By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

A proposal to allow a new casino to be&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/backers-of-a-new-missouri-casino-near-the-lake-of-the-ozarks-submit-signatures-seeking-ballot-slot/">licensed on the Osage River</a>&nbsp;near the Lake of the Ozarks will be on the November ballot, a Cole County judge ruled Friday.

The initiative, which was initially found to be&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/sports-wagering-minimum-wage-hike-headed-for-november-vote-in-missouri/">2,031 signatures short</a>&nbsp;in the 2nd Congressional District, actually did have enough valid signatures, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office conceded when a planned trial over the petition opened before Judge Daniel Green.

The proposed constitutional amendment initially failed to qualify for the ballot because of signatures disallowed by local election officials. An additional 2,230 valid signatures were found by the proponents, Osage River Gaming and Convention, by reviewing the rejections.

Signature verification is “a massive, messy process that does not always produce perfect results,” Chuck Hatfield, the attorney representing the campaign, told Green.

The proposal will be Amendment 5 on the Nov. 5 ballot and joins three other initiative proposals —&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">protecting reproductive rights</a>, listed as Amendment 3;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/01/group-turns-in-signatures-to-put-minimum-wage-hike-paid-sick-leave-on-missouri-ballot/">increasing the minimum wage</a>, listed as Proposition A; and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/pro-sports-teams-submit-petition-signatures-to-legalize-sports-gambling-in-missouri/">legalizing sports betting</a>, listed as Amendment 2.

There are pending court challenges to the reproductive rights and sports wagering proposals that could strike them from the ballot.

The Osage River casino is being pushed by a committee that wants to build a casino to compete with a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/10/29/osage-nation-plans-casino-hotel-for-missouris-lake-of-the-ozarks/">planned Osage Nation casino</a>&nbsp;in the same area.

“Today is a victory for the initiative petition process and for voters who will benefit from our proposed development at the Lake of the Ozarks,” the committee said in a statement issued after Green ruled.&nbsp;

The proposal would amend the Missouri Constitution to allow a casino along the Osage River between Bagnell Dam and the confluence with the Missouri River. The constitution currently authorizes casinos only along&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++39(e)&amp;bid=31794&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">the Missouri and Mississippi rivers</a>.

The proposal would also override a state law limiting the state&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=313.780&amp;bid=16856&amp;hl=" target="_blank">to 13 licensed casinos</a>, passed in 2008 as a result of an initiative sponsored by casino operators.

The Lake of the Ozarks is one of Missouri’s busiest tourism destinations. The casino proposal is being bankrolled by Bally’s, which currently operates a casino in Kansas City, and RIS Inc., a major regional developer.&nbsp;

Each has contributed about half of the $4.3 million raised for the petition drive.

The casino will support more than 700 new jobs in the lake area. The project, if approved, would generate admission and other fee revenue of $2.1 million annually, according to the language appearing on the ballot, and annual gaming tax revenue of $14.3 million.

There are also two constitutional amendments proposed by the General Assembly on the ballot.&nbsp; Amendment 6 would give the courts power to enforce payment of fees that support retirement benefits for sheriffs and prosecutors. Amendment 7 would ban the use of ranked-choice voting in Missouri elections and restate the current ban on voting by people who are not U.S. citizens.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/3/1646149812641.jpg" alt="The Osage River casino is being pushed by a committee that wants to build a casino to compete with a planned Osage Nation casino in the same area&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The Osage River casino is being pushed by a committee that wants to build a casino to compete with a planned Osage Nation casino in the same area&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>By RUDI KELLER&nbsp; <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>A proposal to allow a new casino to be&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/backers-of-a-new-missouri-casino-near-the-lake-of-the-ozarks-submit-signatures-seeking-ballot-slot/">licensed on the Osage River</a>&nbsp;near the Lake of the Ozarks will be on the November ballot, a Cole County judge ruled Friday.The initiative, which was initially found to be&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/sports-wagering-minimum-wage-hike-headed-for-november-vote-in-missouri/">2,031 signatures short</a>&nbsp;in the 2nd Congressional District, actually did have enough valid signatures, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office conceded when a planned trial over the petition opened before Judge Daniel Green.The proposed constitutional amendment initially failed to qualify for the ballot because of signatures disallowed by local election officials. An additional 2,230 valid signatures were found by the proponents, Osage River Gaming and Convention, by reviewing the rejections.Signature verification is “a massive, messy process that does not always produce perfect results,” Chuck Hatfield, the attorney representing the campaign, told Green.The proposal will be Amendment 5 on the Nov. 5 ballot and joins three other initiative proposals —&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/08/13/missouri-voters-will-decide-whether-to-legalize-abortion-in-november/">protecting reproductive rights</a>, listed as Amendment 3;&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2024/05/01/group-turns-in-signatures-to-put-minimum-wage-hike-paid-sick-leave-on-missouri-ballot/">increasing the minimum wage</a>, listed as Proposition A; and&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/pro-sports-teams-submit-petition-signatures-to-legalize-sports-gambling-in-missouri/">legalizing sports betting</a>, listed as Amendment 2.There are pending court challenges to the reproductive rights and sports wagering proposals that could strike them from the ballot.The Osage River casino is being pushed by a committee that wants to build a casino to compete with a&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/2021/10/29/osage-nation-plans-casino-hotel-for-missouris-lake-of-the-ozarks/">planned Osage Nation casino</a>&nbsp;in the same area.“Today is a victory for the initiative petition process and for voters who will benefit from our proposed development at the Lake of the Ozarks,” the committee said in a statement issued after Green ruled.&nbsp;The proposal would amend the Missouri Constitution to allow a casino along the Osage River between Bagnell Dam and the confluence with the Missouri River. The constitution currently authorizes casinos only along&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=III++++39(e)&amp;bid=31794&amp;constit=y" target="_blank">the Missouri and Mississippi rivers</a>.The proposal would also override a state law limiting the state&nbsp;<a href="https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=313.780&amp;bid=16856&amp;hl=" target="_blank">to 13 licensed casinos</a>, passed in 2008 as a result of an initiative sponsored by casino operators.The Lake of the Ozarks is one of Missouri’s busiest tourism destinations. The casino proposal is being bankrolled by Bally’s, which currently operates a casino in Kansas City, and RIS Inc., a major regional developer.&nbsp;Each has contributed about half of the $4.3 million raised for the petition drive.The casino will support more than 700 new jobs in the lake area. The project, if approved, would generate admission and other fee revenue of $2.1 million annually, according to the language appearing on the ballot, and annual gaming tax revenue of $14.3 million.There are also two constitutional amendments proposed by the General Assembly on the ballot.&nbsp; Amendment 6 would give the courts power to enforce payment of fees that support retirement benefits for sheriffs and prosecutors. Amendment 7 would ban the use of ranked-choice voting in Missouri elections and restate the current ban on voting by people who are not U.S. citizens.

Missouri judge puts Lake of the Ozarks casino proposal on Nov. ballot

WYANDOTTE COUNTY— Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that left one man dead and another with critical injuries.

Just before 1:30 a.m. August 25, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 900 block of Washington Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.

First responders found a man outside and alert. EMS transported him to hospital for treatment of critical injuries.

A short time later,&nbsp; police discovered a second victim&nbsp; near the 800 block of Washington Boulevard. He was taken to a hospital, but he later died from his injuries.

