TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A preliminary report says a small plane that crashed in suburban Chicago was nearly vertical to the ground when it went down, killing three Kansas physicians.

The National Transportation Safety Board report does not detail a cause of the Oct. 12 accident in the Chicago suburb of Palos Hills, Illinois. The crash killed Tausif Rehman and Ali Kanchwala, both physicians at Stormont-Vail HealthCare of Topeka, and Maria Javaid, a cardiologist at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the preliminary report says Rehman was piloting the twin-engine Beechcraft Baron when it took off from Midway Airport in Chicago bound for Lawrence, Kansas.

Weather conditions at the time included mist and overcast skies but the preliminary report doesn’t say whether that contributed to the crash.

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -€” Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback says he and top officials in his administration are asking the federal government to withdraw a new rule asserting regulatory authority over many of the nation’s streams and wetlands.

Brownback had a Statehouse news conference Thursday to announce that he and five members of his Cabinet are sending a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s administrator.

The Republican governor has made his opposition to the rule part of his re-election campaign ahead of the Nov. 4 election. He’s in a tough race with Democratic challenger Paul Davis.

The EPA contends the rule clarifies which waters are shielded from development under federal law.

But farm-state officials contend the rule would allow the federal government to dictate what farmers and others can do on their land.

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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback is preparing to announce new efforts by Kansas to protest a new federal rule asserting regulatory authority over many of the nation’s streams and wetlands.

Brownback was having a Statehouse news conference Thursday to discuss the rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Republican governor has made his opposition to the rule part of his re-election campaign in rural areas ahead of the Nov. 4 election. He’s in a tough race with Democratic challenger Paul Davis.

The EPA contends the rule clarifies which waters are shielded from development under federal law.

But agriculture groups and farm-state officials like Brownback call the proposed rule a power grab that would allow the government to dictate what farmers can do on their own land.

TOM KRISHER, AP Auto Writer

DETROIT (AP) — Two U.S. senators are calling on U.S. auto safety regulators to immediately issue a nationwide recall for cars with faulty air bags made by Takata Corp.

SPRINGFIELD (AP) – Missouri State University officials are denouncing treatment that some people received during a protest at homecoming events.

The protesters who marched silently through homecoming festivities on the Springfield campus Saturday say they were met with racial slurs and gun gestures.

University officials said in a statement Tuesday that it doesn’t condone actions or comments made against people who are practicing free speech. And on Twitter, Athletic Director Kyle Moats apologized for ordering the removal of the group’s chalked protest messages, which included messages such as “Black Lives Matter” and outlines of bodies.

The Springfield News-Leader reports Moats said he ordered the chalk removed because he thought the comments were incendiary and inappropriate. He said he plans to apologize in person to the protest organizers.

KANSAS CITY (AP) – The ride-sharing company Lyft will temporarily stop operating in Kansas City while it works out an agreement to operate legally in the city.

Lyft officials said Wednesday that the drivers will stop working Friday for up to 60 days.

The Kansas City Star reports the agreement, which requires a federal judge’s approval, also temporarily stops a federal court lawsuit scheduled to go to trial in December.

Lyft uses a smartphone app to link passengers with part-time drivers in their own vehicles.

The city and Lyft have been at odds since the company arrived in Kansas City in May. The city contends the company should have to follow regulations governing taxis. But Lyft argues it is a different business than taxis and should have to follow the requirements.

Two Kansas City, Kan., teens are facing federal drug charges after an incident that occurred earlier this month in northwest Kansas.

In a news release, the office of U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom announced Wednesday that Ramiro Madrigal, 19, and Armando Rodriguez, Jr., 19, both of Kansas City, were charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count each of traveling from Nevada to Kansas in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The crimes are alleged to have occurred Oct. 15 in Thomas County.

If convicted, they face a penalty of not less than 10 years and a fine up to $4 million on each of the first two counts and a maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000 on the third count. The Kansas Highway Patrol investigated, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.

SPRINGFIELD (AP) – A former high school superintendent accused of murdering a Springfield couple has lost a bid to be released on bond while he awaits trial.

Mark Edward Porter is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the April deaths of Gary and Jan Tyrrell. On Wednesday, he waived his preliminary hearing before a judge rejected his request to receive bond.

Porter was superintendent at the Mountain Grove School District when Gary Tyrrell was assistant superintendent. Prosecutors allege Porter killed the couple because they turned down his request for a $250,000 loan. The Springfield News-Leader reports court documents indicate Porter had gambling issues.

Porter’s attorney argued Wednesday that Porter should be released on bond because he was a well-educated family man with no criminal record.

DALLAS- The dog in Texas being monitored for Ebola passed his first test.

According to a media release from the city of Dallas, samples from Bentley were sent to a lab to be tested for Ebola. The test results show that Bentley has tested negative for the virus. Specimen collection will be conducted again before the end of the 21-day quarantine period. Bentley will be monitored for a full 21-day period, similar to people exposed to the Ebola virus.

The City of Dallas Animal Services is overseeing Bentley’s care in partnership with the Texas Animal Health Commission, Texas A&M University and the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Nina Pham, Bentley’s owner, continues to be cared for at the National Institutes of Health, NIH, in Maryland. The City of Dallas and DAS are communicating daily updates to Nina on the testing throughout the process.

GREENFIELD (AP) – A southwest Missouri man is now charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of his mother.

Charges against 28-year-old Jason William Fury of Golden City were amended this week after his mother, 58-year-old Sherry Fury, died Monday of a gunshot wound to the head. She had been hospitalized in Springfield since being shot Oct. 14 at her home outside Golden City.

Jason Fury also is charged with armed criminal action.

The Joplin Globe reports Dade County Sheriff Max Huffman says Jason Fury called authorities after the shooting and was standing outside the home when officers arrived. Fury told investigators he remembered retrieving a handgun from his truck but he blacked out and didn’t remember the shooting.