<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22GIOVANNA%20DELL%E2%80%99ORTO%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO Associated Press</a>

For more than a year, religious organizations have lobbied Congress and the Biden administration to fix a sudden procedural change in how the government processes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/faith-leaders-green-card-border-congress-f5355ad53bd7bde696b55fd39dcc4591">green cards for religious workers</a>, which threatens the ability of thousands of them to continue to minister in the United States.

The Catholic Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, and five of its priests whose legal status in the United States expires as soon as next spring, have now sued the federal agencies overseeing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/immigration">immigration</a>. They argue that the change “will cause severe and substantial disruption to the lives and religious freedoms” of the priests as well as the hundreds of thousands of Catholics they serve.

“Our priests feel we’re doing the best we can,” said Bishop Kevin Sweeney, whose dioceses covers 400,000 Catholics and 107 parishes in three New Jersey counties.

Paterson is the first diocese to bring this suit against the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said Raymond Lahoud, its attorney in the lawsuit.

But “there is a buzz out there” among similarly impacted religious groups, Lahoud added, because of how&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-religion-alabama-nigeria-0030847bd2a90880d32b0f05fed39177">reliant many are on foreign-born clergy</a>&nbsp;who build strong ties in their U.S. parishes.

“It’s so disruptive,” said Bishop Mark Seitz, who chairs the committee on migration for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The group has advocated for legislative and administrative fixes because the newly extralong delays in green card processing are “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/migration-asylum-catholic-us-mexico-border-234448ae83b1ae6fb0f4bdef95f37925">not sustainable</a>.”

In his own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-el-paso-mexico-immigration-shelters-c6a8684760041691c68b4c6b3274db96">border diocese of El Paso</a>, Texas, Seitz is facing the possibility of losing priests whose permanent residency cases now have little chance to be approved before their visas expire. The law mandates them to leave the United States for at least a year.

“One is pastor of a large, growing parish. Now I’m supposed to send him away for a year, put him on ice, as it were — and somehow provide Masses?” Seitz said.

To deal with a shortage of religious workers that has worsened in recent decades, American dioceses have long had agreements with foreign dioceses to bring in seminarians, priests and nuns from places as different as Poland, the Philippines and Nigeria, said the Rev. Thomas Gaunt of Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.

Most other faith denominations from Buddhism to Islam to Pentecostal Christians also recruit foreign-born clergy, for reasons ranging from the need to minister to growing non-English-speaking congregations to specialized training at foreign institutions steeped in a religion’s history.

Most such “religious workers,” in the U.S. government’s definition, come under temporary visas called R-1, which allow them to work in the United States for five years. That used to be plenty enough for an organization to assess if the clergy were in fact a good fit and then petition for permanent resident status — known as green cards — for them under a special category called EB-4.

Congress establishes a maximum number of green cards available per year per category, which is generally either based on types of employment or family links to U.S. citizens. The wait time depends on whether and by how much the demand exceeds the visas available in each category.

Citizens of countries with especially high demand get put in separate, often longer “lines” — currently, the most backlogged category is for the married Mexican children of U.S. citizens, where only applications filed more than 24 years ago are being processed.

Neglected or abused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-guatemala-us-election-youth-indigenous-faith-6c919ad842feac8d42f90ed9f9c871ec">minors from Guatemala</a>, Honduras and El Salvador — a surging number of whom have sought humanitarian green cards or asylum after illegally crossing into the U.S. since the mid-2010s — were also in a separate line. But in March 2023, the State Department announced that was a mistake and immediately started adding them to the general queue with the clergy.

That’s created a backlog that currently stands at more than 3.5 years and could increase. Some estimate it could take 10-15 years to get these green cards.

“This is an untenable situation,” said Lance Conklin, who co-chairs the religious workers group of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and often represents evangelical pastors. “The lawsuit is representative of the way a lot of people feel.”

The lawyers’ association, together with the bishops’ conference and other organizations, has been lobbying for long-term Congressional fixes — which most recognize will be hard to obtain given the political sensitivity of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-border-security-ukraine-a39e188fa2c6a563203d2c69eaabdc6d">immigration reform</a>&nbsp;— as well as simpler administrative changes that the agencies could implement quickly.

Among those, attorneys and advocates say, would be allowing applicants to change ministry jobs — moving from associate pastor to senior pastor, or relocating to a different convent, for example — without losing their place in the green card line. Or the government could reduce the time they need to spend outside the United States after their visa expires before they can get another one.

“We could deal with a month,” Seitz said, while the current required time is 12 months.

Most organizations are staying the course for now, hoping and praying that the administration will make at least these temporary fixes — perhaps nudged by the lawsuit, filed in August in U.S. District Court in New Jersey.

That’s largely because they don’t have other options.

Different employment visas and green cards are far more laborious and expensive to apply for, and many clergy don’t qualify. For instance, those not receiving any salary cannot show they’re being offered “prevailing wages,” one of the requirements meant to protect U.S. native workers in non-religious employment categories.

That's often the case for Catholic nuns, said Mary O’Leary, a Michigan attorney who represents religious orders.

“A lot of religious orders are not wealthy,” she said. “They’re not like Microsoft, you can’t go to a business school or computer science school and recruit.”

In the Archdiocese of Chicago, a nun who works as a school aid has to leave the country when her visa expires in a couple of weeks, said Olga Rojas, the archdiocese's senior counsel for immigration.

“This principal is so devasted,” Rojas said, adding that across the U.S. religious workers have already been forced to leave. “They want to stay and finish their work."

In some cases, their organizations are trying hard to bring the religious workers back from overseas, said Miguel Naranjo, the director of Religious Immigration Services for Catholic Legal Immigration Network.

“It’s beyond ministry,” Naranjo added, because they often provide education, healthcare, youth and other social services. “They’re the last safety net of many communities.”

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22GIOVANNA%20DELL%E2%80%99ORTO%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO Associated Press</a>For more than a year, religious organizations have lobbied Congress and the Biden administration to fix a sudden procedural change in how the government processes&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/faith-leaders-green-card-border-congress-f5355ad53bd7bde696b55fd39dcc4591">green cards for religious workers</a>, which threatens the ability of thousands of them to continue to minister in the United States.The Catholic Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, and five of its priests whose legal status in the United States expires as soon as next spring, have now sued the federal agencies overseeing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/immigration">immigration</a>. They argue that the change “will cause severe and substantial disruption to the lives and religious freedoms” of the priests as well as the hundreds of thousands of Catholics they serve.“Our priests feel we’re doing the best we can,” said Bishop Kevin Sweeney, whose dioceses covers 400,000 Catholics and 107 parishes in three New Jersey counties.Paterson is the first diocese to bring this suit against the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said Raymond Lahoud, its attorney in the lawsuit.But “there is a buzz out there” among similarly impacted religious groups, Lahoud added, because of how&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/africa-religion-alabama-nigeria-0030847bd2a90880d32b0f05fed39177">reliant many are on foreign-born clergy</a>&nbsp;who build strong ties in their U.S. parishes.“It’s so disruptive,” said Bishop Mark Seitz, who chairs the committee on migration for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The group has advocated for legislative and administrative fixes because the newly extralong delays in green card processing are “&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/migration-asylum-catholic-us-mexico-border-234448ae83b1ae6fb0f4bdef95f37925">not sustainable</a>.”In his own&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/religion-el-paso-mexico-immigration-shelters-c6a8684760041691c68b4c6b3274db96">border diocese of El Paso</a>, Texas, Seitz is facing the possibility of losing priests whose permanent residency cases now have little chance to be approved before their visas expire. The law mandates them to leave the United States for at least a year.“One is pastor of a large, growing parish. Now I’m supposed to send him away for a year, put him on ice, as it were — and somehow provide Masses?” Seitz said.To deal with a shortage of religious workers that has worsened in recent decades, American dioceses have long had agreements with foreign dioceses to bring in seminarians, priests and nuns from places as different as Poland, the Philippines and Nigeria, said the Rev. Thomas Gaunt of Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate.Most other faith denominations from Buddhism to Islam to Pentecostal Christians also recruit foreign-born clergy, for reasons ranging from the need to minister to growing non-English-speaking congregations to specialized training at foreign institutions steeped in a religion’s history.Most such “religious workers,” in the U.S. government’s definition, come under temporary visas called R-1, which allow them to work in the United States for five years. That used to be plenty enough for an organization to assess if the clergy were in fact a good fit and then petition for permanent resident status — known as green cards — for them under a special category called EB-4.Congress establishes a maximum number of green cards available per year per category, which is generally either based on types of employment or family links to U.S. citizens. The wait time depends on whether and by how much the demand exceeds the visas available in each category.Citizens of countries with especially high demand get put in separate, often longer “lines” — currently, the most backlogged category is for the married Mexican children of U.S. citizens, where only applications filed more than 24 years ago are being processed.Neglected or abused&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-guatemala-us-election-youth-indigenous-faith-6c919ad842feac8d42f90ed9f9c871ec">minors from Guatemala</a>, Honduras and El Salvador — a surging number of whom have sought humanitarian green cards or asylum after illegally crossing into the U.S. since the mid-2010s — were also in a separate line. But in March 2023, the State Department announced that was a mistake and immediately started adding them to the general queue with the clergy.That’s created a backlog that currently stands at more than 3.5 years and could increase. Some estimate it could take 10-15 years to get these green cards.“This is an untenable situation,” said Lance Conklin, who co-chairs the religious workers group of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and often represents evangelical pastors. “The lawsuit is representative of the way a lot of people feel.”The lawyers’ association, together with the bishops’ conference and other organizations, has been lobbying for long-term Congressional fixes — which most recognize will be hard to obtain given the political sensitivity of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-border-security-ukraine-a39e188fa2c6a563203d2c69eaabdc6d">immigration reform</a>&nbsp;— as well as simpler administrative changes that the agencies could implement quickly.Among those, attorneys and advocates say, would be allowing applicants to change ministry jobs — moving from associate pastor to senior pastor, or relocating to a different convent, for example — without losing their place in the green card line. Or the government could reduce the time they need to spend outside the United States after their visa expires before they can get another one.“We could deal with a month,” Seitz said, while the current required time is 12 months.Most organizations are staying the course for now, hoping and praying that the administration will make at least these temporary fixes — perhaps nudged by the lawsuit, filed in August in U.S. District Court in New Jersey.That’s largely because they don’t have other options.Different employment visas and green cards are far more laborious and expensive to apply for, and many clergy don’t qualify. For instance, those not receiving any salary cannot show they’re being offered “prevailing wages,” one of the requirements meant to protect U.S. native workers in non-religious employment categories.That's often the case for Catholic nuns, said Mary O’Leary, a Michigan attorney who represents religious orders.“A lot of religious orders are not wealthy,” she said. “They’re not like Microsoft, you can’t go to a business school or computer science school and recruit.”In the Archdiocese of Chicago, a nun who works as a school aid has to leave the country when her visa expires in a couple of weeks, said Olga Rojas, the archdiocese's senior counsel for immigration.“This principal is so devasted,” Rojas said, adding that across the U.S. religious workers have already been forced to leave. “They want to stay and finish their work."In some cases, their organizations are trying hard to bring the religious workers back from overseas, said Miguel Naranjo, the director of Religious Immigration Services for Catholic Legal Immigration Network.“It’s beyond ministry,” Naranjo added, because they often provide education, healthcare, youth and other social services. “They’re the last safety net of many communities.”___Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/ap-twir">collaboration</a>&nbsp;with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Catholic diocese sues US government, worried some foreign-born priests might be forced to leave

