NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates dipped last year and the proportion of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html">federal data</a>&nbsp;posted Wednesday.

The share of kids exempted from vaccine requirements rose to 3.3%, up from 3% the year before. Meanwhile, 92.7% of kindergartners got their required shots, which is a little lower than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccination-exemptions-children-cdc-951427e55b24c8e7eb3a23b26946f630">the previous two years</a>. Before the COVID-19 pandemic the vaccination rate was 95%, the coverage level that makes it unlikely that a single infection will spark a disease cluster or outbreak.

The changes may seem slight but are significant, translating to about 80,000 kids not getting vaccinated, health officials say.

The rates help explain a worrisome creep in cases of whooping cough, measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, said Dr. Raynard Washington, chair of the Big Cities Health Coalition, which represents 35 large metropolitan public health departments.

“We all have been challenged with emerging outbreaks ... across the country,” said Washington, the director of the health department serving Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show that coverage with MMR, DTaP, polio and chickenpox vaccines decreased in more than 30 states among kindergartners for the 2023-2024 school year, Washington noted.

Public health officials focus on vaccination rates for kindergartners because schools can be cauldrons for germs and launching pads for community outbreaks.

For years, those rates were high, thanks largely to school attendance mandates that required key vaccinations. All U.S. states and territories require that children attending child care centers and schools be vaccinated against&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/by-age/years-4-6.html">a number of diseases</a>, including, measles, mumps, polio, tetanus, whooping cough and chickenpox.

All states allow exemptions for children with medical conditions that prevent them from receiving certain vaccines. And most&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/health/states-with-religious-and-philosophical-exemptions-from-school-immunization-requirements">also permit exemptions</a>&nbsp;for religious or other nonmedical reasons.

In the last decade, the percentage of kindergartners with medical exemptions has held steady, at about 0.2%. But the percentage with nonmedical exemptions has inched up, lifting the overall exemption rate from 1.6% in the 2011-2012 school year to more than twice that last year.

The rates can be influenced by state laws or policies that make it harder or easier to obtain exemptions, and by local attitudes among families and doctors about the need to get children vaccinated. For example, according to the CDC data, 14.3% of kindergartners had an exemption to one or more vaccines in Idaho. But fewer than 1% did in Connecticut and Mississippi.

Within states, clustering of unvaccinated kids can be even more concentrated in particular communities or schools, said Noel Brewer, a University of North Carolina professor of health behavior.

“People who are skeptical (about vaccinees) tend to live close to one another and create the conditions for a breakthrough of measles and other diseases,” he said.

The slide in vaccination rates was not unexpected. Online misinformation and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-governor-hutchinson-covid-vaccine-hesitancy-09cadd2e75ddd5a4c0758b2cb1b6cbfd">the political schism</a>&nbsp;that emerged around COVID-19 vaccines have led more parents to question the routine childhood vaccinations that they used to automatically accept, experts say.

A decrease has already been reported in Louisville, Kentucky — a city that has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/children-vaccinated-cdc-louisville-630b05bcd3b319a1d1028ca34e65b532">celebrated</a>&nbsp;as a vaccination success story. And a CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7338a3.htm?s_cid=mm7338a3_w">report</a>&nbsp;last week noted a decline in vaccination rates for 2-year-olds.

Measles and whooping cough cases are at their highest levels since 2019, and there are still three months left in the year. And 200 flu-associated pediatric deaths were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2024-week-38.html">reported</a>&nbsp;in the 2023-2024 season, the most since 2009.

Charlotte's Mecklenburg County this year saw North Carolina's first measles case since 2018. Mecklenburg also saw 19 whooping cough infections and three people with mumps earlier this year, said Washington, who noted the county usually sees none.

Increases in international travel and people moving to the Charlotte area from other countries raises the risk of introduction of vaccine-preventable diseases, “so it's concerning when you start to lose coverage of vaccines among your population,” Washington said.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates dipped last year and the proportion of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html">federal data</a>&nbsp;posted Wednesday.The share of kids exempted from vaccine requirements rose to 3.3%, up from 3% the year before. Meanwhile, 92.7% of kindergartners got their required shots, which is a little lower than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/vaccination-exemptions-children-cdc-951427e55b24c8e7eb3a23b26946f630">the previous two years</a>. Before the COVID-19 pandemic the vaccination rate was 95%, the coverage level that makes it unlikely that a single infection will spark a disease cluster or outbreak.The changes may seem slight but are significant, translating to about 80,000 kids not getting vaccinated, health officials say.The rates help explain a worrisome creep in cases of whooping cough, measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases, said Dr. Raynard Washington, chair of the Big Cities Health Coalition, which represents 35 large metropolitan public health departments.“We all have been challenged with emerging outbreaks ... across the country,” said Washington, the director of the health department serving Charlotte, North Carolina.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data show that coverage with MMR, DTaP, polio and chickenpox vaccines decreased in more than 30 states among kindergartners for the 2023-2024 school year, Washington noted.Public health officials focus on vaccination rates for kindergartners because schools can be cauldrons for germs and launching pads for community outbreaks.For years, those rates were high, thanks largely to school attendance mandates that required key vaccinations. All U.S. states and territories require that children attending child care centers and schools be vaccinated against&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/by-age/years-4-6.html">a number of diseases</a>, including, measles, mumps, polio, tetanus, whooping cough and chickenpox.All states allow exemptions for children with medical conditions that prevent them from receiving certain vaccines. And most&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncsl.org/health/states-with-religious-and-philosophical-exemptions-from-school-immunization-requirements">also permit exemptions</a>&nbsp;for religious or other nonmedical reasons.In the last decade, the percentage of kindergartners with medical exemptions has held steady, at about 0.2%. But the percentage with nonmedical exemptions has inched up, lifting the overall exemption rate from 1.6% in the 2011-2012 school year to more than twice that last year.The rates can be influenced by state laws or policies that make it harder or easier to obtain exemptions, and by local attitudes among families and doctors about the need to get children vaccinated. For example, according to the CDC data, 14.3% of kindergartners had an exemption to one or more vaccines in Idaho. But fewer than 1% did in Connecticut and Mississippi.Within states, clustering of unvaccinated kids can be even more concentrated in particular communities or schools, said Noel Brewer, a University of North Carolina professor of health behavior.“People who are skeptical (about vaccinees) tend to live close to one another and create the conditions for a breakthrough of measles and other diseases,” he said.The slide in vaccination rates was not unexpected. Online misinformation and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/arkansas-governor-hutchinson-covid-vaccine-hesitancy-09cadd2e75ddd5a4c0758b2cb1b6cbfd">the political schism</a>&nbsp;that emerged around COVID-19 vaccines have led more parents to question the routine childhood vaccinations that they used to automatically accept, experts say.A decrease has already been reported in Louisville, Kentucky — a city that has been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/children-vaccinated-cdc-louisville-630b05bcd3b319a1d1028ca34e65b532">celebrated</a>&nbsp;as a vaccination success story. And a CDC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/73/wr/mm7338a3.htm?s_cid=mm7338a3_w">report</a>&nbsp;last week noted a decline in vaccination rates for 2-year-olds.Measles and whooping cough cases are at their highest levels since 2019, and there are still three months left in the year. And 200 flu-associated pediatric deaths were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2024-week-38.html">reported</a>&nbsp;in the 2023-2024 season, the most since 2009.Charlotte's Mecklenburg County this year saw North Carolina's first measles case since 2018. Mecklenburg also saw 19 whooping cough infections and three people with mumps earlier this year, said Washington, who noted the county usually sees none.Increases in international travel and people moving to the Charlotte area from other countries raises the risk of introduction of vaccine-preventable diseases, “so it's concerning when you start to lose coverage of vaccines among your population,” Washington said.

US school-entry vaccination rates fall as exemptions keep rising

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident during a police pursuit just after 3a.m. Saturday in Leavenworth County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Dodge Charger driven by&nbsp;&nbsp;Jossue D&nbsp;Santos-Alejo, 18, Kansas City, Kansas, was being pursued by law enforcement northbound on U.S. 73 just north of Home Place.

The driver lost control while negotiating a curve. The car left the road to the right, overturned. and the driver was ejected through the sunroof.

EMS transported Santos-Alejo to KU Medical Center and a passenger Damian G&nbsp;Rios Chavira, 17, Kansas City, Kansas, to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The KHP did not release details on what prompted the chase.

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY —One person was injured in an accident during a police pursuit just after 3a.m. Saturday in Leavenworth County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2007 Dodge Charger driven by&nbsp;&nbsp;Jossue D&nbsp;Santos-Alejo, 18, Kansas City, Kansas, was being pursued by law enforcement northbound on U.S. 73 just north of Home Place.The driver lost control while negotiating a curve. The car left the road to the right, overturned. and the driver was ejected through the sunroof.EMS transported Santos-Alejo to KU Medical Center and a passenger Damian G&nbsp;Rios Chavira, 17, Kansas City, Kansas, to Overland Park Regional Medical Center. They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.&nbsp; The KHP did not release details on what prompted the chase.

