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The Latest: White House links bomb, immigration issue

NEW YORK (AP) — The Latest on the explosion in a New York City subway passageway (all times local):

3 p.m.

A White House spokeswoman says a pipe bomb explosion in New York City’s subway system shows the need for “immigration reform.”

Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Monday that Congress should work with the president, stressing the need to “protect our borders” and calling for a “merit-based” immigration system.

Authorities say a man inspired by the Islamic State group set off a pipe bomb strapped to his body in a subway corridor near Times Square, injuring himself and wounding three others.

Law enforcement officials say the man came to the U.S. from Bangladesh seven years ago with a type of preferential visa for people with relatives who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

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2:15 p.m.

The suspect in a pipe bomb explosion in New York City’s subway system at one point had a license to drive livery cars and for-hire vehicles.

Authorities have identified the attacker as 27-year-old Akayed Ullah. The blast in an underground subway corridor during the Monday morning rush hour injured three people, as well as Ullah.

New York City’s Taxi and Limousine Commission says records show he had a for-hire license from March 2012 through March 2015. It then expired and wasn’t renewed. At the time, a for-hire license did not allow someone to drive one of the city’s yellow taxis.

The TLC says there are no records to indicate if he actually used the license to work as a car driver.

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1:45 p.m.

New York’s governor says the suspect in a pipe bomb blast in New York City’s subway system may have crafted the device from online instructions, and so far it doesn’t appear to be part of a larger plot.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo told cable news channel NY1 that officials “have reason to believe that this person went to the internet and found out how to make a homemade bomb.”

Authorities identified the attacker as 27-year-old Akayed Ullah. Monday’s explosion injured him, slightly wounded three other people and sent commuters fleeing in terror through a subway corridor near Times Square.

Cuomo says he’s boosting security at high-profile spots statewide. The Democrat also suggests internet companies need to look at the access potential attackers have to what he calls “garbage and vileness” online.

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1:10 p.m.

Law enforcement is stepping up patrols at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority train stations after a pipe bomb went off in a crowded subway corridor in New York City.

Boston police say that while there doesn’t appear to be a specific threat to the area at this time, police are increasing their presence at major MBTA train stations.

MBTA Transit Police Superintendent Richard Sullivan says he contacted the Joint Terrorism Task Force and state and local law enforcement agencies in the wake of the Monday explosion.

Sullivan says additional EDU teams— bomb detecting dogs and their handlers —will be deployed through the system.

The crude pipe bomb strapped to a man went off in an underground passageway in the Times Square area during the morning rush hour.

Massachusetts State Police are monitoring the investigation

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12:40 p.m.

Law enforcement officials say the 27-year-old man who set off a pipe bomb in the New York City subway came to the U.S. from Bangladesh seven years ago with a type of preferential visa for people with relatives who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The officials say Akayed Ullah was living in Brooklyn. They say he told investigators Monday he was inspired by the Islamic State group to carry out an attack, but had no direct contact with the terror group. They say he is speaking with investigators from his hospital bed. The suspect had burns on his abdomen and also to his hands

Officials say he assembled the crude device in his apartment. Investigators are talking to witnesses and his family.

The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the blast.

Bangladesh has been expanding its anti-terror operations after grisly attacks killed dozens of people.

Three others suffered minor injuries in the blast.

—By Colleen Long and Michael Balsamo.

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Noon

The mayor of Paris is expressing support for New York City and those wounded in a pipe bomb explosion in an underground passageway in the Times Square area.

Mayor Anne Hidalgo said Monday that “New York has been by our side each time we have been hit by attacks and threats, and Paris is also by the side of New York.”

Hidalgo, whose city has been hit by multiple attacks in recent years, said she was thinking of New York Mayor Bill De Blasio after Monday’s blast.

Speaking ahead of an international climate summit, she said “when something like that happens in one of our cities, we are all on alert.”

A crude pipe bomb strapped to a man inspired by the Islamic State Group went off in a crowded subway corridor, injuring the man and three others.

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11:55 a.m.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says he has ordered extra security at mass transit hubs in his state following the pipe bomb explosion in a passageway near Times Square in Manhattan.

New Jersey Transit buses have resumed normal service Monday into New York City’s Port Authority Bus Terminal.

New York City also has reopened its subways amid heightened city-wide security after a man with a pipe bomb strapped to him caused an explosion in an underground passageway in the Times Square area during the morning rush hour.

Law enforcement officials tell The Associated Press that Akayed Ullah was inspired by the Islamic State Group, but apparently had no direct contact with the terrorist group. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the suspect or incident.

The suspect had burns on his abdomen and also to his hands. Three others suffered minor injuries, including headaches and ringing in the ears.

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10:20 a.m.