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel on Sunday said it had recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, including a young Israeli-American man who became one of the most well-known captives held by Hamas as his parents met with world leaders and pressed for his release.

The military said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-hostages-goldberg-polin-ade75fccee02f4f8e48cd1c2de784c06">all six had been killed</a>&nbsp;shortly before the arrival of Israeli forces. Their recovery sparked calls for mass protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom many Israelis blame for failing to bring them back alive in a deal with Hamas to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the 10-month-old war</a>. Negotiations over such a deal have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-war-news-08-21-2024-4153fa5fe0daf904f570f4e73f31d2c9">dragged on for months</a>.

Netanyahu said Israel would hold Hamas accountable for killing the hostages in “cold blood,” and blamed the militant group for the stalled negotiations, saying “whoever murders hostages doesn’t want a deal."

Militants seized Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, and four of the other hostages at a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, which triggered the war.

The native of Berkeley, California, lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack. In April, a Hamas-issued video showed him alive but with his left hand missing, sparking new protests in Israel urging the government to do more to secure the hostages' release.

The army identified the other dead hostages as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Alexander Lobanov, 33; who were also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-music-festival-6a55aae2375944f10ecc4c52d05f2ffe">taken from the music festival</a>. The sixth, Carmel Gat, 40, was abducted from the nearby farming community of Be'eri.

It said the bodies were recovered from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, around a kilometer (half a mile) from where another hostage,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-08-27-2024-696f8ee830207815efd31320976ef118">Qaid Farhan Alkadi, 52, was rescued alive last week</a>.

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesperson, said the army believed there were hostages in the area but had no specific intelligence. He said Israeli forces found the bodies several dozen meters (yards) underground as “ongoing combat” was underway, but that there was no firefight in the tunnel itself.

He said there was no doubt that Hamas had killed them.

Hamas has offered to release the hostages in return for an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.

Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, said the hostages would still be alive if Israel had accepted a U.S.- backed cease-fire proposal that Hamas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-gaza-ceasefire-negotiations-us-8509c5e68d57c96af99653c8292180b2">said it had agreed to back in July</a>.

Families of hostages call for a ‘complete halt of the country’

Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed and says military pressure is needed to bring home the hostages.

Israel's Channel 12 reported that he got into a shouting match at a security Cabinet meeting late Thursday with his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, who accused him of prioritizing control of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/why-is-israel-demanding-control-over-2-gaza-corridors-in-the-cease-fire-talks/">a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border</a>&nbsp;— a major sticking point in the talks — over the lives of the hostages. The Cabinet reportedly voted in favor of remaining in the corridor over the objections of Gallant, who said it would prevent a hostage deal.

An Israeli official confirmed the report and said three of the hostages — Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi and Gat — had been slated to be released in the first phase of a cease-fire proposal discussed back in July. The official was not authorized to brief media about the negotiations and spoke on condition of anonymity.

“In the name of the state of Israel, I hold their families close to my heart and ask forgiveness,” Gallant said Sunday after the remains were recovered. He later called for the Cabinet to reverse its decision.

A forum of hostage families called for a massive protest on Sunday, demanding a “complete halt of the country” to push for the implementation of a cease-fire and hostage release.

“A deal for the return of the hostages has been on the table for over two months. Were it not for the delays, sabotage, and excuses those whose deaths we learned about this morning would likely still be alive,” it said in a statement.

U.S. President Joe Biden, who has met with Goldberg-Polin's parents, said he was “devastated and outraged.”

“It is as tragic as it is reprehensible,” he said. “Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”

Vice President Kamala Harris said her prayers were with the Goldberg-Polin family and condemned Hamas.

Goldberg-Polin’s parents, U.S.-born immigrants to Israel, became perhaps the most high-profile relatives of hostages on the international stage. They met with Biden, Pope Francis and others and addressed the United Nations, urging the release of all hostages.

On Aug. 21, his parents addressed a hushed hall at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/democratic-national-convention-chicago-hostage-situations-national-national-ab7123fce37f420881242cade670659a">Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;— after sustained applause and chants of “bring him home.”

“This is a political convention. But needing our only son — and all of the cherished hostages — home is not a political issue. It is a humanitarian issue,” said his father, Jon Polin.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hersh-goldbergpolin-israel-hostages-hamas-8abbcae1e7092a0080e04731aecc39cb">His mother, Rachel</a>, who bowed her head during the ovation and touched her chest, said “Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you, stay strong, survive.”

She and her husband sought to keep their son and the others held from being reduced to numbers, describing Hersh as a music and soccer lover and traveler with plans to attend university since his military service had ended.

Some 250 hostages were taken on Oct. 7. Israel now believes that 101 remain in captivity, including 35 who are believed to be dead. More than 100 were freed during a weeklong cease-fire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Eight have been rescued by Israeli forces.

Two previous Israeli operations to free hostages killed scores of Palestinians. Hamas says several hostages have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and failed rescue attempts. Israeli troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-12-15-2023-072436cece0f2351fadfed892e985554">mistakenly killed three Israelis</a>&nbsp;who escaped captivity in December.

Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, when they stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, attacking army bases and several farming communities.

Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not say how many were fighters. It has displaced the vast majority of Gaza's 2.3 million people, often multiple times, and plunged the besieged territory&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-polio-who-vaccinations-3acaa0dcf9744810c51032f45e609a2f">into a humanitarian catastrophe</a>.

