HALIFIX (AP) —Rescuers in a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean raced against time Tuesday to find&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titanic-shipwreck-titan-submersible-search-deepsea-atlantic-a89dbd2f6d3edd7e4a52566e451a5e6d">a missing submersible</a>&nbsp;before the oxygen supply runs out for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titanic-shipwreck-titan-submersible-search-deepsea-atlantic-a89dbd2f6d3edd7e4a52566e451a5e6d">five people</a>&nbsp;who were on a mission to document the wreckage of the Titanic.

Despite an international rescue effort, U.S. Coast Guard officials said the search covering 10,000 square miles (26,000 square kilometers) had turned up no signs of the lost sub known as the Titan, but they planned to continue looking.

Authorities&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titanic-wreckage-missing-submersible-62fadef7a55af0022e3dc75df862a5c1">reported the carbon-fiber vessel overdue Sunday night</a>, setting off the search in waters about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Aboard were a pilot, renowned British adventurer Hamish Harding, two members of an iconic Pakistani business family and a Titanic expert.

The submersible had a 96-hour oxygen supply when it put to sea at roughly 6 a.m. Sunday, according to David Concannon, an adviser to OceanGate Expeditions, which oversaw the mission.

That means the oxygen supply could run out Thursday morning.

CBS News journalist David Pogue, who traveled to Titanic aboard the Titan last year, said the vehicle uses two communication systems: text messages that go back and forth to a surface ship and safety pings that are emitted every 15 minutes to indicate that the sub is still working.

Both of those systems stopped about an hour and 45 minutes after the Titan submerged.

"There are only two things that could mean. Either they lost all power or the ship developed a hull breach and it imploded instantly. Both of those are devastatingly hopeless,” Pogue told CBC on Tuesday.

The submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon. One system is designed to work even if everyone aboard is unconscious, Pogue said.

Experts said the rescuers face steep challenges.

Alistair Greig, a professor of marine engineering at University College London, said submersibles typically have a drop weight, which is “a mass they can release in the case of an emergency to bring them up to the surface using buoyancy.”

“If there was a power failure and/or communication failure, this might have happened, and the submersible would then be bobbing about on the surface waiting to be found,” Greig said.

Another scenario is a leak in the pressure hull, in which case the prognosis is not good, he said.

“If it has gone down to the seabed and can’t get back up under its own power, options are very limited,” Greig said. “While the submersible might still be intact, if it is beyond the continental shelf, there are very few vessels that can get that deep, and certainly not divers.”

Even if they could go that deep, he doubts rescuers could attach to the submersible.

By Tuesday morning, an area totaling 10,000 square miles had been searched, the U.S. Coast Guard tweeted.

The Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, which was supporting the Titan, was to continue conducting surface searches with help from a Canadian Boeing P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, the Coast Guard said on Twitter. Two U.S. Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft also conducted overflights.

The Canadian military dropped sonar buoys to listen for any possible sounds from the Titan.

Concannon, who said he was supposed to be on the dive but could not go, said officials were also working to get a remotely operated vehicle that can dive to a depth of 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) to the site as soon as possible.

OceanGate’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arts-and-entertainment-environment-and-nature-science-f73cc9d0dbced13398bc04bf388e6eba">expeditions to the Titanic wreck site</a>&nbsp;include archaeologists and marine biologists. The company also brings people who pay to come along, known as “mission specialists.” They take turns operating sonar equipment and performing other tasks in the submersible.

The Coast Guard said Monday that the Titan carried a pilot and four “mission specialists." However, OceanGate's website suggests that the fifth person may be a so-called “content expert” who guides the paying customers.

Authorities have yet to formally identify those on board, though some names have been confirmed, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who, according to the company, was serving as a member of the crew.

Rush told The Associated Press in June 2021 that the Titan’s technology was “very cutting edge” and was developed with the help of NASA and aerospace manufacturers.

“This is the only submersible – crewed submersible – that’s made of carbon fiber and titanium,” Rush said, calling it the “largest carbon fiber structure that we know of,” with 5-inch-thick carbon fiber and 3.25-inch-thick titanium.

Harding, who lives in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, was one of the mission specialists, according to Action Aviation, a company where Harding serves as chairman.

Harding is a billionaire adventurer who holds three Guinness world records, including the longest duration at full ocean depth by a crewed vessel. In March 2021, he and ocean explorer Victor Vescovo descended to the lowest depth of the Mariana Trench. In June 2022, he went into space on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket.

Also on board were Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, according to a family statement. The Dawoods belong to one of Pakistan's most prominent families. Their eponymous firm invests across the country in agriculture, industries and the health sector.

Shahzada Dawood also is on the board of trustees for the California-based SETI Institute that searches for extraterrestrial intelligence.

French explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet was also aboard, according to David Gallo, a senior adviser for strategic initiatives and special projects at RMS Titanic. Gallo identified Nargeolet, a friend who has led multiple expeditions to the Titanic, on Tuesday during an interview with CNN.

Greg Stone, a longtime ocean scientist based in California and a friend of Rush, called the lost submersible “a fundamentally new submarine design” that showed great promise for future research. Unlike its predecessors, the Titan was not spherical in shape.

“Stockton was a risk taker. He was smart ... he had a vision. He wanted to push things forward," Stone said.

The expedition was OceanGate’s third annual voyage to chronicle the deterioration of Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank in 1912, killing all but about 700 of the roughly 2,200 passengers and crew. Since the wreckage’s discovery in 1985, it has been slowly succumbing to metal-eating bacteria.

OceanGate’s website described the “mission support fee” for the 2023 expedition as $250,000 a person.

Recalling his own trip aboard the Titan, Pogue said the vessel got turned around looking for the Titanic.

