JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating&nbsp;a homicide that left one man dead and another injured have identified the man who died as 26-year-old&nbsp;&nbsp;Juan Jose Balleza-Ojeda of Olathe.

Just after 9p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to an armed disturbance in the 500 block of North Marion Street in Olathe, according to Sergeant John Mancayo.

First responders found Balleza-Ojeda with an apparent stab wound. Officers conducted life-saving measures but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene.

Officers also found a 28-year-old man who sustained a non-life-threatening stab wound. That man was transported to an area hospital for further treatment.

Police took 22-year-old&nbsp;Jesus Neri-Aguilar of Olathe into custody on a requested charge of 2nd degree murder. He is being held on&nbsp;$1,000,000 bond and is due in court November 22, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699993696285.png" alt="Neri-Aguilar-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Neri-Aguilar-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating&nbsp;a homicide that left one man dead and another injured have identified the man who died as 26-year-old&nbsp;&nbsp;Juan Jose Balleza-Ojeda of Olathe.Just after 9p.m. Saturday, police were dispatched to an armed disturbance in the 500 block of North Marion Street in Olathe, according to Sergeant John Mancayo.First responders found Balleza-Ojeda with an apparent stab wound. Officers conducted life-saving measures but he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene.Officers also found a 28-year-old man who sustained a non-life-threatening stab wound. That man was transported to an area hospital for further treatment.Police took 22-year-old&nbsp;Jesus Neri-Aguilar of Olathe into custody on a requested charge of 2nd degree murder. He is being held on&nbsp;$1,000,000 bond and is due in court November 22, according to online jail records.

Suspect in Kansas knife fight killing held on $1,000,000 bond

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of vandalism in Wichita.

On Wednesday morning, police released video on social media asking the public for help to identify a suspect involved in multiple vandalisms. The video shows the suspect shattering the glass window of a Wichita business.

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a series of vandalism in Wichita.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=266&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FWichitaPolice%2Fvideos%2F1160083504971113%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=1" width="560" height="266" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>On Wednesday morning, police released video on social media asking the public for help to identify a suspect involved in multiple vandalisms. The video shows the suspect shattering the glass window of a Wichita business.

🎥 Police ask for help to ID Kansas vandalism suspect

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The substance in a suspicious letter sent to the top elections agency in Kansas doesn't appear to have been hazardous, and the mail appeared unrelated to threatening letters sent to election offices in other states, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday.

The letter delivered Tuesday to the Kansas secretary of state's office prompted authorities to evacuate its building just before noon and keep it closed for the rest of the day. The KBI said it has identified a suspect in Tuesday’s incident, though no arrest was announced.

The KBI also said it has no reason to believe the letter was connected to threatening letters containing a harmless&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-letters-white-powder-f59cfa50f3f35a5301e34c8d9b3cc0a1">white powder</a>&nbsp;sent in June to dozens of Republican legislators in Kansas,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/montana-letters-white-powder-republicans-e0e48401f2973232be975755ebbcc9e1">Montana</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-white-powder-building-evacuated-82ba88e307efd5c1b4f0b95469f7b28d">Tennessee.</a>

While authorities are still waiting on final tests of the substance in Tuesday's letter, preliminary testing indicated it was not harmful, KBI spokesperson Melissa Underwood said in an emailed statement. The secretary of state's building reopened Wednesday morning.

“Law enforcement has identified the person they believe sent the suspicious letter,” Underwood said. “The investigation is ongoing.”

Tuesday's incident in Kansas occurred less than a week after election offices&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-offices-workers-threats-letters-fentanyl-286f88eadef68d9ef08501809f95f8ff">in at least five states</a>&nbsp;received threatening mail, some containing the potentially dangerous opioid fentanyl. The motivation of anyone responsible for suspicious mail in the other states was unclear.

The KBI did not disclose a potential motive for the latest Kansas letter, and no arrests have been announced over the letters sent in June. Secretary of State Scott Schwab is a Republican who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-politics-donald-trump-arizona-9b675ed2223da37a90e5b53cfb6cf9b8">pushed back</a>&nbsp;against baseless theories about the 2020 election being stolen.

The secretary of state's building is near the Kansas Statehouse and also houses the offices of the state's attorney general.

“Threats such as this and all forms of political intimidation are unacceptable and must always be strongly condemned,” Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/DanHawkinsKS/status/1724816561330929672">tweeted</a>&nbsp;Wednesday morning.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700017944580.png" alt="Authorities evacuated the building, which also houses the Kansas attorney general's office, “out of an abundance of caution.” The building that was evacuated is located near the Statehouse-photo courtesy WIBW TV" />
 <figcaption>Authorities evacuated the building, which also houses the Kansas attorney general's office, “out of an abundance of caution.” The building that was evacuated is located near the Statehouse-photo courtesy WIBW TV</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The substance in a suspicious letter sent to the top elections agency in Kansas doesn't appear to have been hazardous, and the mail appeared unrelated to threatening letters sent to election offices in other states, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation said Wednesday.The letter delivered Tuesday to the Kansas secretary of state's office prompted authorities to evacuate its building just before noon and keep it closed for the rest of the day. The KBI said it has identified a suspect in Tuesday’s incident, though no arrest was announced.The KBI also said it has no reason to believe the letter was connected to threatening letters containing a harmless&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kansas-letters-white-powder-f59cfa50f3f35a5301e34c8d9b3cc0a1">white powder</a>&nbsp;sent in June to dozens of Republican legislators in Kansas,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/montana-letters-white-powder-republicans-e0e48401f2973232be975755ebbcc9e1">Montana</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-white-powder-building-evacuated-82ba88e307efd5c1b4f0b95469f7b28d">Tennessee.</a><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">This political intimidation is absolutely unacceptable. No Kansan should ever feel unsafe because of their politics. Thank you to the KBI, KHP, and other law enforcement who are investigating this case and the letters sent this past summer. 2/2&mdash; Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovLauraKelly/status/1724610953050775750?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>While authorities are still waiting on final tests of the substance in Tuesday's letter, preliminary testing indicated it was not harmful, KBI spokesperson Melissa Underwood said in an emailed statement. The secretary of state's building reopened Wednesday morning.“Law enforcement has identified the person they believe sent the suspicious letter,” Underwood said. “The investigation is ongoing.”Tuesday's incident in Kansas occurred less than a week after election offices&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/election-offices-workers-threats-letters-fentanyl-286f88eadef68d9ef08501809f95f8ff">in at least five states</a>&nbsp;received threatening mail, some containing the potentially dangerous opioid fentanyl. The motivation of anyone responsible for suspicious mail in the other states was unclear.The KBI did not disclose a potential motive for the latest Kansas letter, and no arrests have been announced over the letters sent in June. Secretary of State Scott Schwab is a Republican who has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-politics-donald-trump-arizona-9b675ed2223da37a90e5b53cfb6cf9b8">pushed back</a>&nbsp;against baseless theories about the 2020 election being stolen.The secretary of state's building is near the Kansas Statehouse and also houses the offices of the state's attorney general.“Threats such as this and all forms of political intimidation are unacceptable and must always be strongly condemned,” Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins, a Wichita Republican,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/DanHawkinsKS/status/1724816561330929672">tweeted</a>&nbsp;Wednesday morning.

KBI has identified who sent the suspicious letter to election agency

NEW YORK (AP) — Workers at more than 200 U.S. Starbucks walked off the job Thursday in what organizers said was the largest strike yet in the two-year-old effort to unionize the company’s stores.

The Workers United union chose Starbucks' annual Red Cup Day to stage the walkout since it’s usually one of the busiest days of the year. Starbucks expects to give away thousands of reusable cups Thursday to customers who order holiday drinks.