In a separate development Sunday, Palestinian militants killed three Israeli police officers when they opened fire on their vehicle in the West Bank, according to Israeli officials. Israel has been carrying out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-08-29-2024-ee53e1dbf7ece94151088308510e8679">large-scale military raids</a>&nbsp;across the occupied territory in recent days.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725190103575.png" alt="Top from left Almog Sarusi, Eden Yerushalmi and Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Bottom row from left Ori Danino, Carmel Gat and Alexander Lobanov -photo Hostage and Missing Families Forum" />
 <figcaption>Top from left Almog Sarusi, Eden Yerushalmi and Hersh Goldberg-Polin. Bottom row from left Ori Danino, Carmel Gat and Alexander Lobanov -photo Hostage and Missing Families Forum</figcaption>
 </figure>JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel on Sunday said it had recovered the bodies of six hostages in Gaza, including a young Israeli-American man who became one of the most well-known captives held by Hamas as his parents met with world leaders and pressed for his release.The military said&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-hostages-goldberg-polin-ade75fccee02f4f8e48cd1c2de784c06">all six had been killed</a>&nbsp;shortly before the arrival of Israeli forces. Their recovery sparked calls for mass protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom many Israelis blame for failing to bring them back alive in a deal with Hamas to end&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war">the 10-month-old war</a>. Negotiations over such a deal have&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-war-news-08-21-2024-4153fa5fe0daf904f570f4e73f31d2c9">dragged on for months</a>.Netanyahu said Israel would hold Hamas accountable for killing the hostages in “cold blood,” and blamed the militant group for the stalled negotiations, saying “whoever murders hostages doesn’t want a deal."Militants seized Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, and four of the other hostages at a music festival in southern Israel during Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, which triggered the war.The native of Berkeley, California, lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack. In April, a Hamas-issued video showed him alive but with his left hand missing, sparking new protests in Israel urging the government to do more to secure the hostages' release.The army identified the other dead hostages as Ori Danino, 25; Eden Yerushalmi, 24; Almog Sarusi, 27; and Alexander Lobanov, 33; who were also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-music-festival-6a55aae2375944f10ecc4c52d05f2ffe">taken from the music festival</a>. The sixth, Carmel Gat, 40, was abducted from the nearby farming community of Be'eri.It said the bodies were recovered from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, around a kilometer (half a mile) from where another hostage,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-08-27-2024-696f8ee830207815efd31320976ef118">Qaid Farhan Alkadi, 52, was rescued alive last week</a>.Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, a military spokesperson, said the army believed there were hostages in the area but had no specific intelligence. He said Israeli forces found the bodies several dozen meters (yards) underground as “ongoing combat” was underway, but that there was no firefight in the tunnel itself.He said there was no doubt that Hamas had killed them.Hamas has offered to release the hostages in return for an end to the war, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, said the hostages would still be alive if Israel had accepted a U.S.- backed cease-fire proposal that Hamas&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hamas-israel-gaza-ceasefire-negotiations-us-8509c5e68d57c96af99653c8292180b2">said it had agreed to back in July</a>.<h2>Families of hostages call for a ‘complete halt of the country’</h2>Netanyahu has vowed to continue the war until Hamas is destroyed and says military pressure is needed to bring home the hostages.Israel's Channel 12 reported that he got into a shouting match at a security Cabinet meeting late Thursday with his defense minister, Yoav Gallant, who accused him of prioritizing control of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/why-is-israel-demanding-control-over-2-gaza-corridors-in-the-cease-fire-talks/">a strategic corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border</a>&nbsp;— a major sticking point in the talks — over the lives of the hostages. The Cabinet reportedly voted in favor of remaining in the corridor over the objections of Gallant, who said it would prevent a hostage deal.An Israeli official confirmed the report and said three of the hostages — Goldberg-Polin, Yerushalmi and Gat — had been slated to be released in the first phase of a cease-fire proposal discussed back in July. The official was not authorized to brief media about the negotiations and spoke on condition of anonymity.“In the name of the state of Israel, I hold their families close to my heart and ask forgiveness,” Gallant said Sunday after the remains were recovered. He later called for the Cabinet to reverse its decision.A forum of hostage families called for a massive protest on Sunday, demanding a “complete halt of the country” to push for the implementation of a cease-fire and hostage release.“A deal for the return of the hostages has been on the table for over two months. Were it not for the delays, sabotage, and excuses those whose deaths we learned about this morning would likely still be alive,” it said in a statement.U.S. President Joe Biden, who has met with Goldberg-Polin's parents, said he was “devastated and outraged.”“It is as tragic as it is reprehensible,” he said. “Make no mistake, Hamas leaders will pay for these crimes. And we will keep working around the clock for a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.”Vice President Kamala Harris said her prayers were with the Goldberg-Polin family and condemned Hamas.<h2>A high-profile campaign</h2>Goldberg-Polin’s parents, U.S.-born immigrants to Israel, became perhaps the most high-profile relatives of hostages on the international stage. They met with Biden, Pope Francis and others and addressed the United Nations, urging the release of all hostages.On Aug. 21, his parents addressed a hushed hall at the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/democratic-national-convention-chicago-hostage-situations-national-national-ab7123fce37f420881242cade670659a">Democratic National Convention</a>&nbsp;— after sustained applause and chants of “bring him home.”“This is a political convention. But needing our only son — and all of the cherished hostages — home is not a political issue. It is a humanitarian issue,” said his father, Jon Polin.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/hersh-goldbergpolin-israel-hostages-hamas-8abbcae1e7092a0080e04731aecc39cb">His mother, Rachel</a>, who bowed her head during the ovation and touched her chest, said “Hersh, if you can hear us, we love you, stay strong, survive.”She and her husband sought to keep their son and the others held from being reduced to numbers, describing Hersh as a music and soccer lover and traveler with plans to attend university since his military service had ended.Some 250 hostages were taken on Oct. 7. Israel now believes that 101 remain in captivity, including 35 who are believed to be dead. More than 100 were freed during a weeklong cease-fire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Eight have been rescued by Israeli forces.Two previous Israeli operations to free hostages killed scores of Palestinians. Hamas says several hostages have been killed in Israeli airstrikes and failed rescue attempts. Israeli troops&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-12-15-2023-072436cece0f2351fadfed892e985554">mistakenly killed three Israelis</a>&nbsp;who escaped captivity in December.Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, when they stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, attacking army bases and several farming communities.Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza has killed over 40,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials, who do not say how many were fighters. It has displaced the vast majority of Gaza's 2.3 million people, often multiple times, and plunged the besieged territory&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-gaza-polio-who-vaccinations-3acaa0dcf9744810c51032f45e609a2f">into a humanitarian catastrophe</a>.In a separate development Sunday, Palestinian militants killed three Israeli police officers when they opened fire on their vehicle in the West Bank, according to Israeli officials. Israel has been carrying out&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-08-29-2024-ee53e1dbf7ece94151088308510e8679">large-scale military raids</a>&nbsp;across the occupied territory in recent days.

Israel recovers the bodies of 6 hostages including American

GEARY COUNTY —One person drowned Saturday at Milford State Park.

The Geary County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks responded to the drowning at the south boat ramp, swim beach located in the Milford State Park, according to a media release.

Bystanders located the individual who was reported being under water for more than 10 minutes and began CPR. 

 Upon arrival of EMS the individual was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; The sheriff's office has not released the name of the victim.

GEARY COUNTY —One person drowned Saturday at Milford State Park.The Geary County Sheriff’s Office and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks responded to the drowning at the south boat ramp, swim beach located in the Milford State Park, according to a media release.Bystanders located the individual who was reported being under water for more than 10 minutes and began CPR. Upon arrival of EMS the individual was pronounced deceased.&nbsp; The sheriff's office has not released the name of the victim.

Sheriff reports drowning at Milford State Park

GEARY COUNTY —&nbsp; Two people were injured in an accident just before 10p.m. Saturday in Geary County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Chevy Monte Carlo driven by Samuel A&nbsp;Mertens, 40, Kearney, Nebraska, was westbound on Interstate 70 and entered the construction zone between mileposts 295-U.S. 77 exit and 300-Kansas 57 exit.

&nbsp;Traffic began to slow in the construction zone. The Chevy rear-ended a 2016 Nissan Altima driven by Michael W Catt, 27, Wichita.&nbsp; After impact the Chevy&nbsp; drove around the Nissan and continued driving until he stopped near the Ohio Street exit in Saline County.