“There’s no GPS underwater, so the surface ship is supposed to guide the sub to the shipwreck by sending text messages,” Pogue said in a segment aired on “CBS Sunday Morning.” “But on this dive, communications somehow broke down. The sub never found the wreck.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1687279790385.png" alt="Photo courtesy Oceangate Expeditions" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Oceangate Expeditions</figcaption>
 </figure>HALIFIX (AP) —Rescuers in a remote area of the Atlantic Ocean raced against time Tuesday to find&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titanic-shipwreck-titan-submersible-search-deepsea-atlantic-a89dbd2f6d3edd7e4a52566e451a5e6d">a missing submersible</a>&nbsp;before the oxygen supply runs out for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titanic-shipwreck-titan-submersible-search-deepsea-atlantic-a89dbd2f6d3edd7e4a52566e451a5e6d">five people</a>&nbsp;who were on a mission to document the wreckage of the Titanic.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/JmH8e47zuI">pic.twitter.com/JmH8e47zuI</a>&mdash; OceanGate Expeditions (@OceanGateExped) <a href="https://twitter.com/OceanGateExped/status/1670876600152526848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Despite an international rescue effort, U.S. Coast Guard officials said the search covering 10,000 square miles (26,000 square kilometers) had turned up no signs of the lost sub known as the Titan, but they planned to continue looking.Authorities&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/titanic-wreckage-missing-submersible-62fadef7a55af0022e3dc75df862a5c1">reported the carbon-fiber vessel overdue Sunday night</a>, setting off the search in waters about 435 miles (700 kilometers) south of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Aboard were a pilot, renowned British adventurer Hamish Harding, two members of an iconic Pakistani business family and a Titanic expert.The submersible had a 96-hour oxygen supply when it put to sea at roughly 6 a.m. Sunday, according to David Concannon, an adviser to OceanGate Expeditions, which oversaw the mission.That means the oxygen supply could run out Thursday morning.CBS News journalist David Pogue, who traveled to Titanic aboard the Titan last year, said the vehicle uses two communication systems: text messages that go back and forth to a surface ship and safety pings that are emitted every 15 minutes to indicate that the sub is still working.Both of those systems stopped about an hour and 45 minutes after the Titan submerged."There are only two things that could mean. Either they lost all power or the ship developed a hull breach and it imploded instantly. Both of those are devastatingly hopeless,” Pogue told CBC on Tuesday.The submersible had seven backup systems to return to the surface, including sandbags and lead pipes that drop off and an inflatable balloon. One system is designed to work even if everyone aboard is unconscious, Pogue said.Experts said the rescuers face steep challenges.Alistair Greig, a professor of marine engineering at University College London, said submersibles typically have a drop weight, which is “a mass they can release in the case of an emergency to bring them up to the surface using buoyancy.”“If there was a power failure and/or communication failure, this might have happened, and the submersible would then be bobbing about on the surface waiting to be found,” Greig said.Another scenario is a leak in the pressure hull, in which case the prognosis is not good, he said.“If it has gone down to the seabed and can’t get back up under its own power, options are very limited,” Greig said. “While the submersible might still be intact, if it is beyond the continental shelf, there are very few vessels that can get that deep, and certainly not divers.”Even if they could go that deep, he doubts rescuers could attach to the submersible.By Tuesday morning, an area totaling 10,000 square miles had been searched, the U.S. Coast Guard tweeted.The Canadian research icebreaker Polar Prince, which was supporting the Titan, was to continue conducting surface searches with help from a Canadian Boeing P-8 Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft, the Coast Guard said on Twitter. Two U.S. Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft also conducted overflights.The Canadian military dropped sonar buoys to listen for any possible sounds from the Titan.Concannon, who said he was supposed to be on the dive but could not go, said officials were also working to get a remotely operated vehicle that can dive to a depth of 3.7 miles (6 kilometers) to the site as soon as possible.OceanGate’s&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arts-and-entertainment-environment-and-nature-science-f73cc9d0dbced13398bc04bf388e6eba">expeditions to the Titanic wreck site</a>&nbsp;include archaeologists and marine biologists. The company also brings people who pay to come along, known as “mission specialists.” They take turns operating sonar equipment and performing other tasks in the submersible.The Coast Guard said Monday that the Titan carried a pilot and four “mission specialists." However, OceanGate's website suggests that the fifth person may be a so-called “content expert” who guides the paying customers.Authorities have yet to formally identify those on board, though some names have been confirmed, including OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush, who, according to the company, was serving as a member of the crew.Rush told The Associated Press in June 2021 that the Titan’s technology was “very cutting edge” and was developed with the help of NASA and aerospace manufacturers.“This is the only submersible – crewed submersible – that’s made of carbon fiber and titanium,” Rush said, calling it the “largest carbon fiber structure that we know of,” with 5-inch-thick carbon fiber and 3.25-inch-thick titanium.Harding, who lives in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, was one of the mission specialists, according to Action Aviation, a company where Harding serves as chairman.Harding is a billionaire adventurer who holds three Guinness world records, including the longest duration at full ocean depth by a crewed vessel. In March 2021, he and ocean explorer Victor Vescovo descended to the lowest depth of the Mariana Trench. In June 2022, he went into space on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket.Also on board were Pakistani nationals Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, according to a family statement. The Dawoods belong to one of Pakistan's most prominent families. Their eponymous firm invests across the country in agriculture, industries and the health sector.Shahzada Dawood also is on the board of trustees for the California-based SETI Institute that searches for extraterrestrial intelligence.French explorer and Titanic expert Paul-Henry Nargeolet was also aboard, according to David Gallo, a senior adviser for strategic initiatives and special projects at RMS Titanic. Gallo identified Nargeolet, a friend who has led multiple expeditions to the Titanic, on Tuesday during an interview with CNN.Greg Stone, a longtime ocean scientist based in California and a friend of Rush, called the lost submersible “a fundamentally new submarine design” that showed great promise for future research. Unlike its predecessors, the Titan was not spherical in shape.“Stockton was a risk taker. He was smart ... he had a vision. He wanted to push things forward," Stone said.The expedition was OceanGate’s third annual voyage to chronicle the deterioration of Titanic, which struck an iceberg and sank in 1912, killing all but about 700 of the roughly 2,200 passengers and crew. Since the wreckage’s discovery in 1985, it has been slowly succumbing to metal-eating bacteria.OceanGate’s website described the “mission support fee” for the 2023 expedition as $250,000 a person.Recalling his own trip aboard the Titan, Pogue said the vessel got turned around looking for the Titanic.“There’s no GPS underwater, so the surface ship is supposed to guide the sub to the shipwreck by sending text messages,” Pogue said in a segment aired on “CBS Sunday Morning.” “But on this dive, communications somehow broke down. The sub never found the wreck.”___

Coast Guard: Extensive search has yielded no sign of missing sub

NEW YORK (AP) — Check fraud is back in a big way, fueled by a rise in organized crime that is forcing small businesses and individuals to take additional safety measures or to avoid sending checks through the mail altogether.

Banks issued roughly 680,000 reports of check fraud to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, also known as FinCEN, last year. That’s up from 350,000 reports in 2021. Meanwhile the U.S. Postal Inspection Service reported roughly 300,000 complaints of mail theft in 2021, more than double the prior year's total.

Early in the pandemic, government relief checks became an attractive target for criminals. The problem has only gotten worse and postal authorities and bank officials are warning Americans to avoid mailing checks if possible, or at least to use a secure mail drop such as inside the post office. Meanwhile, as the cases of fraud increase, victims are waiting longer to recover their stolen money.

Check usage has been in decline for decades as Americans have largely switched to paying for their services with credit and debit cards. Americans wrote roughly 3.4 billion checks in 2022, down from nearly 19 billion checks in 1990, according to the Federal Reserve. However, the average size of the checks Americans write rose from $673 in 1990 — or $1,602 in today's dollars — to $2,652 last year.

“Despite the declining use of checks in the United States, criminals have been increasingly targeting the U.S. Mail since the COVID-19 pandemic to commit check fraud,” FinCEN wrote in an alert sent out in February.

Checks are still frequently used by small businesses. Eric Fischgrund, who runs FischTank PR, a 30-person public relations firm in New York, had about 15 checks that were being mailed to him from clients stolen after they all went through the same Postal Service distribution center. Ten of them were successfully cashed by criminals.

The checks were stolen in March and Fischgrund became aware of the problem in April, when several of his clients who were never late missed payments. The Postal Service investigated and Fischgrund has recovered about 70% of the revenue, but some of the cases haven’t yet been resolved.

According to the investigator on the case, the perpetrators used technology that melted ink in the “to” field of the checks so they could write in fake names. FischTank instructed all its clients to change their paper format because it was dealing with a check fraud issue.

Fischgrund said he’d never previously had an issue with check fraud in the nearly 10 years he has run his own business. Now he has a clause in invoices and new client contracts that asks for electronic payments only.

“I don’t think we’ll ever go back to asking for checks as an option,” he said.

Today’s check fraud criminals are not small operations, or lone individuals like the Leonardo DiCaprio character in the 2002 movie “Catch Me If You Can,” counterfeiting checks from his hotel room and apartment. They are sophisticated criminal operations, with participants infiltrating post office distribution centers, setting up fake businesses or creating fake IDs to deposit the checks. “Walkers,” or people who actually walk in to cash these checks, receive training in how to appear even more legitimate.

In one case in Southern California last year, nearly sixty people were arrested on charges of committing more than $5 million in check fraud against 750 people.

Criminals are getting the checks or identification information by fishing mail out of U.S. postal boxes, looking for envelopes that appear to be either bill payments or checks being mailed.

The most common type of check fraud is what’s known as check washing, where a criminal steals the check from the mail and proceeds to change the payee’s name on the check and, additionally, the amount of money.

Some criminals are going further and using the information found on a check to gather sensitive personal data on a potential victim. There have been reports of criminals creating fake entities out of personal data obtained from a check, or even opening new lines of credit or businesses with that data as well. This allows fraudsters to create new checks using old account data.

That’s why check fraud experts are saying Americans should avoid sending checks in the mail or at least take additional safety steps to avoid becoming a victim.

“If you need to mail a check, do not put a check in your residential mailbox and raise the flag to notify the postman. Drop off checks inside a post office if you have to,” said Todd Robertson with Argo Data, a financial data provider.

Banks, keenly aware of the problem, are increasingly watching for signs of fraud at branches and through mobile check deposit services, including large check deposits. They’re training branch employees to take steps such as looking at check numbers, because checks are typically written in order, or noticing when a check is being written for a much larger amount than the customer’s previous history would indicate. Banks also now deploy software at their branches that can tell how risky a check might be.

But those systems become moot if criminals are able to persuade tellers — often at the front lines for check acceptance — to look past any red flags.

“These fraudsters are much more aggressive than they were in the past, and they are pressuring tellers to override internal systems that might flag a potentially suspicious transaction,” Paul Brenda, a senior vice president at the American Bankers Association.

Banks generally reimburse customers if they are victims of check fraud within days. However, due to the growing number of fraud cases, refunds have slowed down in recent months. In March, a trio of Democratic Senators asked the banking industry to be more prompt in reimbursing victims of check fraud whenever possible.

Another safety tip for businesses is to opt in to a bank’s “positive pay” services with a business checking account. Positive pay means you pre-authorize checks for a certain amount as well as the check number, cutting down criminals’ ability to wash the check and withdraw money for an amount that isn’t pre-authorized.

