Kansas advocacy group outlines issues with the state’s student meal debt policy, potential solutions in new report

By&nbsp;RACHEL MIPRO&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — School lunch debt has snowballed in the year following the end of pandemic-era free meal programs. An advocacy group warns the debt accumulation could hurt and humiliate Kansas children in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansasappleseed.org/uploads/2/1/9/2/21929892/final_meal_debt_report.pdf">recently released report</a>.&nbsp;

“When Kansas kids are hungry, they can’t learn,” said Haley Kottler, director of a Kansas Appleseed campaign against child hunger. “Ensuring kids have what they need to thrive is imperative to our students’ success– in and out of the classroom.”&nbsp;

To create the report, Appleseed staff contacted the state’s 286 public school districts, receiving responses from about 20%. To fill in the gap, staff reviewed policies available on public school district websites, among other data sourcing.&nbsp;

The report follows the end of the free federal school meals program, which paid for breakfast and lunch for students at all income levels. The program was in place from March 2020 through June 2022, allowing Kansas’ 480,000 public school children access to free meals.&nbsp;

Since the program ended, families in the state have experienced a six-fold increase in school meal debt. Student lunch debt reached $23.5 million in 2023, according to Appleseed. For comparison, the state reported $4.5 million in school lunch debt in 2019. Increasing inflation and economic instability during and after the COVID-19 pandemic could play a factor in the increased debt.&nbsp;

Approximately 41% of Kansas students were signed up for free meals through the National School Lunch Program during the 2022-2023 school year, and another 7% received reduced school meals, but families must remain under a certain income threshold to be eligible for these reduced-price programs.

&nbsp;For&nbsp;example, a&nbsp;family of four has to make under $39,000 a year to qualify for free meals, and under $55,500 to qualify for reduced-priced meals, the report notes.&nbsp;

When the debt from school meals accumulates, only about 22% on average is paid off by parents, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://educationdata.org/school-lunch-debt">national statistics on school meal costs</a>.&nbsp;Despite low rates of payment, more than 40% of Kansans school districts use debt collection agencies, turning unpaid meal debt over to collection agencies, small claims courts, or the Kansas debt offset program— a measure that can have a long-lasting negative effect on a family.&nbsp;

Students themselves are singled out in the cafeteria when their families cannot afford to pay. Less than 5% of school districts in the state have documented policies allowing students with meal debt to continue receiving the same meal as fellow students.&nbsp;

Approximately 60% of school districts have documented policies allowing children an alternate meal, though the contents of the meal vary greatly across districts. Most districts offer either a cheese or peanut butter sandwich to these students, but others offer just a granola bar and milk, or canned fruit and crackers.&nbsp;

School districts that have higher rates of meal debt typically end up paying it through the district’s own funds, the report notes.&nbsp;

With this additional expense, many of the state’s school districts have been left in a “precarious financial position.”&nbsp;

“On average, it currently costs more to produce a school meal than school districts are charging or being reimbursed for,” the report reads. “This is likely an even larger challenge now that increased federal reimbursements for school meals have expired.”&nbsp;

The organization’s recommendations include ending debt collection practices, having the state subsidize portions of the lunch program and changing unpaid meal fee policies that humiliate students in the cafeteria.&nbsp;

“I look forward to working with school districts and community partners to ensure that every child in every district has consistent access to school meals, said Martha Terhaar, a Kansas Appleseed advocate campaigning against child hunger. “Together, we can build policies that guarantee every student is fed.”

<h2>Kansas advocacy group outlines issues with the state’s student meal debt policy, potential solutions in new report</h2>By&nbsp;RACHEL MIPRO&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — School lunch debt has snowballed in the year following the end of pandemic-era free meal programs. An advocacy group warns the debt accumulation could hurt and humiliate Kansas children in a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansasappleseed.org/uploads/2/1/9/2/21929892/final_meal_debt_report.pdf">recently released report</a>.&nbsp;“When Kansas kids are hungry, they can’t learn,” said Haley Kottler, director of a Kansas Appleseed campaign against child hunger. “Ensuring kids have what they need to thrive is imperative to our students’ success– in and out of the classroom.”&nbsp;To create the report, Appleseed staff contacted the state’s 286 public school districts, receiving responses from about 20%. To fill in the gap, staff reviewed policies available on public school district websites, among other data sourcing.&nbsp;The report follows the end of the free federal school meals program, which paid for breakfast and lunch for students at all income levels. The program was in place from March 2020 through June 2022, allowing Kansas’ 480,000 public school children access to free meals.&nbsp;Since the program ended, families in the state have experienced a six-fold increase in school meal debt. Student lunch debt reached $23.5 million in 2023, according to Appleseed. For comparison, the state reported $4.5 million in school lunch debt in 2019. Increasing inflation and economic instability during and after the COVID-19 pandemic could play a factor in the increased debt.&nbsp;Approximately 41% of Kansas students were signed up for free meals through the National School Lunch Program during the 2022-2023 school year, and another 7% received reduced school meals, but families must remain under a certain income threshold to be eligible for these reduced-price programs.&nbsp;For&nbsp;example, a&nbsp;family of four has to make under $39,000 a year to qualify for free meals, and under $55,500 to qualify for reduced-priced meals, the report notes.&nbsp;When the debt from school meals accumulates, only about 22% on average is paid off by parents, according to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://educationdata.org/school-lunch-debt">national statistics on school meal costs</a>.&nbsp;Despite low rates of payment, more than 40% of Kansans school districts use debt collection agencies, turning unpaid meal debt over to collection agencies, small claims courts, or the Kansas debt offset program— a measure that can have a long-lasting negative effect on a family.&nbsp;Students themselves are singled out in the cafeteria when their families cannot afford to pay. Less than 5% of school districts in the state have documented policies allowing students with meal debt to continue receiving the same meal as fellow students.&nbsp;Approximately 60% of school districts have documented policies allowing children an alternate meal, though the contents of the meal vary greatly across districts. Most districts offer either a cheese or peanut butter sandwich to these students, but others offer just a granola bar and milk, or canned fruit and crackers.&nbsp;School districts that have higher rates of meal debt typically end up paying it through the district’s own funds, the report notes.&nbsp;With this additional expense, many of the state’s school districts have been left in a “precarious financial position.”&nbsp;“On average, it currently costs more to produce a school meal than school districts are charging or being reimbursed for,” the report reads. “This is likely an even larger challenge now that increased federal reimbursements for school meals have expired.”&nbsp;The organization’s recommendations include ending debt collection practices, having the state subsidize portions of the lunch program and changing unpaid meal fee policies that humiliate students in the cafeteria.&nbsp;“I look forward to working with school districts and community partners to ensure that every child in every district has consistent access to school meals, said Martha Terhaar, a Kansas Appleseed advocate campaigning against child hunger. “Together, we can build policies that guarantee every student is fed.”

With end of federal program, Kan. students face skyrocketing school meal debt

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting have identified the victim as 4-year-old Lawrencia Perez-Belair of Topeka. 

On Saturday, police responded to a shooting in the 400 block of NE Grattan Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.

&nbsp;Officers were able to secure the scene and located Perez-Belair who appeared to be suffering from a gunshot wound.&nbsp; The girl was transported to a local hospital and died.

By Saturday afternoon, police reported they had identified all individuals involved and early Sunday reported the arrest of 24-year-old&nbsp;Mariann L. Belair, 24, Topeka.&nbsp; She is being held in Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Murder in the 1st degree, in the commission of a felony and Aggravated Endangering a child, reckless situation.&nbsp; Police have not reported the relationship between the woman and girl.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697371794491.png" alt="Belair-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Belair-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a deadly shooting have identified the victim as 4-year-old Lawrencia Perez-Belair of Topeka. On Saturday, police responded to a shooting in the 400 block of NE Grattan Street in Topeka, according to Police Lt. Donna Eubanks.&nbsp;Officers were able to secure the scene and located Perez-Belair who appeared to be suffering from a gunshot wound.&nbsp; The girl was transported to a local hospital and died.By Saturday afternoon, police reported they had identified all individuals involved and early Sunday reported the arrest of 24-year-old&nbsp;Mariann L. Belair, 24, Topeka.&nbsp; She is being held in Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Murder in the 1st degree, in the commission of a felony and Aggravated Endangering a child, reckless situation.&nbsp; Police have not reported the relationship between the woman and girl.

Police: 4-year-old dies in shooting at Kansas home

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — President Joe Biden on Saturday spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging the leaders to allow&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-evacuations-refugee-834a63b3ac48ce9230c649cddeafdf89">humanitarian aid to the region</a>&nbsp;and affirmed his support for efforts to protect civilians.

The weekend calls in Washington came ahead of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's announcement that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-military-navy-carrier-e648c53dc53a46e2e12950784ea5e8d2">U.S. was moving up a second carrier strike group</a>&nbsp;in support of Israel. Secretary of State Antony Blinken intensified diplomatic outreach across the Middle East and beyond to rally an international response to prevent the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-west-bank-settler-violence-gaza-war-68debe29dcc2f5a58bd899e1e424911c">Israel-Hamas war from expanding</a>.

The broad U.S. efforts reflect the international concern about the number of civilians at risk and the potential ramifications of a prolonged war as Israel told&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-c8b4fc20e4fd2ef381d5edb7e9e8308c">Gaza residents to move south</a>&nbsp;and Hamas urged people to remain in their homes. The Biden administration has not publicly urged Israel to restrain its response after the Hamas attack a week ago, but has emphasized the country’s commitment to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-crimes-icc-1a42212b95a7f6ce54909fb22e0d681d">following the rules of war</a>.

Addressing a Human Rights Campaign dinner Saturday in Washington, Biden linked the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to different versions of hate that he said must be stopped.

“A week ago we saw hate manifest another way in the worst massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust,” Biden said, citing the 1,300 lives lost in Israel as well as “children, grandparents alike kidnapped, held hostage by Hamas.”

“The humanitarian crisis in Gaza — innocent Palestinian families and the vast majority that have nothing to do with Hamas — they’re being used as human shields,” he said. “We have to reject hate in every form.”

Blinken met with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh before stopping in the United Arab Emirates as he sought ways to help civilians trapped in between the fighting and to address the growing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-live-updates">humanitarian crisis</a>.