Detectives with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department have identified the victim in an early morning shooting, Saturday, August 24, in the 800 block of Washington Blvd.That victim, David Dawkins, 6/20/1977, a resident of Kansas City, Kansas died at an area hospital from his injuries. This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.There is nothing further to report at this time.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY— Law enforcement are investigating a shooting that left one man dead and another with critical injuries.Just before 1:30 a.m. August 25, police were dispatched to report of a shooting in the 900 block of Washington Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.First responders found a man outside and alert. EMS transported him to hospital for treatment of critical injuries.A short time later,&nbsp; police discovered a second victim&nbsp; near the 800 block of Washington Boulevard. He was taken to a hospital, but he later died from his injuries.Detectives with the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department have identified the victim in an early morning shooting, Saturday, August 24, in the 800 block of Washington Blvd.That victim, David Dawkins, 6/20/1977, a resident of Kansas City, Kansas died at an area hospital from his injuries. This incident is under investigation by the KCKPD Major Case Unit. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). All tips remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward.There is nothing further to report at this time.

Police ID victim in deadly Kansas shooting

NEW YORK (AP) — Next month's debate between Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;won't have an audience, live microphones when candidates aren't speaking, or written notes, according to rules that ABC News, the host network, shared this week with both campaigns.

A copy of the rules was provided to the Associated Press on Thursday by a senior Trump campaign official on condition of anonymity ahead of the network's announcement. The Harris campaign on Thursday insisted it was still discussing the muting of mics with ABC.

The parameters now in place for the Sept. 10 debate are essentially the same as they were for the June debate between Trump and President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, a disastrous performance for the incumbent Democrat that fueled his exit from the campaign. It is the only debate that's been firmly scheduled and could be the only time voters see Harris and Trump go head to head before the November general election.

The back-and-forth over the debate rules&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-trump-debates-muted-microphones-election-83db9853877c5d00e46415ed98f46f25">reached a fever pitch</a>&nbsp;this week, particularly on the issue of whether the microphones would be muted between turns speaking.

Harris' campaign had advocated for live microphones for the whole debate, saying in a statement that the practice would “fully allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates.”

Biden’s campaign had made microphone muting condition of his decision to accept any debates this year, a decision some aides now regret, saying voters were shielded from hearing Trump’s outbursts during the debate.

“It’s interesting that Trump’s handlers keep insisting on muting him, despite the candidate himself saying the opposite,” Harris spokesman Ian Sams said. “Why won’t they just do what the candidate wants?”

Representatives for Trump — who initially scoffed at the substitution of Harris into a debate arrangement he initially made with Biden in the race — had claimed that Harris sought “a seated debate, with notes, and opening statements,” specifications her campaign denied.

According to ABC News, the candidates will stand behind lecterns, will not make opening statements and will not be allowed to bring notes during the 90-minute debate. David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate the event at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

AP White House Correspondent Zeke Miller in Savannah, Georgia, contributed to this report. Kinnard reported from Chapin, South Carolina

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724867447394.png" alt="File photo Associated Press" />
 <figcaption>File photo Associated Press</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP) — Next month's debate between Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;and former President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;won't have an audience, live microphones when candidates aren't speaking, or written notes, according to rules that ABC News, the host network, shared this week with both campaigns.A copy of the rules was provided to the Associated Press on Thursday by a senior Trump campaign official on condition of anonymity ahead of the network's announcement. The Harris campaign on Thursday insisted it was still discussing the muting of mics with ABC.The parameters now in place for the Sept. 10 debate are essentially the same as they were for the June debate between Trump and President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, a disastrous performance for the incumbent Democrat that fueled his exit from the campaign. It is the only debate that's been firmly scheduled and could be the only time voters see Harris and Trump go head to head before the November general election.The back-and-forth over the debate rules&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-trump-debates-muted-microphones-election-83db9853877c5d00e46415ed98f46f25">reached a fever pitch</a>&nbsp;this week, particularly on the issue of whether the microphones would be muted between turns speaking.Harris' campaign had advocated for live microphones for the whole debate, saying in a statement that the practice would “fully allow for substantive exchanges between the candidates.”Biden’s campaign had made microphone muting condition of his decision to accept any debates this year, a decision some aides now regret, saying voters were shielded from hearing Trump’s outbursts during the debate.“It’s interesting that Trump’s handlers keep insisting on muting him, despite the candidate himself saying the opposite,” Harris spokesman Ian Sams said. “Why won’t they just do what the candidate wants?”Representatives for Trump — who initially scoffed at the substitution of Harris into a debate arrangement he initially made with Biden in the race — had claimed that Harris sought “a seated debate, with notes, and opening statements,” specifications her campaign denied.According to ABC News, the candidates will stand behind lecterns, will not make opening statements and will not be allowed to bring notes during the 90-minute debate. David Muir and Linsey Davis will moderate the event at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.___AP White House Correspondent Zeke Miller in Savannah, Georgia, contributed to this report. Kinnard reported from Chapin, South Carolina

 ABC approves rules for the Trump, Harris presidential debate 

DOUGLAS COUNTY—&nbsp; A goat has been “on the lam” in Lawrence the last few days, according to Lawrence Police Department spokesperson&nbsp;Laura McCabe.

The goat has been making drivers and passersby nervous by darting across streets and through town.

"It turns out when it comes to lasso skills, the Lawrence Police Department has "a GOAT of our own&nbsp; -- and not the kind that eats hay."

DOUGLAS COUNTY—&nbsp; A goat has been “on the lam” in Lawrence the last few days, according to Lawrence Police Department spokesperson&nbsp;Laura McCabe.<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XCKuqiAJVqM?si=8A9zBS9fOiaA8nz1&amp;start=1" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>The goat has been making drivers and passersby nervous by darting across streets and through town."It turns out when it comes to lasso skills, the Lawrence Police Department has "a GOAT of our own&nbsp; -- and not the kind that eats hay."

🎥Kan. officer captures goat that's been making drivers nervous

Reno County showed off the renovations to the Courthouse with public tours on Wednesday, Aug. 28.

Staff members hosted four tours throughout the day. The tours highlighted the Veterans Room, administration, jury rooms, and the Reno County District Attorney offices.

All five floors of the Courthouse had renovations done to some degree. The fifth floor, which is home to the District Attorney's office, had the most work done. The entire District Attorney's staff is now located on the fifth floor, while in the past, the staff had been located on multiple floors.

The Reno County Courthouse opened in 1931 at its current location, 206 W. 1st Ave.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724861256707.jpeg" alt="Reno County Courthouse Open House on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)" />
 <figcaption>Reno County Courthouse Open House on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)</figcaption>
 </figure>Reno County showed off the renovations to the Courthouse with public tours on Wednesday, Aug. 28.Staff members hosted four tours throughout the day. The tours highlighted the Veterans Room, administration, jury rooms, and the Reno County District Attorney offices.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724861379747.jpeg" alt="Overlooking the first floor of the Reno County Courthouse at the Open House on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)" />
 <figcaption>Overlooking the first floor of the Reno County Courthouse at the Open House on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. (Hutch Post Photo/Sean Boston)</figcaption>
 </figure>All five floors of the Courthouse had renovations done to some degree. The fifth floor, which is home to the District Attorney's office, had the most work done. The entire District Attorney's staff is now located on the fifth floor, while in the past, the staff had been located on multiple floors.The Reno County Courthouse opened in 1931 at its current location, 206 W. 1st Ave.

Reno County Courthouse shows off renovations

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The pedestrian struck Tuesday night at the intersection of Village West Parkway and France Family Drive, near Children’s Mercy Park,. died from her injuries on Wednesday, according to Kansas City, Kansas Police.

Summer Lynn, 17, Kansas City, Missouri, was crossing Village Parkway West at the intersection with France Family Drive, when she was struck by a northbound vehicle.

EMS transported her to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and cooperated with police. A preliminary investigation did not indicate weather, speed or driver impairment were contributing factors.

The accident occurred during the weather-delayed start of a U.S. Open Cup Match at Children’s Mercy Park.

This incident remains under investigation by the KCKPD Traffic Division. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). There is nothing further to report at this time.