Mertens was not injured. Catt complained of pain and drove himself to the hospital. EMS transported a passenger in Nissan Wendy R. Catt, 54, Wichita, to&nbsp;Salina Regional Health Center. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/9/1725199383794.jpeg" alt="Mertens photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Mertens photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>GEARY COUNTY —&nbsp; Two people were injured in an accident just before 10p.m. Saturday in Geary County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2002 Chevy Monte Carlo driven by Samuel A&nbsp;Mertens, 40, Kearney, Nebraska, was westbound on Interstate 70 and entered the construction zone between mileposts 295-U.S. 77 exit and 300-Kansas 57 exit.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">At approximately 2145 hours, after the K-State game, dispatch alerted Trooper Jacoby Williams to a hit-and-run crash on I-70 westbound at milepost 290. The victim, still following the suspect, provided updates to dispatch as they continued westbound. Trooper Williams caught up… <a href="https://t.co/AcfRsifPdw">pic.twitter.com/AcfRsifPdw</a>&mdash; Trooper Ben (@TrooperBenKHP) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrooperBenKHP/status/1830247058726387775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 1, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>&nbsp;Traffic began to slow in the construction zone. The Chevy rear-ended a 2016 Nissan Altima driven by Michael W Catt, 27, Wichita.&nbsp; After impact the Chevy&nbsp; drove around the Nissan and continued driving until he stopped near the Ohio Street exit in Saline County.Mertens was not injured. Catt complained of pain and drove himself to the hospital. EMS transported a passenger in Nissan Wendy R. Catt, 54, Wichita, to&nbsp;Salina Regional Health Center. All three were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

2 hospitalized, driver jailed after rear-end crash in Kan. construction zone

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Police said Saturday that a man will face misdemeanor charges after he stormed into the press area at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, before being surrounded by authorities and eventually subdued with a Taser as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-moms-for-liberty-election-2024-education-7b408b46f58c4ba6177f809c4d0b2fb2">former president spoke</a>&nbsp;at the campaign stop.

The incident Friday came moments after Trump had criticized major media outlets for what he said was unfavorable coverage and had dismissed CNN as fawning for its interview Thursday with his Democratic rival&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and her running mate, Tim Walz.

It was not immediately clear what motivated the man or whether he was a Trump supporter or critic.

The man made it over a barrier ringing the media area and began climbing the back side of a riser where television reporters and cameras were stationed, according to a video of the incident&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/taureansmall/status/1829636618233287111">posted to social media</a>&nbsp;by a reporter for CBS News. People near him tried to pull him off the riser and were quickly joined by police officers and sheriff's deputies.

The crowd cheered as a pack of police led the man away, prompting Trump to say, “Is there anywhere that’s more fun to be than a Trump rally?”

Johnstown's police chief, Richard M. Pritchard, confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday that the man was arrested, released and will be formally charged next week. Pritchard said the man, whose identity will be disclosed when charges are filed, will face misdemeanors in municipal court for alleged disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and disrupting a public assembly.

Pritchard, who was not directly involved in the arrest, declined to speculate on the man’s motives.

Fierce criticism of the media is a standard part of Trump’s rally speeches, and his supporters often react by turning toward the press section and booing; some use their middle finger to demonstrate their distaste for journalists.

Moments before the man ventured into the media's designated section, Trump had reprised his familiar assertion that the media is a collective “enemy of the people.” Video of the incident does not make clear what the man was yelling as he climbed barriers or as he was being subdued and arrested.

Trump's campaign tried to distance the former president from the man and his actions, suggesting he was a Trump opponent.

“Witnesses, including some in the press corps, described a crazed individual shouting expletives at President Trump,” said campaign senior adviser Danielle Alvarez. “His aggression was focused on the president and towards the stage as he entered the press area.”

Alvarez did not identify the witnesses she cited or expound on what the man may have shouted. Alvarez added that the campaign appreciates the response of local law enforcement officials and the U.S. Secret Service for acting quickly.

Shortly after the incident, police handcuffed another man in the crowd and led him out of the arena. It was not immediately clear whether that detention was related to the initial altercation.

The incident happened amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-4e3415b1461f5acefbc8e1fadad0375b">heightened scrutiny</a>&nbsp;of security at Trump rallies after a gunman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vp-vance-rubio-7c7ba6b99b5f38d2d840ed95b2fdc3e5">fired at him,</a>&nbsp;grazing his ear, during an outdoor rally in July in nearby Butler, Pennsylvania. Security at political events has been noticeably&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-security-assassination-secret-service-043e872757a8814a746dd413b28ea26e">tighter</a>&nbsp;since the shooting.

A Secret Service spokesperson referred questions to local authorities.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725133509171.png" alt="Donald Trump during the Friday rally in Johnstown-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Donald Trump during the Friday rally in Johnstown-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (AP) — Police said Saturday that a man will face misdemeanor charges after he stormed into the press area at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a>&nbsp;rally in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, before being surrounded by authorities and eventually subdued with a Taser as the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-moms-for-liberty-election-2024-education-7b408b46f58c4ba6177f809c4d0b2fb2">former president spoke</a>&nbsp;at the campaign stop.The incident Friday came moments after Trump had criticized major media outlets for what he said was unfavorable coverage and had dismissed CNN as fawning for its interview Thursday with his Democratic rival&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and her running mate, Tim Walz.It was not immediately clear what motivated the man or whether he was a Trump supporter or critic.The man made it over a barrier ringing the media area and began climbing the back side of a riser where television reporters and cameras were stationed, according to a video of the incident&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/taureansmall/status/1829636618233287111">posted to social media</a>&nbsp;by a reporter for CBS News. People near him tried to pull him off the riser and were quickly joined by police officers and sheriff's deputies.The crowd cheered as a pack of police led the man away, prompting Trump to say, “Is there anywhere that’s more fun to be than a Trump rally?”Johnstown's police chief, Richard M. Pritchard, confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday that the man was arrested, released and will be formally charged next week. Pritchard said the man, whose identity will be disclosed when charges are filed, will face misdemeanors in municipal court for alleged disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and disrupting a public assembly.Pritchard, who was not directly involved in the arrest, declined to speculate on the man’s motives.Fierce criticism of the media is a standard part of Trump’s rally speeches, and his supporters often react by turning toward the press section and booing; some use their middle finger to demonstrate their distaste for journalists.Moments before the man ventured into the media's designated section, Trump had reprised his familiar assertion that the media is a collective “enemy of the people.” Video of the incident does not make clear what the man was yelling as he climbed barriers or as he was being subdued and arrested.Trump's campaign tried to distance the former president from the man and his actions, suggesting he was a Trump opponent.“Witnesses, including some in the press corps, described a crazed individual shouting expletives at President Trump,” said campaign senior adviser Danielle Alvarez. “His aggression was focused on the president and towards the stage as he entered the press area.”Alvarez did not identify the witnesses she cited or expound on what the man may have shouted. Alvarez added that the campaign appreciates the response of local law enforcement officials and the U.S. Secret Service for acting quickly.Shortly after the incident, police handcuffed another man in the crowd and led him out of the arena. It was not immediately clear whether that detention was related to the initial altercation.The incident happened amid&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/secret-service-trump-rally-4e3415b1461f5acefbc8e1fadad0375b">heightened scrutiny</a>&nbsp;of security at Trump rallies after a gunman&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-vp-vance-rubio-7c7ba6b99b5f38d2d840ed95b2fdc3e5">fired at him,</a>&nbsp;grazing his ear, during an outdoor rally in July in nearby Butler, Pennsylvania. Security at political events has been noticeably&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-security-assassination-secret-service-043e872757a8814a746dd413b28ea26e">tighter</a>&nbsp;since the shooting.A Secret Service spokesperson referred questions to local authorities.

Man will face charges after storming into the press area at a Trump rally

CAMDEN COUNTY —A Missouri police officer died in a crash and fire while chasing a suspect on Saturday in Camden&nbsp; County.

Just after 1:30a.m., sheriff's&nbsp;deputies responded near the Richland area to assist Osage Beach Police Department - City of Osage Beach, Missouri with a vehicle pursuit.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Ford Explorer driven by Osage Beach&nbsp;Police Officer 33-year-old Phylicia Carson was southbound on Route A just east of Toronto Springs Park Road.

The SUV crossed the center of the road while in pursuit of a suspect and began to skid.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the left side of the road, struck a tree and caught fire.&nbsp; Officer Carson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Hedges Scott Funeral Home in Camdenton.

The vehicle involved in the chase also crashed and the suspect was taken into custody, according police.

&nbsp;Carson is survived by her husband and six children. She had been with the city since June 2023, according to Osage Beach Police.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725156364558.png" alt="Officer&nbsp; Phylicia Carson courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Officer&nbsp; Phylicia Carson courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>CAMDEN COUNTY —A Missouri police officer died in a crash and fire while chasing a suspect on Saturday in Camden&nbsp; County.Just after 1:30a.m., sheriff's&nbsp;deputies responded near the Richland area to assist Osage Beach Police Department - City of Osage Beach, Missouri with a vehicle pursuit.The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2024 Ford Explorer driven by Osage Beach&nbsp;Police Officer 33-year-old Phylicia Carson was southbound on Route A just east of Toronto Springs Park Road.The SUV crossed the center of the road while in pursuit of a suspect and began to skid.&nbsp; The vehicle traveled off the left side of the road, struck a tree and caught fire.&nbsp; Officer Carson was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to Hedges Scott Funeral Home in Camdenton.The vehicle involved in the chase also crashed and the suspect was taken into custody, according police.&nbsp;Carson is survived by her husband and six children. She had been with the city since June 2023, according to Osage Beach Police.