He also called his Chinese counterpart as Palestinians struggled to flee from areas of Gaza targeted by the Israeli military before an expected land offensive.

Austin as well on Saturday spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, stressing the importance of safeguarding civilians. Austin offered updates on U.S. efforts to boost air defense capabilities and munitions for Israeli forces that he noted were aimed at stemming escalation of war, according to a readout of the call.

Austin said the Biden administration was sending the additional carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean. The Eisenhower will join the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group, which is already sailing near Israel, to bolster U.S. presence there with a host of destroyers, fighter aircraft and cruisers.

In a statement announcing the deployment, Austin said sending the second carrier was “part of our effort to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas’s attack on Israel.”

While Biden has spoken to Netanyahu multiple times since the Hamas attack, Saturday's call was his first to Abbas, who runs the Palestinian Authority which controls the West Bank. According to a readout of the call, Abbas briefed the president on efforts to bring aid to Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza.

Biden reiterated to Abbas that “Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people’s right to dignity and self-determination,” according to the readout.

Biden spoke with Netanyahu to “reiterate unwavering U.S. support for Israel,” according to the readout. He briefed the Israeli leader on regional efforts to ensure civilian access to food, water and medical care.

The number of U.S. citizens killed rose to 29, U.S. officials said Satutday, and 15 were unaccounted for, as well as one lawful permanent resident.

Blinken, in his visits with Saudi and UAE leaders, also cited the need for humanitarian assistance and safe passage from those who wish to leave Gaza as he spoke to Arab audiences from their home turf, where his hosts put that issue at the top of their concerns.

An Israeli ground assault would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-785e0eb833715354cade4694e8ccbf67">worsen the plight</a>&nbsp;of civilians in Gaza who are without power, fresh water or access to aid. Egyptian officials said the southern Rafah crossing would open later Saturday for the first time in days to allow foreigners out. Israel has advised all Palestinian civilians to flee south to avoid Israel's continued offensive against Hamas militants in Gaza City.

Blinken also called Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to seek his country's help in preventing the war from spreading, asking Beijing to use whatever influence it has in the Mideast. Blinken's spokesman declined to characterize Wang’s response but said the U.S. believes it and China have a shared interest in the region's stability.

In Riyadh, Blinken and Prince Faisal stressed the importance of minimizing the harm to civilians as Israel prepared for an anticipated incursion against Hamas a week after the militant group's unprecedented attack against Israel.

“As Israel pursues its legitimate right, to defending its people and to trying to ensure that this never happens again, it is vitally important that all of us look out for civilians, and we’re working together to do exactly that,” Blinken said.

"None of us want to see suffering by civilians on any side, whether it’s in Israel, whether it’s in Gaza, whether it’s anywhere else," Blinken said.

The Saudi minister said the kingdom was committed to the protection of civilians.

“It’s a disturbing situation,” he said. “It’s a very difficult situation. And, as you know, the primary sufferer of this situation are civilians, and civilian populations on both sides are being affected and it’s important, I think, that we all condemn the targeting of civilians in any form at any time by anyone.”

A U.S official said Saturday that Washington did not ask Israel to slow or hold off on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-live-updates#0000018b-2a81-d156-abaf-aa95a5770000">the evacuation plan</a>. The official said the discussions with Israeli leaders did stress the importance of taking into account the safety of civilians as Israel’s military moved to enforce the evacuation demand.

The official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the private discussions and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Israeli leaders acknowledged the guidance and took it under advisement.

The U.S. worked out an agreement involving to allow Americans and other foreigners in Gaza to cross the Rafah border into Egypt, but the crossing remained blocked Saturday, with no sign that those gathered would be allowed through. There are an estimated 500 Americans living in Gaza, but that number is imprecise, officials have said.

The U.S. State Department on Saturday authorized the departure of nonemergency U.S. government personnel and their family members from the American Embassy in Jerusalem and an office in Tel Aviv.

Prince Faisal said it was imperative for the violence between Israel and Hamas to end.

“We need to work together to find a way out of this cycle of violence,” he said. “Without a concerted effort to end this constant return to violence, it will always be the civilians that suffer first, it will always be civilians on both sides that end up paying the price.”

While in Abu Dhabi, Blinken visited the Abrahamic Family House, a complex consisting of a church, a mosque and a synagogue representing the three Abrahamic faiths. He signed a tile with the words “Light in the Darkness.”

Blinken returned to Saudi Arabia ahead of an expected stop in Egypt on Sunday. He has already visited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/israel-antony-blinken-israel-hamas-war-general-news-war-and-unrest-0e71903c03b740f695d8732f2ad91916">Israel</a>, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1696803172229.png" alt="The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea Wednesday-photo U.S. Central Command" />
 <figcaption>The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea Wednesday-photo U.S. Central Command</figcaption>
 </figure>RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — President Joe Biden on Saturday spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging the leaders to allow&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-evacuations-refugee-834a63b3ac48ce9230c649cddeafdf89">humanitarian aid to the region</a>&nbsp;and affirmed his support for efforts to protect civilians.The weekend calls in Washington came ahead of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's announcement that the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-military-navy-carrier-e648c53dc53a46e2e12950784ea5e8d2">U.S. was moving up a second carrier strike group</a>&nbsp;in support of Israel. Secretary of State Antony Blinken intensified diplomatic outreach across the Middle East and beyond to rally an international response to prevent the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-west-bank-settler-violence-gaza-war-68debe29dcc2f5a58bd899e1e424911c">Israel-Hamas war from expanding</a>.The broad U.S. efforts reflect the international concern about the number of civilians at risk and the potential ramifications of a prolonged war as Israel told&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-c8b4fc20e4fd2ef381d5edb7e9e8308c">Gaza residents to move south</a>&nbsp;and Hamas urged people to remain in their homes. The Biden administration has not publicly urged Israel to restrain its response after the Hamas attack a week ago, but has emphasized the country’s commitment to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-war-crimes-icc-1a42212b95a7f6ce54909fb22e0d681d">following the rules of war</a>.Addressing a Human Rights Campaign dinner Saturday in Washington, Biden linked the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to different versions of hate that he said must be stopped.“A week ago we saw hate manifest another way in the worst massacre of the Jewish people since the Holocaust,” Biden said, citing the 1,300 lives lost in Israel as well as “children, grandparents alike kidnapped, held hostage by Hamas.”“The humanitarian crisis in Gaza — innocent Palestinian families and the vast majority that have nothing to do with Hamas — they’re being used as human shields,” he said. “We have to reject hate in every form.”Blinken met with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Riyadh before stopping in the United Arab Emirates as he sought ways to help civilians trapped in between the fighting and to address the growing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-live-updates">humanitarian crisis</a>.He also called his Chinese counterpart as Palestinians struggled to flee from areas of Gaza targeted by the Israeli military before an expected land offensive.Austin as well on Saturday spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant, stressing the importance of safeguarding civilians. Austin offered updates on U.S. efforts to boost air defense capabilities and munitions for Israeli forces that he noted were aimed at stemming escalation of war, according to a readout of the call.Austin said the Biden administration was sending the additional carrier strike group to the Eastern Mediterranean. The Eisenhower will join the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group, which is already sailing near Israel, to bolster U.S. presence there with a host of destroyers, fighter aircraft and cruisers.In a statement announcing the deployment, Austin said sending the second carrier was “part of our effort to deter hostile actions against Israel or any efforts toward widening this war following Hamas’s attack on Israel.”While Biden has spoken to Netanyahu multiple times since the Hamas attack, Saturday's call was his first to Abbas, who runs the Palestinian Authority which controls the West Bank. According to a readout of the call, Abbas briefed the president on efforts to bring aid to Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza.Biden reiterated to Abbas that “Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people’s right to dignity and self-determination,” according to the readout.Biden spoke with Netanyahu to “reiterate unwavering U.S. support for Israel,” according to the readout. He briefed the Israeli leader on regional efforts to ensure civilian access to food, water and medical care.The number of U.S. citizens killed rose to 29, U.S. officials said Satutday, and 15 were unaccounted for, as well as one lawful permanent resident.Blinken, in his visits with Saudi and UAE leaders, also cited the need for humanitarian assistance and safe passage from those who wish to leave Gaza as he spoke to Arab audiences from their home turf, where his hosts put that issue at the top of their concerns.An Israeli ground assault would&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-785e0eb833715354cade4694e8ccbf67">worsen the plight</a>&nbsp;of civilians in Gaza who are without power, fresh water or access to aid. Egyptian officials said the southern Rafah crossing would open later Saturday for the first time in days to allow foreigners out. Israel has advised all Palestinian civilians to flee south to avoid Israel's continued offensive against Hamas militants in Gaza City.Blinken also called Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to seek his country's help in preventing the war from spreading, asking Beijing to use whatever influence it has in the Mideast. Blinken's spokesman declined to characterize Wang’s response but said the U.S. believes it and China have a shared interest in the region's stability.In Riyadh, Blinken and Prince Faisal stressed the importance of minimizing the harm to civilians as Israel prepared for an anticipated incursion against Hamas a week after the militant group's unprecedented attack against Israel.“As Israel pursues its legitimate right, to defending its people and to trying to ensure that this never happens again, it is vitally important that all of us look out for civilians, and we’re working together to do exactly that,” Blinken said."None of us want to see suffering by civilians on any side, whether it’s in Israel, whether it’s in Gaza, whether it’s anywhere else," Blinken said.The Saudi minister said the kingdom was committed to the protection of civilians.“It’s a disturbing situation,” he said. “It’s a very difficult situation. And, as you know, the primary sufferer of this situation are civilians, and civilian populations on both sides are being affected and it’s important, I think, that we all condemn the targeting of civilians in any form at any time by anyone.”A U.S official said Saturday that Washington did not ask Israel to slow or hold off on&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/live/israel-hamas-war-live-updates#0000018b-2a81-d156-abaf-aa95a5770000">the evacuation plan</a>. The official said the discussions with Israeli leaders did stress the importance of taking into account the safety of civilians as Israel’s military moved to enforce the evacuation demand.The official, who was not authorized to publicly discuss the private discussions and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Israeli leaders acknowledged the guidance and took it under advisement.The U.S. worked out an agreement involving to allow Americans and other foreigners in Gaza to cross the Rafah border into Egypt, but the crossing remained blocked Saturday, with no sign that those gathered would be allowed through. There are an estimated 500 Americans living in Gaza, but that number is imprecise, officials have said.The U.S. State Department on Saturday authorized the departure of nonemergency U.S. government personnel and their family members from the American Embassy in Jerusalem and an office in Tel Aviv.Prince Faisal said it was imperative for the violence between Israel and Hamas to end.“We need to work together to find a way out of this cycle of violence,” he said. “Without a concerted effort to end this constant return to violence, it will always be the civilians that suffer first, it will always be civilians on both sides that end up paying the price.”While in Abu Dhabi, Blinken visited the Abrahamic Family House, a complex consisting of a church, a mosque and a synagogue representing the three Abrahamic faiths. He signed a tile with the words “Light in the Darkness.”Blinken returned to Saudi Arabia ahead of an expected stop in Egypt on Sunday. He has already visited&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/israel-antony-blinken-israel-hamas-war-general-news-war-and-unrest-0e71903c03b740f695d8732f2ad91916">Israel</a>, Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain.