2 Kan. teens hospitalized after crash during police chase

WASHINGTON (AP) — Two U.S. Navy SEALs drowned as they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seals-navy-deceased-weapons-raid-yemen-f0f9e334945a3ef5d85ed1fb165ad515">tried to climb aboard a ship</a>&nbsp;carrying illicit Iranian-made weapons to Yemen because of glaring training failures and a lack of understanding about what to do after falling into deep, turbulent waters, according to a military investigation into the January deaths.

The review concluded that the drownings of Chief Special Warfare Operator Christopher J. Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nathan Gage Ingram could have been prevented. But both sank quickly in the high seas off the coast of Somalia, weighed down by heavy equipment they were carrying and not knowing or disregarding concerns that their flotation devices could not compensate for the additional weight. Both were lost at sea.

The highly critical and heavily redacted report — written by a Navy officer from outside Naval Special Warfare Command, which oversees the SEALs — concluded there were “deficiencies, gaps and inconsistencies” in training, policies, tactics and procedures as well as “conflicting guidance” on when and how to use emergency flotation devices and extra buoyancy material that could have kept them alive.

The Associated Press obtained the report upon request before its public release.

The mission's goal was to intercept weapons headed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-gaza-israel-defe499e9df870381f078ad3e3b667b5">the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen</a>, who have been launching missile and drone attacks against commercial and U.S. Navy ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mideast-wars">Israel-Hamas war in Gaza</a>&nbsp;began a year ago.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthis-yemen-us-strikes-weapons-752dd1e5dd6c284a7909878f89c73149">U.S. retaliatory strikes</a>&nbsp;have so far not deterred their assaults.

Chambers and Ingram, members of SEAL Team 3, died during a nighttime mission to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-missiles-iran-seizure-us-8112fbadd3b0689c71a92890895a9368">board an unflagged ship in the Arabian Sea</a>. Their names were redacted in the report, but officials have confirmed Chambers slipped and fell as he was climbing onto the ship's deck and Ingram jumped in to try to save him.

“Encumbered by the weight of each individual's gear, neither their physical capability nor emergency supplemental flotations devices, if activated, were sufficient to keep them at the surface,” Rear Adm. Michael DeVore wrote in the report.

The report said Chambers was “intermittently” at the surface for 26 seconds after his fall and Ingram was at the surface for about 32 seconds.

“The entire tragic event elapsed in just 47 seconds and two NSW warriors were lost to the sea,” DeVore wrote, referring to Naval Special Warfare Command.

Flotation equipment that was properly maintained, working well and used correctly would have been able to keep them afloat until they were rescued, the report said. Other team members told investigators that while they knew the importance of their tactical flotation system — which includes two inflatable floats that attach to a belt and foam inserts that can be added — few had ever operated one in training and there is little instruction on how to wear it.

The report said the team was operating in 6- to 8-foot seas, and while the vessel they were boarding was rolling in the waves, the conditions were well within their abilities.

As time went on, however, the rolling increased, and Chambers tried to board by jumping from his combat craft's engine compartment to the top rail of the ship they were boarding, the report said. Some of the commandos used an attachable ladder, but because of the waves, others jumped to the top rail, which they said was within reach but slippery.

Chambers' hands slipped off the rail, and he fell 9 feet into the water. Based on video of the mission, he was able to grab the lower rung of the ladder, but when he turned to try to get back to the combat craft, he was swept under by a wave.

Eleven seconds after he fell, Ingram jumped in. For at least 10 seconds, video shows they were above water intermittently and at times were able to grab a ladder extension that was submerged. But both were knocked about by waves. The last sighting of Chambers was about 26 seconds after he fell.

At one point, Ingram tried to climb back on the ladder but was overcome by a wave. He appeared to try to deploy his flotation device, but within two seconds, an unattached water wing was seen about a foot away from him. He also seemed to try to remove some of his equipment, but he slipped underwater and was not seen again. The sea depth was about 12,000 feet.

Both were wearing body armor, and Ingram also was carrying radio equipment that added as much as 40 more pounds. Each of the inflatable floats can lift a minimum of 40 pounds in seawater, the report said.

It said members of the SEAL team expressed “shock and disbelief” that Chambers, their strongest swimmer, could not stay at the surface. The report concluded that the conflicting and meager guidance on the flotation devices may have left it to individuals to configure their buoyancy needs, potentially leading to mistakes.

While SEALs routinely conduct pre-mission “buddy checks” to review each other’s gear, it said Ingram's flotation equipment may have been incorrectly attached and a more thorough buddy exam could have discovered that.

SEAL team members also told investigators that adding the foam inserts makes the flotation device more bulky and it becomes more difficult to climb or crawl.

The report said SEAL Team 3 members began prompt and appropriate man-overboard procedures “within seconds,” and there were two helicopters and two drones overhead providing surveillance, light and video for the mission.

After 10 days,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seals-navy-deceased-weapons-seizure-yemen-0502e297a90ecc28431fc5b2cb49d033">the search was called off</a>&nbsp;because of the water depth and low probability of finding the two.

“The Navy respects the sanctity of human remains and recognized the sea as a fit and final resting place,” the report said.

Chambers, 37, of Maryland, enlisted in the Navy in 2012 and graduated from SEAL training in 2014. Ingram, 27, of Texas, enlisted in 2019 and graduated from SEAL training in 2021.

In response to the investigation, Naval Special Warfare Command said changes are already being made to training and guidance. It said the command is considering developing a force-wide policy to address water safety during maritime operations and is setting standard procedures for buoyancy requirements.

Other changes would refine man-overboard procedures, pre-mission checks and maintenance of flotation devices. It also said it's looking into “fail safe” buoyancy equipment and plans to review safety processes.

Rear Adm. Keith Davids, who headed the command at the time of the mission, said it would learn from the tragic deaths and “doggedly pursue" recommended changes. Davids left the job in August in a routine change of command and is in the process of retiring.

The report recommends that Ingram receive a commendation for heroism for giving his life while trying to save his teammate. That recommendation is under review. Both were posthumously promoted one rank.