Missouri police officer dies in crash, fire during high-speed chase

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an overnight shooting that sent a boy to the hospital.

Just after 12:30 a.m. Saturday, police were in the area of the 1400 block of N. Lorraine in Wichita when they heard gunfire, according to Officer Kris Gupilan.

 A church building, which four individuals occupied at the time, was struck by the gunfire; thankfully, no injuries were reported at the church.&nbsp; 

A second scene was identified in the 1400 block of N. Lorraine, where a residence had also been struck. An 11-year-old boy inside the residence sustained a non-life-threatening injury to the head. The child was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.

This is an active investigation, and officers are actively following up on leads to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call WPD investigators at 316-268-4407. If you want to remain anonymous, you can submit your information to Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating an overnight shooting that sent a boy to the hospital.Just after 12:30 a.m. Saturday, police were in the area of the 1400 block of N. Lorraine in Wichita when they heard gunfire, according to Officer Kris Gupilan. A church building, which four individuals occupied at the time, was struck by the gunfire; thankfully, no injuries were reported at the church.&nbsp; A second scene was identified in the 1400 block of N. Lorraine, where a residence had also been struck. An 11-year-old boy inside the residence sustained a non-life-threatening injury to the head. The child was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.This is an active investigation, and officers are actively following up on leads to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call WPD investigators at 316-268-4407. If you want to remain anonymous, you can submit your information to Crime Stoppers at 316-267-2111.

11-year-old inside Kansas home struck in the head by gunfire

PETTIS COUNTY, Missouri—Law enforcement are investigating a deadly shooting at a home during a burglary.

Just after 1a.m. Friday, sheriff&nbsp;deputies were dispatched to the area of Anderson School Road and Shire Lane for a single-vehicle accident called in by a passerby, according to Pettis County Sheriff Brad Anders.

Just moments later, while en-route to the accident scene, deputies were notified of a burglary in progress at a residence near the accident scene. 

The homeowner reported someone had forced his way into the residence. Upon arrival, deputies found a rear door of the residence forcibly entered and that the unknown intruder was down after having been shot by the homeowner. 

Medics from Pettis County Ambulance District arrived on the scene and pronounced the male subject deceased. 

 Pettis County Coroner Robert Smith arrived on the scene and took possession of the body.      The names of the parties involved are being withheld at this time, pending the notification of the next of kin.&nbsp; Pettis County is located approximately 90 miles east of Kansas City.

PETTIS COUNTY, Missouri—Law enforcement are investigating a deadly shooting at a home during a burglary.Just after 1a.m. Friday, sheriff&nbsp;deputies were dispatched to the area of Anderson School Road and Shire Lane for a single-vehicle accident called in by a passerby, according to Pettis County Sheriff Brad Anders.Just moments later, while en-route to the accident scene, deputies were notified of a burglary in progress at a residence near the accident scene. The homeowner reported someone had forced his way into the residence. Upon arrival, deputies found a rear door of the residence forcibly entered and that the unknown intruder was down after having been shot by the homeowner. Medics from Pettis County Ambulance District arrived on the scene and pronounced the male subject deceased. Pettis County Coroner Robert Smith arrived on the scene and took possession of the body. The names of the parties involved are being withheld at this time, pending the notification of the next of kin.&nbsp; Pettis County is located approximately 90 miles east of Kansas City.

Homeowner kills suspected intruder during burglary 

DOUGLAS COUNTY—A Kansas man avoided injury after a small plane mishap just before 11:30a.m. Saturday in Douglas County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a Cessna 177 piloted by Kenneth V.&nbsp;Rieck, 75, Lawrence, was traveling down runway #15 at&nbsp;Lawrence Regional Airport, 1930 Airport Road.&nbsp; 

The airplane had a mechanical failure causing it to yaw to the left before it could take off. 

The plane left the runway to the left. The front nose of the airplane collapsed and the airplane sustained a prop strike and damage to the front of the aircraft. The airplane came to rest facing east on runway #19.

Rieck was not injured. The FAA and NTSB will investigate the incident.

DOUGLAS COUNTY—A Kansas man avoided injury after a small plane mishap just before 11:30a.m. Saturday in Douglas County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a Cessna 177 piloted by Kenneth V.&nbsp;Rieck, 75, Lawrence, was traveling down runway #15 at&nbsp;Lawrence Regional Airport, 1930 Airport Road.&nbsp; The airplane had a mechanical failure causing it to yaw to the left before it could take off. The plane left the runway to the left. The front nose of the airplane collapsed and the airplane sustained a prop strike and damage to the front of the aircraft. The airplane came to rest facing east on runway #19.Rieck was not injured. The FAA and NTSB will investigate the incident.

Kan. pilot avoids injury after mechanical failure during takeoff

TOPEKA – Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has officially been approved to securing his place on the November ballot in Kansas, according to a statement on Friday from&nbsp;Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab 

According to Schwab, "Mr. Kennedy met the candidate filing deadline of Monday, August 5, by noon, submitting the necessary petition. To qualify as an independent candidate for President and appear on the state’s ballot, a minimum of 5,000 signatures from registered Kansas voters was required. “He has met these requirements.”

On August 23, Kennedy&nbsp; suspended his independent campaign for president and endorsed&nbsp;Donald Trump. He said his internal polls had shown that his presence in the race would hurt Trump and help Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.

However, Kennedy also made it clear that he wasn’t formally ending his bid for the White House and said his supporters could continue to back him in the majority of states where they are unlikely to sway the outcome. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/6/1719668235039.png" alt="Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. -courtesy image" />
 <figcaption>Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. -courtesy image</figcaption>
 </figure>TOPEKA – Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has officially been approved to securing his place on the November ballot in Kansas, according to a statement on Friday from&nbsp;Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab According to Schwab, "Mr. Kennedy met the candidate filing deadline of Monday, August 5, by noon, submitting the necessary petition. To qualify as an independent candidate for President and appear on the state’s ballot, a minimum of 5,000 signatures from registered Kansas voters was required. “He has met these requirements.”On August 23, Kennedy&nbsp; suspended his independent campaign for president and endorsed&nbsp;Donald Trump. He said his internal polls had shown that his presence in the race would hurt Trump and help Democratic nominee Kamala Harris.However, Kennedy also made it clear that he wasn’t formally ending his bid for the White House and said his supporters could continue to back him in the majority of states where they are unlikely to sway the outcome.

RFK Jr. will officially be on the November ballot in Kansas

JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are asking the public for information on a suspect involved in recent card skimming incidents over the last two weeks at an ATM at Walgreens near Quivira Road and West 75th Street in the city of Shawnee, Kansas, according to a social media report from police.



A red Hyundai Sonata, possibly linked to the two incidents, was spotted near 75th and Quivira around the same time.&nbsp;

If you have any information or believe your card was compromised, please contact the Shawnee Police Department at 913-631-2150.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725035789870.png" alt="Please note that these still images are from video surveillance, which affects their quality. We are sharing them in case someone might recognize the suspect who walked out of the camera's view." />
 <figcaption>Please note that these still images are from video surveillance, which affects their quality. We are sharing them in case someone might recognize the suspect who walked out of the camera's view.</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —Law enforcement are asking the public for information on a suspect involved in recent card skimming incidents over the last two weeks at an ATM at Walgreens near Quivira Road and West 75th Street in the city of Shawnee, Kansas, according to a social media report from police.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725035833295.png" alt="Shawnee Police" />
 <figcaption>Shawnee Police</figcaption>
 </figure>

A red Hyundai Sonata, possibly linked to the two incidents, was spotted near 75th and Quivira around the same time.&nbsp;If you have any information or believe your card was compromised, please contact the Shawnee Police Department at 913-631-2150.

Police ask for help to ID suspect Kan. card skimming cases

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a>

TOPEKA — As the Kansas and Missouri medical communities prepare for respiratory illness season, health officials grapple with an early COVID-19 infection spike and higher-than-normal tuberculosis infections in Wyandotte County.

COVID positivity rates have been steadily increasing in Kansas, Missouri and across the country since July. The increase is higher than last summer’s rates and similar to the surge in infections seen this January, doctors said during a Friday morning&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO_hZmaribA" target="_blank">medical update</a>&nbsp;from the University of Kansas Health System.

But those rates only scratch the surface, and medical professionals are uncertain what the upcoming respiratory illness season could look like, especially when continued COVID vaccinations have begun to dwindle, even with a new FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, which recently became available at commercial pharmacies.

“I think there’s a lot more illness at home. There’s a lot more tests at home. There’s a lot of people who aren’t testing,” said Dana Hawkinson, an infectious disease specialist with KU Health.