 U.S. sending more warships to support Israel

FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the cause of a deadly explosion in southwest Kansas.

Just before 5:30p.m. Saturday,&nbsp;Ford County Communications received calls of an explosion in the 100 block of west Center Street in Bucklin, according to a statement from Sheriff Bill Car.

Three individuals were located inside the building deceased and a fourth was transported to St. Catherine Hospital in Dodge City for medical treatment.

Authorities released no names or ages of the victims late Saturday. The Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office will assist with the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697410646387.png" alt="Photo Ford County Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Photo Ford County Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>FORD COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating the cause of a deadly explosion in southwest Kansas.Just before 5:30p.m. Saturday,&nbsp;Ford County Communications received calls of an explosion in the 100 block of west Center Street in Bucklin, according to a statement from Sheriff Bill Car.Three individuals were located inside the building deceased and a fourth was transported to St. Catherine Hospital in Dodge City for medical treatment.Authorities released no names or ages of the victims late Saturday. The Kansas State Fire Marshal's Office will assist with the investigation.

Sheriff: 3 dead after building explosion in SW Kansas

MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two Kansas teens on drug allegations.

Just after 6p.m. Thursday, sheriff's deputies conducted a traffic investigation on a 2015 black Volkswagen Passat for an alleged stop sign violation, according to Montgomery County Sheriff Ron Wade.

During the traffic investigation, deputies noticed an odor of burnt marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. Deputies identified the driver as 18-year-old&nbsp; Trinity L. Schlegel of Neodesha, Kansas and the passenger as 18-year-old&nbsp; Quaylan M. Johnson of Independence, Kansas.

Deputies recovered a total of 972 suspected fentanyl pills also known as “Dirty 30s”, marijuana, and US currency associated with illegal narcotic distribution, and drug paraphernalia.

Both Schlegel and Johnson were taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and booked on the recommended charges of distribution of opiates, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Kansas Bureau of Investigations (KBI), 7 out of 10 pills that have been recovered and tested by the DEA for fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose. KBI laboratory submissions testing positive for fentanyl have increased over 900% from 2020 to 2022.

Sheriff Wade said, “The war on drugs is a revolving door and fentanyl has reared its head here in Montgomery County. The Sheriff’s Office has seized over 6,460 fentanyl pills since 2022.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697142489519.png" alt="Johnson-photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Johnson-photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>MONTGOMERY COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating two Kansas teens on drug allegations.Just after 6p.m. Thursday, sheriff's deputies conducted a traffic investigation on a 2015 black Volkswagen Passat for an alleged stop sign violation, according to Montgomery County Sheriff Ron Wade.During the traffic investigation, deputies noticed an odor of burnt marijuana emitting from inside the vehicle. Deputies identified the driver as 18-year-old&nbsp; Trinity L. Schlegel of Neodesha, Kansas and the passenger as 18-year-old&nbsp; Quaylan M. Johnson of Independence, Kansas.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697142596072.png" alt="Photo Montgomery Co. Sheriff." />
 <figcaption>Photo Montgomery Co. Sheriff.</figcaption>
 </figure>Deputies recovered a total of 972 suspected fentanyl pills also known as “Dirty 30s”, marijuana, and US currency associated with illegal narcotic distribution, and drug paraphernalia.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697142461070.png" alt="Schlegel photo Montgomery Co." />
 <figcaption>Schlegel photo Montgomery Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>Both Schlegel and Johnson were taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Department of Corrections and booked on the recommended charges of distribution of opiates, possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Kansas Bureau of Investigations (KBI), 7 out of 10 pills that have been recovered and tested by the DEA for fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose. KBI laboratory submissions testing positive for fentanyl have increased over 900% from 2020 to 2022.Sheriff Wade said, “The war on drugs is a revolving door and fentanyl has reared its head here in Montgomery County. The Sheriff’s Office has seized over 6,460 fentanyl pills since 2022.

Sheriff: 2 Kan. teens caught with hundreds of fentanyl pills

LABETTE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 3p.m. Saturday in Labette County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Chevy Impala driven by Nancy Davis, 78, Marshfield, Missouri, was westbound on U.S. 400 three miles east of Parsons.

The car crossed center line and struck an eastbound 2021 Kenworth semi driven by Tracey Jerome&nbsp;Butler, 43, Bartow, Florida.

Davis was pronounce dead at the scene and was transported Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home. EMS transported Butler to the Labette County Hospital. Both drivers were p roperly restrained, according to the KHP.

LABETTE COUNTY—One person died in an accident just before 3p.m. Saturday in Labette County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2015 Chevy Impala driven by Nancy Davis, 78, Marshfield, Missouri, was westbound on U.S. 400 three miles east of Parsons.The car crossed center line and struck an eastbound 2021 Kenworth semi driven by Tracey Jerome&nbsp;Butler, 43, Bartow, Florida.Davis was pronounce dead at the scene and was transported Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home. EMS transported Butler to the Labette County Hospital. Both drivers were p roperly restrained, according to the KHP.

Woman dies after car, semi crash on Kansas highway

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Ollie Gordon II gained 284 yards from scrimmage and scored two touchdowns to help Oklahoma State defeat No. 23 Kansas 39-32 on Saturday.

Gordon ran for a career-high 168 yards and caught six passes for a career-best 116. He became the first Oklahoma State player since Gerald Hudson in 1989 to have at least 100 yards rushing and receiving in a game.

Alan Bowman passed for 336 yards and two touchdowns, Rashod Owens had career highs of nine catches and 112 yards and Brennan Presley caught a touchdown pass and ran for the go-ahead score with 2:32 remaining for Oklahoma State (4-2, 2-1 Big 12). The Cowboys gained 554 yards to win their second straight after upsetting Kansas State last Friday.

Kansas (5-2, 2-2) was without quarterback Jalon Daniels for the third straight game because of a back injury. Jason Bean stepped in and passed for career highs of 410 yards and five touchdowns, but he threw two interceptions.

On the game's opening drive, Gordon caught a 50-yard pass from Bowman, then caught a short pass from Bowman and took it 17 yards to the end zone. On the next drive, Bowman found Presley for a 20-yard score to make it 14-0.

Bean rallied the Jayhawks by throwing four touchdown passes in the first half. The fourth, a 49-yarder to Quentin Skinner, put Kansas up 25-24 — a score that held up until the break. Bean completed 13 of 17 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns in the first half. Bowman passed for 261 yards and two scores for the Cowboys while Gordon had 177 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in the first two quarters.

Alex Hale missed a 43-yard field goal with 9:38 remaining that would have put Oklahoma State up 33-32, but the Cowboys scored in the closing minutes after a Kansas turnover. Presley went in motion, took the handoff and scored from 6 yards out to put the Cowboys ahead for good. Kansas got the ball down 39-32 with 15 seconds remaining and no timeouts and could not mount a threat.

Kansas: The Jayhawks moved the ball, but their defense struggled. The Cowboys entered the game averaging 4.3 yards a carry, but they averaged 5.7 on Saturday.

Oklahoma State: Bowman continues to string together solid performances. The Cowboys were platooning quarterbacks before settling on the Michigan transfer. Oklahoma State is 2-1 since giving Bowman the full-time job.

Kansas will likely drop out. Oklahoma State may get some votes.

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) — Ollie Gordon II gained 284 yards from scrimmage and scored two touchdowns to help Oklahoma State defeat No. 23 Kansas 39-32 on Saturday.Gordon ran for a career-high 168 yards and caught six passes for a career-best 116. He became the first Oklahoma State player since Gerald Hudson in 1989 to have at least 100 yards rushing and receiving in a game.Alan Bowman passed for 336 yards and two touchdowns, Rashod Owens had career highs of nine catches and 112 yards and Brennan Presley caught a touchdown pass and ran for the go-ahead score with 2:32 remaining for Oklahoma State (4-2, 2-1 Big 12). The Cowboys gained 554 yards to win their second straight after upsetting Kansas State last Friday.Kansas (5-2, 2-2) was without quarterback Jalon Daniels for the third straight game because of a back injury. Jason Bean stepped in and passed for career highs of 410 yards and five touchdowns, but he threw two interceptions.On the game's opening drive, Gordon caught a 50-yard pass from Bowman, then caught a short pass from Bowman and took it 17 yards to the end zone. On the next drive, Bowman found Presley for a 20-yard score to make it 14-0.Bean rallied the Jayhawks by throwing four touchdown passes in the first half. The fourth, a 49-yarder to Quentin Skinner, put Kansas up 25-24 — a score that held up until the break. Bean completed 13 of 17 passes for 274 yards and four touchdowns in the first half. Bowman passed for 261 yards and two scores for the Cowboys while Gordon had 177 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in the first two quarters.Alex Hale missed a 43-yard field goal with 9:38 remaining that would have put Oklahoma State up 33-32, but the Cowboys scored in the closing minutes after a Kansas turnover. Presley went in motion, took the handoff and scored from 6 yards out to put the Cowboys ahead for good. Kansas got the ball down 39-32 with 15 seconds remaining and no timeouts and could not mount a threat.THE TAKEAWAYKansas: The Jayhawks moved the ball, but their defense struggled. The Cowboys entered the game averaging 4.3 yards a carry, but they averaged 5.7 on Saturday.Oklahoma State: Bowman continues to string together solid performances. The Cowboys were platooning quarterbacks before settling on the Michigan transfer. Oklahoma State is 2-1 since giving Bowman the full-time job.POLL IMPLICATIONSKansas will likely drop out. Oklahoma State may get some votes.UP NEXTKansas: Hosts No. 5 Oklahoma on Oct. 28.