According to a separate Defense Intelligence Agency report, the Jan. 11 mission seized Iranian “propulsion, guidance systems and warheads” for medium-range ballistic missiles and antiship cruise missiles destined for the Houthis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/1/1705958979801.png" alt="Chief Special Warfare Operator Christopher J. Chambers-photo Department of Defense" />
 <figcaption>Chief Special Warfare Operator Christopher J. Chambers-photo Department of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Two U.S. Navy SEALs drowned as they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seals-navy-deceased-weapons-raid-yemen-f0f9e334945a3ef5d85ed1fb165ad515">tried to climb aboard a ship</a>&nbsp;carrying illicit Iranian-made weapons to Yemen because of glaring training failures and a lack of understanding about what to do after falling into deep, turbulent waters, according to a military investigation into the January deaths.The review concluded that the drownings of Chief Special Warfare Operator Christopher J. Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Nathan Gage Ingram could have been prevented. But both sank quickly in the high seas off the coast of Somalia, weighed down by heavy equipment they were carrying and not knowing or disregarding concerns that their flotation devices could not compensate for the additional weight. Both were lost at sea.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728828299988.png" alt="-Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram-photo Dept. of Defense" />
 <figcaption>-Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage Ingram-photo Dept. of Defense</figcaption>
 </figure>The highly critical and heavily redacted report — written by a Navy officer from outside Naval Special Warfare Command, which oversees the SEALs — concluded there were “deficiencies, gaps and inconsistencies” in training, policies, tactics and procedures as well as “conflicting guidance” on when and how to use emergency flotation devices and extra buoyancy material that could have kept them alive.The Associated Press obtained the report upon request before its public release.The mission's goal was to intercept weapons headed to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthis-gaza-israel-defe499e9df870381f078ad3e3b667b5">the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen</a>, who have been launching missile and drone attacks against commercial and U.S. Navy ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mideast-wars">Israel-Hamas war in Gaza</a>&nbsp;began a year ago.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/houthis-yemen-us-strikes-weapons-752dd1e5dd6c284a7909878f89c73149">U.S. retaliatory strikes</a>&nbsp;have so far not deterred their assaults.<h2>Mission gone wrong</h2>Chambers and Ingram, members of SEAL Team 3, died during a nighttime mission to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/yemen-houthi-rebels-missiles-iran-seizure-us-8112fbadd3b0689c71a92890895a9368">board an unflagged ship in the Arabian Sea</a>. Their names were redacted in the report, but officials have confirmed Chambers slipped and fell as he was climbing onto the ship's deck and Ingram jumped in to try to save him.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/2/1708640156659.png" alt="-The U.S. Navy ultimately sank the ship carrying the weapons after deeming it unsafe, Central Command said. The ship's 14 crew were detained. -photo U.S. Central command" />
 <figcaption>-The U.S. Navy ultimately sank the ship carrying the weapons after deeming it unsafe, Central Command said. The ship's 14 crew were detained. -photo U.S. Central command</figcaption>
 </figure>“Encumbered by the weight of each individual's gear, neither their physical capability nor emergency supplemental flotations devices, if activated, were sufficient to keep them at the surface,” Rear Adm. Michael DeVore wrote in the report.The report said Chambers was “intermittently” at the surface for 26 seconds after his fall and Ingram was at the surface for about 32 seconds.“The entire tragic event elapsed in just 47 seconds and two NSW warriors were lost to the sea,” DeVore wrote, referring to Naval Special Warfare Command.Flotation equipment that was properly maintained, working well and used correctly would have been able to keep them afloat until they were rescued, the report said. Other team members told investigators that while they knew the importance of their tactical flotation system — which includes two inflatable floats that attach to a belt and foam inserts that can be added — few had ever operated one in training and there is little instruction on how to wear it.The report said the team was operating in 6- to 8-foot seas, and while the vessel they were boarding was rolling in the waves, the conditions were well within their abilities.As time went on, however, the rolling increased, and Chambers tried to board by jumping from his combat craft's engine compartment to the top rail of the ship they were boarding, the report said. Some of the commandos used an attachable ladder, but because of the waves, others jumped to the top rail, which they said was within reach but slippery.Chambers' hands slipped off the rail, and he fell 9 feet into the water. Based on video of the mission, he was able to grab the lower rung of the ladder, but when he turned to try to get back to the combat craft, he was swept under by a wave.Eleven seconds after he fell, Ingram jumped in. For at least 10 seconds, video shows they were above water intermittently and at times were able to grab a ladder extension that was submerged. But both were knocked about by waves. The last sighting of Chambers was about 26 seconds after he fell.At one point, Ingram tried to climb back on the ladder but was overcome by a wave. He appeared to try to deploy his flotation device, but within two seconds, an unattached water wing was seen about a foot away from him. He also seemed to try to remove some of his equipment, but he slipped underwater and was not seen again. The sea depth was about 12,000 feet.<h2>‘Shock and disbelief’</h2>Both were wearing body armor, and Ingram also was carrying radio equipment that added as much as 40 more pounds. Each of the inflatable floats can lift a minimum of 40 pounds in seawater, the report said.It said members of the SEAL team expressed “shock and disbelief” that Chambers, their strongest swimmer, could not stay at the surface. The report concluded that the conflicting and meager guidance on the flotation devices may have left it to individuals to configure their buoyancy needs, potentially leading to mistakes.While SEALs routinely conduct pre-mission “buddy checks” to review each other’s gear, it said Ingram's flotation equipment may have been incorrectly attached and a more thorough buddy exam could have discovered that.SEAL team members also told investigators that adding the foam inserts makes the flotation device more bulky and it becomes more difficult to climb or crawl.The report said SEAL Team 3 members began prompt and appropriate man-overboard procedures “within seconds,” and there were two helicopters and two drones overhead providing surveillance, light and video for the mission.After 10 days,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/seals-navy-deceased-weapons-seizure-yemen-0502e297a90ecc28431fc5b2cb49d033">the search was called off</a>&nbsp;because of the water depth and low probability of finding the two.“The Navy respects the sanctity of human remains and recognized the sea as a fit and final resting place,” the report said.Chambers, 37, of Maryland, enlisted in the Navy in 2012 and graduated from SEAL training in 2014. Ingram, 27, of Texas, enlisted in 2019 and graduated from SEAL training in 2021.<h2>Changes to training</h2>In response to the investigation, Naval Special Warfare Command said changes are already being made to training and guidance. It said the command is considering developing a force-wide policy to address water safety during maritime operations and is setting standard procedures for buoyancy requirements.Other changes would refine man-overboard procedures, pre-mission checks and maintenance of flotation devices. It also said it's looking into “fail safe” buoyancy equipment and plans to review safety processes.Rear Adm. Keith Davids, who headed the command at the time of the mission, said it would learn from the tragic deaths and “doggedly pursue" recommended changes. Davids left the job in August in a routine change of command and is in the process of retiring.The report recommends that Ingram receive a commendation for heroism for giving his life while trying to save his teammate. That recommendation is under review. Both were posthumously promoted one rank.According to a separate Defense Intelligence Agency report, the Jan. 11 mission seized Iranian “propulsion, guidance systems and warheads” for medium-range ballistic missiles and antiship cruise missiles destined for the Houthis.

Drownings of 2 Navy SEALs were preventable, military investigation finds

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man was shot to death by law enforcement officers Saturday during a confrontation in Wichita, authorities said.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office received a call shortly after 7 a.m. about an individual who planned to shoot somebody, news outlets quoted Col. Keith Allen as saying.

Police officers from multiple departments arrived to find a 27-year-old man who appeared to be wearing body armor, Allen said. He told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwch.com/2024/10/12/one-dead-after-officer-involved-shooting/">KWCH-TV</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/home/one-dead-in-officer-involved-shooting-in-northwest-wichita/article_343e89da-88b4-11ef-ba8a-738f42cefc6a.html">KAKE-TV</a>&nbsp;that deputies tried to engage the man, but he did not comply with orders. They tried to deescalate the situation over the next hour, he said, but the man got into a vehicle and drove up and down the streets in the neighborhood on the northwest edge of Wichita.

About 8:15 a.m., the colonel said, the man got out and charged at law enforcement officers, who shot him. He died at the scene.

Allen said the question of whether the man was armed would be part of the investigation.

The Wichita Police Department will lead the investigation. The Associated Press left a phone message with the department seeking comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728782434443.png" alt="Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH" />
 <figcaption>Police on the scene of the investigation -photo courtesy KWCH</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A man was shot to death by law enforcement officers Saturday during a confrontation in Wichita, authorities said.The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office received a call shortly after 7 a.m. about an individual who planned to shoot somebody, news outlets quoted Col. Keith Allen as saying.Police officers from multiple departments arrived to find a 27-year-old man who appeared to be wearing body armor, Allen said. He told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kwch.com/2024/10/12/one-dead-after-officer-involved-shooting/">KWCH-TV</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kake.com/home/one-dead-in-officer-involved-shooting-in-northwest-wichita/article_343e89da-88b4-11ef-ba8a-738f42cefc6a.html">KAKE-TV</a>&nbsp;that deputies tried to engage the man, but he did not comply with orders. They tried to deescalate the situation over the next hour, he said, but the man got into a vehicle and drove up and down the streets in the neighborhood on the northwest edge of Wichita.About 8:15 a.m., the colonel said, the man got out and charged at law enforcement officers, who shot him. He died at the scene.Allen said the question of whether the man was armed would be part of the investigation.The Wichita Police Department will lead the investigation. The Associated Press left a phone message with the department seeking comment.

Man dead in Kansas officer-involved shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is in “excellent health” and “possesses the physical and mental resiliency” required to serve as president,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/VP-Harris-Health-Summary.pdf">her doctor said in a letter</a>&nbsp;released Saturday that summarizes her medical history and status.

Dr. Joshua Simmons, an Army colonel and physician to the vice president, wrote that Harris, 59, maintains a healthy, active lifestyle and that her most recent physical last April was “unremarkable.”

She “possesses the physical and mental resiliency required to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief,” he wrote in a two-page letter.

Harris' campaign hopes the release of her medical report will draw a contrast with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Republican Donald Trump</a>, who has shared only limited information about his health over the years, and raise questions about his fitness to serve, according to a campaign aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

Trump has released very little health information, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-transparency-db2f4437237ad03d3b04b0b5f1573977">after his ear was grazed</a>&nbsp;by a bullet during an assassination attempt in July in Pennsylvania.

Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, said Saturday that Trump has voluntarily released updates from his personal physician as well as detailed reports from Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, who, before he was elected to Congress, was Trump's physician at the White House. Jackson also treated Trump after the assassination attempt.

“All have concluded he is in perfect and excellent health to be Commander in Chief,” Cheung said in a statement. The campaign press office provided links to some of Trump's past medical reports. They included:&nbsp;

If Trump, who is 78, were to be elected next month, he would be the oldest president in U.S. history by the time his term ends in 2029.

Harris addressed the issue on Saturday before she traveled to North Carolina.

“It's clear to me that he and his team do not want the American people to really see what he is doing and if he is fit to be the president,” she told the reporters accompanying her.

Asked if she thought Trump's mental acuity had declined, Harris said, “I invite the public to watch his rallies and be the decision-maker.”

Simmons, who said he has been Harris’ primary care physician for the past 3 1/2 years, said the vice president has a history of seasonal allergies and urticaria, or hives. She has been able to “dramatically” improve her symptoms over the past three years with an immunotherapy medication that helps the body become less sensitive to allergens.

Simmons said Harris’ latest blood work and other test results were “unremarkable.” Her blood pressure is not worryingly high and she is at low risk for heart disease.

According to the summary of an exam conducted six months ago, Harris' vital signs showed a blood pressure of 128 over 74, a heart rate of 78 beats per minute, pulse oximetry of 100% on room air with a respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute and a temperature of 98.7 degrees. Pulse oximetry measures the amount of oxygen in a person's blood.

Simmons reported that Harris' head, eyes, ears, nose and pharynx are normal.

Also in the report: Harris wears contact lenses for mild nearsightedness; her family history includes maternal colon cancer; she is up to date on preventive care recommendations, including having a colonoscopy and annual mammograms, as well as routine immunizations.

