelenskyy. “The will of the Ukrainian people is far stronger than the will of the Russians.”

McCaul said that McCarthy is supportive of sending aid to Ukraine. McCaul said he believes McCarthy can get more Republicans on board.

After a Wednesday closed-door Senate briefing about Ukraine, more than two dozen Republican lawmakers sent a letter to the White House opposing any more funding.

Ohio GOP Sen. J.D. Vance posted the letter&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JDVance1/status/1704836926212022346/photo/1">to X</a>, formerly known as Twitter, that was signed by 28 Republicans.

“Yesterday at a classified briefing over Ukraine, it became clear that America is being asked to fund an indefinite conflict with unlimited resources. Enough is enough. To these and future requests, my colleagues and I say: NO,” according to the letter.

Those GOP senators who signed onto the letter include Vance, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mike Braun of Indiana, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, Mike Lee of Utah and Roger Marshall of Kansas.

House GOP members who signed onto the letter include Reps. Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs and Eli Crane of Arizona; Dan Bishop of North Carolina; Bill Posey, Anna Paulina Luna, Greg Steube and Byron Donalds of Florida; Chip Roy, Michael Cloud, Lance Gooden, Beth Van Duyne, and Roger Williams of Texas; Clay Higgins of Louisiana; Harriet Hageman of Wyoming; Bob Good of Virginia; Warren Davidson of Ohio; Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma; Andy Ogles of Tennessee; Russell Fry and Jeff Duncan of South Carolina; and Mary Miller of Illinois.

House Republicans and a handful of Senate Republicans who did not sign the letter have also been critical about overall government spending and providing additional support for Ukraine.

U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, said he is opposed to approving aid to Ukraine because he doesn’t see Ukraine defeating Russia anytime soon.

“It sounds to me like this is a stalemate,” he said. “What’s our plan? What are we going to do? Are we just going to spend hundreds of billions indefinitely? What is the plan here? I just don’t know.”

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, was not moved.

“What you’d expect,” he said. “It’s the same points being made, there’s nothing particularly new.”

However, U.S. Democratic Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota said that Zelenskyy “struck a very bipartisan note.”

“His main message was one of gratitude for the help that the United States (has) provided to Ukraine and … ask that we continue that support so that Russia doesn’t overrun Ukraine,” Smith said.

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-asks-congress-40b-ukraine-aid-us-disaster-response-border-security">The White House is asking for Congress to approve $24 billion</a>&nbsp;for several types of aid to Ukraine.

The request asks Congress to provide $13.1 billion for the Defense Department, $8.5 billion for the&nbsp;State Department and USAID, $2.3 billion for the Treasury Department, $100 million for the Department of Health and Human Services and $68 million for the Energy Department.

Top Senate appropriators Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington, and Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, both said they believe Ukraine should receive aid.

Collins said she asked Zelenskyy what would be the impact if Ukraine only received military aid rather than economic and humanitarian aid.

“He explained that all of their budget is going to aid their soldiers and sailors and that if they did not get the humanitarian and economic aid, they would lose their school teachers, their health care professionals would leave, and … additional people would literally die,” Collins said.

In a statement, Murray said that Ukraine’s defense against Russia is at a critical point.

“[I]t’s so important that Congress continues our strong and bipartisan support for Ukraine, so they have the resources and weapons they need to defend themselves against Putin’s invasion,” she said.

Congress has approved four aid packages for Ukraine since the war began in February of last year, totaling $110 billion.

The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congress-reaches-deal-massive-spending-package-billions-covid-aid-ukraine">first aid package</a>&nbsp;was approved in March 2022 and included $13.6 billion. The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congress-clears-40b-ukraine-aid-bidens-signature-some-gop-balk">second assistance package</a>&nbsp;was approved in May 2022 and provided $40 billion, and the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/hours-ahead-shutdown-deadline-us-house-sends-biden-stopgap-spending-bill">&nbsp;third relief package</a>&nbsp;was approved in September 2022 for more than $12 billion. A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-approves-17-trillion-funding-package-and-sends-it-biden">fourth supplemental package</a>&nbsp;was approved in December 2022 for $45 billion.

McConnell: ‘Support for Ukraine is not charity’

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, has pressed for additional military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine to help bolster democracy in Eastern Europe.

“At the risk of repeating myself, American support for Ukraine is not charity,” McConnell said in a statement. “It’s an investment in our own direct interests — not least because degrading Russia’s military power helps to deter our primary strategic adversary, China.”

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a senior GOP member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said that Zelenskyy laid out to senators what would happen if U.S. support were to vanish.

“Russia would make very substantial gains,” he said.

U.S. Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Ron Wyden of Oregon said Zelenskyy’s meeting showed how this is a pivotal moment.

“He did a very, very good job of explaining what the stakes are for Ukraine, for Europe, and for the democracies of the world if you allow an authoritarian to get away with it,” Kaine said.&nbsp; “He also pointed out that actually giving into Putin is the thing that creates the forever war.”

U.S. Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said Zelenskyy made a “very urgent case for the United States to stay engaged and to continue with support.”

Pentagon spokesman Brigadier Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Thursday that the Defense Department will continue to seek bipartisan support for Ukraine aid in Congress.

“It’s important, again, to re-emphasize why Ukraine matters,” he said. “In addition to helping our Ukrainian partners to defend themselves from unprovoked aggression, the implications, not only on European security, but also on U.S. and international security are very stark … If Russia were to succeed in eliminating Ukraine as a nation, they won’t stop there.”

Making school bomb shelters more comfortable

Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska was also in Washington, where she visited students, faculty and staff at Georgetown University.

She spoke about the ways education has been affected by the conflict, with young children spending their first day of school learning in bomb shelters.

“I’m looking at you and I can see our students,” Zelenska said. “I don’t think you are that different. And you have one particular trait in common, that’s caring and empathy and wanting to change things for the better.”

She said that her foundation in Ukraine has three priority areas: humanitarian assistance, support for education and support for health care. One of the foundation’s projects is aimed at making bomb shelters for schools in Ukraine more comfortable. So far, eight schools are part of the program.

“If there is no bomb shelter in a school, children cannot attend it, school will just not open, so a lot of children do distance learning,” Zelenska said.

Zelenska was presented with the Hillary Clinton Award for advancing women, peace and security. She was awarded this recognition virtually last year.

Zelenska stressed that if her country were to be defeated, it would not just impact Ukraine and its people, but threaten everyone.