Gordon leads Oklahoma State over No. 23 Kansas 

JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.

Just after 11:30a.m. October 11, a Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a Mitsubishi Galant for allegedly speeding on 150th Road near Q. Road in rural Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 During the traffic stop the deputy discovered items believed to be illegal contraband.  The driver, Adam David Pace, 47, of Robertsdale, Arizona, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for possession of opiates, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, possession of depressants and hallucinogenic drugs. He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697288956839.png" alt="Pace-photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Pace-photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug allegations.Just after 11:30a.m. October 11, a Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a Mitsubishi Galant for allegedly speeding on 150th Road near Q. Road in rural Jackson County, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. During the traffic stop the deputy discovered items believed to be illegal contraband. The driver, Adam David Pace, 47, of Robertsdale, Arizona, was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for possession of opiates, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, possession of depressants and hallucinogenic drugs. He is no longer in custody, according to online jail records.

Arizona man caught transporting drugs in Kansas

NEW YORK (AP) —High school students' scores on the ACT college admissions test have dropped to their lowest in more than three decades, showing a lack of student&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-math-test-help-6cca6a5e873d5aeb5e75b4f94125d48c">preparedness for college-level coursework</a>, according to the nonprofit organization that administers the test.

Scores have been falling for six consecutive years, but the trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students in the class of 2023 whose scores were reported Wednesday were in their first year of high school when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-covid-46cb725e08110f8ad3c1b303ec9eefad">the virus reached the U.S.</a>

“The hard truth is that we are not doing enough to ensure that graduates are truly ready for postsecondary success in college and career,” said Janet Godwin, chief executive officer for the nonprofit ACT.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://leadershipblog.act.org/2023/10/act-scores-decline.html">average ACT composite score</a>&nbsp;for U.S. students was 19.5 out of 36. Last year, the average score was 19.8.

The average scores in reading, science and math all were below benchmarks the ACT says students must reach to have a high probability of success in first-year college courses. The average score in English was just above the benchmark but still declined compared to last year.

Many universities have made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sat-test-going-digital-4887adbfba984e0943de0a0262e9349e">standardized admissions tests optional</a>&nbsp;amid criticism that they favor the wealthy and put low-income students at a disadvantage. Some including the University of California system do not consider ACT or SAT scores even if submitted.

Godwin said the scores are still helpful for placing students in the right college courses and preparing academic advisors to better support students.

“In terms of college readiness, even in a test-optional environment, these kinds of objective test scores about academic readiness are incredibly important,” Godwin said.

At Denise Cabrera's high school in Hawaii, all students are required to take the ACT as juniors. She said she would have taken it anyway to improve her chances of getting into college.

“Honestly, I’m unsure why the test was ever required because colleges can look at different qualities of the students who are applying outside of just a one-time test score,” said Denise, a 17-year-old senior at Waianae High School.

She's looking at schools including the California Institute of Technology, which implemented a five-year moratorium on the standardized test score requirements during the pandemic. Denise said she knows the school is not considering scores but she doesn't want to limit her options elsewhere.

About 1.4 million students in the U.S. took the ACT this year, an increase from last year. However, the numbers have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Godwin said she doesn't believe those numbers will ever fully recover, partly because of test-optional admission policies.

Of students who were tested, only 21% met benchmarks for success in college-level classes in all subjects. Research from the nonprofit shows students who meet those benchmarks have a 50% chance of earning a B or better and nearly a 75% chance of earning a C or better in corresponding courses.

NEW YORK (AP) —High school students' scores on the ACT college admissions test have dropped to their lowest in more than three decades, showing a lack of student&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/college-math-test-help-6cca6a5e873d5aeb5e75b4f94125d48c">preparedness for college-level coursework</a>, according to the nonprofit organization that administers the test.Scores have been falling for six consecutive years, but the trend accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students in the class of 2023 whose scores were reported Wednesday were in their first year of high school when&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-education-covid-46cb725e08110f8ad3c1b303ec9eefad">the virus reached the U.S.</a>“The hard truth is that we are not doing enough to ensure that graduates are truly ready for postsecondary success in college and career,” said Janet Godwin, chief executive officer for the nonprofit ACT.The&nbsp;<a href="https://leadershipblog.act.org/2023/10/act-scores-decline.html">average ACT composite score</a>&nbsp;for U.S. students was 19.5 out of 36. Last year, the average score was 19.8.The average scores in reading, science and math all were below benchmarks the ACT says students must reach to have a high probability of success in first-year college courses. The average score in English was just above the benchmark but still declined compared to last year.Many universities have made&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/sat-test-going-digital-4887adbfba984e0943de0a0262e9349e">standardized admissions tests optional</a>&nbsp;amid criticism that they favor the wealthy and put low-income students at a disadvantage. Some including the University of California system do not consider ACT or SAT scores even if submitted.Godwin said the scores are still helpful for placing students in the right college courses and preparing academic advisors to better support students.“In terms of college readiness, even in a test-optional environment, these kinds of objective test scores about academic readiness are incredibly important,” Godwin said.At Denise Cabrera's high school in Hawaii, all students are required to take the ACT as juniors. She said she would have taken it anyway to improve her chances of getting into college.“Honestly, I’m unsure why the test was ever required because colleges can look at different qualities of the students who are applying outside of just a one-time test score,” said Denise, a 17-year-old senior at Waianae High School.She's looking at schools including the California Institute of Technology, which implemented a five-year moratorium on the standardized test score requirements during the pandemic. Denise said she knows the school is not considering scores but she doesn't want to limit her options elsewhere.About 1.4 million students in the U.S. took the ACT this year, an increase from last year. However, the numbers have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Godwin said she doesn't believe those numbers will ever fully recover, partly because of test-optional admission policies.Of students who were tested, only 21% met benchmarks for success in college-level classes in all subjects. Research from the nonprofit shows students who meet those benchmarks have a 50% chance of earning a B or better and nearly a 75% chance of earning a C or better in corresponding courses.___

ACT test scores for US students drop to new 30-year low

SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 2a.m. Saturday in Sedgwick County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Harley Davidson driven by Sage Joseph Duran, 29, Wichita, was eastbound on Central Avenue from Ridge at a high rate of speed.

The driver ran the red light and struck a 2021 Dodge Ram driven by Christian Minchaca Rueda, 26, Wichita that was northbound on the ramp from Interstate 235 to westbound Central Avenue, had a green light and entered the intersection.

After impact Duran lost control of the motorcycle. It continued eastbound, struck the curb, a street sign and a telephone pole before coming to rest in the roadway.&nbsp;

&nbsp;Duran was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Sedgwick County Coroner's Office.&nbsp; Rueda and a passenger in the pickup were not injured.&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY —One person died in an accident just before 2a.m. Saturday in Sedgwick County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2022 Harley Davidson driven by Sage Joseph Duran, 29, Wichita, was eastbound on Central Avenue from Ridge at a high rate of speed.The driver ran the red light and struck a 2021 Dodge Ram driven by Christian Minchaca Rueda, 26, Wichita that was northbound on the ramp from Interstate 235 to westbound Central Avenue, had a green light and entered the intersection.After impact Duran lost control of the motorcycle. It continued eastbound, struck the curb, a street sign and a telephone pole before coming to rest in the roadway.&nbsp;&nbsp;Duran was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Sedgwick County Coroner's Office.&nbsp; Rueda and a passenger in the pickup were not injured.&nbsp;

Kansas man dies after motorcycle, pickup crash

In honor of International Day of the Girl, First Lady Jill Biden celebrated 15 young women leaders, selected by the White House Gender Policy Council, who are leading change and shaping a brighter future in their communities across the United States. &nbsp;

As an educator for more than 30 years, Dr. Biden has continued to be a champion for young people at home and abroad.

Together with the White House Gender Policy Council, Dr. Biden hosted the first-ever “Girls Leading Change” celebration at the White House to recognize the profound impact young women are having on their communities and their efforts strengthening our country for generations to come.&nbsp;

“It is my honor to celebrate this exceptional group of “Girls Leading Change” at the White House,” said First Lady Jill Biden. “These young women are protecting and preserving the earth, writing and sharing stories that change minds, and turning their pain into purpose. Together, they represent the potential of young people across the country, and it is my hope that others can learn from the power of their innovation, strength, and hope.”

In addition, the Biden-Harris Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/10/11/fact-sheet-white-house-celebrates-international-day-of-the-girl-and-announces-new-actions-to-support-youth-in-the-u-s-and-abroad/" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;a series of new actions that build on the Administration’s investment in young people and expand opportunities for women and girls at home and abroad.

Since day one in office, the Administration has been committed to ensuring women and girls have the opportunities and resources they need to ensure their safety, education, health, and wellbeing.

(Montgomery, Alabama) Breanna and Brooke Bennett, age 16, are dedicated to ending period poverty and ensuring everyone has access to the menstrual supplies they need. When they were 12 years old, Breanna and Brooke were inspired to give period supplies to girls in a public housing project in Montgomery, Alabama, kicking off what became their organization, Women in Training, through which they have distributed more than 30,000 kits with sanitary pads and toiletries. Breanna and Brooke have also successfully advocated for the passage of HB 50, a state law in Alabama that provides funds for school staff to provide sanitary pads to students in need. They are committed to building on that success and eliminating period poverty at the national level.