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —The pedestrian struck Tuesday night at the intersection of Village West Parkway and France Family Drive, near Children’s Mercy Park,. died from her injuries on Wednesday, according to Kansas City, Kansas Police.Summer Lynn, 17, Kansas City, Missouri, was crossing Village Parkway West at the intersection with France Family Drive, when she was struck by a northbound vehicle.EMS transported her to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and cooperated with police. A preliminary investigation did not indicate weather, speed or driver impairment were contributing factors.The accident occurred during the weather-delayed start of a U.S. Open Cup Match at Children’s Mercy Park.This incident remains under investigation by the KCKPD Traffic Division. Anyone with information on this case is urged to call the Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477). There is nothing further to report at this time.

17-year-old critically injured in Kan. pedestrian accident has died

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Vice President Kamala Harris</a>&nbsp;on Thursday defended shifting away from her 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.”

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 about changes in her policies over the years, specifically her reversals on fracking and decriminalizing illegal border crossings.

“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.”

The interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-interview-walz-cnn-eba7d9e9b53a46987f62f7f9206f0db8">CNN’s Dana Bash</a>&nbsp;comes as voters are still trying to learn more about the Democratic ticket under an unusually compressed time frame —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-election-2024-ending-race-be10da43b9447ef1230c178b15c4760a">Joe Biden stepped down</a>&nbsp;just five weeks ago. It was 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.

Joint interviews during an election year are a fixture in politics; Biden and Harris, Trump and Mike Pence, Barack Obama and Biden — all did them at a similar point in the race. The difference is those other candidates had all done solo interviews, too. 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.

Harris said serving with Biden was “one of the greatest honors of my career,” as 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 with Hamas in Gaza, 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 fighting.

She also brushed off Republican Donald Trump’s questioning of her racial identity after he said she&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 it was the “same old, tired playbook.”

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 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 State of the Union addresses.

During the interview, Walz watched quietly and nodded when Harris made her main points. He was 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. But a campaign spokesperson said he misspoke.

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 less controversial fertility treatment, he said he believes most Americans get that it’s the Trump campaign that’s splitting hairs.

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.

But 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 guard rails.”

<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.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724983318602.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 her 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.”<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>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 about changes in her policies over the years, specifically her reversals on fracking and decriminalizing illegal border crossings.“I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed,” Harris said.<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>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.”The interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/harris-interview-walz-cnn-eba7d9e9b53a46987f62f7f9206f0db8">CNN’s Dana Bash</a>&nbsp;comes as voters are still trying to learn more about the Democratic ticket under an unusually compressed time frame —&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-election-2024-ending-race-be10da43b9447ef1230c178b15c4760a">Joe Biden stepped down</a>&nbsp;just five weeks ago. It was 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.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Donald Trump killed our bill to secure the border in order to help himself politically. It would have added more border agents and allowed us to increase fentanyl seizures. As President, I will make sure that bill gets back to my desk—and I will sign it.<a href="https://t.co/psDbSdDSMG">pic.twitter.com/psDbSdDSMG</a>&mdash; Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/1829338662854656424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 30, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Joint interviews during an election year are a fixture in politics; Biden and Harris, Trump and Mike Pence, Barack Obama and Biden — all did them at a similar point in the race. The difference is those other candidates had all done solo interviews, too. 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.Harris said serving with Biden was “one of the greatest honors of my career,” as 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 with Hamas in Gaza, 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 fighting.She also brushed off Republican Donald Trump’s questioning of her racial identity after he said she&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 it was the “same old, tired playbook.”“Next question, please.”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 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 State of the Union addresses.During the interview, Walz watched quietly and nodded when Harris made her main points. He was 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. But a campaign spokesperson said he misspoke.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 less controversial fertility treatment, he said he believes most Americans get that it’s the Trump campaign that’s splitting hairs.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.But 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 guard rails.”<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.

🎥Highlights of Kamala Harris first interview of presidential campaign

MONTGOMERY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Coffeyville, Kansas.

Just after 3p.m. Thursday, the Coffeyville Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a Ford pickup truck driven by 33-year-old Derik J. Trotter, of Coffeyville, who was connected to an active investigation. Three officers from the Coffeyville Police Department were on scene, and two of them approached Trotter’s vehicle that had stopped near 4th&nbsp;St. and Poplar Place.

Preliminary information indicates that officers tried to detain Trotter to serve a search warrant for items in his possession. As they attempted to place Trotter in handcuffs, he fought back and tried to escape. During the close physical altercation that followed, two officers deployed Tasers but he continued to be combative. Then one officer fired rounds striking Trotter.

Officers rendered aid and EMS transported Trotter to the Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. Despite lifesaving efforts, he was pronounced deceased at the hospital. No law enforcement officers were injured in the shooting.

The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into this officer-involved shooting. Once completed the findings will be presented to the Montgomery County Attorney for review. This investigation is ongoing.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Coffeyville, Kansas.Just after 3p.m. Thursday, the Coffeyville Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a Ford pickup truck driven by 33-year-old Derik J. Trotter, of Coffeyville, who was connected to an active investigation. Three officers from the Coffeyville Police Department were on scene, and two of them approached Trotter’s vehicle that had stopped near 4th&nbsp;St. and Poplar Place.Preliminary information indicates that officers tried to detain Trotter to serve a search warrant for items in his possession. As they attempted to place Trotter in handcuffs, he fought back and tried to escape. During the close physical altercation that followed, two officers deployed Tasers but he continued to be combative. Then one officer fired rounds striking Trotter.Officers rendered aid and EMS transported Trotter to the Coffeyville Regional Medical Center. Despite lifesaving efforts, he was pronounced deceased at the hospital. No law enforcement officers were injured in the shooting.The KBI will conduct a thorough and independent investigation into this officer-involved shooting. Once completed the findings will be presented to the Montgomery County Attorney for review. This investigation is ongoing.

KBI: Kansas man dies in officer-involved shooting

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22HEATHER%20HOLLINGSWORTH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH </a>

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22HEATHER%20HOLLINGSWORTH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest"></a>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — An inmate whose escape from a Kansas prison hidden in a dog crate became the subject of a book and TV movie has died behind bars.

John Manard, who was 45, died Sunday at the La Palma Correctional Facility, a private prison in Eloy, Arizona, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. His cause of death is pending the result of an autopsy, department spokesperson Jennifer King said.

Manard was serving a life sentence for a suburban Kansas City killing at a prison in Lansing, Kansas, when he met Toby Young, a married mother of two who worked helping prisoners train animals for adoption. They struck up a romantic relationship.

On Feb. 12, 2006, Young, then 47, hid Manard, then 27, in a crate and helped him escape.

Prison officials said she took advantage of the trust she gained while running the program to drive Manard out of the prison. A guard who recognized Young did not thoroughly search the van.

Young and Manard were captured 12 days after the escape in east Tennessee on Interstate 75 between Knoxville and Chattanooga, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) south of a remote cabin they had been sharing.

Young, whose husband filed for divorce after her arrest, was sentenced in state court for her role in breaking Manard out. She also pleaded guilty in federal court to giving him a gun. She was freed in 2008 and wrote about what happened in the book, “Living With Conviction.”

“John is finally free. But I am crushed,” Young, who has since remarried and goes by Toby Dorr, said in a Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/toby.dorr/posts/pfbid0yC8wj6SPedGm5Amke8mUU2PL9n7KnURqGTEkQnhcVz5f9DTnJ6u1iG47KbTjsbhEl">post</a>&nbsp;Wednesday. “I pray you have at last found the peace you were searching for, John.”

The escape story also was featured on “Dateline” and is the inspiration behind the Lifetime movie, “Jailbreak Lovers.”