“If you have power, if you have opportunities and resources, you can do anything you want,” Zelenska said. “You can be a tyrant, you can seize other countries, other territories, and then these situations mean that no one is safe in this world.”

“To turn a blind eye means to turn your back to your own future,” she said.

Jennifer Shutt and Jacob Fischler contributed to this report.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695327171658.png" alt="President Biden and the first lady welcomed Zelenskyy to the White House Thursday afternoon-White House photo" />
 <figcaption>President Biden and the first lady welcomed Zelenskyy to the White House Thursday afternoon-White House photo</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;ARIANA FIGUEROA&nbsp;AND&nbsp;SAMANTHA DIETEL&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/30/u-s-judge-rules-insurers-dont-have-to-cover-many-free-preventive-health-services/">States Newsroom</a>WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers to reiterate the need for continued aid to support his country’s fight against the Russian invasion, even as the U.S. faces a partial government shutdown as soon as the end of the month.“If we don’t get the aid, we will lose the war,” Zelenskyy said to senators, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.There’s bipartisan support in the Senate to approve the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-asks-congress-40b-ukraine-aid-us-disaster-response-border-security">White House request of $24 billion in supplemental aid to Ukraine</a>, including from top Senate appropriators. However, some Republican senators are lukewarm and others are firmly opposed. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has not openly expressed support&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.azmirror.com/2023/09/21/shutdown-inches-closer-as-u-s-house-gop-fails-to-pass-defense-bill-lawmakers-exit-d-c/">as he grapples with gaining enough votes</a>&nbsp;from his party to avoid a shutdown.“It is very clear that if we were to have a government shutdown, or pass a CR without Ukrainian aid, the damage that would occur on Ukraine’s campaign would be devastating,” Schumer, a New York Democrat, said.CR refers to a continuing resolution, the name for the short-term government funding bill that lawmakers must pass to give themselves more time to pass the full-year spending bills.U.S. House Republicans are currently struggling to produce and pass a short-term plan to fund the government past the end of the month. If a stopgap spending bill is not passed by the Sept. 30 deadline, then&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/disaster-nears-millions-federal-workers-paychecks-would-be-hold-shutdown">a partial shutdown will commence.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</a>Congress was not Zelenskyy’s only stop while in Washington. He met with President Joe Biden and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin.Biden said his administration was “supporting a just and lasting peace, one that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” according to a pool report.Zelenskyy said he appreciated the “vital assistance provided by the United States to Ukraine to combat Russia terrorism” and described his meetings with members of both parties in Congress as “frank, constructive dialogue.”Following a meeting with Zelenskyy, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul, a Texas Republican, said during a press conference that Congress should specify the specific weapons that Zelenskyy asked for in the $24 billion supplemental funding bill, such as F-16 jets and long-range artillery.“This man has moral courage and moral clarity,” McCaul said of Zelenskyy. “The will of the Ukrainian people is far stronger than the will of the Russians.”McCaul said that McCarthy is supportive of sending aid to Ukraine. McCaul said he believes McCarthy can get more Republicans on board.<h2>Vance leads letter of opposition</h2>After a Wednesday closed-door Senate briefing about Ukraine, more than two dozen Republican lawmakers sent a letter to the White House opposing any more funding.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Yesterday at a classified briefing over Ukraine, it became clear that America is being asked to fund an indefinite conflict with unlimited resources. Enough is enough. To these and future requests, my colleagues and I say: NO. <a href="https://t.co/mCMh604UGp">pic.twitter.com/mCMh604UGp</a>&mdash; J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) <a href="https://twitter.com/JDVance1/status/1704836926212022346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Ohio GOP Sen. J.D. Vance posted the letter&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JDVance1/status/1704836926212022346/photo/1">to X</a>, formerly known as Twitter, that was signed by 28 Republicans.“Yesterday at a classified briefing over Ukraine, it became clear that America is being asked to fund an indefinite conflict with unlimited resources. Enough is enough. To these and future requests, my colleagues and I say: NO,” according to the letter.Those GOP senators who signed onto the letter include Vance, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mike Braun of Indiana, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, Mike Lee of Utah and Roger Marshall of Kansas.House GOP members who signed onto the letter include Reps. Paul Gosar, Andy Biggs and Eli Crane of Arizona; Dan Bishop of North Carolina; Bill Posey, Anna Paulina Luna, Greg Steube and Byron Donalds of Florida; Chip Roy, Michael Cloud, Lance Gooden, Beth Van Duyne, and Roger Williams of Texas; Clay Higgins of Louisiana; Harriet Hageman of Wyoming; Bob Good of Virginia; Warren Davidson of Ohio; Josh Brecheen of Oklahoma; Andy Ogles of Tennessee; Russell Fry and Jeff Duncan of South Carolina; and Mary Miller of Illinois.House Republicans and a handful of Senate Republicans who did not sign the letter have also been critical about overall government spending and providing additional support for Ukraine.U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican, said he is opposed to approving aid to Ukraine because he doesn’t see Ukraine defeating Russia anytime soon.“It sounds to me like this is a stalemate,” he said. “What’s our plan? What are we going to do? Are we just going to spend hundreds of billions indefinitely? What is the plan here? I just don’t know.”U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, was not moved.“What you’d expect,” he said. “It’s the same points being made, there’s nothing particularly new.”However, U.S. Democratic Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota said that Zelenskyy “struck a very bipartisan note.”“His main message was one of gratitude for the help that the United States (has) provided to Ukraine and … ask that we continue that support so that Russia doesn’t overrun Ukraine,” Smith said.<h2>$24 billion request</h2><a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/biden-asks-congress-40b-ukraine-aid-us-disaster-response-border-security">The White House is asking for Congress to approve $24 billion</a>&nbsp;for several types of aid to Ukraine.The request asks Congress to provide $13.1 billion for the Defense Department, $8.5 billion for the&nbsp;State Department and USAID, $2.3 billion for the Treasury Department, $100 million for the Department of Health and Human Services and $68 million for the Energy Department.Top Senate appropriators Patty Murray, Democrat of Washington, and Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, both said they believe Ukraine should receive aid.Collins said she asked Zelenskyy what would be the impact if Ukraine only received military aid rather than economic and humanitarian aid.“He explained that all of their budget is going to aid their soldiers and sailors and that if they did not get the humanitarian and economic aid, they would lose their school teachers, their health care professionals would leave, and … additional people would literally die,” Collins said.In a statement, Murray said that Ukraine’s defense against Russia is at a critical point.“[I]t’s so important that Congress continues our strong and bipartisan support for Ukraine, so they have the resources and weapons they need to defend themselves against Putin’s invasion,” she said.Congress has approved four aid packages for Ukraine since the war began in February of last year, totaling $110 billion.The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congress-reaches-deal-massive-spending-package-billions-covid-aid-ukraine">first aid package</a>&nbsp;was approved in March 2022 and included $13.6 billion. The&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/congress-clears-40b-ukraine-aid-bidens-signature-some-gop-balk">second assistance package</a>&nbsp;was approved in May 2022 and provided $40 billion, and the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/hours-ahead-shutdown-deadline-us-house-sends-biden-stopgap-spending-bill">&nbsp;third relief package</a>&nbsp;was approved in September 2022 for more than $12 billion. A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-approves-17-trillion-funding-package-and-sends-it-biden">fourth supplemental package</a>&nbsp;was approved in December 2022 for $45 billion.<h2>McConnell: ‘Support for Ukraine is not charity’</h2>Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, has pressed for additional military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine to help bolster democracy in Eastern Europe.“At the risk of repeating myself, American support for Ukraine is not charity,” McConnell said in a statement. “It’s an investment in our own direct interests — not least because degrading Russia’s military power helps to deter our primary strategic adversary, China.”Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, a senior GOP member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said that Zelenskyy laid out to senators what would happen if U.S. support were to vanish.“Russia would make very substantial gains,” he said.U.S. Democratic Sens. Tim Kaine of Virginia and Ron Wyden of Oregon said Zelenskyy’s meeting showed how this is a pivotal moment.“He did a very, very good job of explaining what the stakes are for Ukraine, for Europe, and for the democracies of the world if you allow an authoritarian to get away with it,” Kaine said.&nbsp; “He also pointed out that actually giving into Putin is the thing that creates the forever war.”U.S. Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said Zelenskyy made a “very urgent case for the United States to stay engaged and to continue with support.”Pentagon spokesman Brigadier Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Thursday that the Defense Department will continue to seek bipartisan support for Ukraine aid in Congress.“It’s important, again, to re-emphasize why Ukraine matters,” he said. “In addition to helping our Ukrainian partners to defend themselves from unprovoked aggression, the implications, not only on European security, but also on U.S. and international security are very stark … If Russia were to succeed in eliminating Ukraine as a nation, they won’t stop there.”<h2>Making school bomb shelters more comfortable</h2>Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska was also in Washington, where she visited students, faculty and staff at Georgetown University.She spoke about the ways education has been affected by the conflict, with young children spending their first day of school learning in bomb shelters.“I’m looking at you and I can see our students,” Zelenska said. “I don’t think you are that different. And you have one particular trait in common, that’s caring and empathy and wanting to change things for the better.”She said that her foundation in Ukraine has three priority areas: humanitarian assistance, support for education and support for health care. One of the foundation’s projects is aimed at making bomb shelters for schools in Ukraine more comfortable. So far, eight schools are part of the program.“If there is no bomb shelter in a school, children cannot attend it, school will just not open, so a lot of children do distance learning,” Zelenska said.Zelenska was presented with the Hillary Clinton Award for advancing women, peace and security. She was awarded this recognition virtually last year.Zelenska stressed that if her country were to be defeated, it would not just impact Ukraine and its people, but threaten everyone.“If you have power, if you have opportunities and resources, you can do anything you want,” Zelenska said. “You can be a tyrant, you can seize other countries, other territories, and then these situations mean that no one is safe in this world.”“To turn a blind eye means to turn your back to your own future,” she said.Jennifer Shutt and Jacob Fischler contributed to this report.