New York City has reopened its subways amid heightened city-wide security after a man with a pipe bomb strapped to him caused an explosion in an underground passageway in the Times Square area during the morning rush hour.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Joseph Lhota (LOH’-tuh) says trains on the Seventh and Eighth avenue lines were still bypassing the Times Square corridor as the investigation proceeded Monday morning. But he says overall service is back to normal.

Law enforcement officials tell The Associated Press that Akayed Ullah was inspired by the Islamic State Group, but apparently had no direct contact with the terrorist group. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the suspect or incident.

Police say he attached the device to his body with Velcro and zip ties.

— By Colleen Long

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10 a.m.

New York City police say they are combing through video of the bombing in the subway system.

They say the suspect meant to set off the bomb, but it’s not clear if he meant to do so in a passageway in the Times Square area where it went off Monday during the morning rush hour.

Twenty-seven-year-old Akayed Ullah is in police custody. Officials say he sustained burns to his abdomen and hands and cuts after the crude pipe bomb exploded.

Law enforcement officials say Ullah was inspired by the Islamic State, but apparently had no direct contact with the terrorist group. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the suspect or incident.

— By Colleen Long

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9:55 a.m.

Police have identified the 27-year-old man who detonated an explosive device strapped to his body in the New York City subway.

Police say Akayed Ullah intentionally exploded the crude device in a passageway under Times Square during the morning rush hour Monday. They say he is in custody. They say the device is a crudely-made pipe bomb.

Authorities called the incident an attempted terrorist attack. Three others suffered minor injuries, including headaches and ringing in the ears.

The suspect had burns on his abdomen and also to his hands.

Law enforcement officials say he was inspired by the Islamic State, but had apparently not had any direct contact with the terror group.

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9:45 a.m.

Police Commissioner James O’Neill says the device that exploded in the New York City subway was a terror-related incident.

A 27-year-old man had a crude pipe bomb strapped to him and it went off in a passageway from Seventh and Eighth Avenues near Times Square.

Three people suffered minor non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was also injured and was taken into custody.

Mayor Bill de Blasio says the device that exploded in the New York City subway was an attempted terrorist attack. He says it’s lucky the suspect didn’t achieve his ultimate goals.

Law enforcement officials say he was inspired by the Islamic State, but had apparently not had any direct contact with the terror group.

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9:40 a.m.

A photo published by the New York Post from the scene of the Manhattan subway explosion shows a bearded man crumpled on the ground with his shirt apparently blown off and a police officer holding the man’s hands behind his back.

Soot covers the man’s bare midriff.

The Fire Department of New York says four people, including the suspect, have been hurt following the pipe bomb explosion at the height of the morning rush hour Monday.

None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.

A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that a man had a pipe bomb strapped to him when it went off. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the incident.

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9:30 a.m.

The Fire Department of New York says four people, including the suspect, have been hurt following a pipe bomb explosion in a New York City subway at the height of the morning rush hour.

Fire officials say Monday none of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening.

Police say the pipe bomb explosion inside the subway happened in an underground passageway between Seventh and Eighth Avenues on 42nd Street.

A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that a man had a pipe bomb strapped to him when it went off. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the incident.

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9:15 a.m.

Police say the pipe bomb explosion inside the New York City subway happened in an underground passageway between Seventh and Eighth Avenues on 42nd Street.

The explosion filled the passageway with smoke while it was crowded with throngs of Monday morning commuters.

A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that a man had a pipe bomb strapped to him when it went off. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the incident.

The person was arrested and has non-life-threatening injuries. Another person on the platform sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

The Port Authority Bus Terminal, the nation’s largest bus hub, was shut down, along with the eight subway lines and all streets around Times Square.

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8:45 a.m.

A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that a man had a pipe bomb strapped to him when it went off on a New York City subway platform.

The explosion happened around 7:30 a.m. Monday. Details were still developing.

The person was arrested and has non-life-threatening injuries. Another person on the platform sustained non-life-threatening injuries

The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the incident.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders has tweeted that President Trump has been briefed on the explosion.

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8:40 a.m.

New Jersey Transit buses headed to the Port Authority Bus Terminal are diverting to other locations following an explosion in New York City.

NJ Transit says buses are taking passengers to Secaucus and Hoboken. From there, they can take trains or PATH into the city.

Trains, PATH, light rail and ferries are honoring bus tickets into New York.

The explosion happened around 7:30 a.m. Monday. Details were still developing.

Passengers were evacuated as a precaution from the subway line where the explosion happened, near 40th Street and Eighth Avenue.

A person was arrested and has non-life-threatening injuries.

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8:25 a.m.

A law enforcement official says what is believed to be an explosive device has been set off on Manhattan subway platform.