Harris' mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was 70 when she died of colon cancer in February 2009.

The vice president “maintains a healthy, active lifestyle, despite her busy schedule,” including “vigorous daily aerobic exercise and core strength training," Simmons reported. She eats a healthy diet, does not use tobacco products and drinks alcohol “only occasionally and in moderation,” he wrote.

As Harris' office released the medical report, her campaign highlighted recent media reports raising questions about Trump's health and mental acuity and his reluctance to provide detailed information about the state of his health and medical history.

Trump eagerly questioned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden's</a>&nbsp;physical and mental fitness when the 81-year-old sought reelection. Since Biden dropped out of the race and was replaced by Harris on the Democratic ticket, Trump's health has drawn more attention.

Last November, Trump marked Biden's birthday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-health-doctor-physical-biden-81-77-d13bcc9c393080169d4b8e3699a67c67">by releasing a letter</a>&nbsp;from his physician that reported the former president was in “excellent” physical and mental health. The letter posted on Trump’s social media platform contained no details about his weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, or the results of any tests to support its claims.

Associated Press writer Nicholas Riccardi in Denver contributed to this report.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;is in “excellent health” and “possesses the physical and mental resiliency” required to serve as president,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/VP-Harris-Health-Summary.pdf">her doctor said in a letter</a>&nbsp;released Saturday that summarizes her medical history and status.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">VP <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a>: &quot;Today I released my medical records as has I believe every candidate for president of the United States except Donald Trump...It&#39;s just a further example of his lack of transparency...He is unfit for office.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/baK7Sm8Iy1">pic.twitter.com/baK7Sm8Iy1</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1845271168804164065?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Dr. Joshua Simmons, an Army colonel and physician to the vice president, wrote that Harris, 59, maintains a healthy, active lifestyle and that her most recent physical last April was “unremarkable.”She “possesses the physical and mental resiliency required to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency, to include those as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief,” he wrote in a two-page letter.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728748670632.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728748648862.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Harris' campaign hopes the release of her medical report will draw a contrast with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Republican Donald Trump</a>, who has shared only limited information about his health over the years, and raise questions about his fitness to serve, according to a campaign aide who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.Trump has released very little health information, including&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-shooting-transparency-db2f4437237ad03d3b04b0b5f1573977">after his ear was grazed</a>&nbsp;by a bullet during an assassination attempt in July in Pennsylvania.Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the Trump campaign, said Saturday that Trump has voluntarily released updates from his personal physician as well as detailed reports from Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, who, before he was elected to Congress, was Trump's physician at the White House. Jackson also treated Trump after the assassination attempt.“All have concluded he is in perfect and excellent health to be Commander in Chief,” Cheung said in a statement. The campaign press office provided links to some of Trump's past medical reports. They included:&nbsp;<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Update on President Trump’s recovery from the bullet wound to his ear. <a href="https://t.co/zLQuvk5cnQ">pic.twitter.com/zLQuvk5cnQ</a>&mdash; Ronny Jackson (@RepRonnyJackson) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepRonnyJackson/status/1816865976073486657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728769943361.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>If Trump, who is 78, were to be elected next month, he would be the oldest president in U.S. history by the time his term ends in 2029.Harris addressed the issue on Saturday before she traveled to North Carolina.“It's clear to me that he and his team do not want the American people to really see what he is doing and if he is fit to be the president,” she told the reporters accompanying her.Asked if she thought Trump's mental acuity had declined, Harris said, “I invite the public to watch his rallies and be the decision-maker.”Simmons, who said he has been Harris’ primary care physician for the past 3 1/2 years, said the vice president has a history of seasonal allergies and urticaria, or hives. She has been able to “dramatically” improve her symptoms over the past three years with an immunotherapy medication that helps the body become less sensitive to allergens.Simmons said Harris’ latest blood work and other test results were “unremarkable.” Her blood pressure is not worryingly high and she is at low risk for heart disease.According to the summary of an exam conducted six months ago, Harris' vital signs showed a blood pressure of 128 over 74, a heart rate of 78 beats per minute, pulse oximetry of 100% on room air with a respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute and a temperature of 98.7 degrees. Pulse oximetry measures the amount of oxygen in a person's blood.Simmons reported that Harris' head, eyes, ears, nose and pharynx are normal.Also in the report: Harris wears contact lenses for mild nearsightedness; her family history includes maternal colon cancer; she is up to date on preventive care recommendations, including having a colonoscopy and annual mammograms, as well as routine immunizations.Harris' mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was 70 when she died of colon cancer in February 2009.The vice president “maintains a healthy, active lifestyle, despite her busy schedule,” including “vigorous daily aerobic exercise and core strength training," Simmons reported. She eats a healthy diet, does not use tobacco products and drinks alcohol “only occasionally and in moderation,” he wrote.As Harris' office released the medical report, her campaign highlighted recent media reports raising questions about Trump's health and mental acuity and his reluctance to provide detailed information about the state of his health and medical history.Trump eagerly questioned&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">President Joe Biden's</a>&nbsp;physical and mental fitness when the 81-year-old sought reelection. Since Biden dropped out of the race and was replaced by Harris on the Democratic ticket, Trump's health has drawn more attention.Last November, Trump marked Biden's birthday&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-health-doctor-physical-biden-81-77-d13bcc9c393080169d4b8e3699a67c67">by releasing a letter</a>&nbsp;from his physician that reported the former president was in “excellent” physical and mental health. The letter posted on Trump’s social media platform contained no details about his weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, or the results of any tests to support its claims.___Associated Press writer Nicholas Riccardi in Denver contributed to this report.

🎥Read letter from Harris' doctor on her 'excellent health'

CRAWFORD COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, and the Frontenac Police Department are conducting an investigation into the death of a man from Frontenac, Kansas.

Just before 8:30p.m. Friday, the Frontenac Police Department received a 911 call reporting shots fired. Police officers located the victim, Jonathan D. Brewer, 39, of Frontenac, unconscious at a neighbor’s residence at 803 N Cayuga, in Frontenac, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

EMS arrived and attempted live-saving measures but the victim was pronounced deceased.

Preliminary information indicates Brewer and a neighbor, identified as Michael C. Simpson, 19, of Frontenac, were involved in a dispute. Simpson is suspected of shooting Brewer during the altercation.

Simpson was arrested on requested charges of second-degree murder and then booked into the Crawford County Jail. He is being held without bond, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728780059483.png" alt="Simpson is being held without bond, according to online jail records- photo Crawford County" />
 <figcaption>Simpson is being held without bond, according to online jail records- photo Crawford County</figcaption>
 </figure>CRAWFORD COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, and the Frontenac Police Department are conducting an investigation into the death of a man from Frontenac, Kansas.Just before 8:30p.m. Friday, the Frontenac Police Department received a 911 call reporting shots fired. Police officers located the victim, Jonathan D. Brewer, 39, of Frontenac, unconscious at a neighbor’s residence at 803 N Cayuga, in Frontenac, according to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.EMS arrived and attempted live-saving measures but the victim was pronounced deceased.Preliminary information indicates Brewer and a neighbor, identified as Michael C. Simpson, 19, of Frontenac, were involved in a dispute. Simpson is suspected of shooting Brewer during the altercation.Simpson was arrested on requested charges of second-degree murder and then booked into the Crawford County Jail. He is being held without bond, according to online jail records.

KBI: Kan. man accused of killing neighbor during dispute

WICHITA, KAN. – A woman who stole thousands of dollars from her great uncle has been sentenced to prison.

Sedgwick County District Judge David Kaufman sentenced Stephanie Bracks, 43 of Dallas, Texas to 47 months in prison and ordered her to pay restitution, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

The case began in 2020 when a woman contacted Wichita Police because she thought Bracks was stealing money from her 89 year old uncle Pearl Williams. A second niece noticed Mr. Williams’ drivers license, social security card and several checkbooks were missing from his Wichita home.

A police review of the case showed unauthorized checks written to Bracks and her boyfriend Anthony Patterson.

On August 29th, a jury found Bracks guilty of felony Mistreatment of an Elder Person and felony theft. As sheriff deputies handcuffed Bracks and took her to jail, Judge Kaufman also ordered her boyfriend Anthony Patterson arrested because he was not paying restitution in the case and violated his probation. After serving a jail sanction,

Patterson is now back on probation and paying his restitution. Patterson had earlier pled guilty to theft and was sentenced to probation.

Along with the prison sentence for Bracks, Judge Kaufman today ordered her to pay $52,661.60 in restitution. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728502208650.png" alt="Bracks photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Bracks photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>WICHITA, KAN. – A woman who stole thousands of dollars from her great uncle has been sentenced to prison.Sedgwick County District Judge David Kaufman sentenced Stephanie Bracks, 43 of Dallas, Texas to 47 months in prison and ordered her to pay restitution, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.The case began in 2020 when a woman contacted Wichita Police because she thought Bracks was stealing money from her 89 year old uncle Pearl Williams. A second niece noticed Mr. Williams’ drivers license, social security card and several checkbooks were missing from his Wichita home.A police review of the case showed unauthorized checks written to Bracks and her boyfriend Anthony Patterson.On August 29th, a jury found Bracks guilty of felony Mistreatment of an Elder Person and felony theft. As sheriff deputies handcuffed Bracks and took her to jail, Judge Kaufman also ordered her boyfriend Anthony Patterson arrested because he was not paying restitution in the case and violated his probation. After serving a jail sanction,Patterson is now back on probation and paying his restitution. Patterson had earlier pled guilty to theft and was sentenced to probation.Along with the prison sentence for Bracks, Judge Kaufman today ordered her to pay $52,661.60 in restitution.