Zelenskyy ‘If we don’t get the aid, we will lose the war

NORTON COUNTY —Some area of northwest Kansas were under a&nbsp; tornado warning Thursday evening. The sheriff's office in Norton said there are no reports of damage and no confirmed tornado in the county.

Norton county did have winds over 50 miles per hour, large hail and over two inches of rain from the storm. The National Weather Service also issued a flash flood warning for&nbsp;Norton, Almena and  Dellvale.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695386274193.png" alt="NWS image" />
 <figcaption>NWS image</figcaption>
 </figure>NORTON COUNTY —Some area of northwest Kansas were under a&nbsp; tornado warning Thursday evening. The sheriff's office in Norton said there are no reports of damage and no confirmed tornado in the county.Norton county did have winds over 50 miles per hour, large hail and over two inches of rain from the storm. The National Weather Service also issued a flash flood warning for&nbsp;Norton, Almena and Dellvale.

Strong winds, hail but no confirmed tornado in NW Kansas

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a road rage shooting and have made an arrest.

Just before 7p.m. Tuesday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a residence in Olathe where they found a 42-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his arm, according to a media release.

The injury occurred during a road rage incident on southbound Interstate 35 Highway, south of 119th&nbsp;Street.

EMS transported the victim to an area hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. Police located the suspect who was taken into custody on a requested charge of attempted murder.

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a road rage shooting and have made an arrest.Just before 7p.m. Tuesday, police&nbsp;were dispatched to a residence in Olathe where they found a 42-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his arm, according to a media release.The injury occurred during a road rage incident on southbound Interstate 35 Highway, south of 119th&nbsp;Street.EMS transported the victim to an area hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. Police located the suspect who was taken into custody on a requested charge of attempted murder.

Police make arrest in Kansas road-rage shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — With House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kevin-mccarthy">Kevin McCarthy's</a>&nbsp;latest funding plan in ruins and lawmakers leaving town for the weekend, there's no endgame in sight as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-government-shutdown-house-republicans-congress-543f93b6ad6a3f23ee3f5275e19293f9">hard-right Republicans</a>&nbsp;push dangerously closer to a disruptive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-government-shutdown-spending-house-right-wing-5c8af4f0a5ea3a9d93f54e6566d50aeb">federal shutdown</a>.

The White House will tell federal agencies on Friday to prepare for a shutdown, according to an official with the Office of Management and Budget who insisted on anonymity to discuss the upcoming instructions. That's standard seven days out from a federal disruption.

The Republican McCarthy has repeatedly tried to appease his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/speaker-mccarthy-profanity-shutdown-biden-impeachment-3ec12e37d00004b1e84b3d3db3237863">hard-right flank</a>&nbsp;by agreeing to the steep spending cuts they are demanding to keep government open. But cheered on by Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner for president in 2024, the conservatives have all but seized control in dramatic fashion.

In a crushing defeat Thursday, a handful of Republican hardliners blocked a typically popular defense bill from advancing — the second time this week it was set back, an unheard-of loss for a House speaker.