Respiratory illness activity in Kansas has been minimal, according to measures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel.

However, the level of COVID-19 activity detected in wastewater systems throughout Kansas is on the rise, as is the case regionally and nationally, according to the channel. Monitoring wastewater can offer early warning signs that infections are increasing or decreasing in a given community without relying on whether people present with symptoms, according to the CDC’s website.

In November, hospitals will be mandated to report their COVID numbers for the first time since May, which will give medical professionals an opportunity to better understand infection rates through data.

While hospitals have yet to see many flu cases, doctors recommended people receive a flu vaccine along with the new COVID vaccine and a respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, vaccine, if appropriate.

A vaccine is the best way to prevent serious COVID infections, said Chakshu Gupta, the chief medical officer at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Missouri.

“It is very disappointing to be in such a great nation with such (an) educated, informed population and our vaccination rates against such a severe illness is in the low 15 to 20%,” he said during the update Friday morning.

Tuberculosis outbreak in Wyandotte County

Kansas has recorded 82 confirmed cases of active tuberculosis this year, which is almost double last year’s total of 46 cases. All of the active cases are being treated to limit the spread, Jill Bronaugh, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said in an email. More than half of this year’s cases, 57, originated in Wyandotte County, and six were reported from Johnson County.

“TB is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs and is caused by a type of bacteria,” Bronaugh said. “It spreads through the air when infected people cough, speak, or sing.”

Two people have died from tuberculosis in Kansas this year. A cause for the increase this year has not been identified. Bronaugh said the state and county health departments are working with the CDC to monitor and prevent the spread of tuberculosis.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725110774197.png" alt="Kansas and Missouri doctors discuss the late summer COVID-19 spike during a University of Kansas Health System medical briefing Aug. 30, 2024. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from KU Health video)" />
 <figcaption>Kansas and Missouri doctors discuss the late summer COVID-19 spike during a University of Kansas Health System medical briefing Aug. 30, 2024. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from KU Health video)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/akaminski/">ANNA KAMINSKI</a>TOPEKA — As the Kansas and Missouri medical communities prepare for respiratory illness season, health officials grapple with an early COVID-19 infection spike and higher-than-normal tuberculosis infections in Wyandotte County.COVID positivity rates have been steadily increasing in Kansas, Missouri and across the country since July. The increase is higher than last summer’s rates and similar to the surge in infections seen this January, doctors said during a Friday morning&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO_hZmaribA" target="_blank">medical update</a>&nbsp;from the University of Kansas Health System.But those rates only scratch the surface, and medical professionals are uncertain what the upcoming respiratory illness season could look like, especially when continued COVID vaccinations have begun to dwindle, even with a new FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, which recently became available at commercial pharmacies.“I think there’s a lot more illness at home. There’s a lot more tests at home. There’s a lot of people who aren’t testing,” said Dana Hawkinson, an infectious disease specialist with KU Health.Respiratory illness activity in Kansas has been minimal, according to measures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel.However, the level of COVID-19 activity detected in wastewater systems throughout Kansas is on the rise, as is the case regionally and nationally, according to the channel. Monitoring wastewater can offer early warning signs that infections are increasing or decreasing in a given community without relying on whether people present with symptoms, according to the CDC’s website.In November, hospitals will be mandated to report their COVID numbers for the first time since May, which will give medical professionals an opportunity to better understand infection rates through data.While hospitals have yet to see many flu cases, doctors recommended people receive a flu vaccine along with the new COVID vaccine and a respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, vaccine, if appropriate.A vaccine is the best way to prevent serious COVID infections, said Chakshu Gupta, the chief medical officer at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, Missouri.“It is very disappointing to be in such a great nation with such (an) educated, informed population and our vaccination rates against such a severe illness is in the low 15 to 20%,” he said during the update Friday morning.<h2>Tuberculosis outbreak in Wyandotte County</h2>Kansas has recorded 82 confirmed cases of active tuberculosis this year, which is almost double last year’s total of 46 cases. All of the active cases are being treated to limit the spread, Jill Bronaugh, a spokeswoman for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, said in an email. More than half of this year’s cases, 57, originated in Wyandotte County, and six were reported from Johnson County.“TB is an infectious disease that most often affects the lungs and is caused by a type of bacteria,” Bronaugh said. “It spreads through the air when infected people cough, speak, or sing.”Two people have died from tuberculosis in Kansas this year. A cause for the increase this year has not been identified. Bronaugh said the state and county health departments are working with the CDC to monitor and prevent the spread of tuberculosis.

Kansas COVID-19 spike coincides with unexplained tuberculosis infections

WASHINGTON —The Defense Department has approved a request by the Department of Homeland Security to provide assistance to the Secret Service for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates during the 2024 campaigns through Inauguration Day 2025, the deputy pentagon press secretary said Thursday.

"The secretary of defense approved the request and directed the commander of U.S. Northern Command to plan and provide and execute increased support to the United States Secret Service at various locations across the United States during the 2024 election campaigns," Sabrina Singh said during a briefing&nbsp; at the Pentagon.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/7/1720953321409.png" alt="File photo&nbsp; courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>File photo&nbsp; courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —The Defense Department has approved a request by the Department of Homeland Security to provide assistance to the Secret Service for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates during the 2024 campaigns through Inauguration Day 2025, the deputy pentagon press secretary said Thursday."The secretary of defense approved the request and directed the commander of U.S. Northern Command to plan and provide and execute increased support to the United States Secret Service at various locations across the United States during the 2024 election campaigns," Sabrina Singh said during a briefing&nbsp; at the Pentagon.&nbsp;

Pentagon approves additional support to Secret Service

KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.

Just before 8p.m. Friday, police reported&nbsp;to report of a shooting a wooded near 22nd and 71 Highway, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.

First responders located a man suffering from gunshot wounds. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene, according to&nbsp;KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.

Police are investigating this incident as a homicide. Detectives canvassed the area for witnesses, evidence and surveillance footage to determine what led up to this shooting.

If anyone has any information, KCPD is asking that they contact homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS. The reward is up to $25,000 for any information submitted.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724776831597.png" alt="File photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'" />
 <figcaption>File photo Sheriff Daryl Forte'</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY —Law enforcement are investigating another homicide in Kansas City.Just before 8p.m. Friday, police reported&nbsp;to report of a shooting a wooded near 22nd and 71 Highway, according to Sheriff Daryl Forte'.First responders located a man suffering from gunshot wounds. EMS pronounced him dead at the scene, according to&nbsp;KCPD Sergeant Phil DiMartino.Police are investigating this incident as a homicide. Detectives canvassed the area for witnesses, evidence and surveillance footage to determine what led up to this shooting.If anyone has any information, KCPD is asking that they contact homicide detectives at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS. The reward is up to $25,000 for any information submitted.

KCPD: Man dies after shooting in wooded area 

By NICK GOSNELL Hutch Post

Trooper Chad Crittenden with the Kansas Highway Patrol talked to Hutch Post about the special enforcement campaign that is going on now through Labor Day. 

"Usually around the holiday weekends or major holidays, KDOT provides additional overtime for step funding," Trooper Crittenden said. "It's where we have a lot more troopers or officers all around the state, highly visible out there, but we are taking strict enforcement out there, just ensuring and trying to get that education out there. We try to do it through social media first and give the warnings that way, but again, we have to ensure that people are not impaired out on our roadways, not using their phones in ways they shouldn't be, and especially enforcing the speed and occupant protection violations."

Speed violations in particular have been a point of emphasis for the patrol on social media, as they have been showing a lot of tickets for going over 100 miles per hour in recent months.

"A lot of times what we fail to understand is our cars have limitations, us as humans and drivers have limitations, and just because that speedometer can go up to 100 plus miles an hour doesn't mean that we can react to it," Crittenden said. "You know, reaction time is drastically changing the faster you go. You can't respond, your vehicle won't respond the way you think it should at those speeds, and that's when we see these severe injuries and fatality crashes happen when the unexpected does."