Woman stole thousands from elderly uncle in Kansas

KANSAS CITY– A man was sentenced in federal court this week for leading a drug-trafficking conspiracy and for illegally possessing a firearm.

Serjio Diaz, 40, Belton, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 15 years in federal prison without parole.

On April 9, 2024, Diaz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of money laundering.

Diaz admitted that he was the primary organizer of a drug-trafficking conspiracy that lasted from Jan. 1, 2019, to June 22, 2021.

The investigation began on March 18, 2019, when federal agents interdicted and seized a package from California that contained more than 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, which was addressed to Diaz’s residence. On the same day, federal agents also interdicted and seized a package from California that contained more than three kilograms of methamphetamine, which was addressed to the residence of his brother and co-defendant, Tony Diaz, 41, of Raymore, Mo.

During the course of the investigation, investigators conducted 23 controlled transactions from Serjio and Tony Diaz, utilizing an FBI confidential source. Over the course of these controlled purchases, law enforcement purchased more than seven kilograms of methamphetamine, more than six kilograms of heroin, and 468.6 grams of cocaine from Serjio and Tony Diaz for a total of $243,900.

In one transaction, for example, the confidential source purchased a kilogram of methamphetamine for $9,000 from Tony Diaz. In another instance, the confidential source purchased 222.4 grams (7.5 ounces) of cocaine from Serjio Diaz for $7,000.

On June 22, 2021, law enforcement officers arrested Serjio and Tony Diaz and searched Serjio Diaz’s residences and vehicles. Officers found almost nine kilograms of heroin, 166 grams of cocaine, six bags of pills that contained fentanyl and weighed a total of 78 grams, a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol, and $82,250 in cash.

Officers searched Tony Diaz’s residence and found 1,128 grams of suspected heroin, 28 grams of suspected cocaine, a Zastava Arms 7.62x39mm semi-automatic rifle, a Romarm Cugir 7.62x39mm semi-automatic rifle, and $5,461 in cash in Tony Diaz’s bedroom. Officers also found a Remington Arms .22-caliber rifle in a shed, one pound of suspected marijuana in his Lincoln Navigator SUV, and a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol and 3.4 grams of suspected marijuana in his BMW X5.

From May 1, 2019, to Dec. 31, 2020, Serjio Diaz deposited 93 money orders, totaling $82,145, into either his personal bank account or the bank account of his business, Imperial Window &amp; Gutter Cleaning, LLC. Serjio Diaz went to multiple post offices on the same date to purchase money orders; 21 of those purchases occurred soon after a controlled drug purchase was made by law enforcement in this investigation. Serjio Diaz limited his purchase to a maximum of $2,000 at each post office in order to avoid federal reporting requirements.

Tony Diaz has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled for Tony Diaz.

Co-defendant Maria Jasmin Lopez, 24, of Phoenix, Arizona, also pleaded guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and was sentenced on Aug. 1, 2023, to 10 years and three months in federal prison without parole.

KANSAS CITY– A man was sentenced in federal court this week for leading a drug-trafficking conspiracy and for illegally possessing a firearm.Serjio Diaz, 40, Belton, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 15 years in federal prison without parole.On April 9, 2024, Diaz pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of money laundering.Diaz admitted that he was the primary organizer of a drug-trafficking conspiracy that lasted from Jan. 1, 2019, to June 22, 2021.The investigation began on March 18, 2019, when federal agents interdicted and seized a package from California that contained more than 4.5 kilograms of methamphetamine, which was addressed to Diaz’s residence. On the same day, federal agents also interdicted and seized a package from California that contained more than three kilograms of methamphetamine, which was addressed to the residence of his brother and co-defendant, Tony Diaz, 41, of Raymore, Mo.During the course of the investigation, investigators conducted 23 controlled transactions from Serjio and Tony Diaz, utilizing an FBI confidential source. Over the course of these controlled purchases, law enforcement purchased more than seven kilograms of methamphetamine, more than six kilograms of heroin, and 468.6 grams of cocaine from Serjio and Tony Diaz for a total of $243,900.In one transaction, for example, the confidential source purchased a kilogram of methamphetamine for $9,000 from Tony Diaz. In another instance, the confidential source purchased 222.4 grams (7.5 ounces) of cocaine from Serjio Diaz for $7,000.On June 22, 2021, law enforcement officers arrested Serjio and Tony Diaz and searched Serjio Diaz’s residences and vehicles. Officers found almost nine kilograms of heroin, 166 grams of cocaine, six bags of pills that contained fentanyl and weighed a total of 78 grams, a Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol, and $82,250 in cash.Officers searched Tony Diaz’s residence and found 1,128 grams of suspected heroin, 28 grams of suspected cocaine, a Zastava Arms 7.62x39mm semi-automatic rifle, a Romarm Cugir 7.62x39mm semi-automatic rifle, and $5,461 in cash in Tony Diaz’s bedroom. Officers also found a Remington Arms .22-caliber rifle in a shed, one pound of suspected marijuana in his Lincoln Navigator SUV, and a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol and 3.4 grams of suspected marijuana in his BMW X5.From May 1, 2019, to Dec. 31, 2020, Serjio Diaz deposited 93 money orders, totaling $82,145, into either his personal bank account or the bank account of his business, Imperial Window &amp; Gutter Cleaning, LLC. Serjio Diaz went to multiple post offices on the same date to purchase money orders; 21 of those purchases occurred soon after a controlled drug purchase was made by law enforcement in this investigation. Serjio Diaz limited his purchase to a maximum of $2,000 at each post office in order to avoid federal reporting requirements.Tony Diaz has pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine, one count of possessing heroin with the intent to distribute, one count of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. A sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled for Tony Diaz.Co-defendant Maria Jasmin Lopez, 24, of Phoenix, Arizona, also pleaded guilty to her role in the drug-trafficking conspiracy and was sentenced on Aug. 1, 2023, to 10 years and three months in federal prison without parole.

Suspect in Calif. sent package of meth to Kansas City area man 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>

WASHINGTON — As the cost and supply of housing remain top issues for voters, both presidential candidates have put forth plans to tackle the crisis, in hopes of courting voters ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

The coronavirus pandemic that began in 2020 exacerbated problems in the housing market, with supply chain disruptions, record-low interest rates and&nbsp; increased demand contributing to a rise in housing prices,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9744473/" target="_blank">according to a study by the Journal of Housing Economics.&nbsp;</a>

While housing is typically handled on the local level, the housing supply is tight and rents continue to skyrocket, putting increased pressure on the federal government to help. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump agree that it’s an issue that needs to be solved, but their solutions diverge.

The Harris and Trump campaigns did not respond to States Newsroom’s requests for details on the general housing proposals the nominees have discussed.

<a href="https://nhc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Harris-Walz-economic-policy-press-release.pdf" target="_blank">Harris’ plan&nbsp;</a>calls for the construction of 3 million homes in four years.

The United States has a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freddiemac.com/research/insight/20210507-housing-supply" target="_blank">shortage of about 3.8 million homes for sale and rent</a>, according to 2021 estimates from Freddie Mac that are still relied upon.

Additionally,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/reports/files/Harvard_JCHS_Americas_Rental_Housing_2024.pdf" target="_blank">homelessness has hit a record-high of 653,100</a>&nbsp;people since January of last year, and a “record-high 22.4 million renter households spent more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities,” up from 2 million households since 2019, according to a study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.

“This is obviously a multi-prong approach, because the factors contributing to high rents and housing affordability are many, and my plan is to attempt to address many of them at once, so we can actually have the net effect of bringing down the cost and making homeownership, renting more affordable,” Harris said during a September interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wpr.org/shows/wisconsin-today-2/vice-president-kamala-harris-veterinary-cooperatives-finding-phantom-towns" target="_blank">Wisconsin Public Radio.&nbsp;</a>

Trump has long opposed building multi-family housing and has instead thrown his support behind single-family zoning, which would exclude other types of housing. Such land-use regulation is conducted by local government bodies, not the federal government, though the federal government could influence it.

“There will be no low-income housing developments built in areas that are right next to your house,” Trump said during an August rally in Montana. “I’m gonna keep criminals out of your neighborhood.”

<a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/09/22/racing-toward-election-day-control-of-u-s-senate-and-house-up-for-grabs/" target="_blank">Election forecasters have predicted</a>&nbsp;that Democrats will regain control of the U.S. House, but Republicans are poised to win the Senate, meaning any housing proposals will have to be overwhelmingly bipartisan.