Even a stopgap bill to keep government funding past the Sept. 30 deadline, called a continuing resolution or CR, is a non-starter for some on the right flank who have essentially seized control of the House.

“This is a whole new concept of individuals who just want to burn the whole place down,” McCarthy said after Thursday's vote, acknowledging he was frustrated. “It doesn’t work.”

The open revolt was further evidence that McCarthy’s strategy of repeatedly giving in to the conservatives is seemingly only emboldening them, allowing them to run roughshod over their own House majority. Their conservative bills have almost no chances in the Senate.

Trump urged the conservatives to hold the line against the higher funding levels&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-deal-biden-mccarthy-default-01657c829be119850cd65ab9ffb0626a#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20With%20days,measure%20in%20the%20coming%20week.">McCarthy had agreed to with President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;earlier this year and to end the federal criminal indictments against him.

“This is also the last chance to defund these political prosecutions against me and other Patriots,” Trump wrote on social media.

“They failed on the debt limit, but they must not fail now. Use the power of the purse and defend the Country!” the former president wrote.

The White House and Democrats, along with some Republicans, warn that a shutdown would be devastating for people who rely on their government for everyday services and would undermine America’s standing in the world.

“We need the extreme MAGA Republicans to get their act together,” said House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, referring to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.

“End the civil war,” Jeffries urged the Republicans. “Get your act together.”

But one of Trump's top allies, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who is leading the hard-right flank, said the House Republicans now have almost no choices left but to spend the time it takes to pass each of the 12 spending bills needed to fund the government —- typically a laborious process — even if it means going into a shutdown.

Or they can join with Democrats to pass a CR, which is sure to put McCarthy's job at risk.

What Gaetz said he, and several others, would not do is vote for a continuing resolution that fails to slash spending.

“I’m giving a eulogy for the CR right now,” Gaetz told reporters after a late afternoon meeting at the Capitol.

“I represent Florida’s first congressional district, where during the shutdown tens of thousands of people will go without a paycheck, and so I know the impact of a shutdown,” Gaetz said. “So it may get worse before it gets better, and I have little to offer but blood, sweat, toil and tears, but that may be what it takes.”

A government closure is increasingly likely as time runs out for Congress to act.

McCarthy's bid to move ahead with a traditionally popular defense funding bill as a first step toward keeping the government running was shattered, on a vote of 212-216. Five Republicans refused to vote with the increasingly endangered speaker. A sixth Republican voted no on procedural grounds so the bill could be reconsidered.

Moving forward with the defense bill was supposed to be a way for McCarthy to build goodwill among the GOP House majority as he tries to pass a temporary measure just to keep government running for another month. It, too, had catered to other hard-right priorities, such as slashing spending by 8% from many services and bolstering security at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Many on the right flank opposed the deal McCarthy struck with Biden this year over the spending levels and are trying to dismantle it now. They want to see progress on the individual appropriations bills that would fund the various federal departments at the lower levels these lawmakers are demanding.

The morning test vote shattered a McCarthy strategy that had emerged just the night before. Republicans had appeared on track, in a tight roll call, to advancing the measure Thursday. Then the Democrats who had not yet voted began rushing into the chamber.

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and fellow Democrats yelled out to hold open the vote. She was a “no." A few others came in behind her and tipped the tally toward defeat.

The Democrats oppose the military bill on many fronts, including Republican provisions that would gut diversity programs at the Pentagon.

As passage appeared doomed, attention turned to the five Republican holdouts to switch their votes.

GOP leaders spent more than an hour on the floor trying to recruit one of them, Rep. Dan Bishop. R-N.C., to vote “yes.”

“Every time there’s the slightest relief of the pressure, the movement goes away from completing the work,” Bishop said.

When asked what it would take to gain his vote, Bishop said, “I think a schedule of appropriations bills over Kevin McCarthy signature would be meaningful to you to me.”

Others were dug in, including some who had supported advancing the defense bill just two days ago when it first failed.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a chief opponent of more aid for Ukraine in the war against Russia, said she voted against the defense bill this time because her party's leadership refused to separate out the war money. Her stand came as Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was at the Capitol during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-biden-washington-visit-congress-ukraine-war-1d20574fb3ea4fb5efcc7db5458a33a3">high-profile visit to Washington.</a>

McCarthy had pledged to keep lawmakers in session this weekend for as long as it took to finish their work. But they were sent home, told they could be called back on ample notice.

Many Republicans were starting to speak up more forcefully against their hard-right colleagues.

New York Rep. Mike Lawler, who represents a swing district, said he would not “be party to a shutdown.”