For the latest information on construction and road conditions in Kansas, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://kandrive.gov/">https://kandrive.gov/</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724845551963.jpeg" alt="Image Courtesy Kansas Highway Patrol" />
 <figcaption>Image Courtesy Kansas Highway Patrol</figcaption>
 </figure>By NICK GOSNELL Hutch PostTrooper Chad Crittenden with the Kansas Highway Patrol talked to Hutch Post about the special enforcement campaign that is going on now through Labor Day. "Usually around the holiday weekends or major holidays, KDOT provides additional overtime for step funding," Trooper Crittenden said. "It's where we have a lot more troopers or officers all around the state, highly visible out there, but we are taking strict enforcement out there, just ensuring and trying to get that education out there. We try to do it through social media first and give the warnings that way, but again, we have to ensure that people are not impaired out on our roadways, not using their phones in ways they shouldn't be, and especially enforcing the speed and occupant protection violations."Speed violations in particular have been a point of emphasis for the patrol on social media, as they have been showing a lot of tickets for going over 100 miles per hour in recent months."A lot of times what we fail to understand is our cars have limitations, us as humans and drivers have limitations, and just because that speedometer can go up to 100 plus miles an hour doesn't mean that we can react to it," Crittenden said. "You know, reaction time is drastically changing the faster you go. You can't respond, your vehicle won't respond the way you think it should at those speeds, and that's when we see these severe injuries and fatality crashes happen when the unexpected does."For the latest information on construction and road conditions in Kansas, go to&nbsp;<a href="https://kandrive.gov/">https://kandrive.gov/</a>.

More law enforcement out for holiday weekend

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States military and Iraq launched a joint raid targeting suspected&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/islamic-state-group">Islamic State group</a>&nbsp;militants in the country's western desert that killed at least 15 people and saw seven American troops hurt, officials said Saturday.

For years after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/b35c5ac2cdee48dda3eefaaece769d06">dislodging the militants from their self-declared caliphate</a>&nbsp;across Iraq and Syria, U.S. forces have fought the Islamic State group, though the casualties from this raid were higher than in previous ones.

The U.S. military's Central Command alleged the militants were armed with “numerous weapons, grenades, and explosive ‘suicide’ belts” during the attack Thursday, which Iraqi forces said happened in the country's Anbar Desert.

“This operation targeted ISIS leaders to disrupt and degrade ISIS’ ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond,” Central Command said, using an acronym for the militant group. “Iraqi Security Forces continue to further exploit the locations raided.”

It added: “There is no indication of civilian casualties.”

An Iraqi military statement said “airstrikes targeted the hideouts, followed by an airborne operation.”

“Among the dead were key ISIS leaders,” Iraq's military said, without identifying them. "All hideouts, weapons and logistical support were destroyed, explosive belts were safely detonated and important documents, identification papers and communication devices were seized.”

A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the operation yet to be made public, told The Associated Press that five American troops were wounded in the raid, while two others suffered injuries from falls during the operation. One who suffered a fall was transported out of the region, while one of the wounded was evacuated for further treatment, the official said.

“All personnel are in stable condition,” the official said.

It wasn’t immediately clear why it took two days for the U.S. to acknowledge it took part in the raid. Iraq did not say the U.S. took part in the operation when initially announcing it, as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-us-troops-iran-drawdown-6bc6fa21bc69b1b0de220907b4e9f382">politicians debate the future of having American troops in the country</a>. There are approximately 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq.

Since the U.S. toppled dictator Saddam Hussein with its 2003 invasion of Iraq, the country has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-kataib-hezbollah-us-strikes-militias-e2d31a579001f62a12b55b4cbf16ab48">struggled to balance relations</a>&nbsp;between America and neighboring Iran. Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out, Iraqi militias allied to Iran have targeted U.S. forces there, leading to American airstrikes targeting them.

At its peak, the Islamic State group ruled an area half the size of the U.K. It attempted to enforce its extreme interpretation of Islam, which included attacks on religious minority groups and harsh punishment of Muslims deemed to be apostates.

A coalition of more than 80 countries led by the United States was formed to fight the group, which lost its hold on the territory it controlled in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019.

However, the militants have continued to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-syria-islamic-state-us-centcom-attacks-53bdb45048b8f1389d9181b359e8260d">operate in the Anbar Desert in Iraq and Syria</a>, while claiming attacks carried out by others elsewhere in the world inspired by the group. That includes the two suspects in a foiled plot to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/austria-extremism-arrests-security-taylor-swift-7ece0b264f6e4152b8214c9fba8c425b">attack Taylor Swift shows</a>&nbsp;in Vienna. Meanwhile, the IS branch in Afghanistan is known to carry out intensely bloody assaults.

Last month, the U.S. military said the number of attacks claimed by IS in Syria and Iraq was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-syria-islamic-state-us-centcom-attacks-53bdb45048b8f1389d9181b359e8260d">on track to double</a>&nbsp;this year, compared with the year before. IS claimed 153 attacks in the two countries in the first six months of 2024, compared with 121 attacks in all of 2023.

Iraqi officials say that they can keep the IS threat under control with their own forces and have entered into talks with the U.S. aimed at winding down the mission of the U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq.

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza last October, U.S. military presence in the region has become particularly contentious.

An umbrella group of Iran-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has periodically launched drone attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, which they said was in retaliation for Washington’s support of Israel in the ongoing war in Gaza and were aimed at forcing U.S. forces to withdraw from Iraq.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States military and Iraq launched a joint raid targeting suspected&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/islamic-state-group">Islamic State group</a>&nbsp;militants in the country's western desert that killed at least 15 people and saw seven American troops hurt, officials said Saturday.For years after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/b35c5ac2cdee48dda3eefaaece769d06">dislodging the militants from their self-declared caliphate</a>&nbsp;across Iraq and Syria, U.S. forces have fought the Islamic State group, though the casualties from this raid were higher than in previous ones.The U.S. military's Central Command alleged the militants were armed with “numerous weapons, grenades, and explosive ‘suicide’ belts” during the attack Thursday, which Iraqi forces said happened in the country's Anbar Desert.“This operation targeted ISIS leaders to disrupt and degrade ISIS’ ability to plan, organize, and conduct attacks against Iraqi civilians, as well as U.S. citizens, allies, and partners throughout the region and beyond,” Central Command said, using an acronym for the militant group. “Iraqi Security Forces continue to further exploit the locations raided.”It added: “There is no indication of civilian casualties.”An Iraqi military statement said “airstrikes targeted the hideouts, followed by an airborne operation.”“Among the dead were key ISIS leaders,” Iraq's military said, without identifying them. "All hideouts, weapons and logistical support were destroyed, explosive belts were safely detonated and important documents, identification papers and communication devices were seized.”A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the operation yet to be made public, told The Associated Press that five American troops were wounded in the raid, while two others suffered injuries from falls during the operation. One who suffered a fall was transported out of the region, while one of the wounded was evacuated for further treatment, the official said.“All personnel are in stable condition,” the official said.It wasn’t immediately clear why it took two days for the U.S. to acknowledge it took part in the raid. Iraq did not say the U.S. took part in the operation when initially announcing it, as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-us-troops-iran-drawdown-6bc6fa21bc69b1b0de220907b4e9f382">politicians debate the future of having American troops in the country</a>. There are approximately 2,500 U.S. troops in Iraq.Since the U.S. toppled dictator Saddam Hussein with its 2003 invasion of Iraq, the country has&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-kataib-hezbollah-us-strikes-militias-e2d31a579001f62a12b55b4cbf16ab48">struggled to balance relations</a>&nbsp;between America and neighboring Iran. Since the Israel-Hamas war broke out, Iraqi militias allied to Iran have targeted U.S. forces there, leading to American airstrikes targeting them.At its peak, the Islamic State group ruled an area half the size of the U.K. It attempted to enforce its extreme interpretation of Islam, which included attacks on religious minority groups and harsh punishment of Muslims deemed to be apostates.A coalition of more than 80 countries led by the United States was formed to fight the group, which lost its hold on the territory it controlled in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019.However, the militants have continued to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-syria-islamic-state-us-centcom-attacks-53bdb45048b8f1389d9181b359e8260d">operate in the Anbar Desert in Iraq and Syria</a>, while claiming attacks carried out by others elsewhere in the world inspired by the group. That includes the two suspects in a foiled plot to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/austria-extremism-arrests-security-taylor-swift-7ece0b264f6e4152b8214c9fba8c425b">attack Taylor Swift shows</a>&nbsp;in Vienna. Meanwhile, the IS branch in Afghanistan is known to carry out intensely bloody assaults.Last month, the U.S. military said the number of attacks claimed by IS in Syria and Iraq was&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iraq-syria-islamic-state-us-centcom-attacks-53bdb45048b8f1389d9181b359e8260d">on track to double</a>&nbsp;this year, compared with the year before. IS claimed 153 attacks in the two countries in the first six months of 2024, compared with 121 attacks in all of 2023.Iraqi officials say that they can keep the IS threat under control with their own forces and have entered into talks with the U.S. aimed at winding down the mission of the U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq.Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza last October, U.S. military presence in the region has become particularly contentious.An umbrella group of Iran-backed militias calling itself the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has periodically launched drone attacks on bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria, which they said was in retaliation for Washington’s support of Israel in the ongoing war in Gaza and were aimed at forcing U.S. forces to withdraw from Iraq.——

7 US troops hurt in raid targeting Islamic State group militants that killed 15

LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a former police officer for alleged sex crimes.