The union said it was expecting more than 5,000 workers to take part in its “Red Cup Rebellion.” Workers were expected to picket for part of the day and visit non-union stores the rest of the day, the union said. Around 30 stores also staged walkouts on Wednesday.

Edwin Palmasolis, a Starbucks employee for more than two years, joined the picket line Thursday in front of his New York store. His store voted to unionize last year, but so far Starbucks and the union haven't started bargaining. A contract would help improve working conditions at his busy Manhattan store, Palmasolis said.

“It’s been more of a downgrade than an uphill for us. It’s been exhausting trying to deal with their retaliation and not much of a change has been made in the past year,” he said. “They’ve been silent on their part, they have not made anything to benefit us."

Thursday’s strike was the fifth major labor action by Starbucks workers since a store in Buffalo, New York, became the first to unionize in late 2021. Workers at 110 stores&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-walkout-red-cup-day-386896c728bc4a66d1aa51aa002fb1ba">walked out last year</a>&nbsp;on Red Cup Day; most recently, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-pride-456cd0e40bba4004ff70c777ac67446b">strike in June</a>&nbsp;protested reports that Starbucks had removed Pride displays from its stores.

But the strikes have had little impact on Starbucks’ sales. For its 2023 fiscal year, which ended Oct. 1,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-earnings-coffee-ffda43505dd24c2c07c9f37aeb762c7e">Starbucks reported</a>&nbsp;its revenue rose 12%,to a record $36.0 billion.

Starbucks said Thursday that many of the stores with striking workers remained open.

“We have nearly 10,000 stores open right now delighting our customers with the joy of Red Cup Day,” the company said.

At least 363 company-operated Starbucks stores in 41 states have voted to unionize since late 2021. The Starbucks effort was at the leading edge of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-of-unions-us-labor-organizing-15ad8061bcd21e0c1dcaa5f10b3f10ee">period of labor activism</a>&nbsp;that has also seen strikes by Amazon workers, auto workers and Hollywood writers and actors. At least 457,000 workers have participated in 315 strikes in the U.S. just this year, according to Johnnie Kallas, a Ph.D. candidate and the project director of Cornell University’s Labor Action Tracker.

Starbucks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-corp-business-arizona-labor-unions-amazoncom-inc-5a24ff399e186a3f0da8dc8b7094e3d4">opposes the unionization effort</a>&nbsp;and has yet to reach a labor agreement with any of the stores that have voted to unionize. The process has been contentious; regional offices with the National Labor Relations Board have issued 111 complaints against Starbucks for unfair labor practices, including refusal to bargain. Starbucks says Workers United is refusing to schedule bargaining sessions.

Starbucks noted that it has started bargaining with the Teamsters union, which organized a Starbucks store outside of Pittsburgh in June 2022. But the two sides have not reached a labor agreement. The Teamsters didn’t say Wednesday whether workers at the unionized store would also be striking.

Relations between Starbucks and Workers United have grown increasingly tense. Last month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-united-union-lawsuit-israel-palestinian-f212a994fef67f122854a4df7e5d13f5">Starbucks sued Workers United</a>, saying a pro-Palestinian post on a union account damaged its reputation and demanding that the union stop using the name Starbucks Workers United. Workers United responded with its own lawsuit, saying Starbucks defamed the union by suggesting it supports terrorism and violence.

KANSAS CITY (AP) —Thousands of workers at more than 200 U.S. Starbucks stores plan to walk off the job Thursday in what organizers say is the largest strike yet in the two-year-old effort to unionize the company’s stores. Stores in Kansas and Missouri are expected to join the walkout.&nbsp;

The union said it was expecting more than 5,000 workers to take part in its “Red Cup Rebellion.” Around 30 stores also staged walkouts on Wednesday.

Neha Cremin, a Starbucks barista in Oklahoma City, said she was striking to protest understaffing in stores, especially during promotions like Red Cup Day. Cremin said workers are already overwhelmed filling delivery orders, drive-thru orders, mobile orders and in-store orders; promotions add another layer of stress.

“Understaffing hurts workers and also creates an unpleasant experience for customers,” Cremin said. “Starbucks has made it clear that they won’t listen to workers, so we’re advocating for ourselves by going on strike.”

Starbucks downplayed any potential impact of the strike Wednesday, saying it would occur at a “small subset” of the company’s 9,600 company-owned U.S. stores.

“We remain committed to working with all partners, side-by-side, to elevate the everyday, and we hope that Workers United’s priorities will shift to include the shared success of our partners and negotiating contracts for those they represent,” Starbucks said in a statement.