NEW YORK (AP) — Check fraud is back in a big way, fueled by a rise in organized crime that is forcing small businesses and individuals to take additional safety measures or to avoid sending checks through the mail altogether.Banks issued roughly 680,000 reports of check fraud to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, also known as FinCEN, last year. That’s up from 350,000 reports in 2021. Meanwhile the U.S. Postal Inspection Service reported roughly 300,000 complaints of mail theft in 2021, more than double the prior year's total.Early in the pandemic, government relief checks became an attractive target for criminals. The problem has only gotten worse and postal authorities and bank officials are warning Americans to avoid mailing checks if possible, or at least to use a secure mail drop such as inside the post office. Meanwhile, as the cases of fraud increase, victims are waiting longer to recover their stolen money.Check usage has been in decline for decades as Americans have largely switched to paying for their services with credit and debit cards. Americans wrote roughly 3.4 billion checks in 2022, down from nearly 19 billion checks in 1990, according to the Federal Reserve. However, the average size of the checks Americans write rose from $673 in 1990 — or $1,602 in today's dollars — to $2,652 last year.“Despite the declining use of checks in the United States, criminals have been increasingly targeting the U.S. Mail since the COVID-19 pandemic to commit check fraud,” FinCEN wrote in an alert sent out in February.Checks are still frequently used by small businesses. Eric Fischgrund, who runs FischTank PR, a 30-person public relations firm in New York, had about 15 checks that were being mailed to him from clients stolen after they all went through the same Postal Service distribution center. Ten of them were successfully cashed by criminals.The checks were stolen in March and Fischgrund became aware of the problem in April, when several of his clients who were never late missed payments. The Postal Service investigated and Fischgrund has recovered about 70% of the revenue, but some of the cases haven’t yet been resolved.According to the investigator on the case, the perpetrators used technology that melted ink in the “to” field of the checks so they could write in fake names. FischTank instructed all its clients to change their paper format because it was dealing with a check fraud issue.Fischgrund said he’d never previously had an issue with check fraud in the nearly 10 years he has run his own business. Now he has a clause in invoices and new client contracts that asks for electronic payments only.“I don’t think we’ll ever go back to asking for checks as an option,” he said.Today’s check fraud criminals are not small operations, or lone individuals like the Leonardo DiCaprio character in the 2002 movie “Catch Me If You Can,” counterfeiting checks from his hotel room and apartment. They are sophisticated criminal operations, with participants infiltrating post office distribution centers, setting up fake businesses or creating fake IDs to deposit the checks. “Walkers,” or people who actually walk in to cash these checks, receive training in how to appear even more legitimate.In one case in Southern California last year, nearly sixty people were arrested on charges of committing more than $5 million in check fraud against 750 people.Criminals are getting the checks or identification information by fishing mail out of U.S. postal boxes, looking for envelopes that appear to be either bill payments or checks being mailed.The most common type of check fraud is what’s known as check washing, where a criminal steals the check from the mail and proceeds to change the payee’s name on the check and, additionally, the amount of money.Some criminals are going further and using the information found on a check to gather sensitive personal data on a potential victim. There have been reports of criminals creating fake entities out of personal data obtained from a check, or even opening new lines of credit or businesses with that data as well. This allows fraudsters to create new checks using old account data.That’s why check fraud experts are saying Americans should avoid sending checks in the mail or at least take additional safety steps to avoid becoming a victim.“If you need to mail a check, do not put a check in your residential mailbox and raise the flag to notify the postman. Drop off checks inside a post office if you have to,” said Todd Robertson with Argo Data, a financial data provider.Banks, keenly aware of the problem, are increasingly watching for signs of fraud at branches and through mobile check deposit services, including large check deposits. They’re training branch employees to take steps such as looking at check numbers, because checks are typically written in order, or noticing when a check is being written for a much larger amount than the customer’s previous history would indicate. Banks also now deploy software at their branches that can tell how risky a check might be.But those systems become moot if criminals are able to persuade tellers — often at the front lines for check acceptance — to look past any red flags.“These fraudsters are much more aggressive than they were in the past, and they are pressuring tellers to override internal systems that might flag a potentially suspicious transaction,” Paul Brenda, a senior vice president at the American Bankers Association.Banks generally reimburse customers if they are victims of check fraud within days. However, due to the growing number of fraud cases, refunds have slowed down in recent months. In March, a trio of Democratic Senators asked the banking industry to be more prompt in reimbursing victims of check fraud whenever possible.Another safety tip for businesses is to opt in to a bank’s “positive pay” services with a business checking account. Positive pay means you pre-authorize checks for a certain amount as well as the check number, cutting down criminals’ ability to wash the check and withdraw money for an amount that isn’t pre-authorized.____

Americans warned not to mail checks; check fraud has spiked dramatically

COFFEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal crash during a pursuit of a stolen vehicle

Just before 11:30a.m. Wednesday, a Trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol initiated a traffic stop on northbound U.S. 75 Highway north of Kansas 58 exit.

 The vehicle, a red Ford F-150, was stolen as a result of an aggravated robbery carjacking in Texas.

The vehicle fled and a pursuit was initiated. At 11:24am, the F150 drove onto the right shoulder, and attempted to pass a northbound commercial vehicle five miles south of the Interstate 35 exit.

While passing, the Ford truck was involved in a crash with two commercial vehicles.

As a result of the collision, the driver and passenger of the Ford F-150 were pronounced deceased. There were no injuries reported to either commercial vehicle driver.

The Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team was called to the scene. Authorities released no additional details including names of those who died.

COFFEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal crash during a pursuit of a stolen vehicleJust before 11:30a.m. Wednesday, a Trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol initiated a traffic stop on northbound U.S. 75 Highway north of Kansas 58 exit. The vehicle, a red Ford F-150, was stolen as a result of an aggravated robbery carjacking in Texas.The vehicle fled and a pursuit was initiated. At 11:24am, the F150 drove onto the right shoulder, and attempted to pass a northbound commercial vehicle five miles south of the Interstate 35 exit.While passing, the Ford truck was involved in a crash with two commercial vehicles.As a result of the collision, the driver and passenger of the Ford F-150 were pronounced deceased. There were no injuries reported to either commercial vehicle driver.The Kansas Highway Patrol Critical Highway Accident Response Team was called to the scene. Authorities released no additional details including names of those who died.

KHP: 2 in reported stolen pickup dead after chase, crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Monday it won't review North Carolina's decision to stop issuing specialty license plates with the Confederate flag.

As is typical, the court did not comment in declining to hear the case, which challenged the state's decision. The dispute was one of many the court said Monday it would not hear. It was similar to a case originating in Texas that the court heard in 2015, when it ruled the license plates are state property.

The current dispute stems from North Carolina's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-wilmington-1d605f11ae3b49ea67159202d42b61c0">2021 decision</a>&nbsp;to stop issuing specialty license plates bearing the insignia of the North Carolina chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The chapter sued, claiming that the state's decision violated state and federal law. A lower court dismissed the case, and a federal appeals court agreed with that decision.

North Carolina offers three standard license plates and more than 200 specialty plates. Civic clubs including the Sons of Confederate Veterans can create specialty plates by meeting specific requirements.

In 2021, however, the state Department of Transportation sent the group a letter saying it would "no longer issue or renew specialty license plates bearing the Confederate battle flag or any variation of that flag" because the plates "have the potential to offend those who view them."

The state said it would consider alternate artwork for the plates' design if it does not contain the Confederate flag.

The organization unsuccessfully argued that the state's decision violated its free speech rights under the Constitution's First Amendment and state law governing specialty license plates.

In 2015, the Sons of Confederate Veterans’ Texas chapter claimed Texas was wrong not to issue a specialty license plate with the group's insignia. But the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f6922e307dd846fc8bffffa16cff654e">Supreme Court ruled</a>&nbsp;5-4 that Texas could limit the content of license plates because they are state property.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court said Monday it won't review North Carolina's decision to stop issuing specialty license plates with the Confederate flag.As is typical, the court did not comment in declining to hear the case, which challenged the state's decision. The dispute was one of many the court said Monday it would not hear. It was similar to a case originating in Texas that the court heard in 2015, when it ruled the license plates are state property.The current dispute stems from North Carolina's&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-wilmington-1d605f11ae3b49ea67159202d42b61c0">2021 decision</a>&nbsp;to stop issuing specialty license plates bearing the insignia of the North Carolina chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. The chapter sued, claiming that the state's decision violated state and federal law. A lower court dismissed the case, and a federal appeals court agreed with that decision.North Carolina offers three standard license plates and more than 200 specialty plates. Civic clubs including the Sons of Confederate Veterans can create specialty plates by meeting specific requirements.In 2021, however, the state Department of Transportation sent the group a letter saying it would "no longer issue or renew specialty license plates bearing the Confederate battle flag or any variation of that flag" because the plates "have the potential to offend those who view them."The state said it would consider alternate artwork for the plates' design if it does not contain the Confederate flag.The organization unsuccessfully argued that the state's decision violated its free speech rights under the Constitution's First Amendment and state law governing specialty license plates.In 2015, the Sons of Confederate Veterans’ Texas chapter claimed Texas was wrong not to issue a specialty license plate with the group's insignia. But the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f6922e307dd846fc8bffffa16cff654e">Supreme Court ruled</a>&nbsp;5-4 that Texas could limit the content of license plates because they are state property.