On Thursday,&nbsp;&nbsp;the Emporia Police Department arrested 33-year-old Russell Patterson Jr., on requested charges of Aggravated Human Trafficking and Rape, according to Emporia Police Captain Ray Mattis.

Patterson had been an Emporia Police Officer from March 13, 2017, to December 6, 2017. He&nbsp;was released from employment from the Emporia Police Department before he completed his training with the Emporia Police Department.

The charges are from a current investigation and are not related to his time with the Emporia Police.

If anyone has any information on this crime please contact the Emporia Police Department at 620-343-4225. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 620-342-2273 or on your mobile device at P3Tips.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1725051629004.png" alt="Patterson photo Lyon County" />
 <figcaption>Patterson photo Lyon County</figcaption>
 </figure>LYON COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a former police officer for alleged sex crimes.On Thursday,&nbsp;&nbsp;the Emporia Police Department arrested 33-year-old Russell Patterson Jr., on requested charges of Aggravated Human Trafficking and Rape, according to Emporia Police Captain Ray Mattis.Patterson had been an Emporia Police Officer from March 13, 2017, to December 6, 2017. He&nbsp;was released from employment from the Emporia Police Department before he completed his training with the Emporia Police Department.The charges are from a current investigation and are not related to his time with the Emporia Police.If anyone has any information on this crime please contact the Emporia Police Department at 620-343-4225. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 620-342-2273 or on your mobile device at P3Tips.

Former Kan. police officer accused of rape, human trafficking

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;on Thursday defended shifting away from some of her more liberal positions in her first major television interview of her presidential campaign, but insisted her “values have not changed” even as she is “seeking consensus.”

On his social media accounty, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall criticized the Vice President. "After 40 days of hiding from the press, Kamala Harris’ first showing was nothing more than pre-taped propaganda and projection." "If you want to know her 'values,' look at her record of failures- it's that simple."

Sitting with her running mate,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-picks-tim-walz-running-mate-a64a91ae84953e880c8d086316d07c54">Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz</a>, Harris was asked specifically about her reversals on banning fracking and decriminalizing illegal border crossings, positions she took during her last run for president. She confirmed she does not want to ban fracking, an energy extraction process key to the economy of swing-state Pennsylvania, and said there “should be consequence” for people who cross the border without permission.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724981920351.png" alt="Image courtesy CNN via Harris campaign for President" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy CNN via Harris campaign for President</figcaption>
 </figure>SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;on Thursday defended shifting away from some of her more liberal positions in her first major television interview of her presidential campaign, but insisted her “values have not changed” even as she is “seeking consensus.”On his social media accounty, Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall criticized the Vice President. "After 40 days of hiding from the press, Kamala Harris’ first showing was nothing more than pre-taped propaganda and projection." "If you want to know her 'values,' look at her record of failures- it's that simple."<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">After 40 days of hiding from the press, Kamala Harris’ first showing was nothing more than pre-taped propaganda and projection. If you want to know her &#39;values,&#39; look at her record of failures- it&#39;s that simple.&mdash; Dr. Roger Marshall (@RogerMarshallMD) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerMarshallMD/status/1829554175652536716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Sitting with her running mate,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-picks-tim-walz-running-mate-a64a91ae84953e880c8d086316d07c54">Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz</a>, Harris was asked specifically about her reversals on banning fracking and decriminalizing illegal border crossings, positions she took during her last run for president. She confirmed she does not want to ban fracking, an energy extraction process key to the economy of swing-state Pennsylvania, and said there “should be consequence” for people who cross the border without permission.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">On day one of my administration, I will implement my plan for an opportunity economy. This plan will bring down the cost of everyday goods, invest in America&#39;s small businesses, and extend the Child Tax Credit.<a href="https://t.co/jAQwsUl8QS">pic.twitter.com/jAQwsUl8QS</a>&mdash; Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1829334166749491420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed,” Harris said.She went on to say: “I believe it is important to build consensus. It is important to find a common place of understanding where we can actually solve the problem.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The American people are ready for a new way forward. Our former president has pushed an agenda that diminishes the character and strength of who we are as Americans, and divides our nation. People are ready to turn the page.<a href="https://t.co/yyd4tBqdMu">pic.twitter.com/yyd4tBqdMu</a>&mdash; Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1829330275823702247?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-interview-walz-cnn-eba7d9e9b53a46987f62f7f9206f0db8">CNN’s Dana Bash</a>&nbsp;came as voters are still trying to learn more about the Democratic ticket in an unusually compressed time frame.&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-election-2024-ending-race-be10da43b9447ef1230c178b15c4760a">President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid</a>&nbsp;just five weeks ago. The interview focused largely on policy, as Harris sought to show that she had adopted more moderate positions on issues that Republicans argue are extreme, while Walz defended past misstatements about his biography.Harris hadn't done an in-depth interview since she became her party's standard-bearer five weeks ago, though she did sit for several while she was still Biden's running mate.She said serving with Biden was “one of the greatest honors of my career,” and she recounted the moment he called to tell her he was stepping down and would support her."He told me what he had decided to do and ... I asked him, ‘Are you sure?’ and he said, ‘Yes,’ and that’s how I learned about it.”She said she didn’t ask Biden to endorse her because “he was very clear that he was going to endorse me.”Harris defended the administration’s record on the southern border and immigration, noting that she was tasked with trying to address the “root causes” in other countries that were driving the border crossings.“We have laws that have to be followed and enforced, that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally, and there should be consequences,” Harris said.Asked about Israel’s war in Gaza after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack, Harris said, “I am unequivocal and unwavering in my commitment to Israel’s defense and its ability to defend itself.” But the vice president also reiterated what she’s said for months, that civilian deaths are too high amid the Israeli offensive.She also brushed off Republican Donald Trump’s questioning of her racial identity after he suggested falsely that she changed how she presents herself for political reasons and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-black-journalists-convention-nabj-1e96aa530e88013ed6f577feaf89ccb6">“happened to turn Black.”</a>&nbsp;Harris, who is of Black and South Asian heritage, said Trump's suggestion was the “same old, tired playbook.”“Next question, please," she said.Trump and Harris are set to debate on Sept. 10. In a post Thursday evening, it appeared Trump was paying close attention to the interview. After the debate was mentioned, he posted, “I look so forward to Debating Comrade Kamala Harris and exposing her for the fraud she is.”Trump went on to say that his Democratic opponent “has changed every one of her long held positions, on everything. America will never allow an Election WEAPONIZING MARXIST TO BE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.”The debate will be the first-ever meeting for Harris and Trump. The opponents had only been in the same space when Harris, as a senator, attended Trump’s joint addresses to Congress.During the early parts of the interview, Walz watched quietly and nodded when Harris made her main points. He was later asked about misstatements, starting with how he has described his 24 years of service in the National Guard.In a 2018 video clip that the Harris-Walz campaign once circulated, Walz spoke out against gun violence and said, “We can make sure that those weapons of war, that I carried in war, is the only place where those weapons are at.”Critics said the comment “that I carried in war” suggested that Walz portrayed himself as someone who spent time in a combat zone. He said Thursday night that he misspoke after a school shooting, adding, “My grammar’s not always correct.”Asked about statements that appeared to indicate that he and his wife conceived their children with in-vitro fertilization, when they in fact used a different fertility treatment, he said he believes most Americans understood what he meant and pivoted to Republican opposition to abortion rights.Democrats’ enthusiasm about their vote in November has surged over the past few months, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/649397/democrats-drive-surge-election-enthusiasm.aspx">polling from Gallup</a>. About 8 in 10 Democrats now say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting, compared with 55% in March.This gives them an enthusiasm edge they did not have earlier this year. Republicans’ enthusiasm has increased by much less over the same period, and about two-thirds of Republicans now say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting.At a packed arena for a rally Thursday in Savannah, Harris cast her nascent campaign as the underdog and encouraged the crowd to work hard to elect her in November.“We’re here to speak truth and one of the things that we know is that this is going to be a tight race to the end,” she said.Harris went through a list of Democratic concerns: that Trump will further restrict women’s rights after he appointed three judges to the U.S. Supreme Court who helped overturn Roe, that he'd repeal the Affordable Care Act, and that given new immunity powers granted presidents by the U.S. Supreme Court, “imagine Donald Trump with no guardrails.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-election-2024-walz-georgia-bus-tour-ca2f9e33dba69763503c1dcec7641e31">The rally was the end of a two-day bus tour</a>&nbsp;in southeastern Georgia. Harris has another campaign blitz on Labor Day with Biden in Detroit and Pittsburgh with the election rapidly approaching. The first mail ballots get sent to voters in just two weeks.___