NEW YORK (AP) — Workers at more than 200 U.S. Starbucks walked off the job Thursday in what organizers said was the largest strike yet in the two-year-old effort to unionize the company’s stores.The Workers United union chose Starbucks' annual Red Cup Day to stage the walkout since it’s usually one of the busiest days of the year. Starbucks expects to give away thousands of reusable cups Thursday to customers who order holiday drinks.The union said it was expecting more than 5,000 workers to take part in its “Red Cup Rebellion.” Workers were expected to picket for part of the day and visit non-union stores the rest of the day, the union said. Around 30 stores also staged walkouts on Wednesday.Edwin Palmasolis, a Starbucks employee for more than two years, joined the picket line Thursday in front of his New York store. His store voted to unionize last year, but so far Starbucks and the union haven't started bargaining. A contract would help improve working conditions at his busy Manhattan store, Palmasolis said.“It’s been more of a downgrade than an uphill for us. It’s been exhausting trying to deal with their retaliation and not much of a change has been made in the past year,” he said. “They’ve been silent on their part, they have not made anything to benefit us."Thursday’s strike was the fifth major labor action by Starbucks workers since a store in Buffalo, New York, became the first to unionize in late 2021. Workers at 110 stores&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-walkout-red-cup-day-386896c728bc4a66d1aa51aa002fb1ba">walked out last year</a>&nbsp;on Red Cup Day; most recently, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-pride-456cd0e40bba4004ff70c777ac67446b">strike in June</a>&nbsp;protested reports that Starbucks had removed Pride displays from its stores.But the strikes have had little impact on Starbucks’ sales. For its 2023 fiscal year, which ended Oct. 1,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-earnings-coffee-ffda43505dd24c2c07c9f37aeb762c7e">Starbucks reported</a>&nbsp;its revenue rose 12%,to a record $36.0 billion.Starbucks said Thursday that many of the stores with striking workers remained open.“We have nearly 10,000 stores open right now delighting our customers with the joy of Red Cup Day,” the company said.At least 363 company-operated Starbucks stores in 41 states have voted to unionize since late 2021. The Starbucks effort was at the leading edge of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-of-unions-us-labor-organizing-15ad8061bcd21e0c1dcaa5f10b3f10ee">period of labor activism</a>&nbsp;that has also seen strikes by Amazon workers, auto workers and Hollywood writers and actors. At least 457,000 workers have participated in 315 strikes in the U.S. just this year, according to Johnnie Kallas, a Ph.D. candidate and the project director of Cornell University’s Labor Action Tracker.Starbucks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-corp-business-arizona-labor-unions-amazoncom-inc-5a24ff399e186a3f0da8dc8b7094e3d4">opposes the unionization effort</a>&nbsp;and has yet to reach a labor agreement with any of the stores that have voted to unionize. The process has been contentious; regional offices with the National Labor Relations Board have issued 111 complaints against Starbucks for unfair labor practices, including refusal to bargain. Starbucks says Workers United is refusing to schedule bargaining sessions.Starbucks noted that it has started bargaining with the Teamsters union, which organized a Starbucks store outside of Pittsburgh in June 2022. But the two sides have not reached a labor agreement. The Teamsters didn’t say Wednesday whether workers at the unionized store would also be striking.Relations between Starbucks and Workers United have grown increasingly tense. Last month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-united-union-lawsuit-israel-palestinian-f212a994fef67f122854a4df7e5d13f5">Starbucks sued Workers United</a>, saying a pro-Palestinian post on a union account damaged its reputation and demanding that the union stop using the name Starbucks Workers United. Workers United responded with its own lawsuit, saying Starbucks defamed the union by suggesting it supports terrorism and violence.------------------KANSAS CITY (AP) —Thousands of workers at more than 200 U.S. Starbucks stores plan to walk off the job Thursday in what organizers say is the largest strike yet in the two-year-old effort to unionize the company’s stores. Stores in Kansas and Missouri are expected to join the walkout.&nbsp;The Workers United union chose Starbucks' annual Red Cup Day to stage the walkout since it’s usually one of the busiest days of the year. Starbucks expects to give away thousands of reusable cups Thursday to customers who order holiday drinks.The union said it was expecting more than 5,000 workers to take part in its “Red Cup Rebellion.” Around 30 stores also staged walkouts on Wednesday.Neha Cremin, a Starbucks barista in Oklahoma City, said she was striking to protest understaffing in stores, especially during promotions like Red Cup Day. Cremin said workers are already overwhelmed filling delivery orders, drive-thru orders, mobile orders and in-store orders; promotions add another layer of stress.“Understaffing hurts workers and also creates an unpleasant experience for customers,” Cremin said. “Starbucks has made it clear that they won’t listen to workers, so we’re advocating for ourselves by going on strike.”Thursday’s strike was the fifth major labor action by Starbucks workers since a store in Buffalo, New York, became the first to unionize in late 2021. Workers at 110 stores&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-walkout-red-cup-day-386896c728bc4a66d1aa51aa002fb1ba">walked out last year</a>&nbsp;on Red Cup Day; most recently, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-strike-pride-456cd0e40bba4004ff70c777ac67446b">strike in June</a>&nbsp;protested reports that Starbucks had removed Pride displays from its stores.But the strikes have had little impact on Starbucks’ sales. For its 2023 fiscal year, which ended Oct. 1,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-earnings-coffee-ffda43505dd24c2c07c9f37aeb762c7e">Starbucks reported</a>&nbsp;its revenue rose 12%,to a record $36.0 billion.Starbucks downplayed any potential impact of the strike Wednesday, saying it would occur at a “small subset” of the company’s 9,600 company-owned U.S. stores.“We remain committed to working with all partners, side-by-side, to elevate the everyday, and we hope that Workers United’s priorities will shift to include the shared success of our partners and negotiating contracts for those they represent,” Starbucks said in a statement.At least 363 company-operated Starbucks stores in 41 states have voted to unionize since late 2021. The Starbucks effort was at the leading edge of a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/state-of-unions-us-labor-organizing-15ad8061bcd21e0c1dcaa5f10b3f10ee">period of labor activism</a>&nbsp;that has also seen strikes by Amazon workers, auto workers and Hollywood writers and actors. At least 457,000 workers have participated in 315 strikes in the U.S. just this year, according to Johnnie Kallas, a Ph.D. candidate and the project director of Cornell University’s Labor Action Tracker.Starbucks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-corp-business-arizona-labor-unions-amazoncom-inc-5a24ff399e186a3f0da8dc8b7094e3d4">opposes the unionization effort</a>&nbsp;and has yet to reach a labor agreement with any of the stores that have voted to unionize. The process has been contentious; regional offices with the National Labor Relations Board have issued 111 complaints against Starbucks for unfair labor practices, including refusal to bargain. Starbucks says Workers United is refusing to schedule bargaining sessions.Starbucks noted that it has started bargaining with the Teamsters union, which organized a Starbucks store outside of Pittsburgh in June 2022. But the two sides have not reached a labor agreement. The Teamsters didn’t say Wednesday whether workers at the unionized store would also be striking.Relations between Starbucks and Workers United have grown increasingly tense. Last month,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/starbucks-workers-united-union-lawsuit-israel-palestinian-f212a994fef67f122854a4df7e5d13f5">Starbucks sued Workers United</a>, saying a pro-Palestinian post on a union account damaged its reputation and demanding that the union stop using the name Starbucks Workers United. Workers United responded with its own lawsuit, saying Starbucks defamed the union by suggesting it supports terrorism and violence.

Workers in Kan., Mo. to participate in Starbucks strike 

WASHINGTON (AP) — Ending the threat of a government shutdown until after the holidays, Congress gave final approval Wednesday night to a temporary government funding package that pushes a confrontation over the federal budget into the new year.

The Senate met into the night to pass the bill with an 87-11 tally. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted in favor of the bill.&nbsp;

The legislation now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature one day after it passed the House on an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-house-republican-speaker-johnson-9cb26b703804a9e82e776e44caedcaa2">overwhelming bipartisan vote</a>. It provides a funding patch into next year, when the House and Senate will be forced to confront — and somehow overcome — their considerable differences over what funding levels should be.

In the meantime, the bill removes the threat of a government shutdown days before funding would have expired.

“This year, there will be no government shutdown,” Senate Majority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sen-chuck-schumer">Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;said at a news conference after the bill's passage.

The spending package keeps government funding at current levels for roughly two more months while a long-term package is negotiated. It&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-budget-mike-johnson-d942acf1a8b163f0b52f209da42953c6">splits the deadlines</a>&nbsp;for passing full-year appropriations bills into two dates: Jan. 19 for some federal agencies and Feb. 2 for others, creating two deadlines where there will be a risk of a partial government shutdown.

“Everybody is really kind of ready to vote and fight another day,” Republican Whip John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said earlier Wednesday.

The two-step approach was not favored by many in the Senate, though all but one Democrat and 10 Republicans supported it because it ensured the government would not shut down for now. Sen. Patty Murray, the Washington Democrat who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted for the bill but said it would eventually “double the shutdown risk.”

The spending bill also does not include the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ukraine-israel-budget-3762a0bdf00653e3c8a38175d3c3d3cb">White House’s nearly $106 billion</a>&nbsp;request for wartime aid for Israel and Ukraine, as well as humanitarian funding for Palestinians and other supplemental requests. Lawmakers are likely to turn their attention more fully to that request after the Thanksgiving holiday in hopes of negotiating a deal.

House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>, who crafted the plan, has vowed that he will not support any further stopgap funding measures, known as continuing resolutions. He portrayed the temporary funding bill as setting the ground for a spending “fight” with the Senate next year.

The new speaker, who told reporters this week that he counted himself among the “arch-conservatives” of the House, is pushing for deeper spending cuts. He wanted to avoid lawmakers being forced to consider a massive government funding package before the December holidays — a tactic that incenses conservatives in particular.

But Johnson is also facing pushback from other hardline conservatives who wanted to leverage the prospect of a government shutdown to extract steep cuts and policy demands.

Many of those conservatives were among a group of 19 Republicans who defied Johnson Wednesday to prevent floor consideration of an appropriations bill to fund several government agencies.

GOP leaders called off the week's work after the vote, sending lawmakers home early for Thanksgiving. It capped a period of intense bickering among lawmakers.

“This place is a pressure cooker,” Johnson said Tuesday, noting that the House had been in Washington for 10 weeks straight.

The House GOP's inability to present a united front on funding legislation could undercut the Louisiana congressman's ability to negotiate spending bills with the Senate.

Republicans are demanding that Congress work out government funding through 12 separate bills, as the budgetary process requires, but House leadership has so far been forced to pull two of those bills from the floor, seen another rejected on a procedural vote and struggled to win support for others.