High Court won't review decision to nix license plates with Confederate flag

HARVEY COUNTY —One person is dead following a single-vehicle accident just before 7:30p.m. Sunday southeast of Hesston.

A vehicle driven by Traci Slater, 35, of Hesston, was traveling in the 5500 Block of North Hesston Road, according to the Harvey County Sheriff's office.

The vehicle left the road, entered the north ditch and rolled. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; There were no other occupants in the vehicle. It is unknown if Slater was wearing a seat belt. The accident remains under investigation.

A vehicle driven by a woman in her 30s was traveling in the 5500 Block of North Hesston Road, according to the Harvey County Sheriff's office.

The vehicle left the road, entered the north ditch and rolled. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;. There were no other occupants in the vehicle. It is unknown if the woman was wearing a seat belt. The accident remains under investigation.

The name of the driver has not been released.

HARVEY COUNTY —One person is dead following a single-vehicle accident just before 7:30p.m. Sunday southeast of Hesston.A vehicle driven by Traci Slater, 35, of Hesston, was traveling in the 5500 Block of North Hesston Road, according to the Harvey County Sheriff's office.The vehicle left the road, entered the north ditch and rolled. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp; There were no other occupants in the vehicle. It is unknown if Slater was wearing a seat belt. The accident remains under investigation.----------HARVEY COUNTY —One person is dead following a single-vehicle accident just before 7:30p.m. Sunday southeast of Hesston.A vehicle driven by a woman in her 30s was traveling in the 5500 Block of North Hesston Road, according to the Harvey County Sheriff's office.The vehicle left the road, entered the north ditch and rolled. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.&nbsp;. There were no other occupants in the vehicle. It is unknown if the woman was wearing a seat belt. The accident remains under investigation.The name of the driver has not been released.

Sheriff: Woman in her 30s dies in Kansas rollover crash

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis went to the hospital Wednesday to undergo abdominal surgery to treat an intestinal blockage, two years after he had 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon removed because of a narrowing of the large intestine.

The Vatican said Francis, 86, would be put under general anesthesia for the procedure Wednesday afternoon and would be hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital for several days.

Francis' Fiat 500 car pulled out of the Vatican shortly after 11 a.m. with an escort, and arrived at the Gemelli some 20 minutes later.

The pope is undergoing what the Vatican said was a “laparotomy and abdominal wall plastic surgery with prosthesis” to treat a “recurrent, painful and worsening” constriction of the intestine.

A laparotomy is open abdominal surgery. It can help a surgeon both diagnose and treat issues. The statement said Francis was suffering from a blocked laparocele, which is a hernia that formed over a previous scar.

"The stay at the health facility will last several days to allow for the normal post-operative course and full functional recovery,” the statement said. An update was not expected until after the procedure.

Francis remains in charge of the Vatican and the 1.3-billion strong Catholic Church, even while unconscious and in the hospital.

In July 2021, Francis spent 10 days at Gemelli to remove 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his large intestine. He had suffered what the Vatican said was a severe inflammation and narrowing of the colon.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-retirement-papacy-dcca464e7c1fd910568d07d6bf4d9994">In an interview with The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;in January, Francis said the diverticulosis, or bulges in his intestinal wall, that had prompted the 2021 surgery, had returned.

Francis had come out of the 2021 surgery saying he could eat whatever he wanted, but he lamented that he hadn’t responded well to the general anesthetic used in the longer-than-expected procedure. That reaction in part explained his refusal to have surgery to repair strained knee ligaments that have forced him to use a wheelchair and walker for over a year.

The fact that he is going back for surgery suggests he had little choice but to treat the intestinal issue, especially given the rigorous upcoming travel schedule this summer.

The Argentine pope had part of one lung removed when he was a young man. He also suffers from sciatica nerve pain. In late March, Francis spent three days at Gemelli for an acute case of bronchitis, during which he was treated with intravenous antibiotics. He emerged April 1 saying “Still alive!”

Francis initially went to the Gemelli on Tuesday for what the Vatican said were medical tests. It revealed no details at the time.

The 86-year-old had appeared in good form Wednesday morning at his audience in St. Peter’s Square, zipping around the square in his popemobile greeting the faithful. He also had two meetings beforehand, the Vatican said.

Francis has had a packed schedule of late, with multiple audiences each day. The Vatican has recently confirmed a travel-filled August, when the Holy See and Italy are usually on vacation, with a four-day visit to Portugal the first week of August and a similarly long trip to Mongolia starting Aug. 31.

In a sign that the trips were very much on, the Vatican on Tuesday released the planned itinerary for Francis’ visit to Portugal for World Youth Day events from Aug. 2-6. The itinerary confirms a typically busy schedule that includes all the protocol meetings of an official state visit plus multiple events with young people and a day trip to the Marian shrine at Fatima.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/10/1603292366279.png" alt="The Vatican said Francis, 86, would be put under general anesthesia for the procedure Wednesday afternoon and would be hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital for several days.&nbsp;image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>The Vatican said Francis, 86, would be put under general anesthesia for the procedure Wednesday afternoon and would be hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital for several days.&nbsp;image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>ROME (AP) — Pope Francis went to the hospital Wednesday to undergo abdominal surgery to treat an intestinal blockage, two years after he had 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon removed because of a narrowing of the large intestine.The Vatican said Francis, 86, would be put under general anesthesia for the procedure Wednesday afternoon and would be hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli hospital for several days.Francis' Fiat 500 car pulled out of the Vatican shortly after 11 a.m. with an escort, and arrived at the Gemelli some 20 minutes later.The pope is undergoing what the Vatican said was a “laparotomy and abdominal wall plastic surgery with prosthesis” to treat a “recurrent, painful and worsening” constriction of the intestine.A laparotomy is open abdominal surgery. It can help a surgeon both diagnose and treat issues. The statement said Francis was suffering from a blocked laparocele, which is a hernia that formed over a previous scar."The stay at the health facility will last several days to allow for the normal post-operative course and full functional recovery,” the statement said. An update was not expected until after the procedure.Francis remains in charge of the Vatican and the 1.3-billion strong Catholic Church, even while unconscious and in the hospital.In July 2021, Francis spent 10 days at Gemelli to remove 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his large intestine. He had suffered what the Vatican said was a severe inflammation and narrowing of the colon.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-retirement-papacy-dcca464e7c1fd910568d07d6bf4d9994">In an interview with The Associated Press</a>&nbsp;in January, Francis said the diverticulosis, or bulges in his intestinal wall, that had prompted the 2021 surgery, had returned.Francis had come out of the 2021 surgery saying he could eat whatever he wanted, but he lamented that he hadn’t responded well to the general anesthetic used in the longer-than-expected procedure. That reaction in part explained his refusal to have surgery to repair strained knee ligaments that have forced him to use a wheelchair and walker for over a year.The fact that he is going back for surgery suggests he had little choice but to treat the intestinal issue, especially given the rigorous upcoming travel schedule this summer.The Argentine pope had part of one lung removed when he was a young man. He also suffers from sciatica nerve pain. In late March, Francis spent three days at Gemelli for an acute case of bronchitis, during which he was treated with intravenous antibiotics. He emerged April 1 saying “Still alive!”Francis initially went to the Gemelli on Tuesday for what the Vatican said were medical tests. It revealed no details at the time.The 86-year-old had appeared in good form Wednesday morning at his audience in St. Peter’s Square, zipping around the square in his popemobile greeting the faithful. He also had two meetings beforehand, the Vatican said.Francis has had a packed schedule of late, with multiple audiences each day. The Vatican has recently confirmed a travel-filled August, when the Holy See and Italy are usually on vacation, with a four-day visit to Portugal the first week of August and a similarly long trip to Mongolia starting Aug. 31.In a sign that the trips were very much on, the Vatican on Tuesday released the planned itinerary for Francis’ visit to Portugal for World Youth Day events from Aug. 2-6. The itinerary confirms a typically busy schedule that includes all the protocol meetings of an official state visit plus multiple events with young people and a day trip to the Marian shrine at Fatima.