Jazmin Cazares, age 18, is a leading activist for gun violence prevention at the state and national level. After her sister Jackie was killed in the shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, Jazmin spent her senior year of high school traveling across the country and sharing Jackie’s story. Jazmin spoke alongside March for Our Lives leaders at the Texas State Capitol and testified before lawmakers. There, she called for tighter background checks, extreme risk protection order laws, and for lawmakers to “do something” to prevent future mass shootings. Jazmin plans to obtain a master’s degree in psychology and to continue fighting for her sister’s legacy.

Mona Cho (Redondo Beach, California)

Mona Cho, age 15, is dedicated to combatting online harassment and abuse and the harm it poses to youth and teens. She serves on the Beach Cities Health District’s Youth Advisory Council and is also part of the District’s newly created Youth Health &amp; Safety Committee, where she leads a team of five students in a campaign to spread awareness on how to stay safe on social media, and to prioritize mental health online. As part of this work, she created a short film that follows real-life stories of the impact of damaged digital footprints. Through the Plan USA Youth Leadership Academy, she leads the Digital Online Safety and Empowerment Initiative. Mona hopes to continue deploying film as a tool to promote online safety and call for change.

Julia Garnett (Hendersonville, Tennessee)&nbsp;

Julia Garnett, age 17, is dedicated to fighting against book bans and promoting educational freedom in public school and county public libraries. In her school district, she advocated successfully for student representation on book review committees and served on her own high school’s committee. At the national level, Julia has provided testimony before Congress on book bans and volunteers with Student Advocates for Speech, a partnership with the National Coalition Against Censorship. She is an organizer and leader on multiple issues, planned a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, led a student walkout in protest of gun violence, and served as the President of her school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. Julia is committed to ensuring that youth grow up free from censorship, with access to books that fully represent the diversity of their communities and the world.

Logan Hennes, age 16, is committed to combatting antisemitism in communities across the country. Through the American Jewish Committee, Logan has created and taken on a leadership role in supporting students like herself who are working to address antisemitism in their schools and communities, such as Logan’s community in New York City. As the leader of her high school’s Jewish Affinity Group, she has hosted speakers to raise awareness of rising antisemitism and supported her peers in similar organizing and advocacy work across other communities and issues. Logan plans to pursue a career in international relations and U.S. foreign policy.

Anja Herrman (River Forest, Illinois)&nbsp;

Anja Herrman, age 17, is a disability rights activist and advocate for equity and inclusion. She has led grassroots disability advocacy work, including as a member of the Personal Protective Equipment for People with Disabilities (PPE4PWD Coalition), which helped secure personal protective equipment for people with disabilities during the COVID–19 pandemic. Since 2021, she has served as the youngest appointed member of the Village of River Forest’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group. Anja is emerging as a national leader through her research, speaking engagements, and publications. She authored a white paper that highlights the need for school shooting plans that account for the safety of students with disabilities through a fellowship program at the Disability EmpowHer Network.

Leela Marie Hidier (Yarmouth, Maine)&nbsp;

&nbsp;Leela Marie Hidier, age 18, is a climate social justice advocate and published author. Her award-winning debut novel, Changes in the Weather, features four teenagers displaced by climate change in the U.S., coming of age in a world and time of uncertainty. Leela Marie has been invited to read from her work and speak at community centers, schools, climate conferences, the Maine State House, and across her state. Currently on a gap year, she is working in the nonprofit sector in Maine before beginning college next year. She aspires to become an educator, and to continue using art as a form of activism

Elisa Martinez (Las Vegas, Nevada)

Elisa Martinez, age 17, is an organizer dedicated to civic engagement, particularly within the Latino community. She founded her school’s Latino Student Union and mobilizes students on issues such as climate justice and gun violence prevention. Elisa volunteers as a poll worker to assist Spanishspeaking voters and ensure they understand their rights. After losing her friend to a fentanyl overdose, Elisa has spoken out about beating the opioid crisis and has joined the Trial by Peers program to advocate for juveniles in the criminal justice system. Elisa hopes to become a public defender.

Gabriella Nakai (Phoenix, Arizona)

Gabriella Nakai, age 17, is a Navajo and Choctaw leader dedicated to furthering food security and sustainability, indigenous sovereignty, and youth advocacy. For her work in growing sustainable, heirloom Native produce and promoting seed saving and propagation, Gabriella was honored by the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute as a 2023 Champion for Change. Gabriella works with Native American Connections on addressing youth homelessness and mental health in Phoenix. She founded the Native American club at her school, is a leader in her student government, and hopes to continue serving her tribal community through nonprofit work.

Zahra Rahimi (Alexandria, Virginia)

Zahra Rahimi, age 17, arrived in the U.S. four years ago from Afghanistan, and has since dedicated herself to supporting refugee resettlement in her local community, including access to English as a Second Language services in Alexandria schools. As student representative to the Alexandria City Board of Education, Zahra organized cultural events and staff trainings to ensure the school was prepared to receive new refugee families from Afghanistan. Zahra partnered with Northern Virginia Resettling Afghan Families Together to establish a special literacy program to support her largely female middle and high school peers who were reading below a second-grade level. In addition to her refugee resettlement efforts, Zahra is a passionate advocate for advancing women’s rights globally, especially in areas of conflict.

Gitanjali Rao (Highlands Ranch, Colorado)

Gitanjali Rao, age 17, is a freshman at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is a scientist and inventor whose groundbreaking lead contamination detection tool won her an EPA Presidential Award and America’s Top Young Scientist by Discovery Education/3M. Her book Young Innovator’s Guide to STEM, which offers a prescriptive five-step innovation process, is used as a STEM curriculum globally in selected schools. Time Magazine’s first-ever Kid of the Year, Gitanjali is committed to not only continuing her career as a scientist and inventor, but expanding her STEM education initiative, which has already touched more than 80,000 elementary, middle, and high school students.

Avery Turner (Colorado Springs, Colorado)

Avery Turner, age 17, is a high school senior and calls herself a “seasoned mover,” having moved 10 times before her father recently retired from the Air Force. Avery is committed to supporting military teens, and currently serves as the Director of Programs at Bloom, an organization started by military teens dedicated to promoting their belonging within the military community and amplifying their voices. A prolific writer, as well as a nationally-ranked competitive springboard diver, Avery writes about her experiences trying to find her place in the ever-changing landscape of military teen life in the hopes of providing connection and community.

Sandra Ukah, age 18, a freshman at the University of Florida, is committed to civic education and community organizing. She was co-founder and co-president of Seminole High School’s Black Student Union, the first Black Student Union (BSU) in Seminole County, and she later consulted with district members to establish BSU chapters in all of the county’s high schools. Sandra served on her city’s Youth Council for two years and became president, during which time she launched an initiative on civic education to teach her community about the role of local government, host voter registration drives, and connect government to the community. Sandra hopes to work in civil rights and constitutional law.

Rania Zuri (Morgantown, West Virginia)