In a March 2006 letter to a Kansas City television station, Manard said he and Young “have a fairytale love the size of infinity.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724950333943.png" alt="Manard photo KDOC" />
 <figcaption>Manard photo KDOC</figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22HEATHER%20HOLLINGSWORTH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH </a><a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22HEATHER%20HOLLINGSWORTH%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest"></a>MISSION, Kan. (AP) — An inmate whose escape from a Kansas prison hidden in a dog crate became the subject of a book and TV movie has died behind bars.John Manard, who was 45, died Sunday at the La Palma Correctional Facility, a private prison in Eloy, Arizona, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections. His cause of death is pending the result of an autopsy, department spokesperson Jennifer King said.Manard was serving a life sentence for a suburban Kansas City killing at a prison in Lansing, Kansas, when he met Toby Young, a married mother of two who worked helping prisoners train animals for adoption. They struck up a romantic relationship.On Feb. 12, 2006, Young, then 47, hid Manard, then 27, in a crate and helped him escape.Prison officials said she took advantage of the trust she gained while running the program to drive Manard out of the prison. A guard who recognized Young did not thoroughly search the van.Young and Manard were captured 12 days after the escape in east Tennessee on Interstate 75 between Knoxville and Chattanooga, about 90 miles (145 kilometers) south of a remote cabin they had been sharing.Young, whose husband filed for divorce after her arrest, was sentenced in state court for her role in breaking Manard out. She also pleaded guilty in federal court to giving him a gun. She was freed in 2008 and wrote about what happened in the book, “Living With Conviction.”“John is finally free. But I am crushed,” Young, who has since remarried and goes by Toby Dorr, said in a Facebook&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/toby.dorr/posts/pfbid0yC8wj6SPedGm5Amke8mUU2PL9n7KnURqGTEkQnhcVz5f9DTnJ6u1iG47KbTjsbhEl">post</a>&nbsp;Wednesday. “I pray you have at last found the peace you were searching for, John.”The escape story also was featured on “Dateline” and is the inspiration behind the Lifetime movie, “Jailbreak Lovers.”In a March 2006 letter to a Kansas City television station, Manard said he and Young “have a fairytale love the size of infinity.”

Man whose escaped from Kan. prison in dog crate dies behind bars

JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects including a Kansas felon on drug allegations.

Just after 8:30a.m.&nbsp; August 25, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop in rural Jackson on a Mazda pickup truck for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. The vehicle occupants were identified as Timothy Charles Krogman, 66, and&nbsp;William Joseph Stewart, 70, both of Sabetha.

During the traffic stop a probable cause search was conducted for illegal drugs or narcotics.

Krogman was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, trafficking contraband into correctional facility, and interference with law enforcement; conceal/alter/destroy evidence in felony case. He has three previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Stewart was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724705033034.png" alt="Stewart -photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Stewart -photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>JACKSON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects including a Kansas felon on drug allegations.Just after 8:30a.m.&nbsp; August 25, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop in rural Jackson on a Mazda pickup truck for a traffic infraction, according to Sheriff Tim Morse. The vehicle occupants were identified as Timothy Charles Krogman, 66, and&nbsp;William Joseph Stewart, 70, both of Sabetha.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724705008444.png" alt="Krogman has three previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo Jackson Co." />
 <figcaption>Krogman has three previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections- photo Jackson Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>During the traffic stop a probable cause search was conducted for illegal drugs or narcotics.Krogman was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, trafficking contraband into correctional facility, and interference with law enforcement; conceal/alter/destroy evidence in felony case. He has three previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Stewart was arrested on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Kansas felon accused of new drug violations

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —A Kansas teen died in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Thursday in Montgomery County.

The Kansas Highway Patrol reported an electric scooter driven by Noah Edward&nbsp;Corish, 18, Independence, Kansas, was westbound on Chestnut Street at&nbsp;Pennsylvania Street in the city of Independence.

The teen failed to yield to a 2001 Chevy Silverado driven by Brent Alan&nbsp;Heuer, 39, Elk City, Kansas, who was turning northbound from Chestnut onto Pennsylvania. The pickup struck the electric scooter in the intersection.

&nbsp; EMS transported Corish to Labette Health where was pronounced deceased just after 11a.m.&nbsp; Heuer was not injured and properly restrained.&nbsp; Corish was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY —A Kansas teen died in an accident just after 7:30a.m. Thursday in Montgomery County.The Kansas Highway Patrol reported an electric scooter driven by Noah Edward&nbsp;Corish, 18, Independence, Kansas, was westbound on Chestnut Street at&nbsp;Pennsylvania Street in the city of Independence.The teen failed to yield to a 2001 Chevy Silverado driven by Brent Alan&nbsp;Heuer, 39, Elk City, Kansas, who was turning northbound from Chestnut onto Pennsylvania. The pickup struck the electric scooter in the intersection.&nbsp; EMS transported Corish to Labette Health where was pronounced deceased just after 11a.m.&nbsp; Heuer was not injured and properly restrained.&nbsp; Corish was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP.

Kansas teen dies after pickup strikes electric scooter

WASHINGTON (AP) — An Arlington National Cemetery official was “abruptly pushed aside” in an altercation with former President Donald Trump’s staff during a wreath-laying ceremony to honor service members killed in the Afghanistan War withdrawal, but she declined to press charges, an Army spokesman said Thursday.

The Army spokesman said the cemetery employee was trying to make sure those participating in Monday's wreath-laying ceremony to mark the third anniversary of the attack were following the rules, which “clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds.”

A TikTok video of the visit that was later shared by Trump shows scenes of him at the cemetery and includes a voiceover of the Republican presidential nominee blaming the Biden administration for the “disaster” of the Afghanistan withdrawal.

“This employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption,” the Army spokesman's statement said. “This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked.”

The incident was reported to the police, but because the employee decided not to press charges, the Army said it considered the matter closed. In response, Chris LaCivita, a top Trump campaign adviser, re-sent a video of Trump at Arlington that he had first put up on X three days ago, adding the message, “Reposting this hoping to trigger the hacks at @SecArmy.”

The controversy comes as Trump has been working to tie his Democratic opponent, Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris,</a>&nbsp;to the chaos of the Afghanistan War withdrawal with just over two months until Election Day. The suicide bombing at the Kabul airport, which killed 13 American service members and more than 170 Afghans on Aug. 26, 2021, was one of the lowest points of the Biden administration and followed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-biden-government-and-politics-donald-trump-7cef514c6cc96848f61a9e8b7fcdf263">a withdrawal commitment</a>&nbsp;and timeline that the Trump administration had negotiated with the Taliban the previous year.

Families of three of the slain service members had invited Trump to the ceremony, saying the former president knew their children's stories and blaming the Biden administration for their deaths. Some of the families of these service members spoke out in support of Trump at the Republican National Convention in July, in part to blunt criticism that Trump wasn't supportive enough of veterans.

The family members initially struggled to arrange Trump's visit to the cemetery, according to a spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Mike McCaul, a Texas Republican who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The families had reached out to McCaul because the cemetery had been giving them “a hard time” about coordinating the ceremony with Trump, McCaul’s spokesperson Leslie Shedd said Thursday.

The families said the Army would only allow the ceremony at a specific time that did not work for everyone’s schedule, among other conditions, Shedd said. McCaul then reached out to House Speaker Mike Johnson for assistance and tracked the matter until it was resolved, Shedd said.

“I was furious to hear their request to have President Trump join them to commemorate the anniversary of Taylor’s death was being stymied, along with several of the other family members of U.S. servicemembers killed at Abbey Gate,” McCaul said in a statement. “Gold Star families have already suffered enough.”

The Trump campaign has been facing blowback since an NPR report said that two Trump campaign staff members on Monday had “verbally abused and pushed” aside a cemetery official who tried to stop them from filming and photographing in Section 60, the burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Federal law prohibits campaign or election-related activities within Army national military cemeteries. A defense official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, said the Trump campaign was warned about not taking photographs in Section 60 before their arrival and the altercation.