When it returns in two weeks, Congress is expected to focus on the Biden administration's requests for Ukraine and Israel funding. Republican senators have demanded that Congress pass immigration and border legislation alongside additional Ukraine aid, but a bipartisan Senate group working on a possible compromise has struggled to find consensus.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in a floor speech pledged that Republicans would continue to push for policy changes on the U.S. border with Mexico, saying it is “impossible to ignore the crisis at our southern border that’s erupted on Washington Democrats’ watch.”

One idea floating among Republicans is directly tying Ukraine funding levels with decreases in the number of illegal border crossings. It showed how even longtime supporters of Ukraine’s defense against Russia are willing to hold up the funding to force Congress to tackle an issue that has flummoxed generations of lawmakers: U.S. border policy.

Most Senate Republicans support the Ukraine funding, said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., but he added, “It is secondary to securing our own border."

But the U.S. is already trimming some of the wartime aid packages it is sending Ukraine as funds run low, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said from San Francisco, where he accompanied President Joe Biden for a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders.

He said the pot of money available for Ukraine is “withering away, and with it will be a deleterious effect on Ukraine’s ability to continue to defend itself."

Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., said in a statement that he voted against Wednesday's funding package because it did not include aid for Ukraine.

Schumer said the Senate would try to move forward on both the funding and border legislation in the coming weeks, but warned it would require a compromise and implored the House speaker, Johnson, to once again work with Democrats.

“I hope the new speaker continues to choose the bipartisan approach,” Schumer said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700135273249.png" alt="The Senate met into the night to pass the bill with an 87-11 tally. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted in favor of the bill.&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The Senate met into the night to pass the bill with an 87-11 tally. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted in favor of the bill.&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Ending the threat of a government shutdown until after the holidays, Congress gave final approval Wednesday night to a temporary government funding package that pushes a confrontation over the federal budget into the new year.The Senate met into the night to pass the bill with an 87-11 tally. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted in favor of the bill.&nbsp;The legislation now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature one day after it passed the House on an&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-house-republican-speaker-johnson-9cb26b703804a9e82e776e44caedcaa2">overwhelming bipartisan vote</a>. It provides a funding patch into next year, when the House and Senate will be forced to confront — and somehow overcome — their considerable differences over what funding levels should be.In the meantime, the bill removes the threat of a government shutdown days before funding would have expired.“This year, there will be no government shutdown,” Senate Majority Leader&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sen-chuck-schumer">Chuck Schumer</a>&nbsp;said at a news conference after the bill's passage.The spending package keeps government funding at current levels for roughly two more months while a long-term package is negotiated. It&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-shutdown-congress-budget-mike-johnson-d942acf1a8b163f0b52f209da42953c6">splits the deadlines</a>&nbsp;for passing full-year appropriations bills into two dates: Jan. 19 for some federal agencies and Feb. 2 for others, creating two deadlines where there will be a risk of a partial government shutdown.“Everybody is really kind of ready to vote and fight another day,” Republican Whip John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said earlier Wednesday.The two-step approach was not favored by many in the Senate, though all but one Democrat and 10 Republicans supported it because it ensured the government would not shut down for now. Sen. Patty Murray, the Washington Democrat who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted for the bill but said it would eventually “double the shutdown risk.”The spending bill also does not include the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-ukraine-israel-budget-3762a0bdf00653e3c8a38175d3c3d3cb">White House’s nearly $106 billion</a>&nbsp;request for wartime aid for Israel and Ukraine, as well as humanitarian funding for Palestinians and other supplemental requests. Lawmakers are likely to turn their attention more fully to that request after the Thanksgiving holiday in hopes of negotiating a deal.House Speaker&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/mike-johnson/">Mike Johnson</a>, who crafted the plan, has vowed that he will not support any further stopgap funding measures, known as continuing resolutions. He portrayed the temporary funding bill as setting the ground for a spending “fight” with the Senate next year.The new speaker, who told reporters this week that he counted himself among the “arch-conservatives” of the House, is pushing for deeper spending cuts. He wanted to avoid lawmakers being forced to consider a massive government funding package before the December holidays — a tactic that incenses conservatives in particular.But Johnson is also facing pushback from other hardline conservatives who wanted to leverage the prospect of a government shutdown to extract steep cuts and policy demands.Many of those conservatives were among a group of 19 Republicans who defied Johnson Wednesday to prevent floor consideration of an appropriations bill to fund several government agencies.GOP leaders called off the week's work after the vote, sending lawmakers home early for Thanksgiving. It capped a period of intense bickering among lawmakers.“This place is a pressure cooker,” Johnson said Tuesday, noting that the House had been in Washington for 10 weeks straight.The House GOP's inability to present a united front on funding legislation could undercut the Louisiana congressman's ability to negotiate spending bills with the Senate.Republicans are demanding that Congress work out government funding through 12 separate bills, as the budgetary process requires, but House leadership has so far been forced to pull two of those bills from the floor, seen another rejected on a procedural vote and struggled to win support for others.When it returns in two weeks, Congress is expected to focus on the Biden administration's requests for Ukraine and Israel funding. Republican senators have demanded that Congress pass immigration and border legislation alongside additional Ukraine aid, but a bipartisan Senate group working on a possible compromise has struggled to find consensus.Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in a floor speech pledged that Republicans would continue to push for policy changes on the U.S. border with Mexico, saying it is “impossible to ignore the crisis at our southern border that’s erupted on Washington Democrats’ watch.”One idea floating among Republicans is directly tying Ukraine funding levels with decreases in the number of illegal border crossings. It showed how even longtime supporters of Ukraine’s defense against Russia are willing to hold up the funding to force Congress to tackle an issue that has flummoxed generations of lawmakers: U.S. border policy.Most Senate Republicans support the Ukraine funding, said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., but he added, “It is secondary to securing our own border."But the U.S. is already trimming some of the wartime aid packages it is sending Ukraine as funds run low, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said from San Francisco, where he accompanied President Joe Biden for a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders.He said the pot of money available for Ukraine is “withering away, and with it will be a deleterious effect on Ukraine’s ability to continue to defend itself."Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., said in a statement that he voted against Wednesday's funding package because it did not include aid for Ukraine.Schumer said the Senate would try to move forward on both the funding and border legislation in the coming weeks, but warned it would require a compromise and implored the House speaker, Johnson, to once again work with Democrats.“I hope the new speaker continues to choose the bipartisan approach,” Schumer said.

Moran, Marshall vote to avert gov't shutdown; funding bill headed to Biden

KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting outside a fast-food restaurant in Platte City, Missouri.

Just before 7p.m. Wednesday, police responded to report of a shooting at a Wendy's&nbsp; in the 1400 block of Platte Falls Road, according to a media release.

First responders found two adult male victims in the parking lot. One man was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim was transported for treatment in critical condition.

The Platte City Police Department requested the KC Metro Police to assist in the investigation.&nbsp; Police released no additional details and have not reported an arrest.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700136051117.png" alt="First responders at the scene Wednesday -photo courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>First responders at the scene Wednesday -photo courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deadly shooting outside a fast-food restaurant in Platte City, Missouri.Just before 7p.m. Wednesday, police responded to report of a shooting at a Wendy's&nbsp; in the 1400 block of Platte Falls Road, according to a media release.First responders found two adult male victims in the parking lot. One man was pronounced dead at the scene. The second victim was transported for treatment in critical condition.The Platte City Police Department requested the KC Metro Police to assist in the investigation.&nbsp; Police released no additional details and have not reported an arrest.