Pope Francis to undergo intestinal surgery

TOPEKA—According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, at 3:22p.m Monday, authorities located&nbsp;the children in Topeka, according to a statement from the agency.

 The children are safe and the the suspect identified as their mother&nbsp;Dontresha Thomas is in custody.  The KBI and the Topeka Police Department thanked the public for their response and vigilance.

TOPEKA —The stat of Kansas issued an Amber Alert Monday afternoon.

According to the KBI, at 10:34 a.m. Monday. Au'Vae Riley, Da"avien Riley JR, Ty'rell Riley, and Aunila Riley were taken by their mother Dontresha Shabree Thomas. 

The suspect's statements to the father indicate that all of the children are in imminent danger. 

The suspect left from 2105 SE Swygart in Topeka, KS traveling in a unknown direction in a silver 2009 GMC Acadia bearing KS temporary license plate number C953627. Call 911 immediately if you have seen a missing child, suspect, or suspects vehicle. If you have other information on a missing child, call 911 or the Topeka Police Department at 785-368-9200.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685991143406.png" alt="Dontresha Thomas&nbsp; described as 5-foot-1, 110 pounds and was last seen wearing white t-shirt and gray shorts.-photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>Dontresha Thomas&nbsp; described as 5-foot-1, 110 pounds and was last seen wearing white t-shirt and gray shorts.-photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA—According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, at 3:22p.m Monday, authorities located&nbsp;the children in Topeka, according to a statement from the agency. The children are safe and the the suspect identified as their mother&nbsp;Dontresha Thomas is in custody. The KBI and the Topeka Police Department thanked the public for their response and vigilance.TOPEKA —The stat of Kansas issued an Amber Alert Monday afternoon.According to the KBI, at 10:34 a.m. Monday. Au'Vae Riley, Da"avien Riley JR, Ty'rell Riley, and Aunila Riley were taken by their mother Dontresha Shabree Thomas. The suspect's statements to the father indicate that all of the children are in imminent danger. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685991210086.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685991167022.png" alt="Actual suspect vehicle is a 2009 GMC Acadia with KS Temporary tag C953627. Tag in picture is not on the vehicle. Note dent in the rear gate below the handle." />
 <figcaption>Actual suspect vehicle is a 2009 GMC Acadia with KS Temporary tag C953627. Tag in picture is not on the vehicle. Note dent in the rear gate below the handle.</figcaption>
 </figure>The suspect left from 2105 SE Swygart in Topeka, KS traveling in a unknown direction in a silver 2009 GMC Acadia bearing KS temporary license plate number C953627. Call 911 immediately if you have seen a missing child, suspect, or suspects vehicle. If you have other information on a missing child, call 911 or the Topeka Police Department at 785-368-9200.

KBI: Amber Alert continues; 4 siblings taken by their mother

NEW YORK (AP) — Customers of Chase's online banking services were seeing double transactions, fees and/or payments in their accounts, with the situation not immediately being resolved as of early afternoon on Friday.

Numerous Chase customers were posting on social media that their rent or bill payments were taken out of their accounts twice and reporting hold times with customer service approaching more than an hour. The New York-based bank is one of the country’s largest financial institutions with millions of online customers.

Transactions over Zelle, the bank’s own peer-to-peer payment service, were also being impacted with Chase customers.

“We’re sorry that some customers are seeing duplicate transactions and fees on their checking account," a Chase spokesperson said. "We’re working to resolve the issue and will automatically reverse any duplicates and adjust any related fees."

Online banking services, while usually reliable, sometimes spectacularly fail or have temporary outages that tend to spook their customers. Banks typically will resolve an error in their services within hours, and no customer is liable for any errors in their accounts that occur when these happen.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/6/1685732600807.png" alt="Google image" />
 <figcaption>Google image</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Customers of Chase's online banking services were seeing double transactions, fees and/or payments in their accounts, with the situation not immediately being resolved as of early afternoon on Friday.Numerous Chase customers were posting on social media that their rent or bill payments were taken out of their accounts twice and reporting hold times with customer service approaching more than an hour. The New York-based bank is one of the country’s largest financial institutions with millions of online customers.Transactions over Zelle, the bank’s own peer-to-peer payment service, were also being impacted with Chase customers.“We’re sorry that some customers are seeing duplicate transactions and fees on their checking account," a Chase spokesperson said. "We’re working to resolve the issue and will automatically reverse any duplicates and adjust any related fees."Online banking services, while usually reliable, sometimes spectacularly fail or have temporary outages that tend to spook their customers. Banks typically will resolve an error in their services within hours, and no customer is liable for any errors in their accounts that occur when these happen.

Bug in Chase Bank online banking causing double transactions, fees

DOUGLAS COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent attack on a woman and asking for help to find 38-year-old Sean Martin Reese, according to police spokesperson Laura McCabe. Police believe Reese tried to murder a woman late Sunday night.

Just after 11:30p.m. police responded to the 1300 block of Rhode Island in Lawrence and found a woman outside with several stab wounds. She was transported to a trauma center.

Through investigation police learned Reese may have also placed explosives in the home. Police obtained a search warrant and called in the Leavenworth Bomb Squad to assist. Police also notified administrators at nearby Liberty Memorial Central Middle School during the night as a precaution, but the home was cleared before anyone arrived and there is no risk.

The devices found were described by search teams as homemade devices, consistent with larger scale commercial fireworks, and were removed.

Reese is described a 5-foot-9, 215 pounds with brown hair, hazel eyes and wears glasses. He has previous felony convictions for aggravated assault, DUI, obstruction and flee and or elude law enforcement.&nbsp; If you know where he is or see him, please call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 785.843.TIPS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684759824637.png" alt="Reese is described a 5-foot-9, 215 pounds with brown hair, hazel eyes and wears glasses.-photo Lawrence Police" />
 <figcaption>Reese is described a 5-foot-9, 215 pounds with brown hair, hazel eyes and wears glasses.-photo Lawrence Police</figcaption>
 </figure>DOUGLAS COUNTY– Law enforcement authorities are investigating a violent attack on a woman and asking for help to find 38-year-old Sean Martin Reese, according to police spokesperson Laura McCabe. Police believe Reese tried to murder a woman late Sunday night.Just after 11:30p.m. police responded to the 1300 block of Rhode Island in Lawrence and found a woman outside with several stab wounds. She was transported to a trauma center.Through investigation police learned Reese may have also placed explosives in the home. Police obtained a search warrant and called in the Leavenworth Bomb Squad to assist. Police also notified administrators at nearby Liberty Memorial Central Middle School during the night as a precaution, but the home was cleared before anyone arrived and there is no risk.The devices found were described by search teams as homemade devices, consistent with larger scale commercial fireworks, and were removed.Reese is described a 5-foot-9, 215 pounds with brown hair, hazel eyes and wears glasses. He has previous felony convictions for aggravated assault, DUI, obstruction and flee and or elude law enforcement.&nbsp; If you know where he is or see him, please call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 785.843.TIPS.

Police: Kansas felon wanted for knife attack on a woman

By MARÍA VERZA Associated Press

MEXICO CITY — Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano rumbled to life again this week, belching out towering clouds of ash that forced 11 villages to cancel school sessions.

The residents weren't the only ones keeping a close eye on the towering peak. Every time there is a sigh, tic or heave in Popocatepetl, there are dozens of scientists, a network of sensors and cameras, and a roomful of powerful equipment watching its every move.

The 17,797-foot (5,426-meter) volcano, known affectionately as "El Popo," has been spewing toxic fumes, ash and lumps of incandescent rock persistently for almost 30 years, since it awakened from a long slumber in 1994.

The volcano is 45 miles (72 kilometers) southeast of Mexico City, but looms much closer to the eastern fringes of the metropolitan area of 22 million people. The city also faces threats from earthquakes and sinking soil, but the volcano is the most visible potential danger — and the most closely watched. A severe eruption could cut off air traffic, or smother the city in clouds of choking ash.

Ringed around its summit are six cameras, a thermal imaging device and 12 seismological monitoring stations that operate 24 hours a day, all reporting back to an equipment-filled command center in Mexico City.

A total of 13 scientists from a multidisciplinary team take turns staffing the command center around the clock. Being able to warn of an impending ash cloud is key, because people can take precautions. Unlike earthquakes, warning times can be longer for the volcano and in general the peak is more predictable.

On a recent day, researcher Paulino Alonso made the rounds, checking the readings at the command center run by Mexico's National Disaster Prevention Center, known by its initials as Cenapred. It is a complex task that involves seismographs that measure the volcano's internal trembling, which could indicate hot rock and gas moving up the vents in the peak.