“How much money is going to really be available without substantial increases in revenue to be able to do all these things that both Trump and Harris are proposing?” Ted Tozer, a non-resident fellow at the Urban Institute’s Housing Finance Policy Center, said in an interview with States Newsroom. “All the money comes from Congress.”

Many of Harris’ policies rely on cooperation from Congress, as historically the federal government has limited tools to address housing shortages.

“On the Democratic side, there’s a hunger for more action, for more direct government intervention in the housing market than we’ve seen in a long time,” said Francis Torres, the associate director of housing and infrastructure at the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Nearly all proposals that Harris has put forth would require Congress to pass legislation and appropriate funds. The first is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2224/text" target="_blank">S.2224</a>, introduced by Sen. Sherrod Brown, Democrat of Ohio, which would amend U.S. tax code to bar private equity firms from buying homes in bulk by denying “interest and depreciation deductions for taxpayers owning 50 or more single family properties,” according to the bill.

The second bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/3692/text" target="_blank">S. 3692</a>, introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon and chair of the Senate Finance Committee, would bar using algorithms to artificially inflate the cost of rents.

Both bills would need to reach the 60-vote threshold in order to advance in the Senate, whichever party is in control.

Harris has pledged to support first-time homebuyers, but Congress would need to appropriate funds for the $25,000 down payment assistance program she has proposed that would benefit an estimated 4 million first-time homebuyers over four years.

It’s a proposal that’s been met with skepticism.

“I’m really concerned that down payment assistance will actually put more pressure on home prices, because basically, you’re giving people additional cash to pay more for the house that they’re going to bid on,” Tozer said. “So by definition, they get in a bidding war, they’re going to spend more.”

Harris has also proposed a $40 billion innovation fund for local governments to build and create solutions for housing, which would also need congressional approval.

Both candidates support opening some federal lands for housing, which would mean selling the land for construction purposes with the commitment for a certain percentage of the units to be kept for affordable housing.

The federal government<a href="https://www.gao.gov/managing-federal-lands-and-waters" target="_blank">&nbsp;owns about 650 million acres of land</a>, or roughly 30% of all land.

Neither candidate has gone into detail on this proposal.

“I think it’s a sign that at least the Harris campaign and the people in her orbit are thinking about addressing this housing affordability problem really through stronger government action than has happened in several decades,” Torres said.

The biggest tool the federal government has used to address housing is through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, known as LIHTC. Harris has promised to expand this tax credit, but has not gone into detail about how much she wants it expanded.

This program awards tax credits to offset construction costs in exchange for a certain number of rent-restricted units for low-income households. But the restriction is temporary,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.huduser.gov/publications/pdf/what_happens_lihtc_v2.pdf" target="_blank">lasting about 30 years.&nbsp;</a>

There is no similar program for housing meant to be owned.

“It’s an interesting moment, because then on the other side, on the Trump side, even though they diagnosed a lot of the similar problems, there’s not as much of a desire to leverage the strength of the federal government to ensure affordability,” Torres said.

The Trump campaign does not have a housing proposal, but various interviews, rallies and a review of Trump’s first four years in office provide a roadmap.

During Trump’s first administration, many of his HUD budget proposals were not approved by Congress.

In all four of his presidential budget requests, he laid out proposals that would increase rent by 40% for about 4 million low-income households using rental vouchers or for those who lived in public housing, according to an analysis by the left-leaning think tank the<a href="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/trump-administration-budgets-and-programs-for-people-of-limited-means/#housing-and-rental-assistance" target="_blank">&nbsp;Brookings Institution.&nbsp;</a>

All four of Trump’s budgets also called for the elimination of housing programs such as the Community Development Block Grant, which directs funding to local and state governments to rehabilitate and build affordable housing. Trump’s budgets also would have slashed the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, which is a home energy assistance program for low-income families.

Additionally, Trump’s Opportunity Zones authorized through the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which are tax incentives to businesses and real estate to invest in low-income communities,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/metropolitan-housing-and-communities-policy-center/projects/opportunity-zones" target="_blank">have had mixed results.</a>

<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2024-trump-interview-transcript/?embedded-checkout=true" target="_blank">In an interview with Bloomberg,</a>&nbsp;Trump said he wanted to focus on reducing regulations in the permitting process.

“Your permits, your permitting process. Your zoning, if — and I went through years of zoning. Zoning is like… it’s a killer,” he said. “But we’ll be doing that, and we’ll be bringing the price of housing down.”

During campaign rallies, Trump has often said he would impose a 10% tariff across the board on all goods entering the U.S. He’s also proposed 60% tariffs on China.

<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/taxes-where-do-trump-and-harris-stand" target="_blank">Trump said at a rally in Georgia that tariff</a>&nbsp;is “one of the most beautiful words I’ve ever heard.”

Tozer said adding trade policies, such as tariffs on construction materials like lumber, would drive up the cost of homes.

Trump has argued that his plan for mass deportations will help free up the supply of housing. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump national press secretary,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/30/business/economy/housing-plan-harris-trump.html" target="_blank">told the New York Times</a>&nbsp;that deporting immigrants would lower the cost of housing because migration “is driving up housing costs.”

The former president has made&nbsp;<a href="https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2024/09/03/trump-promises-mass-deportations-of-undocumented-people-how-would-that-work/" target="_blank">a core campaign promise</a>&nbsp;to deport millions of immigrants.

Tozer said housing and immigration are tied, because the ability to build houses comes down to workers, and&nbsp;<a href="https://immigrationforum.org/article/immigrant-construction-workers-in-the-united-states/" target="_blank">roughly 30% of construction workers are immigrants.&nbsp;</a>

“By shutting down the border, you’re possibly shutting down your capacity to build these houses,” he said, adding that all those policies are intertwined.