Rania Zuri, age 18, is a third-generation West Virginian and the founder and CEO of The LiTEArary Society, a nonprofit organization focused on ending “book deserts” for disadvantaged preschool children. Since Rania founded the organization at 13 years old, it has grown to donate books to over 28,000 preschool children in federal Head Start programs across all 50 states. The organization has received funding and partnerships from Pilot Pens, Hershey’s, Scholastic, Starbucks, and others. Rania plans to continue this work with the belief in the power of reading to transform lives.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697055879681.png" alt="Together with the White House Gender Policy Council, Dr. Biden hosted the first-ever “Girls Leading Change” celebration.-photo courtesy teenvogue.com via the White House" />
 <figcaption>Together with the White House Gender Policy Council, Dr. Biden hosted the first-ever “Girls Leading Change” celebration.-photo courtesy teenvogue.com via the White House</figcaption>
 </figure>In honor of International Day of the Girl, First Lady Jill Biden celebrated 15 young women leaders, selected by the White House Gender Policy Council, who are leading change and shaping a brighter future in their communities across the United States. &nbsp;<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2QG8X9RMygQ?si=L-5Kv7O_9oJJEvmz&amp;start=190" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>As an educator for more than 30 years, Dr. Biden has continued to be a champion for young people at home and abroad.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">First Lady Jill Biden hosts the first-ever “Girls Leading Change” celebration at the White House to recognize the profound impact young women are having on their communities across the country. <a href="https://t.co/QY2nwstdw0">pic.twitter.com/QY2nwstdw0</a>&mdash; Vanessa Valdivia (@vvaldivia46) <a href="https://twitter.com/vvaldivia46/status/1712199490474586532?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Together with the White House Gender Policy Council, Dr. Biden hosted the first-ever “Girls Leading Change” celebration at the White House to recognize the profound impact young women are having on their communities and their efforts strengthening our country for generations to come.&nbsp;“It is my honor to celebrate this exceptional group of “Girls Leading Change” at the White House,” said First Lady Jill Biden. “These young women are protecting and preserving the earth, writing and sharing stories that change minds, and turning their pain into purpose. Together, they represent the potential of young people across the country, and it is my hope that others can learn from the power of their innovation, strength, and hope.”In addition, the Biden-Harris Administration&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/10/11/fact-sheet-white-house-celebrates-international-day-of-the-girl-and-announces-new-actions-to-support-youth-in-the-u-s-and-abroad/" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;a series of new actions that build on the Administration’s investment in young people and expand opportunities for women and girls at home and abroad. Since day one in office, the Administration has been committed to ensuring women and girls have the opportunities and resources they need to ensure their safety, education, health, and wellbeing.2023 Girl Leading Change HonoreesBreanna &amp; Brooke Bennett (Montgomery, Alabama) Breanna and Brooke Bennett, age 16, are dedicated to ending period poverty and ensuring everyone has access to the menstrual supplies they need. When they were 12 years old, Breanna and Brooke were inspired to give period supplies to girls in a public housing project in Montgomery, Alabama, kicking off what became their organization, Women in Training, through which they have distributed more than 30,000 kits with sanitary pads and toiletries. Breanna and Brooke have also successfully advocated for the passage of HB 50, a state law in Alabama that provides funds for school staff to provide sanitary pads to students in need. They are committed to building on that success and eliminating period poverty at the national level.Jazmin Cazares (Uvalde, Texas) Jazmin Cazares, age 18, is a leading activist for gun violence prevention at the state and national level. After her sister Jackie was killed in the shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, Jazmin spent her senior year of high school traveling across the country and sharing Jackie’s story. Jazmin spoke alongside March for Our Lives leaders at the Texas State Capitol and testified before lawmakers. There, she called for tighter background checks, extreme risk protection order laws, and for lawmakers to “do something” to prevent future mass shootings. Jazmin plans to obtain a master’s degree in psychology and to continue fighting for her sister’s legacy.Mona Cho (Redondo Beach, California) Mona Cho, age 15, is dedicated to combatting online harassment and abuse and the harm it poses to youth and teens. She serves on the Beach Cities Health District’s Youth Advisory Council and is also part of the District’s newly created Youth Health &amp; Safety Committee, where she leads a team of five students in a campaign to spread awareness on how to stay safe on social media, and to prioritize mental health online. As part of this work, she created a short film that follows real-life stories of the impact of damaged digital footprints. Through the Plan USA Youth Leadership Academy, she leads the Digital Online Safety and Empowerment Initiative. Mona hopes to continue deploying film as a tool to promote online safety and call for change.Julia Garnett (Hendersonville, Tennessee)&nbsp; Julia Garnett, age 17, is dedicated to fighting against book bans and promoting educational freedom in public school and county public libraries. In her school district, she advocated successfully for student representation on book review committees and served on her own high school’s committee. At the national level, Julia has provided testimony before Congress on book bans and volunteers with Student Advocates for Speech, a partnership with the National Coalition Against Censorship. She is an organizer and leader on multiple issues, planned a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, led a student walkout in protest of gun violence, and served as the President of her school’s Gay-Straight Alliance. Julia is committed to ensuring that youth grow up free from censorship, with access to books that fully represent the diversity of their communities and the world.Logan Hennes (New York, New York) Logan Hennes, age 16, is committed to combatting antisemitism in communities across the country. Through the American Jewish Committee, Logan has created and taken on a leadership role in supporting students like herself who are working to address antisemitism in their schools and communities, such as Logan’s community in New York City. As the leader of her high school’s Jewish Affinity Group, she has hosted speakers to raise awareness of rising antisemitism and supported her peers in similar organizing and advocacy work across other communities and issues. Logan plans to pursue a career in international relations and U.S. foreign policy.Anja Herrman (River Forest, Illinois)&nbsp; Anja Herrman, age 17, is a disability rights activist and advocate for equity and inclusion. She has led grassroots disability advocacy work, including as a member of the Personal Protective Equipment for People with Disabilities (PPE4PWD Coalition), which helped secure personal protective equipment for people with disabilities during the COVID–19 pandemic. Since 2021, she has served as the youngest appointed member of the Village of River Forest’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Group. Anja is emerging as a national leader through her research, speaking engagements, and publications. She authored a white paper that highlights the need for school shooting plans that account for the safety of students with disabilities through a fellowship program at the Disability EmpowHer Network.Leela Marie Hidier (Yarmouth, Maine)&nbsp;&nbsp;Leela Marie Hidier, age 18, is a climate social justice advocate and published author. Her award-winning debut novel, Changes in the Weather, features four teenagers displaced by climate change in the U.S., coming of age in a world and time of uncertainty. Leela Marie has been invited to read from her work and speak at community centers, schools, climate conferences, the Maine State House, and across her state. Currently on a gap year, she is working in the nonprofit sector in Maine before beginning college next year. She aspires to become an educator, and to continue using art as a form of activismElisa Martinez (Las Vegas, Nevada) Elisa Martinez, age 17, is an organizer dedicated to civic engagement, particularly within the Latino community. She founded her school’s Latino Student Union and mobilizes students on issues such as climate justice and gun violence prevention. Elisa volunteers as a poll worker to assist Spanishspeaking voters and ensure they understand their rights. After losing her friend to a fentanyl overdose, Elisa has spoken out about beating the opioid crisis and has joined the Trial by Peers program to advocate for juveniles in the criminal justice system. Elisa hopes to become a public defender.Gabriella Nakai (Phoenix, Arizona)Gabriella Nakai, age 17, is a Navajo and Choctaw leader dedicated to furthering food security and sustainability, indigenous sovereignty, and youth advocacy. For her work in growing sustainable, heirloom Native produce and promoting seed saving and propagation, Gabriella was honored by the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute as a 2023 Champion for Change. Gabriella works with Native American Connections on addressing youth homelessness and mental health in Phoenix. She founded the Native American club at her school, is a leader in her student government, and hopes to continue serving her tribal community through nonprofit work.Zahra Rahimi (Alexandria, Virginia)Zahra Rahimi, age 17, arrived in the U.S. four years ago from Afghanistan, and has since dedicated herself to supporting refugee resettlement in her local community, including access to English as a Second Language services in Alexandria schools. As student representative to the Alexandria City Board of Education, Zahra organized cultural events and staff trainings to ensure the school was prepared to receive new refugee families from Afghanistan. Zahra partnered with Northern Virginia Resettling Afghan Families Together to establish a special literacy program to support her largely female middle and high school peers who were reading below a second-grade level. In addition to her refugee resettlement efforts, Zahra is a passionate advocate for advancing women’s rights globally, especially in areas of conflict.Gitanjali Rao (Highlands Ranch, Colorado)Gitanjali Rao, age 17, is a freshman at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is a scientist and inventor whose groundbreaking lead contamination detection tool won her an EPA Presidential Award and America’s Top Young Scientist by Discovery Education/3M. Her book Young Innovator’s Guide to STEM, which offers a prescriptive five-step innovation process, is used as a STEM curriculum globally in selected schools. Time Magazine’s first-ever Kid of the Year, Gitanjali is committed to not only continuing her career as a scientist and inventor, but expanding her STEM education initiative, which has already touched more than 80,000 elementary, middle, and high school students.Avery Turner (Colorado Springs, Colorado) Avery Turner, age 17, is a high school senior and calls herself a “seasoned mover,” having moved 10 times before her father recently retired from the Air Force. Avery is committed to supporting military teens, and currently serves as the Director of Programs at Bloom, an organization started by military teens dedicated to promoting their belonging within the military community and amplifying their voices. A prolific writer, as well as a nationally-ranked competitive springboard diver, Avery writes about her experiences trying to find her place in the ever-changing landscape of military teen life in the hopes of providing connection and community.Sandra Ukah (Lake Mary, Florida) Sandra Ukah, age 18, a freshman at the University of Florida, is committed to civic education and community organizing. She was co-founder and co-president of Seminole High School’s Black Student Union, the first Black Student Union (BSU) in Seminole County, and she later consulted with district members to establish BSU chapters in all of the county’s high schools. Sandra served on her city’s Youth Council for two years and became president, during which time she launched an initiative on civic education to teach her community about the role of local government, host voter registration drives, and connect government to the community. Sandra hopes to work in civil rights and constitutional law.Rania Zuri (Morgantown, West Virginia)Rania Zuri, age 18, is a third-generation West Virginian and the founder and CEO of The LiTEArary Society, a nonprofit organization focused on ending “book deserts” for disadvantaged preschool children. Since Rania founded the organization at 13 years old, it has grown to donate books to over 28,000 preschool children in federal Head Start programs across all 50 states. The organization has received funding and partnerships from Pilot Pens, Hershey’s, Scholastic, Starbucks, and others. Rania plans to continue this work with the belief in the power of reading to transform lives.

🎥 First lady announced “Girls Leading Change” honorees

JOHNSON COUNTY—A suspect accused in a fatal fentanyl overdose death has made a court appearance.

On Thursday, 20-year-old Hugo Cesar Guzman, Jr. was charged with drug distribution causing death and two counts of fentanyl distribution, according to the Johnson County District Attorneys Office.

Guzman was accused of distributing the drugs that led to the death of Wesley Howard on Feb. 20, 2022.

Guzman is being held in the Johnson County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond. He is due back in court Oct. 19, according to the district attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697156695646.png" alt="Guzman-photo Johnson Co." />
 <figcaption>Guzman-photo Johnson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY—A suspect accused in a fatal fentanyl overdose death has made a court appearance.On Thursday, 20-year-old Hugo Cesar Guzman, Jr. was charged with drug distribution causing death and two counts of fentanyl distribution, according to the Johnson County District Attorneys Office.Guzman was accused of distributing the drugs that led to the death of Wesley Howard on Feb. 20, 2022.Guzman is being held in the Johnson County Detention Center on a $250,000 bond. He is due back in court Oct. 19, according to the district attorney's office.

Kan. man charged with selling fentanyl that led to fatal overdose

JOHNSON COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run are asking the public for assistance in locating a white Truck Tractor with silver tank trailer, according to the Overland Park Police Department.

 This vehicle was involved in the fatality hit-and-run October 9 on Interstate 435 at Metcalf Avenue.

&nbsp;The vehicle pulled over and stopped westbound Interstate 435 in the area of Antioch Road.  After a brief time, the driver continued westbound&nbsp; and then exited to southbound Interstate 35. 

Police are continuing to track the movements through the use of cameras.  Any help identifying this vehicle with markings or company names email: pdtrafficunit@opkansas.org&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697226335288.png" alt="Photo Overland Park Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Overland Park Police</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY&nbsp; —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal hit-and-run are asking the public for assistance in locating a white Truck Tractor with silver tank trailer, according to the Overland Park Police Department. This vehicle was involved in the fatality hit-and-run October 9 on Interstate 435 at Metcalf Avenue.&nbsp;The vehicle pulled over and stopped westbound Interstate 435 in the area of Antioch Road. After a brief time, the driver continued westbound&nbsp; and then exited to southbound Interstate 35. Police are continuing to track the movements through the use of cameras. Any help identifying this vehicle with markings or company names email: pdtrafficunit@opkansas.org&nbsp;

Police looking for semi involved in fatal Kan. hit-and-run

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/kelciemoseley-morris/">KELCIE MOSELEY-MORRIS</a>

A group of more than 600 Democratic legislators from Kansas, Missouri and 47 other states have signed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court urging the justices to overturn an appellate court decision that would roll back access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used to safely terminate early pregnancies and treat miscarriages.