The explosion happened around 7:30 a.m. Monday. Details were still developing.

A person was arrested and has non-life-threatening injuries.

There was no immediate word of any other injuries.

The official spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the incident.

Passengers were evacuated as a precaution from the subway line where the explosion happened, near 40th Street and Eighth Avenue.

Woman charged after child’s death

JONES SYDNEY ABUSE OF A CHILD 100000 BOND

A St. Joseph woman has been charged after the death of her six-month-old child.

As previously reported, police began investigating after the incident around midnight Thursday at a residence in the area of 200 Texas Avenue.  

According to court documents and witness statements, 27-year-old Sydney E. Jones of St. Joseph held the child under water inside of a tub while the water was running.

According to police, another child at the residence was removed for safety reasons.

Jones is charged with abuse of a child resulting in death. She is being held on $100,000 bond. An arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday.

UPDATE: Elephant rescued by NE Kansas fire department has died

Photos courtesy city of Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Topeka officials say a 35-year-old African elephant at the Topeka Zoo has died.

The elephant, named Shannon, died Monday morning after she was found lying on her side for the second day in a row.

When the 5,500-pound elephant was found on her side Sunday, Topeka fire personnel used a large strap and tripod to help lift her back into an upright position.

Zoo director Brendan Wiley said firefighters were attempting to lift the elephant again Monday morning when she took her last breath.

Wiley said zoo officials are investigating what caused the elephant’s death.

Shannon and Cora, a 59-year-old Asian elephant, arrived at the Topeka Zoo in August 2016 from a traveling elephant program based near Tampa, Florida. They joined two other elephants at the zoo.

——-

By Molly Hadfield

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Four years ago, when the Topeka Zoo’s elephant program was identifying goals for its Geriatric Elephant Management Plan, it identified a need to be able to assist an elephant back up on its feet. With the goal identified, staff began working on a plan to address a down elephant.

Focus at the zoo was placed on developing the ability to lift an elephant anywhere it was down in either the indoor or outdoor habitats. “The first phone call we made was to the fire department,” said Zoo Director Brendan Wiley. “They were willing to help.”

A team was assembled for some table top discussions. Around the table were zoo staff, firemen, crane operators, tow truck operators and others that had some experience with lifting heavy awkward
things. Not long after the first meeting in 2013, the fire department brought someone new into the picture – the Animal Search and Rescue team of the Emergency Equine Response Unit. Once or twice a year over the last three years, Topeka Zoo staff, Topeka Fire Department personnel and the Animal Search and Rescue team have trained on different down elephant scenarios. Each training led to enhancements in both equipment and technique. This morning, that training paid off.

When staff arrived at the zoo Sunday morning, Shannon, a 35 year old African elephant, was down. She was lying on her side in an indoor space with the other elephants standing guard. Staff tried to encourage Shannon to stand up. She simply couldn’t do it. At approximately 7:30 this morning, the Down Elephant Emergency Protocol was initiated. Working together the zoo, the Topeka Fire Department Technical Rescue Team and the Animal Search and Rescue Team began the process of getting straps under Shannon’s side and attached to a rigging system. A tripod was erected around her. When all was ready, the rigging was attached to a specialized hoist that began to lift Shannon up.

With the majority of Shannon’s body weight off the ground, she was given an enema for rapid hydration. She began to try to get her feet under her and failed. Several attempts later, she was able to stand and support her own weight. At approximately 11:30 this morning, she was released from the straps that had helped her stand.

During the procedure, zoo veterinary staff administered several medications. Staff were able to retrieve blood samples which will hopefully help identify the underlying cause. Shannon will be staying inside for the rest of the day. Currently, she is eating and drinking well but she needs to be kept under close observation.

Elephants typically don’t lay down for extended periods of time in part due to their body mass. In the event where an elephant is sick or injured, if it stays lying down for too long, body processes can begin that may cause the elephant to die. The older an elephant gets, the more concern this causes.

 

“What I witnessed this morning was incredible,” said Wiley. “When I first saw Shannon lying there, I didn’t think she was going to make it. Even with all the preparation we had put into this, I was still amazed by the commitment and determination of our firefighters and colleagues from Animal Search and Rescue. They saved an elephant today.”

Mo. man convicted of mother’s dog leash strangulation death

Rowland -photo Scott Co.

NEW MADRID, Mo. (AP) – A Missouri man has been convicted of killing his mother and then setting fire to a vehicle with her body and two pet dogs inside.

The Southeast Missourian reports that jurors found 29-year-old Neil Howland Jr. guilty Friday of first-degree murder and five other counts in Cynthia Canoy’s 2013 death at her Scott City home.