1 dead, 1 wounded in shooting outside KC-area Wendy's 

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit and run crash and looking for witnesses and additional information.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1969 Chevy Corvair driven by Fred L. Bybee, 81, Lenexa,&nbsp; who was merging onto northbound Interstate 35 from 75th Street.&nbsp;

The car rear-ended a late 90s to early 2000s Chevy Suburban that slowed for traffic ahead. After impact the Corvair traveled off the road to the right, struck and struck the barrier wall. The SUV fled the scene of the collision.

&nbsp;Missouri registration plate on the SUV is LD4 Z8U

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the Chevrolet Suburban is asked to contact Lieutenant Gustavo Ramirez at 913-782-8100. The Suburban’s Missouri registration plates read “LD4 Z8U” and it is believed to be a late 90s or early 2000s model vehicle.

A passenger in the Corvair identified as Sharon F.&nbsp;Bybee, 79, Lenexa, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Johnson County Coroner's Office.&nbsp; EMS transported Fred Bybee to Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700101526253.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal hit and run crash and looking for witnesses and additional information.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1969 Chevy Corvair driven by Fred L. Bybee, 81, Lenexa,&nbsp; who was merging onto northbound Interstate 35 from 75th Street.&nbsp;The car rear-ended a late 90s to early 2000s Chevy Suburban that slowed for traffic ahead. After impact the Corvair traveled off the road to the right, struck and struck the barrier wall. The SUV fled the scene of the collision.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700101614638.png" alt="Photo KHP" />
 <figcaption>Photo KHP</figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp;Missouri registration plate on the SUV is LD4 Z8UAnyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the Chevrolet Suburban is asked to contact Lieutenant Gustavo Ramirez at 913-782-8100. The Suburban’s Missouri registration plates read “LD4 Z8U” and it is believed to be a late 90s or early 2000s model vehicle.A passenger in the Corvair identified as Sharon F.&nbsp;Bybee, 79, Lenexa, was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Johnson County Coroner's Office.&nbsp; EMS transported Fred Bybee to Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

KHP looking for witnesses to fatal hit-and run crash

WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. Navy warship shot down a drone that was heading toward the ship as it sailed in the southern Red Sea, U.S. officials said Wednesday.

The USS Thomas Hudner, a naval destroyer, was sailing toward the Bab-el-Mandeb strait when the crew saw the drone, which originated in Yemen. The ship shot down the drone over the water. The officials said the crew took action to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel, and there were no casualties or damage to the ship. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing military operations.

According to a initial intelligence assessment, the drone was likely targeting the ship, said one of the officials. The U.S. did not directly blame the Iran-backed Houthi rebels for launching the unmanned aircraft. But the early Wednesday incident comes less than a week after Houthis shot down a U.S. drone over the Red Sea. Officials said the MQ-9 Reaper was in international airspace. The Houthis said it was in Yemeni airspace and was shot down by air defenses.

The Houthis have launched at least six aerial attacks against Israel since Oct. 7 and, according to the group’s leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, have vowed to target ships operating in the Red Sea.

Another Navy destroyer, the USS Carney, took similar strikes on drones coming from Yemen on Oct. 19. The ship took out three missiles and several drones. It wasn’t certain if they were aimed at Israel. One of the officials said the U.S. does not believe the missiles were aimed at the ship.

The Houthi are staunch foes of Israel and regularly hold huge demonstrations in support of Palestinians, during peacetime and wartime.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696803172229.png" alt="The USS Gerald R. Ford and its approximately 5,000 sailors and deck of warplanes are in the Eastern Mediterranean-photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>The USS Gerald R. Ford and its approximately 5,000 sailors and deck of warplanes are in the Eastern Mediterranean-photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. Navy warship shot down a drone that was heading toward the ship as it sailed in the southern Red Sea, U.S. officials said Wednesday.The USS Thomas Hudner, a naval destroyer, was sailing toward the Bab-el-Mandeb strait when the crew saw the drone, which originated in Yemen. The ship shot down the drone over the water. The officials said the crew took action to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel, and there were no casualties or damage to the ship. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing military operations.According to a initial intelligence assessment, the drone was likely targeting the ship, said one of the officials. The U.S. did not directly blame the Iran-backed Houthi rebels for launching the unmanned aircraft. But the early Wednesday incident comes less than a week after Houthis shot down a U.S. drone over the Red Sea. Officials said the MQ-9 Reaper was in international airspace. The Houthis said it was in Yemeni airspace and was shot down by air defenses.The Houthis have launched at least six aerial attacks against Israel since Oct. 7 and, according to the group’s leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, have vowed to target ships operating in the Red Sea.Another Navy destroyer, the USS Carney, took similar strikes on drones coming from Yemen on Oct. 19. The ship took out three missiles and several drones. It wasn’t certain if they were aimed at Israel. One of the officials said the U.S. does not believe the missiles were aimed at the ship.The Houthi are staunch foes of Israel and regularly hold huge demonstrations in support of Palestinians, during peacetime and wartime.

US Navy warship shoots down drone over the Red Sea

JEFFERSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 3p.m. Wednesday in Jefferson County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Kenworth trash truck driven by Griffin Donald Dean Oxley, 22, Lawrence, was northbound on Saratoga Drive negotiating a left curve when 34-year-old Patrick Anthony Jones of Perry, Georgia, fell from the rear passenger side of the trash truck.

Jones was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Barnett Family Funeral Home.&nbsp;

Oxley and a second passenger were not injured and not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

JEFFERSON COUNTY—One person died in an accident just after 3p.m. Wednesday in Jefferson County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2017 Kenworth trash truck driven by Griffin Donald Dean Oxley, 22, Lawrence, was northbound on Saratoga Drive negotiating a left curve when 34-year-old Patrick Anthony Jones of Perry, Georgia, fell from the rear passenger side of the trash truck.Jones was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Barnett Family Funeral Home.&nbsp;Oxley and a second passenger were not injured and not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.

Man dies after fall from trash truck on Kansas highway

KANSAS CITY —A jury on Thursday convicted a Kansas City man in the fatal shootings in January 2023 of his girlfriend and her cousin outside the girlfriend's home in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.

The jury convicted 51-year-old Damon Goodrich of two counts of Murder 2nd Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.

The defendant will be sentenced at a hearing in January.

According to court records, Goodrich was accused of shooting his girlfriend and her cousin on Jan. 8, 2023. Teenage children of the female victim witnessed parts of the violence. Ring doorbell footage and surveillance cameras supported that the defendant was at or near the house during the encounter at the victim's residence.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1699651169366.png" alt="Goodrich-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Goodrich-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —A jury on Thursday convicted a Kansas City man in the fatal shootings in January 2023 of his girlfriend and her cousin outside the girlfriend's home in Kansas City, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker.The jury convicted 51-year-old Damon Goodrich of two counts of Murder 2nd Degree and two counts of Armed Criminal Action.The defendant will be sentenced at a hearing in January.According to court records, Goodrich was accused of shooting his girlfriend and her cousin on Jan. 8, 2023. Teenage children of the female victim witnessed parts of the violence. Ring doorbell footage and surveillance cameras supported that the defendant was at or near the house during the encounter at the victim's residence.&nbsp;

Ring doorbell footage helped convict man in KC double murder

GRAY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a drug bust at a residence in southwest Kansas.

Just before 8a.m. Tuesday, sheriff's deputies executed a drug search warrant at 104 S Edwards in Ingalls, Kansas, according to a media release from the Gray County Sheriff.

Deputies found meth and marijuana during the search of the residence and three vehicles. Deputies also recovered a stolen firearm during the search in close proximity to the illegal narcotics.

