WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials said Monday that improvements ordered by President Joe Biden to strengthen defenses against Chinese espionage helped identify last week's spy balloon — and determine that similar flights were conducted at multiple points during the Trump administration.

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (AP) — Authorities planned to release toxic chemicals into the air from five derailed tanker cars that were in danger of exploding Monday, telling residents near the Ohio-Pennsylvania state line to leave immediately or face the possibility of death.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Though the Insight Women's Center sits at the epicenter of a reinvigorated battle in the nation's culture wars, the only hint of its faith-based mission to dissuade people from getting abortions is the jazzy, piano rendition of 'Jesus Loves Me' playing in a waiting room.

 - Local doctor speaks of hospital trials

 - County dicusses jail water heaters

 - Stratton strives to be best local car salesman

 - Senior happy to help lead underclassmen

 - Arapaho-Butler teams sweep Erick for Senior Night

With the Clinton Hospital still closed, many area health care providers have seen an increase in sicker patients along with challenges in providing routine care like lab work and radiology. While an opening date for the hospital is still unset, Dr. Robert Blakeburn believes the future of the hospital is a positive one, even with the current challenges health care officials are facing now.

The Custer County Board of Commissioners discussed ongoing needed repairs to the Custer County Jail during their regular meeting Monday. The conversation came after commissioners moved to begin quarterly jail inspections as part of their responsibility to look after county properties.

In 1904, the Great Fire of Baltimore began, resulting in the destruction of more than 1,500 buildings in 31 hours.

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