His attorney argued Howland confessed to protect his girlfriend after officers hinted she might be charged. The couple had a baby, and the defense said the girlfriend argued with Canoy after she threatened to take custody of the child. The defense said Howland heard a thud, found Canoy’s body at the bottom of a flight of stairs and then helped cover up the death.

The girlfriend testified that Howland strangled Canoy with a dog leash.

Rescheduled: Interstate ramp to close in St. Joseph

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – Due to weather, the ramp closure and lane closures at the intersection of westbound U.S. Route 36 and Interstate 229 that was scheduled for today will be postponed until next week.

On Monday, Dec. 18, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., the ramp from westbound U.S. Route 36 to northbound I-229 and the driving lane on westbound U.S. Route 36 at the same location will be closed. Motorists wishing to travel from westbound U.S. Route 36 to northbound I-229 will need to seek an alternate route. Motorists traveling westbound through the intersection should expect delays.

Work is still scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 12, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., for both the driving and passing lanes of westbound U.S. Route 36 at the Interstate 229 interchange. Crews will direct motorists through the intersection via the turn lane. Motorists will experience delays and may want to seek an alternate route.

MoDOT encourages all motorists to slow down, buckle up, eliminate distractions and drive safely to ensure everyone is able to Arrive Alive.

High fire danger today

Strong northwest winds, low relative humidity, and dry surface fuels will lead to extreme fire danger across the area today. All outdoor burning should be avoided. Here’s the 7-day forecast from the National Weather Service:

Today: Increasing clouds, with a high near 53. Breezy, with a northwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 23 to 28 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 41 mph.

Tonight: Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 25. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 17 to 22 mph decreasing to 8 to 13 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Northwest wind 6 to 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. West wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable.

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 54. South southwest wind 5 to 11 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.

 

2 Pitt State profs arrested amid recording nude person investigation

Barry Wilson is Chair Graphics and Imaging Technologies at Pitt State- photo Crawford County

PITTSBURG, Kan. — Two Pittsburg State University associate professors have been placed on paid leave amid an investigation into the illegal recording of a nude or partially clothed person.

Police say the two suspects Barry Wilson and Peter Rosen  were arrested last week and released on bond. One is suspected of felony breach of privacy, and the other of misdemeanor stalking.

Police said in a news release that a warrant says the victim was identifiable in a video, which was disseminated.

Provost Lynette Olson said in a news release that the university takes the allegations “very seriously” and is working with law enforcement. Olson says the two associate professors

Peter Rosen, PhD is Chair, Associate Professor
Accounting & Computer Information Systems-photo Crawford County

have been placed on paid leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

-The Associated Press contributed to this report

Meeting set for task force examining Kan. foster care system, missing children

Gina Meier-Hummel started her job December 1 as secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families. photo by
STEPHEN KORANDA / KPR

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas legislative task force on child welfare is scheduled to meet for the first time since a new top administrator took over the state agency it is examining.

The Child Welfare Task Force is scheduled to have a daylong meeting Tuesday at the Statehouse and to discuss a preliminary report for lawmakers on its findings.

Its members include Gina Meier-Hummel of Lawrence. She was director of a children’s shelter until she was named last month as secretary of the Department for Children and Families.

Meier-Hummel has replaced former Secretary Phyllis Gilmore, who retired Dec. 1.

Among other things, the task force has been examining problems with the state’s foster care system for abused and neglected children.

Some legislators had been calling on Gilmore to resign when she retired.

Hyperactive Missouri Gov. Greitens touts his physical feats

Greifens courtesy photo

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens has rappelled into a bull-riding event, crawled through dirt in a SWAT obstacle course and entered a burning building with firefighters during his first few months in office.

The 43-year-old Republican revels in the physical feats, posting videos on Facebook and using the workouts to help stay fit while keeping a demanding schedule.

Some Missouri voters say it’s cool to have such an active governor while others aren’t impressed with his efforts to project a macho image.

The new governor told The Associated Press after climbing a rock wall to promote a new veterans initiative that he wants Missouri residents to know he’s having fun while trying to improve life in the state.

Kansas City Church erects 136 white crosses for homicide victims

Norton Heights Community of Christ Church held a weekend vigil with 137 crosses photo courtesy Fox 4 Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – A collection of 136 white crosses outside a small church in Kansas City honors this year’s victims of homicide in the city.

Each cross bears the name of a homicide victim, and Pastor Peter Judd told the Kansas City Star that at least one more will be added. There have been 137 homicides so far this year, but Judd didn’t have the name of the latest victim.

The church sits in an area of the city where there has been significant violence. At least five of the homicides marked by the crosses took place within a mile of the church.

Judd says the church wanted to remind its members and the surrounding community about how many times this year people have turned to violence to settle their differences.

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