Deputies took 29-year-old Dominique Green and 27-year-old Tiffany Hurley into custody and booked them into the Meade County Jail on requested Charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp, aggravated child endangerment, and possession of stolen property.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700004016360.png" alt="Green-photo Meade Co." />
 <figcaption>Green-photo Meade Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>GRAY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a drug bust at a residence in southwest Kansas.Just before 8a.m. Tuesday, sheriff's deputies executed a drug search warrant at 104 S Edwards in Ingalls, Kansas, according to a media release from the Gray County Sheriff.Deputies found meth and marijuana during the search of the residence and three vehicles. Deputies also recovered a stolen firearm during the search in close proximity to the illegal narcotics.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700003995301.png" alt="Hurley-photo Meade Co." />
 <figcaption>Hurley-photo Meade Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies took 29-year-old Dominique Green and 27-year-old Tiffany Hurley into custody and booked them into the Meade County Jail on requested Charges of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia, no drug tax stamp, aggravated child endangerment, and possession of stolen property.&nbsp;

Sheriff: Suspects were selling meth, pot near SW Kan. school 

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a woman's murder have reported an arrest.

Just after 6p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting at a home in the 2300 block of S. Belmont in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.&nbsp;

First responder located 24-year-old Brittnee Wicker inside her home with a fatal gunshot wound. She would be pronounced deceased on the scene.

On Tuesday, the Wichita Police Department made significant progress in the investigation into the tragic homicide.

On Monday the Sedgwick County District Attorney was presented with evidence, leading to the charging of 26-year-old Carlos Anderson-Honeycutt with 1st Degree Murder in the case, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.

Following a thorough collaborative effort with law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Wichita Police Department discovered that&nbsp;Anderson-Honeycutt was possibly in the State of Texas. Coordinating with partners in Texas, particularly the United States Customs and Border Patrol, an arrest was successfully made near Brownsville on the same day.

The Wichita Police Department, in conjunction with the Sedgwick County District Attorney, is actively working with Texas authorities to facilitate the extradition of Anderson-Honeycutt back to Kansas to face the charges brought against him.

Preliminary findings from the investigation suggest that this tragic incident was a result of Domestic Violence.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700077881517.png" alt="Anderson-Honeycutt is being held in&nbsp; Cameron County, Texas" />
 <figcaption>Anderson-Honeycutt is being held in&nbsp; Cameron County, Texas</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities investigating a woman's murder have reported an arrest.Just after 6p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a shooting at a home in the 2300 block of S. Belmont in Wichita, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.&nbsp;First responder located 24-year-old Brittnee Wicker inside her home with a fatal gunshot wound. She would be pronounced deceased on the scene.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/11/1700070538304.png" alt="Anderson-Honeycutt from an arrest in April of 2021 in Sedgwick County on requested charges of battery and criminal damage, according to arrest records." />
 <figcaption>Anderson-Honeycutt from an arrest in April of 2021 in Sedgwick County on requested charges of battery and criminal damage, according to arrest records.</figcaption>
 </figure>On Tuesday, the Wichita Police Department made significant progress in the investigation into the tragic homicide.On Monday the Sedgwick County District Attorney was presented with evidence, leading to the charging of 26-year-old Carlos Anderson-Honeycutt with 1st Degree Murder in the case, according to Officer Juan Rebolledo.Following a thorough collaborative effort with law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the Wichita Police Department discovered that&nbsp;Anderson-Honeycutt was possibly in the State of Texas. Coordinating with partners in Texas, particularly the United States Customs and Border Patrol, an arrest was successfully made near Brownsville on the same day.The Wichita Police Department, in conjunction with the Sedgwick County District Attorney, is actively working with Texas authorities to facilitate the extradition of Anderson-Honeycutt back to Kansas to face the charges brought against him.Preliminary findings from the investigation suggest that this tragic incident was a result of Domestic Violence.

Suspect wanted for Kan. woman's murder captured in Texas

HUTCHINSON — Gas prices continue heading toward the $3 a gallon mark.

"Right now, we're at $3.07 a gallon on average in Kansas, which is the lowest we've been in a while," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "That's down ten cents in the past week, down 35 cents in the past month. If we go back to last year, we're 32 cents less than where we were a year ago."

"Demand has been typically sliding, as we get into the fall months," Steward said. "That's a normal trend. Sometimes, we'll get into a year that doesn't end up being normal, but this year seems to be trending that way. It also helps that crude oil prices have stayed fairly stable and have fallen."

Prices were a little above $77 a barrel for WTI crude as of Wednesday morning.

"The cost of crude oil makes up 50 to 60 percent of what we see in terms of a price of a gallon of gas," Steward said. "We've definitely seen some downward trending on the crude oil market."

Looking at general trends, if demand continues to slow and crude oil prices stay below $80 a barrel, it is possible that the state could go under $3 a gallon on average. The last time that happened was in January.

NICK GOSNELL&nbsp;Hutch PostHUTCHINSON — Gas prices continue heading toward the $3 a gallon mark."Right now, we're at $3.07 a gallon on average in Kansas, which is the lowest we've been in a while," said Shawn Steward with AAA Kansas. "That's down ten cents in the past week, down 35 cents in the past month. If we go back to last year, we're 32 cents less than where we were a year ago.""Demand has been typically sliding, as we get into the fall months," Steward said. "That's a normal trend. Sometimes, we'll get into a year that doesn't end up being normal, but this year seems to be trending that way. It also helps that crude oil prices have stayed fairly stable and have fallen."Prices were a little above $77 a barrel for WTI crude as of Wednesday morning."The cost of crude oil makes up 50 to 60 percent of what we see in terms of a price of a gallon of gas," Steward said. "We've definitely seen some downward trending on the crude oil market."Looking at general trends, if demand continues to slow and crude oil prices stay below $80 a barrel, it is possible that the state could go under $3 a gallon on average. The last time that happened was in January.

AAA: Gas prices in Kansas continue to fall

WOODSIDE, Calif. (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping emerged Wednesday from their first face-to-face meeting in a year vowing to stabilize their fraught relationship and showcasing modest agreements to combat illegal fentanyl and re-establish military communications. But there were still deep differences on economic competition and global security threats.

The two leaders spent four hours together – in meetings, a working lunch and a garden stroll – intent on showing the world that while they are global economic competitors they’re not locked in a winner-take-all faceoff.

“Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed,” Xi told Biden.

The U.S. president told Xi: “I think it’s paramount that you and I understand each other clearly, leader-to-leader, with no misconceptions or miscommunications. We have to ensure competition does not veer into conflict.”

Their meeting, on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, has far-reaching implications for a world grappling with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-trade-asia-us-pacific-economy-tariffs-ddfdbfd267a8dabb1138a8157b7c88ea">economic cross currents</a>, conflicts in the Middle East and Europe, tensions in Taiwan and more.

They reached expected agreements to curb illicit fentanyl production and to reopen military ties, a senior U.S. official said after the meeting ended. Many of the chemicals used to make synthetic fentanyl come from China to cartels that traffic the powerful narcotic into the U.S., which is facing an overdose crisis.

Top military leaders will resume talks, increasingly important particularly as unsafe or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-south-china-sea-military-jet-bomber-0af848de95db435276e7642a4a401939">unprofessional incidents</a>&nbsp;between the two nations’ ships and aircraft have spiked, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the agreements ahead of Biden's remarks.

The U.S. official described a significant back and forth between the two leaders over Taiwan, with Biden chiding China over its massive military build-up around Taiwan and Xi telling Biden he had no plans to invade the island.

Biden, the official said, said the U.S. was committed to continuing to help Taiwan defend itself and maintain deterrence against a potential Chinese attack, and also called on China to avoid meddling in the island’s elections next year. The official described the Taiwan portion of the talks as “clear-headed” and “not heated.”