The Trump campaign has claimed the Republican presidential nominee’s team was granted access to have a photographer, contested the allegation that a campaign staffer had pushed the cemetery official and pushed back on any notion that the cemetery official had been unfairly targeted.

“This individual was the one who initiated physical contact and verbal harassment that was unwarranted and unnecessary,” Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said Thursday. “As the Army has said, they consider this matter closed. President Trump was there to support the Gold Star families and honor the sacrifices their loved ones made. Where was Kamala Harris?”

The Trump campaign has also posted a message signed by relatives of two of the service members killed in the bombing that said “the president and his team conducted themselves with nothing but the utmost respect and dignity for all of our service members, especially our beloved children.”

Photos of the cemetery visit showed Trump standing by the graves and flashing a thumbs-up sign next to relatives of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover and Sgt. Nicole Gee. He also laid wreaths for Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, whose family was not present.

The family of a decorated Green Beret whose grave appeared in the photos of Trump's visit issued a statement expressing support for the families who lost loved ones in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-france-evacuations-kabul-9e457201e5bbe75a4eb1901fedeee7a1">the Kabul airport bombing</a>, but asking for understanding for the concerns from relatives of service members whose graves were near them.

“We hope that those visiting this sacred site understand that these were real people who sacrificed for our freedom and that they are honored and respected accordingly,” said the statement, which was sent by the sister of Silver Star recipient Master Sgt. Andrew C. Marckesano, who died in 2020, on behalf of the family.

The TikTok video shared by Trump shows several clips of his visit to the cemetery. As a guitar strums in the background, there is a voiceover of him saying: “We lost great, great people. What a horrible day it was. We didn’t lose one person in 18 months, and then they took over. That disaster, the leaving of Afghanistan.”

The 18-month stretch without any combat deaths in Afghanistan included about six months of the Biden administration.

Fred Wellman, a 22-year Army veteran who served in Iraq and who is supporting Harris for president, said it was a mistake for the Army to put all of the weight on the Arlington National Cemetery staffer and let the issue go after the staffer decided not to press charges.

“Everyone who is a veteran who served since 9/11 is one to two degrees of separation from someone buried in Section 60,” he said. “The Army is the keeper of that place for us."

A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-bombings-kabul-taliban-80dde38aa7c28451b2dc55b466e31228">Pentagon investigation into the deadly attack</a>&nbsp;concluded that the suicide bomber acted alone and that those killings were not preventable. But critics have slammed the Biden administration for the catastrophic evacuation, saying it should have started earlier than it did.

Allison Jaslow, a former Army captain who leads the nonpartisan advocacy organization Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, applauded when Trump and Harris picked military veterans as their running mates. But she said aspiring elected officials should not campaign at Arlington National Cemetery.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An Arlington National Cemetery official was “abruptly pushed aside” in an altercation with former President Donald Trump’s staff during a wreath-laying ceremony to honor service members killed in the Afghanistan War withdrawal, but she declined to press charges, an Army spokesman said Thursday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">From the families of the 13 Armed Service members who perished at Abbey Gate because of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ incompetence. <a href="https://t.co/Cj5N5U0bkj">pic.twitter.com/Cj5N5U0bkj</a>&mdash; Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepBrianMast/status/1828819107015516660?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The Army spokesman said the cemetery employee was trying to make sure those participating in Monday's wreath-laying ceremony to mark the third anniversary of the attack were following the rules, which “clearly prohibit political activities on cemetery grounds.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.<a href="https://twitter.com/DeptofDefense?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DeptofDefense</a> Spokesperson <a href="https://twitter.com/sabrinasingh24?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@sabrinasingh24</a> on altercation at <a href="https://twitter.com/ArlingtonNatl?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ArlingtonNatl</a> between Trump campaign staff and a cemetery staff member: &quot;What happened earlier this week is very unfortunate...We stand behind the Army in considering this matter closed.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/1N4ghCa4rX">pic.twitter.com/1N4ghCa4rX</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1829236022397354197?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 29, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>A TikTok video of the visit that was later shared by Trump shows scenes of him at the cemetery and includes a voiceover of the Republican presidential nominee blaming the Biden administration for the “disaster” of the Afghanistan withdrawal.“This employee acted with professionalism and avoided further disruption,” the Army spokesman's statement said. “This incident was unfortunate, and it is also unfortunate that the ANC employee and her professionalism has been unfairly attacked.”<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I joined President Trump to lay wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery in remembrance of the 13 heroes we lost at Abbey Gate. We lost these heroes because of the ignorance and arrogance of politicians, like Kamala Harris &amp; Joe Biden, who treat America&#39;s warriors as disposable. <a href="https://t.co/PoLEEgPaa2">pic.twitter.com/PoLEEgPaa2</a>&mdash; Rep. Brian Mast (@RepBrianMast) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepBrianMast/status/1828102812267598022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The incident was reported to the police, but because the employee decided not to press charges, the Army said it considered the matter closed. In response, Chris LaCivita, a top Trump campaign adviser, re-sent a video of Trump at Arlington that he had first put up on X three days ago, adding the message, “Reposting this hoping to trigger the hacks at @SecArmy.”The controversy comes as Trump has been working to tie his Democratic opponent, Vice President&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris,</a>&nbsp;to the chaos of the Afghanistan War withdrawal with just over two months until Election Day. The suicide bombing at the Kabul airport, which killed 13 American service members and more than 170 Afghans on Aug. 26, 2021, was one of the lowest points of the Biden administration and followed&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-biden-government-and-politics-donald-trump-7cef514c6cc96848f61a9e8b7fcdf263">a withdrawal commitment</a>&nbsp;and timeline that the Trump administration had negotiated with the Taliban the previous year.Families of three of the slain service members had invited Trump to the ceremony, saying the former president knew their children's stories and blaming the Biden administration for their deaths. Some of the families of these service members spoke out in support of Trump at the Republican National Convention in July, in part to blunt criticism that Trump wasn't supportive enough of veterans.The family members initially struggled to arrange Trump's visit to the cemetery, according to a spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Mike McCaul, a Texas Republican who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The families had reached out to McCaul because the cemetery had been giving them “a hard time” about coordinating the ceremony with Trump, McCaul’s spokesperson Leslie Shedd said Thursday.The families said the Army would only allow the ceremony at a specific time that did not work for everyone’s schedule, among other conditions, Shedd said. McCaul then reached out to House Speaker Mike Johnson for assistance and tracked the matter until it was resolved, Shedd said.“I was furious to hear their request to have President Trump join them to commemorate the anniversary of Taylor’s death was being stymied, along with several of the other family members of U.S. servicemembers killed at Abbey Gate,” McCaul said in a statement. “Gold Star families have already suffered enough.”The Trump campaign has been facing blowback since an NPR report said that two Trump campaign staff members on Monday had “verbally abused and pushed” aside a cemetery official who tried to stop them from filming and photographing in Section 60, the burial site for military personnel killed while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.Federal law prohibits campaign or election-related activities within Army national military cemeteries. A defense official, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, said the Trump campaign was warned about not taking photographs in Section 60 before their arrival and the altercation.The Trump campaign has claimed the Republican presidential nominee’s team was granted access to have a photographer, contested the allegation that a campaign staffer had pushed the cemetery official and pushed back on any notion that the cemetery official had been unfairly targeted.“This individual was the one who initiated physical contact and verbal harassment that was unwarranted and unnecessary,” Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung said Thursday. “As the Army has said, they consider this matter closed. President Trump was there to support the Gold Star families and honor the sacrifices their loved ones made. Where was Kamala Harris?”The Trump campaign has also posted a message signed by relatives of two of the service members killed in the bombing that said “the president and his team conducted themselves with nothing but the utmost respect and dignity for all of our service members, especially our beloved children.”Photos of the cemetery visit showed Trump standing by the graves and flashing a thumbs-up sign next to relatives of Staff Sgt. Darin Taylor Hoover and Sgt. Nicole Gee. He also laid wreaths for Staff Sgt. Ryan Knauss, whose family was not present.The family of a decorated Green Beret whose grave appeared in the photos of Trump's visit issued a statement expressing support for the families who lost loved ones in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-france-evacuations-kabul-9e457201e5bbe75a4eb1901fedeee7a1">the Kabul airport bombing</a>, but asking for understanding for the concerns from relatives of service members whose graves were near them.“We hope that those visiting this sacred site understand that these were real people who sacrificed for our freedom and that they are honored and respected accordingly,” said the statement, which was sent by the sister of Silver Star recipient Master Sgt. Andrew C. Marckesano, who died in 2020, on behalf of the family.The TikTok video shared by Trump shows several clips of his visit to the cemetery. As a guitar strums in the background, there is a voiceover of him saying: “We lost great, great people. What a horrible day it was. We didn’t lose one person in 18 months, and then they took over. That disaster, the leaving of Afghanistan.”The 18-month stretch without any combat deaths in Afghanistan included about six months of the Biden administration.Fred Wellman, a 22-year Army veteran who served in Iraq and who is supporting Harris for president, said it was a mistake for the Army to put all of the weight on the Arlington National Cemetery staffer and let the issue go after the staffer decided not to press charges.“Everyone who is a veteran who served since 9/11 is one to two degrees of separation from someone buried in Section 60,” he said. “The Army is the keeper of that place for us."A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-islamic-state-group-bombings-kabul-taliban-80dde38aa7c28451b2dc55b466e31228">Pentagon investigation into the deadly attack</a>&nbsp;concluded that the suicide bomber acted alone and that those killings were not preventable. But critics have slammed the Biden administration for the catastrophic evacuation, saying it should have started earlier than it did.Allison Jaslow, a former Army captain who leads the nonpartisan advocacy organization Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, applauded when Trump and Harris picked military veterans as their running mates. But she said aspiring elected officials should not campaign at Arlington National Cemetery.