Monitoring gases in nearby springs and at the peak — and wind patterns that help determine where the ash could be blown — also play a role.

The forces inside are so great that they can temporarily deform the peak, so cameras and sensors must monitor the very shape of the volcano.

How do you explain all of this to 25 million non-experts living within a 62-mile (100-kilometer) radius who have grown so used to living near the volcano?

Authorities came up with the simple idea of a volcano "stoplight" with three colors: green for safety, yellow for alert and red for danger.

For most of the years since the stoplight was introduced, it has been stuck at some stage of "yellow." The mountain sometimes quiets down, but not for long. It seldom shoots up molten lava: instead it's more the "explosive" type, showering out hot rocks that tumble down its flanks and emitting bursts of gas and ash.

The center also has monitors in other states; Mexico is a country all too familiar with natural disasters.

For example, Mexico's earthquake early alert system is also based at the command center. Because the city's soil is so soft — it was built on a former lake bed — a quake hundreds of miles away on the Pacific coast can cause huge destruction in the capital, as happened in 1985 and 2017.

A system of seismic monitors along the coast sends messages that race faster than the quake's shock waves. Once the sirens start blaring, it can give Mexico City residents up to half a minute to get to safety, usually on the streets outside.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684549361347.jpeg" alt="A plume of ash and steam rises from the Popocatepetl volcano, as seen from Mexico City June 19, 2019. Popocatepetl rumbled to life again this week, spewing out towering clouds of ash that forced 11 villages to cancel school sessions. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, file)" />
 <figcaption>A plume of ash and steam rises from the Popocatepetl volcano, as seen from Mexico City June 19, 2019. Popocatepetl rumbled to life again this week, spewing out towering clouds of ash that forced 11 villages to cancel school sessions. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, file)</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARÍA VERZA Associated PressMEXICO CITY — Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano rumbled to life again this week, belching out towering clouds of ash that forced 11 villages to cancel school sessions.The residents weren't the only ones keeping a close eye on the towering peak. Every time there is a sigh, tic or heave in Popocatepetl, there are dozens of scientists, a network of sensors and cameras, and a roomful of powerful equipment watching its every move.The 17,797-foot (5,426-meter) volcano, known affectionately as "El Popo," has been spewing toxic fumes, ash and lumps of incandescent rock persistently for almost 30 years, since it awakened from a long slumber in 1994.The volcano is 45 miles (72 kilometers) southeast of Mexico City, but looms much closer to the eastern fringes of the metropolitan area of 22 million people. The city also faces threats from earthquakes and sinking soil, but the volcano is the most visible potential danger — and the most closely watched. A severe eruption could cut off air traffic, or smother the city in clouds of choking ash.Ringed around its summit are six cameras, a thermal imaging device and 12 seismological monitoring stations that operate 24 hours a day, all reporting back to an equipment-filled command center in Mexico City.A total of 13 scientists from a multidisciplinary team take turns staffing the command center around the clock. Being able to warn of an impending ash cloud is key, because people can take precautions. Unlike earthquakes, warning times can be longer for the volcano and in general the peak is more predictable.On a recent day, researcher Paulino Alonso made the rounds, checking the readings at the command center run by Mexico's National Disaster Prevention Center, known by its initials as Cenapred. It is a complex task that involves seismographs that measure the volcano's internal trembling, which could indicate hot rock and gas moving up the vents in the peak.Monitoring gases in nearby springs and at the peak — and wind patterns that help determine where the ash could be blown — also play a role.The forces inside are so great that they can temporarily deform the peak, so cameras and sensors must monitor the very shape of the volcano.How do you explain all of this to 25 million non-experts living within a 62-mile (100-kilometer) radius who have grown so used to living near the volcano?Authorities came up with the simple idea of a volcano "stoplight" with three colors: green for safety, yellow for alert and red for danger.For most of the years since the stoplight was introduced, it has been stuck at some stage of "yellow." The mountain sometimes quiets down, but not for long. It seldom shoots up molten lava: instead it's more the "explosive" type, showering out hot rocks that tumble down its flanks and emitting bursts of gas and ash.The center also has monitors in other states; Mexico is a country all too familiar with natural disasters.For example, Mexico's earthquake early alert system is also based at the command center. Because the city's soil is so soft — it was built on a former lake bed — a quake hundreds of miles away on the Pacific coast can cause huge destruction in the capital, as happened in 1985 and 2017.A system of seismic monitors along the coast sends messages that race faster than the quake's shock waves. Once the sirens start blaring, it can give Mexico City residents up to half a minute to get to safety, usually on the streets outside.

Threatening 22M people, Mexico's Popocatepetl very closely watched

WASHINGTON — Dutton and Wrenlee are on the rise but they're no match for champs Liam and Olivia as the top baby names in the U.S. last year.

The Social Security Administration released the annual list Friday. The agency tracks baby names in each state based on applications for Social Security cards, with names dating to 1880.

It's Liam's sixth straight year as No. 1. Olivia has reigned since the name unseated Emma four years ago. Emma is No. 2.

Coming in third for girls' names is Charlotte, followed by Amelia, Sophia, Isabella, Ava, Mia, Evelyn and Luna. For boys' names, Liam is followed by Noah, Oliver, James, Elijah, William, Henry, Lucas, Benjamin and Theodore.

Luna is the only newcomer in the Top 10, booting Harper.

The agency has been compiling the list since 1997, often revealing the impact pop culture has on baby naming trends. The smash hit "Yellowstone" has clearly influenced new parents. The neo-Western starring Kevin Costner debuted in 2018, with characters surfacing among baby names ever since.

Dutton moved up the Social Security list to 835, a change of 986 spots from 2021. It's the last name of the fictional family featured on the series, and it counts Costner's John Dutton in its ranks. Dutton is the fastest rising name in the Social Security rankings.

Another Dutton name follows actual Dutton as a star with a bullet among baby names. Kayce, as in Kayce John Dutton on the show, moved to the 587th most popular name, up from 1,077 the year before. Luke Grimes plays Kayce.

Rip, also from "Yellowstone," has grabbed some naming attention, but it didn't crack Social Security's top 1,000. Cole Hauser's Rip Wheeler is Dutton adjacent as the son-in-law of John.

Other names rising fast for boys: Chosen, Khaza, Eithan. For girls, Wrenlee is followed by Neriah, Arlet, Georgina and Amiri.

The Social Security Administration's latest data shows 3.64 million babies in the U.S. were issued Social Security cards last year, up slightly from 2021.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESSWASHINGTON — Dutton and Wrenlee are on the rise but they're no match for champs Liam and Olivia as the top baby names in the U.S. last year.The Social Security Administration released the annual list Friday. The agency tracks baby names in each state based on applications for Social Security cards, with names dating to 1880.It's Liam's sixth straight year as No. 1. Olivia has reigned since the name unseated Emma four years ago. Emma is No. 2.Coming in third for girls' names is Charlotte, followed by Amelia, Sophia, Isabella, Ava, Mia, Evelyn and Luna. For boys' names, Liam is followed by Noah, Oliver, James, Elijah, William, Henry, Lucas, Benjamin and Theodore.Luna is the only newcomer in the Top 10, booting Harper.The agency has been compiling the list since 1997, often revealing the impact pop culture has on baby naming trends. The smash hit "Yellowstone" has clearly influenced new parents. The neo-Western starring Kevin Costner debuted in 2018, with characters surfacing among baby names ever since.Dutton moved up the Social Security list to 835, a change of 986 spots from 2021. It's the last name of the fictional family featured on the series, and it counts Costner's John Dutton in its ranks. Dutton is the fastest rising name in the Social Security rankings.Another Dutton name follows actual Dutton as a star with a bullet among baby names. Kayce, as in Kayce John Dutton on the show, moved to the 587th most popular name, up from 1,077 the year before. Luke Grimes plays Kayce.Rip, also from "Yellowstone," has grabbed some naming attention, but it didn't crack Social Security's top 1,000. Cole Hauser's Rip Wheeler is Dutton adjacent as the son-in-law of John.Other names rising fast for boys: Chosen, Khaza, Eithan. For girls, Wrenlee is followed by Neriah, Arlet, Georgina and Amiri.The Social Security Administration's latest data shows 3.64 million babies in the U.S. were issued Social Security cards last year, up slightly from 2021.

See what baby names were the most popular last year

The Silver Alert has been canceled. Roy W. McGonigal Jr. was located in Schuyler, Nebraska. He was disoriented but otherwise in good condition.&nbsp;

HARVEY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Newton Police Department requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Arkansas man who was last seen in Newton, Kansas.