Biden also called on Xi to use his influence with Iran to make clear that Tehran, and its proxies, should not take steps that would lead to an expansion of the Israel-Hamas war.

During the exchange on Iran, Biden did most of the talking and Xi mostly listened, according to the U.S official. Foreign Minister Wang Yi has assured the U.S. that the Chinese have communicated concerns to Iran on the matter. But the official said the U.S. has not been able to ascertain how seriously the Iranians are taking concerns raised by Beijing.

According to a statement released by China Central Television, the state broadcaster, Xi was most focused on Taiwan and the U.S. sanctions and restrictions against Chinese products and businesses.

Xi urged the U.S. to support China’s peaceful unification with the self-governed island, calling Taiwan "the most important and most sensitive issue” in the bilateral relations. He also raised Beijing’s concerns over export controls, investment screenings, and sanctions imposed by the U.S., which he said “have severely harmed China’s legitimate interests."

“We hope the U.S. side can seriously treat China’s concerns and take actions to remove unilateral sanctions and provide a fair, just, non-discriminatory environment for Chinese businesses.”

Xi said he and Biden also agreed to establish dialogues on artificial intelligence and stressed the urgency for the two countries to cope with the climate crisis, the state broadcaster reported.

Both leaders acknowledged the importance of their relationship and the need for better coordination. But their differences shone through: Xi indicated he wants better cooperation — but on China's terms. And he sought to project strength to his domestic audience in the face of U.S. policies restricting imports from China and limiting technology transfers to Beijing.

Biden, meanwhile, will also spend time this week in California working to highlight new alliances in the Indo Pacific and efforts to boost trade with other regional leaders.

Xi, speaking through an interpreter, declared it “an objective fact that China and the United States are different in history, culture, social system and development.”

The presidents and their respective aides on trade, the economy, national security and regional diplomacy gathered across from one another at a single long table, the culmination of negotiations between the two leaders' top aides over the past several months. It was Biden and Xi's first conversation of any kind since they met last November in Bali.

They're seeking to build back to a stable baseline after already tense relations took a nosedive following&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-china-antony-blinken-51e49202f2a0a50541cde059934c4cfb">the U.S. downing of a Chinese spy balloon</a>&nbsp;that had traversed the continental U.S., and amid differences&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-apec-chang-lai-china-economy-7963548073776bf839eeb66b66316568">over the self-ruled island of Taiwan</a>, China’s hacking of a Biden official’s emails and other matters.

For Biden, Wednesday's meeting was a chance for the president to do what he believes he does best: in-person diplomacy.

“As always, there's no substitute for face-to-face discussions,” he told Xi. With his characteristic optimism, Biden sketched a vision of leaders who manage competition “responsibly,” adding, "that's what the United States wants and what we intend to do.”

Xi, for his part, was gloomy about the state of the post-pandemic global economy. China’s economy remains in the doldrums, with prices falling due to slack demand from consumers and businesses.

“The global economy is recovering, but its momentum remains sluggish,” Xi said. “Industrial and supply chains are still under the threat of interruption and protectionism is rising. All these are grave problems."

The relationship between China and the U.S. has never been smooth, he said. Still, it has kept moving forward. "For two large countries like China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option,” he said.

More pointedly, Xi also suggested it was not up to the U.S. to dictate how the Chinese manage their affairs, saying, “It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other, and conflict and confrontation has unbearable consequences for both sides.”

Robert Moritz, global chairman for the consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, said business leaders are hoping for signs of more cooperation and a firmer commitment to free trade between the world’s two largest economies following the Biden-Xi talks.

“What we are looking for is a de-escalation and a bringing of the temperature down,” Mortiz said during a CEO summit being held in conjunction with the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum that has brought together leaders from 21 member economies.

“Discussion isn’t good enough, it’s the execution on getting things done” that will matter, he said.

The Biden-Xi meeting and broader summit events attracted protests around San Francisco, but the demonstrations were kept at distance. A large crowd loudly condemning Xi marched from the Chinese Consulate toward the summit venue at the Moscone Center nearly two miles away. Speakers implored the Biden administration to stand up to Xi and China's human rights violations.

Late Wednesday, Xi was to address American business executives at a $2,000-per-plate dinner that will be a rare opportunity for U.S. business leaders to hear directly from the Chinese leader as they seek clarification on Beijing’s expanding security rules that may choke foreign investment.

Foreign companies operating in China say that country's tensions with Washington over technology, trade and other issues and uncertainty over Chinese policies are&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-foreign-companies-investment-trade-a47887e2c89050d291ebd169b0989cc4">damaging the business environment</a>&nbsp;and causing some to reassess their plans for investing in the giant market.

Even before Biden and Xi met, there were some signs of a thaw: The State Department on Tuesday announced that the U.S. and China -- two of the world's biggest polluters -- had agreed to pursue efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally by 2030, through wind, solar and other renewables.

There were also light moments between the two leaders who have logged much time together over the last decade. Biden asked Xi to extend his early birthday wishes to Xi’s wife, who will be celebrating next week. Xi thanked the president for reminding him. The Chinese leader said that he’s been so busy working he had forgotten the big day was nearing.

Biden and Xi held their talks&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/xi-biden-china-us-relations-filoli-787627c22f7825467e8edffafd8b4149">at Filoli Estate,</a>&nbsp;a bucolic country house and museum about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of San Francisco. The event was carefully staged, Biden first to arrive at the grand estate, then Xi. After their handshake and smiles they sat down with aides for talks that lasted more than two hours.

Next came a working lunch with inner-circle members from both administrations. They ate ravioli, chicken and broccolini, with almond meringue cake and praline buttercream for dessert.

Before they parted, the two strolled the property along a red brick path through impressive topiary and knotted gothic trees. Asked by reporters how the meeting went, the president said “well” and flashed a thumbs up.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed Wednesday to restore some military-to-military communications between their armed forces&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-xi-apec-san-francisco-58d11e7e3902955302182c2bc41430e0">as the two leaders met for hours</a>&nbsp;on the sidelines of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/apec-biden-xi-china-san-francisco-931284ccc2bf1b1dd9a1e437c5fc508f">Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit</a>&nbsp;in San Francisco.

Both sides pledged cooperation that would bring the U.S and China closer to resuming regular talks under what’s known as the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement, which until 2020 had been used to improve safety in the air and on the sea.

A senior U.S. official said after the Biden-Xi meeting ended that the military communication agreements mean that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin can meet with his Chinese counterpart once that person is named. The official spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss a private meeting.

This also opens the door for agreements at less-senior levels, including allowing the Hawaii-based commander of U.S. Pacific forces to engage with counterpart theater commanders, the official said. The agreement further will likely mean operational engagements between ship drivers and others at a much lower levels in each country.

Xi said after the meeting that he and Biden agreed to resume high-level military dialogues on the basis of equity and respect, according to a statement released by China Central Television, the state broadcaster.

The agreement comes after U.S. military leaders had expressed repeated concerns about the lack of communications with China, particularly as the number of unsafe or&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-south-china-sea-military-jet-bomber-0af848de95db435276e7642a4a401939">unprofessional incidents</a>&nbsp;between the two nations’ ships and aircraft has spiked.

According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-south-china-sea-military-jet-bomber-0af848de95db435276e7642a4a401939">Pentagon's most recent report</a>&nbsp;on China's military power, Beijing has “denied, canceled or ignored” military-to-military communications and meetings with the Pentagon for much of last year and this year. The report warns that the lack of such talks “raises the risk of an operational incident or miscalculation spiraling into crisis or conflict.”