Different opinions on Trump's Arlington National Cemetery visit  

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Outside consultant hired to review $150 million infrastructure grant award program

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Commerce issued a blanket statement Thursday describing as “categorically false” the allegation attributed to a recently deceased former agency employee that Lt. Gov. David Toland influenced distribution of state infrastructure grants based on political factors.

The statement issued by agency spokesman Patrick Lowry said the death of Jonathan Clayton in an apparent traffic accident was unfortunate, but the Department of Commerce believed it necessary to “provide clarity regarding allegations made publicly” in an email released to coincide with Claytons’ disappearance in early August. That email took on greater urgency when a body was found Sunday in a smashed truck registered to Clayton, 42, of Peabody. The corpse hasn’t been officially identified as Clayton, but a family member and published reports made the connection.

This email linked to Clayton included an assertion Toland, a Democrat who serves as secretary of the Department of Commerce, put a political spin on the scoring system for applications for grant funding from the Build a Stronger Economy, or BASE, program. Allegedly, the distortion was part of a deal with Republican Senate President Ty Masterson of Butler County and now-former GOP House Speaker Ron Ryckman of Johnson County.

The death message claimed “resulting awards from both rounds of the program are inaccurate due to the orders from Toland to alter the application scores after a pre-selected group of awardees were determined.”

Lowry’s rebuttal statement said Clayton’s allegation that Toland undermined integrity of BASE grant awards was inaccurate. The statement likewise said a claim that Toland forced Clayton to serve on a volunteer theater board was “categorically false.”

“While there is no evidence of any impropriety at the Department of Commerce, as an extra precaution an independent third-party contractor is doing a full review of all ARPA grants,” Lowry said. The third-party entity selected to examine grant awards wasn’t identified.

Meanwhile, Masterson spokesman Mike Pirner said “the Senate president never requested or even had a conversation about altering the department’s scoring.”

“It’s important to emphasize that legislative leaders had no role in the department’s scoring of BASE projects,” Pirner said. “The president was involved merely in his capacity as a member of the SPARK executive committee.” He was referring to the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas, or SPARK, committee that was assigned the job of issuing grants made with federal COVID-19 pandemic appropriations.

BASE infrastructure grants were made in two rounds in Kansas. In the first round, 35 grants were issued from a pool of $100 million. Johnson and Butler counties received 47% of that funding. Concerns were expressed about geographic distribution of the money. In the second round, 38 recipients shared $50 million available through the program. Butler County received nothing in the second round, while Johnson County secured 8% of that total.

The Aug. 8 email to news organizations and others, which was attributed to Clayton, said he was forced to resign from the commerce department because he refused to distort scoring on the second round of BASE grants. Clayton was placed in charge of the agency’s COVID-19 grants in 2021.

Clayton left the department in late 2023, but commerce officials said they didn’t know when hiring him in early 2020 that he had been convicted of financial offenses in Pennsylvania. He was placed on probation in 2018 in a check-fraud case and reportedly still owned $195,000 in restitution.

“Under existing Kansas law, we are unable to perform national level criminal background checks for the position that Clayton held,” said Lowry, the commerce department spokesman. “Our process for vetting prospective employees included online searches, social media reviews and reference checks, which unfortunately failed to uncover his felony convictions. He would not have been hired by commerce had we been aware of these convictions.”

Lowry said the state agency would assist local, state and federal agencies investigating Clayton’s work at community-based organizations in Kiowa and Marion counties that could have been victims of fraud.

Clayton, who accepted a job in June as Peabody’s interim clerk, vanished in early August about the time information became available that Clayton might be involved in problems with a $425,000 Department of Commerce grant to the Mullinville Community Foundation.

In addition, the state agency raised an alarm about documentation gaps associated with part of a $1.5 million grant to Peabody that could involve Clayton.