“There needs to be a realization that you’re not going to get everything you want,” he said. “Just throwing a temper tantrum and stomping your feet — frankly, not only is it wrong — it’s just pathetic.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695341819135.png" alt="A view of the House floor prior to taking a four day weekend Thursday afternoon-image&nbsp; CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>A view of the House floor prior to taking a four day weekend Thursday afternoon-image&nbsp; CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — With House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kevin-mccarthy">Kevin McCarthy's</a>&nbsp;latest funding plan in ruins and lawmakers leaving town for the weekend, there's no endgame in sight as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mccarthy-government-shutdown-house-republicans-congress-543f93b6ad6a3f23ee3f5275e19293f9">hard-right Republicans</a>&nbsp;push dangerously closer to a disruptive&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-government-shutdown-spending-house-right-wing-5c8af4f0a5ea3a9d93f54e6566d50aeb">federal shutdown</a>.The White House will tell federal agencies on Friday to prepare for a shutdown, according to an official with the Office of Management and Budget who insisted on anonymity to discuss the upcoming instructions. That's standard seven days out from a federal disruption.The Republican McCarthy has repeatedly tried to appease his&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/speaker-mccarthy-profanity-shutdown-biden-impeachment-3ec12e37d00004b1e84b3d3db3237863">hard-right flank</a>&nbsp;by agreeing to the steep spending cuts they are demanding to keep government open. But cheered on by Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner for president in 2024, the conservatives have all but seized control in dramatic fashion.In a crushing defeat Thursday, a handful of Republican hardliners blocked a typically popular defense bill from advancing — the second time this week it was set back, an unheard-of loss for a House speaker.Even a stopgap bill to keep government funding past the Sept. 30 deadline, called a continuing resolution or CR, is a non-starter for some on the right flank who have essentially seized control of the House.“This is a whole new concept of individuals who just want to burn the whole place down,” McCarthy said after Thursday's vote, acknowledging he was frustrated. “It doesn’t work.”The open revolt was further evidence that McCarthy’s strategy of repeatedly giving in to the conservatives is seemingly only emboldening them, allowing them to run roughshod over their own House majority. Their conservative bills have almost no chances in the Senate.Trump urged the conservatives to hold the line against the higher funding levels&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/debt-limit-deal-biden-mccarthy-default-01657c829be119850cd65ab9ffb0626a#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20(AP)%20%E2%80%94%20With%20days,measure%20in%20the%20coming%20week.">McCarthy had agreed to with President Joe Biden</a>&nbsp;earlier this year and to end the federal criminal indictments against him.“This is also the last chance to defund these political prosecutions against me and other Patriots,” Trump wrote on social media.“They failed on the debt limit, but they must not fail now. Use the power of the purse and defend the Country!” the former president wrote.The White House and Democrats, along with some Republicans, warn that a shutdown would be devastating for people who rely on their government for everyday services and would undermine America’s standing in the world.“We need the extreme MAGA Republicans to get their act together,” said House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, referring to Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.“End the civil war,” Jeffries urged the Republicans. “Get your act together.”But one of Trump's top allies, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who is leading the hard-right flank, said the House Republicans now have almost no choices left but to spend the time it takes to pass each of the 12 spending bills needed to fund the government —- typically a laborious process — even if it means going into a shutdown.Or they can join with Democrats to pass a CR, which is sure to put McCarthy's job at risk.What Gaetz said he, and several others, would not do is vote for a continuing resolution that fails to slash spending.“I’m giving a eulogy for the CR right now,” Gaetz told reporters after a late afternoon meeting at the Capitol.“I represent Florida’s first congressional district, where during the shutdown tens of thousands of people will go without a paycheck, and so I know the impact of a shutdown,” Gaetz said. “So it may get worse before it gets better, and I have little to offer but blood, sweat, toil and tears, but that may be what it takes.”A government closure is increasingly likely as time runs out for Congress to act.McCarthy's bid to move ahead with a traditionally popular defense funding bill as a first step toward keeping the government running was shattered, on a vote of 212-216. Five Republicans refused to vote with the increasingly endangered speaker. A sixth Republican voted no on procedural grounds so the bill could be reconsidered.Moving forward with the defense bill was supposed to be a way for McCarthy to build goodwill among the GOP House majority as he tries to pass a temporary measure just to keep government running for another month. It, too, had catered to other hard-right priorities, such as slashing spending by 8% from many services and bolstering security at the U.S.-Mexico border.Many on the right flank opposed the deal McCarthy struck with Biden this year over the spending levels and are trying to dismantle it now. They want to see progress on the individual appropriations bills that would fund the various federal departments at the lower levels these lawmakers are demanding.The morning test vote shattered a McCarthy strategy that had emerged just the night before. Republicans had appeared on track, in a tight roll call, to advancing the measure Thursday. Then the Democrats who had not yet voted began rushing into the chamber.New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and fellow Democrats yelled out to hold open the vote. She was a “no." A few others came in behind her and tipped the tally toward defeat.The Democrats oppose the military bill on many fronts, including Republican provisions that would gut diversity programs at the Pentagon.As passage appeared doomed, attention turned to the five Republican holdouts to switch their votes.GOP leaders spent more than an hour on the floor trying to recruit one of them, Rep. Dan Bishop. R-N.C., to vote “yes.”“Every time there’s the slightest relief of the pressure, the movement goes away from completing the work,” Bishop said.When asked what it would take to gain his vote, Bishop said, “I think a schedule of appropriations bills over Kevin McCarthy signature would be meaningful to you to me.”Others were dug in, including some who had supported advancing the defense bill just two days ago when it first failed.Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a chief opponent of more aid for Ukraine in the war against Russia, said she voted against the defense bill this time because her party's leadership refused to separate out the war money. Her stand came as Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was at the Capitol during a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/zelenskyy-biden-washington-visit-congress-ukraine-war-1d20574fb3ea4fb5efcc7db5458a33a3">high-profile visit to Washington.</a>McCarthy had pledged to keep lawmakers in session this weekend for as long as it took to finish their work. But they were sent home, told they could be called back on ample notice.Many Republicans were starting to speak up more forcefully against their hard-right colleagues.New York Rep. Mike Lawler, who represents a swing district, said he would not “be party to a shutdown.”“There needs to be a realization that you’re not going to get everything you want,” he said. “Just throwing a temper tantrum and stomping your feet — frankly, not only is it wrong — it’s just pathetic.”___

House takes the weekend off despite a shutdown deadline

RENO COUNTY — Hutchinson firefighters helped rescue a person stuck in the mud in Cow Creek on Thursday.

Just after 6p.m. fire crews responded to an entrapment with a person stuck in mud up to his chest, according to Fire Chief Steven Beer.

First responders found a man in his mid-twenties stuck in the mud. The friends who called 911 said before they called, the victim was only in as deep as his knees, but by the time crews got there, he had sunk over a foot.&nbsp;

Firefighters used a rope to put around him to keep him from sinking any further and then got a ladder and put it next to him to allow him to use the strength he had left to help hoist him out of the mud.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported.

RENO COUNTY — Hutchinson firefighters helped rescue a person stuck in the mud in Cow Creek on Thursday.Just after 6p.m. fire crews responded to an entrapment with a person stuck in mud up to his chest, according to Fire Chief Steven Beer.First responders found a man in his mid-twenties stuck in the mud. The friends who called 911 said before they called, the victim was only in as deep as his knees, but by the time crews got there, he had sunk over a foot.&nbsp;Firefighters used a rope to put around him to keep him from sinking any further and then got a ladder and put it next to him to allow him to use the strength he had left to help hoist him out of the mud.&nbsp; There were no injuries reported.

Firefighters rescue man stuck in mud in Kansas creek

SCOTT COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 466 officials are investigating a reported threat at the high school in Scott City, according to a statement from principal Matt Bayer released by the Scott City Police Department.

Police were notified and immediately began investigating. They determined the threat was not credible and did not believe there was any immediate danger to students and staff at the high school.

Law enforcement and school officials will continue to work together to maintain a safe environment for all students. There will continue to be a police presence at the school Friday to provide peace of mind for students and staff, according to Bayer.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695338174658.png" alt="Scott City High School-Google image" />
 <figcaption>Scott City High School-Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>SCOTT COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities and USD 466 officials are investigating a reported threat at the high school in Scott City, according to a statement from principal Matt Bayer released by the Scott City Police Department.Police were notified and immediately began investigating. They determined the threat was not credible and did not believe there was any immediate danger to students and staff at the high school.Law enforcement and school officials will continue to work together to maintain a safe environment for all students. There will continue to be a police presence at the school Friday to provide peace of mind for students and staff, according to Bayer.