The amicus brief, also called a “friend of the court” brief, was organized by State Innovation Exchange’s Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council and assembled over the past week, said Jennifer Driver, the group’s senior director of reproductive rights. Driver said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://stateinnovation.org/">State Innovation Exchange</a>, also known as SiX, provides tools and resources for state legislators to advocate for progressive public policies after being elected to office.

Driver said SiX did ask Republican legislators to sign on as well, but didn’t manage to garner any bipartisan support.

Every state, with the exception of Mississippi, had Democratic legislators who signed their names to the brief, with the highest number of participants from Illinois, followed by North Carolina, New York and Colorado. Driver said 13 state representatives from Arkansas also signed on.

“This statement should say that across the country, in almost every state, there are legislators that are saying their ability to protect their community should not be interfered with,” Driver said. “Even in ruby red states, there are legislators who are still fighting for abortion access, and they understand the ramifications of what happened in Dobbs and what could happen in this case.”

Upholding 5th Circuit would mean reinstating prior restrictions on pill&nbsp;

The Supreme Court has<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-justice-department-asks-supreme-court-take-abortion-pill-case">&nbsp;not yet accepted</a>&nbsp;the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine’s case against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but the court already involved itself in April by<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-preserves-access-abortion-pill-lawsuit-continues">&nbsp;temporarily blocking</a>&nbsp;the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision. If the high court declines to hear the case or upholds the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/23/23-10362-CV1.pdf">&nbsp;appellate court’s ruling</a>, the FDA’s rules that allowed expanded access of mifepristone would be struck down.

That would include the ability for providers to prescribe the medication via telehealth or send the medication in the mail, and it would decrease the time limit from 10 weeks of pregnancy to seven weeks. The results of most pregnancy tests are not reliable until after an individual has already missed a period at four weeks of pregnancy.

It would also require patients to see providers at three separate clinic appointments in person, which would be especially difficult for those traveling from one of the 14 states with abortion bans to access care.

The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine is a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://clearinghouse.net/case/43886/">group</a>&nbsp;of four anti-abortion organizations and four doctors that formed in 2022 and incorporated in Amarillo, Texas. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who is in Amarillo, made the initial ruling that would have revoked mifepristone’s approval in its entirety, leading some to conclude the plaintiffs chose to incorporate there for a favorable outcome in Kacsmaryk’s court.

The plaintiffs are represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a religious conservative group that recruits and trains attorneys to litigate cultural issue cases, including abortion, anti-LGBTQ legislation and what they consider violations of Christian religious freedom. The same organization was also involved in the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning the constitutional right to an abortion. The attorneys have argued the FDA illegally approved mifepristone in 2000, and have repeatedly contended that the drug is unsafe and responsible for many deaths — a claim that is<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/suspect-science-and-claims-center-abortion-pill-lawsuit">&nbsp;not backed</a>&nbsp;by credible sources.

According to the FDA, 28 deaths out of an estimated 5.6 million people in 23 years have been associated with mifepristone’s regimen for terminating a pregnancy, which is a markedly lower rate than many common FDA-approved drugs, like<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-02-17/abortion-pill-mifepristone-is-safer-than-tylenol-and-almost-impossible-to-get">&nbsp;Tylenol and Viagra</a>. And as the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/media/164331/download">&nbsp;FDA notes</a>, that small number includes fatal cases “regardless of causal attribution to mifepristone,” including people who died from homicide, suicide and pulmonary emphysema.

Legislators in Minnesota, North Carolina take the lead on brief

In the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf">&nbsp;Dobbs decision</a>, written by Justice Samuel Alito and issued in June 2022, the justices in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade said the regulation of abortion should be left to the states, “in accordance with the views of its citizens,” just as it was prior to the Roe ruling in 1973.

“It is time to heed the (U.S.) Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives,” Alito wrote.

That’s one of the reasons why the legislators decided to submit the brief, said Minnesota Democratic state Sen. Erin Maye Quade, one of two lawmakers leading the effort. While the legislators who signed on aren’t saying they agree with the Dobbs decision or the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the law, the justices’ own logic for the decision demonstrates that federal courts should not come between state laws on the issue of abortion.

“This (case) gives them an opportunity to decide whether abortion is really going to be up to states or not,” Maye Quade told States Newsroom on Tuesday.

The representatives and senators also argue that elected officials rely on the FDA’s authority to approve medications on the market, and allowing the 5th Circuit’s ruling to stand would undermine that authority. In a state like Minnesota, which is almost entirely surrounded by states with abortion bans, access to mifepristone is vital, Maye Quade said. Following Texas’ implementation of its abortion ban prior to the Dobbs ruling in 2022, Minnesota started to see an increase in patients seeking care. Maye Quade said there was a 20% increase in the state in 2022, and in 2023, the numbers continue to increase.

The other lawmaker leading the case is Rep. Julie von Haefen, a Democrat in North Carolina’s General Assembly. The legislature in North Carolina passed Senate Bill 20 earlier this year, banning abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy and requiring patients to receive counseling at least 72 hours before the termination is scheduled to take place. A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.guttmacher.org/2023/10/first-month-after-north-carolinas-latest-abortion-restrictions-facility-based-abortions?utm_source=Guttmacher+Email+Alerts&amp;utm_campaign=bdacbbe2a3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_10_09_06_20&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-bdacbbe2a3-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D">report issued Wednesday</a>&nbsp;by the Guttmacher Institute showed between June and July, when the law went into effect, abortions decreased by 31%. North Carolina was an access point for many people in surrounding states, von Haefen said, and that drop was jarring.

“We just believe that the Supreme Court made this decision in Dobbs, and they have to step in and say, ‘No more, we have to leave these decisions to state legislators,’” von Haefen said.

According to the U.S. Supreme Court’s<a target="_blank" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/23-235.html">&nbsp;docket</a>, attorneys for the plaintiffs are scheduled to file their brief in opposition to the court taking the case by Nov. 9.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680967437018.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/kelciemoseley-morris/">KELCIE MOSELEY-MORRIS</a>A group of more than 600 Democratic legislators from Kansas, Missouri and 47 other states have signed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court urging the justices to overturn an appellate court decision that would roll back access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used to safely terminate early pregnancies and treat miscarriages.The amicus brief, also called a “friend of the court” brief, was organized by State Innovation Exchange’s Reproductive Freedom Leadership Council and assembled over the past week, said Jennifer Driver, the group’s senior director of reproductive rights. Driver said&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://stateinnovation.org/">State Innovation Exchange</a>, also known as SiX, provides tools and resources for state legislators to advocate for progressive public policies after being elected to office.Driver said SiX did ask Republican legislators to sign on as well, but didn’t manage to garner any bipartisan support.Every state, with the exception of Mississippi, had Democratic legislators who signed their names to the brief, with the highest number of participants from Illinois, followed by North Carolina, New York and Colorado. Driver said 13 state representatives from Arkansas also signed on.“This statement should say that across the country, in almost every state, there are legislators that are saying their ability to protect their community should not be interfered with,” Driver said. “Even in ruby red states, there are legislators who are still fighting for abortion access, and they understand the ramifications of what happened in Dobbs and what could happen in this case.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697231554048.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697231693781.png" alt="A group of more than 600 Democratic legislators from 49 states signed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court urging the justices to overturn an appellate court decision that would roll back access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used to safely terminate early pregnancies and treat miscarriages." />
 <figcaption>A group of more than 600 Democratic legislators from 49 states signed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court urging the justices to overturn an appellate court decision that would roll back access to mifepristone, one of two drugs used to safely terminate early pregnancies and treat miscarriages.</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Upholding 5th Circuit would mean reinstating prior restrictions on pill&nbsp;</h2>The Supreme Court has<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-justice-department-asks-supreme-court-take-abortion-pill-case">&nbsp;not yet accepted</a>&nbsp;the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine’s case against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but the court already involved itself in April by<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-preserves-access-abortion-pill-lawsuit-continues">&nbsp;temporarily blocking</a>&nbsp;the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision. If the high court declines to hear the case or upholds the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/23/23-10362-CV1.pdf">&nbsp;appellate court’s ruling</a>, the FDA’s rules that allowed expanded access of mifepristone would be struck down.That would include the ability for providers to prescribe the medication via telehealth or send the medication in the mail, and it would decrease the time limit from 10 weeks of pregnancy to seven weeks. The results of most pregnancy tests are not reliable until after an individual has already missed a period at four weeks of pregnancy.It would also require patients to see providers at three separate clinic appointments in person, which would be especially difficult for those traveling from one of the 14 states with abortion bans to access care.The Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine is a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://clearinghouse.net/case/43886/">group</a>&nbsp;of four anti-abortion organizations and four doctors that formed in 2022 and incorporated in Amarillo, Texas. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, who is in Amarillo, made the initial ruling that would have revoked mifepristone’s approval in its entirety, leading some to conclude the plaintiffs chose to incorporate there for a favorable outcome in Kacsmaryk’s court.The plaintiffs are represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom, a religious conservative group that recruits and trains attorneys to litigate cultural issue cases, including abortion, anti-LGBTQ legislation and what they consider violations of Christian religious freedom. The same organization was also involved in the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision overturning the constitutional right to an abortion. The attorneys have argued the FDA illegally approved mifepristone in 2000, and have repeatedly contended that the drug is unsafe and responsible for many deaths — a claim that is<a target="_blank" href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/suspect-science-and-claims-center-abortion-pill-lawsuit">&nbsp;not backed</a>&nbsp;by credible sources.According to the FDA, 28 deaths out of an estimated 5.6 million people in 23 years have been associated with mifepristone’s regimen for terminating a pregnancy, which is a markedly lower rate than many common FDA-approved drugs, like<a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2022-02-17/abortion-pill-mifepristone-is-safer-than-tylenol-and-almost-impossible-to-get">&nbsp;Tylenol and Viagra</a>. And as the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.fda.gov/media/164331/download">&nbsp;FDA notes</a>, that small number includes fatal cases “regardless of causal attribution to mifepristone,” including people who died from homicide, suicide and pulmonary emphysema.<h2>Legislators in Minnesota, North Carolina take the lead on brief</h2>In the<a target="_blank" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/21pdf/19-1392_6j37.pdf">&nbsp;Dobbs decision</a>, written by Justice Samuel Alito and issued in June 2022, the justices in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade said the regulation of abortion should be left to the states, “in accordance with the views of its citizens,” just as it was prior to the Roe ruling in 1973.“It is time to heed the (U.S.) Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives,” Alito wrote.That’s one of the reasons why the legislators decided to submit the brief, said Minnesota Democratic state Sen. Erin Maye Quade, one of two lawmakers leading the effort. While the legislators who signed on aren’t saying they agree with the Dobbs decision or the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the law, the justices’ own logic for the decision demonstrates that federal courts should not come between state laws on the issue of abortion.“This (case) gives them an opportunity to decide whether abortion is really going to be up to states or not,” Maye Quade told States Newsroom on Tuesday.The representatives and senators also argue that elected officials rely on the FDA’s authority to approve medications on the market, and allowing the 5th Circuit’s ruling to stand would undermine that authority. In a state like Minnesota, which is almost entirely surrounded by states with abortion bans, access to mifepristone is vital, Maye Quade said. Following Texas’ implementation of its abortion ban prior to the Dobbs ruling in 2022, Minnesota started to see an increase in patients seeking care. Maye Quade said there was a 20% increase in the state in 2022, and in 2023, the numbers continue to increase.The other lawmaker leading the case is Rep. Julie von Haefen, a Democrat in North Carolina’s General Assembly. The legislature in North Carolina passed Senate Bill 20 earlier this year, banning abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy and requiring patients to receive counseling at least 72 hours before the termination is scheduled to take place. A&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.guttmacher.org/2023/10/first-month-after-north-carolinas-latest-abortion-restrictions-facility-based-abortions?utm_source=Guttmacher+Email+Alerts&amp;utm_campaign=bdacbbe2a3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_10_09_06_20&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_term=0_-bdacbbe2a3-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D">report issued Wednesday</a>&nbsp;by the Guttmacher Institute showed between June and July, when the law went into effect, abortions decreased by 31%. North Carolina was an access point for many people in surrounding states, von Haefen said, and that drop was jarring.“We just believe that the Supreme Court made this decision in Dobbs, and they have to step in and say, ‘No more, we have to leave these decisions to state legislators,’” von Haefen said.According to the U.S. Supreme Court’s<a target="_blank" href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/23-235.html">&nbsp;docket</a>, attorneys for the plaintiffs are scheduled to file their brief in opposition to the court taking the case by Nov. 9.