Clayton also claimed in the email to reporters that allegations he might be responsible for misuse of BASE grant awards in Mullinville or Peabody were “unilaterally unfounded and I believe to be a form of retaliation.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724967500301.png" alt=" The Kansas Department of Commerce issued a statement denouncing claims by a deceased former agency employee that Lt. Gov. David Toland, who serves as commerce secretary, used political factors to influence allocation of $150 million in infrastructure grants. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> The Kansas Department of Commerce issued a statement denouncing claims by a deceased former agency employee that Lt. Gov. David Toland, who serves as commerce secretary, used political factors to influence allocation of $150 million in infrastructure grants. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/tim-carpenter/">TIM CARPENTER</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a><h2>Outside consultant hired to review $150 million infrastructure grant award program</h2>TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Commerce issued a blanket statement Thursday describing as “categorically false” the allegation attributed to a recently deceased former agency employee that Lt. Gov. David Toland influenced distribution of state infrastructure grants based on political factors.The statement issued by agency spokesman Patrick Lowry said the death of Jonathan Clayton in an apparent traffic accident was unfortunate, but the Department of Commerce believed it necessary to “provide clarity regarding allegations made publicly” in an email released to coincide with Claytons’ disappearance in early August. That email took on greater urgency when a body was found Sunday in a smashed truck registered to Clayton, 42, of Peabody. The corpse hasn’t been officially identified as Clayton, but a family member and published reports made the connection.This email linked to Clayton included an assertion Toland, a Democrat who serves as secretary of the Department of Commerce, put a political spin on the scoring system for applications for grant funding from the Build a Stronger Economy, or BASE, program. Allegedly, the distortion was part of a deal with Republican Senate President Ty Masterson of Butler County and now-former GOP House Speaker Ron Ryckman of Johnson County.The death message claimed “resulting awards from both rounds of the program are inaccurate due to the orders from Toland to alter the application scores after a pre-selected group of awardees were determined.”Lowry’s rebuttal statement said Clayton’s allegation that Toland undermined integrity of BASE grant awards was inaccurate. The statement likewise said a claim that Toland forced Clayton to serve on a volunteer theater board was “categorically false.”“While there is no evidence of any impropriety at the Department of Commerce, as an extra precaution an independent third-party contractor is doing a full review of all ARPA grants,” Lowry said. The third-party entity selected to examine grant awards wasn’t identified.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724967456309.png" alt=" A spokesman for Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, said there was no substance to the claim by a deceased former Kansas Department of Commerce employee that Masterson used political influence to secure extra infrastructure grants for his home county. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption> A spokesman for Senate President Ty Masterson, an Andover Republican, said there was no substance to the claim by a deceased former Kansas Department of Commerce employee that Masterson used political influence to secure extra infrastructure grants for his home county. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Meanwhile, Masterson spokesman Mike Pirner said “the Senate president never requested or even had a conversation about altering the department’s scoring.”“It’s important to emphasize that legislative leaders had no role in the department’s scoring of BASE projects,” Pirner said. “The president was involved merely in his capacity as a member of the SPARK executive committee.” He was referring to the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas, or SPARK, committee that was assigned the job of issuing grants made with federal COVID-19 pandemic appropriations.BASE infrastructure grants were made in two rounds in Kansas. In the first round, 35 grants were issued from a pool of $100 million. Johnson and Butler counties received 47% of that funding. Concerns were expressed about geographic distribution of the money. In the second round, 38 recipients shared $50 million available through the program. Butler County received nothing in the second round, while Johnson County secured 8% of that total.The Aug. 8 email to news organizations and others, which was attributed to Clayton, said he was forced to resign from the commerce department because he refused to distort scoring on the second round of BASE grants. Clayton was placed in charge of the agency’s COVID-19 grants in 2021.Clayton left the department in late 2023, but commerce officials said they didn’t know when hiring him in early 2020 that he had been convicted of financial offenses in Pennsylvania. He was placed on probation in 2018 in a check-fraud case and reportedly still owned $195,000 in restitution.“Under existing Kansas law, we are unable to perform national level criminal background checks for the position that Clayton held,” said Lowry, the commerce department spokesman. “Our process for vetting prospective employees included online searches, social media reviews and reference checks, which unfortunately failed to uncover his felony convictions. He would not have been hired by commerce had we been aware of these convictions.”Lowry said the state agency would assist local, state and federal agencies investigating Clayton’s work at community-based organizations in Kiowa and Marion counties that could have been victims of fraud.Clayton, who accepted a job in June as Peabody’s interim clerk, vanished in early August about the time information became available that Clayton might be involved in problems with a $425,000 Department of Commerce grant to the Mullinville Community Foundation.In addition, the state agency raised an alarm about documentation gaps associated with part of a $1.5 million grant to Peabody that could involve Clayton.Clayton also claimed in the email to reporters that allegations he might be responsible for misuse of BASE grant awards in Mullinville or Peabody were “unilaterally unfounded and I believe to be a form of retaliation.”

Commerce secretary, Senate president deflect claims tied to deceased former state worker

Detectives have arrested one of the suspects responsible for burning down Haha's Kebab's and Shawarma restaurant,&nbsp;204 W 39th Street, Kansas City just after 2a.m. on July 8, according to a social media report. The suspect is charged with arson. Police thanked the public for their tips to help ID the suspect.

Detectives are still trying to identify the second person, pictured wearing black pants.&nbsp;

If you have information, visit <a href="https://t.co/gULWXwQSro" target="_blank">http://kccrimestoppers.com</a> and remain anonymous. Or call 816-474-TIPS.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724863011701.png" alt="Photo KCPD" />
 <figcaption>Photo KCPD</figcaption>
 </figure><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">UPDATE: Detectives have arrested one of the suspects responsible for burning down Haha&#39;s Kebab&#39;s and Shawarma restaurant. The suspect is charged with arson. Thank you to everyone who provided tips. Detectives are still trying to identify... 1/2 <a href="https://t.co/MqYiv7vxOe">pic.twitter.com/MqYiv7vxOe</a>&mdash; kcpolice (@kcpolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/kcpolice/status/1828823411789107423?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 28, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Detectives have arrested one of the suspects responsible for burning down Haha's Kebab's and Shawarma restaurant,&nbsp;204 W 39th Street, Kansas City just after 2a.m. on July 8, according to a social media report. The suspect is charged with arson. Police thanked the public for their tips to help ID the suspect.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724863094806.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Detectives are still trying to identify the second person, pictured wearing black pants.&nbsp;If you have information, visit <a href="https://t.co/gULWXwQSro" target="_blank">http://kccrimestoppers.com</a> and remain anonymous. Or call 816-474-TIPS.

🎥Police arrest suspect in arson fire at KC restaurant

PAYNE COUNTY, Okla. — A Newton High School student was killed in an accident in Oklahoma on Interstate 35 early Thursday morning. The district sent out the following statement to parents on Thursday.

".NHS families - Newton High School has experienced the loss of one of our own students due to a car accident. With the information coming out, we understand that some of our students are experiencing pain and grief. We want to be supportive of those students, while also understanding that we are coming into a three day weekend. Please find an attached document on what to look out for concerning behaviors. Reach out to the school if you need further help or assistance. Thank you."

An Oklahoma Highway Patrol collision report states that a 2022 Kia Soul crashed shortly after 6:20 a.m. Thursday on northbound I-35 at mile marker 177 near Orlando. A 17-year-old passenger was pronounced dead at the scene, and three other people were taken to area hospitals.

Two of the victims were flown to OU Health in Oklahoma City, where they were admitted in critical condition. A 13-year-old boy was taken to Stillwater Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

PAYNE COUNTY, Okla. — A Newton High School student was killed in an accident in Oklahoma on Interstate 35 early Thursday morning. The district sent out the following statement to parents on Thursday.".NHS families - Newton High School has experienced the loss of one of our own students due to a car accident. With the information coming out, we understand that some of our students are experiencing pain and grief. We want to be supportive of those students, while also understanding that we are coming into a three day weekend. Please find an attached document on what to look out for concerning behaviors. Reach out to the school if you need further help or assistance. Thank you."An Oklahoma Highway Patrol collision report states that a 2022 Kia Soul crashed shortly after 6:20 a.m. Thursday on northbound I-35 at mile marker 177 near Orlando. A 17-year-old passenger was pronounced dead at the scene, and three other people were taken to area hospitals.Two of the victims were flown to OU Health in Oklahoma City, where they were admitted in critical condition. A 13-year-old boy was taken to Stillwater Medical Center, where he was treated and released.

Kansas high school student killed in Oklahoma accident

ELLIS COUNTY —The search for a missing Ellis County man has ended. At 9a.m. Thursday, the Ellis County Sheriff's office reported they located&nbsp;&nbsp;48-year-old Kurt J. Stecklein lying in the riverbed near a bridge east of the Saline River Road and Codell Avenue. He was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition.

Steckllein's truck was also located along a private lease road about a mile northeast of the bridge.

Stecklein has a long criminal history including convictions for 2nd degree murder and aggravated in 2007. He was also in prison for a drug conviction in 2021, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

Ellis County officials continue to investigate his disappearance.

Ellis County deputies are searching for a man who allegedly called a family member for a ride around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

According to Undersheriff Chuck White, Kurt Joseph Stecklein, 48, was last known to be driving around Saline River Road and Codell Avenue in rural Ellis County in a dark-blue 2011 Chevy Silverado pickup when he called a family member to meet him.