School threat: Police presence continues at Kansas high school 

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been charged with two counts of murder after detectives in a newly formed cold case unit connected him to the deaths of two women nearly three decades ago.

DNA evidence led to the arrest of 52-year-old Gary Dion Davis, Kansas City Police Chief Karl Oakman and Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree said Wednesday. Davis is jailed on a $500,000 bond for two counts of second-degree murder, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article279564234.html">Kansas City Star</a>&nbsp;reported.

Davis was a long-haul truck driver in the 1990s. He is accused of killing 26-year-old Christina King, who was found beaten to death behind an abandoned building on Christmas Day in 1996. He also is charged with fatally stabbing Pearl Barnes, whose body was found in a vacant house a month earlier.

Davis does not yet have a listed attorney. Two phone numbers listed for him were no longer in service, and a third had a full mailbox and wasn't accepting messages on Thursday.

The circumstances behind the deaths are still being investigated, but police said they do not believe that Davis knew either of the women. Detectives are trying to determine if Davis could be responsible for other crimes.

The Kansas City Kansas Police Department's cold case unit began operation in January 2022 and consists of three full-time detectives. Oakman said the department has “a lot of unsolved cases” and already had identified suspects in 11 homicide cases.

"So, it may not be today. It may not be tomorrow. In fact, it may not be this year. But there’s gonna be a time,” Oakman said. “You may be in a drive-thru line. You may be at the grocery store. We’re gonna eventually get you.”

Authorities also announced that two other unrelated cases were recently solved.

A 66-year-old inmate was charged in May after he confessed to killing 16-year-old Dion Estell, who was found shot to death in a creek bed in July 1997. The inmate, who was convicted of a 1998 killing and is now in hospice care, confessed to cold case detectives because he wanted closure for Estell's family.

The oldest case cleared involved the death of an hours-old baby girl found in a dumpster behind an apartment complex in November 1976. DNA evidence led detectives to the mother of the child in 2022.

The woman accused her grandmother of taking the baby away shortly after she gave birth. The grandmother, who has since died, was identified as the primary suspect.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695293051137.png" alt="Davis-photo Wyandotte County" />
 <figcaption>Davis-photo Wyandotte County</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been charged with two counts of murder after detectives in a newly formed cold case unit connected him to the deaths of two women nearly three decades ago.DNA evidence led to the arrest of 52-year-old Gary Dion Davis, Kansas City Police Chief Karl Oakman and Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree said Wednesday. Davis is jailed on a $500,000 bond for two counts of second-degree murder, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article279564234.html">Kansas City Star</a>&nbsp;reported.Davis was a long-haul truck driver in the 1990s. He is accused of killing 26-year-old Christina King, who was found beaten to death behind an abandoned building on Christmas Day in 1996. He also is charged with fatally stabbing Pearl Barnes, whose body was found in a vacant house a month earlier.Davis does not yet have a listed attorney. Two phone numbers listed for him were no longer in service, and a third had a full mailbox and wasn't accepting messages on Thursday.The circumstances behind the deaths are still being investigated, but police said they do not believe that Davis knew either of the women. Detectives are trying to determine if Davis could be responsible for other crimes.The Kansas City Kansas Police Department's cold case unit began operation in January 2022 and consists of three full-time detectives. Oakman said the department has “a lot of unsolved cases” and already had identified suspects in 11 homicide cases."So, it may not be today. It may not be tomorrow. In fact, it may not be this year. But there’s gonna be a time,” Oakman said. “You may be in a drive-thru line. You may be at the grocery store. We’re gonna eventually get you.”Authorities also announced that two other unrelated cases were recently solved.A 66-year-old inmate was charged in May after he confessed to killing 16-year-old Dion Estell, who was found shot to death in a creek bed in July 1997. The inmate, who was convicted of a 1998 killing and is now in hospice care, confessed to cold case detectives because he wanted closure for Estell's family.The oldest case cleared involved the death of an hours-old baby girl found in a dumpster behind an apartment complex in November 1976. DNA evidence led detectives to the mother of the child in 2022.The woman accused her grandmother of taking the baby away shortly after she gave birth. The grandmother, who has since died, was identified as the primary suspect.

Kan. cold case detectives connect 2 killings to the same suspect

CHEYENNE COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Thursday in Cheyenne County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Peterbilt semi driven by Edgar L. Carpenter, 59, Bird City, was northbound at 1850 Road 25 in Bird City.

The semi struck a homemade motorcycle driven by a juvenile that traveled into the road from a driveway. The child had serious injuries.&nbsp; According to the KHP juvenile record is protected. The patrol released no additional details.

CHEYENNE COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just after 5:30p.m. Thursday in Cheyenne County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1997 Peterbilt semi driven by Edgar L. Carpenter, 59, Bird City, was northbound at 1850 Road 25 in Bird City.The semi struck a homemade motorcycle driven by a juvenile that traveled into the road from a driveway. The child had serious injuries.&nbsp; According to the KHP juvenile record is protected. The patrol released no additional details.

Semi strikes juvenile on motorcycle in NW Kansas 

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just before 1:30a.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75, near Carbondale, for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, illegal narcotics were located.

The driver of the vehicle, Michael S. Brumbaugh, 52, of Osage City was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Possession of cocaine and Interference with law enforcement

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695137870483.png" alt="Brumbaugh-photo Osage Co." />
 <figcaption>Brumbaugh-photo Osage Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just before 1:30a.m. Tuesday, a sheriff's deputy&nbsp;conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75, near Carbondale, for an alleged traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, illegal narcotics were located.The driver of the vehicle, Michael S. Brumbaugh, 52, of Osage City was taken into custody and transported to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of Possession of cocaine and Interference with law enforcement

Sheriff: Kansas man caught transporting cocaine

LYON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating after the bodies of two Kansas&nbsp; women 44-year-old Linda L. Estrada and 39-year-old&nbsp; Amy R. Ford were located in rural eastern Colorado, according to Emporia Police Captain Lisa Hayes.

The Emporia Police Department began their investigation in the early morning hours of Monday September 11, after a family member reported Linda Estrada as missing. 

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

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

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

A person of interest to the case is in custody on charges not related to this specific investigation, according to Hayes. The individual’s name will not be released by the Emporia Police Department at this time, due to the continuing investigation(s) in Colorado. Police confirmed the individual has been cooperative.