Legislators in Kan., Mo. ask SCOTUS to preserve access to abortion pill

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Kansas City-area shooting have a suspect in custody.

&nbsp;The shooting occurred Wednesday at a school bus stop in the 900 Block of Imperial Lane, according to the Blue Springs Police Department.&nbsp; The victim was transported to the hospital.

On Thursday police reported the arrest of&nbsp; 24-year-old Vatece Davis of Lee’s Summit on requested charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Armed Criminal Action and Stealing. She is being held on a $200,000 bond.

Police have not reported an update on the condition of the victim.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697157999338.png" alt="Security camera image Blue Springs Police" />
 <figcaption>Security camera image Blue Springs Police</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a Kansas City-area shooting have a suspect in custody.&nbsp;The shooting occurred Wednesday at a school bus stop in the 900 Block of Imperial Lane, according to the Blue Springs Police Department.&nbsp; The victim was transported to the hospital.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/10/1697229669535.png" alt="Davis-photo Jackson County Jail" />
 <figcaption>Davis-photo Jackson County Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>On Thursday police reported the arrest of&nbsp; 24-year-old Vatece Davis of Lee’s Summit on requested charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Armed Criminal Action and Stealing. She is being held on a $200,000 bond.Police have not reported an update on the condition of the victim.

Police capture woman in KC-area bus stop shooting 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man charged in the museum heist of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/solen-ruby-slippers-wizard-of-oz-5d142469ad5f052f6af053d20dbf20c4">a pair of ruby slippers</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/judy-garland">Judy Garland</a>&nbsp;wore in the “The Wizard of Oz” pleaded guilty Friday in a deal that could keep him out of prison due to his failing health, but only cleared up some of the mystery that dates back 18 years.

Terry Jon Martin, 76, pleaded guilty to a single count of theft of a major artwork. The shoes were stolen in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in the late actor's hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and recovered by the FBI in 2018.

No one was arrested until Martin, who lives near Grand Rapids, was charged this year. During his change-of-plea hearing in federal court in Duluth, Martin said he used a hammer to smash the glass of the museum door and display case to take the slippers. He said he thought the slippers had real rubies and that he had hoped to sell the gems. But when a fence told him the rubies were glass, he said he got rid of the slippers.

Martin did not say how he got rid of them or to whom he gave them, leaving the slippers' whereabouts during the ensuing years a mystery. He did say that the theft had nothing to do with trying to get insurance money, as some have speculated.

“Terry has no idea where they were and how they were recovered," Martin’s attorney, Dane DeKrey, said afterward. "His involvement was that two-day period in 2005.”

Under the plea agreement, DeKrey and federal prosecutor Matt Greenley recommended that Martin not face any time behind bars because of his age and poor health. Martin, who appeared in court in a wheelchair with supplemental oxygen, has advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and struggles to breathe, DeKrey said. The proposed sentence would let Martin die at home, the attorney said.

“He's basically slowly suffocating to death,” DeKrey said.

Martin, who has a 1988 conviction for receiving stolen goods, remained free on his own recognizance after the hearing. U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz, the chief federal judge for Minnesota, ordered a presentence investigation and said he'd likely schedule the sentencing for about 2 1/2 months from now.

Schiltz told Martin that he isn't legally bound by the sentencing recommendation by the defense and prosecution. According to DeKrey, the nonbinding federal sentencing guidelines recommended eight to 10 years in similar cases.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684352824766.png" alt="FILE - A pair of ruby slippers once worn by actress Judy Garland in the "The Wizard of Oz" sit on display at a news conference on Sept. 4, 2018, at the FBI office in Brooklyn Center, Minn. Federal prosecutors say a man has been indicted by a grand jury on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, on charges of stealing a pair of ruby red slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz.” The FBI recovered the slippers in 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Baenen, File)" />
 <figcaption>FILE - A pair of ruby slippers once worn by actress Judy Garland in the "The Wizard of Oz" sit on display at a news conference on Sept. 4, 2018, at the FBI office in Brooklyn Center, Minn. Federal prosecutors say a man has been indicted by a grand jury on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, on charges of stealing a pair of ruby red slippers worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz.” The FBI recovered the slippers in 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Baenen, File)</figcaption>
 </figure>MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man charged in the museum heist of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/solen-ruby-slippers-wizard-of-oz-5d142469ad5f052f6af053d20dbf20c4">a pair of ruby slippers</a>&nbsp;that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/judy-garland">Judy Garland</a>&nbsp;wore in the “The Wizard of Oz” pleaded guilty Friday in a deal that could keep him out of prison due to his failing health, but only cleared up some of the mystery that dates back 18 years.Terry Jon Martin, 76, pleaded guilty to a single count of theft of a major artwork. The shoes were stolen in 2005 from the Judy Garland Museum in the late actor's hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and recovered by the FBI in 2018.No one was arrested until Martin, who lives near Grand Rapids, was charged this year. During his change-of-plea hearing in federal court in Duluth, Martin said he used a hammer to smash the glass of the museum door and display case to take the slippers. He said he thought the slippers had real rubies and that he had hoped to sell the gems. But when a fence told him the rubies were glass, he said he got rid of the slippers.Martin did not say how he got rid of them or to whom he gave them, leaving the slippers' whereabouts during the ensuing years a mystery. He did say that the theft had nothing to do with trying to get insurance money, as some have speculated.“Terry has no idea where they were and how they were recovered," Martin’s attorney, Dane DeKrey, said afterward. "His involvement was that two-day period in 2005.”Under the plea agreement, DeKrey and federal prosecutor Matt Greenley recommended that Martin not face any time behind bars because of his age and poor health. Martin, who appeared in court in a wheelchair with supplemental oxygen, has advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and struggles to breathe, DeKrey said. The proposed sentence would let Martin die at home, the attorney said.“He's basically slowly suffocating to death,” DeKrey said.Martin, who has a 1988 conviction for receiving stolen goods, remained free on his own recognizance after the hearing. U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz, the chief federal judge for Minnesota, ordered a presentence investigation and said he'd likely schedule the sentencing for about 2 1/2 months from now.Schiltz told Martin that he isn't legally bound by the sentencing recommendation by the defense and prosecution. According to DeKrey, the nonbinding federal sentencing guidelines recommended eight to 10 years in similar cases.The U.S. attorney's office said it would have no comment until after Martin is sentenced.Garland wore several pairs of ruby slippers during filming of the classic 1939 musical, but only four authentic pairs are known to remain. The stolen slippers were insured for $1 million, but federal prosecutors put the current market value at about $3.5 million.The FBI said a man approached the insurer in 2017 and said he could help get them back. The slippers were&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/5f15402e28f04341b6a25d179b070fc5">recovered during an FBI sting</a>&nbsp;in Minneapolis. The FBI has never disclosed how it tracked down the slippers, which remain in the agency's custody.The slippers were on loan to the museum from Hollywood memorabilia collector Michael Shaw when Martin stole them. Three other pairs that Garland wore in the movie are held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.si.edu/object/dorothys-ruby-slippers:nmah_670130">Smithsonian Museum of American History</a>&nbsp;and a private collector.Several&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/958ee83929104907b80b387d92bb71e8">rewards were offered</a>&nbsp;over the years in hopes of figuring out who stole the slippers, which were key props in the 1939 movie. Garland’s character, Dorothy, has to click the slippers' heels three times and repeat, “There’s no place like home,” to return home to Kansas.Garland was born Frances Gumm in 1922. She&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/16889e9c55dd4728a45ee11a783b74de">lived in Grand Rapids,</a>&nbsp;about 200 miles (320 kilometers) north of Minneapolis, until she was 4, when her family moved to Los Angeles. She died in 1969.The&nbsp;<a href="http://www.judygarlandmuseum.com/">Judy Garland Museum,</a>&nbsp;which is in the house where she lived, says it has the world’s largest collection of Garland and Wizard of Oz memorabilia.___