The whereabouts of 79-year-old Roy W. McGonigal Jr. are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.

Roy was last seen leaving a residence in the 400 block of East 10th&nbsp;St. in Newton, around 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, according to a media release from the KBI.&nbsp; 

Roy did not arrive at his hotel in Newton and hasn’t been heard from since. Roy drives a light blue 2013 Toyota Corolla bearing Arkansas tag USACRXD. He was last seen wearing a white collared shirt, black pants, and black shoes.

Roy is a white male, approximately 5 ft. 8 in. tall, weighing around 184 pounds. He has brown eyes and wears glasses. Roy has a white beard and is balding with white hair. He requires oxygen to breathe, as he has been diagnosed with COPD and emphysema.

If you see Roy McGonigal, Jr., or his vehicle, please immediately contact 911. If you have other information about his whereabouts, please call&nbsp;Harvey County Communications at 316-283-4190.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683507107631.png" alt="photo KBI" />
 <figcaption>photo KBI</figcaption>
 </figure>The Silver Alert has been canceled. Roy W. McGonigal Jr. was located in Schuyler, Nebraska. He was disoriented but otherwise in good condition.&nbsp;HARVEY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Newton Police Department requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) issue a statewide Silver Alert for a missing Arkansas man who was last seen in Newton, Kansas.The whereabouts of 79-year-old Roy W. McGonigal Jr. are unknown, and the public’s assistance is requested to help locate him.Roy was last seen leaving a residence in the 400 block of East 10th&nbsp;St. in Newton, around 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, according to a media release from the KBI.&nbsp; Roy did not arrive at his hotel in Newton and hasn’t been heard from since. Roy drives a light blue 2013 Toyota Corolla bearing Arkansas tag USACRXD. He was last seen wearing a white collared shirt, black pants, and black shoes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1683507155552.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Roy is a white male, approximately 5 ft. 8 in. tall, weighing around 184 pounds. He has brown eyes and wears glasses. Roy has a white beard and is balding with white hair. He requires oxygen to breathe, as he has been diagnosed with COPD and emphysema.If you see Roy McGonigal, Jr., or his vehicle, please immediately contact 911. If you have other information about his whereabouts, please call&nbsp;Harvey County Communications at 316-283-4190.

KBI: Statewide Silver Alert for missing Arkansas man

By DANICA KIRKA Associated Press

LONDON — Heather Howarth tugged at King Charles III's ears and tittered with satisfaction.

The other ladies who gather to knit and natter in her small English village thought the ears should be bigger. But when creating a crocheted likeness of the new king, she was determined not to cause offense.

"He might not like this one," she said reaching out to give the king a fond pat. "But he'll love his Grenadier Guards!"

Howarth and her friends in the village of Hurst, a stone's throw from Reading, west of London, have fashioned a woolly coronation procession to rival the pomp and circumstance that will take place when Charles is crowned on May 6 at Westminster Abbey. Sheathing the 29 posts that circle the community pond with their knitted and crocheted creations, the women have recreated the cast of characters set to attend the big event.

There's the king, of course, the queen consort and the Archbishop of Canterbury. And lots of Grenadier Guards. They even threw in Paddington Bear — a sort of honorary member of the royal family after he shared tea with the late Queen Elizabeth II in a film celebrating her 70 years on the throne.

The Hurst Hookers are part of a phenomenon that has taken hold across Britain in recent years, with guerrilla knitters and crochet enthusiasts celebrating holidays and royal occasions by decorating the nation's iconic red post boxes and other public spaces with their handiwork. There's no money in it, and the creations are sometimes stolen. But they do it anyway because they have fun brightening their communities, even if no one asked them to.

"Yarn bombers" around the country have been hard at work for months creating everything from golden coaches to crenelated castles and jewel-encrusted crowns that will add fuzzy bits of color to the coronation festivities.

This is a group that got started during the coronavirus pandemic, meeting every couple of weeks at the local cricket club when Britain's intermittent lockdowns would permit. It's bring your own gin and tonic, but there's tea for anyone who wants it. When the 18 women aren't meeting up for crocheting and community, they keep in touch via WhatsApp. The pings are so incessant at least one member has had to turn off her alerts.

They began planning and creating their coronation scene in early September, soon after the queen died and Charles became king. By April, it was finally time to install it.

The "guerrilla'' action began just after 5:30 p.m. on a recent Friday as the setting sun bathed the newly cleaned pond in a peaceful light.

Clad in jackets and sweaters on a chilly spring night, the women arrived with their creations tucked inside huge shopping bags emblazoned with supermarket logos, then swooped down on the posts surrounding the pond.

There was little stealth, but much determination.

First they pulled out the crocheted likenesses of Charles, wearing a crown and a cape fashioned from an old Christmas stocking, and Camilla, with a flash of unruly blond hair. Then came the archbishop, whose spectacles rest on a bulbous woolen nose. And finally, the red-coated guardsmen.

Quick as you like, the figures were pulled down over the posts and firmly stapled in place, with the precisely embroidered medals, moustaches, sergeant stripes and other embellishments getting an extra staple or three.

"King Charles wants our support, doesn't he?" Howarth said. "How else do I show that I am supporting him?''

Valerie Thorn, who did the embroidery, carefully researched all the decorations, so that every medal was from a different campaign in which the guards participated. The insignia on Charles' chest is so precise that from a few feet you mistake it for the real thing. The archbishop's miter, modeled after the one he wore at his installation, is immediately recognizable.

So far, the fat sergeant character seems to be the village favorite.

A Daily Mail newspaper columnist described crafters such as these as "unhinged … woolly delinquents." Rather than taking offense, the ladies of the Hurst Hookers embraced the jibe.

"I'm going to embroider that on a T-shirt,'' said Thorn, 76, with pride. "If I am unhinged, what is wrong with that?''

And when the installation was almost complete, there was the moment to put the icing on the confection.

Pip Etheridge pulled out a resplendent copy of St. Edward's Crown — the crown that will be placed on Charles' head next weekend — and handed it to Janette Vorster because she didn't want to be in the pictures.

In a procession all their own, the group trooped to the village store for the piece de resistance, installing the crown atop the post box out front.

As they chatted around the post box, the group debated whether their handiwork was more about the coronation or about themselves. They giggled, talked about posting the photos on social media and wondered what the neighbors might say. And they just kept laughing.

"If you swapped that one with the real one," Etheridge asked, nodding to her crown, "do you think he'd notice?"