The investigation is being turned over to an eastern Colorado Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695324168687.png" alt="&nbsp;Amy Ford and Linda Estrada-photo Emporia Police" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Amy Ford and Linda Estrada-photo Emporia Police</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating after the bodies of two Kansas&nbsp; women 44-year-old Linda L. Estrada and 39-year-old&nbsp; Amy R. Ford were located in rural eastern Colorado, according to Emporia Police Captain Lisa Hayes.The Emporia Police Department began their investigation in the early morning hours of Monday September 11, after a family member reported Linda Estrada as missing. Police learned Estrada and Amy Ford had been together in Colorado the previous weekend. Amy was reported missing shortly after the investigation began.Emporia Police Investigations Division utilized cellular phone technology, along with security videos and solid police work to track the&nbsp; the two woman throughout Colorado. The investigation led detectives to portions of eastern Colorado and western Kansas. Authorities in Colorado spent 5 days searching with the aid of K9s, airplanes, drones and ground searches. On September 18, Emporia detectives traveled to eastern Colorado where they coordinated with local authorities. Just before 4p.m. CDT, Wednesday, the bodies were found in rural eastern Colorado.A person of interest to the case is in custody on charges not related to this specific investigation, according to Hayes. The individual’s name will not be released by the Emporia Police Department at this time, due to the continuing investigation(s) in Colorado. Police confirmed the individual has been cooperative.The investigation is being turned over to an eastern Colorado Sheriff’s Office and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

Police: Bodies of 2 missing Kansas women found in Colorado

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Texas man in connection with a theft from an ATM.

Just after 9:30p.m. Wednesday, police arrested 23-year-old Augustus Sherman Jr, 23, of Houston, Texas on a Riley County District Court warrant for burglary of a motor vehicle, two counts of theft, and two counts of criminal damage to property, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.

The charges stem from a 2022 incident in which Sherman was alleged to be involved in the theft of a vehicle and money from an ATM in Manhattan.

The total bond was set at $12,000 and he remains confined in the Riley County Jail.

RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Texas man in connection with a theft from an ATM.Just after 9:30p.m. Wednesday, police arrested 23-year-old Augustus Sherman Jr, 23, of Houston, Texas on a Riley County District Court warrant for burglary of a motor vehicle, two counts of theft, and two counts of criminal damage to property, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report.The charges stem from a 2022 incident in which Sherman was alleged to be involved in the theft of a vehicle and money from an ATM in Manhattan.The total bond was set at $12,000 and he remains confined in the Riley County Jail.

Texas man accused of theft from ATM in Kansas

CLOUD COUNTY —The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and law enforcement authorities in north central Kansas are conducting a death investigation after a shooting occurred at a party September 16, in rural Cloud County, according to a media release.

Just before 11:30p.m., a Clay Center resident called the Cloud County Sheriff's office to request help locating a 14-year-old family member. The girl reportedly ran away and was thought to be attending a party near the small community of Aurora, Kansas.

A Cloud County deputy responded to the outdoor field party near 210th Road and Lark Road.&nbsp; High school and college students were in attendance.

&nbsp;The deputy located the girl and tried to convince her to return to her family.&nbsp; As he was escorting her to his patrol vehicle, she pulled out a firearm and shot herself. The deputy did not draw his firearm.

The deputy and an off-duty firefighter attempted life-saving measures. Shortly after midnight, the teen was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;

Multiple individuals attending the party witnessed the incident. Law enforcement is interviewing them as part of the investigation.

CLOUD COUNTY —The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and law enforcement authorities in north central Kansas are conducting a death investigation after a shooting occurred at a party September 16, in rural Cloud County, according to a media release.Just before 11:30p.m., a Clay Center resident called the Cloud County Sheriff's office to request help locating a 14-year-old family member. The girl reportedly ran away and was thought to be attending a party near the small community of Aurora, Kansas.A Cloud County deputy responded to the outdoor field party near 210th Road and Lark Road.&nbsp; High school and college students were in attendance.&nbsp;The deputy located the girl and tried to convince her to return to her family.&nbsp; As he was escorting her to his patrol vehicle, she pulled out a firearm and shot herself. The deputy did not draw his firearm.The deputy and an off-duty firefighter attempted life-saving measures. Shortly after midnight, the teen was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;Multiple individuals attending the party witnessed the incident. Law enforcement is interviewing them as part of the investigation.

KBI investigating death of 14-year-old girl at outdoor party

LAS VEGAS (AP) — MGM Resorts brought to an end a 10-day computer shutdown prompted by efforts to shield from a cyberattack data including hotel reservations and credit card processing, the casino giant said Wednesday, as analysts and academics measured the effects of the event.

“We are pleased that all of our hotels and casinos are operating normally,” the Las Vegas-based company posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. It&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mgm-resorts-casino-vegas-cybersecurity-outage-06de044bdf1880af2a8bce1a38c986ee">reported last week</a>&nbsp;that the attack was detected Sept. 10.

Rival casino owner Caesars Entertainment also disclosed last week&nbsp;<a href="https://investor.caesars.com/static-files/0bc13ee5-34a9-402e-8e7a-824b9dba4e57">to federal regulators</a>&nbsp;that it was hit by a cyberattack Sept. 7. It said that its casino and online operations were not disrupted but it could not guarantee that personal information about tens of millions of customers, including driver’s licenses and Social Security numbers of loyalty rewards members, had not been compromised.

Caesars, based in Reno, is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vegas-casinos-mgm-resorts-caesars-cyberattack-shutdown-3f7f80d0d200e9f26a2efa88bc5a6862">widely reported to have paid</a>&nbsp;$15 million of a $30 million ransom sought by a group called Scattered Spider for a promise to secure the data.

Details about the extent of the MGM breach were not immediately disclosed, including the kind of information that may have been compromised and how much it cost the company.

Gregory Moody, professor and director of the cybersecurity program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, pointed to quoted estimates that the computer shutdown cost the company up to $8 million per day, which could put the cumulative effect at $80 million. But Moody also noted that MGM Resorts reports annual revenues above $14 billion, which would mean it averages at least $270 million in revenues per week.

The company reported Wednesday that systems handling resort services, dining, entertainment, pools and spas were operational and its website and app were taking dining and spa reservations while the company worked to restore hotel booking and loyalty reward functions.

"MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas and throughout the country are back to normal operations," spokesman Brian Ahern told The Associated Press. MGM also has properties in Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York and Ohio.