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 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/2/1643731279132.jpg" alt="" />
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 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">ARIANA FIGUEROA</a>WASHINGTON — As the cost and supply of housing remain top issues for voters, both presidential candidates have put forth plans to tackle the crisis, in hopes of courting voters ahead of the Nov. 5 election.The coronavirus pandemic that began in 2020 exacerbated problems in the housing market, with supply chain disruptions, record-low interest rates and&nbsp; increased demand contributing to a rise in housing prices,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9744473/" target="_blank">according to a study by the Journal of Housing Economics.&nbsp;</a>While housing is typically handled on the local level, the housing supply is tight and rents continue to skyrocket, putting increased pressure on the federal government to help. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump agree that it’s an issue that needs to be solved, but their solutions diverge.The Harris and Trump campaigns did not respond to States Newsroom’s requests for details on the general housing proposals the nominees have discussed.<h2>Promise: millions of new homes</h2><a href="https://nhc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Harris-Walz-economic-policy-press-release.pdf" target="_blank">Harris’ plan&nbsp;</a>calls for the construction of 3 million homes in four years.The United States has a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.freddiemac.com/research/insight/20210507-housing-supply" target="_blank">shortage of about 3.8 million homes for sale and rent</a>, according to 2021 estimates from Freddie Mac that are still relied upon.Additionally,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jchs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/reports/files/Harvard_JCHS_Americas_Rental_Housing_2024.pdf" target="_blank">homelessness has hit a record-high of 653,100</a>&nbsp;people since January of last year, and a “record-high 22.4 million renter households spent more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities,” up from 2 million households since 2019, according to a study by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.“This is obviously a multi-prong approach, because the factors contributing to high rents and housing affordability are many, and my plan is to attempt to address many of them at once, so we can actually have the net effect of bringing down the cost and making homeownership, renting more affordable,” Harris said during a September interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wpr.org/shows/wisconsin-today-2/vice-president-kamala-harris-veterinary-cooperatives-finding-phantom-towns" target="_blank">Wisconsin Public Radio.&nbsp;</a><h2>Promise: single-family zoning</h2>Trump has long opposed building multi-family housing and has instead thrown his support behind single-family zoning, which would exclude other types of housing. Such land-use regulation is conducted by local government bodies, not the federal government, though the federal government could influence it.“There will be no low-income housing developments built in areas that are right next to your house,” Trump said during an August rally in Montana. “I’m gonna keep criminals out of your neighborhood.”<h2>Promise: getting Congress to agree</h2><a href="https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/09/22/racing-toward-election-day-control-of-u-s-senate-and-house-up-for-grabs/" target="_blank">Election forecasters have predicted</a>&nbsp;that Democrats will regain control of the U.S. House, but Republicans are poised to win the Senate, meaning any housing proposals will have to be overwhelmingly bipartisan.“How much money is going to really be available without substantial increases in revenue to be able to do all these things that both Trump and Harris are proposing?” Ted Tozer, a non-resident fellow at the Urban Institute’s Housing Finance Policy Center, said in an interview with States Newsroom. “All the money comes from Congress.”Many of Harris’ policies rely on cooperation from Congress, as historically the federal government has limited tools to address housing shortages.“On the Democratic side, there’s a hunger for more action, for more direct government intervention in the housing market than we’ve seen in a long time,” said Francis Torres, the associate director of housing and infrastructure at the Bipartisan Policy Center.Nearly all proposals that Harris has put forth would require Congress to pass legislation and appropriate funds. The first is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/2224/text" target="_blank">S.2224</a>, introduced by Sen. Sherrod Brown, Democrat of Ohio, which would amend U.S. tax code to bar private equity firms from buying homes in bulk by denying “interest and depreciation deductions for taxpayers owning 50 or more single family properties,” according to the bill.The second bill,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/3692/text" target="_blank">S. 3692</a>, introduced by Sen. Ron Wyden, Democrat of Oregon and chair of the Senate Finance Committee, would bar using algorithms to artificially inflate the cost of rents.Both bills would need to reach the 60-vote threshold in order to advance in the Senate, whichever party is in control.<h2>Promise: $25,000 down payment assistance</h2>Harris has pledged to support first-time homebuyers, but Congress would need to appropriate funds for the $25,000 down payment assistance program she has proposed that would benefit an estimated 4 million first-time homebuyers over four years.It’s a proposal that’s been met with skepticism.“I’m really concerned that down payment assistance will actually put more pressure on home prices, because basically, you’re giving people additional cash to pay more for the house that they’re going to bid on,” Tozer said. “So by definition, they get in a bidding war, they’re going to spend more.”Harris has also proposed a $40 billion innovation fund for local governments to build and create solutions for housing, which would also need congressional approval.<h2>Promise: opening up federal lands</h2>Both candidates support opening some federal lands for housing, which would mean selling the land for construction purposes with the commitment for a certain percentage of the units to be kept for affordable housing.The federal government<a href="https://www.gao.gov/managing-federal-lands-and-waters" target="_blank">&nbsp;owns about 650 million acres of land</a>, or roughly 30% of all land.Neither candidate has gone into detail on this proposal.“I think it’s a sign that at least the Harris campaign and the people in her orbit are thinking about addressing this housing affordability problem really through stronger government action than has happened in several decades,” Torres said.<h2>Promise: expand tax credits</h2>The biggest tool the federal government has used to address housing is through the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, known as LIHTC. Harris has promised to expand this tax credit, but has not gone into detail about how much she wants it expanded.This program awards tax credits to offset construction costs in exchange for a certain number of rent-restricted units for low-income households. But the restriction is temporary,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.huduser.gov/publications/pdf/what_happens_lihtc_v2.pdf" target="_blank">lasting about 30 years.&nbsp;</a>There is no similar program for housing meant to be owned.“It’s an interesting moment, because then on the other side, on the Trump side, even though they diagnosed a lot of the similar problems, there’s not as much of a desire to leverage the strength of the federal government to ensure affordability,” Torres said.<h2>Trump’s record on housing</h2>The Trump campaign does not have a housing proposal, but various interviews, rallies and a review of Trump’s first four years in office provide a roadmap.During Trump’s first administration, many of his HUD budget proposals were not approved by Congress.In all four of his presidential budget requests, he laid out proposals that would increase rent by 40% for about 4 million low-income households using rental vouchers or for those who lived in public housing, according to an analysis by the left-leaning think tank the<a href="https://www.brookings.edu/articles/trump-administration-budgets-and-programs-for-people-of-limited-means/#housing-and-rental-assistance" target="_blank">&nbsp;Brookings Institution.&nbsp;</a>All four of Trump’s budgets also called for the elimination of housing programs such as the Community Development Block Grant, which directs funding to local and state governments to rehabilitate and build affordable housing. Trump’s budgets also would have slashed the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, which is a home energy assistance program for low-income families.Additionally, Trump’s Opportunity Zones authorized through the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which are tax incentives to businesses and real estate to invest in low-income communities,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/metropolitan-housing-and-communities-policy-center/projects/opportunity-zones" target="_blank">have had mixed results.</a><h2>Promise: cut regulations and add tariffs</h2><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2024-trump-interview-transcript/?embedded-checkout=true" target="_blank">In an interview with Bloomberg,</a>&nbsp;Trump said he wanted to focus on reducing regulations in the permitting process.“Your permits, your permitting process. Your zoning, if — and I went through years of zoning. Zoning is like… it’s a killer,” he said. “But we’ll be doing that, and we’ll be bringing the price of housing down.”During campaign rallies, Trump has often said he would impose a 10% tariff across the board on all goods entering the U.S. He’s also proposed 60% tariffs on China.<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/taxes-where-do-trump-and-harris-stand" target="_blank">Trump said at a rally in Georgia that tariff</a>&nbsp;is “one of the most beautiful words I’ve ever heard.”Tozer said adding trade policies, such as tariffs on construction materials like lumber, would drive up the cost of homes.<h2>Promise: deport immigrants</h2>Trump has argued that his plan for mass deportations will help free up the supply of housing. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump national press secretary,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/30/business/economy/housing-plan-harris-trump.html" target="_blank">told the New York Times</a>&nbsp;that deporting immigrants would lower the cost of housing because migration “is driving up housing costs.”The former president has made&nbsp;<a href="https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2024/09/03/trump-promises-mass-deportations-of-undocumented-people-how-would-that-work/" target="_blank">a core campaign promise</a>&nbsp;to deport millions of immigrants.Tozer said housing and immigration are tied, because the ability to build houses comes down to workers, and&nbsp;<a href="https://immigrationforum.org/article/immigrant-construction-workers-in-the-united-states/" target="_blank">roughly 30% of construction workers are immigrants.&nbsp;</a>“By shutting down the border, you’re possibly shutting down your capacity to build these houses,” he said, adding that all those policies are intertwined.

Housing: Where do Harris and Trump stand?

WSU says internal inquiry compels attribution corrections to doctoral paper

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA —&nbsp;Kansas academics point to signs of plagiarism in Wichita State University President Richard Muma’s doctoral dissertation, but there’s a nuanced dispute about consequences for breaking scholarly writing protocol.

<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/07/read-the-evidence-examples-of-copied-material-in-wichita-state-university-presidents-dissertation/">Click here to view&nbsp;</a>some of the evidence

Debate emerged on campuses throughout the state since Monday when Kansas Reflector&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/07/wichita-state-university-presidents-doctoral-dissertation-raises-concerns-of-academic-misconduct/">published an investigation</a>&nbsp;of Muma’s 2004 dissertation that led to awarding of a doctorate by University of Missouri-St. Louis. More than 10 university professors employed outside of WSU told the Reflector that Muma’s use of dozens of passages from journals and books — without quotation marks to fully credit verbatim writing of others — met the definition of plagiarism.

In response, Muma said an internal, confidential review led by WSU administrators concluded he wasn’t guilty of misconduct. However, he said, there were instances in the dissertation where “attribution should have included the use of quotation marks around reuse of text.”&nbsp;The president said he would submit to UMSL a revised version&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/07/wichita-state-university-president-vows-to-fix-attribution-flaws-in-up-to-5-of-dissertation/">correcting attribution in up to 5% of his dissertation.&nbsp;</a>He also said “the matter was closed.”

Elizabeth Heilman, a Wichita State professor of education, said she was skeptical of WSU’s internal analysis of about 50 instances in which Muma borrowed the writing of more than 20 scholars.

“Issues with Muma’s dissertation are not technical omissions as he has stated. The issue raised is plagiarism and research misconduct,” Heilman said.

Chris Dudley, an assistant clinical professor in Wichita State’s physician assistant program, said missing quotation marks in Muma’s dissertation were “definitely a mistake,” but the dissertation contained references that could lead readers to original authors.

“There is a big difference between clerical/grammatical errors and not citing the author,” said Dudley, who graduated from WSU’s physician assistant program in 2008. “Both fall under the definition of plagiarism, but I think we can agree one is way worse than the other.”

Dudley said the Reflector’s reporting “stinks of a witch hunt” as if someone were “trying to tear down the reputation of someone who has worked in health care and who now leads a university brilliantly.”

Muma, who has worked at Wichita State for nearly 30 years, was a tenured professor and chairman of the physician assistant program at WSU when he completed the dissertation. He was promoted to vice president and provost before appointed president in 2020 by the Kansas Board of Regents.

Before publication of the story, Muma said he was confident his dissertation was “original.” He later said the article “raised misrepresentations about the academic integrity” of his dissertation.

The Reflector manually examined Muma’s 88-page dissertation on management of physician assistant programs.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/07/read-the-evidence-examples-of-copied-material-in-wichita-state-university-presidents-dissertation/">Copies of original articles and books were acquired for line-by-line comparisons to the dissertation.</a>&nbsp;The extent of the copying by Muma led a diverse group of university educators interviewed by the Reflector to the conclusion the dissertation was partially plagiarized.

Dan Hoyt, a professor of English at Kansas State University, said it would be wrong for a college freshman to leave out quotation marks to highlight contributions of other writers. It would be “inexcusable” for someone to make the same mistake in a doctoral dissertation, he said.

“I think you could easily make the case this is plagiarism,” Hoyt said. “It does all kinds of harm to the world of ideas and the world of education.”

Jim Leiker, a history professor at Johnson County Community College, said the scholarly exception made for WSU’s president sent the wrong message to the university’s students. The bottom line, he said, was “we should hold the president of an institution such as WSU to a higher standard than we hold our students.”

Eve Levin, professor emeritus at the University of Kansas, said UMSL should rescind the doctoral degree it awarded to Muma because he produced a dissertation that claimed the words of others as his own.