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1682865565863.jpeg" alt="Heather and David Howarth adjust a knitted figure of Britain's King Charles III fitted to a post during a pre-coronation yarn bombing in the village of Hurst, near Reading, England, April 21. Howarth and her friends in the village of Hurst, a stone’s throw from Reading, west of London, have fashioned a woolly coronation procession to rival the pomp and circumstance that will take place when Charles is crowned on May 6 at Westminster Abbey. (AP Photo/David Cliff)" />
 <figcaption>Heather and David Howarth adjust a knitted figure of Britain's King Charles III fitted to a post during a pre-coronation yarn bombing in the village of Hurst, near Reading, England, April 21. Howarth and her friends in the village of Hurst, a stone’s throw from Reading, west of London, have fashioned a woolly coronation procession to rival the pomp and circumstance that will take place when Charles is crowned on May 6 at Westminster Abbey. (AP Photo/David Cliff)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DANICA KIRKA Associated PressLONDON — Heather Howarth tugged at King Charles III's ears and tittered with satisfaction.The other ladies who gather to knit and natter in her small English village thought the ears should be bigger. But when creating a crocheted likeness of the new king, she was determined not to cause offense."He might not like this one," she said reaching out to give the king a fond pat. "But he'll love his Grenadier Guards!"Howarth and her friends in the village of Hurst, a stone's throw from Reading, west of London, have fashioned a woolly coronation procession to rival the pomp and circumstance that will take place when Charles is crowned on May 6 at Westminster Abbey. Sheathing the 29 posts that circle the community pond with their knitted and crocheted creations, the women have recreated the cast of characters set to attend the big event.There's the king, of course, the queen consort and the Archbishop of Canterbury. And lots of Grenadier Guards. They even threw in Paddington Bear — a sort of honorary member of the royal family after he shared tea with the late Queen Elizabeth II in a film celebrating her 70 years on the throne.The Hurst Hookers are part of a phenomenon that has taken hold across Britain in recent years, with guerrilla knitters and crochet enthusiasts celebrating holidays and royal occasions by decorating the nation's iconic red post boxes and other public spaces with their handiwork. There's no money in it, and the creations are sometimes stolen. But they do it anyway because they have fun brightening their communities, even if no one asked them to."Yarn bombers" around the country have been hard at work for months creating everything from golden coaches to crenelated castles and jewel-encrusted crowns that will add fuzzy bits of color to the coronation festivities.But how to explain the Hurst Hookers?This is a group that got started during the coronavirus pandemic, meeting every couple of weeks at the local cricket club when Britain's intermittent lockdowns would permit. It's bring your own gin and tonic, but there's tea for anyone who wants it. When the 18 women aren't meeting up for crocheting and community, they keep in touch via WhatsApp. The pings are so incessant at least one member has had to turn off her alerts.They began planning and creating their coronation scene in early September, soon after the queen died and Charles became king. By April, it was finally time to install it.The "guerrilla'' action began just after 5:30 p.m. on a recent Friday as the setting sun bathed the newly cleaned pond in a peaceful light.Clad in jackets and sweaters on a chilly spring night, the women arrived with their creations tucked inside huge shopping bags emblazoned with supermarket logos, then swooped down on the posts surrounding the pond.There was little stealth, but much determination.First they pulled out the crocheted likenesses of Charles, wearing a crown and a cape fashioned from an old Christmas stocking, and Camilla, with a flash of unruly blond hair. Then came the archbishop, whose spectacles rest on a bulbous woolen nose. And finally, the red-coated guardsmen.Quick as you like, the figures were pulled down over the posts and firmly stapled in place, with the precisely embroidered medals, moustaches, sergeant stripes and other embellishments getting an extra staple or three."King Charles wants our support, doesn't he?" Howarth said. "How else do I show that I am supporting him?''Valerie Thorn, who did the embroidery, carefully researched all the decorations, so that every medal was from a different campaign in which the guards participated. The insignia on Charles' chest is so precise that from a few feet you mistake it for the real thing. The archbishop's miter, modeled after the one he wore at his installation, is immediately recognizable.So far, the fat sergeant character seems to be the village favorite.A Daily Mail newspaper columnist described crafters such as these as "unhinged … woolly delinquents." Rather than taking offense, the ladies of the Hurst Hookers embraced the jibe."I'm going to embroider that on a T-shirt,'' said Thorn, 76, with pride. "If I am unhinged, what is wrong with that?''And when the installation was almost complete, there was the moment to put the icing on the confection.Pip Etheridge pulled out a resplendent copy of St. Edward's Crown — the crown that will be placed on Charles' head next weekend — and handed it to Janette Vorster because she didn't want to be in the pictures.In a procession all their own, the group trooped to the village store for the piece de resistance, installing the crown atop the post box out front.As they chatted around the post box, the group debated whether their handiwork was more about the coronation or about themselves. They giggled, talked about posting the photos on social media and wondered what the neighbors might say. And they just kept laughing."If you swapped that one with the real one," Etheridge asked, nodding to her crown, "do you think he'd notice?"

'Woolly delinquents' celebrate Charles' coronation in yarn

TALLAHASSEE,
 Fla. (AP) — Disney sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday over the
 Republican's takeover of its theme park district, alleging the governor
 waged a "targeted campaign of government retaliation" after the company
 opposed a law critics call <a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-lifestyle-education-florida-ron-desantis-322e0a40da909f48954b8b1bd9190750">“Don't Say Gay.”</a>

The lawsuit was filed in Tallahassee minutes after a Disney World oversight board <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">appointed by DeSantis</a>
 voted to void a deal that gave the company authority over design and 
construction decisions in its sprawling properties near Orlando.

"Disney
 regrets that it has come to this," the case said. “But having exhausted
 efforts to seek a resolution, the Company is left with no choice but to
 file this lawsuit to protect its cast members, guests, and local 
development partners from a relentless campaign to weaponize government 
power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint
 unpopular with certain State officials.”

The legal filing is the latest salvo in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/disney-desantis-florida-lgbtq-ec4f81d46aaf8967ff48729105fbbdbd">a more than year-old feud</a> between Disney and DeSantis that has engulfed the governor in criticism as he prepares to launch <a href="https://apnews.com/article/desantis-florida-trump-president-2024-election-00b8335b1a2dd4d08fb216e4b609f6a3">an expected presidential bid</a> in the coming months.

DeSantis,
 who has framed himself as a Republican firebrand able to deftly 
implement his conservative agenda without drama, has dived headlong into
 the fray with the beloved company and major tourism driver, as business
 leaders and White House rivals bash his stance as a rejection of the 
small-government tenets of conservatism.

“We are unaware of any 
legal right that a company has to operate its own government or maintain
 special privileges not held by other businesses in the state,” said 
DeSantis spokeswoman Taryn Fenske. “This lawsuit is yet another 
unfortunate example of their hope to undermine the will of the Florida 
voters and operate outside the bounds of the law.”

The fight began last year after Disney, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-travel-arts-and-entertainment-florida-lifestyle-be24e5ea65acff3e1cfe94649c26e023">in the face of significant pressure</a>,
 publicly opposed a state law that bans classroom lessons on sexual 
orientation and gender identity in early grades, a policy critics call 
“Don’t Say Gay.”

TALLAHASSEE,
 Fla. (AP) — Disney sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday over the
 Republican's takeover of its theme park district, alleging the governor
 waged a "targeted campaign of government retaliation" after the company
 opposed a law critics call <a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-lifestyle-education-florida-ron-desantis-322e0a40da909f48954b8b1bd9190750">“Don't Say Gay.”</a>The lawsuit was filed in Tallahassee minutes after a Disney World oversight board <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ron-desantis">appointed by DeSantis</a>
 voted to void a deal that gave the company authority over design and 
construction decisions in its sprawling properties near Orlando."Disney
 regrets that it has come to this," the case said. “But having exhausted
 efforts to seek a resolution, the Company is left with no choice but to
 file this lawsuit to protect its cast members, guests, and local 
development partners from a relentless campaign to weaponize government 
power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint
 unpopular with certain State officials.”The legal filing is the latest salvo in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/disney-desantis-florida-lgbtq-ec4f81d46aaf8967ff48729105fbbdbd">a more than year-old feud</a> between Disney and DeSantis that has engulfed the governor in criticism as he prepares to launch <a href="https://apnews.com/article/desantis-florida-trump-president-2024-election-00b8335b1a2dd4d08fb216e4b609f6a3">an expected presidential bid</a> in the coming months.DeSantis,
 who has framed himself as a Republican firebrand able to deftly 
implement his conservative agenda without drama, has dived headlong into
 the fray with the beloved company and major tourism driver, as business
 leaders and White House rivals bash his stance as a rejection of the 
small-government tenets of conservatism.“We are unaware of any 
legal right that a company has to operate its own government or maintain
 special privileges not held by other businesses in the state,” said 
DeSantis spokeswoman Taryn Fenske. “This lawsuit is yet another 
unfortunate example of their hope to undermine the will of the Florida 
voters and operate outside the bounds of the law.”The fight began last year after Disney, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-travel-arts-and-entertainment-florida-lifestyle-be24e5ea65acff3e1cfe94649c26e023">in the face of significant pressure</a>,
 publicly opposed a state law that bans classroom lessons on sexual 
orientation and gender identity in early grades, a policy critics call 
“Don’t Say Gay.”As punishment, DeSantis took over Disney World’s 
self-governing district and appointed a new board of supervisors that 
would oversee municipal services in the sprawling theme parks. But 
before the new board came in, the company pushed though an 11th-hour 
agreement that stripped the new supervisors of much of their authority.The
 DeSantis board on Wednesday said Disney’s move to retain control over 
their property was effectively unlawful and performed without proper 
public notice.“Disney picked the fight with this board. We were 
not looking out for a fight,” said Martin Garcia, chair of the Central 
Florida Tourism Oversight District, before the vote, adding “bottom 
line, what our lawyers have told us, is factually and legally what they 
created is an absolute legal mess. It will not work."DeSantis has
 also vowed additional retribution, with proposals to enhance state 
oversight of the resort’s rides and monorail, as well as a suggestion to
 build a prison nearby.Disney has said all agreements made with 
the previous board were legal and approved in a public forum. Disney CEO
 Bob Iger has also said that any actions against the company that 
threaten jobs or expansion at its Florida resort was not only 
“anti-business” but “anti-Florida.”The Disney lawsuit asks a 
federal judge to void the governor's takeover of the theme park 
district, as well as the DeSantis oversight board's actions, on the 
grounds that they were violations of company's free speech rights.“A
 targeted campaign of government retaliation — orchestrated at every 
step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech — 
now threatens Disney’s business operations, jeopardizes its economic 
future in the region, and violates its constitutional rights," the 
lawsuit said.

Misc