Stecklein was believed to be having a medical emergency and asked the family member for a ride.'

The family member could not locate Stecklein or his truck and called the sheriff's office for assistance.

Deputies and KHP aircraft searched the area well after dark and then again this morning, but nothing was found.

Stecklein is a white male, 5'10" and 180 pounds, with brown hair.

Anyone with information about Stecklein's whereabouts or his pickup is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 785-625-1040

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724941797839.jpeg" alt="Stecklein Photo.JPG" />
 <figcaption>Stecklein Photo.JPG</figcaption>
 </figure>ELLIS COUNTY —The search for a missing Ellis County man has ended. At 9a.m. Thursday, the Ellis County Sheriff's office reported they located&nbsp;&nbsp;48-year-old Kurt J. Stecklein lying in the riverbed near a bridge east of the Saline River Road and Codell Avenue. He was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition.Steckllein's truck was also located along a private lease road about a mile northeast of the bridge.Stecklein has a long criminal history including convictions for 2nd degree murder and aggravated in 2007. He was also in prison for a drug conviction in 2021, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.Ellis County officials continue to investigate his disappearance.--------------Ellis County SheriffEllis County deputies are searching for a man who allegedly called a family member for a ride around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday.According to Undersheriff Chuck White, Kurt Joseph Stecklein, 48, was last known to be driving around Saline River Road and Codell Avenue in rural Ellis County in a dark-blue 2011 Chevy Silverado pickup when he called a family member to meet him.Stecklein was believed to be having a medical emergency and asked the family member for a ride.'The family member could not locate Stecklein or his truck and called the sheriff's office for assistance.Deputies and KHP aircraft searched the area well after dark and then again this morning, but nothing was found.Stecklein is a white male, 5'10" and 180 pounds, with brown hair.Anyone with information about Stecklein's whereabouts or his pickup is asked to contact the sheriff's office at 785-625-1040

Sheriff: Missing NW Kan. man found in critical condition in riverbed

WASHINGTON —&nbsp;The U.S. economy added 818,000 fewer jobs from April 2023 through March this year than were originally reported, the government said last week. The revised total adds to evidence that the job market has been steadily slowing and likely reinforces the Federal Reserve’s plan to start cutting interest rates soon.&nbsp;

Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wrote on social media, "Kamala Harris and Joe Biden are cooking the books for political power."

They have completely fabricated job growth in an attempt to make you believe the economy is stronger than it is. How insulting to American’s intelligence."

On Wednesday Marshall wrote,&nbsp;"We are days away from the 2024 election and this administration is cooking the books in a last-ditch attempt to rewrite history and manipulate the public's perception of Biden-Harris’ economic failures, and consistent mismanagement of government spending and the economy."

"We’re calling on the Dept. of Labor to provide answers to their misleading reporting and provide the American people with accurate info on the economic health of our nation"

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724879028891.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —&nbsp;The U.S. economy added 818,000 fewer jobs from April 2023 through March this year than were originally reported, the government said last week. The revised total adds to evidence that the job market has been steadily slowing and likely reinforces the Federal Reserve’s plan to start cutting interest rates soon.&nbsp;Kansas U.S. Senator Roger Marshall wrote on social media, "Kamala Harris and Joe Biden are cooking the books for political power."They have completely fabricated job growth in an attempt to make you believe the economy is stronger than it is. How insulting to American’s intelligence."On Wednesday Marshall wrote,&nbsp;"We are days away from the 2024 election and this administration is cooking the books in a last-ditch attempt to rewrite history and manipulate the public's perception of Biden-Harris’ economic failures, and consistent mismanagement of government spending and the economy.""We’re calling on the Dept. of Labor to provide answers to their misleading reporting and provide the American people with accurate info on the economic health of our nation"<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/8/1724879077210.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>

Kan. U.S. Senator calls on Dept. of Labor to explain misleading job report

RENO COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol has identified the man who died in an accident that&nbsp;occurred just before 11:30p.m. Wednesday in Reno County.

The patrol reported a 1994 Chevy S-10 driven by&nbsp; Kris D&nbsp;Baymiller, 65, Hutchinson,&nbsp; was eastbound on U.S. 50 approximately seven miles east of Hutchinson. The pickup crossed the center line.&nbsp; A westbound 2018 Peterbilt semi driven by Parvinder&nbsp;Singh, 34, Fresno, California, struck the pickup in the westbound lanes.

Baymiller was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Elliot Mortuary. Singh was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.

RENO COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash&nbsp; that occurred just before 11:30p.m. Wednesday in Reno County.

According to the Patrol, a vehicle&nbsp; was eastbound on U.S. 50 approximately seven miles east of Hutchinson. The vehicle crossed the center line.&nbsp; A westbound vehicle struck the eastbound vehicle in the westbound lanes.

This is a developing story. Check the Post for additional details as they are available.

RENO COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol has identified the man who died in an accident that&nbsp;occurred just before 11:30p.m. Wednesday in Reno County.The patrol reported a 1994 Chevy S-10 driven by&nbsp; Kris D&nbsp;Baymiller, 65, Hutchinson,&nbsp; was eastbound on U.S. 50 approximately seven miles east of Hutchinson. The pickup crossed the center line.&nbsp; A westbound 2018 Peterbilt semi driven by Parvinder&nbsp;Singh, 34, Fresno, California, struck the pickup in the westbound lanes.Baymiller was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to&nbsp;Elliot Mortuary. Singh was not injured. Both drivers were properly restrained, according to the KHP.------------RENO COUNTY —The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash&nbsp; that occurred just before 11:30p.m. Wednesday in Reno County.According to the Patrol, a vehicle&nbsp; was eastbound on U.S. 50 approximately seven miles east of Hutchinson. The vehicle crossed the center line.&nbsp; A westbound vehicle struck the eastbound vehicle in the westbound lanes.This is a developing story. Check the Post for additional details as they are available.

KHP IDs Kansas man who died wrong-way crash

NEW YORK (AP)—The average rate on a 30-year mortgage eased for the second week in a row and remains at its lowest level in more than a year, good news for prospective homebuyers facing home prices near all-time highs.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1659001075252.jpeg" alt="AP photo" />
 <figcaption>AP photo</figcaption>
 </figure>NEW YORK (AP)—The average rate on a 30-year mortgage eased for the second week in a row and remains at its lowest level in more than a year, good news for prospective homebuyers facing home prices near all-time highs.The rate fell to 6.35% from 6.46% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 7.18%.The last time the average rate was this low was May 11, 2023.Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages also fell this week, good news for homeowners seeking to refinance their home loan at a lower rate. The average rate fell to 5.51% from 5.62% last week. A year ago, it averaged 6.55%, Freddie Mac said.“Mortgage rates fell again this week due to expectations of a Fed rate cut,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “Rates are expected to continue their decline, and while potential homebuyers are watching closely, a rebound in purchase activity remains elusive until we see further declines.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/inflation-prices-rates-economy-federal-reserve-biden-8d15ca77433a1ae072a1e63dfc089f24">Signs of waning inflation</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/economy-jobs-unemployment-federal-reserve-inflation-22095766804d9c1532b4fcc29565be49">a cooling job market</a>&nbsp;have raised expectations that&nbsp;the Federal Reserve will cut its benchmark interest rate next month&nbsp;for the first time in four years.Elevated mortgage rates, which can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, have kept many would-be homebuyers on the sidelines, extending the nation’s housing slump into its third year.Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes are running below last year’s pace, though they&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/housing-home-sales-real-estate-home-prices-ad5fa2acbe49758e5c1e9640e7320231">ended a four-month slide in July.</a>After climbing to a 23-year high of 7.79% in October, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage has mostly hovered around 7% this year — more than double what it was just three years ago. But this month, the average rate has made its biggest downshift in more than a year.