“If he didn’t know better, he’s unqualified to be a university faculty member, much less a university president,” she said. “If he did know better, but was too sloppy in his research methods, he’s unqualified.&nbsp;If he did know better and deliberately decided to copy other scholars’ words, he’s unqualified.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728665053937.png" alt="Reaction at Wichita State University and other college campuses in Kansas affirms that WSU President Richard Muma improperly copied writing of other scholars in his doctoral dissertation, but differs on consequences for that decision. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Reaction at Wichita State University and other college campuses in Kansas affirms that WSU President Richard Muma improperly copied writing of other scholars in his doctoral dissertation, but differs on consequences for that decision. (Thad Allton for Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>WSU says internal inquiry compels attribution corrections to doctoral paper</h2>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA —&nbsp;Kansas academics point to signs of plagiarism in Wichita State University President Richard Muma’s doctoral dissertation, but there’s a nuanced dispute about consequences for breaking scholarly writing protocol.<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/07/read-the-evidence-examples-of-copied-material-in-wichita-state-university-presidents-dissertation/">Click here to view&nbsp;</a>some of the evidenceDebate emerged on campuses throughout the state since Monday when Kansas Reflector&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/07/wichita-state-university-presidents-doctoral-dissertation-raises-concerns-of-academic-misconduct/">published an investigation</a>&nbsp;of Muma’s 2004 dissertation that led to awarding of a doctorate by University of Missouri-St. Louis. More than 10 university professors employed outside of WSU told the Reflector that Muma’s use of dozens of passages from journals and books — without quotation marks to fully credit verbatim writing of others — met the definition of plagiarism.In response, Muma said an internal, confidential review led by WSU administrators concluded he wasn’t guilty of misconduct. However, he said, there were instances in the dissertation where “attribution should have included the use of quotation marks around reuse of text.”&nbsp;The president said he would submit to UMSL a revised version&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/07/wichita-state-university-president-vows-to-fix-attribution-flaws-in-up-to-5-of-dissertation/">correcting attribution in up to 5% of his dissertation.&nbsp;</a>He also said “the matter was closed.”But that doesn’t satisfy everyone.Elizabeth Heilman, a Wichita State professor of education, said she was skeptical of WSU’s internal analysis of about 50 instances in which Muma borrowed the writing of more than 20 scholars.“Issues with Muma’s dissertation are not technical omissions as he has stated. The issue raised is plagiarism and research misconduct,” Heilman said.Chris Dudley, an assistant clinical professor in Wichita State’s physician assistant program, said missing quotation marks in Muma’s dissertation were “definitely a mistake,” but the dissertation contained references that could lead readers to original authors.“There is a big difference between clerical/grammatical errors and not citing the author,” said Dudley, who graduated from WSU’s physician assistant program in 2008. “Both fall under the definition of plagiarism, but I think we can agree one is way worse than the other.”Dudley said the Reflector’s reporting “stinks of a witch hunt” as if someone were “trying to tear down the reputation of someone who has worked in health care and who now leads a university brilliantly.”Muma, who has worked at Wichita State for nearly 30 years, was a tenured professor and chairman of the physician assistant program at WSU when he completed the dissertation. He was promoted to vice president and provost before appointed president in 2020 by the Kansas Board of Regents.Before publication of the story, Muma said he was confident his dissertation was “original.” He later said the article “raised misrepresentations about the academic integrity” of his dissertation.The Reflector manually examined Muma’s 88-page dissertation on management of physician assistant programs.&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2024/10/07/read-the-evidence-examples-of-copied-material-in-wichita-state-university-presidents-dissertation/">Copies of original articles and books were acquired for line-by-line comparisons to the dissertation.</a>&nbsp;The extent of the copying by Muma led a diverse group of university educators interviewed by the Reflector to the conclusion the dissertation was partially plagiarized.Dan Hoyt, a professor of English at Kansas State University, said it would be wrong for a college freshman to leave out quotation marks to highlight contributions of other writers. It would be “inexcusable” for someone to make the same mistake in a doctoral dissertation, he said.“I think you could easily make the case this is plagiarism,” Hoyt said. “It does all kinds of harm to the world of ideas and the world of education.”Jim Leiker, a history professor at Johnson County Community College, said the scholarly exception made for WSU’s president sent the wrong message to the university’s students. The bottom line, he said, was “we should hold the president of an institution such as WSU to a higher standard than we hold our students.”Eve Levin, professor emeritus at the University of Kansas, said UMSL should rescind the doctoral degree it awarded to Muma because he produced a dissertation that claimed the words of others as his own.“If he didn’t know better, he’s unqualified to be a university faculty member, much less a university president,” she said. “If he did know better, but was too sloppy in his research methods, he’s unqualified.&nbsp;If he did know better and deliberately decided to copy other scholars’ words, he’s unqualified.”

Kansas professors debate severity of plagiarism, response to WSU president’s dissertation

OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new drug allegations.

Just after 3:30p.m. October 7, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75 Highway in rural Osage County for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells.

 During the stop, illegal narcotics were located.

Deputies took 41-year-old Travis W. Ray of Louisburg into custody and transported him to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of of Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia and for an Expired vehicle registration. He has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728644027022.png" alt="Ray photo Osage County" />
 <figcaption>Ray photo Osage County</figcaption>
 </figure>OSAGE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon on new drug allegations.Just after 3:30p.m. October 7, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75 Highway in rural Osage County for a traffic violation, according to Sheriff Chris Wells. During the stop, illegal narcotics were located.Deputies took 41-year-old Travis W. Ray of Louisburg into custody and transported him to the Osage County Jail Facility on requested charges of of Possession of methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia and for an Expired vehicle registration. He has a previous drug conviction, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Sheriff: Kansas felon jailed on new drug allegations

TOPEKA —On Friday, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly joined Adjutant General Michael Venerdi to celebrate his promotion to major general. "His remarkable career has been marked by extraordinary dedication, insight, and loyalty to both Kansas and our nation." Kelly wrote on her social media account.

Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran spoke at the promotion ceremony. "Gen. Venerdi has served in the military for over 30 years. "Congratulations on this accomplishment and thank you for your service to Kansas and our country."

In April of 2023, the Kansas Senate unanimously confirmation of&nbsp; Venerdi&nbsp;to serve&nbsp;as&nbsp;the Adjutant General&nbsp;of Kansas.&nbsp; He is a graduate of the United State's Air Force Academy&nbsp;and&nbsp;flew combat missions in Afghanistan.

Prior to his appointment&nbsp;and confirmation as the 38th&nbsp;Adjutant General of Kansas,&nbsp;Venerdi&nbsp;served as the Director of the Joint Staff, Kansas National Guard at the Joint Force Headquarters in Topeka. He previously served as Commander of the 184th Wing at McConnell Air Force Base.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728734378669.png" alt="Governor Kelly with Ajutant General Michael Venerdi during the ceremony on Friday" />
 <figcaption>Governor Kelly with Ajutant General Michael Venerdi during the ceremony on Friday</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA —On Friday, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly joined Adjutant General Michael Venerdi to celebrate his promotion to major general. "His remarkable career has been marked by extraordinary dedication, insight, and loyalty to both Kansas and our nation." Kelly wrote on her social media account.Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran spoke at the promotion ceremony. "Gen. Venerdi has served in the military for over 30 years. "Congratulations on this accomplishment and thank you for your service to Kansas and our country."In April of 2023, the Kansas Senate unanimously confirmation of&nbsp; Venerdi&nbsp;to serve&nbsp;as&nbsp;the Adjutant General&nbsp;of Kansas.&nbsp; He is a graduate of the United State's Air Force Academy&nbsp;and&nbsp;flew combat missions in Afghanistan.Prior to his appointment&nbsp;and confirmation as the 38th&nbsp;Adjutant General of Kansas,&nbsp;Venerdi&nbsp;served as the Director of the Joint Staff, Kansas National Guard at the Joint Force Headquarters in Topeka. He previously served as Commander of the 184th Wing at McConnell Air Force Base.&nbsp;

Kansas Adjutant General promoted to Major General

DAMASCUS —U.S. forces conducted a series of air strikes Friday against multiple ISIS camps in Syria on Friday, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.

Officials reported early Saturday they conducting battle damage assessments. Early indications suggested there were no civilians casualties.

"The strikes will disrupt the ability of ISIS to plan, organize and conduct attacks against the United States and its allies and partners and civilians throughout the region and beyond."

The Command reported they would released additional details as they confirm more information.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/10/1728066701383.png" alt="A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor -photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor -photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>DAMASCUS —U.S. forces conducted a series of air strikes Friday against multiple ISIS camps in Syria on Friday, according to a statement from the U.S. Central Command.Officials reported early Saturday they conducting battle damage assessments. Early indications suggested there were no civilians casualties."The strikes will disrupt the ability of ISIS to plan, organize and conduct attacks against the United States and its allies and partners and civilians throughout the region and beyond."The Command reported they would released additional details as they confirm more information.There are some 900 U.S. forces in Syria, according to the Associated Press along with an undisclosed number of contractors.