The U.S. views military relations with China as critical to avoiding any missteps and maintaining a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-singapore-defense-minister-xiangshan-forum-f5baaacf56ab971fbc1c6d7bdf9e5cfd">peaceful Indo-Pacific</a>&nbsp;region. Here's a look at the often fraught relationship between the U.S. and Chinese militaries.

More than 15 years ago, the Defense Department was making progress in a growing effort to improve relations with Beijing as both sides stepped up military activities in the Indo-Pacific.

The U.S. was concerned about Beijing's dramatic and rapid military growth. And China was suspicious of America's expanding presence in the region. In an effort to improve transparency and communication, defense leaders from the two countries were meeting regularly. And in a 2008 speech in Singapore, then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates noted that relations with China had improved, and that a long-sought direct telephone link between the U.S. and China had finally been established. He said he had used it to speak with the defense minister.

He and other defense chiefs, Joint Chiefs chairmen and regional high-level U.S. commanders routinely traveled to China over the next decade, and Chinese defense leaders came to the Pentagon. “We don’t want miscalculations and misunderstandings and misinterpretations. And the only way you do that is you talk to each other,” noted then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in 2013.

The following year Hagel made a historic visit to Yuchi Naval Base and became the first foreign visitor to go aboard China's first aircraft carrier as it was docked at the base.

The Defense Department's 2014 report on China's military power referred to “sustained positive momentum” in U.S. ties with Beijing, and noted there was a growing number of agreements, conferences, calls and military exercises. It said the two militaries established new channels for dialogue and signed two agreements to improve transparency and reduce the risks of unintended miscalculations by ships and aircraft in the Pacific.

Even as military leaders were meeting, the Obama administration's widely touted “pivot to the Pacific," which added troops, ships and other U.S. military activity in the region, triggered vehement criticism from Beijing. And China's aggressive campaign to militarize a number of manmade islands in the South China Sea alarmed the U.S. and other allies in the Pacific.

Allies worried that China would seek to limit international transit through the region, and that the islands could be used as bases for military action. In 2018, the Trump administration abruptly withdrew an invitation for Beijing to participate in the military exercise known as Rim of the Pacific, citing what it called strong evidence that China had deployed weapons systems on the islands. China has argued that it is within its rights to build up defenses in the South China Sea on what it believes is its sovereign territory.

The Pentagon routinely complained that there was little tangible progress in the press for greater transparency in China’s military ambitions and its burgeoning defense budget. And China bristled at America's continued support for Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing views as its own.

More broadly, the U.S. issued sharp condemnations of China's escalating cyberattacks targeting government agencies and breaches and cyberespionage into sensitive defense programs.

Direct military contacts with Beijing dropped off during the COVID-19 pandemic, due both to travel restrictions and tensions over China’s potential responsibility for the deadly virus that began within its borders. And in August 2022, Beijing suspended all military contacts with the U.S., in the wake of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

Pelosi was the highest-ranking American lawmaker to visit Taiwan since 1997, when then-Speaker Newt Gingrich traveled there. And her visit&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-china-beijing-congress-8857910a1e44cefa70bc4dfd184ef880">sparked a surge</a>&nbsp;in military&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-asia-united-states-beijing-nancy-pelosi-bcd77a80ddbece51f45c5fca4f60e22e">maneuvers</a>&nbsp;by China. Beijing dispatched warships and aircraft across the median line in the Taiwan Strait, claiming the de facto boundary did not exist,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-asia-navy-china-air-force-4bd08ab9ecd2a9f7d450cf61618d28af">fired missiles</a>&nbsp;over Taiwan itself, and challenged established norms by firing missiles into Japan’s exclusive economic zone.

U.S. officials suggested China was simply using Pelosi’s visit as a convenient excuse to cut off ties, which were strained by other points of contention, including economic sanctions.

But the lack of communications heightened worries about an increase in what the Pentagon calls risky Chinese aircraft and warship incidents in the past two years. Officials noted that even as tensions with Russia have spiked over the war in Ukraine, military commanders have continued to use a telephone line to deconflict operations in Syria.

The Defense Department last month released video footage of some of the more than&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-fighter-jet-intercept-7e8d4f24bfcb445297eff68e20f1429d">180 intercepts</a>&nbsp;of U.S. warplanes by Chinese aircraft that have occurred in the past two years — more than the total number over the previous decade. Defense officials said the Chinese flights were risky and aggressive, but stopped short of calling most of them unsafe — a term used in egregious cases. They said this was part of a larger trend of regional intimidation by China that could accidentally lead to conflict.

Carolyn Bartholomew, chairwoman of the congressionally mandated U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, said a key goal for the administration should be to get a commitment from the Chinese government to scale back on such dangerous incidents.

Bonnie Lin, director of the China Power project at the Center for Strategic and International Security, a Washington-based think tank, said it was important to restart the talks under the maritime agreement.

Resumption “would be a signal that the two sides can work together more,” Lin said at a CSIS forum Tuesday.

WOODSIDE, Calif. (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping plunged into their first-face-to-face meeting in more than a year Wednesday pledging to work to stabilize fraught relations in talks with far-reaching implications for a world grappling with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/china-trade-asia-us-pacific-economy-tariffs-ddfdbfd267a8dabb1138a8157b7c88ea">economic cross currents</a>&nbsp;and wars in the Middle East and Europe.

The two warmly shook hands as they met and made a red carpet entrance to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/xi-biden-china-us-relations-filoli-787627c22f7825467e8edffafd8b4149">bucolic Northern California estate</a>&nbsp;for what was expected to be hours of work on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-xi-apec-china-taiwan-cfd0b5a708a3506c4438e43b1b26c93d">detangling a multitude of tensions.</a>

Xi, speaking through a translator, said the relationship between China and the U.S. has never been smooth but has kept moving forward. "For two large countries like China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option,” he said.

More pointedly, he also suggested it was not up to the U.S. to dictate how the Chinese manage their affairs, saying, “It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other, and conflict and confrontation has unbearable consequences for both sides.”

Since the two leaders last met, already difficult relations have been further strained by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/politics-united-states-government-china-antony-blinken-51e49202f2a0a50541cde059934c4cfb">the U.S. downing of a Chinese spy balloon</a>&nbsp;that had traversed the continental U.S. and by differences&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-apec-chang-lai-china-economy-7963548073776bf839eeb66b66316568">on the self-ruled island of Taiwan</a>, China’s hacking of a Biden official's emails and other incidents.

Biden was expected to let Xi know that he would like China to use&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-putin-iran-politics-government-734a645f1a53ac8141f0f10236776cf3">its sway over Iran</a>&nbsp;to make clear that Tehran or its proxies should not take action that could lead to expansion of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the Israel-Hamas war</a>. The Biden administration sees the Chinese, a big buyer of Iranian oil, as having considerable leverage with Iran, which is a major backer of Hamas.

Ahead of Wednesday's meeting, senior White House officials said Biden would walk away with more concrete results than from the leaders' last talks, in November 2022 in Bali, Indonesia on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit. There will be agreements from China to help stop the flow of chemicals used in the production of illicit fentanyl, and to revive communications between the militaries -- increasingly important as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-south-china-sea-military-jet-bomber-0af848de95db435276e7642a4a401939">incidents</a>&nbsp;between the two nations’ ships and aircraft have spiked.

Biden on Tuesday billed the meeting as a chance to get Washington and Beijing back “on a normal course corresponding” once again.

But White House National Council spokesman John Kirby said Biden was “not going to be afraid to confront where confrontation is needed on issues where we don’t see eye to eye.”

"We’re also not going to be afraid, nor should we be afraid, as a confident nation, to engage in diplomacy on ways which we can cooperate with China -- on climate change, for instance, and clean energy technology,” Kirby said.