FBI spokeswoman Sandra Breault in Las Vegas declined to comment and referred to a previous statement by the agency saying an investigation was ongoing.

Experts said the attacks exposed critical cybersecurity weaknesses at MGM and Caesars and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vegas-casinos-mgm-caesars-cyberattack-59644d2cb0f2a765770d30f268b81a11">shattered an image of casino invulnerability</a>.

“At this point, all casinos should be moving to the highest defensive posture possible and taking active measures to verify the integrity of their systems and environment, and reviewing — if not activating — their incident response processes,” said Christopher Budd, a director of threat research at cybersecurity firm Sophos X-Ops. “There’s been attacks against multiple casinos, and it’s possible we’ll see more.”

Caesars Entertainment is the largest casino owner in the world, with more than 65 million rewards members and properties in 18 states and Canada under the Caesars, Harrah’s, Horseshoe and Eldorado brands. It also has mobile and online operations and sports betting.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/9/1695299433606.png" alt="Rival casino owner Caesars Entertainment also disclosed last week&nbsp;<a href="https://investor.caesars.com/static-files/0bc13ee5-34a9-402e-8e7a-824b9dba4e57">to federal regulators</a>&nbsp;that it was hit by a cyberattack Sept. 7" />
 <figcaption>Rival casino owner Caesars Entertainment also disclosed last week&nbsp;<a href="https://investor.caesars.com/static-files/0bc13ee5-34a9-402e-8e7a-824b9dba4e57">to federal regulators</a>&nbsp;that it was hit by a cyberattack Sept. 7</figcaption>
 </figure>LAS VEGAS (AP) — MGM Resorts brought to an end a 10-day computer shutdown prompted by efforts to shield from a cyberattack data including hotel reservations and credit card processing, the casino giant said Wednesday, as analysts and academics measured the effects of the event.“We are pleased that all of our hotels and casinos are operating normally,” the Las Vegas-based company posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. It&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mgm-resorts-casino-vegas-cybersecurity-outage-06de044bdf1880af2a8bce1a38c986ee">reported last week</a>&nbsp;that the attack was detected Sept. 10.Rival casino owner Caesars Entertainment also disclosed last week&nbsp;<a href="https://investor.caesars.com/static-files/0bc13ee5-34a9-402e-8e7a-824b9dba4e57">to federal regulators</a>&nbsp;that it was hit by a cyberattack Sept. 7. It said that its casino and online operations were not disrupted but it could not guarantee that personal information about tens of millions of customers, including driver’s licenses and Social Security numbers of loyalty rewards members, had not been compromised.Caesars, based in Reno, is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vegas-casinos-mgm-resorts-caesars-cyberattack-shutdown-3f7f80d0d200e9f26a2efa88bc5a6862">widely reported to have paid</a>&nbsp;$15 million of a $30 million ransom sought by a group called Scattered Spider for a promise to secure the data.Details about the extent of the MGM breach were not immediately disclosed, including the kind of information that may have been compromised and how much it cost the company.Gregory Moody, professor and director of the cybersecurity program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, pointed to quoted estimates that the computer shutdown cost the company up to $8 million per day, which could put the cumulative effect at $80 million. But Moody also noted that MGM Resorts reports annual revenues above $14 billion, which would mean it averages at least $270 million in revenues per week.The company reported Wednesday that systems handling resort services, dining, entertainment, pools and spas were operational and its website and app were taking dining and spa reservations while the company worked to restore hotel booking and loyalty reward functions."MGM Resorts properties in Las Vegas and throughout the country are back to normal operations," spokesman Brian Ahern told The Associated Press. MGM also has properties in Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York and Ohio.FBI spokeswoman Sandra Breault in Las Vegas declined to comment and referred to a previous statement by the agency saying an investigation was ongoing.Experts said the attacks exposed critical cybersecurity weaknesses at MGM and Caesars and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vegas-casinos-mgm-caesars-cyberattack-59644d2cb0f2a765770d30f268b81a11">shattered an image of casino invulnerability</a>.“At this point, all casinos should be moving to the highest defensive posture possible and taking active measures to verify the integrity of their systems and environment, and reviewing — if not activating — their incident response processes,” said Christopher Budd, a director of threat research at cybersecurity firm Sophos X-Ops. “There’s been attacks against multiple casinos, and it’s possible we’ll see more.”Caesars Entertainment is the largest casino owner in the world, with more than 65 million rewards members and properties in 18 states and Canada under the Caesars, Harrah’s, Horseshoe and Eldorado brands. It also has mobile and online operations and sports betting.MGM Resorts is the largest private employer in Nevada, operating tens of thousands of hotel rooms in Las Vegas at its flagship MGM Grand and properties including Bellagio, Aria, New York-New York and Mandalay Bay. It also operates resorts in China and Macau. It employees 75,000 people in the U.S. and abroad.Caesars stock traded Wednesday at $50.17 per share, up 36 cents for the day. MGM shares were at $38.77, down 43 cents. Both companies are expected to disclose effects of the attacks in quarterly reports next month to the Securities and Exchange Commission.The attack on MGM also has been attributed to Scattered Spider, a group of English-speakers also sometimes known as Øktapus operating under a Russia-based operation called ALPHV or BlackCat.“But there are a lot of conflicting reports,” said David Richardson, an executive at cybersecurity firm Lookout. “You have Scattered Spider claiming that they’ve done both in various forums, and ALPHV, saying that Scattered Spider wasn’t involved with the other. But there’s a lot of technical evidence that shows that there’s a relationship between the two."Lisa Plaggemier, executive director at the nonprofit&nbsp;<a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.staysafeonline.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C01%7Ckritter%40ap.org%7Cca0a20ea9b804d508b7d08dbba1f1bcb%7Ce442e1abfd6b4ba3abf3b020eb50df37%7C1%7C0%7C638308415018540478%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=mb7J%2FcYXYobsfimbQlMHY8zqn4%2B%2FU6M1B2XdGgBX3B8%3D&amp;reserved=0">National Cybersecurity Alliance</a>, called MGM’s decision to shut down vulnerable systems to prevent intrusion a positive step but said it highlighted “significant" security gaps and an urgent need for substantial investment in employee training and cybersecurity. The risk, she said, is ”downtime and financial losses."“Caesars Entertainment’s decision to pay the ransom highlighted a lack of confidence and investment in their cyber defenses,” Plaggemier said.Moody, at UNLV, said via email that the attacks showed that even for well-prepared or technically advanced companies, “it is not a matter of if you get attacked, but when you get attacked.”